warnings: 18+ only, stalking/possessive themes, profanity, coercion, pet names (kitten, baby), sexual themes, gruesome/violence, physical assault, there’s probably more but i can’t think of it all at the top of my head—just be warned & pls if there’s anything that makes u even slightly uncomfortable pls do not proceed truly
word count/plot: [16.5k!] ara catches gojo’s attention when news breaks that she is the top academically ranked student in their grade. he is ranked second. he tries to befriend her but she ignores him. despite her obvious disinterest, his obsession begins…
a/n: hiii sorry for the delay folks but part 2 is out now ;) happy reading
ch. 1 , ch. 2 [ part 1 | part 2 ] , ch. 3 , ch. 4 , ch. 5 [ part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 ], chapter 6 [ part 1 I part 2 ]
The pain was blinding. Black spots lined his vision. Blood dripped down his brow as he attempted to open his eyes. His vision blurred as he tried to focus on his surroundings.
He grunted, trying to straighten his back only to realize he was tied to a chair. His wrists tied to the armrests and his ankles tied to the chair legs.
He could barely react, everything hurt. His head was pounding.
“Oh! You’re up.”
He glanced around and realized he was in Ara’s room. He couldn’t find the owner of the voice but he spotted a bloody pipe wrench on her desk. His pipe wrench that he kept in the garage.
Suddenly a tall, built boy entered his line of sight. He was dressed in all black, down to his black gloves. He was pale with the lightest hair he’d ever seen—it was nearly white. His eyes were quite the brilliant blue, it was unnatural how they seemed to glimmer like crystals in the dark.
He tilted his head, “Remember me?”
His head throbbed, causing him to groan. The side of his head hurt so bad it felt like the pointed edge of a metal cube was trying to embed itself into the left side of his skull.
He spit out blood as he replied through a gasp, “Fuck are you?”
The boy frowned, “Aw, I was hoping you remembered. Ara told me you once did but-“ he tapped his own temple, “-your heads probably all messed up right now so I can’t blame ya.”
He groaned as another painful throb passed through his head.
The boy appeared unbothered, merely gazing around the room with…longing, was it?
What’s wrong with this piece of shit? What’s he want with me?
The boy was staring at Ara’s bed when he yelled, “The FUCK DO YA WANT FROM ME?”
The boy laughed boisterously, tilting his head back as he did so, “So loud. Don’t you wanna know who I am first?”
He glared, only to wince when his head pounded once more. It hurt so bad. He felt warm blood trickling down his neck as he heaved.
“No?” The boy smiled, “Alright then, you can answer my questions first.”
The pain was making it hard for him to think. He dropped his head, trying to focus on evening out his breath so he could do something to get outta here but Christ he just wanted to close his eyes…
The boy grabbed his chin and forced his head back up, “Aht, aht. Chin up.”
“Fuck you.” he hissed.
“This is your daughter’s room, isn’t it? Have you even been in here since she left? Looks the same.”
“She’s missing.” he spat.
“Well she left you before that.”
“Excuse me?” he growled.
The boy picked up a picture frame on her nightstand. It was a picture of him holding Ara when she was a baby, her mother had taken the photo. “Did you leave everything as it was hoping she’d be back?”
He was feeling too much pain to respond. All he could do was watch the boy stare at the photo before gently setting it back down.
“I was the same,” A grin broke out across his lips, “til I crashed out.”
Why’s he acting like he knew my daughter?
He picked up Ara’s only stuffed toy, a small battered sheep that was once fluffy but had gone through the washing machine too many times.
“Do you even know where she went when she left?”
According to the cops, she’d lived with one of her high school friends. A boyfriend, at that. He’d been so disappointed that he hadn’t even bothered to ask who. His daughter had become a whore.
The boy tossed the sheep back onto the bed. He clenched his teeth, he hated that he was touching his daughters things.
His bright blue eyes snapped to his, “Do you?”
There was something so off about the look in the boy’s eyes he decided to answer, “She lived with some–some boy.” He spat out some blood that had trickled down his lips, “Stupid whore.”
Suddenly the boy was directly in front of him, his hand shoving back the top rail of the chair, making the chair tilt backward. The abrupt action wasn’t good for his head.
“She's not a whore.” If he’d thought there was something wrong with his look earlier, it was nothing compared to now. There was a feral glint to his eyes that was downright psychotic despite the cold sense of control in his words.
He let go of the chair, causing it to fall forward and make his head bob as the chair fell back in place. The rough action made his head pound in pain, he felt more hot blood spill down his cheek. He made a choked sound as black spots clouded his vision.
The boy stood behind him. His voice came from somewhere above his right ear as he outstretched an arm to point at Ara’s bed, “I took her virginity on that bed—right under your nose.”
Red hot anger pulsed through him but before he could speak his head was yanked back by a fistful of his hair, making him yell in pain.
He spoke into his temple, “She only put out for me, cuz she’s mine.”
He went on, “She was a good girl, and a good daughter.”
His head was suddenly shoved forward. His wound throbbed, he felt more blood gushing down his scalp. The pain was making him dizzy.
Through his hazy vision he spotted the boy circle around him, “And you hit her anyway..”
The boy tapped his bound hand, his index finger skimming his knuckles, “..with these hands..”
“..these legs.” Suddenly he viciously kicked one of the chair legs, sending the chair reeling. He was certain it was going to fall over but somehow it managed to stay upright. His head had swung around so harshly he was going to puke from pain.
“F-fuck!” he cried out.
The boy looked him up and down, “You’re making such a big mess.”
There was a trail of blood on the floor, in the places that his chair had been swung around.
“Let’s go somewhere else.” He grabbed the back rim of the chair and swiftly began to drag him out of the room.
He yelled, the tilted angle and rough movement of being dragged around only made the pounding in his head worse. He couldn’t keep his head still.
Finally the chair was pulled still, making him sigh in relief—until he was kicked down the stairs.
He screamed, the pain of bouncing down each step was brutal in its intensity. It felt like a bullet piercing through his skull with each jerk of his head.
He was certain he was going to die when the floor by the bottom steps was inches away from his face only to be yanked still.
He gasped, turning back to see a menacing grin on the boy’s face. He was holding the back rim of the chair with one hand, “Not yet, old man.”
He dragged the chair to the kitchen, only to spot the array of kitchen knives neatly spread out on the counter. The toolbox that he kept in the garage was there as well, including his drill.
Fear exploded in his gut.
The boy precariously tossed the bloody pipe wrench in the air before setting it down alongside the arranged tools and knives.
“She cared about you a lot, y’know.”
His fear almost made him forget who he was talking about. He watched the boy pace around, overlooking the laid out tools.
He picked up the mini cordless electric chainsaw.
His throat instantly went dry.
The boy wasn’t looking at him as he spoke, merely testing the weight of the saw in his hand, “She drove by here to check up on you.”
His blue eyes zoned in on him, “Even though you beat the shit out of her.”
Dread rushed through him, louder than the pain. If he was going to die, so be it. But he wasn’t going to let this shithead tell him what to do with his daughter. Yet the longer he looked at him, a sense of familiarity brewed within him…
“I only hit her when she deserved it.” he seethed.
For the first time he saw true anger spark in the boy’s eyes, “Oh yeah? What did she do the night she ran away from you then?”
“She lied—just like her fuckin’ mother. She lied about there being a fucking robber the night I got busted up so I had to show her what happens to liars—“
In the blink of an eye the boy was right in front of him, his hand squeezing the life out of his throat, “No. You had a breakdown because of your ugly fucking face and chose to lash out on her.”
“You knew she wouldn’t fight back..” He squeezed his neck harder, “cuz she never fights back with you.”
His eyelids twitched. He felt the air leave his body and began to thrash. Choked noises left him as he tried to swing his neck out of his grasp. Just before his vision went black, the boy let go.
The boy leaned towards him, placing his hand on the back rim of the chair, “Do you remember who the robber was?”
“There was a no fucking robbber.” he spat hoarsely, “It was you.”
A bright smile bloomed across his lips, “That’s right.”
He let go of the chair and took a step back. He turned the saw on and held it close to his face.
He screeched, jutting back and sending the chair flying backwards. He groaned as his head hit the floor. The pain thundered through his skull..
The sound of the saw turned off and all that filled the house was the sound of his bright boyish laughter.
Once he blinked away the spots in his eyes, he looked up to see the boy standing over him. The boy's face looked upside down from his view.
“I should’ve fucked your face up more.”
Suddenly his foot was on his face, pressing down so hard he had to scream. The pain was excruciating—
“AHHHH!!!”
He began to grind the heel of his foot until a disgusting ‘crunch’ resounded under his shoe.
“Oh?”
He raised his foot to see the man’s nose had combusted. Pieces of bone could be seen within the mush of blood.
He smiled, “There we go.”
He pulled the chair back upright. The man coughed out blood, his eyes struggling to regain focus through the pain.
“F-fuck you.” he gurgled out.
He patted his shoulder, “You would’ve died that night if she didn’t stop me.”
He sauntered in front of him, “You also would’ve died the night she came crying to my doorstep.”
A chuckle suddenly escaped him, “Why’s death always involved every time I wanna see you?”
He couldn’t answer, merely heaving from pain as blood spilled down his face. His mouth was full of blood.
The boy’s back was to him as he faced the kitchen counter. He watched his arms move as if picking things up and setting them down, “I helped her put on lotion every night cuz she was so worried about her skin scarring.”
He turned around with a drill in his hands, “But what about the ape who gave her those scars?”
He shook his head, “You were barely twenty minutes away but I couldn’t do shit cuz she would get mad at me.”
He shrugged, “Looks like she’s not around to stop me anymore.” He took a step towards him.
His eyes widened, “Wait! Wait-“ he sputtered through the mess on the face.
“Wait what.” he snapped as he stood before him.
He watched the old man cough out clumps of blood with disgust, “I didn’t want us to meet like this either.”
“I always thought I’d meet you sometime before I put a ring on her. I wanted to pretend to ask for your blessing and then rub in your face how happy I would make her.”
He used the tip of the drill to tilt his chin up, “I wanted to send you the wedding video, so you could watch her smile and laugh and cry happy tears—and feel like the fat fucking loser you are.”
Her Dad shook his head, making more blood pour from his nose, “P-please-h-hold on, you—“ he breathed haggardly, “you want to marry my daughter?”
He felt a low thrum in his chest as he swallowed. He answered flatly, “Yes.”
“S-she wants to?” Another chunk of nose slid down his face, “Marry you?”
He grinned bitterly, “I didn’t get the chance to ask.”
It was hard to tell with all the blood on his face, but he seemed to be confused, “I-I don’t get it. Where is she then? She didn’t send you?”
“No.” his voice was crisp, “I came here myself. The last time I saw her was at graduation, just like you.”
The old man appeared zoned out.
He went on, “You left after her speech. Why?”
“C-cuz I thought she was talkin’ about me…she was all don’t ever let anyone tell you what to do and I thought she was shittin’ on me.”
He couldn’t help but laugh, “You don’t know your daughter at all, do you?”
He tilted his head, “She never said a single bad word about you, not one. Not until the day you almost beat her to death and even that I had to force outta her.”
He pressed the drill to his throat, “That’s how much she cared.”
There was a moment of silence before tears began to shine in the old man’s eyes. He shook his head, sobbing.
It was a low, broken sound—his sobs. One that the old man never let anyone else hear. His shoulders sagged, the tip of the drill digging into his neck.
As the man sobbed, he couldn’t help but smile smugly. It was the first emotion he’d seen on the oldie that wasn’t anger.
“Let’s hope she still cares enough to show up to your funeral or else you died for nothing but my enjoyment.”
The drill turned on.
It was vile.
The body hung from the living room ceiling fan. The tightly knit rope made the 47 year old man’s neck deep purple from blood loss. His neck was also bent at an odd angle, one that shouldn’t be naturally possible unless your head snapped.
He was shirtless, his stomach and chest marked with various colored bruises and deep cuts. It was obvious the murderer used the neatly arranged house tools/utensils left on the counter to beat this guy—and all of them were caked in blood.
His limbs were cut off-both of his arms from elbow down, as well as his legs from knee down. The wounds were cut at a jagged angle and left a copious amount of dark purplish red blood on the floor. He could only pray that the murderer cut off his limbs after he was dead.
Upon a closer inspection, the man’s eyes were drilled in, leaving ground out, chunks of blood on his face where his eyes should’ve been. The man’s nose appeared crushed in, the white bone of his nose was visible through the crusted blood surrounding it.
There was a wound on the side of the man’s head that looked absolutely lethal. One side of his skull was caved in, completely ravaging his ear. The blood that had seeped from the wound seemed to cover the entire left side of his body. It might’ve been the final blow, if the old man was lucky.
The man’s back was a sight to see. Atop the rainbow of harsh, wide-spread bruises was letters. Letters that were burnt into his skin by a fireplace poker that was left carelessly within the puddle of blood on the ground. The words carved into his back stated—
Last words: I’m sorry Ara.
His mind couldn’t even formulate the right questions due to how struck he was by the sight before him. Grotesque would be too light of a word.
Vile. The person who did this had to be vile.
“Detective.” He glanced over to see his partner, Inanna, approach him. “They found remnants of his arms and legs in the fireplace.”
She stopped beside him, assessing him for a moment, “You okay?”
She’d told him the scene was gory but this gory? It didn’t feel right at all. Yes, a person could hate someone but this, this was hatred to an atrocious degree. If it was even hatred at all that fueled this…
He was certain this stench was going to stay with him for a while.
He ran a hand over his mouth. He needed to focus.
“Ara is his daughter right?”
“Yes, she’s been missing for about 9 months now.”
He remembered how widespread the search for her had been. It’d reached national news at a point due to a rich government related backer. They hadn’t let go of her case for months. And yet there was still no sign of her.
He’d been a detective for about 26 years now, not much scared him in life but this… this entire thing felt ominous. He’d barely dipped his toe into the case and yet the energy of this house, the murder felt off to an almost demonic degree.
He could smell the media and conspiracy theorists from a mile away.
Whoever was in this room, torturing this man had enjoyed it. It was clear from the way the homely tools turned weapons were laid out nearly upon the counter. It was as if he’d arranged them like that because he/they wanted to use them all—like a little experiment and he had.
There was no regard of keeping anything hidden either. The fireplace poker was left in plain sight, leading them straight to the victims limbs.
It wasn’t a first time killer either. Not from the way Mr.Natsuna’s home surveillance cameras were all jammed and the data from them all cleanly deleted and removed. There was no sign of forced entry.
It was odd—the combination of carelessness yet thoroughness. But out of all of this, one thing was clear.
This killer wasn’t scared.
Quite a bit of people showed up to his funeral, to Gojo’s surprise. It probably had to do with the media attention on the case versus actual care for the guy.
Most of the attendees were just work colleagues that the old man didn’t even have in his phone contacts. Yet they’d all told the media their account of him, none of them strayed far from ‘grumpy, kept to himself old man’ some even mentioned stories of him talking lovingly about his daughter which he couldn’t help but doubt.
Regardless, the media coverage was perfect especially if it reached the target audience.
He sat a good distance away on a bench in the cemetery, watching the preceding. It was a whole bunch of old people, paying respects and pretending to care. Media outlets sat outside the cemetery fence, snapping pictures and waiting for a chance to talk to the attendees.
The media was just dying for a crumb about the case, but little did they know none of those old head co-workers knew a single thing about Mr.Natsuna’s true nature.
He watched the funeral attendees disperse and head on and home, the media following soon after. It was laughable how enraptured the public was by the case. Everyone found it so mysterious.
His favorite theory on the internet was that Ara came back and killed her father.
She most certainly should’ve.
The sky was beginning to darken, it’d been hours since the funeral ended. Many people had come and gone since then, leaving flowers at loved ones gravesites and yet no one stopped at Mr. Natsuna’s grave.
It was getting colder. A cloudy fog slowly wafting over the tombstones. The hum of harsh winds passing making leaves and trees rustle in the distance.
He knew he should leave but he didn’t want to. He had a few more ice cream bars in his coat pocket to keep him company.
As well as a thousand ghosts.
It should be eerie, he supposed, to reside in a graveyard for so long but he felt nothing. The silence felt comforting, even in the presence of so much death. He almost respected it.
A stronger gust of wind howled past him, making his hat fly off and hair ruffle up with the wind.
Just as he stood to retrieve his hat he spotted someone approaching Mr.Natsuna’s grave. It was a smaller figure, with a bouquet of white flowers in their hand. It was hard to tell who it was due to the black mesh fascinator hat they wore.
Everything was similar. The height, the gait, the lengthy hair. His pulse thrummed with hope.
He circled around her from a distance, trying to assess her completely as she bent down to place the flowers beside his tombstone.
Then suddenly she fell to her knees and began to cry. The sound of her cries was so similar to Ara’s he nearly froze in place.
As he silently approached from behind her, he noticed something was off. The woman was older, he could tell from the skin of her hands flat against the ground. The veins and slightly wrinkled skin was unlike Ara’s smooth hands.
“Are you okay, Miss?”
She quickly turned her head up, and the similarities nearly made him gape.
It was Ara’s mother. He’d seen pictures of her when she was younger but goddamn she was pretty as hell. Ara was nearly her carbon copy.
He’d told James to keep tabs on her for a while now. James would update him whenever she travelled to different countries, just for the sake of potentially finding Ara but it seemed James didn’t know she was back in America.
Last he heard, she was in Germany.
She blinked away her tears, “Yes, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…” she stood up while delicately dabbing at her face with a handkerchief, “anyone else was here.”
He shook his head, “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You’re fine, dear.” She barely looked old enough to be calling him ‘dear’ unlike her husband. She looked 35 at most.
She glanced over at him and he couldn’t find it in himself to break his stare. Is this how Ara is gonna look like at 35? Am I ever gonna be able to see that?
It hit him like a truck when he realized how badly he wanted to see that. How badly he wanted to grow older with her. How badly he wanted to see her at every stage of life. How badly he wanted to change with her.
He didn’t want to be without her.
She blinked, her long lashes fluttering—Ara’s eyes had the same exact shape, “Did you know him?”
He belatedly realized she was referring to her husband. He briefly glanced at his tombstone, “No.” he lied, “I was actually visiting someone else.”
“Oh.”
He watched her stare at the old man’s grave more somberly than before.
“Who is he to you?” he asked, as if he didn’t know.
“My husband,” she responded before adding, “My first husband.”
“Oh.” James hadn’t updated him at all apparently.
“I got remarried a year ago, to a school friend but… I never got the chance to properly say goodbye to him.”
She spoke confidently despite the waver in her voice. The regret was evident in her eyes. Her eyes were just the slightest bit lighter than Ara’s.
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head, “Don’t be. I did this to myself.”
A small pained smile appeared on her lips, “It’s not a lie when they say you can’t run away from your problems, but that’s all I ever did.”
“Why?”
She glanced over at him, silently assessing him for a moment before responding with a touch of forlornness, “It felt like the safest option for me at the time.”
Her eyes dropped somewhere low, “But I neglected someone I shouldn’t have.”
There was something about the way she spoke that was inexplicably compelling. Something about her composure felt almost… tranquil, as if she’d already endured all the hardships of life.
“Who?”
“My daughter.”
“What’s her name?” he wanted to hear her say it.
“Ara.”
“That’s a pretty name.”
She nodded, “She would’ve been about your age now.”
He hesitated, “Did she.. also pass?”
She shook her head abruptly, “No, she’s missing.”
She suddenly turned to him, her gloved fingertips hovering over her lips, “Oh I shouldn’t be oversharing like this-“
“No, please. Don’t stop. I need a distraction,” he insisted, “Please.”
A slight laugh left her, “I hardly think talking about my family will be a happy distraction.”
“I’m not looking for happy, I just wanna hear something honest.”
She appeared stricken before her gaze softened, “I’m not sure what else I could tell you.”
“Tell me about your daughter.”
A little sad smile flickered across her lips, the expression reminded him so much of Ara it hurt.
“I wish I could.” she responded gently, “but I barely knew her myself, I was too absorbed in my own head to care about her the way I should’ve. I pushed her away when she needed me the most.”
She blinked away the tears collecting in her eyes, “Motherhood isn’t something that came naturally to me. I was married but I wasn’t ready to have her. We both weren’t.”
She glanced at the tombstone, voice soft, “I didn’t protect her.”
His jaw clenched. His voice came out flat, “Why?”
“Because I was weak.” she admitted, before shaking her head, “Even she was stronger than me. She knew I wasn’t okay, she begged me… to do what I needed to do. She was even ready to drop out of school and work to keep us afloat but I-I wasn’t ready. I was too scared, too heartbroken. I had to act on my own.”
“She was the smartest girl.” She pressed a gloved hand to her brows, “I don’t know how she was mine.”
He was zoned out.
She gracefully wiped away her tears, “Of course I realized this all too late. I just hope she’s free now.”
“Free?”
“Yes, free.”
He took in her side profile. Her puffy under-eyes, her fatigued gaze, the undeniable set of resilience to her jaw. It was the look of a mother who believed in her daughter, despite all odds.
He wondered if his mother ever believed in him this much. If she were alive, would she regret her actions too?
“If you could say something to her now…what would you say?”
A fresh stream of tears glistened in her eyes, “I would tell her so much. I would tell her everything I should’ve told her before. I would hold her-God,” she broke down in tears, “What I would do just to hold her.”
She sobbed, “I just want to hold her and never let go.”
Me too.
As she struggled to compose herself, she reached into her purse. He assumed she was going to get another handkerchief or such but instead she pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.
She handed it to him.
“That’s her.”
He stared at her missing poster. The poster that he’d posted everywhere in California, even personally handed out to countless people at a point.
She pointed at her picture.
“If you see her, report it immediately.” her voice sounded distant.
He stared at her picture, as if he didn’t pick it.
“Don’t forget it.” her tone firm.
“I won’t.”
I can’t.
She sets down the coffee cup, looking at the screen as she does so.
“Order 43!”
Suddenly she feels a hand clasp over hers, making her gasp.
She glances over to see a tall, white-haired male. He’s rather pale and has the sharpest jaw she’s ever seen. There’s a shadow of darkness under his eyes and hard set to his lips.
Despite his unearthly looks, it wasn’t that that made her gasp. It was how cold his hand was.
She immediately slides her hand off of the cup, unable to formulate any words.
He’s staring at her. His eyes the most riveting shade of blue, it almost feels as though he’s compelling her. There’s something brewing in his eyes, she can tell he wants something—almost ruthlessly so.
But then his gaze wavers, something akin to dismay flashes through his eyes. He glances away.
“Désolé.” he mutters in French but she hears the touch of an American accent in his tone.
He takes a hold of his coffee and turns around. She watches him stalk out the cafe, his trench coat fluttering in his wake.
Once he’s out of sight, she turns around and presses a hand to her chest. Her heart rate was spiraling out of control.
Her co-worker touches her shoulder, “Tu vas bien?”
She quickly faces her, “Vous avez vu ça?”
“Oui... c'était bizarre.”
She can’t shake the ominous feeling whispering along her skin, “C'était.”
(a/n: pls feel free to use DeepL or google translate to translate the french to english)
He throws the coffee cup into the trash–a little too viciously, it seems, since a nearby passerby flinches.
He glances down at his hand that touched the barista’s hand with a frown. It wasn’t her. It wasn’t her. Their sparkless touch confirmed it.
But why did she have to look so much like her?
He raked a hand through his disheveled hair. Suddenly his mind blanks–
“Here.” She set a mug on his desk.
He glances up from his laptop before reaching towards her just as she’s about to walk away. He tugs her onto his lap.
“What’s this?”
Her familiar scent wafts over him as she flips her hair over her shoulder. “I made you a coffee.”
He keeps a hand on her waist while reaching over for the mug, “Really?” he asks, elated.
“Yeah, I made too much.” she mutters.
He takes a sip before his eyes widen, “It’s sweet.”
“I added more creamer in yours.”
The corner of his lips curl before he tugs her smaller frame tight against his chest. He nuzzles the crook of her neck, “You love me.”
She squirms as he peppers a trail of kisses down her neck to her shoulder. Her laughter makes his heart pound faster.
She cups his face in her hands, “Stop.” She was always too ticklish to take his kisses.
“You love me.” he repeated with a satisfied smile.
Her eyes narrow as she searched his face. She couldn’t deny it. Not after her confession last week. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. She loved him.
Everytime he thought about it he felt high. This beautiful girl in his arms loved him. After everything they’d been through together, it felt so right. It felt more than right. It felt perfect.
She sighed, “How do you manage to fit that into every conversation.”
“Becauseeee it’s true.”
“Did I ever say it wasn’t?”
He pouted, “No.”
“Then stop embarrassing me.”
“How’s it embarrassing?”
“Because…” she reddens, shifting on his lap, “It just is.”
He presses his forehead to hers, “Loving your boyfriend isn’t embarrassing.”
“I-I know but…”
“But what?”
She’s not meeting his eyes, merely staring down at her hands on his chest. A light flush on her cheeks.
“But nothing.” she mumbles.
His hand tightens around her nape, tilting her head up to face him, “I thought you were over being embarrassed about us.” he deadpans.
Her eyes widened, “I am! It’s–not that.”
“Then?”
“I just–I’ve never said that to anyone before and you keep bringing it up. It makes me-” her flush deepens as she hesitates, “It makes me shy! Okay?”
He grins before slipping his hands under her shoulders and picking her up so that she’s now facing him, with her thighs straddling him.
He places his hands on her hips, his fingers sneakily slipping under the hem of her shirt as he stares up at her.
He licks his lips as he looks her up and down, “I still make you shy?”
She looks like an affronted kitten and he can't help but grin wider.
Just as she attempts to shuffle off his lap he uses his hands on her hips to keep her in place. He leans forward, speaking against her neck, “I’ve never said it to anyone else either, you know.”
He feels her go still in his arms. She slowly backs away to stare down at him. Her dark eyes assess him silently and he can’t help but feel his heart thrum in his chest. There isn’t one emotion on her face.
Suddenly her hand fists the hair at the back of his head, yanking him back, “Good.” she hissed, “because if you did, it was a lie. You’ll never love anyone the way you love me.”
Her hands slide around his neck, “I own you.” Her nails dig into his skin.
Her teeth nip at his lower lip, “I’m gonna haunt you til the day you die.”
She kissed the corner of his lip, “I’m gonna ruin you.”
He squeezed her waist, “Ruin me.” he begged as he leaned forward, chasing her lips as she backed away.
“I’m gonna rip your heart out.”
“Do it.” He captured her lips and kissed her so hard that his lips hurt.
“Ha~” a dry scoff escapes him. The memory was so hilarious he couldn’t even find it in himself to laugh. Especially not as he remembered how he’d had her in every single position he could on his desk after that.
She’d meant every word she said and all he could think about was the feel of her in his hands. How much he missed it. How every single time he touched her bare skin it felt like his hands were born to be there. How each touch between them made his body and soul gripe with such visceral need–he had no choice but to listen to his instincts.
And one touch from that barista hadn’t made him feel a thing.
He hears a feminine giggle from Suguru’s room as he passes. A fleeting sense of pride flows through him.
If high school had been his playground, university was definitely Suguru’s.
He quickly makes his way down the steps and passes the kitchen—only to freeze when he notices the candy bowl on the counter is full. Suguru must’ve refilled it.
He’s about to poke through to find something he likes only to find that it’s all things he likes. All of the candy was various kinds of his favorites.
He picks out two gold wrapped Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Just as he pops one in his mouth he hears Suguru.
“Yo! Satoru.”
He glances over to see him padding down the stairs. Suguru gives him a brief once-over.
“Where are you going?” Suguru asks.
“Out.”
He raises a thin dark brow, “Don’t tell me you're getting on that jet again, are you?”
He supposed there was no point in avoiding it, “I am.”
The disappointment on Suguru’s face is evident, “What? No, you can’t miss Suda’s birthday party.”
“It’s fine.” he replies while tossing the balled up wrapper in the trash. He doesn’t miss.
“I told you days ago to keep tonight free.”
He slides his car keys off the hook, “Yeah, sorry.”
“What is goin’ on with you?”
“She’s your girl, what difference does it make if I’m there or not?”
He stops at the door, awaiting Suguru’s answer only to be met with silence. He decides to look over his shoulder.
Suguru appears stricken until he frowns, “Fine.”
“Cool.” he swings open the door and leaves.
He removed the dog treats out of his pocket. The dog immediately noticed, it went still in its pursuit of rolling around in the grass. It shot up straight and glanced around before spotting him. The dog ran towards him.
“Lucky!” she yelled but the dog didn’t listen.
The dog stopped before him, planting its tiny paws on his shoes before circling around his feet. It’s tongue stuck out in excitement.
He lowered himself to one knee, feeding the dog treats out of his hand. He pet it with his free hand.
“I’m sorry.”
He glanced up to see the dog’s owner. His heart panged in recognition, even their voices sounded similar. If Ara had decided to go vanilla blonde that was exactly how she would’ve looked like.
He pulled down his hood, watching her expression carefully as he did so. Her eyes seemed to widen before she glanced away.
He tilted his head before rising to his feet. She was an inch taller than Ara but it’d been quite some time. She could’ve grown some height or maybe her platform sneakers were giving her a boost.
“No worries.” he responded calmly, “I like dogs. I keep treats on me just in case.”
That was a lie. He’d read her file and he knew she took daily walks in the park with her dog at this exact time.
She was so pretty it was making his heartache. Her yoga pants fit her legs rather nicely. Her thin jacket fit her waist snugly as well. Just looking at her made him feel less hollow.
She twirled her ponytail around her hand. A nervous gesture? He couldn’t be sure.
She was avoiding his gaze and it piqued his curiosity more than she knew. He tried not to get his hopes up anymore but could it really be…
“Ara.”
Her eyes darted to his, genuine confusion marking her countenance. “Huh?”
It wasn’t her. Ara wasn’t that much of an actress to be able to hide a reaction to her name. This girl wasn’t afraid of him either. But just to be sure—
He grabbed her hand.
Not her.
He didn’t feel a thing. The pull wasn’t there. His Ara wasn’t there.
He placed the dog treats in her palm before letting go. He chuckled airily, “Sorry, don’t mind me.”
He gestured towards the extra dog treats in her hand, “You can have those. There isn’t a dog on the planet that doesn’t love em.”
“Who’s Ara?”
The question took him by surprise. He’d just been on the verge of turning away but his feet froze at the mention of her name.
Who is Ara? Would I even be able to recognize her if I saw her? Does she still think about me? Is she in college like me? Does she still like art? Is she majoring in art?
Everything he knew about Ara was old. He didn’t know anything about her now. He didn't know if she’d changed in any way. He didn’t know what new experiences she’d gone though—what new things she’d discovered. If she’d found another hobby to occupy her time like she always would or if she’d gotten to explore her style like she wanted to.
It bothered him. Everything about it bothered him.
He didn’t even know if she was alive.
“Are you okay?” She reached out to gently touch his arm.
He instinctively avoided her touch a second before she could reach him.
“Sorry. I—“ she dropped her hand, “It’s none of my business.”
“You’re good,” he subtly shook his head, “I’m the one who’s more sensitive than a baby apparently.”
She laughed lightly.
He didn’t miss the concern in her eyes as she asked, “Are you okay though? You seem..” she trailed off.
He raised a brow, urging her to continue.
“Kinda down.” she finished.
He took a moment to assess her before responding, “Is that right?”
“Yeah.”
“Damn. I really look that busted, huh?”
This time a real laugh escaped her, “No but I just—I know that.”
“Know what?”
She hesitates before replying, “I know what it’s like to be going through it.”
He’s quiet.
She goes on, “I’ve been there.. group therapy helped me.”
He laughs while tilting his head up towards the sky.
“I’m serious. It did!“
“Everyone would think I’m crazy.”
“That’s what I thought too but sometimes sharing your problems makes the load feel lighter, no matter how absurd it is. We people have more in common with one another than differences, y’know.”
A humorless smirk slowly spread across his lips. His hands slipped into his pockets before he faced her.
“You really are a psych major, huh?”
She froze. He saw the exact second the sympathy in her eyes transformed into fear, “How did you know that?”
“I guessed.” He lied.
She was still for a moment before a low laugh slipped out of her, “I just try to help people when I can.”
“That’s real nice of you.”
She blinked before squinting slightly in doubt. The expression reminded him so much of Ara-it felt like a shard of glass had pierced straight through his chest.
His knuckles lightly grazed her cheekbone, “I mean it.”
For a second he imagined her to be his Ara, “We need more people in the world like you.”
He withdrew his hand. It was then he noticed another male heading their way in the distance.
She glanced down, scratching the back of her neck, “Thank you.”
“Stay safe.” he muttered with a little smile before walking off.
Just as he turned away, the approaching male stopped beside her. According to her file, that guy was her current boyfriend. He worked at the cafe she regularly visited.
He overheard their conversation as he walked away.
“Who was that?” he asked. The fresh coat of jealousy in his tone made him grin faintly.
“Just—some guy,” she paused, “I think he needed help.”
“With what?”
“I’m not sure..”
She stepped out of the comedy club. The crowd from the show filled the streets before her. Everyone seemed to be discussing the comedian in high spirits.
“Prim, how are you getting home?”
“I can walk, remember? I literally live 5 minutes away from here.”
“Oh yeah!” Lucy let out a short laugh before freezing, “Wait but still. Aren’t you a little tipsy?”
“Nah nah. I’m all good.”
“You swear?”
Prim spotted Owen’s car pull up in front of them, “Yeah, I swear.”
Before Lucy could go on she playfully shoved her towards the car, “Don’t worry. I promise, now go. Owen’s right there—“
“—but wait—“
“Go, go, go.”
She hustled Lucy towards Owen’s car before waving them off. She raised the strap of her shoulder bag from the crook of her arm before walking down the sidewalk.
He walked in stride a couple feet behind her.
Her miniskirt was catching the eyes of all the wrong men and he happened to be one of them.
Her legs were distracting. Her long boots went well with her look. All he’d need to do is bend her over and the little piece of fabric would lift up to show his favorite place.
A subtle breeze passed and her lengthy hair rippled along the wind. The chatter of the crowd from the comedy show fading into the distance.
She momentarily bent down, shuffling around for something in her shoulder bag before lifting up a mini hand-held mirror. She was in the midst of reapplying her lip gloss until she spotted him.
He knew he’d been spotted the second her confident stride faltered. He was right in the mirror’s line of sight.
But she didn’t stop. She continued to walk at the same pace.
Smart girl.
He picked up the pace.
She must’ve felt it somehow because her pace quickened as well.
She glanced over her shoulder and a rush of exhilaration sprawled from his core.
She began to walk faster, with less subtlety.
He sped up right along with her. It didn’t take much time. She stood only three feet before him now.
She turned a corner and he turned a moment after her. This time she was blatantly glancing back as she walked. Looks like she’d given up being indiscreet.
She quickly shot out her hand and he instinctively gripped her wrist. He’d gripped her wrist hard enough to send her pepper spray clattering onto the ground.
Her eyes widened in fear and his chest surged with satisfaction.
But those aren’t her eyes.
Ara’s eyes weren’t ever that clear-ever that readable. Ara was always thinking ahead-always thinking one thing, yet doing another.
This girl’s fear left her paralyzed—as malleable as paper.
Barely stronger than a feather.
Her wrist felt entirely too fragile when she flinched at the firm pressure his fingers applied.
“Why are you following me?” her voice cracked.
She was beautiful-that red lip was entirely too enticing. Ara never wore a red lip.
He released her wrist, his fingers lingering longer than necessary.
“You look like someone I’m looking for.”
“I do?” She was terrified, attempting to put on a brave face. It was so obvious he could almost feel her fear—her struggle.
He took a step towards her, her feet remained rooted in spot. Her pupils dilating in fear.
He saw her neck bob as she swallowed, her eyes never leaving his.
He nodded, “She’s missing.”
Her eyes briefly dropped to his chest before returning back to his.
When she spoke her voice had this quality to it that made him wonder if she was losing her voice, “Really..”
“She’s been missing for two years.”
He tilted his head as he watched her lower lip quiver.
“Is she even alive?” her voice was barely above a whisper.
“I don’t know.” he replied just as quietly.
Her gaze dropped to his chest once-more.
He leaned towards her, “I’ve been looking for her ever since.”
He lightly nudged her chin upward with his knuckles, “She was my sun.. my stars.”
Her eyes were glossy.
“What happens to the world when the sun disappears?” he murmured.
Her eyes were brimming with tears. He was viciously reminded of how Ara would look so incredibly beautiful when she cried—it was odd how such an emotion could captivate him but.. it only felt just to find her attractive during her highs as well as her lows.
“Answer me.” he urged softly.
Maybe the girl was scared because she knew she couldn’t outrun him. The heels of her sexy boots would never allow it—regardless it wasn’t like she had a chance.
Her only meager attempt at harming him failed.
Her jaw trembled under his touch, “I- I don’t know.”
He slipped his hands into his pockets, “Oh come on, you gotta have a theory. We all took our basic science classes didn’t we?”
“It’s not possible-“
“But if it was.”
“The world would be completely dark, wouldn’t it? The planets wouldn’t have anything to orbit around and humans-plants-all life would eventually die off.”
she rushed out.
He was still, for what must’ve felt like a long while to her because her countenance fell. Her eyes darted between his, as if contemplating whether or not she’d said the wrong thing.
He cupped her elbow, grinning, “Relax, you're right.”
She moved her arm back but his grip only tightened, “What does this have to do with me?” her voice shook.
“Oh it has everything to do with you, sweetheart.” He swung her around, pressing her small back against his chest.
He nuzzled her cheekbone, “So impatient.”
He squeezed her arms, “Just bear with me..”
They were so similar in height, just holding her against himself like this brought back memories. He buried his face in the crook of her shoulder, sliding his arms around her waist. If he closed his eyes maybe he could pretend…
but she didn’t smell like her. She didn’t even come close. There was nothing about her scent that made his body rush with that irresistible magnetism that overwhelmed him whenever she was in his vicinity. It was maddening.
His tongue swiped her neck, making her jolt. She didn’t taste like her. Her skin didn’t taste like a dangerously potent elixir had been poured all over her skin just for him.
She struggled against him, “Wait-stop. Let go. Stop!”
He cupped her mouth with one hand, sighing, “Shhh, baby.”
He felt a tear touch his palm over her mouth and immediately glanced at it—before instinctively leaning close to lick it.
Her tears didn’t taste the same. Ara’s tears were less bitter, more salty. More addictive.
He squeezed her jaw, aggravated. He’d wanted to hold her for a moment, reminisce but all he seemed to do was note their differences.
But that was good, wasn't it? He still remembered. He remembered her scent, her feel, her taste.
It was impossible to forget but with this girl, the differences were blatantly clear. Each difference evoked a different emotion—igniting his already desperate longing.
He just wanted her image to stay in the forefront of his mind longer…
Each memory of her was a high in and of itself but he was running out. He was running out of memories to replay in his mind and that scared him. He couldn’t lose her. He’d already lost her physically but to lose her in his mind? He wasn’t ready to live without her.
Suddenly his mind flashed with another memory.
He was blinking away his dreariness when she yanked at his hand in hers. The next thing he knew they were running.
He ran out of the backyard with her leading the way.
“Why are we running?!”
“Just wait.” she yelled back.
She stopped abruptly, making him nearly crash into her until he spotted the folded silk sheet at their feet. There was a cake atop it—specifically a white chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake.
His mother’s favorite.
Today was his mother’s birthday. He’d been thinking about it all day and yet he hadn’t said a word about it. He didn’t plan to either.
He slowly met Ara’s gaze, astonished, “H-how did you..”
She gently tugged his arm, “Come, let’s sit.”
She lowered him to sit atop the silk sheet. Just as she moved to sit beside him, he instantly yanked her onto his lap.
She smiled softly, shaking her head.
He stared at the candlelit cheesecake before them, still stunned.
“Who told you?”
“Do you think you’re the only one paying attention?”
Her small hand slid up his nape, her fingers raking through his hair, “You’ve been quiet all day.”
The candlelight seemed to reflect in her eyes as she went on, "Do you know how weird that is? When your quiet?"
He exhaled in humor-only to freeze when she gently kissed his cheek.
“Let’s celebrate her.” she murmured.
His eyes were stuck on her as she glanced towards the cake. He watched her pull the cake closer before her lips made a little ‘o’. It seemed one of the candles went out.
She quickly pulled out a lighter from her pocket and-it took a couple (several) tries-but she relit it. She faced him.
The hint of embarrassment in her eyes faded the second she searched his face, "Satoru."
Did she know? Did she know every year on her birthday he'd visit her grave and have a slice of this cake? Did she know his mother loved having picnics in this very backyard with him as a kid? Did she know his mother would always joke that he could only be tamed by a smart girl that never let him get his way?
I found her, Mom.
He pressed his forehead to hers, unable to respond.
Her hand cupped his jaw, her thumb stroking his cheek, “Satoru.” her voice cracked.
I wish you stuck around to meet her.
Her eyes watered right alongside his and he decided right in that moment he never loved anyone more.
His head dropped to her neck and she drew her slender arms around his shoulders, trying to hold him. He silently cried against her, squeezing her tight.
She kissed his head, her hand in his hair caressing his messy strands comfortingly. Her hand on his back gripping him tight.
“It’s okay.” she whispered as he shook. His tears unable to hide themselves, “I’m here.”
“I’m here.” she repeated, as if she knew how much that meant to him.
“I love you.” she whispered.
“I love you.” he muttered back, only to realize he’d spoken out loud. His arms tight around the Ara look-a-like, tears stinging his eyes.
He blinked away the tears when he realized the girl in his arms was shaking.
“Please, please let me go.” she begged.
He was still for one long moment, selfishly continuing to keep her close as he whispered in her ear, “Is that what you want?”
She nodded.
He eyed the side of her tear stained face, “Are you sure?”
“I- I am.”
He didn’t move, merely pressing his lips to her temple—inhaling her. He almost thought he could smell her scent if he held his breath long enough.
“Let me go.” her voice wavered.
He closed his eyes, memorizing the feeling of holding her one last time before letting go.
He watched her book it down the street, her heels echoing against the asphalt as she ran.
It would be easy to chase her. He wouldn’t even lose his breath trying.
He’d catch her and she would scream. Nothing close to that pretty little laugh that’d escape Ara’s lips when she’d run and get caught. She’d always tilt her head up to look at him after, her chest heaving and eyes alight with exhilaration.
No… it wouldn’t be like that.
There would only be fear, short-lived satisfaction and then silence. Endless, hollow silence.
He unlocked his phone, tapping open the photos app before letting his thumb hover over a photo album. An album dedicated to pictures of her. He used to go through this album daily.
He opened the album, swiping through. A cold billowing sensation curling in his gut with each picture he swiped through. Some pictures were blurry from trying to snap a picture of her true smile in time, she’d always manage to evade it—except for this once.
They were at an aquarium and after a lot of deliberation she finally decided on a favorite fish.
Just as she pointed at one and faced him, he managed to capture her smile on camera in time. Her smile was so bright, wide and enrapturing when turned up at its full potential like this. And she didn’t have a damn clue.
He stared at the picture, it felt like he’d taken it yesterday but now here he was at 20, staring at a picture of a 17 year old girl.
How did time pass so fast… and still feel so dreadfully slow.
He exhaled derisively before swiping to the next picture. His heart stopped.
She was in a bikini set with side tie bottoms. He’d taken this picture of her off guard, when she’d just been relaxing in the pool with him. And he was damn sure glad he took it.
Her tits were spilling out the sides of the bikini top, the little cloth barely able to contain her full tits. Just the silhouette of her sexy little waist made him run his teeth over his bottom lip. Countless memories of him gripping that tiny fucking waist and thrusting into her clouded his mind.
Going from fucking her anywhere, anytime to not being able to touch her at all had been the harshest withdrawal.
He was hard–glaringly so. It pressed awkwardly against his belt, throbbing for attention.
The doorknob turned and he slipped the phone back into his pocket.
A woman emerged from the door, clad in barely any clothes. The lingerie set was inky black, yet see through in all the right places. The garter belt hanging from her hips accentuated her hips perfectly. She walked with the strut of a model.
The woman’s hair was long and wavy, just like Ara’s–even the way her smile spread across her face was reminiscent of her. If Ara was a couple inches taller, had smaller tits and fully tapped into her sensuousness, she would’ve looked just like this.
Which was solely why he paid for a night with her.
Ciara was her name. She was Slovenian and her prostitute name was Kitty. Ha.
Was it a coincidence or fate that kitties needed to entertain him?
He watched her slowly walk towards him, truly cat-like in her gait. Her heels not making a sound against the floor as she made her way to the pole in the center of the room.
He leaned back against the cushions, watching her.
She didn’t break eye-contact, merely twirling around the pole rather measuredly, as if to give him a full view of what he was working with.
His eyes dropped to her little ass peeking out her thin panties. He grit his teeth.
She let go of the pole and sauntered towards him. Her eyes dropped to the tent in his pants.
“You look like you need a little help.” she murmured sultrily, before lowering to her knees.
She placed her long nailed hands on his knees and slid them up his thighs. She leaned forward, pressing her breasts against his bulge as she looked up at him.
She fluttered her eyelashes before leaning back to undo his belt and the zipper of his pants. He kept his arms spread atop the cushion’s backrest.
A short breath of relief escaped his clenched jaw the second his cock was free from the constraints of his zipper. The only constraint left was his boxers, which were struggling to keep his twisting cock inside.
He watched her eyes widen at the sight, “You’re so big, daddy.” A subtle whine to her voice.
She licked her lips as she whispered, “I can’t wait to fit all of you inside me.”
She jutted her chin aside, casually flipping her long locks over her shoulder before reaching for his cock.
He grabbed her throat a second before her fingers wrapped around him. She jolted in surprise.
His grip on her throat kept her in place as he bent low to press a kiss to her lips. The second their lips met she had no choice but to cave to him. His kiss was so invasive and consuming. Each subtle scrape of his teeth against her lips licked up the flames inside her body. His tongue intruding her mouth nearly felt as sensual as being fucked. There was an unfathomable sense of control in his actions that she’d never felt before—it was dizzying. His rigor was stronger than hunger, darker than mania. She felt compelled to submit to him.
Suddenly his hand on her throat pushed her back. She gasped as she landed harshly on her elbows. She could already feel the bruises forming.
She watched him stand with his belt in one hand. His eyes glacial in their coldness, dissonant to the unfeeling set of his lips.
“You’re not her.”
He stepped over her, leaving her heart racing and ego smaller than a speck of dust.
One year later
The chauffeur opened the car door and he stepped out. He smoothed down the front of his suit and glanced over when he felt a hand on his back.
His Uncle stood beside him, a small smile on his lips. It didn’t reach his eyes.
His uncle was a few inches shorter than him now. His ice blue eyes surrounded by wrinkles. His white hair was gelled back, minus for one strand hovering over his forehead.
He’d seen that face more than he would’ve preferred to during the past year. He’d observed his antics, motives and character to an in-depth degree and learned that his Uncle was more than just conniving. His Uncle was lethal in his business pursuits. Steadfast in business dealings and a genius at making money.
All skills that were easy to replicate, skills he could easily advance.
Which was why his Uncle didn’t like it much when he’d let Gojo take charge of the company for a week only for stocks to double, investments to quadruple and their worth to jump upwards by a couple billion. He also didn’t like it when their investors began to contact him regarding business dealings.
He was supposed to remain CEO for a month but his Uncle quickly did away with that after a week when he noticed his progress. He supposed he didn’t want his position to get unseated that quickly. He wasn’t dead yet.
His uncle patted his shoulder, “Go on, boy.”
Gojo grinned subtly before walking ahead. He entered the buzzing art gallery with an air of boredom.
A server passed by with a tray of drinks and he took one. He handed it over to his Uncle.
His Uncle took it before frowning, “You know I don’t like champagne.”
He shrugged before greeting one of their investors as she approached them. It didn’t take long for other familiar faces to pop up and greet them.
Small talk. Small talk and more small talk.
He was bored of it all. It was all too menial for him so the first chance he got, he slipped away. He was planning on heading out but then the art gallery owner caught him.
“Please, Mr. Gojo.” she touched his arm, the elderly woman had quite a flirtatious laugh, “Just take a look around before you leave, won’t you?”
He tilted his head, “Since you asked so nicely, Ms. Brahms.”
She smiled, showcasing her perfect teeth, “I really think there’s some pieces you might like.”
Another male approached her just as he turned away. He supposed checking out the art couldn’t hurt.
The theme was ‘emotions’ so the art displayed was supposed to brew up feelings within the viewer. Ms.Brahms insisted on clarifying that he should wallow in what the art makes him feel versus trying to interpret what emotions the artist is trying to convey.
He slowly walked around the less chatty area of the gallery. Perusing the fresh pieces, some with familiar names, some completely new.
None of the art was particularly notable, which was unsurprising. He hadn’t felt much as of late—well, for a while now.
He stared at an art piece that showed a red moon casting a red light over a black & white city. It was an interesting vibe, sure but not the kind to make him feel a sort of way.
He walked over to the next wall. His gaze gravitated towards a canvas with a human laying on a hospital bed, attached to several wires. The wires were all white but upon closer inspection you could see that they were all very lightly colored pastels.
Everything else in the picture was gray and white, shaded in areas to show depth. The unsettling part about the art piece was that there seemed to be one-sided windows into the patient's room. There were other onlookers peering into the patient’s room, pictured as black, blurry human-like figures.
Then there was the most odd part, the patient on the table’s eyes were wide open. Their mouth was covered due to some sort of contraption covering it.
It was intriguing how the eyes of the patient strapped to the bed were so expressive. The paranoia in their gaze was clear, but so was the effect of the drugs. It made the fear in the patient’s eyes almost hazy, dream-like. The entire piece was captivating.
The details-the subtlety, the onlookers, the helplessness. He was intrigued.
He looked at the canvas beside it. This one looked like it took place in a vault with walls of black mirror, there were stacks and stacks of treasure, towering atop each other. The stacks of treasure surrounding a willowy girl.
She was dressed in a modern style, floor-length dress and hair done in a neat updo. She looked classy, elegant in a way that felt similar to a swan.
She was dancing, despite being attached to a shiny silver string that was attached to each of her limbs from somewhere above.
She was barefoot—her feet up to her ankles were covered in this red liquid he could only identify as blood. It was everywhere on the floor of the vault. It even stained parts of her gossamer white dress. The only place blood seemed to seep from was her eyes—upon closer inspection he realized her eyes were sewn shut and yet there was a smile on her lips.
It was then he realized the willowy woman was dead-from her sunken cheeks, slightly hanging posture, to the subtle gray sheen in her skin. She must be dead-or at least close to it. She was only able to dance because the silver strings attached to her were making her dance. Someone from above, off-the-canvas was controlling her.
It was quite the compelling piece. He’d never seen anything like it.
He glanced below the two canvases he’d just seen to one more below it. It seemed to take place in a long hallway, the hallway becoming darker & darker the further it went on. There seemed to be a small rectangle of light to potentially signify an exit to this hallway.
But the walls of this hallway were covered with eye-balls. They were peering in, staring every which way. There were even eyes on the ceiling. The only area that didn’t have eyeballs was the shiny white tiled floor.
The eyeballs were bloodshot and the irises were a familiar shade of bright, electric blue.
An odd sensation bloomed in his gut.
He tilted his head, staring at the picture as if it could tell him more. The detail in the eyes was quite realistic, it looked as if they were growing from the walls.
It was obvious what this piece was trying to convey. In fact it perfectly encapsulated it.
The feeling of being watched.
He motioned one of the gallery worker’s over. She compliantly came forward.
“Yes, sir?”
“Tell me about this artist.”
She smiled, in a way that was almost coy-as if she was unsurprised these art pieces caught his attention.
She motioned towards the name-plate below the pieces, which he’d already taken note of. “This artist goes by the pseudonym, Anonymous. They went viral for their art piece titled ‘Love’ 3 years ago, I’m sure you’ve seen it.”
“I haven’t actually.”
“Oh! Well, everyone in the art world knows of it. It was the most expensive rookie art piece sold in a while-“
“How much?”
“40K.”
He merely nodded.
“They’ve been relevant in the art industry ever since.” She pointed at the canvas with the several blue eyes, “This is their most recent piece and it’s been getting quite popular. The artist actually didn’t even want to release it but their team convinced them to.”
“How do you know that?”
She pushed her glasses up her nose, “It’s mentioned on their website. They always write a little blurb about each art piece they drop on their blog.”
He watches her examine the art almost fondly, as if she’d stared at the pieces several times before.
“There’s just… so much detail and layers in each piece. The color play as well-of course, there’s so much black & white but the shading brings out a certain.. depth and the little bit of color that is used is almost emphasized due to the darkness of everything else.”
“I feel like the more you stare at it the more you find.” she paused, before facing him, “Doesn’t each piece feel like a glimpse into a nightmare?”
He was silent. He couldn’t help but find her words.. the best way to put it. Each piece was quite creepy–in a way that almost didn’t feel intentional. There was certainly a dreamlike quality in each work but the darker themes felt almost purposefully masked in or glamorized. As if there was a pretense of normalcy someone who merely glanced at the art wouldn’t notice but if you actually took a moment, it was blatantly clear.
She went on, pointing at the bottom right corner of each canvas, “If you notice the artist doesn’t have a signature either, instead they use a white hibiscus as their signature-“
“What?”
He must’ve spoken too sharply because she nearly jumped. She glanced up at him with a bit of confusion, “A hibiscus-the flower? That’s the artist's signature. If you look closely at each canvas you can find a hibiscus placed somewhere in their art. A lot of our visitors have fun trying to find it in each piece.”
Now that she mentioned it… he peered closely at each piece. He pointed out the white hibiscus flower in each canvas, it was rather subtle and small in the art but it was there.
“Wow.” the gallery worker-Charlotte, according to her badge-spoke with a slight laugh, “You found them quite fast.”
“What’s the artist's real name?”
“I don’t know.”
He sharply faced her and her eyes widened.
“N-no one knows,” she quickly added, “They go by a pseudonym, remember?”
“How can I get in contact with them then?”
“You would have to reach out to their agent. That’s what Ms.Brahms did-“
“Get me the agent’s contact. Now.”
She blinked, taking a step back, “Uh, sure. I’ll go speak with Ms.Brahms.”
He watched her walk off with a nagging impatience brewing in his gut. He faced the art with narrow eyes. There was… something here.
There had to be.
He felt it, like an itch needing to be scratched except it was more potent. Way more potent.
No. A quiet, cool voice whispered in his mind. Don’t get your hopes up. We’ve been disappointed so many times before…
He grit his teeth, hastily rubbing his chin before pulling his phone out from his pocket. He snapped a few pictures of the art before sending it to his private investigator.
James responded not even a millisecond later.
J: What’s this?
G: I need you to find the artist. Send me everything about them asap.
J: On it.
He took a puff of his cigarette in one hand while scrolling through his phone with the other.
He found the image he was looking for. The artist’s breakthrough piece.
The backdrop was black. At its center was a cake stand but instead of a cake at its center, it was a heart. An actual human heart.
It was incredibly realistic. Each part of it anatomically correct but… the heart was stuck with thin, shiny needles, at almost every single point. The silver of the needles the only color on the entire canvas. Everything else was black and white.
Once again, the art had this almost dream-like quality to it that made it hard to look away.
It was a simple piece, and yet it felt heavy with symbolism. Especially because of the title, ‘Love’.
Maybe it was because the shiny glint the tiny needles gave off or how compactly the needles were pierced upon the organ but he swore he felt a twinge in his own heart.
It was the only romance related piece amongst the artist’s artwork. He supposed even they understood the woes of heartbreak.
And if the artist was who he thought it was…
The car door pulled open, Ijichi stood beside it, “We’ve arrived, sir.”
He stepped out of the car, tossing the cigarette on the ground without a glance.
Just as he was about to walk, he stopped. He turned around, his eyes dead set on Ijichi’s cautious expression.
“Do you remember Ara?”
He paused, “O-of course, sir.”
“Do you think about her?”
He watched Ijichi grow anxious under his stare.
He looked Ijichi up and down before reaching inside his coat for another cigarette, “It’s a simple question.”
“Sometimes.” Ijichi admitted.
He placed the cigarette between his lips just as a slight laugh escaped him.
He shook his head, “She was pretty, right?”
Ijichi watched him light the cigarette with unease, “Yeah..”
“Really pretty,” he muttered to himself before taking a puff. He faced Ijichi, “What if I told you she was here, in New York, right now?”
His eyebrows skyrocketed, “She is?”
“I don’t know, I’m just guessing but.. if she was, then what?”
“I would…” Ijichi seemed unsure of what to say, “I would be happy for you.”
“You would?”
He nodded.
“Why?”
“Because you would be happy to see her.”
He raised a brow before a dry chuckle slipped out of him, “Should I be mean to her or nice to her?”
At the obvious confusion on Ijichi’s face, he added, “If I see her again.”
Ijichi’s brows furrowed.
He leaned against the car, “I have the right to be mean, y’know. She left me.”
“She went missing.” Ijichi corrected, as if that meant anything.
“I think of her now and I just want to hold her but… back then I woulda wanted to make her cry.”
He chuckled again, “I liked seeing her cry.”
Ijichi frowned, “You shouldn’t make women cry.”
He turned to Ijichi with a smile on his lips, “That’s right.”
A moment later he asked, “Have you ever been in love, Ijichi?”
He seemed to redden at the question. He scratched the back of his neck, “I-I’m not sure.”
“You haven’t.”
Ijichi blinks.
He goes on, “It’s not the kinda thing you get confused about. It’s a curse, makes you all kinds of twisted—for one reason only.”
“For what?”
“Love.”
He stared out of the tall glass walls, at the rain pouring against the windows. He raised his glass to his lips. It was this newfound apple cranberry iced tea he’d found a liking for.
He felt a piece of ice go down his throat as he stared at the view. The penthouse was completely soundproof, one would not be able to guess his building was in the heart of New York City. All of Central Park and Manhattan could be seen from his windows.
His phone buzzed. He set his glass down before slipping his phone out his pocket.
He raised his phone to his ear, “James.”
“Yes, Mr.Gojo. I gathered info on that artist. I’m sending it over now.”
He pressed his phone on speaker and tossed it on the coffee table. He sat back on the recliner, crossing his long legs over one another, “Tell me.”
“Her name is Sade West. She’s twenty one years old. 5 feet 5 inches in height. She was born in Orange County, California. Her father is unknown and her mother passed away 7 years ago. Her mother was a homeless, drug addict who surrendered her to foster care early on.”
James continued, “She grew up in foster care, switching from home to home all over Southern California. She was a good kid, didn’t get in trouble much except for a bit of tardiness in high school. She was an average student but did well on her SATs so she was able to get into the School of Visual Arts in NYC.”
“She had enough saved up from her part-time jobs to move to New York but mainly took loans to cover her school expenses. She graduated last spring.”
“During her time at the School of Arts she was discovered by Lynelle Ivo-“ his brows furrowed at the familiar name, “-a very experienced art curator, she basically took Sade under her wing.”
“Apparently sometime during her intern years with Ivo she requested that her art be released through a pseudonym-“
“Do we know why?”
“Unclear but Ivo agreed and the pseudonym decided was ‘Anonymous’.”
He tilted his head as James went on, “A year after releasing art as ‘Anonymous’ her piece titled ‘Love’ went viral on social media-specifically Tik Tok and X. The physical piece got sold for 44K.”
“Who bought it?”
“Johnny Depp.”
Gojo merely grinned, “Go on.”
“Shortly after she graduated Chroma Atelier, a high quality paint company, reached out to her. She has a 3 year sponsorship deal with them. She hired on a management team of two people after that, a publicist and a manager. She currently utilizes Reese Heim’s art studios as her workplace. They have a working agreement that whatever art she creates in his studio gets showcased at his galleries.”
He’d heard of Reese Heim’s before. He was pretty sure his assistant had bought one of his pieces for his office. It was worth a pretty penny.
“And you won’t even have to book a flight to see her.”
He sat up in his seat, snatching up his phone. He opened up her picture just as James said, “It looks just like her, that Ara you’re looking for.”
It did. It truly did. Not one feature was off. Her eyes were the same. Her nose was the same. Her lips were the same. Sade looked just like her.
“Why didn’t you start with that?”
“Sorry, I thought you knew.” James replied.
Gojo didn’t respond, his brows drawn as he swiped past the copy of her ID to look for more pictures of her. He swiped past her birth certificate, social security card, passport, high school transcripts, college diploma. He barely skimmed her resume. James had collected everything and more, from her vaccinations down to her aerial silk yoga class receipts. That’s what he liked about him, no information was ever too much information.
“Her hair looks different.” James added, sounding unnerved by his silence.
“She dyed it.”
“Is it her?” he asked.
The corner of his lip twitched as he stared at her ID photo, “Is this the only picture you got?”
“Yeah, that’s all I could find. She doesn’t have any pictures of herself on her social media or any professional pictures. Rather odd, really.”
“Not odd for someone on the run.”
“Do you really think it’s her?”
He paused, staring at her somewhat blurry passport picture-which was the colored version of her ID photo. She barely looked older, but her alluring eyes held this gaze that could only come from age, “This is all she’s ever wanted… to pursue art. Being an artist was her dream.”
His knuckles skimmed his chin, “Where is she?”
“Her apartments in Lower East Side, barely a few miles from you. She lives with three roo—“
“What’s her address.”
He stared up at her apartment building. It was a simple off-white brick building with black trim windows. There seemed to be a balcony on each floor, as well as a fire escape.
“Agh! What the fuck!”
He glanced over to see a girl near his age staring back at an older man who was fast-walking away. Her groceries were all over the wet side-walk.
He blinked and realized he recognized the girl. Her name was Priya, one of Sade’s roommates. She was a software developer at Google. According to James notes she’d met Ara through mutual friends in college.
She was still glaring at the older man when he approached.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“That asshole just ran into me.”
She shook her head in frustration before double-taking when she saw him. Her hazel eyes widened. He smiled faintly.
Her black hair was pasted to her face from the rain. He pulled up his hood before handing her his umbrella.
“Here.”
“Thanks.”
He bent down and picked up her reusable bag from the ground before placing her fallen goods within.
He stood up and handed the packed bag to her, only to freeze when he saw she was already holding a bag and was clutching the umbrella-rather tightly-in the other.
“If you want I can carry your groceries wherever you need me to? I’m in no rush.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“You sure?”
He grinned slightly, “Yeah.”
“My building’s actually right there.” she pointed at Sade’s building, “but I live on the fourth floor-“ I know “-and we don’t have an elevator so.. it’s a bit of a workout.”
“You trying to scare me away?”
She laughed, “I just want you to know what you're in for.”
She unlocked the apartment door and immediately dropped her bag by the door. She was panting.
“Oh my god.” she gestured for him to follow her inside and he did.
She closed the door behind him, “How are you not out of breath? I swear those four flights of steps get me everytime.”
He chuckled as he picked up the bag she’d set down and put it on her kitchen counter, alongside the one he’d been carrying.
“You're a model, aren’t you?” she asked him as she hung up her coat.
“I’m not actually.”
She walked around him, “You have the height for it.”
He grinned, “I know.”
She returned his grin and pointed at the stool beside the kitchen island.
“Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll get you some water before you head out. Consider it my thanks.”
He perked up, “Really?”
“Yeah, really,” She opened the fridge, “Do you want juice? We got apple, cranberry, orange-“
He slipped into the seat, “Orange is perfect.”
“Great.”
He glanced around. It was a cute place, it was clear that girls lived here from the way everything was stocked and decorated. The line up of empty alcohol bottles atop the fridge reminded him of college.
“You mind if I use your bathroom?”
She barely glanced over her shoulder as she struggled to open the orange juice, “It’s at the end of the hall to your right.”
“Thanks.”
He stood up and walked down the hall. He turned on the light to the bathroom but didn’t step in when he closed the bathroom door shut. He glanced back at the end of the hall to make sure Priya wasn’t looking before looking at the four bedroom doors in the hallway. Lucky for him, the doors were labeled.
He approached the door with Sade’s name. The door was already open so it was easy to slip inside.
No one was there.
He glanced around the room. It was well decorated. Her desk was scattered with sketches and her silver Macbook was covered with stickers of Kuromi. She had an extra clothing rack since it seemed her closet didn’t have enough space.
He nearly stepped on her fluffy slippers before glancing at her nightstand. It seemed she was currently reading ‘The Five People you Meet in Heaven’ by Mitch Albom. He briefly remembered reading that book in middle school.
There were printed pictures on her wall. They all seemed to be taken from the same kind of digital camera. There were several pictures of her friends, cafes, restaurants, aesthetic New York City shots but none of her.
He’d never been in the room before but there was this odd sense of familiarity. He couldn’t tell how or why but he knew, he knew he was in the right place but he just needed to confirm it.
He needed to confirm it was her.
He slowly reached for her pillow and held it up to his face.
Ara.
He hadn’t even inhaled yet and his nostrils were filled with the scent of her, it was incapacitating in its intensity.
My Ara.
His heart thudded wildly in his chest.
Ara was here.
His eyes snapped open.
It’d been so long… since he’d felt this alive.
His gut tightened as he began to eye the room with a newfound vigor. This was the little room his kitten was living in without him? This was the little life she created for herself? Her new home?
Did you think I would never see this?
He grinned.
He dropped the pillow back on her bed, he was tempted to keep it but there would be no need. The owner of that scent was going to be in his arms by the end of the hour.
He walked out of the room with a wide grin on his lips. His mind racing.
She was here. She was here. She was here.
He wiped the smile off of his lips when he returned to the kitchen. Priya was still struggling with the orange juice.
He slid beside her, chuckling, “I got it.”
He opened the orange juice container in one try and she groaned.
“I swear I can do that myself.”
“Mhm.”
She gave him a look and he smiled. Her gaze immediately got stuck on his lips. He had one of those smiles that belonged in a romance movie.
“What’s your name?”
“Priya.”
“How long you been in the city?”
“Five years now. You?”
“A few months.”
“Still fresh then, hm? Are you in college?”
“Nah, I graduated two years ago.”
“How old are you?”
“21. I graduated early.”
“Oooo.” she teased.
The corner of his lip curled subtly, “What about you? You in school?”
“I graduated last May. I just got my first post-college job.”
“Where?”
“At Google.”
“Ooooo.” He mocked her earlier teasing.
She smiled. “Yeah, it’s nice as hell honestly. The benefits are-” she proceeded to do a chef’s kiss.
His eyes glimmered with amusement, “Yeah? What are the benefits?”
“We get..”
He tuned her out, sipping at his orange juice as he sauntered about the kitchen. He looked around, discreetly scanning the place for anything of Ara’s when his eyes landed on a picture pinned to the fridge.
It was a picture of four girls-her three roommates and her. There she was, in a little fitted dress and a stunning wide smile on her lips.
“Ara.” he nearly gasped.
“What?” Priya stopped mid-spiel. He was too in his head to realize he’d spoken out loud.
He took off the picture from the fridge, running his thumb over her face. Her hair was still long, just a slightly lighter shade. She was wearing red lipstick and her eyes…they were glittering. She looked beautiful.
“My Ara.” he murmured. He hadn’t seen her in so long...
Priya lightly touched his arm as she sidled next to him, drawing him out of his reverie.
“Ara?” she questioned before her eyes dropped to where he was looking. “That’s not Ara, that’s Sade.”
Right. Sade. Her new identity.
He feigned innocence, “Sade? You sure?”
“Yeah, we’ve been friends since college. We took that photo at a bar the night of graduation.”
“A bar?”
“Yeah, she doesn’t usually go out but that night we dragged her out.”
He grinned faintly, “That sounds like her.”
“She’s starting to come out more often though.”
“Is she.”
Priya nodded.
He spoke quietly, “There’s a girl I used to know.. that looks just like her. Her name was Ara but—she was my best friend. We lost contact after high school but I’ve been looking for her ever since.”
“Oh..” she sounded apologetic, “Where’d you go to high school?”
“In California.”
Her eyes widened. She must know Sade is also from California.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“Gojo.” he answered before tilting his head, “Has she mentioned me?”
She pursed her lips in thought, “I don’t think so?”
He slipped his phone out, pulling up a selfie of him and Ara to show her. She gasped.
“Oh my god,” She leaned towards him to peer at the photo more closely, “She looks so young..”
He swiped again to another photo of them. Ara was hugging him in this one.
Her gaze softened, “Aww yall look so cute.”
He swiped to another picture of her. It was an off-guard picture of her attempting to play the piano back at the estate.
She frowned, “That… really does look like her.”
“I need to talk to her.”
Priya looked up at him, searching his face. She must’ve found something because suddenly her eyes poured with sympathy.
“Please.” he added, uncaring of how desperate he sounded.
The sympathy in her gaze turned conflicted, “I don’t think I can give you her number..”
“That’s fine, just give me anything. Anything that gets me to her.”
“You can leave your number for her? I’ll tell her you came by-“
“No.” he grasped Priya by the arms, “I need to see her now. Please—please tell me where she is.”
She swallowed.
He shook his head, “You don’t know how long I’ve been looking for her, please... I-I miss her.”
“What if it’s not her?”
The corner of his lip twitched, it was a valid question. He’d seen enough lookalikes to know pictures weren’t the end all but… her smell. Who could replicate her smell? Her ideal career path? Her favorite flower as her signature?
“It’s her.”
She glanced at the clock on the wall before looking back at him, concern etched in her expression, “She’s about to get out of work, if you go now maybe you’ll catch her.”
“Where?”
“Reese Heim’s Gallery, on the corner of Belford and 63rd.”
“Thank you.” He let go of her arms before stepping back, “Thank you.”
He turned around and then bolted out of the apartment.
It was a nice building. Its architecture was anything but basic, clearly designed by someone with an artistic eye. It looked quite futuristic with the dreary rainy weather reflected in its mirrored surfaces.
The lower floors of the building made up the gallery while the upper levels were the studios and offices. And in one of those studios was his Ara.
There were multiple entrances so getting in would be easy but finding her, that would be a task—as it always was—but she must be on her way out of the building right now, so he planned to utilize that.
Thunderstruck the skies, making him briefly glance up. A bolt of lightning appeared through the rain clouds before disappearing in an instant—and oddly enough, something felt changed.
His eyes zipped back to the gallery across the street and spotted one of the doors opening.
She stepped out.
She was wearing a sleek black trench coat with a tote bag over her shoulder. Her hair was in a neat braid, her pretty face on full display. She held an umbrella in one hand and had her phone raised to her ear in the other.
She looked distraught-whoever she was speaking was upsetting her. Priya. It must be Priya. She must be telling her I came by.
She suddenly froze in her steps as if struck.
He grinned.
He watched her slowly look around before growing frantic in her search. She whipped her neck around, scanning her surroundings, looking for no one else… but him.
Until she did.
Her eyes met his.
And recognition cut through him like a bullet.
Any doubt he had about Sade was ripped to shreds in milliseconds. It was her.
I found her.
It was explosive, the satisfaction he was feeling. He felt it in every point of his being. It was sharp and ambitious in its intensity.
He’d always known this day would come.
Her face fell and he couldn’t help but grin wider. Her eyes were wide with such fear, it was exhilarating.
He always knew it would be like this, that she wouldn’t be able to hide her fear once she saw him. They’d shared too much. She knew too much.
She knew full well that if he ever found her again, it would never be the same.
He reached up to pull down his hood, wanting to make his presence just as clear as hers. Her expression was priceless.
So much fear.
It was unreasonable how even fear on her face made him feel so greedy, so eager to see all the faces she could make—just like he had before. Her good, her bad, her ugly—he wanted it all. He wanted to burn through their old memories with new ones.
And he would.
Suddenly cars zoomed between them, he didn’t realize the streetlight had turned green. It truly felt like time had stopped.
He watched her turn and bolt down the street. He laughed—it was hilarious really. It was already too late.
He followed her from his side of the street. It didn’t take much effort, just a bit of fast walking and she was still in his sight until her speed picked up.
Her adrenaline must’ve hit because she was running faster than he expected from her petite frame. Which bothered him because now she was running with no regard for herself, just trying to get away from him. He needed her to be careful—
He crossed the street in a blink of an eye, causing the oncoming car he passed by a millisecond to honk deliriously but Ara, Ara was being careless.
He was running now, half a minute away from catching up to her. He watched her run across the street when the streetlight was still green. A car was approaching, ready to make a turn at full speed as she ran.
“ARA!!” he yelled with all his chest.
His vision went white. The image of her body colliding with the car and dropping dead filling his mind, nearly making him cripple with shock.
He was not going to lose her like this, not after he just got her back.
But he wasn’t going to make it in time, he wasn’t close enough.
No.
He didn’t think, he ran so fast he didn’t see anything but her. He closed the distance between them in half a second—shoving her ahead with the force of his whole body.
The car touched him by a hairs breath as he made it to the other side of the street. He didn’t glance back as the car made a terrible screeching sound as it skidded in attempt to belatedly slow down–only to get rear-ended by the car behind him.
The surrounding people gasped but his eyes were fixed on her. Through the heavy rain he grabbed her waist, pulling her upright seconds before she catapulted face first into the asphalt from his shove.
But she shoved him, hard enough to make him let go.
“Ara.” he hissed as she tried to run away from him.
Only to end up half stumbling/half walking down the street. Her speed nothing to what it was before.
He followed her, readying himself for her fall since he knew it was coming. It seemed her adrenaline had left her, maybe he pushed her too hard.
But he had to, or else she would be dead right now. His heartbeat was still ringing in his ears at the idea.
She would rather die, than get caught by him—was that it? A cruel smile found its way upon his lips.
She tripped over her own feet, stumbling into an alley. The heavy downpour was only making her more disbalanced.
He instinctively reached a hand out to try steady her but she was scurrying up ahead, “Ara.”
She didn’t turn around, instead her hand went to the brick wall beside her as she coughed—coughed loud enough to be heard over the pounding rain.
Her legs wobbled and she collapsed to her knees. Her coughs racking her entire body. She’d overworked herself, hadn’t she?
He stopped a little behind her, watching her body shake from the weight of her coughs.
He lowered himself beside her, his eyes never leaving her as he grabbed her chin and shoved her against the wall.
Her eyes flickered upto his and everything he’d forced himself to numb came rushing back.
It was her.
Ara.
Right in front of him… after all this time.
He forgot how to breathe.
Four years later and she’d only gotten prettier. That picture hadn’t done her justice. The lighter shade of hair complimented her too well, somehow enhancing her skin and drawing attention to her alluring eyes. Her cheekbones had a glass like sheen that made her look unreal. And her lips…they were the same, as pouty and inviting as ever.
Her lashes had grown out and her face features had tightened up with time. There were hollows in her cheeks that weren’t there before, her smooth jaw more defined. There were freckles on her nose, whether they were drawn on or not he didn’t know but it didn’t matter. He liked it, all of it.
She was beautiful enough to defile right then and there.
Her eyes watered and he wondered if she’d read his mind.
His fingers tightened around her chin, “Found you.”
“No.” her voice came out choked. It was her voice. The voice he’d replayed so much in his mind and craved to hear in his dreams. Another cold shot of victory ran up his spine.
He felt her chin move in his hand but he kept her in place.
She tried to push herself up but failed. It seemed she was too weak too.
He watched the tears pour from her eyes, mixing in with the raindrops atop her skin. She must be realizing all her struggle was useless, all her struggle to get away from him then and all of her struggle now. There was nothing she could do.
“No.” she rasped, weakly.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
He watched another tear slip out the corner of her eye, “You cryin’?” he asked softly, despite the cacophony of emotions roaring inside him, “You cryin’ cause you missed me?”
He should be angry, watching her cry should infuriate him. He felt hints of it—the deep betrayal that consumed him in the early months when she left but.. looking at her now, he just wanted to bask in her. He wanted to hold her, feel her, taste her.
And break her, all at the same time.
It was pathetic how weak he was when it came to her. Just watching her cry made him ache. Her wet tears got caught in her lashes, just like they would before, and her lower lip trembled ever so slightly with each cry. The turmoil in her glossy eyes—Fuck, why does she have to look so pretty when she cries?
It shouldn’t be this easy but hell he missed her so much.
He sighed, aggravated, “Still such a pretty fuckin’ crier, s’not fair.”
“Stop.” she cried, shaking her head as the rain continued to pour atop them. She pushed at his chest, “Stop.”
His skin tingled where she touched him. He caught her wrist before she could lift her hand away. He moved his hand on her chin to catch one of her tears with his thumb. He felt the warmth of her tear seep into his skin.
“I missed this.” he spoke quietly, “I missed this so much.”
Her chest shook from the sob she let out.
He leaned towards her, his forehead almost touching hers. Just being close to her was addictive, all he could smell was the rain but his hands on her—his hand on her wrist, on her chin. His skin thrummed with life at the contact. He hadn’t felt this way in so long.
She was so close to him now. Just millimeters away. Four years of deprivation about to come to a reprieve. The future never felt so ripe with possibilities.
It felt so right.
“I missed you.”
“No you don’t.” she cried, shaking her head wildly before trying to stand once more. “You don’t!”
“I do.”
Just as she stood, he grabbed her shoulders and shoved her against himself. Her head against his chest, his arms around her smaller frame. His skin warmed under their contact, the familiarity of it making his gut churn with a deeper need.
“No-!” she scrambled up but he grabbed her pretty little plait and dragged her back against him.
You're not getting away from me that soon, kitten.
He withdrew a handkerchief from the inside of his coat and cupped it over her mouth. It was doused with a liquid that would temporarily make her lose consciousness.
He watched her eyes widen as she stared up at him. Her small body thrashing in his arms. He fought to hide his smile, her little body must’ve gotten stronger cuz he felt more force in her actions than she was ever able to produce before, but it was like paper to a rock. Her eyes finally fluttered close, her body going limp.
He removed the handkerchief from her mouth. He turned it over and wiped the raindrops from her face.
He gazed down at her. She looked peaceful. It would probably be the only time she looked that way, for a while, at least.
He pressed his lips to her forehead for a moment, before whispering against her skin, “I found you.”
Really love your writing so far, I read a similar fic but I was a bit dissatisfied with how the reader or OC didn’t really have as much of a revengeful or resentful streak because I mean come on overall she’s being abused to some degree 🤷♀️ but I love that you’ve managed to give the OC some amount of power in the situation even if it’s not physical power it kind of really is itching the spot that has left over from a previous fic where I was just like this is not fair, and now you’re giving me exactly what I wanted so thanksssss
thank u!!! i’m happy someone recognizes this because, in general, i think it’s so important for women to not let shit from men slide. ik this fic isn’t, ofc, the best example of that since it’s toxic in every way of the word but i, too, have a hard time finding characters that are too pushover-y or too submissive not relatable or just overall unrealistic. maybe because i’m not like that irl so whenever i see it in media it just doesn’t feel right to me.
i like a character with some backbone. some wit or guts or just doesn’t cave easily. i feel like i don’t see it enough in women characters & i neeeed it hahhaa
Hey mami sorry to bother you, when are you posting? 😁
hey! ur all good, i just realized i forgot to post the rest of chapter 6 yesterday but im gonna try post it later today. it should be posted before 5 pm CST 🙏🏻🙏🏻 sorry for the delay 😅
warnings: 18+ only, stalking/possessive themes, profanity, coercion, pet names (kitten, baby), sexual themes, gruesome/violence, physical assault, there’s probably more but i can’t think of it all at the top of my head—just be warned & pls if there’s anything that makes u even slightly uncomfortable pls do not proceed truly
word count/plot: [15.7k!] ara catches gojo’s attention when news breaks that she is the top academically ranked student in their grade. he is ranked second. he tries to befriend her but she ignores him. despite her obvious disinterest, his obsession begins…
a/n: hiii guys i'm back !!! as per usual sorry for taking so long to write/post this but once again writing is truly just a side hobby for me. i do try to write as much as i can whenever i get muse tho so there is that. anyway, i apologize in advance for any spelling/grammar or logistics errors. i did get most of my 'crime investigation' knowledge from tv shows so don't bop me in the head if ur an expert & ur like 'what is this writer on abt' regardless, ya'll r in for a ride. i'm going to try posting the second part of this either tomorrow or wednesday so keep an eye out (it was too much to fit in 1 post oop)
ch. 1 , ch. 2 [ part 1 | part 2 ] , ch. 3 , ch. 4 , ch. 5 [ part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 ] , chapter 6 [ part 1 | part 2 ]
He walked off the stage, the cheers still loud after his speech. He glanced over at Ara's empty seat beside his.
He plopped onto his chair and glanced at her empty seat once more. He would be lying if he said he didn’t want to know her opinion on his speech. He'd managed to get their fellow classmates rather riled up, the complete opposite of her somewhat serious speech.
The vice principal standing nearby seemed to take notice of him glancing at Ara’s seat. She offered him a small smile before supplying,
“She went to the bathroom.”
“Oh, thanks.”
She merely nodded before facing Principal Yaga, who was currently speaking on the stage. He was now handing out the rest of their peers diplomas.
Gojo was bored out of his mind. He cheered as loud as he could for his friends but-Goddamn- were there really so many heads in their class? He never realized. But it was entertaining to see Toji turn red as a tomato when everyone cheered as loud as they could when he crossed the stage. The bastard finally graduated.
He cupped his hands and hollered, “TOJIIII LETSGOOOOO!”
Toji briefly shot him a middle finger as he passed.
Gojo grinned, lowering his hands from his face before glancing over at Ara beside him— she still wasn’t there.
His brows furrowed. She should be back by now.. he slipped his phone out of his pocket and checked her location. She was in the bathroom.
He texted her.
s: u good?
s: u missed toji crossing the stage
s: the whole entire school clapped for him
s: they were ready for his ass to LEAVE
He slipped his phone back into his pocket.
10 minutes passed.
He pulled out his phone again and checked her location. She was still in the bathroom.
s: ara
s: ??
s: r u okay?
He contemplated going to the bathroom himself. It'd been too long. He then heard the next student's name.
“Tristan shin.”
Fuck. Shoko’s name was coming up. He'd check after Shoko crossed the stage. A few more names were said until finally,
“Ieiri Shoko.”
Gojo shot up, yelling and cheering like a hooligan. He reached underneath his seat for the confetti cannon and shot it in her direction.
Shoko locked eyes with him and let out a laugh. She was still laughing as she shook the principal’s hand before taking her diploma.
She stuck her tongue out at him as she passed the row he sat in. He grinned back.
Alright, now it was check on ara time. He peeped her location once more to see she was still in the bathroom before standing up. The vice principal glanced his way and he mouthed ‘bathroom’ before slipping away.
He walked past the rows of students to head towards the closest bathroom. Their graduation was outdoors so the nearest bathroom was the one close to the tennis field.
He walked to the bathroom, briefly glancing at the men’s door before walking right into the women’s bathroom.
“Ara?” he asked.
He glanced around before walking towards the stalls to see that none of the stalls were occupied.
His brows furrowed before he glanced down at her location on his phone to make sure her location was right. Yes, it was supposed to be this bathroom. She should be here-
He then grew more confused when he realized his texts never delivered. Then suddenly the dot over the map for her location disappeared.
He frowned before glancing up from his phone to immediately notice one of the sinks filled to the brim with water. He walked over to see her phone in the water.
He quickly pulled her phone out and tried to turn it on. The screen remained black.
Shit. Looks like she needs a new phone. He found it hard to believe she would leave her phone behind in a sink full of water by mistake. This also didn’t answer the big question of where the hell she was.
He glanced around the bathroom. Something felt off.
He entered each stall, searching thoroughly. Nothing. He glanced over the bathroom counter once more. Nothing.
Just as he was about to head out, he stopped. His eyes darted towards the trash bin before approaching it.
He froze for a millisecond.
He reached in and pulled out her rumpled dress. It was a dainty little Ralph Lauren dress from the early 2000s, an archived piece. He glanced within the trash to find her graduation cloak, cap and heels in there as well.
His jaw locked. His heart plummeting to his stomach. Did something happen to her?
Maybe she hadn’t been alone in the bathroom, it was for public use after all. Anyone could come in. Something cold settled within him at thought.
He stalked out of the bathroom, searching to see if there were cameras near the entrance. Fuck. There weren’t any at this bathroom.
He squeezed her dress in his hand.
I’m gonna find you, Ara, don’t worry
He was working with the police, but he wanted to choke them all out.
“What the fuck do you mean the academy doesn’t have any cameras on their outdoor campus?”
He spun on Principal Yaga, “The fuck am I paying 50k a year to this school for?”
The chief officer flinched while-as Mr.Yaga frowned, “Watch yourself, Satoru. We’ve never had a need for it. I still gave the police all the camera footage I had.”
Satoru’s gaze was sharper than razors but his attention redirected to the Chief Officer when he spoke,
“We've searched through the footage of the entrances and exits of the academy building that Mr.Yaga provided and we couldn’t find anyone that fit Ara’s profile.”
“Let me see the footage.” Gojo replied.
“I assure you our tech intel team ha—“
“I don't care. I want to see the footage myself.”
Principal Yaga eyed him for his tone as the Chief officer nodded once, “We can arrange that.”
Gojo stood in a tv screen covered room. Principal Yaga stood behind him as a cop beside him explained which screen was which.
“-and this camera is the main entrance of the school. All the footage is time stamped to start at 9:15 am. 30 minutes before the estimated time ara went to the bathroom. If you’d like to speed through you can just hit these buttons.”
“Sweet.” He placed his hand on the back of the cop’s chair and pulled the seat out for him, “I'm gonna take this seat.”
“Uh-“ the cop appeared flustered and he looked at the chief behind Gojo who nodded at him to comply. “sure.”
The cop stood up and Satoru didn’t waste any time slipping into his seat.
He pressed play.
“Satoru, you’ve looked through all the footage several times. It’s okay to admit you can’t find anything-“
He didn’t look away from the screen as he answered sharply, “If you want to go home then just go.”
Mr.Yaga stared at him for a moment before sighing. He stood up and left.
He stared at the camera footage of the main entrance, about 10 minutes after Ara supposedly went to the bathroom.
They’re were so many people. So many parents arriving late. Families reuniting and talking by the main lawn of the school. Some arriving in private cars others taking taxis, ubers or whatever the fuck.
The point was he couldn’t find her. He'd raked through the videos from each entrance/exit of their school about 20+ times. Meticulously checking each person and yet Ara was no where to be seen.
The cops had also returned from searching the campus. All they brought back was useless pictures of the women’s bathroom with her graduation cap, gown and heels in the trash and pointless interviews of the staff. They now had on record that the vice principal was the last person she spoke to, saying that she was going to the bathroom.
But he’d already known that.
Her phone was still getting fixed by the tech department. The water damage had thoroughly done its job. Had she done that on purpose? Or was it someone else?
Where are you, Ara?
He sat on the edge of his bed. His head in hands.
Cops swarmed his bedroom, taking pictures of every. little. thing. If he heard another camera snap he might lose his mind.
It had been one day without her. One day too long.
He was already losing it, dark voices whispered in the back of his mind-theorizing the worst of things. If something had happened to her..
No. No. Keep it together.
He sat up and walked towards the main detective on the case. Detective Rebecca, specialized in missing persons, quite experienced in her field. He already spoke to her several times. He'd answered question after question about Ara for her-Ara’s recent whereabouts, her daily routine, her schedule, her interests, her habits, her emotional variability, everything.
She was staring at Ara's side of the closet.
She glanced back at Gojo as he approached, “She had quite the collection of clothes, didn’t she?”
Ara's side of the closet was only half full. She had just started exploring her style. A pang went through him when he spotted her prom dress.
“Her collection was just starting.” he explained flatly.
“What do you mean?” Rebecca asked.
“I mean she was just getting into figuring out her personal style,” he answered while rolling up the sleeves of his dress-shirt to his elbows, “She was into buying jewelry recently.”
He wandered over to the accessory table, glancing over the several Van Cleef, Vivienne Westwood, Chanel—Wait. His brows furrowed. Some of her Cartier and Bvlgari pieces were missing… and now that he looked at her jewelry overall, it seemed to be… a little underwhelming compared to what he’d seen before.
He knew he’d bought her more jewelry than this.
“20 Birkins, wow.” Detective Rebecca commented.
“24.” his eyes didn’t leave the jewelry display as he answered.
“What?”
“It should be 24.” he repeated before turning around. He mentally counted all the Birkins on her wall of purses. It was 20.
“4 are missing, as well as some of her jewelry.” he noted aloud.
Detective Rebecca gestured for some of the photographers to take pictures of the accessory counter and the Birkin wall.
“Could your house staff have stolen something?” she inquired.
He shook his head, “No, we haven’t had new staff in ten years. They are all legally bound, fingerprinted, background checked with no criminal records. They also get overcompensated for their jobs but Marin is the only maid allowed in my room.”
Rebecca scribbled things down in her notepad, “You allow me to speak to all your house staff?”
“Feel free.”
He knew Marin wouldn’t dare. She was loyal. The only possibility left—
“And what jewelry is missing?”
He rubbed his chin, “At first glance.. I see some of her bracelets aren’t here. She also has, like, 10 Pateks. I only see 8 here...”
“Is there any way you can provide me with a receipt of every piece of jewelry you’ve bought her since she moved in?”
His brows furrowed slightly as he examined her jewelry further, there was definitely more than he realized missing.
“Yes.” he answered.
22 Tiffany & co. and Graff bracelets. 17 Bvlgari and Cartier necklaces. 12 pairs of crystalline De Beers earrings. 8 diamond encrusted Chopard rings. 5 custom fitted dresses-all fresh off the runway from big fashion houses-4 Birkins and 2 Pateks were missing. Everything totaling up to a cool four million.
His house staff had all been interrogated and searched but nothing came of it—as he predicted. This was not his house staff’s doing.
And it was confirmed when the head of security at their academy reached out stating that a month prior to Ara’s disappearance she had momentarily been inside their security room.
She’d accused someone of stealing something of hers from Gojo’s car and wanted to watch the security footage of the academy parking lot-so they’d allowed her inside the security room to watch the camera footage—but she technically had been able to see all the screens of where the academy’s cameras were placed. He knew she was smart enough to take note of where cameras were lacking if she wanted to.
And she had.
That was why she was able to bypass the cameras on graduation.
She wanted to leave unnoticed. She’d miraculously sold four millions worth of his gifts and disappeared to god knows where.
Because she wanted to leave him.
He stared at her rumpled graduation dress in his hand. The material of it so thin that when rolled up it fit perfectly into his fist. He somehow managed to keep it on him wherever he went in the past few days that she’d been missing.
4 days. 96 hours. 5,760 minutes. 345,601 seconds…
without her.
His stomach lurched. He stepped out of his car, slamming the door behind him. He didn’t look to see if Ijichi caught the keys he tossed his way and stalked inside the estate.
He was squeezing her dress in his hand so hard that his fingernails dug into his palm-breaking skin.
He bounded up the steps, barely noticing the maid flinching when he suddenly made it to the top step just as she was about to descend. She quickly scurried out of his way.
He walked down the hallway before shoving the double doors of his room open.
His eyes naturally went to the bed first and for a moment he imagined it. Her sitting there, with a pretty little slip dress on and nothing else. She’d finally grown comfortable wearing slip dresses around the house.
He could picture her feet up in the air as she lay stomach down on the bed, Macbook open in front of her. Her face a mask of concentration.
He could almost feel the soft skin of her throat against his lips—he usually kissed her there first, in greeting. He liked to inhale her sweet yet sophisticated perfume—roses and warm cashmere, before capturing her lips and showing her just how much he missed her.
He blinked, finding himself standing right beside the bed. His hand on the sheets.
Ara nowhere to be seen.
He suddenly yanked the sheets off the bed, tossing it with enough strength that it managed to wrap itself around a lamp and hit the ground with it. The sound of a crash ensued.
He stared at the fallen lamp for a moment. He liked that, that sound. It was satisfying.
He suddenly grabbed the pillows, flinging them across the room, letting them hit anything and everything.
He kicked over a nightstand before spotting one of the loveseats he and Ara used to cuddle on. He picked it up and threw it across the room, hitting the TV and making it instantly fall from its place and crack as it hit the ground.
He spotted her macbook and threw that too. It'd already been thoroughly searched and it led to nothing. NOTHING .
He wasn’t aware of what he was doing, simply moving at will. Things were getting thrown-things were breaking, shattering, sprawling in pieces all over the floor. The sound of everything breaking fueled him and he didn’t want to stop.
He didn’t remember entering the closet but the next thing he knew he was yanking off her clothes from the hangers, shoving open her drawers with enough strength to break it from its hinges and throw it.
He grabbed her shoes and flung them before kicking down her shoe shelf, making the whole thing crumble and fall apart.
He punched the glass of her Birkin wall and threw a Birkin into her accessory stand, making everything spill out and shatter. The sound was deafening.
“Satoru!”
He froze, his whole body tensing for a moment before he closed his eyes—forcing himself to breathe.
“Satoru, what the fuck happened?”
He half-turned, suddenly chuckling rather dryly, “What didn’t happen.”
Geto stopped at his side, staring at the state of the room and closet in horror. He then faced him.
Geto eyed his bloody hands, “What happened?” he whispered.
Satoru glanced down, belatedly noticing his bloody hands himself.
“Answer me.” Geto demanded, “Is she okay?”
“I don't know and I don't care.”
Geto raised a brow, “What?”
He suddenly grabbed Geto’s collar, “She fucking left me, Suguru. She’s worthless.”
Geto shoved his hands off, “The fuck are you on about?”
“She planned this shit. All of it. She sold the gifts I bought her and dipped with the damn money.”
Geto’s eyes widened, “How-how do you know?”
“Detective Rebecca found listings of all her missing stuff on the black market. She posted the items from fake accounts and used different bank accounts for each. She transferred the money to e-gift cards, stocks, digital bank accounts, whole bunch of shit so it’s a fucking maze to track where she deposited the money to.”
He went on, “The fake identities she made to get on the black market all have their own bank accounts. She used their accounts to buy a shit-ton of plane tickets set to depart on the day of and day after graduation. Rebecca’s tryna trace the flights to see if they were used, sold or whatever the fuck but I think it’s all a shitty hoax.”
He seethed out, “She musta known that we were gonna find her fake identities—that’s why she booked so many fuckin’ flights. Tryna lead us on a fake trail while she probably used a whole ‘nother identity to take a flight somewhere else—that’s if she even took a flight.”
Geto was frozen, contemplating all of this.
“And her phone?” Geto asked, “Did you find anything on there?”
He shook his head, “Her phone is dead. They accessed her apple ID through another device but they found nothing. Bitch was thorough.”
Geto instinctively wanted to reprimand him for referring to her as a bitch but if this was all true… he was still too shocked by the revelation.
“She…planned this?”
“For months. right under my nose—fucking slutted herself out to me the entire time.”
He looked at Satoru’s enraged expression, he’d never seen his best friend look like this, even when he ranted about his uncle.
“Do you.. really think she would do all of this?” Geto asked.
“I-“ Gojo’s voice cracked, “It's not about what I think, it’s what she did.”
He slowly shook his head, a mirthless laugh leaving him, “Of course she’d be smart enough to use me.”
He felt like he was on the bad end of a really sick joke. He was so… angry, so angry it made his skin itch. None of the mess he created appeased how twisted he felt inside. It felt like his organs had been ripped out and haphazardly stuffed back in and yet, his mind was still attempting to make his body work despite bleeding out all over the place.
He wanted to make her bleed too. He wanted to make her just as angry—just as used—just as betrayed.
“I'm gonna find her.” he promised lowly.
Geto’s eyes widened at his tone.
“Should I kill her when I find her?” he asked, more to himself than Geto.
“Stop talking nonsense, Satoru. You’re not thinking straight.”
“Really?” he chuckled dryly, “I feel like this is the clearest I’ve thought in a while.”
He glanced down at his bloody hands, outstretching his long, scraped up fingers. He watched a dot of blood trail down his wrist from a cut. He didn’t feel any pain.
“How can you even say that, man. You’d melt like fucking putty if you saw her come running into your arms right now. You love that girl.”
Geto’s voice felt distant. He suddenly remembered a time when he and Ara had been messing around, horse-playing and she’d gotten so annoyed at him that she’d thrown a book at him.
If he’d been looking when she threw it, he definitely would’ve caught it but since he’d just turned around it hit his arm.
It was a paperback book so it wasn’t meant to cause any real damage but somehow the end of the thin plastic cover managed to strike a clean line across his forearm. It truly hadn’t hurt but it bled like it did. The blood almost looked like prop blood.
She’d immediately started apologizing, he wanted to laugh it off but she’d been completely serious when she ran off to get the first aid kit. She’d cleaned up his wound with such gentleness, it shocked him.
He’d just stared at her the entire time, in stupefied silence as she treated him as delicately as an infant, lightly dabbing the endless blood leaking from his wound with cotton balls.
She was focused but her concern was evident in the way her brows subtly furrowed. He could almost see why her father might’ve wanted her to be a doctor. Her jaw was clenched tight as she applied the larger band aid perfectly, covering each bit of the cut.
Once she was done, she sat on the bed beside him, completely still, silent and serious as ever.
“I'm sorry.” she mumbled.
He couldn’t help but crack a grin, “It doesn’t even hurt, baby.”
“Sh.” she shot him a look, “I still don’t like it.”
“Like what?"
“I don't like hurting you.” she snapped.
Something inside him softened.
Her eyes darted away, “Or anyone..” she muttered, correcting herself.
It didn’t matter. his gut had already done this funny little flip flop thing at her words. He grinned despite himself.
“Nah, I heard you the first time~”
You don’t like hurting me, huh? Then what is this?
What is THIS?
He swiveled around, fiercely kicking the remainder of her accessories on the ground. Sending beads, diamonds and broken gold in the air. A heftier one of her chain-link bracelets hit the mirror wall, instantly making it shatter. The sound catastrophic as pieces of glass sprawled across the floor.
The next thing he knew Geto was grabbing him, nearly picking him up as he tried to drag him out the closet. He was saying things but Gojo could barely hear him. His heartbeat too loud as he thrashed fiercely in his hold, still managing to kick his leg out to deliver another lethal blow to her things. More things shattered as he growled.
Geto shoved him out, before closing the closet doors behind them.
“That’s enough—”
“How dare she fucking leave me!” he got all the way up in Suguru’s face, “I gave her everything—everything!” he snarled.
“I gave her my fucking all cuz I love her! She knows I fucking love her. I can't eat, sleep or think without her. She knows it—she’s torturing me.”
Geto’s stoic expression fell. He hated seeing the pain in his eyes, “Sato—“
“She told me she loved me too,” he took a step back, his eyes suddenly distant.
“Was I not supposed to believe her?” he whispered.
He looked down at his reddened hands once more, droplets of blood hitting the floor as he raised them slightly.
It was crazy to think these hands had been on every corner and speck of her skin. Her hair. her lips. her throat, merely days ago. Touching her was as easy as breathing. Her presence was more comforting than being alone. Her eyes were his favorite mirrors.
and now she was just… gone.
He shook his head, “Played me right in front of my face.”
He thought he heard Geto’s voice but he could barely focus on it.
He merely clenched his hands into fists, letting more red droplets hit the ground-at the speed of pounding rain.
“How could she do this to me?” he muttered brokenly.
Finally he felt pain, a rush of it. The feeling of it simmered through his hands and crawled up his arms. Numbing him almost—to the emotional pain he felt inside, but he’d have to die to fully cleanse himself of his internal pain this way.
Suddenly Geto pushed him, drawing him out of his trance.
“Stop it!” Geto was fuming.
His shock transformed into something more cold, “Get out.”
“You need to get a nurs—“
“I SAID GET OUT.”
He never yelled at Geto before. In fact it was typically the opposite.
A tense silence hung in the air.
Geto’s heated glare didn’t budge from Gojo's piercing one. The ring of finality in Gojo’s words seemed to echo.
“Fine.” Geto spat.
He stalked out of the room without a glance back.
Out of the 107 flights she’d booked through her fake identities, 64 were not used, 38 were re-sold and 5 were cancelled.
Rebecca had tracked all of the flight tickets that had gotten re-sold and confirmed them. None of them were her.
Rebecca had informed him of this with regret laced in her tone—as if there was nothing else. No more leads.
But he refused to believe it was over.
It just wasn’t.
All of the flights she’d booked had been from LAX airport. He knew the chances were shit but he had to try. He had to do something—even if it was something as simple as walking around the airport for clues or maybe just to see what she might’ve seen if she’d been here.
The cops had already scoured the cameras of LAX for her but, of course, they found nothing. but he refused to let that stop him.
He entered the airport, the expected packed sight before him. He'd been here several times himself but he’d never entered through the main entrance. He was usually led through a private entrance straight to his jet.
Regardless, a little walk around couldn’t hurt.
He walked around slowly, taking his time to absorb his surroundings. It took him a good 6 hours to walk around the entire LAX in his nonchalant, detailed search.
After purchasing 5 candy bars, 2 coffees and one pack of oreos. He hadn’t found anything. nothing that could lead back to her.
The only places he hadn’t searched were obviously the employee only areas and the women’s bathrooms. The latter bothered him slightly but obviously it was not his place to enter those places.
He just wanted one damn clue. One lead. He needed to find her.
It was dark outside by the time he walked out of the entrance.
As he walked, a homeless man appeared in front of him.
“Please sir, spare some money. Even a dollar would do. Anything, please.”
Gojo was still for a moment. Taking in his reeking, tattered clothes and sad crusted eyes.
The complete opposite of all the people he’d seen within the airport—all the people in there dressed like they were off duty models, as if they had paparazzi waiting to take their airport photos.
He blinked, drawing himself out of his thoughts of the juxtaposition.
He fished a hand into his pocket and withdrew his wallet. He flipped it open and pulled out five one hundred dollar bills, all the cash he had. He didn’t usually carry cash on him so this guy truly caught him at the right time.
He handed the money to him. The homeless man’s eyebrows skyrocketed.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, sir!”
Gojo waved him away, “Spend wisely.”
He nearly snickered at that-he should probably take his own advice.
“I will, I will!” the homeless man skipped away.
“That was nice of you, kid.”
He glanced over to see an officer leaning against a pole nearby. He was bald and appeared to be in his late twenties. His lighter flickered on as he took a puff of his cigarette.
The scent of cigarettes grew stronger the closer he walked to the cop.
“Thanks.” The cop looked just as tired as he felt. He decided a small conversation couldn’t hurt, “Are homeless people even supposed to be out here?”
“Not really but if I were to try stop em they’d just come back the next day. At this point as long as they keep to themselves, we don’t bother em.”
“hm..” Gojo eyed his cigarette curiously.
“But it’s definitely lessened a bit. I bet that guy you just gave cash won't be back. Another one of the regulars left a week ago,” he shook his head, “Lucky bastard found a goddamn diamond ring and planned on pawning it. He’s bound to get a pretty penny for it for sure.”
“Isn’t there some sort of policy against that?”
“I was gonna confiscate it and report him but he said some young girl gave it to him.” he shook his head, “Dunno, if it’s the truth but I decided to let him have it. He obviously needs it more than whoever left it.”
Gojo absentmindedly chewed at the inside of his cheek. He knew this was far fetched but-
He pulled out his phone and pulled up a picture of Ara’s promise ring.
“Did the ring look like this by any chance?”
The officer’s eyes widened in recognition, “Yeah! what the- how did y-“
Gojo's entire demeanor changed as he suddenly grabbed the cop by the collar, “Where’s that homeless man?”
“Hey-“ he tried to pull him off but Gojo was taller, stronger, “I-I just told you, I haven’t seen him in a week!”
Gojo manhandled him once more, shaking him, “Do you have any idea where he went?”
“Dunno-I’m assuming the nearest pawn shop? He's homeless so I doubt he’d go any farther than he has to.”
Gojo hastily let him go, glaring all the while. The wicked edge to his eyes capable of making anyone feel smaller than a speck of dust.
“You should be fired.” he said it with such certainty the cop almost felt like he’d gotten fired right then and there, but of course this boy wasn’t capable of that—
But he was. It slowly dawned on him.
He didn't need to know the boy to tell he was of worth and if the ring was related to this boy somehow, he knew he could get in trouble for letting the homeless man go with such a precious item. He could potentially lose his badge depending on how far this kid wanted to take it.
He cleared his throat, “Listen-“
“Do you remember if he said anything about the girl who gave it to him?”
He momentarily froze at being interrupted before shaking his head, “He didn’t say much about her other than that she looked high school aged. I assumed she’s just another rich chick that walks in and out of here on a daily.”
His jaw clenched. He nearly shoved his phone in the officer’s face to show him his lockscreen. It was a picture of her.
“You know this girl?”
He paused, his eyes flickering between Ara’s picture and him, “Yeah.. that’s the girl who’s missing.”
“She's my girlfriend and the owner of that ring.”
“What time was he here?” Detective Rebecca spoke beside him. She’d only allowed him to come with her if he kept his mouth shut—which he agreed to. If the terms would be kept, that was to be decided.
Out of the four pawn shops near the airport that they’d visited, this was the one that finally had what they were looking for. Her ring.
He couldn’t stop staring at it. They’d stored it in a small white cushioned box, much cheaper than the original box it came in.
He was only ever used to seeing it on her finger.
The owner finally stopped flipping through the binder in front of him, “He was here at 3:13 pm, last Tuesday.”
“May I see that?”
The owner turned the binder towards her. She looked it over, “He said his name was Tim Orson?”
“Yes.”
“Did he have any identification for that?”
The owner scratches the back of his bald head, “Not that I can remember..”
She takes a picture of the binder on her phone before turning the binder back to him.
“I'm going to need video footage of when he was here. Can you retrieve that?”
Gojo’s eyes flicker to the camera in the top right corner of the room.
“Yes, yes.” he nods. He glanced behind himself at his worker. He says something in Arabic before the middle school aged boy walks somewhere to the back.
“Is that your son?” she asks.
“My nephew.”
“Does he work here?”
He chuckles awkwardly, “He helps out with the shop sometimes. I never leave him here alone.”
She continues to jot things down on her notepad before saying, “Can you please tell me about your and Tim’s interaction? Did he seem any sort of way?”
The shop-owner scratched his beard, “Hmm.. he was pretty enthusiastic, which makes sense after I saw what he brought in. It took me a while to verify it because-” he laughs awkwardly as if realizing what he was about to say wasn’t quite right, “-I just wasn’t expecting him to have something like that but once I verified it, I gave him an offer and he accepted it right away.”
“How much did you offer?”
“5k.”
Gojo snorted.
Rebecca shot him a look.
“Please—you think that’s worth 5k?” he gestured towards the ring, “Anyone with a brain knows that ring is worth more than 15k off the rip. He undersold it.”
Gojo's gaze slid towards the shop-owner, “What a deal for you, eh?”
Embarrassment instantly sprawled across the shop-owner's face.
Christ. She rubbed her brow before her phone chimed.
She glanced at it, briefly reading it over before turning the phone towards the shop-owner.
“Is this what he looked like?”
Gojo glanced over to see it was an image of a fat man in his fifties.
He nodded, “Yes. That's him.”
“His name is actually Robert Starkey.” she informed him. “You really need to make sure your clients have a proper form of identification before making any sort of exchange with them.”
He avoided eye contact, nodding vigorously, “Y-yes ma’am.”
“Did he say anything about where he got the ring from?” she asked.
“No ma’am. All he said was that it was a gift from a kind young woman.”
Her and Gojo shared a glance before she asked, “Did he say when he received the gift?”
He shook his head.
“Did he say anything else about the girl that gave it to him?”
“He just said that people like her make him remember that they’re still good people in the world.”
Gojo’s brows furrowed as Rebecca further pressed, “Did he explain why?”
“No but… from the way he said it I assumed he was insinuating that whoever gave it to him gave it to him for free.”
Just then the boy reappeared with a cassette tape in hand. The shopkeeper took it from him and handed it to rebecca.
“Here is the footage of when he was here.”
She turned the cassette tape in her hand, “Wow, I haven’t seen these in a while.”
He nods as he mumbled, “We’re a little old school.”
“Is there anything else specific that you remember? Any detail helps.”
“That was all, really. He was barely here for five minutes.”
“Thank you for your cooperation.” she handed him her business card, “If you remember anything else please feel free to reach out.”
“Of course.”
Just as she swiftly turned to exit, Gojo caught her arm.
“That's all?”
She blinked, “Yes.. it seems that airport security guy was able to identify our man. Now that we confirmed it, we'll be able to use the cctv’s to see where he went after he left this store. We can track him.”
She pulled her arm out of his, “We need to get back to the station.”
“Hold on.” he stepped towards the shopkeeper. His eyes dropped to the promise ring, “I'd like to purchase my ring back.”
He stood behind Rebecca and the intelligence officer that were seated before him. They all faced the screen.
The intelligence officer, Ray, showed the fast-forwarded footage of Robert walking out of the pawn shop. The CCTV footage was rather blurry but the pep in his step was obvious.
The sped up footage showed him walking for a while before he stopped in front of Hope Homeless shelter. He seemed to pause for a moment outside, as if deliberating whether or not to go in before ultimately going in.
Ray paused the footage, “He walked about an hour and half to get to Hope Homeless shelter. I couldn’t find any more footage of him on the CCTV’s beyond that. He might still be there.”
Rebecca’s brows furrowed, “Interesting. I wonder why he would go there when he has 5K in his pocket.”
“Maybe he owes someone?” Ray theorized.
“Or maybe there’s someone else he wants to share the money with.”
“I know the director of that shelter.” Gojo spoke.
“You do?” Rebecca questioned.
“Not personally but my father did–does. I can get us a meeting with her within the hour.”
Rebecca and Ray shared a look before she looked at him, “Very well.”
They sat in her office. It was rather sparse, minimally decorated, nothing name-brand. His father had donated to this institution plenty of times, as well as other local homeless shelters, but once his Uncle took over… it wasn’t a priority anymore.
As if she’d read his mind, Rebecca asked, “How does your Dad know her?”
He glanced over to see her eyeing the name-plate on the desk. Gabriela Hopkins. Director of Hope Homeless Shelter.
“He used to donate and occasionally volunteer here.”
“A philanthropist, hm?”
“Sort of.”
“Or was it all for show?”
His eyes cut to her. It was a bold accusation to make but not entirely misplaced. Politicians did many things just for the peoples’ eyes.
“No. My mother put him up to it.”
“Why?”
“She grew up poor but she was smart so she got a full-ride scholarship to Stanford.” A pang went through him–him and Ara were supposed to go there, “That’s where my Mom and Dad met.”
The door suddenly opened and Mrs.Hopkins entered. She appeared to be in her early forties. Her black hair was up in an unkempt bun. She held a coffee cup in her hand.
She outstretched her hand to Gojo as he stood, “Satoru Gojo, it’s nice to meet you. I haven’t seen your father in a while. He’s missed here.”
She went on as he shook her hand, “I trust he’s well?”
“Yeah, he’s great.”
Her eyes slid to Rebecca, “And who is this?”
Rebecca faced her, “Detective Rebecca.”
He watched them shake hands as Mrs.Hopkin’s introduced herself, “I’m Gabriela Hopkins.”
“We’re actually here for information. I would’ve reached out to you myself but I figured it might be more efficient to have our link reach out to you instead since-according to your website-you are overlooking all branches of Hope Shelters in Southern California. Is that correct?”
He leaned back in his seat, listening to the conversation despite tapping his foot on the ground incessantly. Rebecca told him she’d let him come along on the same condition-as long as he let her do all the talking. He supposed he couldn’t blame her since his restlessness was starting to show. He couldn’t remember the last time he slept well.
Mrs.Hopkins sat at her desk across from them, “That’s correct. I was recently promoted.”
“Congratulations. How’s that been?”
She lightly shook her coffee cup as she sighed, “Considering that this is my fifth coffee cup of the day, pretty insane.”
Rebecca smiles, “I feel you. Black coffee is my vice.”
Mrs.Hopkins glanced between the two of them, “So what information is it that you’re looking for?”
“Are you familiar with Robert Starkey?” Rebecca asks.
Her eyes lit up in recognition, “I am. He visits occasionally, he used to spend more nights here but not so much recently. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”
“Can you tell me when he was here last?”
“Of course.” she turns to her computer and types in a few things, “He was here last Tuesday, for our dinner service.”
“Dinner service?”
“Some days we offer free dinner packets to the public. The event takes place in our courtyard.”
“Did he stay the night that night?”
“He did not.”
“Do you know how long he was here?”
She shakes her head, “We only jot down the attendees but there’s too many folks that come visit to try to track all of their timings. We do have outdoor surveillance that I could have my security look at.”
“Please do. That would be very helpful.” Rebecca then added, “Did he have any friends here? Anyone he was close to?”
“He used to have a girlfriend here, Vienna, but unfortunately she died of illness. She just didn’t have the means to get the medication she needed. She passed a few years ago.”
“Was he close to any of her friends?”
She shook her head, “Not that I’m aware. He usually keeps to himself. Vienna was the only one he used to speak to before she passed but last we spoke he told me he hangs around by the airport now. I advised him against it but… you know how they can be.”
“Does he have any family he speaks to? Any places he wants to go?”
“If he does, he’s never mentioned it.”
Rebecca nods, pursing her lips. “Well, the reason I ask is because he’s been missing for several days. We’re trying to find him because he might be related to another missing persons case as well.”
Her eyes widened, “Oh my. Has he done something?”
“That's what we’re trying to find out.”
“Well please feel free to look about. I’ll have my security officer provide you with any footage needed. Starkey doesn’t come here much after Vienna passed so there might not be a lot but-”
“That’s alright. Anything helps. Please let your residents and staff know that he is missing and if they know anything about him to let us know.”
“Will do.”
The security guard, Prince, pointed out the blurry man in the video. It was hard to see his face but from what he remembered it was the same clothes Robert Starkey was last seen wearing in the CCTV footage.
There’s a sandwich bag in his hand as he walks off the screen. It’s hard to tell what direction he walked towards with the darkened lighting due to it being night-time. They’d replayed the footage several times. Robert had just taken the sandwich bag from the worker and walked off–not a word to anyone. They’d tried to zoom in and decipher which way he walked towards but it was impossible to tell further than the street he crossed.
Prince stuffs a spoonful of apple sauce in his mouth before saying, “He crosses the street to Thorne St. but that’s just about all you see really.” He states gruffly.
Rebecca returns from her phone call, “Alright, I just told Ray to try retrieve the CCTV footage of Throne St. for that night but it might be a while before he recovers it.”
She raked a hand through her cropped hair before looking at both of them, “It’s safe to say that we are declaring Robert Starkey missing. Someone should come by to drop posters off tomorrow but… we’ll be starting the search for him now.”
“I’m joining the search.” Gojo stated.
“Gojo, I told you the meeting with Mrs.Hopkins was the last thing I’d take you along with. You’re not an investigator. The fact that you’re even here is a breach on my end–”
“An extra pair of eyes can’t hurt during a search.”
“Yes but-”
“Your department’s extra funds are coming from me, aren’t they?”
She stared at him, mouth partially open since he interrupted her.
“I want to see where my money’s going.”
The areas surrounding the homeless shelter were split into four zones. Zone A was where he and Rebecca would be searching-side by side-since Rebecca refused to leave him be. He didn’t understand her issue with him being around when he knew her Director had permissed it.
But she wanted him to go home, eat something and rest. Rest. Ha. Just the thought of it made him want to laugh.
How was he supposed to rest when his home was missing?
He eyed the nearby investigators as he walked. They were all wearing gloves examining things as little as crushed leaves on the ground. This part of town was rather dingy. Cars rarely drove past here. The stench of piss and dust came from a nearby dumpster.
The homes here looked as if they hadn’t been renovated for ages. The people within seemed scared to come out since so many cops were sprawling about. A cop had attempted to go door to door to gather information but it was quickly abandoned when folks refused to open their doors. He could only imagine the things the people living in this neighborhood had seen.
His gaze slid to Rebecca not too far ahead of him. From the tense set of her shoulders he could tell she was stressed. He knew she was anxious about the timing of it all. The last date anyone had any information on Robert was last tuesday. It’s been over a week since then. Any viable evidence hanging around would be hard to find… but not impossible.
It couldn’t be impossible.
He couldn’t help but wonder if that homeless rat had anything to do with Ara’s disappearance. Sure, Ara had planned to leave him but if he found out that rat did anything to her…
A flash of hot white anger piercing through him made him stiffen where he stood. He forced himself to exhale, slowly unclenching his fists in his pockets as he did so.
Relax. Relax. Relax.
It wasn’t working. He was still agitated. A normal person would get whiplash from how quickly anger came to him now. It was always a heartbeat away, ready to boil over and implode. He couldn’t remember if it’d always been like this or if it was just worsening now.
All he knew was that he needed her. He needed her right now.
Rebecca stopped walking mid-step when she noticed him not following her. She quickly turned around, concern etched in her features.
“You okay–”
Suddenly her walkie talkie flared. She quickly pulled it out from her belt to her lips.
“I’m here.”
He couldn’t overhear much due the discombobulated audio but from the way her brows were furrowing it couldn’t be good.
“Alright. I’ll be there.”
“What is it?” he demanded.
“They found him,” despite her words, she appeared disappointed, “In zone 4.”
It didn’t take him long to understand her disappointment.
The man seemed to be laying on the ground at a rather uncomfortable angle. One leg bent awkwardly underneath him, protruding in a way that wasn’t natural for the human body–unless a bone was broken, of course. The back of his head was caved in, he could see the white of his skull at some parts. His lips were cracked and bloody. His face swollen, the welts upon it a deep ugly purple. Something silver and sharp seemed to be poking out of his left eye as well.
The man had been brutalized, that much was clear. Especially with the dark red spot with pieces of skin and hair on the brick wall to their right. Someone had bashed his head repeatedly against it. It didn’t seem like one person did it either, not with the several footprints on the dusty ground surrounding the dark red pool of dried up, crusted blood around the body.
It was pretty clear—crystal fucking clear—that he’d been jumped, robbed and left to die for maggots to have a goddamned feast but where was his clarity? Where were the answers to his fucking questions?
How did you get her ring? Did she give it to you or did you take it from her? Did you ask her what she was doing at the airport? Did she say where she was going? Did she say who gave her that ring? How was she? Was she tearing up like she always is or was she happy—did she smile at you? Did she smile that little half-smile or did she smile with all her pretty pouty lips and teeth? Did you like what you saw? Did you like what she had on? Did you know every square inch of her skin belongs to me? Even the parts you don’t see–her soul, her body, her insides, their all mine—only mine—
“WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UPPPPP!”
He was shaking him-the dead man. He was so flimsy and smelled like absolute shit. He didn’t care if Robert’s dislocated jaw was swinging every which way or if the maggots on his stabbed eye were falling about. He needed answers. He needed them right. Now.
He was suddenly jostled upwards, his entire body being held back–with multiple hands on him. He thrashed wildly in the cops arms.
“Get the fuck off me and wake him up! WAKE HIM UP!”
“THAT’S ENOUGH!” Rebecca’s shrill voice cut through the hot-blooded fog in his brain.
From the way the vein on her forehead seemed ready to burst, he could tell she’d been yelling for a while–he just couldn’t hear it.
Her derision was palpable, “Do you know what you just did? You messed up a crime scene—a crime scene. That’s tampering with evidence and that’s a felony–do you understand?”
He threw his head back, chuckling as he felt the oppressive California sunlight seep into his pores and make his simmering blood boil more. He shook his head as he faced her, an unprompted smile on his lips, “Am I supposed to care?”
He suddenly thrashed forward—sending the officers holding him back in a disarray as they strained to keep him in their grip, “He’s the last person to see her–who knows anything about her—who knows what he did? He should be glad he’s fuckin’ dead cuz I woulda’ done worse.”
He’d never seen a woman turn pale so fast. Her countenance aghast.
“You're done.” she looked past him, “Get him outta here. Now.”
Gojo was picking up one paper after the other, examining each image with as much care as he could. The image on the top right corner of the file seemed to blur but he quickly blinked it away. He stared at the image once-more, the girl looked nothing like Ara but he swore for a second he thought he saw her image there.
He rubbed his eyes. Am I hallucinating things now? Have I fully lost it?
Suddenly a knock resounded at the door and he glanced up. Suguru was leaning against the doorframe of his study with his arms crossed.
“You're finally home.”
Gojo set the file in his hand down, “I’ve been home.”
“What happened to living and breathing at the police station?”
He chewed at the inside of his cheek, “I’m not allowed back there anymore.”
Suguru raised a brow before shaking his head, “I wonder why.”
Suguru stepped into the room, sauntering closer to his desk. His narrow eyes ran over the several boxes in the room before noticing the neatly organized files on his desk.
“What’s all this?”
Gojo leaned back in his seat, “They gave me busy work cuz I told them I still wanna be involved.”
Suguru picked up the file of the woman he’d been looking at earlier, “What’s the assignment?”
“Apparently, LAX has an average of 241,000 people taking flights daily, about 78,000 of them being women. Since it’s pretty much confirmed that Ara was there, they’re having me look at the 77,128 files of women who took flights on the day of our graduation. They want me to let em’ know if any of the girls look like her since according to their identification tech only a few of the girls match her features. They already traced them and confirmed their identities but I want to check for myself.”
Gojo raked his hands through his hair, “I know I could be wasting my time cuz she might’ve altered her ID photo to look nothing like her but…” his fingers tightened in his hair, “I have to do something.”
Suguru’s eyes widened as he noticed the few boxes that were closed up as if he’d already gone through them.
“How many files have you gone through?”
“6,455.”
“The hell?! Is this what you’ve been doing for the past few days?” Suguru demanded.
Gojo frowned–not even sure how long he’d been at this himself.
Suguru’s hand slammed his desk, “Are you sleeping at all?”
Gojo didn’t answer, merely staring at Ara’s promise ring that’d nearly fell off the desk.
“Damn it, Satoru. I hate seeing you like this, really–” he rubbed his brow, “How long are you gonna keep doing this to yourself?”
“As long as it takes.” he answered but he was zoned out—eyes fixed on the ring. It was her ring. He was undoubtedly sure of it. It was her exact size and it had their initials engraved within the band. He even reached out to the jeweler company to inquire if they’d sold that ring with the same customization to anyone else and they hadn’t. It was her ring—their promise.
And she’d just given it away?
“It’s about to be a month..” Suguru’s voice was low, “since she’s been missing.”
The words hit him like a knife slamming into his chest. 3 weeks and 2 days–he wanted to say, but he knew it was meaningless. Suguru was right.
It was almost a month… without her.
How did I let this happen?
“I know you miss her–”
He grit his teeth, “I don’t—”
“Just hear me out.”
He glanced over to see Suguru leaning against his desk, arms crossed, “I know you want to hate her but let’s be real, it’s more than that–and that’s okay. I.. I know how much she meant to you. What you guys had was different, everyone knows it.”
Suguru faced him, “I know you’re doing everything you can but this isn’t good for you. You’re not taking care of yourself.”
He scratched the back of his neck, “I am though–”
Suguru gestured towards the barely touched plate of food on his desk, “You’re not eating. You’re not sleeping and you don’t leave the house. This isn’t you.”
He swallowed but his mouth still felt dry. For once, he didn’t know how to respond.
His hands tightened around the armrests of his chair before he glanced up at Suguru.
“What else am I supposed to do?”
Suguru’s expression grew torn at the sight of him, “Let the police handle the rest.”
He shook his head, speaking fast, “They’re still going through the LAX surveillance footage. It’s been weeks and they haven’t got shit. It’s not enough—”
Suguru’s hand suddenly clasped his shoulder, “Stop, Satoru.”
His eyes widened as he stared at the sympathy in Suguru’s eyes.
“Stop torturing yourself like this.”
The words threw him off, leaving him confounded. He spoke slowly, “You think… I’ve lost it?”
He looked conflicted, “No but-”
“You think she’s dead?”
“No but I don’t think she wants to be found.”
His throat tightened. His words came out quiet, “So that’s it then? I should just let her go?”
He shook his head, “It’s out of your hands now. You need to stop living like this. It’s gonna eat you up alive.”
It already is. He wanted to say but he couldn’t find it in himself to speak. It hurt. His words hurt.
He knew she didn’t want to be found—she never wanted him in the first place, until she did. He knew she did. He felt it in the way she looked at him, her gaze had changed. Some part of her had fallen for him, he was sure of it and yet it felt like he was the only one who knew.
Why did you leave me, Ara? Why?
Do you really think you can forget me?
Only he knew how much opening up to him meant to her. Only he knew how much courage it took for her to come to his doorstep that night. Only he knew that relying on other people was a vulnerability to her and yet he’d got her to rely on him anyway. Only he knew that his lips had touched every mole she was insecure about on her body. Only he knew how badly she needed him to ease her after her nightmares in the dark.
Unraveling herself the way she did worked in the long game to outsmart him but some things could never be undone. She’d only gone to such lengths because she knew it too.
you can run, you can hide, but you can never escape being mine.
He barely felt Suguru squeeze his shoulder, “Come on. Let’s get In-n-Out with Shoko.”
He smiled halfheartedly, “Like old times?”
“Like old times.” Suguru repeated.
He looked at his reflection as he adjusted the collar of his suit. He didn’t bother to even try tame his hair.
He’d been dodging his Uncle’s invites to lame old people events the entire summer but he supposed his avoidance had hit its limit. He was required to come to this dinner party. It was commemorating the 70th somethin’ year anniversary of Gojo Industries.
His Uncle had booked out a venue. He knew there was bound to be tons of champagne, hand-shaking, speeches and all that shebang. His Uncle had told him to prepare a speech but he decided he’d just wing it. Everyone was enamored by him anyway.
He reached for his cologne only to freeze when his gaze caught the display stand. It was a two tier stand, the top was for his colognes, the bottom for her perfumes.
His row was completely stuffed with cologne bottles but hers only had a few. She had just started expanding her scent palate before she’d fallen in love with one perfume. He’d been in the store with her when she discovered it. He remembered how wide her eyes had gotten the second she took a whiff from the test strip. It’d been the cutest thing..
He snatched the perfume up faster than the human eye could follow. He threw off the cap and sprayed it in the air before him.
He closed his eyes.
He set the perfume down with a thunk as he laughed. His hands flattening against the bathroom counter as he faced downwards, shaking his head as he laughed uncontrollably.
He couldn’t stop laughing.
He felt like she was right there. He felt like she was right next to him.
He felt her pulse rapidly firing away against his lips. Her nails digging into his shoulders.
“sato—hnnnng—s-slow down. slow down! ngh!”
He nipped at her jaw, adding to the collection of hickeys on her neck. Her scent clouding his mind.
“you can take it.”
He gripped the edge of the bathroom counter as his mind spiraled.
He sucked at the skin in the crook of her shoulder and neck. He tasted her perfume on his tongue.
She shoved him back, “Satoru.”
Her worry evident as she stared up at him, “We’re in school.”
Her eyes darted down the hallway, checking either side before leaning back against the lockers they were hiding behind.
His hand slipped up the back of her thigh, squeezing her ass underneath her skirt uniform. It was just so cute and plump, he couldn’t resist.
She jumped as he kneaded the soft flesh.
He tilted his head, grinning, “Everyone’s in class, kitten~”
One of her hands pressed against his chest while the other pushed at his forearm, “Stop.” she chastised.
His fingers gripped the countertop so hard it hurt.
She squirmed, burying her face in his chest as he kissed a trail up her arm to her wrist, her scent wafting over him.
“That tickles.” her voice raspy with sleep, “I can’t sleep like this.”
He’d just scooped her up-bundled in the blanket and all-from the nearby couch onto his lap.
“You’ll be fine.” He teased.
And he was right because once he resumed reading the lengthy document on his computer, she’d passed out peacefully five minutes in.
He shook his head vigorously, his maniacal laughter subsiding as he raised his head and met his crazed expression in the mirror. His eyes had never looked this lost.
I’m losing my mind.
He pushed himself off the counter. His fingers cramped from how hard he’d been gripping it earlier.
His eyes landed on the perfume bottle once-more. Roses Vanille by Mancera. He was tempted to grab the bottle and throw it—maybe the sound of it breaking would be satisfying.
There wasn’t a day that passed where he didn’t think of her.
His emotions always skewed from deep-rooted hatred to an insatiable ache when it came to her. It was always one or the other. Rarely a mix of both. It never got any less unnerving.
He picked up the perfume cap he’d thrown earlier and carefully screwed it back atop the bottle. He set the perfume back on the display.
Despite destroying most of her things in his rage several weeks ago, he’d told Marin to leave the rest of her unscathed stuff untouched.
He stared at himself in the mirror, schooling his emotions.
The one girl who outsmarted him, the only girl who could undo him so quickly.
Everyone thought he was doing better now, slowly coping with her loss—as if he could just become himself again and let her go. He’d answer calmly whenever she was brought up, never letting his facade crack, never letting his possessive thoughts show.
Enjoy yourself now, kitten. I’m never giving up on you.
Go on, keep thinking you got the last laugh.
When I get my hands on you I’m gonna show you just how far I can go.
As if on cue, his phone on the counter rang. Once he saw the contact name the equivalent of a thousand shards of broken glass fusing themselves back together occurred in his mind. Everything sharpened as if his mind had been dunked in ice-water.
A despicable grin spread along his lips, “Hi James~ I’ve been waiting for your call.”
“Uh-yes. Mr. Gojo, I’ve found a match for whom you're looking for.”
Whom? Who says that? A low chuckle slipped out of him as he ran a hand over mouth, “Go on.”
“She’s located in Memphis, Tennessee. She’s going to the University of Memphis in the fall and moved early into her dorm yesterday.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I’m sending you her information now.”
“Please do.”
He ended the call and scrolled through the information James sent. He deftly read her attributes before his eyes landed on her most recent ID photo—her University ID card. It looked… too accurate. It was Ara’s face. His Ara’s face.
Except she had light brown hair, eye-glasses and was majoring in geology? Was that another interest she’d kept hidden to herself?
He quickly called up his private jet’s operator. Once he heard the line pick-up he didn’t wait for him to speak, “Peter! Get ready.”
“Yes, sir. Where to?”
He loosened his tie before tossing it, “We’re goin’ to Memphis.”
The University of Memphis campus had quite a different vibe from all the colleges he’d toured. Of course, all the colleges he’d toured had been mainly Ivy leagues but the place piqued his interest nonetheless.
It was straightforward in its design. Brick buildings with white pillars. Blue tiger-print stripes everywhere to signify their mascot and school colors. Most buildings were walking distance from one another. It was nice.
He couldn’t help but wonder what could make Ara settle here of all places? Was it just because it was far away from him? Just so she could live on unrecognized? Or was there more to it?
He knew she didn’t have any family out here so that was out of the question.
He supposed he’d just have to ask her himself.
He sat on a bench near the university center, hands in his pockets. People watching. Students were already milling about. He could feel the anticipation in the air for school to start.
Suddenly his eyes skirted to a girl exiting the university center building, a few books clutched in her hand, tote bag over her shoulder. He briefly caught a glimpse of her face and recognized her. Penn Yves-her new identity. Ha.
Her hair covered her face as she bent down to search for something in her bag while walking. Had she seen him? It didn’t seem likely since she was still walking in his direction.
He got onto his feet and watched her slowly make her way towards him while shuffling through her bag.
Could she walk any slower?
Anticipation gathered in his veins with each step she took. His fingers aching with that familiar rush he hadn’t felt in so long.
He wanted to see her expression. He wanted to see her eyes dilate in fear?—yes, fear. It’d be back to how it was in their early days most likely. When she’d flinch against his touch and look at him with thinly veiled contempt. Or maybe she’d be so surprised she wouldn’t know what to do with herself. Would she pass out? Ha. That would be funny. Or would she—
Her forehead bumped into chest and she gasped as she stepped back. One of the books in her hand instantly falling to the ground.
Her face raised upto his and he froze.
They had the same skin tone and eye-shape, her lashes were a bit shorter but their lips were also similar. Full and pouty. But his Ara didn’t have any freckles on her cheeks nor was her nose as upturned as this girls.
She pushed her glasses up to her forehead when the sun glared in their reflection and he confirmed it. It wasn’t her.
The anticipation in his gut dulled into something more tumultuous, something dark.
She blinked up at him, seemingly taken aback as she spoke softly, “I-I’m sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
That wasn’t her voice either.
He hid his callous expression by bending down to pick up her book. When he held it out to her he had a pleasant smile on his lips, “Don’t worry about it.”
She was still staring at him, an intrigue in her eyes that he’d seen plenty of times before. He was too in his head to find even a morsel of amusement from it.
She took the book from him, finally breaking eye-contact, “Do you go here?”
“No.”
Her brows drew together, “Oh.” The disappointment in her voice was evident.
That made him chuckle but it rang hollow. Everything felt hollow. He’d been foolish to think it would be that easy. Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy.
Ara was a challenge in and of herself. James would need to do more than just a little homework to find her. If there was anything about Ara, she was thorough. Her escape had proven so.
If he’d known that his little fixation on her would lead him here would he do it all over again?
In a heartbeat.
It’d be easy to chat up this girl, take her out on a date then pretend that the girl before him was his new Ara. It would be so easy he wouldn’t even have to try.
But taking the easy way out was never his style, was it? He’d pick the thrill of the game every time—even if it consumed him in the end.
There was no settling. There was no quitting. There was just a challenge that he had to win.
Ara, when I find you just remember…you started this.
He reached out, touching a strand of her brown hair before speaking quietly, “Have a good semester.”
She watched her hair untwirl itself from his finger as he turned around.
Dublin, Ireland.
It’s been a while since he’d been here. The air always felt so crisp it was refreshing. The bakeries were spectacular too—especially alongside the River Liffey.
He crumpled up the wrapper of his strawberry pistachio tartlet from the Queen of Tarts—no sorry, il Valentino, the cafe rebranded apparently. Regardless, he’d devoured it in two bites. He regretted not getting a second.
He tossed the wrapper into a nearby trash can as he walked. It was his first time exploring the Dubh Linn gardens. It was rather gorgeous at sunset.
He slipped his hands in his pockets as a chill breeze swept past. He took his time with each step until he spotted her.
From the back it looked just like her. From her height, her waist length hair down to the shape of her hips—it looked exactly like her. He just needed to see her face.
Her phone was raised to take a picture of the Dublin Castle. He couldn’t blame her, it looked rather magnificent in the dark. It was even more impressive on the inside. Memories of his mother’s friend's wedding flashed through his mind. He remembered making fun of the old age paintings on the walls.
That felt so long ago..
Suddenly she was walking again, her back still to him.
The urge to see her face suddenly pulsed through him. His pace picked up, as well as his heart rate.
He quickly caught up to her and grabbed her by the elbow, spinning her around. She turned with a gasp, instantly facing him.
Not her.
Her eyes were the same shape as hers, just slightly lighter in color. Her nose was the same but her lips were the subtlest bit smaller. Her brows were thicker as well.
The similarities were uncanny, but he knew this wasn’t his Ara.
“Who are you?” she asked slowly, a subtle Irish accent to her words.
He let go of her elbow, “Ah, sorry. You look like someone I know.”
She searched his face curiously, “You do too. Are you famous?”
He chuckled dryly, “Not really.”
She looked him up and down, “Do you model?”
“No.”
“You should.”
He gave her a halfhearted smile-trying to focus but his mind was elsewhere, “I’ll think about it.”
“Are you single?”
“No.” he answered-then frowned subtly. He answered almost too quickly, as if it were instinct.
She tilts her head, raising one brow, “You look confused.”
He scratched the back of his neck, “Heh, well.. we’re on a break.”
“Damn.” she bites her lower lip, seeming to contemplate something before saying, “I’ve been there.”
He shakes his head, “Is it supposed to be this rough?”
She smiles—it reminds him so much of Ara’s smile his heart began to ache. Ara was always so stingy with her smiles.
“Just be good and I’m sure she’ll take you back.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. It would take me forever to get a face like yours out of my head.”
He exhaled through his nose in humor, “I can’t get her out of my head.”
She hesitates before something seems to click in her eyes. “Do I… look like her?”
He nods.
She laughs, “So you thought I was her when you saw me?”
“..yeah.” he admits.
She laughs again, “Wow.”
Her hair rippled in the wind when a cool breeze passed. “She must be really pretty then.” she adds.
“She is.”
Her eyes twinkle with amusement, “So if I was her, what would you say?”
That was a great question, one that he hadn’t given much thought to just yet. He had a lot to say to her now that he was thinking about it—too much to say maybe, but it was impossible to tell the girl before him any of those things.
He’d save those words for the real deal.
Instead he tilted his head, “I’d tell her I’m taking her home tonight.”
She blushed, a light feminine giggle escaping her lips.
She shook her head, “Nice try.”
He raised his hands to express his innocence, “Wasn’t trying anything, I swear.”
Her eyes narrowed and once-again he was reminded so much of her.
His grin faded, “If I saw her, I really would be taking her home.”
“Mhmm.”
He chuckled.
She had a coy look in her eyes when she took a step back, “Well good luck, with her.”
“Thanks. I’ll need it.”
“Don’t go flirting with her lookalikes either.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She started flirting first but it felt pointless to say. It didn’t even matter because despite all of their similarities and her little flirtatious ways he wasn’t hard-not even in the slightest. He hadn’t gotten hard with the first lookalike either.
She playfully rolled her eyes before turning away. He watched her walk until she left through the garden exit and disappeared onto the street. A cold feeling settling in his gut.
Ara, where are you?
Gojo snaps his fingers, catching Geto’s attention.
Geto glances over, annoyed, “What?”
Gojo’s eyes remained planted on the laptop in front of him as he speedily typed away. “Can you give me my phone?”
He looks over at the charger plugged into the outlet beside him. He reached over and took Gojo’s phone out. His phone flashed open to his lockscreen.
The picture is difficult to make out due to the dim lighting but with enough squinting he’s able to make out that the pic was taken from Gojo’s chin down. Ara is lying comfortably atop his shoulder with her arm sprawled over his chest. She looks fast-asleep but since the blanket just barely covers her waist he can see the outline of her bare breasts pressed against Gojo’s chest.
He reddened before a few text messages notifications began to pop-up on his phone. The contact name for the messages simply one pie emoji.
Geto’s brow furrow, “You got a text.”
Gojo’s eyes don’t leave his laptop, “From who.”
“From pie?”
Gojo immediately snatched the phone out of his hand. He watched Gojo quickly unlock it and stare at his phone with even more focus than the assignment he was working on seconds ago.
“Who’s pie?” Geto asked, confused.
Gojo doesn’t answer, clearly fixed on whatever ‘pie’ was texting him.
“Pie..” Geto muttered to himself as he mulled it over.
Gojo isn’t the type to make someone’s contact name without any significance so he finds himself trying to decode it.
He’s frowning as he glances at Gojo typing away on his phone. He looks completely engrossed. He’d only ever seen him like that when he was texting..
“Is that your private investigator?” he snaps as it clicks.
Private Investigator = PI = pie emoji
Gojo shuts his laptop and slips it in his bag. He swings his backpack over one shoulder as he stands.
“I gotta go.”
“Where?”
He pushes his chair back under their study desk, “To London.”
“What?”
He grins but it doesn’t reach his tired eyes.
“Don’t you have an exam in 20 minutes?”
He shrugs, “I’ll make it up.”
“What?! Satoru—wait!”
“Shhh!” A nearby librarian scolds.
Gojo’s already booked it towards the exit, hastily waving his hand in goodbye as he goes.
She’s shuffling through the books in her cart, completely confused.
Where is it? It was just here.
She bends down to the bottom rack of the cart, deftly reading each title to no avail.
“Where are you?” she mutters to herself.
“Looking for this?” An attractive male voice resounded behind her. There was an American accent to his words.
Her back grazed his chest as she stood. She immediately turned around and backed up.
“Oh-“ she stops mid-sentence at the sight of him. She was already flustered but this… this made her heart rate go staccato.
He was tall—maybe 6’4 or 6’5. His hair was platinum but it didn’t look dyed at all, his light colored lashes proved so. It worked well with his even, pale skin and high cheekbones. But what was even more staggering was the color of his eyes.
They were the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. It was almost alien how spellbinding they were.
But it wasn’t just her that was staring, he was staring too. He was searching her face in a way that didn’t seem sensual. There was a precision to his gaze—rather calculative, like he was studying her.
Then suddenly his gaze closed, all the curiosity coming to a quick abrupt end.
She blinked, taking another step back only to bump into her cart. Crap.
The corner of his lip curled subtly, “Aren’t you at least gonna take a look?”
She glanced down to see a book in his hands—exactly the book she was looking for.
She took it from him, “Thanks.”
She quickly moved further down the shelves to gain some distance from him. It was hard for her to function around pretty people—especially to the degree that he was at. It was already hard being bi and working in a bookstore-pretty girls were everywhere-and now this?
Bah! Get him out of here.
“Sorry I took it from your cart. It looked like an interesting read.”
She found the place in the shelf where the book belonged and shelved it.
“Yeah?” she responded noncommittally.
“Yeah.” he leaned against the bookshelf, crossing his arms as he glanced around, “This is a nice bookstore.”
“It is.” she muttered, avoiding eye-contact at all times as she grabbed another book and climbed the mini-ladder.
“Nerine.” he said slowly, “That’s a flower right?”
She turned around, immediately about to ask him how he knew her name until she remembered she had a name tag on. Please use your brain, Nerine.
But it was odd, not many people knew Nerine was a flower.
She eyed him warily as he ran his thumb over the sides of the pages of a book in his hand. He seemed somewhat entertained by how fast the pages flipped open at the action. That was also another book from her cart.
“That’s a new book.” she spoke more clipped than she intended.
He glanced up, eyes wide, “Oh, sorry. That’ll mess up the pages right?”
Not really. She was just being anal because she liked to treat her books with care but—she pressed her lips together before releasing a short breath.
“Never mind.”
He blinked. He looked like he was near her age. She doubted he was older than eighteen or nineteen.
Since he wasn’t leaving she decided to utilize him, “Can you give me that?” she pointed at another book on the cart.
“Sure!” he instantly set down his book and reached for the one she pointed at.
Suddenly she got the urge to mess with him. She wasn’t sure where it came from-maybe it was because he was so pretty that it was annoying but whatever.
Just as he picked the book up, she said, “Not that one.”
“Oh.” he pointed to the one behind it, “That one?”
“Nope.”
He pointed to the one after that, “This one?”
“Nope.”
He pointed at the book on the opposite end, “This one?”
“Yeah.”
He picked up the book and immediately seemed to notice that it had the same title as the first book he’d picked up. It was just another copy.
He handed it to her with a little smile, “Are you messing with me?”
“Nope.” she answered flatly as she snatched the book from him.
She wanted to laugh at the confusion on his face but it was then that she realized.. he had dark circles underneath his eyes. They were a dull light purplish shade that contrasted quite a bit with his pale skin. She was surprised she didn’t notice it earlier. Boy definitely needs some sleep.
“Do you like working here?” he asked randomly.
Does he really not have anyone else to talk to?
“Yeah.” she answered dryly.
“You probably read a lot, right?”
A lot would be an understatement.
He followed her down the aisle as she pushed her cart, “There’s this book I’m tryna find but I forgot the title-“
“Do you remember the author?”
“No but.. can I tell you what happens in the story and maybe you can help me find it?”
Odd request but “Sure.”
She might actually be able to help him find it with the amount of books she’d read. No genre was a stranger to her—except maybe self-help books. She wasn’t mature enough for that yet. Regardless, with his face she doubted he was reading anything too complicated. If it was a trendy book it’d be easy enough to find.
“So it’s about this girl that gets approached by one of her classmates, she doesn’t really like him that much in the beginning-dunno why-but they stop talking for a bit only for her to go to a party and they end up hooking up.”
This guy is reading a romance? She shoots him a curious glance before continuing to shelf her books.
“Then basically they start hooking up every day after that. She can’t really leave the house much so they mostly hang out at her house and school but sometime later he ends up finding out that her dad is abusive.”
He pauses, “And-erm-he kinda does something about it.”
She raises a brow, facing him, “Like?”
He smiles a bit awkwardly, “He nearly kills her Dad… in front of her.”
Damn! A dark romance? This guy is full of plot twists.
There must be something showing on her face because suddenly he scrambles to say, “But he makes up for it by getting her Dad to a hospital right away, covering the bill and all.”
“Does the Dad know they’re dating?” she asks.
“No but that’s cuz she hid their relationship from him. He’s strict so he doesn’t allow her to date or to go out or-anything really.” he huffed.
“So what happened next?”
“So..” he squints as if trying to remember, “So yeah, she breaks up with him—even though he was only trying to protect her but she’s still mad so.. they end up not talking for two months. Her dad heals up and they get back home from the hospital only for the same shit to happen again.”
She glances up at him again to see a tension defining his jaw that wasn’t there before. He catches her gaze, “Her Dad hits her again.”
“Damn.”
“It was really bad,” he mutters, staring off as if recounting it, “Her body was completely busted up.”
She watched his adam’s apple bob as he swallows, “Anyway, she goes back to her ex cuz she doesn’t want to live with her Dad anymore. He lets her stay and they end up getting back together and doing a whole bunch of cute shit—even confessing their love. Well, the guy been told her he loved her but it took her a while to say it back, but she did end up saying back.“
She glances at him leaning forward in his seat. It seems he found a stool that was supposed to be used for people too short to reach the top shelves. Regardless, she can’t help but feel the stool looks too tiny for him.
He runs a hand through his hair, “Everything is all fine and dandy until graduation rolls around-“ he then quickly adds, “They’re seniors in high school by the way.”
He gnaws on his bottom lip, “And so on their high school graduation she goes missing.”
“Really?” she asks, shocked.
“For real.”
“Did her Dad kidnap her or something?”
His brows furrow, “Nah, not her Dad but listen-after she goes missing, a few things come out. During their relationship her boyfriend would gift her a lot of things and it turns out before she went missing she sold some of the gifts and raked up a couple million-“
“A couple million?” she questions, completely flabbergasted, “How?”
He pauses, his mouth partially open while he squints-as if unsure why that would be hard to grasp until he realizes, “Oh, her boyfriend’s rich so her gifts weren’t cheap. Birkins, Van cleef, you get it. Anywa-“
“Let me guess, he’s a millionaire.” she rolls her eyes.
He blinks, “Billionaire actually.”
“I hate dark romance books sometimes.” she shakes her head, “Go on.”
“So yeah, now the police concluded that she ran off with the money and disappeared without a trace.”
She watches him lean back in his seat and clasp his hands together in front of himself. He looks at her expectantly.
“Where did she go?” she asks.
He shrugged, “Nobody knows, but more importantly—why would she do that?”
“Do what?”
“Up and leave like that.”
“I..” her brows furrow, “I don’t know. You read the bloody book, not me.”
“Yeah, but you’re a girl. Why would a girl do that? Why would she leave everything behind?”
Her mind raced with possibilities as she mulled it over, “I don’t know.. it could be lots of things. She could’ve been unhappy-“
“But why would she be unhappy? She had her man right there, why didn’t she just tell him?”
“Well maybe she didn’t want to.”
“Why not?”
“Maybe she didn’t like him either.”
“But she did though, she did. She said she loved him.”
“People can say anything.”
He looked exhausted, “I know that but like—“ he pauses, as if seriously contemplating something, “She loves him. He knows it.”
She’s a bit taken aback by the intensity in his gaze but responds anyway, “But does she love him if she sold all his gifts for money?”
He looks at her knowingly, as if he’s already considered this but seems to await the rest of her answer anyway.
She stuffed another book onto the shelf, “Clearly something is bothering her. Generally speaking, girls don’t usually make drastic decisions like that without considering everything involved. She obviously knew what she was doing and who she was hurting in the process.”
He silently considers this for a moment before speaking tentatively, “So.. what do you think of her?”
“Well, she’s wrong for doing her boyfriend like that. He technically did nothing wrong but she used him anyway.”
She shakes her head, “But honestly that’s what makes the least sense in the story, if she really loved him-like your so insistent on-she wouldn’t do that unless she had to.”
“Why would she ever have to?”
“Maybe there was some private family drama she didn't want him to know?” she answers unsurely.
“Her Dad’s her only family.”
“Maybe she has a secret health condition?”
“They lived together for 6 months. He would know if she had a disease.”
She threw her hands up, “Then it’s probably some plot twist! I don’t know.”
He watched her frustration, amused, before continuing to press, “And what do you think would be a good plot twist?”
“If she was a spy that would be hot.”
He laughed.
She shelved another book, “But since it’s a dark romance, they usually keep the plot somewhat linear... I’d say her boyfriend isn't as innocent as he seems. You did say that she didn’t like him in the beginning right?”
“I did.”
“Was it like an enemies to lovers situation?”
“Enemies to lovers?” he questioned, before letting out a short laugh, “Kinda, I suppose.”
She nods, “He also does have a violent streak to almost kill her Dad. What-did he try to shoot him?”
“No, he beat the shit outta him.”
“So a few punches?”
“Pft, no. Damn near broke his jaw, his nose, cracked his skull. Dude almost became a cripple.” An airy chuckle left him, “If she didn’t stop him in time he woulda gouged her Dad’s eyes out with his thumbs.”
“Jesus.” she muttered, “That’s not normal.”
“He was defending her.”
“Yeah but to do all that with your bare hands? It’s giving anger issues.”
He blinked before quickly rebutting, “But if he didn’t jump in, her Dad would’ve hurt her.”
“Okay fine so he’s protective then.”
“Of course.”
“Maybe even overprotective?”
He looked at her intently for a moment before replying, “Maybe..”
She raised a brow, “What do you mean maybe? Was he or was he not?”
He appears resigned, “Yeah.”
She nodded once again, “Maybe that’s it. Maybe it was suffocating for her—maybe he was even violent towards her but she didn’t know what to do because she’s used to violence at home.”
His voice was crisp, “He would never hurt her.”
She shrugged, “He must’ve done something or else I can’t see why she’d leave her billionaire boyfriend alone. She’d be set for life-no, generations with that.”
She snapped her fingers, “She left for revenge. That would be a good plot twist.”
He raises a brow as if intrigued. A smirk seems to play at the end of his lips, “Revenge..” he says the word as if he were tasting it, “How so?”
“She’s getting revenge on all the overbearing men in her life. She left her Dad’s house, which is revenge in itself cuz that’s like a strict parents nightmare. Then she left her overprotective boyfriend, breaking his heart. Now she gets to live on being the cunt that she is.”
“Cunt?” he questions.
She smiles, “It’s a compliment.”
“So you support her then?”
“I support women’s rights and wrongs.” She freezes abruptly before looking at him with a frown, “Hold on, why are you pestering me about all of this? Don't you know why already? You read the book.”
“I left off at the part where she went missing.”
She stands, dusting off her pants as she realizes she completed shelving her cart during the time he took to explain that ‘story’.
“So you decide to fry my brain for theories about the plot?”
He smiles-rather brightly, “Basically.”
He stands up from the stool, “Thank you for the conversation. It was fun.”
“Fun?”
He nods.
She looks at him skeptically, “Well thanks for keeping me entertained while I cleared my cart.”
“Anytime.” he gives her a brief once-over before tilting his head as if realizing something.
“What?”
A slight chuckle escapes him, “I just realized you kinda look like her. The girl from the story.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, same hair and all.”
She’s not quite sure how to respond, “Hm, what a coincidence.”
“Right?”
Revenge.
He chews on the word, as if it’s a bitter candy that he despises the flavor of yet can’t seem to spit out.
It bothers him. It’s been bothering him ever since that girl brought it up.
The Ara he knows is more honest than that though, more straight-laced. She’s the type to think more out of necessity versus revenge.
But then again could he trust his judgment on her anymore? After she managed to manipulate him the way she did?
But was it really manipulation if he knew? He knew she wasn’t comfortable when she first stepped onto his doorstep, when she first slept in his bed. But he watched her, he watched her spread her wings and bloom.
He watched her accept his love and he saw her start to want it. He saw her need it in the way he did.
Which was all he ever wanted. The only fault in his plan was that she got away.
But then there was that stupid word, revenge.
The word that tempted his bleak anger, the roiling waves of betrayal deep in his soul. The word that triggered the voices in the back of his mind to remind him that she wanted him to suffer, wanted him to hurt.
It bothered him because if that was her goal, it was working. He was restless, constantly agitated and barely interested in anything anymore. Everything felt mechanical.
His temper was starting to run less hot—it started to feel cold. Like ice churning in his gut with every memory of her that crossed his mind. He felt it like a thin layer of snow settling on his skin, slowly accumulating overtime.
Is this what you want, Ara?
He tilted his chin up, facing the sky. It felt so close from this vantage point.
Everywhere he looked there was only the sky. The sun setting in the distance painted the vast canvas a multitude of colors. yellow, pale pink, orange, and yet they were all chased away by the indigo blue of night closing in like a veil gliding above the clouds.
A frigid current of air swiftly passed along his face, making his hair flip in the wind and his dress-shirt collar flutter against his neck. It was as if the night sky’s gravitational pull could be felt by him too.
He watched the yellow of the sun disappear, hiding to let noisy LA get bathed in darkness.
It was in darkness after all, where the city thrived the most.
His eyes jolted open when he heard a loud noise. It came from the garage, he was certain of it.
He grunted as he sat up on his bed. He rubbed his head while reaching over to grab his phone from the nightstand with the other. It was 2:05 am.
“Huh?” he exclaimed in confusion when he saw that all his house cameras were disabled. He hadn’t turned any of them off.
He refreshed his app and the results were the same. The cameras were ‘disconnected’.
Suddenly he heard a sound come from downstairs. He instantly shifted in his place on the bed, facing the hallway.
He swore he saw a shadow pass by. It was incredibly fast. He almost questioned if it was a hallucination.
He grabbed his cane and stood up. He’d developed a permanent limp after his altercation with the robber or whatever shit story Ara had told him had happened that night.
He pulled out his gun from his nightstand and limped over. Had that shitty robber decided to come back? He’d have a real nice surprise this time.
He held up the gun with a shaky hand as he entered the hallway.
“EYYY! Who the hell is in my house?” he bellowed, loud enough to echo in the entirety of the house.
He glanced around the hallway, it was empty but it was dark so his eyes couldn’t help but linger on the darker shadows at the ends of the hall.
Suddenly he heard the sound of something fall—in Ara’s room. His eyes widened.
He didn’t think, he lowered his gun and limped over.
He hadn’t entered her room in months but he didn’t hesitate to swing her door open now.
“Ara?” he questioned, his heart swelling with hope—only to feel something harder than steel slam into the side of his head.
I know this might come off as annoying but when are you releasing the next part of ‘found you’😅😔
noooooooo ur not annoying at all! i promise :) i'm just glad i even have ppl still interested in my work hahaha. the next part is actually dropping today! hehe it should be uploaded on here in an hr or so
i am!! i'm uploading it today :) it's going to come out in 2 parts. the first part will be uploaded today and part should be uploaded sometime tomorrow or wednesday
hey my fav writer, 🥹🥹🥰 when are you posting part 6 of found you??? It’s a spectacular storyyy!! One the best frr!!
ahhhh i'm blushing ;) tysm for loving the story!! it's probably one of the darkest things i've ever wrote LOL but i'm actually posting it today!! stay tuned
OMGG THE PART 4 CHAPTER OF I FOUND YOU IS AMAZING, i was so hooked when i read it a few weeks back and was waiting eagerly for your post. I was so excited when u posted it and read it in a few hours. I was really confused with the sudden change in ara but it all made sense finally when she escaped. Not to pressure you or anything (im really sry if myy question seems this way because my native language is not english) but is i found you completed now? Was that the final chapter?
hiiii sorry for responding so late! i'm so glad u enjoyed it :) it was such a chaotic ride to write. i can't believe i wrote something so long that it takes hrs to read hehe that's kinda exciting.
also no 'found you' is not completed! i'm uploading a chapter of it today actually :) it should be up in a few hours!! once again, tysm for reading this hahah
warnings: 18+ only babes, stalking/possessive themes, profanity, coercion, pet names (kitten, baby), titjob, praising, unprotected & protected sex, dub/non consented sex, overstimulation, mentions of abusive parents, suicidal ideation, squirting & basically lots of smut
word count/plot: [19.5k!] ara catches gojo's attention when news breaks that she is the top academically ranked student in their grade. he is ranked second. he tries to befriend her but she ignores him. despite her obvious disinterest, his obsession begins...
ch. 1 , ch. 2 [ part 1 | part 2 ] , ch. 3 , ch. 4 , chapter 5 [ part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 ], ch. 6 [ part 1 I part 2 ]
She shoved him back, breaking the kiss. He lay on the bed, panting.
He sat up, reaching for her, “Ara—“
“Wait,” she stepped back, tugging down her mini dress, “Just wait.”
His blue eyes looked her up and down, “Why~” he whined.
She stepped in between his legs, cupping his chin, “Because I have something for you.”
Excitement bloomed in his crystalline eyes as he stared up at her. His hands squeezed the back of her thighs.
“Yeah?” his voice was low—hungry.
Her long fingernails dragged through his white hair, up his nape to the crown of his head. His eyes never left hers until he leaned forward, opening his mouth to bite at her tits in his face.
Her hands in his hair tugged his head back a second before his lips made contact. A low groan left him.
She kissed the tip of his nose, “wait for me.”
The words went straight to his cock. The look in her eyes didn’t help either, he didn’t want to wait. He wanted her now.
She slipped away from him, making him ache with each step she took away from him.
Fuck. He stared at her hips as she walked towards the closet. Her hair swaying with each clop of her heels. Her legs looked so damn sexy. fuck, fuck, fuck.
She has something for me?
A grin split across his lips as he flung himself back on the bed. He reached down, squeezing his cock through his jeans. He groaned through his teeth.
What do you have for me, kitten?
The thought made his cock twist in his pants. It was too cramped in there, the zipper was working overtime. She was taking too long. He needed her.
He closed his eyes, sifting through ideas of what she could possibly have for him. A gift, hm? He could only wonder what she got. She knew everything he liked, from sweets to his favorite shows and movies—she knew everything.
The thought shouldn’t have made him as happy as it did.
His cock throbbed and he hissed.
Fuck baby, I don’t need anything. I just need you—just you.
He reached into his pants, adjusting his cock at a more comfortable angle. He needed to at least appear tame for whatever she had to give him. knowing her it was bound to be something unique and meaningful, maybe even sentimental. whatever it was he’d cherish it. he’d keep it forever.
When he told her that he didn’t want anything from her he meant it-but if she got something with just him in my mind.. Who was he to deny her?
He smiled to himself, thinking of her wandering store to store trying to find something for him. He hadn’t checked her bank statements recently either so it truly would be a surprise.
He sat up, running a hand through his hair. His mind racing with curiosity.
Suddenly the closet door opened and he immediately perked up. Her voice came from behind the closet door.
“so… it was kinda hard for me to get a gift for someone who has everything. It really forces you to think outside of the box..”
He smiled slightly.
“.. so I thought really hard and I still came up with nothing but then I remembered, you always say I’m the best thing that ever happened to you-“
“You are.”
“-so here I am.”
She stepped out from behind the door and he gaped.
She wore the sexiest, laciest baby pink lingerie he’d ever seen in his life. The bra was basically see through, barely cupping her luscious tits. The matching thong was made with the thinnest straps, just the sight of it made him pant. and the garter belt attached to her lace-rimmed thigh high stockings…
He was gonna tear her up.
He stood up and she raised her chin, “Sit down.”
He froze, he’d never heard her voice like this. a grin split across his lips as he sat down. He licked his lips as he watched her step closer. The clip clop of her heels too slow compared to his heartbeat.
He naturally man-spread when he sat so when she stood before him, she stood between his long legs. Her skin sparkled up-close.
He reached for her and she swat his hands away.
“Don’t touch me.”
He groaned, “Ara you look so fucking sexy. I’m gonna lose my shit-“
“Then don’t. If you touch me I’ll stop.”
He raised a brow only to freeze when she bent low in front of him. the sight of her tits hanging, squeezed together in that sheer bra as she got on her knees, he nearly came right there.
She stared up at him from between his legs. her heartbeat thumped rapidly in her ears when she saw the look in his eyes. his mouth was slightly parted and his eyes—he looked like he wanted to demolish her.
She placed a hand on his thigh to balance herself and his abs immediately tightened. She slowly reached for the zipper of his pants, popping open the one button first. She then flicked at his zipper.
She felt the muscle under her hand on his leg stiffen, “Fuck you’re such a tease.”
She looked up to see his shoulders flexed, veins visible along his arms as his hands fisted the sheets. He was flushed, his jaw clenched. the thin necklace with their promise ring hanging from his neck as he sat slightly hunched—staring down at her.
“Don’t rush me.” her voice inadvertently coming out a whisper.
His eyes were fixed on hers, “I can’t wait to fuck you.”
“You don’t want me to suck you off first?”
“i do.” he answered straight away, subtly shaking his head, “i do. i do. i do.”
She’d never given him a blowjob before, no matter how badly he wanted it or how often he asked. He never forced her to though—which she appreciated more than he knew.
He simply stopped asking for it, especially after she told him she found the concept of it nasty. putting the same cock that would be inside her pussy in her mouth? it just felt wrong. even the thought of it made her gag. He'd even seen her nearly gag while explaining it.
There was no way someone as big as him could fit in her mouth either. She was sure to gag for real if that happened.
And yet, here she was…
“Please.” he begged.
“please, please, please.” he sounded so desperate.
She stared at the bulge in his pants before looking up at him. She didn’t break eye contact as she shifted closer to him, her hand slowly lowering his zipper. She swore she could hear his teeth grinding.
His cock bulged out, pressing impatiently against his Calvin Klein boxers. even the outline of it looked angry. she heard a low choked breath leave his lips.
She glanced up again and nearly stopped breathing. He looked so big over her like this. All of his upper body muscles visible to her since he was shirtless. He could easily grab her and do as he pleased, she knew he was more than capable of it-but to think he was attempting to exercise his patience just for her. She knew she was playing with fire.
but she couldn’t help it.
His mouth partially opened when she slipped her index and middle finger into the rim of his boxers—dragging her long fake nails along his navel, from one v-line to the other. Toying with the elastic band of his boxers.
He groaned, shifting his hips towards her, “Ara, please. please, I need you.”
“I know.” she finally lowered his boxers, letting his cock flip out. It protruded towards her, fully erect and veiny. The light pink head swollen and stiff. She saw a small bead of clear pre-cum at the tip.
It looked so big and daunting in front of her like this. His cock looked longer than the length of her face.
She heard him let out a sigh of relief.
His cock twitched when she leaned towards it, it was just millimeters away from her lips. She met his gaze when she opened her mouth and exhaled over the tip, letting her warm breath cascade down his cockhead.
He whimpered, his cock twitching once more. She saw the bead of pre-cum dribble out slightly and trickle down the side of his cockhead.
“Ara..” he groaned, shifting his hips so that his cock nearly touched her lips.
She leaned away, her hand on his thigh pushing him back.
Her eyes fluttered back up to his, “Don’t move.”
He was panting. A bead of sweat dripped down his brow before he threw his head back and groaned. His hands fisting the sheets so hard, the bed was nearly disarrayed.
He faced her again, his gaze desperate, “I can’t hold back-“
“You have to.”
“I’m about to fucking cum and you haven’t even touched me yet.” his voice was ragged.
“Don’t cum.”
“Touch me, Ara. please fucking touch me.” he begged.
She reached over and unclasped her bra, letting it fall to the floor. She held her tits up from the sides before leaning over and slotting his cock between them.
She immediately felt his cock twitch between her tits. His cock was so hot.
“ha—ah.” he groaned, tossing his head back as she began to slide her tits up and down his cock. Her tits were so warm, so soft and plushy. fuckkk.
He glanced down at her, at her pretty eyes staring up at him. His cockhead peeked out from the top of her tits as she held them together with her hands, squeezing his cock just right between her breasts. The friction felt so good after being abandoned for so long.
He watched his pre-cum dribble out onto her tits. fuck, he wanted to feel her soft tits in his hands. tease those sexy little nipples and fuck those tits at a pace that would make her cry but he had to be patient. he couldn’t touch her.
He groaned through his teeth and she watched him fall back on his elbows. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her.
She felt his hips buck as he tried to fuck her tits back but then his abs tightened as he tried to hold back.
“Fuck, you look so hot kitten. Your tits feel fucking perfect-yes-yes-just like that.” he grit out his last few words.
“Gonna cum all over your pretty face.” he rasped as she continued to bounce her tits up and down his length.
He felt so stiff between her tits, she couldn’t believe he was so hard. The sight of his cockhead disappearing and reappearing within her tits was the weirdest feeling but when she felt his cock throb she knew.
Her eyes widened. She saw his brows furrow in concentration as he sat up, bucking his hips into her to fuck her tits faster. The tip of his cock hitting her sternum.
“Toru—“ she gasped out and-just then, felt his cock pulsate. She didn’t want a mess-
Her mouth wrapped around his cockhead, her tongue running circles around his tip as cock throbbed between her tits—letting load after load of thick, hot cum in her mouth.
Her eyes squeezed shut, suddenly recognizing the flavor. He’d made her taste his cum a few times before but she must’ve been too out of it to realize what it was. The thought made her shiver.
“ah, ha-aah-“ he groaned sensitively, his cock continuing to jerk between her warm tits as he spurt endlessly in her mouth. Her mouth felt so hot and wet—her little tongue running along the slit of his tip. Fuckkk
She looked so sexy, her pouty lips wrapped around his cockhead-sucking him just right-with the rest of his length stuffed between those big perky tits. He would frame the sight if he could.
She backed away from him, letting his tip slip out of her mouth with a satisfying pop and-regrettably-making his cock slide out of her soft warm breasts as well.
He saw her cheeks were blown up, filled with his cum. Her gaze distraught and he knew she was about to spit it out—
He grabbed her throat, forcing her eyes on him.
“Swallow.”
Her eyes widened.
“Swallow.”
Her eyes watered as she complied. He felt her neck bob against his palm as she swallowed.
She immediately opened her mouth, gasping as she tried to breathe after swallowing such a thing. A bead of cum managed to slip out onto the corner of her lip and he immediately caught it with his thumb.
He smeared it across her lower lip, “Good girl.”
He suddenly gripped her hair, forcing her to look up at him. His erect cock barely an inch away from her face.
“Who taught you that?” he demanded.
“M-millie.” she stuttered out, breathless.
“Millie?” he let out a short, astonished laugh.
He watched her hand come up to the center of her chest, rubbing the spot of her sternum that his cock head had been hitting moments ago when he’d fucked those plump tits of hers.
“Millie’s tryna have your pussy sore for a week, huh.”
“You already do that.” she replied weakly.
His teeth ran over his bottom lip, “Ara..”
She lay on her side, his chest all up against her back. His hand held her thigh up as she felt his warm breath travel down her neck.
She jolted when she felt his cock poke at her cunt.
"Wait-“ she reached towards the nightstand for condoms only for his other arm to wrap around her shoulders and shove her back against him.
“No.” his lips brushed against her ear. “Not today.”
She attempted to close her legs, but his hand under her thigh resisted—keeping her cunt wide open. The tip of cock slipped inside her warmth, making her gasp.
“It’s my birthday.”
Her hands pushed at his arm around her shoulders, “Toru, no—no!” she attempted to wriggle her hips away from him as he pushed more of his cock inside.
“I’ll get you a plan b tomorrow.”
He’d been doing that a lot recently-escaping wearing a condom by buying her a plan b the next day. He'd told her he respected her decision of not wanting to take birth control because her fear of the side effects and yet-by acting like this-he was putting them both at risk.
She struggled in his grasp, her eyes squeezing shut as he forced more of himself inside. His cock opening up her warm depths the deeper he went.
“Stop it, Toru. stop it!”
“sh, sh, sh,” he kissed her cheekbone, his grip on her shaky thigh tightening as he opened her legs wider. “It’s gonna be fine, kitten. Don’t worry.”
He sent one hard, deep thrust to her cunt—making her whine.
He stared at her distressed expression from above her shoulder before slowly grinding his cock into her, watching her expression unravel as she whimpered.
“Just for today.” he murmured into her ear.
He buried his face into her shoulder, sending another harsh thrust to her cunt. She cried out, her nails scratching at his arm around her shoulders as he began to fuck her hard.
“Jus let me have this today.”
fwop. fwop. fwop. fwop.
She felt it—him fucking his cum back into her. it was too much. he just came and hadn’t pulled out, hadn’t stopped.
“Toru, stop—stop. pull out-please—“ she begged.
His hand fisting her hair yanked her head back. His fingers dug into her hip as he bent over her, lips at her ear.
“Why should i?”
fwop. fwop. fwop. fwop.
“You feel so fucking good kitten.” he rasped.
“nghhh.” she felt his cum trickle down the inside of her thighs. His balls slapping her cunt with each rough fuck.
He pushed her back down, his hand still in her hair as he continued to bully her pussy with his cock. Her pussy was so hot and tight. He didn’t want to take his cock out that warmth even for a second.
“Your cunt’s made for me.”
His hand on her hip slid to her ass, delivering one firm slap to her ass cheek. She cried out as her cunt tightened around him.
“Oh? You like that, kitten?”
He slapped her ass once more. He swore her cunt got wetter.
“s-stop!”
“Your cunt is wrapping around me so tight, you sure want me too?”
She tried to turn but his hand in her hair prevented her.
“Hurts.” she gasped out, her ass cheek throbbing where he hit it.
fwop. fwop. fwop.
She moaned, his cock fucking into her ferociously. She gripped the sheets, her thighs trembling.
“You close kitten?”
His voice felt distant to her ears as she gasped. Her body couldn’t take the feeling of all of this. His cock pounding into her, his hand gripping her hair, his hand running down the back of her thigh-collecting his escaped cum on his fingers and smearing it over her skin. It felt like too much.
Suddenly he smacked her ass once more, sending her over the edge. She moaned.
Her moan was music to his ears. He watched her back sexily arch as her thighs trembled oh so badly. He let go of her hair to let her fall forward.
He grabbed her hips, letting his fingers dig deep into her soft skin as he pounded into her relentlessly. He wanted to feel every twitch and squeeze of her pretty little cunt as she came.
He groaned as he felt her cunt writhe around him, her insides wounding around him so tight—it felt like her pussy walls were dying to milk him dry.
He glanced down to see her pussy juices squirt out despite him still being inside—still fucking her. He watched his cum spill out the sides of her cunt as well, mixed in with her yummy pussy juices. the sight was intoxicating.
She was so creamy and wet inside that a delicious sound followed when he continued to fuck her out.
He knew he should stop, let his cum from earlier at least leave her but he didn’t want to. She was mewling so cutely, shaking her hips as she attempted to pull herself off him.
He yanked her back down by the hips. She cried out.
He leaned over her, slipping his hands around her tits as he spoke into the crook of her neck.
“I’m not done yet, kitten.”
“nghhh—toru, please. please!”
fwop. fwop. fwop. fwop.
Her hands were on his chest as her body bounced on top of him. His cock thrusted into her from underneath.
He stared up at her intently as he held her waist. He was breathless-watching her tits bounce with each fuck was an addicting sight.
She was barely able to sit upright on top of him. mascara stains trailed down her cheeks and her pouty lips were reddened and raw from his kisses. god, she’s never looked sexier.
“toruu!” she whined.
He sent another thrust up into her core, “I’m here baby.”
She lifted her hands, pushing her long hair back before resting her hands on his chest again—trying to keep her balance despite barely being able to string one thought together.
She looked down at him. his eyes were so bright, so lustful and hungry. he was truly so wanton for her, it was incomprehensible.
His hands on her waist controlled her, moving her up and down on his cock as he pleased. it felt so good, she couldn’t stop him. his cock head was hitting all the right places.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Ara. you know that?” he hissed out, “beautiful.”
She glanced over to see he was looking at her tits, which were flying upwards with each push of his cock. She self-consciously covered them with her hands.
He immediately reached over, shoving her hands back.
“Don’t hide them from me.”
He grabbed her tits in each of his hands, squeezing them eagerly. her tits were big enough that they filled the entirety of his large hands. She moaned.
He could never get over the feel of her in his hands. it always filled him with a heady sensation when he thought of how he was the only one who got to feel her like this—see her like this. to think she’d even let him fuck these perfect tits of hers willingly earlier.
He pumped his cock into her faster. She moaned, throwing her head back. Her perfect neck and tits protruding out just for him.
His eyes ran over the several hickeys along her decolletage. mmm, it only made him want to give her more.
He leaned up, sliding one hand down to her waist before latching his lips to her unattended tit. sucking her nipple like his life depended on it. his tongue circling the perfect hard little nub.
“nghhh!! ugh—nghh!”
Her fingers slipped in his hair as his cock continued to fuck her gummy pussy. His groin was so wet from her juices but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
She was all he ever wanted.
Geto walked with Millie upstairs. it was around 7 am. The estate was a mess. Most people had gone home or were passed out sleeping somewhere but Gojo hadn’t been seen for the past few hours.
“Are you sure you know where his room his?”
He shot her a look.
She raised her hands, “Sorry. This place is so damn big. I would get lost even if I came here a million times.”
“I’ve probably been here more than a million times.” he muttered.
Just as they walked towards Gojo’s bedroom door, they both froze. Millie and Geto looked at each other.
The squelching sounds of fucking was audible through the door, alongside Ara’s sweet needy moans.
Millie’s eyes immediately widened before she ran towards their bedroom and pressed her ear to the door.
All she heard was more squelching noises and the sound of low masculine murmurs-Gojo-as he talked her through it. Ara moaned once more.
Geto tugged at Millie’s arm, flushed. “Lets go.”
“No wait-“ she pressed her ear to the door again, “I’m tryna hear what he’s saying.”
His face screwed up, “Why?”
“Cuz-“ another feminine moan left Ara—this time more drawn out, more whimpery.
Millie’s eyes widened, “Holy shit, she sounds so hot.”
Geto closed his eyes, shaking his head. This time grabbing her elbow and tugging her.
“Lets go.”
She was laughing airily, “I did not know she could sound like that, oh my god.”
He made a face and Millie lightly punched his chest, “Oh come on. her moans were hot, you can admit it.”
He continued to walk her down the stairs, “That’s my boy’s girl. I’m not saying shit, that’s weird.”
She rolled her eyes, “Whatever. I’m just glad the plan worked.”
He glanced over to see a smile on her lips, “The plan?”
She smirked up at him, “Let’s just say Ara didn’t know what to get him for his birthday and I had an idea. She hated the idea at first but she knew he would like it. Any boy would.”
He grimaced, “What did you corrupt her with now?”
“I didn’t corrupt her. Technically that was all your best friends doing,” she shrugged, “but she looks happier now though so I’m just happy for her.”
“Is she happier?” Geto asked.
She raised a brow, “Yeah. why?”
“I dunno. She’s kinda hard to read,” he admitted, “I’m just surprised her Dad hasn’t contacted her yet.”
“She told you about that?” Millie asked, astonished.
He shook his head, “No, Gojo did.”
“Yeah no. Her dad hasn’t contacted her. She hasn’t called him either.”
“She hasn’t?”
Millie shook her head, “She hates him.”
Millie watched the corner of his lips dip into a subtle frown.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Oh-nothing.”
“Tell me.” she insisted.
He ran a hand through his hair, “It’s just a tough situation, isn’t it?”
She sighed, “It is but… at least she has Gojo.”
Gojo hopped into the kitchen a little after 1 pm.
“Marinn~” he was singing until he froze and glanced around, “Oh? y’all are still here.”
Haibara, Toji, Nanami and Geto sat around the island counter. Marin stood on the other side, sliding Toji another plate of food since he’d requested it.
Toji gave him a once-over. Gojo’s hair was rumpled and a few hickeys were visible along the neckline of white T-shirt.
Toji sipped at his coffee, “You had a night.”
“Probably the best night of my life.” he grinned before sliding onto one of the stools along the island, beside them. Toji whistled.
Gojo asked, “What about you guys?”
“Last night was insane.” Haibara croaked out, voice dry from all the singing he’d done, “I did not expect Travis Scott to show up. What the hell?”
Gojo laughed, “I didn’t either but it was open invite for A-listers so-“ he shrugged, “Here we are.”
“He was so chill.” Haibara went on.
Gojo suddenly snapped his fingers, as if belatedly remembering, “Marin.”
Marin’s head snapped up, “Yes, I’m making you a plate.”
“Can you make one for Ara as well? Make her a green tea too.”
“Yes.”
“Let me know when you're done, I wanna bring it up to her."
“Yes sir.”
He glanced around at the other boys, “I didn’t check the house but did security sweep the place yet?”
“Yeah, they did this morning. around 10 am.” Nanami grumbled out a second before Marin could answer. “I hope you don’t mind that Shoko and I stayed in one of your guest rooms.”
“Your’re kidding right?” Gojo grinned, “I’d never mind Nanamin~”
“Is Shoko still here?” Geto asked.
“Nah,” he rubbed his brow, “We got into a fight this morning so she left early.”
“Damn.” Toji muttered.
“Did something happen?” Haibara inquired.
“Just some stuff. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Haibara nodded, a subtle pout on his lips.
Gojo reached out, patting Nanami’s shoulder, “You’ll get through it. I believe in y—“
Nanami shrugged his hand off, “Easy for you to say. You just had the best night of your life.” he mocked.
Toji suddenly leaned towards Gojo, “Yeah, so what the hell happened? Ara keep you busy?”
“Very,” he grinned, his teeth subconsciously running over his bottom lip as the memories flooded his mind.
“Look at this guy.” Toji smirked, before grasping Geto’s shoulder and shaking it.
“Did she give you a gift?” Haibara asked innocently.
Gojo’s eyes sparkled with mischief, “She was the gift.”
Toji and Haibara started hooting and hollering while Geto and Nanami shook their heads.
The sound of the waves washing over the sand felt like therapy without therapy. It was lovely.
Gojo had brought her here on a whim—all because she’d said she’s never seen the beach at night. It was literally Sunday. They had school in six hours and he didn’t care. He insisted that she had to see it and here they were.
And for once, he was right. This was beautiful.
She gazed out at the moon reflected in the water. The water appeared black due to the night sky and yet, nothing about it seemed ominous. Instead it felt like she belonged here.
The light passing breeze made her waist length hair ripple past her shoulders. She tugged her shrug around herself before glancing over to see Gojo wasn’t beside her.
She stopped walking and turned around.
He was a little ways away behind her, following her. His hands in his pockets. The second he spotted her looking, he smiled.
His arm slipped around her shoulders, easily catching up, “What do you think?”
He kissed her temple as she responded, “It’s so nice.”
He grinned slightly, “Right? Let’s sit.”
They sat down on the sand. The water rushing along the beachside only a few feet away. Ara stared out at the palm trees swaying in the distance.
He rubbed her back, “I knew you’d like it.”
She drew her knees up to her chest, “There’s no one here.”
“We got lucky.”
According to him, this was a rather popular beach. It was beautiful so she could see why.
“I like.. how it smells.” she felt ridiculous saying it but it was true. somehow the beach smelled calming, reassuring in a silent way.
He kissed her shoulder, “I like how you smell.”
She squinted at him.
He smirked back at her. His eyes dropping to her lips before returning back to her eyes.
“Can I ask you something?”
She nodded.
“Where is your mom?”
She froze, not expecting that question in the slightest.
“I don’t know.” she answered.
“Really?” he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Last I heard she was in Turkey. She has family all over the world so she’s always traveling to see them.”
“When’s the last time you saw her?”
She paused, “Three years ago. She.. used to call but not so much anymore.”
“Does she work?”
“No. Grandpa just sends her money.”
“Are you close with your grandparents?”
She shook her head, “I only spoke to grandpa once on the phone.”
“Hm,” he waited a beat before asking, “Are your parents divorced?”
“No but they might as well be. She doesn’t call me so I know she doesn’t call him.”
Gojo assessed her silently, watching a frown appear on her lips. A million thoughts running behind her pretty eyes.
“Did she leave because of your Dad?”
“Well at first she left because her cousin passed away so she had to go to his funeral but then when Dad kept calling her and asking when she’d be back she started coming up with more excuses, prolonging her stay and stuff. There’d be times where we didn’t hear from her for months. Dad would get real mad but she called a while back saying that she plans on staying with Grandpa cuz he’s ill now and there’s no one else to take care of him.”
She sighed, “I don’t know if that’s true or just another excuse but.. I know Dad hates her now. He hates me too. He hates me cuz I look just like her.”
His eyes widened slightly.
She looked down, making shapes in the sand between them, “Everytime he looks at me I remind him of her. He said it.”
“He said it?”
“Yeah. He said he would throw acid on my face if he could–said her face doesn’t deserve to exist-”
He caught her wrist, his jaw clenched before he caught a glimpse of her face. Her eyes were filled with tears.
He hated her father’s words. He hated them so much he honestly wanted to drive to his house and rip out his tongue with his bare hands. He wanted to watch the blood pool out of his mouth and then stuff his tongue so far back down his throat he choked on it. It would be easy-so easy that it wouldn’t bother him at all.
What bothered him was the flat tone she used while saying these things–as if it were a fact that she believed. It made him unreasonably angry to think she could believe anything that came out of that useless man’s mouth.
“He sounds jealous to me-sounds jealous as shit that he isn’t as pretty as you and your mother.”
She snatched her wrist out of his grip, “Is that all that matters?”
“No, no,” his hands slipped under her shoulders, tugging her towards him to lift her onto his lap. Before she could resist, his arm wound itself tight around her back and his free hand caught her chin. He tilted her face up to meet his gaze.
His blue eyes searched her face, the pads of his fingertips gently wiping the tears on her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, “I just didn’t want you to be sad.”
She exhaled through her nose, a faint smile on her lips, “Too late.”
Her eyes fluttered closed, taking in the familiar scent of cologne and the sounds of the waves crashing along the beach. She felt his lips against her forehead and shivered.
His body felt so warm and strong, cradling her like this–his arms gave her a sense of safety that she never felt before him. It should’ve been reassuring but all she could think about is where it all went wrong.
She opened her eyes, staring at his adam's apple before her before slowly raising her eyes–taking in his defined jawline, the smooth planes of his cheeks, his sharp straight nose, long white lashes. Strands of his thick white hair flipped in the light breeze as he stared ahead.
He looked perfect and he didn’t even have to try. And here she was, barely able to stay afloat. What a lovely couple they made.
“Sometimes I wish I was never born.”
His eyes immediately snapped towards her, “Don’t say that.”
She attempted to get out of his arms but his hold suddenly tightened. His forehead pressed against hers, “Don’t ever say that again.” He poked her nose, “You're the best thing that’s ever happened to me, remember? I don’t wanna think about a world without you.”
“You’d live.”
He shook his head, “I wouldn’t.”
“You would.”
He shook his head more vigorously, “I wouldn’t.”
She stayed silent for a moment, holding his gaze–letting the sound of the angry waves crashing against the rocks speak for them. When his gaze didn’t falter, she sighed–giving up. She lay her head in the crook of his neck, letting her hand rest on his chest.
They both stared out at the view until he broke the silence, “Your Mom had you when she was 25 right?”
Her brows furrowed slightly, “Yeah, how did you know that?”
He glanced down at her, poking her stomach, “You told me, remember? You told me you didn’t wanna have kids til you were 25 just like her.”
Her eyes widened as she remembered. That conversation felt so long ago. She’d been so scared then, saying anything that she thought could help her situation.
His hand slipped into the curve of her waist, his thumb caressing her stomach.
“How many kids do you want?”
She felt her face get hot, “Seriously-”
“Tell me. I wanna know.”
“Let me guess, you want a million.”
His arms tightened around her, “I do. I want as many as you want.”
“I wanna fill up our home,” he went on, “jus imagine them running all over the estate, little me’s and you’s.”
Her eyes widened.
“-We’d keep Marin busy, have her babysit them all.”
“Them all?”
“Yeah, she used to babysit me—”
“That’s not what I meant.” she sat up in his lap, “What if I don’t want kids?”
His eyes snapped to hers before slowly searching her face, “Why?” he asked, gently.
She was quiet. A million thoughts running through her mind.
She tried to slip out of his lap but he tugged her back down. His forehead pressing against hers once-more.
“You don’t think you're gonna be a good mama?” the tip of his nose nudged hers as she avoided eye contact, “Hm?”
She turned her head away and he nipped at her jaw, “Tell me.”
She shoved him back, “How can you expect any of us to be good parents, Toru? We literally have been raised by the worst people ever. You with a manipulative uncle and me with an abusive Dad. How are we gonna raise little kids with love when we don’t even know what that’s like?”
“We have our love.”
She stared at him.
“We’ll show our kids what love is by loving each other right,” he spoke rather calmly, “We don’t have to treat our kids the way our parents treated us. We never have to do that. If we get lost and confused, we have each other to rely on. Don’t we?”
She swallowed, her fingers inadvertently hooking around his necklace with their promise ring.
She rested her hand flat on his chest, tucking her head into his shoulder, “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” she murmured.
His hand ran down her side, lightly squeezing her waist. “Why, kitten?”
“The idea of being a Mom scares me.”
“There’s nothing scary about passing on your pretty genes.” he teased lightly.
She rolled her eyes only to freeze when he felt his hand cup her chin to make her look up at him.
There was a faint smile on his lips as he ran his thumb over her bottom lip, “I want our baby to have your lips.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“-want em’ to have your nose-” he nuzzled her.
His hand slipped into her hair, “-and your long long hair-”
Her hand on his chest pushed him back-getting more distance between them, “You don’t wanna pass on any of your features?”
He shook his head, “Nah, I’m pretty but you’re prettier,”
She felt her cheeks flush despite herself.
“-I just wanna be there for the baby-making.”
“I’m nervous.”
He cupped her face, kissing her forehead, “You have nothing to worry about, kitten. You practiced way more than you needed to.”
She looked up at him, “I messed up my parallel park.”
“Yeah, once. Then you did it perfectly ten times in a row after.”
“I still messed up.”
“Hey-” he waited until she met his gaze again, “How long have I been driving for?”
It took her a second to remember, “3 years.”
“Yeah and I haven’t gotten a ticket once-”
“-because the cops know you-”
“Because I’m a good driver and you’ve been practicing with me-a good driver-all this time. Why would I set you up to fail?”
She moved his hands off her face and sighed, “You're right, you're right.”
She held onto one of his hands with both of hers. She stared down at it for a moment before facing him.
“I’m worried for nothing.” she spoke firmly.
He copied her tone, “You’re worried for nothing.”
“I’m gonna pass.”
“You’re gonna pass.”
She straightened her posture, “I am.”
He smiled.
He watched the car come to a stop in front of him. She jumped out of the driver’s side and ran straight towards him. The second he saw her smile he knew.
She jumped into his arms and he caught her. He was grinning like a madman.
“I passed. I passed. I passed!”
He kissed her head a million times, squeezing her oh so tight. He never wanted to let go.
“Miss, you forgot this.”
They both turned to look at the instructor holding her Birkin. A warm smile on the instructor’s lips.
Ara lightly pushed his shoulder, signaling him to put her down but instead he walked over with one arm under her ass. He reached out to take the Birkin from the instructor.
“Thank you.” Him and Ara said at the same time.
The instructor beamed at them, “You guys are so cute. Y’all remind me of my younger days.”
He smirked at the elderly woman, “I’m happy to help.”
Ara fixed him with a look.
“What?” he looked at her blankly.
Ara watched the instructor’s smile falter before she turned around and walked away.
Ara whispered harshly, “I’m happy to help?!”
“She looks a month away from getting dementia, remembering her younger days is good for her.” he insisted.
She smacked her forehead, “I hate you.”
He merely smiled while walking in the direction of his car.
“How do you wanna celebrate, hm? You hungry–”
She attempted to wriggle out of his hold but he didn’t budge.
“–wanna get food? Or should we go to a car dealership first?”
She froze.
“Gotta get your first car, baby,” he excitedly shook her in his hold before facing her, “I’m so excited that I’m here for this.”
“You want to buy me a car?” she asked, astonished.
“Of course,” he answered simply before grinning, “I’m the best boyfriend ever right?”
Her brows furrowed before she hid her face in his neck. She drew her arms tighter around his shoulders as she mumbled, “You ruin it when you say that.”
His grin widened before he kissed her temple, “What’s your dream car?”
“I don’t know.”
“There’s gotta be something.”
“Well.. I guess Teslas look kinda cool.”
“Blegh, you aim too low.”
She glared at him, “Sorry I didn’t immediately think Ferrari. That’s a little out of my tax bracket-“
“Ferrari?” his eyes brightened, “You like Ferraris?”
“Stop it, Toru,” her voice came out muffled against his shirt, “I’m not letting you buy me a car.”
“Which Ferrari model?”
“Stop.”
“What color?”
“Stop.”
Millie walked into her closet. She watched Millie’s mouth immediately drop open.
“Holy shit.”
Ara couldn’t help but feel some sort of deja vu because she remembered when she first entered Millie’s closet, she’d once reacted the same-but now her closet was probably a dozen times bigger than Millie’s.
Ara waved towards the left side, “That’s his side.” then gestured towards the right side, “This is my side.”
Her side was a half full compared to his-which was completely stuffed to the brim.
“Let me show you the dresses I was talking about.” Ara muttered before walking deeper into the closet.
Millie eyed Gojo’s sneaker collection, “Goddamn.”
“Here.”
Millie glanced over to see Ara remove a few clothes from where they hung and set them down on the island counter at the closet’s center.
“Oh my god,” Millie ran her hand over the material of the several dresses she’d laid out.
She picked out a label for one of the dresses, “This is Saint Laurent? Wow..”
She then picked out the labels for the other dresses, “Valentino, Georgia Armani, Eli saab..”
Ara itched the back of her neck, “Yeah, he pulled some of their archived early 2000s pieces cuz he knew I liked them but..”
Millie sighed, “You are living the dream.”
Ara reddened, “You can borrow whatever dress you want. There’s no way I’m gonna wear all these. I barely go to formal events.”
Millie set her hands down on the counter, “Yes, but this is prom. You gotta go all out.”
“I know, which is why this is stressing me out.”
“Why? You have such nice options.”
“That’s the thing. I literally have all these dresses he already bought and custom fit for me and yet he still wants me to tell him a fashion house that I wanna wear so he could get them to custom make us a dress and his suit.”
“That’s… insane,” Millie gushed, “Which brand are you thinking?”
“I don’t know. I told him I could just wear one of these but-“
“Uh, no! You have the opportunity to get a brand new dress made completely for you from any high fashion brand? I’m not letting you pass that up.”
She snatched Ara’s phone, “Unlock this and open your pinterest.”
Ara raised a brow before hesitantly doing as told, “Why?”
Once Millie saw she’d opened the pinterest app she snatched the phone back, “I’m gonna see your aesthetic and tell you what high fashion house I think you belong in.”
“Thank you so much for wearing my dress, darling. It looks absolutely incredible on you. Give me one more spin?”
Ara smiled slightly before handing off the phone to one of the fashion designer’s assistants. She spun once more for the camera.
“You are a goddess.”
“Please,” Ara was flustered enough as is by all the compliments the Belgium born, Parisian designer Ludovic de Sermon had to offer her since they’d met a few weeks ago. Despite not having known him for long, they got along rather well.
His spontaneous personality fit perfectly with her introvertedness. Just watching his creative process with design made her respect him more than he knew.
He’d been awfully patient with her, wanting everything to be absolutely perfect—and here she was, feeling perfect and beyond. and he was terribly upset he wasn’t there to see it.
Unfortunately he had to take a last minute flight back to Paris to check up on his fiancé since he’d gotten hospitalized due to a motorcycle accident. His team was still here, they’d helped her get the dress on.
“Don't please me. You look like a goddess.” he insisted.
She stepped towards the phone to see him on the Facetime, his assistant still held up the phone for her.
“Is your fiance really gonna be okay?”
He waved a hand, “Don’t you worry about him. He just has a concussion and a few bruises—god, the damn boy gave me a heart attack. I swear I’m gonna set his motorcycles on fire one of these days.”
Ara laughed.
“Don’t you spend a second worrying about him and enjoy your prom to the fullest, okay? You only get prom once. Don’t forget to send me the pictures!”
“Alright, alright, I will. Thank you so much for everything seriously.”
“No, thank you for being such a stunning sweet soul. I’m here for you if you ever need anything.”
Ara blew him a kiss the same time he did. The call ended just as Gojo abruptly entered the room.
“You ready, ki—“ he froze in his steps.
They both took a second to assess each other.
He wore a monochrome black tuxedo. It was fitted entirely too well, emphasizing his lean waist and well built arms. The contrast of his all-black attire against his pale skin, light hair and eyes—was an alluring mix. It didn’t help that his hair was styled back, with a single white strand curling handsomely over his forehead.
He looked like a celebrity ready for the Met gala.
And she looked like a finely cut ruby, glimmering with every move.
She wore the most sensually shaped red dress. It was a rather straightforward design, two thin straps with a sweetheart neckline. the dress was a cool shimmery red from top to bottom, except for the silver vines and flowers blooming along her right hip.
She took a step towards him and he felt his heart stop. her floor length dress sparkled addictively under the lights. he couldn’t look away.
(a/n: if anyone if curious here’s how her dress looks like https://pin.it/14Qe2ZSxm )
He’d never seen her hair in an updo like this. it was an elegant, perfectly messy low bun with strands of her hair falling loose along her sparkly nape. a few strands swooped attractively around the sides of her pretty face.
He fell to his knees.
Her eyes widened, “Satoru!”
He placed a hand over his chest, “I can’t breathe.”
Her concerned expression fell, “Seriously.”
He bent over, placing his hands on the ground in a praying stance. A few of the surrounding team members started laughing.
Ara smiled, subtly shaking her head, “Toru get up.”
“I can’t.”
She walked up to him and folded her arms. “C’mon Toru, get up.”
He partially rose from his praying stance to his knees. He stared up at her. She didn’t need to hear him to know what he was thinking.
How’d I get so lucky?
She felt her heartbeat scatter all over the place. It was hard to focus with him looking up at her like this.
She touched his cheek, “Come on, get up. I have something to give you.”
He slowly stood up. He stared down at her for a moment before one of his hands slipped along the side of her neck, his thumb running down her jaw.
“If I could frame you, I would.”
A little shy smile bloomed along her lips before he saw her gaze rest on his mouth. She clutched the lapels of his suit and rose on the tippie toes of her heels to kiss him.
Somewhere in the room, the makeup artist shook her head. She took out the lip combo she used and tossed it in Ara’s clutch.
Gojo sighed into her lips. His hands sliding down her sides before coming to rest on her ass. He gave her ass a squeeze as their tongues clashed against each others. He swore she was a better kisser than him now.
She broke the kiss, her chest slightly rising and falling as she caught her breath.
Her eyes suddenly widened, “Oh no.”
“What?”
She quickly rubbed away the lipstick on his lips with her thumb. She smiled slightly, “Never mind.”
He grinned, “Is that what you had to give me?”
“No. It was this.” she held up a bedazzling silver flower brooch that matched the design of the flowers on her dress. She pinned it to his lapel, “Ludovic wanted me to give it to you.”
Her hand slid down his chest. The material of his suit felt expensive against her palm.
She didn’t meet his eyes, “You look really handsome.”
He tilted her chin up, a wide smile on his lips, “Hm?”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What was that? I couldn’t hear you.”
“You heard me just fine, idiot.”
“Pleaseee. i just wanna hear it one more time, just one more.”
“No.”
“Pleaseeee~”
She grabbed his face, “You look handsome.”
His eyes widened before he beamed. She didn’t miss the faint blush on his cheeks.
His hands fit perfectly in the curves of her waist, “Thank you…for telling me what I know.”
She shoved him back.
Prom was on a yacht. An actual fucking yacht.
It was unreal.
She leaned on the railing, staring out at the sea. The sun was setting and it colored the water waves with a faint pinky orange hue, reflecting the sky.
She felt her hand itch with the sudden urge to paint. The urge surprised her. She hadn’t felt any muse to indulge in her art hobby ever since she moved into Gojo’s estate–or, sorry, their home-something he always aggressively corrected her on.
She turned slightly, staring at her fellow classmates and peers. They’d all gotten decked out–not one person slacking. Everyone had beautiful pieces on, from jewelry to makeup to outfits to grills. It truly felt like her academy’s Met gala.
It felt weird to think about how if she wasn’t living with Gojo she would’ve missed this entire experience. One, there was no way on Earth her Dad would’ve let her go to prom 2. She would’ve never been able to pay for the ticket and then the dress, hair, nails, makeup, heels, etc etc. She once thought it bizarre how people could spend thousands of dollars for just one night’s look but-looking at the people around her-she realized what a production these events were for rich people. It was insane.
Even the yacht itself was decked out. Flowers hung from the ceiling, along with dreamy white curtains along the pergola. The weather was perfect, not too hot with a calm breeze flowing through here and there. The music was tasteful and it seemed the small platters the servers were handing out were tasteful as well since her classmates were chasing after the servers for more.
Another breeze passed, making the scent of the flowers waft over her. She found herself wondering if she was dreaming.
Suddenly Principal Yaga stepped onto the mini stage. He cleared his throat on the mic to gather everyone’s attention.
“Hello hello hello, graduating class. Who would’ve thought y’all would make it this far.”
A few laughs arose.
“Anyway, I have a few words to say to this class. First things first, you lot of hooligans will definitely be missed-despite how annoying some of you were-”
Ara zoned out. She’d never been that close with the principal but she knew Gojo, Shoko and Geto were. She wasn’t entirely sure why but she supposed he seemed nice enough. He tried to keep a strict hand over the students but-with the type of students this academy got-it was relatively impossible. Let’s just say money fixed a lot of these students' problems.
“And now, I’d like to announce Prom King and Queen.”
A rush of low murmurs could be heard amongst the students.
“You guys all voted and the results have been collected and counted. I have two crowns here, waiting for our class favorites.” he held up the glimmering crowns.
She smiled slightly, she already knew who Prom King was going to be but Prom Queen– she suddenly felt someone elbow her.
She looked over to see Gojo smirking down at her, offering her his elbow to hold, “Are you ready?”
She frowned only to hear Principal Yaga’s voice bellow on the mic, “Our Prom King and Queen are… Gojo Satoru and Ara Natsuna!”
Ara felt the spotlight on them and reddened. She slipped her arm through Gojo’s and let him lead her through the pathway their fellow classmates made. But she couldn’t understand, there was no way these students voted for her. She barely spoke to them-maybe she did while she was drunk at parties-but she was more than aware of how uncharismatic she was.
She peered up at Gojo through narrowed eyes. He definitely rigged it.
As per usual, her boyfriend was eating all the attention up. He grinned from ear to ear as they walked atop the stage towards Principal Yaga. She was too distracted by all the attention to make out the words they exchanged until Principal Yaga reached out to shake her hand.
“Congratulations Queen Ara Natsuna.”
She shook his hand and offered him a small smile before tilting her head down for him to crown her. Gojo beamed as he watched.
“And Congratulations King Satoru Gojo.” she swore there was a bit of a grumble to his tone but Gojo took it with pride. The crowd went wild as he bowed down to get crowned.
“Everybody, let's hear some noise for our Prom King and Queen!”
Suddenly the crowd hollered thrice as loud. She swore she could hear Millie chanting her name and couldn't help but smile. Rose petals were suddenly thrown all over them. She could help but adjust the crown on her head nervously.
She felt Gojo’s arm slip around her waist and looked up at him, “You rigged it didn’t you?”
“What’s there to rig? Everyone knows you're my queen.” a sly grin slipped onto his lips as he added, “My short, pocket-sized princess.”
She glared up at him, “I’m not short.” -knowing full well that he was a whole foot taller than her.
They’d taken a break from dancing to have a snack. Well, she was snacking. Gojo was knocking back entree after entree like he hadn’t eaten in a week. His appetite never failed to surprise her.
She leaned back in her seat, sipping at her mocktail. Technically it was a school function but she was more than sure people brought things to mix in with their drinks–despite everyone having been body searched by a cop upon entrance to the yacht. If there was one thing she learned about rich people, they knew how to bypass a whole lot of shit.
She watched Shoko slip out two mini-bottles of Jack Daniels from her bra. She eyed her friend, Leah, from across the table and they both stood up to walk towards the bathroom.
Millie suddenly slipped into the seat next to her, “Oh my god, I’m out of breath.” She suddenly whipped out a foldable Chinese hand fan and began to fan herself. The color of it matched perfectly with her dress.
Toji reached over and grabbed that from her, “Gimme that.” He began to fan himself.
“Excuse me.” she snatched it back,
Gojo chuckled beside her, “That’s gotta be the ugliest accessory I’ve seen all day. Did you get that from the dollar store?”
“No,” Millie shot back before stating proudly, “This was hand-made and delivered from China.”
“-ordered off of Shein.” Toji added.
“Ugh, ew.” Millie made a face at him, “I would never but I know that’s probably all you can afford.”
Toji narrowed his eyes, “Ha ha.” he responded sarcastically. Ara had only recently discovered that he’d run away from his family too–a wealthy family as well from what she’d heard. She didn’t know who he lived with currently.
“How’d you pay for your ticket?” Millie questioned.
“I did!” Haibara piped up excitedly. “I wanted all of us to be here.”
“You’re so nice, Haibara,” she batted her eyelashes, “but you honestly shouldn’t have.”
Toji merely grinned.
Suddenly Shoko reappeared, sliding back in the seat next to Nanami-who was eating rather diligently. Geto followed behind her, a plate full of food in his hands. He slipped into the seat between Gojo and Shoko.
“Did you get the lobster?” Gojo asked him, “Shit is amazing.”
“I did.”
Shoko reached over and plucked a gyoza off Geto’s plate before popping it into her mouth, “Mmm, that’s good.”
“You want me to get you some?” Nanami offered. He was such a gentleman.
Shoko smiled softly, “Are you gonna get seconds?”
“Probably.”
“Then I’ll just go up with you when you’re done.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Gojo was about to chomp into his breadstick before he froze and looked over at Ara. He must’ve overheard Shoko and Nanami’s conversation as well because suddenly he eyed her empty plate and asked, “You want me to get you somethin’ Prom Queen?”
She looked at him through half-lidded eyes, “No thanks.”
He tapped his cheek, silently asking her for a kiss on the cheek. She merely scrunched her nose before undoing the nearest origami rose napkin. She dabbed the napkin along the corner of his lips.
“You got crumbs everywhere.” she muttered.
He merely smirked, “Thank you mommy.”
“Stop.”
She entered the room to find her night bag already in it. Prom was over but the night had just begun.
Normally staying the night on the yacht would be an additional fee for the students since the academy only booked it for the evening-but since it was Gojo’s yacht that wasn’t necessary.
Principal Yaga hadn’t wanted to host prom on Gojo’s yacht at first—especially when Gojo offered to rent it to him for free. He deemed it unprofessional but once Gojo offered him a discounted price aka half the price of what other yacht companies were offering, he couldn’t refuse.
Shoko was throwing an after party and everyone from prom was bound to be in attendance. Shoko promised to use every square inch of the place, from the outdoor bar, beach club, tennis court, deck jacuzzi, movie theater, massage room and sauna. How she planned on doing all that in one night, Ara didn’t know. All Ara knew was that it was time to change for the after party.
The room was nearly half the size of Gojo’s room at the estate but still eye-catching in its design—it was more modern, resplendent, nothing short of luxurious. She was sure they had the best room on the yacht.
She walked towards her overnight bag on the table only to freeze when she saw the breath-taking view through the glass wall.
She ran over to the sliding doors, pushing them open before leaning against the railing and staring out. The sea churned around them, waves dark and beguiling. The reflection of the stars glittered amongst the water. The moon no where in sight.
That same calm that consumed her when she’d first seen the sea at night with Satoru came over her once more. Easing away all her little anxieties from the night.
She would be lying if she said she wasn’t tired. She’d been facing people all day. From the makeup team, to the hair team, to the dress team, then the actual event of prom itself. She’d enjoyed herself but it was nice to have a breather by herself. It was needed.
Even though she knew she wouldn’t be alone for much longer.
As if on cue, she faintly heard the locking mechanism of the door and glanced over her shoulder. She watched Gojo saunter into the room. He slipped off his bowtie, tossing it onto the bed, before undoing a few buttons at his collar.
Just as he moved to join her he spotted her phone vibrating on the bed. It seemed to be from an unsaved number. He glanced at Ara, his eyes lingering on her slender back as she stared out at the sea.
He picked up the call and held the phone to his ear.
"Hello?" A slightly older feminine voice arose from the other end of the line. She sounded oddly familar..
He remained silent.
"Hello Ara? Ara, it's me. Mum. We haven't talked in a while," she paused, "I called your Dad and he says you haven't been home? Are you okay? Are you safe?"
No wonder she sounded familiar, she sounded like an older version of her.
She seemed hesitant as she asked, "Your graduation is coming up right-" he ended the call.
He stared at the phone in his hand for a moment, contemplating. The next thing he knew he was deleting any evidence of the call and blocking the number.
He glanced at Ara once more, at her relaxed position against the railing, at her fetching side profile as she turned to face the breeze. She was happy like this, she was at peace.
He tossed her phone back on the bed and headed to her.
His arms slipped around her waist as he bent low to kiss her neck, his lips touching her pulsepoint before resting his chin atop her head. He always thought they fit perfectly together like this, with her small back against his chest-like missing puzzle pieces coming together.
He stared out at the ripples along the dark waters. It was captivating. The view of the beach and buildings in the distance. Little speed boats passed by and the scent of the sea that she’d once mentioned surrounded them.
Music drifted from overhead, the after party must’ve started.
“Satoru?” she suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
“Hm?” he kissed her head.
She turned around, unraveling from their embrace to face him.
“Why do you love me?”
He was gonna make a joke, but then he saw her eyes. This wasn’t coming from a shallow self-deprecating place or somewhere lighthearted, she truly wanted to know why.
It should’ve been easy, expressing his love towards her was always easy but when asked like this–with so much care and directness. For once he felt afraid of what he would say. He didn’t want to say something that would push her away when he’d finally gotten her this close.
But Geto once told him it wasn’t his honesty that was the issue, it was the way he phrased himself that was.
‘There’s always a nicer way to say things’ his words echoed in his mind.
It wasn’t like what he had to say was mean but–fuck, he was growing nervous under her stare. His thoughts were escaping him. It was hard to focus when she was looking at him like that. Like his words would mean something–make or break something. And it didn’t help that he was keenly aware she hadn’t told him she loved him back yet.
He was overthinking–he knew. Only she could make him like this. She was just so perfect, all he wanted in a human being all rolled up in one girl. It scared him–everything about her scared him whenever he thought about her like this.
I don’t wanna lose you. I can’t lose you.
His gut tightened with an incomprehensible rush and he felt that aching need to touch her again. That tremor in his fingers that was only eased with his hands on her skin, his lips on her body.
He shook his head abruptly, his hands flexing at his sides before he offered her a light smile.
“I don’t think there’s just one reason.”
She tilted her head, her curious eyes raking over his face, “Then tell me.”
“You’re smart, you’re thoughtful,” a slight laugh escaped him as he added, “--and really really sexy.”
“And?”
She took a step towards him and he blurted out, “I can’t sleep without you.”
He saw her gaze darken as she stepped back, “Oh so it’s just about the sex.”
“No, no. I mean–I literally can’t sleep without you.. by my side.”
Ara’s brows furrowed as she thought about that. Ever since they got together there wasn’t one night that he hadn’t spent with her. Even when she’d wanted to have a sleepover with Milie he always refused, nagging her enough that she decided it wasn’t worth the argument.
She tilted her chin up, “You did it for two months when we broke up.”
“Not by choice.” He reached out to touch her cheek, slipping a piece of her hair behind her ear as he did so. His hand lingering longer than necessary as he chuckled thinly, “You really taught me patience.”
“You think you’re patient?”
“Eh, it’s a work in progress.” he leaned towards her, “but I’ve gotten better, haven’t I?”
Her eyes narrowed as she looked him up and down, “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?” he whined before taking her hand and pressing it to his cheek. He pouted, “You taught me a lot, y’know.”
She raised a brow, “Like?”
“I feel like..” he glanced away, the faint pink on his cheeks made her eyes widen.
“I finally know what it's like to have someone care about me,” He murmured, she could see the thoughts brewing behind his eyes as he slowly went on, “I like when you fuss over me. When you remind me of things I forgot or tell me what shirts I should burn. I like when you.. touch my hair and ask me how my day is after I come back home from practice or when you like a gift so much you forget to yell at me about the price-” she rolled her eyes at that one “-I like when you yap on and on about something artsy that you forget I’m even there. I like when you leave lil sticky notes around the house saying where you are cuz you know I’m gonna ask.”
He smiled to himself as he went on, “I like when you randomly sit on my lap and nap on me when I’m studying–or when you say my name in your sleep.”
“I don’t!”
His smile widened, “You do.”
“You’re definitely lying–”
He caught her chin, “I especially like when you kiss me when you think I’m deep asleep.”
She pulled his hand off her face, completely red. “I don’t.”
He was grinning, “I feel those pecks in my dreams y’know. They make me all fuzzy and warm inside.”
“That’s because you are dreaming.” she mumbled, turning her back to him.
“I love you Ara.” the gentleness of his voice threw her off.
His voice was lower when he added, “I can’t help but love you.”
She stared down at her feet, at her pointy heels. Her arms tightening around herself as she willed herself to not cry. She squeezed her eyes shut.
“I know you feel something too.” His voice was quiet, closer. “I know it.”
“I don’t expect you to tell me–even if I really really want you to.” His voice wavered, “I remember what you said.. about falling for me.. about being afraid to.”
Her eyes flashed opened as she remembered that conversation (a/n: end of chapter 2, pt 1). It felt so long ago when she’d tried to hide away from him for one night in the basement–only for him to show up in her living room the next day. She’d been scared shitless. She didn’t know how she managed to make him agree to her boundaries then–even if her boundaries weren’t much. But they were much for someone like him.
“I don’t blame you,” his voice felt hollow, “after everything you been through, I can’t.”
Her breath hitched when his voice felt closer, “But I’m not your Mom. I’m not your Dad.”
His fingers lightly skimmed her arm, “I’m not going anywhere.”
She felt his breath trail down her nape, she shivered.
His lips barely touched the helix of her ear, “I’m never leaving you.”
She felt him peering down at her from above her. His tall frame hovering as close as it could without touching her. He reached his left arm over her to grasp her right forearm. He turned her around.
She stared up at him, her eyes brimming with tears.
He silently searched her face, his gaze the softest she’d ever seen it.
“You’re not alone anymore.”
Her heart ached. She glanced down but he swiftly grabbed her upper arm, forcing her eyes on him. The speed of the action nearly made her stumble, her hands instinctively laying flat on his chest.
“Do you understand?”
He stared down at her, merely taking her in as she held his gaze–seeming to do the same. It took him more restraint than necessary to resist from closing the little distance between them. She was just so flawless, even with the tears on the verge of spilling from her eyes. Her lips were just too close, too tempting to be left unattended.
His jaw locked when her pretty eyes landed on his lips.
Those damn eyes. He’d known her for so long and yet one look in her eyes could make him feel like he didn’t know her at all. Her gaze was always so murky, so alluring. He could never tell what she was thinking no matter how hard he tried. But he’d be a fool to miss the way she was looking at him now.
She looked like she was on the verge of falling off a cliff, with so much to say yet nothing at all. She looked like she was yearning for something–longing for it so badly she didn't know what to do with herself and yet she was fighting it—warring with herself. Locked in this mental anguish he so badly wanted to understand. If he could dissect each and every one of her thoughts, he would.
She grabbed his shirt in her fists, “I love you.”
He was frozen, not sure if he heard correctly. His brain must be short-circuiting right? Right?
They were kissing, she didn’t know who started it. If it was her or if it was him but this was eager, desperate and theirs. Their lips were molded together, pressing and pushing against each other as if demanding the others attention.
She didn’t know when they stumbled into the room or when she’d decided to abandon one of her heels but she knew what was gonna happen when she was tossed onto the bed. She stared up at him as he stood before her. He grabbed her legs, spreading them open before hastily tossing off the remaining heel.
She caught his gaze and reached her arms out. He immediately bent over her, letting her svelte arms slide around his shoulders as he locked her lips in a feverish kiss. His tongue slipped into her mouth, pushing through her full lips to swallow her whole—Mmm, I need her. I need her. I need her.
Her sweet perfume filled his nostrils as pressed himself closer against her, pushing her further into the bed from the pressure of his kiss. He tugged down the straps of her dress without breaking the kiss. He refused to leave her lips alone even when he yanked her fitted dress down her waist, her hips—
She broke the kiss just as he dragged the dress past her knees. She threw her head back, needing a breath, only to shiver when he began to nip affectionately at her neck. There was a different fervor to him, a different vehemence. She felt his breath hitch when he finally got her dress off past her feet.
She glanced down when she felt his lips leave her clavicle, only to inhale sharply at the sight.
His belt hit the floor as he unzipped himself at the speed of light, impatient to let his cock loose from his boxers. He was hard, fully hard, his cock head pink and swollen. She watched his cock subtly jolt upwards-throbbing-and felt her cunt tighten.
A ripping sound ensued and she glanced up to see him opening the condom he’d just retrieved from his pocket, with his teeth. He tossed the packet somewhere and slipped the condom over his cock with a bated breath. She could see the tension defining his jaw.
Once it was on, he looked back at her. She froze–stricken by the adoration in his eyes. The rampant need, the raging lust and all-consuming love all coalesced in those devastating blue eyes. She’d never felt so coveted in her entire life.
He bent over her, his hand sliding down her thigh as he did so. His forehead nudged hers just as he hooked his finger through her g-string and easily yanked the thin material off-breaking it. Just as she gasped, the tip of his cock touched her warm entrance and she froze.
His cockhead pressed against her warmth, the tip nearly slipping in–dipping in her hot juices but he didn’t move further until they locked eyes.
Her mind went blank.
Her lips were parted, eyes squeezed shut as she felt all of him inside her. She felt so full–the entirety of her body felt like it was completely full of him. She felt him release a deep breath of relief, as if he’d been waiting all his life to consume her like this. His cock throbbed inside her and her cunt coiled around him reactively.
“Ha-aaah.” he groaned into her cheek.
Her nails dug into his back, expecting the worst but instead his hips pressed deep into her–grinding his cock against her deepest parts, making her gasp. Her mind went blank with stars.
He was stretching her so completely, she shivered as she felt it. She felt as if his cockhead was kissing her from the inside when he delivered short, deep thrusts within her cunt–-never letting his cock leave. Her cunt was slick, completely soft with her juices.
This felt different, more personal somehow despite having done this millions of times before. His bated breath cascaded down her neck and his eyes were trained on her face–completely focused on her, memorizing her as if she were the rarest sight he’d fought all his life to see.
She blushed and suddenly his cock pushed deeper inside her, pressing against her most sensitive walls and she whimpered–moaning. Her cunt instantly squeezed around him.
He groaned through his teeth before palming one of her tits in his hand. Her nipple hardened against his palm as he massaged her soft mound. Her pretty sounds making his cock stiffer inside her.
“You love me?” He muttered down at her.
He released her tit to slide his hand down the side of her body, grasping her hip before picking up the pace of his deep, short thrusts–rutting into her faster.
He spoke into her cheek, “I love you more.”
Her nails dug into his shoulders as cried out, “ngh! Toru–toru!”
“More–more–more–more.”
His cock pounded into her relentlessly, her legs tightening around his waist. She swore she felt each fuck in every cell in her body. It was sloppy, intense, and the squelching sounds that followed made her face get entirely too red.
He pulled out, leaving just the tip inside.
“How much?”
She didn’t get the chance to answer, merely yelling the second his cock slid all the way back in. His balls slapping against her cunt with the ferocity of his fucks.
“This much.”
“Ngh~~~~~” she moaned wantonly, her legs spreading wider to let him fuck her harder. Her tits pressed into his chest as her back arched. She was incapable of handling him when he went this fast–fucking her like she was simply his sweet little ragdoll.
Her cunt squeezed around him, eager—hungry. Her orgasm was close. She felt it and it made her oh so needy, so desperate for him. He made her like this.
He pressed down her, forcing her body lower into the bed. His cock never fully leaving her cunt as he delivered brutal, attuned thrusts to her sweet spot–eager to make her crumble. Her soft tits bounced as they pressed against his chest, making him all the more hungry.
His cock forcefully pressed against her g-spot, pressing against it like he was owed something–and he was, he was owed her.
“Ah!~ohhhh~nghh–ha-nhnnn~” her moans were music to his ears.
He pulled out of her spasming cunt, staring down at her pussy to watch her squirt all over the place. Her hips trembled, her luscious tits bouncing with each jolt of her body as she let out more and more juices. Her hands on his arms gripping him so tightly.
He licked his lips, the sight of her like this was just so ravishing—just seeing her like this made him teeter on the edge of cumming himself. His cock throbbed, pre-cum dripping within his condom.
He lightly slapped her cunt, making her twitch, “I love you.”
He kissed her throat as she writhed sensitively, from the aftermath of her high.
“I love you, I love you, I love you.” he went on.
“Toru.” she murmured weakly, her voice too small.
“I love you.” he said just as he forced the entirety of his cock into her once-more. The wet sound that followed was completely lewd but the tight fit of her slick, wet cunt spasming around him—
“Ohhh,” he groaned gutturally into her neck before rasping out, “You’re perfect.”
The maid stared at the bed after they were long gone.
Several of the pillows were strewn across the room, only one in the center of the bed against the headboard. The blankets were a rumpled mess, half on the bed half on the floor. The entire white curtained canopy bed frame was caved in, one of the bedposts laying haphazardly on the floor beside it. And to top it all off, the discarded plastic golden packets of condoms were littered all across the floor.
The maid sighed, “I don’t get paid enough for this.”
“You should’ve let me clean the room at least.” she scolded him lowly.
“Baby I swear it’s fine. They’ve seen worse.”
“I don’t care.”
“That's their job.”
“What are you guys whispering about?” Shoko asked from across them.
She didn’t give them a chance to respond as she leaned back in her seat, “Where the hell were you guys last night? I called both of you.”
The limo suddenly jolted over uneven road. The hair that’d been covering Ara’s neck suddenly shifted over her shoulder, revealing the trail of hickeys along her neck.
“Well that answers your question.” Toji answered dryly.
Ara’s brows furrowed before realizing. She flushed as she quickly repositioned her hair despite the hickeys already being seen.
“You guys couldn’t wait to get freaky til after the afterparty?” Shoko questioned grumpily.
Gojo’s hand slipped into Ara’s, “Oops.”
Shoko rolled her eyes a moment before the limo came to a stop. Geto awoke from his slumber.
Ijichi opened the car door, “We're at the brunch spot you requested, sir.”
“You mean I requested. If it were up to Satoru we’d be at a bakery right now.” Shoko clarified.
“What’s wrong with bakeries?”
“Not everyone wants to eat sweets for breakfast.”
Ara sighed before picking up her macbook and laying down on the bed. She lay with her front to the sheets and her feet in the air.
She hit the backspace button multiple times-with a bit more ferocity than necessary.
She suddenly felt someone smack her ass and turned around to see Gojo. He’d just stepped out the bathroom.
“What the fuck!” she rubbed her ass, “You’re home?”
He sat on the bed, “Yeah, just got back,”
He leaned closer to peer at her laptop, “What’s got you huffing and puffing?”
She angled her laptop away from him, “I’m trying to write my valedictorian speech.”
“Oh, I already finished mine.”
He watched her frown and broke out in a grin. They both ended up getting the valedictorian title. Despite the school staff picking apart their grades to a T it seems their GPA was the exact same, down to the decimals. It was the first time their academy had dual valedictorians.
“Alright show off.”
He attempted to reach for her macbook, “Let me see what you wrote so far-“
“No.”
“Come on~”
“Let me see yours then.”
He tilted his head, “Why would I show you mine? Your gonna copy it.”
She scoffed, “Why would I need to copy you?”
“Cuz I'm a good writer.”
“Sure.”
“I'm good at everything.”
“Would you stop talking? You're distracting me.” she huffed, annoyed.
“I’m sorry~” he lightly tickled her chin.
She pretended to bite his finger, making him grin.
He pushed the laptop away from her, leaning close towards her.
“Maybe you need a distraction?”
She leaned back, “I definitely don’t.”
He shut her laptop, before quickly burying his head in the crook of her shoulder and cuddling her.
She smacked his back, “Toru!”
His voice came out muffled against her neck, “Give me attention~” he whined.
Her shoulders sagged as she gave up, “Great.”
He smiled before shifting himself closer towards her. She stared up at him from the corner of her eye before gradually relaxing.
She stared at the fluttering curtains as the wind blew from the open doors leading to the balcony. The sun was bright, hot enough to make you burnt toast tan in five minutes. The breeze brought in the scent of flowers from the gardens.
She inhaled before exhaling audibly.
“You see?” Satoru’s low voice came from above her ear, “Didn’t you need a break?”
She glanced up to see him gazing down at her.
He lightly tapped her nose, “I’m gonna do this when we’re in university too, bug you when you’re too stressed.”
Her eyes narrowed, “Is that what you're gonna do? Instead of encouraging me to study?”
“I don’t need to encourage you. You study too much.”
“Because I can't engrain my notes in my brain after one read through like you.”
“Why can’t you?”
She rolled her eyes, “I would if I could.”
“s’okay, I’ll help you.” he kissed her cheek, “We can pay someone to take your exams for you.”
She raised a brow, “You can?”
“Absolutely.”
“That’s insane.” she muttered, “I’d probably get expelled if I got caught.”
“You wouldn’t get caught.”
She peered at him through narrowed eyes, “Are you ever not cocky?”
“I’m not being cocky,” he chuckled, “It’s the truth. They’re professional exam takers you can hire but I know you’d never take that up.”
She sighed, “I wouldn’t.” She only trusted herself to submit her best work.
A moment of silence ensued. He drew circles on her stomach with his index finger. She breathed in another flower scented breeze.
“Are you excited about college?” he asked her.
“I’m kind of nervous.”
“Yeah?” he perked up, “Why?”
“Because... everything feels so new.”
He blinked, “But new is good, no?”
“It is but.. I just don't wanna mess up my future. I hear the connections you make in college can really affect your career.”
He chuckled slightly, “We’re going to Stanford, trust. The networking opportunities will be endless baby.”
“So you're not nervous at all, I’m assuming.”
“I am a little nervous.”
“About?”
"Well it’s a new stage of our lives. I don't wanna mess up either."
Her eyes narrowed, "Really?"
He smirked, "Obviously I'm not gonna mess up in school but there's other things I can mess up. Like Suguru's car, my room-"
The second she made a face, his smirk widened. He reached over to cup her face and kiss her cheek, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I'm gonna drive slow and keep our room clean, I promise."
"You better."
Dorms weren’t supposed to be co-ed but of course, nothing was impossible when it came to him. He’d also gotten them a penthouse dorm as well. The privilege her boyfriend had was truly something else.
He rested his head on her chest, partially laying over her, “I love you.”
Her nails raked through his soft hair, “I love you too.” she murmured.
He snuggled further against her.
“Now please, let’s welcome one of our dual valedictorians, Ara Natsuna!” Principal Yaga spoke into the mic before smiling grandly at her.
She walked upto the podium, setting down her speech despite not really needing it. She’d memorized it enough times.
There were so many people before her right now. Her classmates all donning their cap and gowns. Their parents on the bleachers. The numerous staff looking on at her in anticipation. The cameraman below the stage across her.
Normally, in circumstances like this, she’d want to bury herself in a hole or pray to the holy god above to throw down a lightning strike and make her disintegrate on the spot but no-for once-this felt fine.
Her public speaking coach had trained her through and through. These people around her.. were just people. At the end of the day, their eyes on her wouldn’t make a difference, they couldn’t affect her unless she let it.
There was no point to letting it affect her when the little shitheads that were her classmates would forget her words anyway.
But it was up to her to make this moment count. A moment she’d worked overly zealous for and yet the only person who seemed to care was her boyfriend. Her dad was nowhere in the crowd.
She thought she hadn’t dared to hope and yet..
She stood up straighter, offering the crowd a small smile before speaking once the applause died down, “This.. is such a momentous moment. Ever since I stepped into high school, being here, on this stage, as valedictorian is all I’ve ever wanted.”
She paused, “And now I’m here.”
She resisted the urge to swallow nervously and instead tipped her chin higher, “I know people say high school is all about the memories, having fun before the real world starts but-as everyone knows-high school is more than that. It's a foundation. not only for your education and career, but for yourself.”
“I couldn’t tell you everything that high school has taught me but one thing I can say with full confidence is that within these past few years I finally know myself. Knowing yourself is the best thing you can do for your betterment.”
“Knowing your tells. Your viewpoints. Your stances. Your bias. Your dreams. Your goals. Your choices. Recognizing these things can save you in the future.”
“Your dreams, are your dreams. And don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. If you feel yourself straying off the path you envision for yourself, then listen to your thoughts, your feelings, your gut will tell you if this is right for you—and I believe if it is right for you, you’ll know.”
“You only live this life once. As cliche as it is, I feel like I have to say it because it’s so easy to forget. to get so absorbed in the past, present, future— wherever your mind lies. Regardless of how much you think about things, none of it changes. None of it gets pushed to motion unless you do something about it.”
“You are the creator of your universe. What you allow, is what you attract and what you deny is a choice you control.”
“I hope you all make smart decisions in whatever career path you pursue. Our jobs don’t only affect us, but generations behind us. Even if all you do is simply inspire people for a moment, anything makes a difference. Everything has a butterfly effect.”
“Just like now, high school might be over but this is really just the beginning.”
She dipped her head slightly in a subtle courteous bow.
“Class of 20XX, I’m out.”
The class erupted in cheers, whistles and applause. She smiled before walking away from the mic, taking her speech paper from the podium with her-despite having not looked at it once.
The principal clasped her hand, shaking it, “That was wonderful, Ara. truly. Thank you.”
He then walked over to the podium, saying a few words that she was too wired up to hear. Just as she walked off the stage, Gojo grasped her arm.
She glanced up at him.
He was smiling so brightly it put the sun to shame. His eyes glittered with charisma as he looked her up and down.
“I’m so proud of you kitten,” his smile turned into something more mischievous, “My baby sounded like she was gonna conquer the world.”
Ara smiled subtly, “Thank you.”
There was something in her eyes he couldn’t pin. He didn’t have much time to dwell on it because suddenly they overheard the principal speak.
“..and next up, is our final dual valedictorian, Gojo Satoru!”
He bent down to press a chaste kiss to her lips.
“Wish me luck.” he flashed her one more bedazzling smile before bounding up the steps. If the cheers had been loud for when she’d stepped up to the podium, it sounded a dozen times louder now. Quite the little nepobaby celebrity he was.
She turned around, watching his tall frame tower over the podium as he adjusted the mic before taking the mic off the stand completely and walking around the stage as he spoke. She didn’t need to focus on his words to know he was galvanizing the crowd. He faced different sides of the crowd as he spoke, dividing his attention to make everyone feel addressed. She wondered if he’d studied that or if it was just another thing that came naturally to him.
She pried her eyes off of him to glance down at her wristwatch. She cleared her throat before walking towards the Vice Principal.
“Your speech was very inspiring, Ara. Congratulations once again.”
“Thank you.” Ara smiled half-heartedly, “I’m just gonna use the bathroom.”
“Of course.”
Ara weaved through a few people before walking towards the outdoor bathroom. She glanced around, making sure there were no people in the stalls before locking the bathroom door. She walked into the last stall to pull out a hidden duffel bag behind the door. She stuffed her diploma in the bag before taking off her graduation cap and gown and lastly, her grad dress to reveal another outfit underneath. She switched out of her heels to sneakers.
She exited the stall to roll up her graduation clothes in a bundle and stuff them into the trash. She opened the duffel bag on the counter to pull out a wig. She hastily put it on, before adjusting it to make sure it sat naturally on her head. She gave herself one last look over before pulling out her cell phone and tossing it into the sink. She turned the sink on, letting her phone drown in the rising sink water.
She turned the sink off before hoisting the duffel bag over her shoulder and heading out. She walked towards the back of the school, past the several sports fields until she reached a street of small well-kept houses. She glanced around until she spotted the taxi cab waiting at the corner of the street-just as planned.
She opened the car door, “Hi, thank you for waiting.”
The driver nodded, “Of course, ma’am. Heading to the airport?”
“Yes.” she confirmed before sitting comfortably in the back. She withdrew her second phone from the duffel bag, as well as her new ID, her new passport, her new social security card. Everything.
In truth, she’d purchased several fake identities from the black market. After a lot of sleuthing she’d managed to access the black market online. She only accessed it from public computers so it wouldn’t get traced back to her. She’d used these fake identities to sell more than half of the gifts Satoru had given her on different websites. She hadn’t sold some of the flashier items he’d gifted her due to knowing it might garner too much attention and the last thing she wanted was to get caught.
She then created several bank accounts with these fake identities and transferred the hefty sum of her sales to her main fake identity’s account. The one she’d be using from this day forward.
She also used these fake identities to book multiple flights–multiple flights as in 100+. She knew it was inevitable that he would be able to find some of her fake identities but to trace 100+ flights, some of which she had sold the flight tickets to people online? That would be a feat.
But it didn’t matter because she didn’t book the actual flight she was planning on taking with the identities she’d used before. She’d booked it from her main new identity. Sade West. Sade was just an adopted girl who’d lived all her life in Southern California and had just graduated from a regular, public high school. Sade was taking an early flight to the town she planned on going to college in. Everything was already submitted and set for her to attend this college for the upcoming fall semester. All the cards were already aligned.
The taxi came to a stop in front of the bustling airport. Ara gave the taxi driver an excessive tip in cash before stepping out with her duffel bag. She walked inside the airport and went straight to the bathroom. She entered one of the stalls and changed again. New wig, new shoes, new shirt, new jeans. Everything. She even removed a mini duffel bag from the larger one. The mini duffel bag carried everything she truly needed.
She stepped out of the stall and disposed of the larger duffel bag. She saw a woman eye her astonishedly-Ara supposed she couldn’t blame her. The duffel bag she had just dumped was Burberry, worth more than $2K. It wasn’t her fault that everything she owned was designer.
She almost hoped the woman would steal it after she left, less things for her to be traced by.
Ara looked in the mirror, smoothing down her wig and touching up her makeup. Sade West looked awfully pretty–the kind of pretty that would make a girl immediately wish they were her upon one glance. She’d picked this look on purpose, something stylish and feminine–a completely different aura from what her comfort driven soul would naturally gravitate towards but she liked it. She wanted something different and enticing. She wanted to channel anything and everything that wasn’t herself.
“You’re beautiful.” the woman who’d been eyeing her bag earlier complimented.
“Thank you.”
Ara would’ve been more flattered if her mind wasn’t running a million miles per hour at the second. Satoru’s speech must’ve been done by now. Her fellow classmates must’ve all thrown their caps in the air and she’d missed it. Missed it all. Satoru might’ve even found her phone in the bathroom by now. She’d only thrown it in the sink to momentarily disable it. The phone itself was still on so he’d be able to see that it was in the bathroom, he wouldn’t be able to use it for a while though–Iphones aren’t known for their great water resistance for a reason. The iphone might’ve even died. She couldn’t be sure. Regardless, it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t be able to find anything on it anyway.
Her second phone had all her information. The phone she’d bought and kept on her or hidden at all times so she knew he couldn’t tamper with it. It was a weird feeling, using all the things he’d provided her with to get what she wants.
Karma. Is all she could think of it as.
Suddenly a voice spoke through the airport’s intercom system, “Flight Number XXXX to NYC has arrived, passengers please line up at Gate 24 for boarding.”
Ara straightened, staring at her own eyes in the mirror. There was no turning back now. She wasn’t even sure if she’d ever be back in California after this–if everything went according to plan, she probably wouldn’t. California wasn’t her home anymore and if she was honest with herself.. It never was.
Ara glanced down at her hand, at the promise ring on her finger. This promise ring was Ara’s–not Sade’s. Ara had a lot of sadness in her heart, not Sade. Ara was a girl without wings, not Sade. Ara was a deadweight.
Sade didn’t need Ara anymore.
She took off the promise ring.
Four years later
She had just picked up another oil pastel when her wristwatch started to beep. She jolted, dropping the crayon on the floor.
“Fuck.” she muttered.
She stepped off the stool and picked it up, carefully setting the oil pastel back on the tray. The spotless light wash wood floor now had a smudge of red on it. She quickly grabbed a paper towel and poured some water on it before attempting to scrub off the stain. The little red smudge was now a noticeable stain. With each rub she seemed to be making it worse.
She stopped, staring down at the now light red and bigger stain on the floor with a frown.
“What is it?”
She was immediately drawn from her thoughts at the familiar voice. She stood up.
“Mr. Heim.” she answered in surprise. She tossed the wet paper towel onto the countertop and instinctively reached to run her hand through her hair only to see the oil pastel markings on her hands and decided against it. Her hands hung idly at her sides as he slowly approached.
Reese Heim was one of her favorite artists in the flesh. He mainly used acrylics but something about his art always evoked a certain sort of buried emotion in her. He used dark colors as much as he used light colors–always in some sort of balance that turned out unequivocally perfect. It was always so satisfying, she could stare at his art for days. (a/n: i’d like to imagine his artwork similar to the artist Khaled Alkhani’s work, feel free to look him up)
He was tall and in his late twenties. He had semi-ruffled, dark brown hair that ended just above his shoulders. His haircut kind of reminded her of Flynn Rider from Tangled. Besides that, he dressed like a tech company CEO. Always wearing semi-fitted black long sleeves or the like.
Reese glanced down at the stain, “Oh, don't worry about that.” His words held a tinge of his Italian accent. He’d been raised in Italy until the age of 18. It’d been 11 years since then.
“The cleaning crew will take care of it.” he added, before his gray eyes flitted to her canvas on the easel. She’d just started it today so it was barely done, maybe just a quarter finished.
He circled around her work station before stopping in front of her canvas. Her breath stopped as he silently assessed it.
She didn’t know him well. He didn’t speak much so when they spoke it was mainly her talking–which never ended well cuz she wasn’t much of a talker herself. She only began working with him recently as well, and it wouldn’t have happened if her favorite curator hadn’t been involved.
She’d made many connections due to her artwork in college but meeting Lynelle Ivo was one of the best things that had ever happened to her. Lynelle fell in love with her work-which was a rare, rare thing because Lynelle was one of the most renowned art curators in the world. Lynelle felt so connected with her artwork that she basically became her art assistant, manager and publicist, all rolled in one. It became a requirement for Lynelle to showcase Sade’s art in all of her exhibitions. She even requested Sade to make custom pieces to fit the theme of the exhibitions if none of her previous artwork fit the genre.
It’d been a hurdle to balance it all–to manage consistently making art whilst working on school but all of it was worth it when Lynelle agreed to her wish. Lynelle agreed to let her artwork be made anonymously. It was something Sade had wanted for a while since her artwork was slowly gaining traction and the thought of being well-known scared her more than anyone knew.
Lynelle had told her the interest in her artwork might die down if she decides to release art anonymously because it’s usually the artist that helps drive their artwork to more publicity. Sade had been aware of this and still agreed.
And yet-opposite to what they’d all been expecting-after going anonymous her art seemed to go viral. Lynelle explained that it seemed the mystery of not knowing who the art was being made by added more to her work’s lore. Well, to be fair it wasn’t just the anonymity that made her artwork famous–it was one piece in particular and of course if one piece gets famous, usually interest build’s for the other artist’s works and for them to be anonymous… it all just blew up from there–in social media terms.
Sade herself still very much stayed off of social media so it was mainly her publicist/social media manager, Kory, taking care of that for her. Kory managed her website. While her manager, Dean, took care of her schedule and art sales. Dean was annoyingly repetitive about her deadlines–she knew it was for her benefit but she hated constantly being reminded. Despite it all she loved her team, Lynelle really knew exactly what kind of people she needed by her side.
She wouldn’t have needed a team if Chroma’s Atelier Interactive paint company hadn’t reached out to her fresh out of college-two months after she’d gone anonymous. The paint company seemed to find out that she used their paint and reached out to contract a sponsorship deal with her for a total of three years, with the potential of extending it. When the money first started to pour in from her sponsorship, she’d nearly cried.
But out of everything she’d experienced in this upward trend, it was capturing Reese Heim’s attention that shocked her to the core. Apparently he’d been invited to one of Lynelle’s exhibitions in Italy and he’d seen one of her art pieces. Apparently he’d stared at it for about half an hour before asking all the nearest staff to get him in contact with the artist-nearly making a scene while doing so. He finally was able to get in contact with Lynelle.
Lynelle doesn’t entirely have the best opinion of him as a person but even she agrees his art is something to look at. She’d requested him for his artwork in some of her exhibitions in the past but it was always a gamble because sometimes he would decline. Apparently he is very picky about where his art is showcased. She supposed he was at the level to be picky since none of his artwork is worth less than 15K.
But anyway, as Lynelle put it–it was the first time she’d seen him ‘off his high horse’ when he asked if she could reach out to the artist to offer them an art studio in his company.
At first, Sade had been elated–even elated didn’t fully describe how happy she’d been with the offer but then she asked Lynelle what exactly would that position entail? Lynelle had explained that Reese had his own art company where he helped young artists have a space to create more artwork and he himself would sometimes assist these artists and showcase them in his New York City gallery.
But that was only if he really liked your art. If your art wasn’t on par with his standards he would have his team redirect you to place your artwork in another gallery of his recommendation. For some up and coming artists he would set them up with a team if he really liked them–but since she already had her own that wasn’t exactly an issue.
Usually his art space had a limit of six months for fresh artists to use his offered art studios—he had the limitation set so that other artists could get a chance but as far as she was aware, she did not have any set time limit. His only request was that whatever artwork she produced in his studio be showcased in his gallery. Which meant fresh pieces.
It was a challenge that she wasn’t taking lightly.
“Oil pastels,” he noted, “Chroma’s not gonna be happy.”
She shifted slightly, “They already know I’m interested in trying new mediums.”
He turned around, revealing a faint smile on his lips. “Do they?”
He eyed the assortment of oil pastels that were laid out on her work table.
“What brought this on?”
“I.. I was inspired by Frederic Paul.” she admitted. (a/n: a real artist btw, feel free to check his works out. they're so pretty)
His left brow quirked up as he contemplated that, “I thought he used oil paints.”
“He does but I wanted more texture.”
He nodded, murmuring, “Oil pastels will do just that.”
His gray eyes flitted to hers, “So you plan on using lighter colors in this piece?”
It was a valid question-even if it threw her off slightly. It was true, she naturally gravitated towards darker colors in her work. In fact, Lynelle said a reason why she felt so attracted to her artwork was because there seemed to be this theme of entrapment. It created a sense of mystery that she supposedly couldn’t look away from.
“I’m not sure.” she answered.
“Do you have an outline?”
She shook her head, “Not a physical one.”
She added after a beat, “Do you suggest I make one?”
“No, no.” he shook his head, “That’s fine. Do what you deem best.”
Her wristwatch began to beep again. She quickly turned it off.
“Do you have somewhere to be?” he inquired as she began to take her off her apron.
“Yeah, I have my aerial silks yoga class.”
He watched her shuffle things into her tote bag, “Do you go everyday?”
“Yeah, I mean-no, I go Monday through Thursday.”
He quickly glanced away when he caught himself staring at her in her black Athleta body suit. It covered most of her skin down to her ankles-except for her toned arms-but it was rather fitted. She bent down to re-tie the laces of her sambas and pulled up her white socks slightly higher. She slipped into a black trench coat and flipped her long, neat braid out from the coat’s collar before grabbing her tote bag.
She hung the lightweight bag over her shoulder, “I’m free to go right?”
The corner of his lip twitched, “Yes.”
“Thank you. See you tomorrow.”
Just as she passed by him, he suddenly spoke, “Wait.”
She stopped, glancing over to see him standing with his arms crossed. The subtle outline of his shapely biceps very visible from his stance.
“Friday. We’re having a company dinner, Alyssa insisted on it so.. come if you can.”
Alyssa was his assistant.
She hesitated, “I’ll try.”
“Good.”
They stood in silence for a moment before he faced her.
She took a step back, “Um, See you then.”
She didn’t wait for a response when she headed out of the studio. She shook her head slightly, attempting to shake off the inexplicable tension she felt around him.
She was walking down the stairs when she caught Alyssa walking up them.
Alyssa shot her a warm smile, “Have a good day, Sade.”
“Thanks, you too-oh!” she belatedly remembered, “Where’s the dinner at by the way? The company dinner on Friday?”
Alyssa blinked, “On Friday?”
“Yeah, Mr.Heim said it was on Friday.”
Alyssa raised her hands, “Wow, looks like he finally picked a date! I was thinking for it to be at this Mediterranean restaurant called Meduza but we’ll send out a group text, don’t worry.”
Sade nodded slowly, lost in thought for a moment.
Alyssa smiled once more before patting her on the shoulder, “Have a good one.” Before clip-clopping up the steps.
Sade walked down the steps, suddenly remembering herself–she didn’t want to be late. But she couldn’t stop thinking about Alyssa’s words. If Mr.Heim hadn’t picked a day for the company dinner earlier but suddenly picked Friday after hearing that she didn’t have classes on Friday… am I being delusional? Her apartment mate would know.
Just as she pulled out her phone from her pocket, her apartment mate called.
Sade quickly answered the phone, walking as she talked, “Dude, I was just about to call you–”
“Really? Guess what, guess what, guess what.”
“What?”
“So I was walking back to our apartment with all my groceries in my hands, because I forgot to bring the cart–and I only went out to get one thing but whatever. Anyway, it started to fucking pour outside and of course, I don’t have my umbrella so I start fast walking until this fucking asshole rams into me and I literally end up dropping all my shit on the sidewalk.”
“Oh god.”
“But out of fucking no where, like an angel dropped from the sky this guy comes up to me and he starts helping me pick up all my stuff. He literally gives me his umbrella and puts up his hood and just starts handing me all my stuff–even bagging it all up with me. But yo, when I tell you this man was the most handsomest man I’ve ever seen in my life-like-no joke. He was fine.”
Sade laughs slightly, “Damn.”
“Tall as shit too. Anyway, he was so fine that when he offered to help me bring all my stuff up to the apartment I didn’t decline cuz-”
“You let him into our apartment?”
“I needed the help! My arms were too sore man but wait, just wait-listen. So yeah, he helps bring all my groceries inside and I offer him something to drink as thanks. We’re talking a bit. He’s actually so funny and nice. He’s so handsome, bro, I honestly thought he was a model but apparently he isn’t, I asked. His fit was casual but something about him gave old money, I can’t explain it. Anyway, while we’re talking he sees our group pic on the fridge and points you out. He said he knows you. He said you guys knew each other in high school.”
“What?”
“Yeah, and he was so shook about it too. He kept calling you another name but he said he had to see you. I didn’t want him to wait at the apartment cuz I wasn’t sure when you’d be back and I didn’t want him to be here for that long either so I told him where you worked. He literally dipped so quickly–”
Sade had just opened up her umbrella and stepped outside of the building, only to freeze, “Wait, you told him where I worked?”
“Yeah, I didn’t want you to feel ambushed when you got home so-”
“What’s wrong with you? Why would you tell a complete stranger where I worked?”
“I-I’m sorry, he just seemed so excited to see you. He had this selfie of you guys together from high school and it looked so adorable–you looked so young. I don’t know.. I thought you would be happy.. he said he’s been looking for you for so long.”
Her throat went dry. “What’s his name.”
She could tell her apartment mate, Priya, was thrown off by her seriousness, “I don’t remember.”
“How did he look like?”
“He was tall–like tall tall. White hair-but he looked around our age-and he has the brightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen on this planet…”
Sade had zoned out, her breathing had grown labored and suddenly everything felt like it was spinning around her but she couldn’t move, her feet were planted to the ground and yet she knew… she knew the sixth sense that was nagging at her. She would know that feeling anywhere.
no no no no no no
The sense of doom that sprawled through her nerves was decapitating. She felt like her entire body had gone numb. This had to be a bad nightmare. Just a bad bad dream she was on the verge of waking up from in a few seconds.
Wake up wake up wake up wake up!
As much as everything in her didn’t want to, her eyes were searching for her. She turned, looking every which way to find the source of the sensation—the source of that feeling in her gut that she hadn’t felt in so long.
Her hair rose on her skin. She found it. Him.
Gojo Satoru stood right across the street from her. His hands in his long coat pockets. A hood covering his head–and as if he wanted to make it any clearer that it was him, he pulled the hood down to reveal the entirety of his ruffled white hair. The wide grin on his lips was unmistakable.
She stopped breathing.
Goosebumps rose along her skin and the bustling city sounds became nothing but background noise.
Suddenly the light turned green and cars began to zoom in between them.
The spell of his imposing stare broke and she gasped–her hand coming to her chest. She thought she was gonna puke but all that consumed her mind was his eyes. Those radiant blue eyes that were surrounded by enviable lengthy white lashes–the eyes that haunted her nightmares from time to time and the eyes that had seen too much of her.
She was running. She didn’t know when she started running but she was. She was running so fast without a single destination in mind. All she knew was that she had to run.
She thought she heard his laugh in the distance but it could’ve been her hallucinating. She just hoped all of this was a hallucination. She prayed it was.
But the sound of her feet hitting the asphalt was too real. The thump of her heartbeat pumping in her chest was too real. The fear feeding into her adrenaline was too real.
She ran across the street just as a car was about to turn, nearly colliding with her.
“Ara!!”
No!
She barely registered passerbys glancing her way as she ran. Had she really heard him calling out her name?
No no no no no no–
Suddenly she felt something catapult into her so hard she nearly hit the floor face first until hands slipped around her waist.
She shoved whoever caught her. No! No, I can’t stop now. I can’t–
“Ara.”
She attempted to run away but her legs were too weak. The force of the shove sent any adrenaline she had out the window. The speed of her actions catching up to her.
She stumbled blindly away from the voice, leading herself into a dark alley.
She was out of breath. The rainwater was making it hard to see. She didn’t remember when she’d dropped her umbrella.
“Ara.”
She was coughing up a storm. Her hand went to the brick wall beside her before dropping to her knees, heaving as she attempted to catch her breath.
Suddenly she felt a hand catch her chin and push her small body against the alley wall.
She was forced to stare up into those blazing turquoise eyes. The eyes that dominated her nightmares, the eyes that subjugated her body and soul.
Rainwater dripped from strands of his shiny hair and slid down his poreless face. His face had gotten more defined, more sharp–his sculpted jawline more prominent than ever. The shadows under his eyes were just as visible, somehow emphasizing the piercing blue brilliance of his eyes. His lips were glossy, just like they had always been.
It didn’t hit her until the scent of his familiar cologne filled her nostrils. That deep, heedy, expensive scent that she’d be forced to inhale whenever his body moved too harshly inside her, making her hide her face in his neck.
Her eyes brimmed with tears.
His fingers tightened around her chin, “Found you.”
“No.” she choked out, attempting to shake her head but she couldn’t. His fingers around her chin were too firm.
She tried to move from her seated position against the wall but she couldn’t. Her legs felt too weak. Her limbs ached from the excessive strength she’d used earlier.
More tears poured out from her eyes, “No.” she rasped.
“You cryin’?” He asked softly, despite the obvious taunt, “You cryin’ cuz you missed me?”
He slowly looked her up and down, with all the patience in the world. As if taking her in piece by piece before letting his eyes roam her countenance once-more.
He sighed, “Still such a pretty fuckin’ crier, s’not fair.”
“Stop,” she cried, reaching out to push at his chest since he sat hunched over her. “Stop.”
He didn’t budge. Instead his free hand caught her wrist and his hand on her chin moved to catch one of her tears with his thumb.
“I missed this.” His voice was so low. “I missed this so much.”
She was full on sobbing now.
He leaned towards her, his forehead nearly touching hers. The air thinned out between them, maybe because she was breathing so fast-consuming so much—inhaling and exhaling all of it-that charged air between their limited proximity. It was magnetic, just as it was intoxicating. It was like breathing in something you knew you shouldn’t, something that made your mouth water but you both knew was poison. You knew each breath would numb your nerves. You knew each breath could kill you. You knew your next breath could be your last.
“I missed you.”
“No you didn’t.” she cried, shaking her head as she attempted to stand up. “You didn’t!”
“I do.”
He grabbed her shoulders and shoved her back down but this time he made her lean against him. Her head landed against his chest, her small frame in the circle of his larger one.
“No-!” She attempted to scramble up but he caught her by her waist length plait and yanked her back. Before she could cry out he withdrew a handkerchief from the inside of his coat and cupped it over her mouth.
Her eyes widened and she thrashed in his arms for a good second before finally going limp. Her eyes fluttering closed.
He removed the handkerchief from her lips before turning it over to the untainted side and wiping all the raindrops and tears from her pretty face.
He kissed her forehead before whispering against her skin, “I found you.”
previous chapter I next chapter
a/n: u guys, i know this entire chapter 5 has been such a journey from start to finish but u r fr an OG for making it all the way through. In total-with these four parts combined-chapter 5 is 205 pages of manuscript. Can you believe that?? Anyway, wow. Writing this chapter has been choatic but I'm so happy that I can finally share what's been sitting in my head with you guys. U guys have no idea how I felt writing the last bit of this chapter, I felt like I wanted to cover my eyes while I typing it but pls feel free to share your thoughts, questions and opinions in the comments below. I'm so curious to read them all. Once again ty for reading my work!!
warnings: 18+ only babes, stalking/possessive themes, profanity, coercion, pet names (kitten), gaslighting, manipulation, underage drinking, praising, unprotected & protected sex, rough sex, mentions of suicide & depression, toxic jealousy, begging, chokehold, fingering, squirting, oral (f receiving), overstimulation, w33d, mentions of hard drugs (ecstasy, cocaine)
word count/plot: [15.5k!] ara catches gojo's attention when news breaks that she is the top academically ranked student in their grade. he is ranked second. he tries to befriend her but she ignores him. despite her obvious disinterest, his obsession begins...
a/n: ok this part took me forever to write bc i lowkey suck ass at writing backstories. hopefully ya'll r able to understand what i wrote for that part (you'll see what i mean once u read it). also i skim editted this chapter so if some of it is in lowercase, don't blame me. i actually prefer to type in lowercase but since i started writing this fic with correct capitalization i wanted to be consistent w that. anyway, have fun reading. i'm so excited to read ur guy's comments hehe
ch. 1 , ch. 2 [ part 1 | part 2 ] , ch. 3 , ch. 4 , chapter 5 [ part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 ]
Ara pulled the blanket up to Millie’s shoulders. She was passed out, like most of her classmates once they brought the party inside the penthouse suite of the hotel. It was nearly 5 am so she couldn’t blame them.
“Psst.”
Ara glanced over to see Gojo walking her way, a drink in hand. She knew he didn’t drink so..
“If that drink is for me then you can put it away.”
He grinned, “Nah it’s water.”
“Oh,” she took it from him and then took a sip, only to spit it out, “That’s vodka!”
“Eheheh,” She shoved him as he sat down on the couch beside her. He motioned towards Millie, “She’s out?”
Ara nodded, “She drank enough for everyone combined.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.”
Ara squinted, “You don’t even drink.”
“Shhh,” he slipped his hand into hers, “Can I steal you now?”
“For what?”
“I have to show you something.”
She was silent for a moment, “It’s too early for a prank.”
He grinned brightly, “It’s not a prank. I promise.”
She let him take her by the hand and lead the way. As they walked through, she spotted Choso laying down passed out a bean bag and Geto asleep on the couch across from him, his leg hanging off the edge.
Gojo led her to one of the rooms, opening the door a bit carefully to peek inside and make sure it was the right one before pushing the door wide open for her. He motioned with his chin for her to go in, a little smirk on his face.
She entered to see balloons covering nearly every square inch of the floor, making the bed almost look like an island. The lit candles made the vast, modern room smell of comforting vanilla, maybe a hint of strawberry as well. The glass windows were wide open, revealing a sickening view of their beautiful city.
She was astonished, “Gojo..” she was about to turn around to face him but suddenly a hand rested on back, urging her forward.
“Keep going.”
She complied with his gentle pushes towards the bed, pushing aside balloons as they went. That was when she spotted the rather big box on the flower petal covered bed. The box was perfectly wrapped in glossy white wrapping paper with a pastel purple bow at the center.
She sat down on the bed, her eyes widening as she took in the box’s size.
He spoke quietly, “Open it.”
She glanced up at him, “Toru, what did you do..”
“Just open it, open it.” he urged.
She noticed his barely contained excitement and shook her head subtly. He’d already given her so much, much more than she could ever ask for and yet here he was. Giving her a gift, as if he didn’t give her several on the daily.
He plopped down on the bed across from her, resting his head on his arm as he eagerly watched her pick up the box.
She ripped open the neat wrapping only to gape when she saw the orange box underneath. Thin black ribbon was tied around the box as well, but she’d be a fool to miss the ‘Hermes’ logo printed at the center.
“Gojo, what—“ she sputtered, at a loss for words, “You.. oh my god.”
His barely contained smirk broke out into a full grin. He continued to urge her, “Keep opening it.” He was almost tempted to open it for her at the pace she was going.
Once she got the wrapper fully off, he easily pulled the ribbon loose for her. Watching with a smile as she opened the box.
Inside was her very first Birkin. It was mainly off-white, with an ombré effect of light brown at its edges. The crocodile pattern was unmistakable. The shiny, white-gold diamond latch glittered iridescently under the dim light. (a/n: if anyone is curious abt the bag https://madisonavenuecouture.com/products/hermes-birkin-25-himalaya-niloticus-crocodile-diamond-encrusted-hardware)
She was in awe.
He cupped her elbow, thumb gliding over her forearm gently, “Happy birthday, kitten.”
She set the box down, too shocked to even touch the bag itself. This was unlike any of the Birkin’s she’d ever seen—even though she’d only seen them in videos and in Shoko’s mother’s closet but still. Its grandeur was obvious and the diamonds-real diamonds on a bag? she couldn’t even comprehend it.
“Satoru… how? Why?” It seemed english wasn’t coming to her very easily, “How much was this?”
His hand slid up her elbow to her nape. He sat up to kiss her neck. His lips on her throat made her heartbeat scatter.
“Nothing compared to you.”
“Toru,” she backed away slightly, “This isn't smart. I don’t even wear bags that much-“
“Now you will.”
She met his gaze, only for her pounding heartbeat to quicken. He was looking at her with so much adoration, maybe a hint of lust but most of all, his gaze was filled with..
She glanced away, murmuring, “This is too much.”
He always did this. Gifting her the most expensive things so easily. It never failed to make her uncomfortable at first, making her feel like he was trying to compensate her for her affection only until she realized he truly liked it—giving her things. His love language was gifts.
His fingers caressed her hair for a moment before he let go of her nape.
“Open the purse.”
Her eyes widened, “What?”
He didn’t respond, merely pushing the box towards her.
When she didn’t move he took her hand and placed it over the Birkin’s diamond latch, expectantly waiting for her to open it.
She opened the latch hesitantly, her fingertips gliding over the bag's rigid yet wearable material before slipping her hand within. She immediately felt something.
She withdrew her hand to see a small velvet box in her palm. She opened the box to reveal a beautiful petite white-gold diamond ring. It had a twisted over pattern, with diamonds embedded in each twist. She nearly gasped.
He suddenly reached within the collar of his shirt and shuffled out a thin silver chain around his neck. At the end of the chain was a ring made of the same material as hers, shaped more like a band.
His face was flushed.
“This ring is my promise to you.” His bright blue eyes met hers and he looked serious-for once.
She noticed his adam’s apple bob in his neck.
“I promise to keep you the happiest girl in the world. I promise to give you every piece of me and more,” The corner of his lip lifted subtly, “I promise to burn down the world for you, if that’s what you want-“
She chuckled airily, shaking her head.
He took her hand, “Listen to me, I know I haven’t always been the best man but I can’t live without you, you hear? I can’t live without you.”
His eyes dropped to her hand in his, his brows furrowing, “When you broke up with me I hated it. I hated being away from you..”
“I never stopped thinking about you, you know,” he scanned her face, “You're right in front me and I still can’t.”
She couldn’t hold his gaze.
“I love you, Ara.” he said softly.
His thumb ran over her ring finger, “You’re getting a promise ring now but there’s gonna be an engagement ring here one day. You’re gonna be my wife.” he spoke so definitively, as if it were already fated.
She let out a small, awkward laugh, “Your seriously talking about marria-”
“I am serious.”
“You sure?” her voice was low, tantalizing, “Shoko told me you don’t believe in monogamy.”
He chuckled, “I do now.”
“Why?”
“I found you.”
She stared at him as he slid the ring onto her finger, his hand lingering over hers before he returned her stare.
The next thing he knew she was crawling into his lap, drawing him a hug so tight her narrow arms shook from the strength she was exerting. He smiled. He wound his arms around her just as tight while peppering her temple with kisses. His hand tangled itself in her hair before tugging her head back.
He leaned towards her but she pressed a hand to his chest, stopping him before their lips met.
“You can’t take that back y’know.”
“What?”
Her hands tightened around his collar, completely losing her train of thought when she felt his hard-on brush her ass.
Her cheeks grew warm, “e-everything you just said.”
“Never.” he panted, suddenly digging his fingers into her ass before flipping her over onto the bed—him atop her. “Never, never, never.”
Her eyes widened when she saw the mirror on the ceiling. She could see everything.. her reflection.. his face in her neck, eagerly leaving love bites.. his muscular shoulders rippling under his shirt as he reached between her legs, spreading them. His fingertips grazed her pussy lips before curling around her thong. He yanked it off.
She jolted, a loud gasp leaving her lips.
His face came before her, the ring on his thin chain dangling between them, “You’re mine Ara, forever.”
She threw her head back, her head resting on his shoulder while his face dug into the crook of her nape, his lips territorially marking her neck.
His cock pistoned in and out underneath her, his hips smacking into her ass as she sat completely naked over his lap. She was making the most obscene noises, she couldn’t help it. The hand of his that wasn’t gripping her hip was right above her cunt, his fingers working her clit.
“fuckk—toru! toru!!hnnn~” her body arched.
His fingers dug into her hip, his cock slamming into her harder. His finger playing with her clit at a dizzying pressure.
“you feelso fucking good, birthday girl.” he rasped out.
She whined.
He watched her writhe atop of him, her head bouncing on his shoulder with each forceful fuck. Her hair jumped with each thrust of his hips, the dark strands splayed out over his chest, shoulder and neck. Her mouth was wide open. Her tits swinging up and down hypnotically.
The tear stained black mascara trailing down her cheeks made his cock jerk with more stamina. He bit her narrow shoulder.
She yanked at his fluffy white hair, “TORU!!”
“cum ara, cum right fucking now.”
She shook her head wildly. “satoru..please, i can’t-f-fuck.”
His cock hammered into her, she could barely breathe. everything hurt. she swore she could feel his cock head swell within her. his cock was so hard.
She gasped out between fucks, “hnn—can’t, toru. can’t. so big. too big.”
“i know i’m big baby. but your cunny can take it, i know she can.”
She tried to push away his hand at her clit, “i can’t,” she cried, “t’much—“
His hand remained fixed over her navel, instead his fingers picked up the pace. his cock grinding into her cervix, making her cunt let out the most embarrassingly wet sounds she’d ever heard.
Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, “ohhhhhnnnnm~”
Her body burned with pleasure. his cock felt obscenely hot inside her as she felt herself twitch around him. His cock made her feel so deeply full, she wondered if her cunt had finally been stretched to the limit–if he’d finally broken her.
“Ohmygod-my god-nghhh!”
Her body jerked atop him, wave after wave of pleasure coursing through her. Feeling like this shouldn’t be real–all of this-him-couldn’t be real. she couldn’t take it.
She moaned weakly. her cunt spraying liquids despite him still being inside her—deliriously grinding his cock deeper into her. His cockhead touching her deepest parts.
“Araaaaa~” he sighed brokenly into her ear. She felt like heaven.
Her eyes flitted open as her jerking subsided. She caught sight of herself in the mirror above and froze. The sight caused a cold jolt up her spine.
She looked... slutted out. her eyeshadow, mascara and liner had all blurred together into a seamless smoky eye, minus for the trails of supposedly waterproof mascara running down the corners of her eyes. her lipstick was smudged. her skin was covered in hickeys, including one on her chin. several on her cleavage and tits. Her nipples were surrounded by teeth marks.
His white hair tickled her cheek as he shifted slightly, his cock still inside her. His hot breath traveled down her neck, making her skin tingle. she couldn’t help but notice how large his muscular thighs looked underneath her smooth ones.
Her body jerked once more, an aftermath of her high.
“Good girl.” he praised, giving her clit a small squeeze–making her entire body twitch. She whined as he laughed, his fingers continuing to explore her. He touched the wetness along her pussy lips.
She heard his breath hitch beside her ear, “This pussy is gonna be the death of me.”
Her cunt constricted around his cock and he growled. his fingers suddenly digging deep into her hips, making her yelp.
She tried to grab his wrists and pry his hands off but it was too late.
His cock plunged into her ruthlessly.
She felt his hot, white cum spill into her. spurting along her cramped walls. she felt it travel and dribble out of her cunt, spilling down her inner thighs.
his cum was so warm.
She squeezed her thighs together, which only drew out more cum from his cockhead. she shivered, a low whine leaving her.
“Happy birthday.” he whispered above her.
Her eyes flashed opened only to close a millisecond after when his hips bucked into her again, slowly and deep. fucking his seed back into her.
He hummed as she mewled meekly underneath him. his shoulders flexed.
“You're not even someone i should go to for this.”
“What—why?”
“Cuz you drive hella fast.”
He snapped her seat belt in place for her, “Listen, I’m still a good teacher.”
“Are you?”
“I am.”
“How?”
“I just am.”
She narrowed her eyes, “Love the confidence but seriously, why can’t you just let me have a driving instructor?”
“Cuz i want to teach you, kitten. Isn’t it gonna be so cute when you tell our kids one day-“ he mockingly began to use a kid voice, “ ‘mommy how did you learn how to drive? ‘your daddy taught me—“
She punched him in the shoulder, making him yelp. He immediately cradled his arm, groaning as if she’d brutalized him.
“Can you stop being a dumbass?” she gripped the steering wheel, “Tell me what to do.”
“Get in the back seat.”
Her glare was fierce as he quickly amended, “Okay, okay, pull out this parking spot.”
“Okay.” she pressed the gas pedal only for the car to make a loud ‘vroooom’ sound but not move.
“It’s not moving.” she stated.
He was laughing, “Because you didn’t change the gear.”
“You didn’t tell me that!”
The maid opened the door for them and they walked through. Gojo’s laughter filling the lobby.
He shook his arm around Geto’s shoulders, “Suguruuu, don’t be jealous.”
Geto shouldered him off, “I’m not jealous.”
Ara walked in after them, eyes glued to her phone.
The maid faced them, “Gojo sir, I must inform you your Dad is here. He’s currently in the gardens.”
Gojo’s grin immediately faltered, “He is?”
The maid nodded.
His voice deadpanned, “When did he come?”
“Less than an hour ago, sir.”
“Hmm,” he nodded subtly, “Thanks Macy.”
Macy merely nodded before excusing herself. Ara caught Geto’s tense expression.
Gojo spoke first, “You guys can chill in my room. I won’t be long.”
She stepped up to Gojo, “What’s wrong?”
A small smile found its way to the corner of his lip, “Nothings wrong,” his hand slipped up the side of her face, “Just wasn’t expecting him that’s all.”
She searched his face, “Are you gonna be alright?”
His smile widened, “I’ll be perfect, baby.”
She stared out the window of Gojo’s study. Her hand tightening around the circular windowsill as her eyes raked the expanse of the well kept greenery before deciding it was useless. Wherever they were they wasn’t visible from her vantage point.
She was drawn from thoughts when a loud ‘thunk’ resounded from somewhere behind her.
She turned to see Geto with a book at his feet. He bent over to retrieve it, “Oops.”
She waited a brief moment, watching as he dusted off the cover before flipping it open-skimming the pages.
“Geto.”
He immediately glanced up, his eyes a silent ‘yes?’
“Is his Dad bad?”
He glanced sideways for a moment before asking, “Satoru hasn’t mentioned him?” The question wasn’t mocking, merely inquiring with a calmness that felt almost reassuring.
There was a beat of silence, “No.”
He shut the book in his hand, a light sigh escaping him, “I don’t like him, if that’s what you wanna know. You should let Satoru tell you the whole story though.”
“There’s a story?”
He smiled slightly, “Isn’t there always?”
The bedroom doors swung open, immediately making Ara’s head snap up from the book in her lap. She sat up on the bed just as Gojo entered. If he’d been stressed it was hard to tell because the second his eyes landed on her a wide grin swept across his lips.
He crawled onto the bed, easily crowding her space to kiss her neck before laying his head on her lap.
“Satoru.” She rested her hand on forehead, pushing his hair back, “How was it?”
He sighed, eyes flitting closed, “It was fine. He left—thank god.”
“You don’t like him?”
His eyes fluttered open, examining her. He rarely talked about his family and she wasn’t slow enough to believe that was just a coincidence.
He shook his head. His index finger twirling around a strand of her hair, “He wanted to see you.”
“He knows about me?” she asked, shocked.
His hand went still within her hair, “Everyone knows about you.”
She held his gaze for a moment, “So why didn’t you let him see me?”
She saw the corner of his mouth twitch, “Cuz you don’t like meeting new people.”
“..and?”
“Cuz he doesn’t deserve to yet.” His voice held more of an edge than she expected.
And that look in his eye…she hadn’t seen that on him in a while. It reminded her of when she’d struck him, the first night he had his way with her.
He took her hand from his forehead and slid it down to his cheek, lightly kissing her wrist as he did so.
“Let me explain,” he paused, as if gathering his thoughts–until his brows furrowed and he realized he wasn’t sure where to begin.
He played with her fingers as he spoke, “My Dad has a twin. Identical. But they couldn’t be more different–honestly.” he chuckled quietly.
“How?”
“I guess my Dad’s more likable–had this quality about him that made people want to listen. While my Uncle.. well, let's say he’s persuasive in his own way.”
He continued, “The point is. They competed with each other a lot-over everything and anything. My Dad thought of their competition as harmless fun but my Unc-not so much. He’ll never admit it though, if you ask him, but everyone knows.”
“Everyone?”
“Everyone in my family,” he clarified, before smirking up at her, “It’s gonna be your family too y’know so pay attention.”
She rolled her eyes, “What do you think I’m doing.”
He smiled slightly, “Anywho, Unc should’ve felt like he won this little competition since he was given full reins of the family business but I guess he still held a grudge. Dunno if it’s cuz Dad’s political success or Dad bein’ Gramps favorite–or Mom but-”
He cut himself off, “Right, so my Mom was actually a bet between Dad and Unc. She was Unc’s college crush and for fun they decided to see who could get with her. Dad won her over and they ended up falling in love. They got married but.. my Mom never got used to it-the politician life.”
He went on, “Dad’s career as the Director of National Intelligence was actually very strategic. It was something my Gramps wanted to get his eyes in on cuz oil refinery is more political than you might think, like they're some countries we weren't permitted to source from due to a bad political climate–even though our company is private. It was something Gramps wanted to work around and possibly manipulate—”
Ara blinked, “Wouldn’t that be illegal?”
“Just a little,” he smirked, “It wasn’t just that though, you’d have to ask Gramps the details–except he’s dead, but anyway~”
Ara’s eyes widened as he nonchalantly went on, “The beef between Dad and Unc really hit the fan a few months after Gramps died–which isn’t surprising cuz Gramps was sorta the mediator but.. I guess, it was inevitable.”
Despite his nonchalance she could tell his next words were harder for him to say, “So basically Unc had a business deal going with Israel, worth about $2 billion but since-everything going on politically, socially, you name it-Dad did not want to get involved, especially monetarily. But Unc didn’t agree, he wanted to juice as much money as he could since the US was sending Israel money anyway and he wanted a piece.”
He continued, “Dad knew he would try to see the deal through with or without his call so he started involving himself in the family business to supervise Unc which he was not happy about, so you can imagine they argued–a lot. At the office, at the house, everywhere. Dad ended up kicking Unc outta the house and threatened to hurt him if he came back.”
He sighed, “I didn’t know Dad kicked him out, I wasn’t there for that argument. Instead I was sad that Unc wasn’t coming around anymore cuz we usually hung out a lot. We hung out more than Dad and I did anyway.”
He shook his head, “I didn’t suspect anything when Unc called me to let him in so I did. We talked for a bit, caught up, he gave me a bottle of alcohol to give my Mom. I told him to give it to her himself but he said he wanted it to be a surprise for her and asked me to keep it a secret that he came by.”
She saw something flicker in his expression as he went on, he stopped playing with her fingers.
“Mom wasn’t in a great mental state–she never was, to be honest, not after marrying Dad. She hated the fame, paparazzi, everything that came with it but she tolerated it because she loved Dad. I-” Gojo never stuttered, “I didn’t know that she was an alcoholic because she hid it from me so well. She always acted happy when she was with me. She never wanted me to see her.. down. I didn’t know Unc and Dad helped her through the alcoholism and depression cuz I didn’t even know it was an issue.”
His voice was tight but he quickly recovered, “So I left the bottle on her vanity, just like he asked and she drank it all, breaking her sobriety of six months. Dad found her drunk and they started fighting–I didn’t realize they were arguing about her sobriety, I just thought he was mad she drank in general so I tried to intervene but Mom left the room once I got there. Dad and I ended up arguing but nothin' came of it cuz he basically told me to shut the fuck up and get out of his face.”
His bright blue eyes were somewhat dull as he glanced up at her, “I should tell you my Dad isn’t usually an asshole but when he’s mad he’s a different person. Everything ticks him off. He was.. in this mood for a while and Mom breaking her sobriety didn’t help. She started drinking a lot again and they were just yelling all the time. No one would tell me what was going on, Mom was pushing me away and I blamed Dad for it. It felt like he was mad at everyone for no reason and I wanted him to stop.”
He exhaled, “Unc came by again and I told him everything-about Mom and Dad fighting.. how it was.. getting to me. Unc asked me why they were fighting and I told him I didn’t know. Unc then asked me if Dad was hitting Mom and I realized I wasn’t sure. But the theory made sense because why else would Mom avoid me? She probably didn’t want me to see her bruises or marks and explain that Dad did them.”
“Obviously this theory made 10 year old me extremely upset so Unc’s solution was to give me his gun. He told me the next time I overheard Mom and Dad fighting to wave it around to scare Dad off-”
Ara’s eyes widened, “What–he gave a gun to a kid? What type of solution is that?”
A low, dry laugh left him, “At the time it made sense to me cuz Unc and I used to go hunting together and all that but he also told me Dad kicked him out the estate so I kinda did want to scare him some way cuz he really felt like public enemy 1. It felt like he was tearing the family apart.”
He ran a hand through his hair, “That night…when I was in bed I heard Mom scream–and a shit ton of thrashing. I didn’t think, I grabbed the gun and ran. I saw Dad on top of somebody, throwing punches and I-I didn’t–” he spoke through gritted teeth before exhaling, “I didn’t mean to hit him.”
Her eyebrows skyrocketed, “You shot your Dad?”
“I did. Straight through the head.”
Ara’s jaw dropped, “But wait-but your Dad.. he’s still ali-”
He squeezed her hand, “Listen, listen. I thought he was on top of Mom, beating her but it turns out he was on top of my Uncle. Mom was just in the room, yelling at him to stop because I guess my Uncle just showed up uninvited.”
He stared at her, fingers tightening around hers, “My Dad died that night. I didn’t know what the hell to do. I was freaking out but Unc came up with a plan.”
He closed his eyes, “Unc said he would take the blame. He told us to tell the cops that he snuck into the estate-which he did-and that he tried to hurt Dad but then Dad shot him. Except he would pretend that he was Dad. And that the man who died was Unc.”
She was astounded, “So… your Uncle pretended to be your Dad?”
He nodded, “Yes, and he still is. The world currently thinks my Dad is alive.”
Ara was speechless as he continued, “No one else knows because Unc and Dad are identical twins. Same blood type and-miraculously-same fingerprints, etc.”
She blinked as he sat up beside her, not letting go of her hand.
He looked at her expression with a small knowing smile, “I know you have questions.”
She glanced over at him, “Why did he do that? Did he not want you to face any repercussions?”
He nodded, “I thought he was protecting me but now I know he schemed it all. He manipulated me.”
Ara’s eyes widened, “How do you know?”
“He knew about my mom’s alcoholism and told me to give her a bottle. He sneaks into the estate and causes drama the same night he gives me a gun? A gun with the safety off?” He shakes his head, “It's not a coincidence at all.”
“If he wanted to kill your Dad, why couldn’t he just kill him himself?”
“That would’ve got him nowhere but jail. But making me do it gives him all the leverage. Pretending to be Dad to protect me gives him everything he wants. My mom, Dad’s position-his connections, the family business—all in his lap.”
He laughed dryly to himself, “Well the only thing he didn’t get for long was Mom. She killed herself.”
“What?!” she exclaimed in shock.
“It was two weeks after Dad died. Found her body in the pond by the gardens. She overdosed on prozac.”
“Prozac?” Ara gasped, “the antidepressant?”
He nodded, a small sad smile spreading across his lips, “Ironic isn’t it.”
She was silent for the longest moment, processing it all. She almost couldn’t believe it was real. It felt like the plot of some really dark CEO drama but this was reality. His reality—his life. He’d only been 10 years old. A ten year old murderer.
“I wanted to believe Unc had something to do with her death.. but I know he would never hurt her. He loved her.. She left me on her own.”
Her eyes widened. This was the saddest she’d ever seen him. His eyes glossier than normal, his jaw clenched tight and yet his lips were twisted in a bitter smile.
“I would’ve done anything she asked. We could’ve taken Unc down together but she left me.”
She squeezed his hand, “Toru-“ she murmured.
“Isn’t it funny? I feel like I found out more about her after she died. All her thoughts were in her diary, everything. If she’d just told me when she was alive-I could’ve—“ he shook his head, a shiny tear slipped down his cheek, “I don’t kn-I-“
“Stop.” she pulled him into her chest, “Stop.”
He sagged into her smaller frame, clutching her waist so tight she nearly lost her breath. For the first time in her life, she felt him trembling.
Her small fingers raked through his hair, “You were just a kid. How were you supposed to know everything she was going through? She probably didn’t tell you because she wanted to protect you.”
His arms wrapped around her tighter, “She could’ve protected me by staying alive.”
Her hand went still in his hair, “Don’t you know already, adults are selfish.”
She then realized that maybe that wasn’t the most constructive thing to say.
“I’m sorry, I meant-“
“No, you're right.” his voice was muffled in her sweater, “They are selfish. Everyone is. You have to be in this world.”
He laughed softly to himself, “Eat or be eaten.”
She shook her head, clutching his chin to make him look up, “I don’t know about all that but you have to know that her.. doing that isn’t your fault-“
“Doing what? Killing herself?”
Ara’s mouth opened partially before closing. Then opening again, “Yes.”
He smiled faintly, “You can say it y’know. She killed he-“
She flinched-snapping, “Stop, it’s not a joke.” her hands tightened around his face, “what i-i’m saying is that it’s not your fault. It was her choice. She knew the consequences. You don’t have to agree with her but you have to respect it.”
She cupped his face more gently, “It doesn’t make you any less of a person, it’s what you do now that counts. She’s still watching over you.”
His gaze seemed distant, “She’ll get her justice.”
Ara blinked, “Justice?”
His eyes suddenly sharpened, “My uncle. I still need him. I don’t know how to run the business myself yet.”
Her eyes widened, “What—y-you don’t mean kill him, right?”
Suddenly a wicked grin appeared upon his lips. He leaned close, his lips brushing over hers, “Some things are worse than death, kitten.”
She gently rubbed the face mask across her cheeks. It was a yummy baby pink color and smelled rather delicious. strawberry poundcake. it already made her skin feel cool with one application.
She used the little tool it came with to scoop more product and apply it to her forehead only to flinch when she saw Gojo in the bathroom. he stood with his back to the door, arms crossed. a crooked smile on his lips.
“Hey kitten~”
She shook her head, “I hate you.”
He grinned, making his way towards her, “You love mee.”
He stood behind her, his hands interlaced behind himself. He bent down to kiss her on the head but she moved out of his way.
“Why do you like scaring me?” she grumbled, rubbing in her face mask with a bit more ferocity.
“heh. it’s not my fault you're as unaware as a baby chick.” He held her shoulders and kissed her temple-where her face mask hadn’t been applied yet.
She shoved him off, “toru! my face mask.”
It seemed a bit of the mask had landed on the tip of his nose. he wiped it away with his thumb, looking at it curiously, “mmm, smells yummy.”
She raised a brow as he continued to stare at the blob on his finger and gripped his wrist the second he brought his finger towards his lips.
“Are you stupid? it’s not edible.”
She grabbed a nearby hand towel and hastily wiped it off his finger before tossing the towel somewhere on the counter.
He watched silently as she continued applying the face mask on her face. His eyes glowing with curiosity.
“What’s it supposed to do?”
“Make you poreless.”
He picked up the face mask jar to read the description just as she’d been reaching for some more. She sucked her teeth impatiently.
He slid the jar back to her. He blinked innocently, “Can I use some?”
“No.”
“Whyyyy~”
“Cuz you're already poreless.”
That made him grin. He touched the sides of his face as he leaned towards the mirror, “Am i?”
She rolled her eyes. It was too early for his buffoonery. This was supposed to be self-care sunday. emphasis on self. And she’d told him that, yet here he was.
He leaned against the bathroom counter, facing her with a mischievous glint in his eyes, “If you wanted a face mask you could’ve jus asked me.”
Her brows furrowed-confused-only to freeze when she realized. She grimaced, “Your nasty as hell.”
“Oh come on~”
She shoved him as he neared her, “Stop. You're actually annoying me.”
“Araaaa~”
“Stop.”
“Okay, okay fine. I’ll stop. I promise.”
“Promise what.”
“Not to annoy you.”
“Then why are you coming closer to me?”
He tugged her close, resting his chin atop her head. Her small frame easily fitting into his chest.
“Because i wanna be near you ‘kay?”
He kissed the corner of her neck, his hands gently squeezing her shoulders. She sighed.
He stared at her in the mirror as she continued to finish up the last of the face mask. His hands running up and down her arms repeatedly. the action oddly reassuring.
He kissed the top of her head, “Last night was fun right?” he muttered into her hair.
She blushed at the memory, “y-yeah.”
There were two things she found out last night. 1, Haibara knew how to throw a party. 2, never play hide and seek with Gojo. He’d pick the best hiding spot and no one would find you both, leaving you open to your demise at his hands.
Ara couldn’t walk after.
He smirked slightly, “What was your favorite part?”
She thought it over, “hmm probably when Geto shot all those bottles in a row. I didn’t think his aim was that good. oh! and that drink Shoko made, um, what’s it called-“
“Espresso martini.”
“Yes! That was soo good.”
his smirk widened as he nuzzled her head, “You drank a lot of green tea shots too.”
She nodded.
He kissed the crown of her head, “You look so good knocking shots back.”
She reddened, mumbling, “Shut up.”
He squeezed her shoulders once more, “Aren’t you gonna ask me my favorite part?”
She reddened more, “No.”
His arms slipped around her shoulders, squeezing her into him, “Pleaseeee~~~”
“Ah! toru! let go-“
He hugged her tighter.
“aHh! i can’t breathe. fine, fine!”
“Yayyy.” he loosened his hold on her and she smacked his arm.
“You promised not to annoy me.”
“Oopsies,” he grinned while staring at her ass as she bent down to pick up her fallen hair brush.
When she stood up, he placed his hands on her hips. pressing his groin right against her ass. She gasped, freezing the second she felt his erection.
He nipped at her ear, “My favorite part was holding your hips, just like this,” his fingers squeezed her hips, “and watching your ass bounce on my cock in that tiny little closet. Hearing your cute lil whimpers cuz you wanna keep quiet so bad. always so scared of getting caught-“
She faltered forward, her hands flat against the bathroom counter as he began to thrust his hard-on into her. as if his jeans and her towel weren’t in the way.
He nipped at her nape, leaving love bites along her soft skin. as if it wasn’t decorated enough.
“Your pussy gets wet so fast, kitten. everytime i fuck you your pussy makes such slutty sounds. mm-“
She gasped when the tip of his clothed cock rubbed against her bare pussy. It seemed he discovered that she wasn’t wearing anything under her towel. She saw his bright blue eyes go wide in the mirror's reflection before a devious smirk spread across his lips.
Just as she felt his hands tighten over her towel-a millisecond from ripping it off. She shoved him back.
“No!” she held her towel tightly to her chest, “Toru, please. we barely slept all night. I can’t—i can’t go another round.” she begged desperately.
“Aww~” he whined, before slipping his arms around her. Her hands on his chest weakly pushing him back. “Come on.”
“I’m gonna pass out.”
“You won’t.”
“Toru, seriously.” she looked up at him, “How can you even want to get freaky when i have this on my face.”
“You think a little face mask could stop my dick from getting hard?”
His eyes dropped to her lips, “If anything it jus makes me harder.”
Her eyes narrowed.
He pouted, “Next time you want a face mask just ask me ‘kay?”
She shoved him-successfully getting out of his hold this time, “Not happening.”
She began to clear up the bathroom counter, putting her skincare where it belonged. She glanced at him in the mirror’s reflection. she watched him tug at the belt of his pants, adjusting himself.
“C’monnn, mine probably has more natural benefits anyway.”
She looked at him incredulously, “Oh yeah? And what natural benefits would there be?”
He grinned, “my face mask is edible.”
She rolled her eyes, continuing to put stuff away, “Stop talking.”
He leant behind her, speaking in her ear, “Don’t act like you don’t like the taste. You always lick it up like your hungry-“
“Only because you feed it to me.” she spat.
She met his gaze in the reflection. fear immediately blooming in her gut the second she saw the fire in his eyes.
Before he could move she darted around him, running straight out the bathroom. The second he moved to chase her, the bathroom door slammed shut in his face. He heard it lock from the outside.
“Ara!!” he whined, pushing at the door, “Ara!!”
“Ara.”
“Hm.” she barely looked up from her laptop. She was surprisingly focused for being outdoors. She wasn’t usually the type to study that well outside but something about the calm, breezy air of the estate’s gardens seemed to offer her enough solace to study.
He’d also been studying too but-of course-he finished whatever he had to do before her.
“Why’d you get a new phone?”
She froze, finally glancing up from her macbook to look at him. He was sitting on the fountain’s edge, with a loose black long sleeve and matching pants on.
He took off his sunglasses, letting the sunlight hit his eyes in a way that truly made them seem crystalline. He appeared apathetic but she knew he wouldn’t have asked if he wasn’t curious. She was just surprised he’d noticed that out of all of her purchases. She hadn’t even shown him the new phone yet. but of course, she wasn't naive enough to believe any of her purchases were unsupervised. whether he was there or not.
He raised a brow at her silence.
“Oh-um-well. I wanted to give it to my dad.”
“Oh!” he then paused before tilting his head, “And how do you plan on giving it to him?”
“I… i haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”
She’d just made the purchase yesterday.
“I can have Ijichi drop it off to his mailb-“
“No, no. It’s okay. I want to give it to him when I’m ready. or I’ll just keep it as a business phone.”
He grinned before singing, “i got two phones one for the plug and one for the load, i got two phones one for the bit—“ (a/n: he's singing 2 phones by kevin gates)
She shook her head, face-palming herself, “Please shut up.”
He threw his arms around her, squeezing her oh so tight before dropping his bags and hoisting her legs around his waist. He supported her with one arm around her ass before beaming up at her.
“We won the game! We won—“
She cupped his face, pressing a short kiss to his lips, “I’m proud of you baby.”
She saw a light flush crawl across his cheeks. His brilliant eyes searching her face, “Yeah?”
She felt his arm tighten around her bum. “Should we celebrate?” he asked, “Let’s travel somewhere, out of the countr-“
“No.”
“-try. Any country. You haven’t been out of America yet right? Let’s-“
“No, Toru, stop.”
He pouted, “C’monn. Don’t be lame. You don’t wanna travel with me?”
“I never said that.”
“Then why?”
“You want to celebrate your high school basketball game win by going out of the country?” she smacked his forehead with her palm, “We have school tomorrow idiot.”
“So? We’ll tell em it was an educational leave.”
“Educational leave?”
“Yeah..” his eyes dropped to her shapely tits in her school uniform, “for anatomy or something.”
She shoved his shoulder, “Yeah, I never want to travel with you.”
“What?!”
“Put me down.”
As she twisted in his hold, her tits inadvertently got in his face and he immediately opened his mouth to playfully bite one of them. She shoved his face back.
“Put me down!”
Geto sighed, shaking his head from behind them, “I hate third wheeling.”
Ara twisted in the sheets. Her eyelids squinting together as she tried to sleep but sleep wasn’t coming to her. It just wasn’t.
She threw the blanket off frustratedly. She adjusted her pillow before lying back against the headboard, half-sitting. She reached out to grab her phone from the nightstand only to frown when she realized the time.
1:07 am
She glanced at the empty spot in bed beside her. She was silent for a long moment before glancing back at her phone to see that she didn’t have any new text messages.
He should’ve been back by now.
She opened youtube on her phone. trying to distract herself.
1:43 am
She opened netflix on her phone. an episode of gossip girl might be fun.
2:35 am
She closed out of netflix, unable to ignore her frustration. She opened her phone app. Her thumb hovering over his contact name.
Suddenly the bedroom door opened, making her jolt.
Gojo entered the barely lit room, immediately shuffling out of his jacket and tossing it onto the couch before making his way towards the bed. She watched him shake his head, droplets of water spraying here and there as if he’d just showered.
He silently removed his phone and wallet from his pocket, quietly setting it down on the nightstand before his striking eyes met hers. His face brightened.
“Oh you're up?”
“Where were you.”
He blinked at the seriousness of her tone.
“Where were you?”
A slow grin spread across his lips, “You worried about me?”
She sat up, “I said, where were you?”
“I was at Geto’s, kitten. I told you I’d be there.”
“Why are you wet?”
He sat down on the bed, “I was in his pool for a bit.”
He crawled towards her, she leaned back into the headboard.
“Then why do you smell like soap?”
“I showered after. I hate smelling like pool water.”
He leaned over to kiss her on the neck but she stopped him by pressing a hand to his shoulder.
She glared, “You smell like perfume.”
He blinked, “What?”
Her glare intensified, shoving him back.
“Wait-kitten,” he let out a small chuckle, “I don’t smell like perfume.”
“Don’t gaslight me.” she snapped.
His eyes widened at her tone but there was mischief in his gaze, “I’m not.”
“Smell your fucking shirt.”
He held up a corner of his shirt and smelt it. A smile broke out across his face, “Its Shoko’s. She hugged me before I left.”
Just as an insult nearly left her lips, she paused. He was right. She recognized that perfume–it was Shoko’s signature scent.
Her face reddened, “So you can hug girls but I can’t hug guys?”
A sly smirk lit his lips before he crawled on the bed towards her. He grabbed her leg, dragging her underneath him.
“Jealously looks so fucking sexy on you,” his eyes raked her up and down, making her feel devoured simply by that action. he pulled at the thin strap of her nightgown, “especially in this—“
She slapped his hand away, “don’t touch me.”
His hand slipped around her throat, “You think i fucked another girl, hm? Think I fucked her nice and hard and showered at her place?”
She felt her heartbeat fasten, her pulse throbbing in his firm grip. He bent lower above her. The tips of his damp hair scraping her forehead.
“You think another girl can take me like you do? Think another girl’s pussy can wrap around me so tight that I think my dick’s gonna get stuck inside? Think another pussy could squirt back to back like it’s begging to be creamed?”
She turned away, but his hand on her throat tightened. His thumb and index finger rested on her jaw and forced her to look up at him.
“No, Ara. No is the answer.”
He released her neck, sliding his hand down the front of her body. When she writhed, his other hand gripped the hair at the crown of her head in a fist. She gasped.
He cupped her pussy through the thin nightgown. She cried out. He gripped her cunt so tight, she didn’t understand how the entirety of his hand managed to cup it all.
“This is the only pussy i want.”
He yanked her nightgown up to her hips, easily slipping his hand into her underwear. His thumb found her clit and she jerked.
“Toru-!” she mewled.
He began to rub her clit in vigorous circles, “This is the only pussy that drives me insane. Only cunt i wanna ram into again n again, I can nut in you every single second of my life and it still wouldn’t be enough.”
She let out a strangled moan, her back arching as his pace slowed around her clit. He gently pressed the hard nub at a painstakingly slow pace, sending electric currents through her body.
She gasped with each press.
“Look at you, Ara, look at you.” his long white eyelashes fluttered as he looked down at her, a light pink flush across his cheeks.
Her eyes were squinted shut. a yummy pinkish red color on her cheeks. her nightgown was practically see through. She must’ve known because she wore a cloth bra-that barely contained her tits-underneath and matching underwear. He remembered picking that nightgown.
She looked so fucking delicious.
“You don’t even know how sweet your pussy tastes. It can make a sane man mad. It made me mad.”
His fingers gradually picked up the pace over her clit—knowing her weakness. knowing her pleasure.
Her legs trembled. She gripped his shoulders, back arching but he gripped her hair to keep her on the bed.
“torutorutoruTORUUUUUU!!!”
She squirt all over him, her juices flying into the air. wetting his shirt, his jeans, the sheets, everything.
Her body trembled, convulsing as she felt her inner thighs get sticky from her mess. Her pussy throbbing from her release. He always knew how to make her feel so fucking good.
Her eyes fluttered open, breathless, as she looked up at him. He wasn’t smiling but the gleam in his eyes was enough. It was enough to make her feel like nothing but a doll just made for him.
She jerked when she felt his fingers slide into her pussy, feeling up her gummy insides. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders, she was already so sensitive.
"Toru..” she gasped out.
He took his fingers out, watching her juice separate on his fingers as he spread them. He seemed lost, as if entranced.
“This… this makes me insane.”
He stuck both fingers in his mouth, cleanly licking her juices off them in one go before lowering himself to her pussy.
She tried to close her legs, “toru—wait!”
He buried his face between her legs, sucking her clit with the entirety of mouth—suctioning her clit perfectly with his tongue. sucking the resistance right outta her.
Her back arched against the bed as she cried out.
“nghhh!! toru-huuu-nghh” she was already so sensitive down there, god please, what is he doing?
He flicked at her clit with his tongue a few times before doing what he ultimately wanted. he lowered his face, burying his tongue into her wet cunt. She was a sopping wet mess down there. one that he couldn’t wait to fuck the sense into.
His tongue slid in and out of her, making her body jerk and tremble with her moans. She grabbed his hair, she couldn’t take it. something about his tongue always felt so fucking different—so fucking good.
She was throwing her head side to side, “toru! toru!! please, please!! enough!!”
He was licking her pussy like a madman. drinking her fucking juice straight from her cunt like he’d been thirsting for it all his life. She couldn’t deal with this. it was too much.
Her legs shook as his tongue fucked into her, as if trying to taste all of her, all the way to inside of her soul.
She glanced down between her legs. at her hand in his soft white hair, at his eyes—glued to her pussy as if lost in a trance until suddenly, his eyes flickered upto her.
He lightly bit her clit.
She erupted. Her head flung back and her hands gripped his hair so tightly, refusing to let him go anywhere else. pleasure burst through her like a bomb had been ripped inside her body. she couldn’t breathe.
It didn’t help that he was licking up everything that poured out of her at lightspeed. as if he couldn’t let a drop go to waste. as if he had to drink it all to survive. she was already so sensitive now, this was too much—
she gathered as much strength as she could-despite feeling so weak-and managed to push his head back.
“stop, toru. stop.” she spoke in between gasps. she was dizzy from pleasure.
he finally sat up, in between her legs. the lower half of his face wet from her juices. he licked his lips before letting his tongue sweep around his mouth. he then wiped the lower half of his face with his hand, gathering her remaining wetness with it before licking it off his palm.
He didn’t break eye contact with her once. She shivered.
He grabbed the hem of his shirt, easily tossing it off before spreading her legs. She shivered once more, her legs looked so small compared to his large hands on her thighs. compared to his broad shoulders that he was lifting her legs on top of.
His hair was a mess from her fingers and that look in his eyes was anything but innocent. it was depraved.
“You still think i wanna cheat on you?” he asked, his voice cold.
She flinched when she felt his cock head touch her pussy lips.
“C-condom, toru,” she rasped out, her voice barely audible, “Condom.”
He hissed, as if annoyed that she remembered. or maybe at the fact that she was sane enough to.
He reached towards the nightstand, hastily grabbing a condom and tearing it open. He didn’t waste any time putting it on before spreading her legs once again.
He placed his cock atop her navel, looking in satisfaction as the tip of his cock went an inch past her belly button. He felt her shiver sensitively.
He glanced down at her flushed face, her trembling lips and that look in her eyes. that fear mixed with want. He knew she wanted it, no matter how much she denied it. She had to have. That face is begging for it.
He could feel her juices on his balls when he rested his cock on top of her like this. He couldn’t wait to see his cockhead bulge inside her tummy either.
He grabbed her throat, before slamming his cock into her in one brutal thrust. The weak sound that left her made his cock throb with the need to cum. Her eyes rolled into her head and he was grinning like a lunatic before losing all focus when her pussy squeezed the life out of him.
He glanced down at the little bulge in her tummy. groaning as he felt her delicious tiny walls restricting his cockhead. her walls curling around him as if it could suppress him from moving.
He touched the bulge at her tummy, he groaned as he felt his cock twitch. She suddenly grabbed his hand, “Toru, please—please-don’t be rough.”
He grabbed her wrist and pinned it to bed, fucking into her as mercilessly as he wanted. Fuck, her pussy felt so good. so hot. so fucking wet.
She screamed as he spoke into her cheek, “You wouldn’t even know if i fucked another girl would you? You don’t even have my location on, you never asked.”
“nghhh—ngh-ngh!! toru!”
His thrusts were hard, fast and deep.
“You don’t even check my phone as much as I check yours. You barely question me.”
His pace picked up. She screamed. She was going to break.
Her nails dug into his arm, “stop! stop! it hurts—you're gonna break me.”
He gritted his teeth, delivering another round of ruthless thrusts before finally slowing down. Her pulse fluttered rapidly in her throat. she could barely think.
“Maybe I should break you.” he whispered against her lips, he thrusted into her once. letting his cock hit her womb. She cried out.
“Maybe that’ll make you care about me.”
He ground the tip of his cock into her, making her wince.
Her neck arched in his hold, “toru…”
“ah,” his cock twitched as he stared down at her, “You sound so sweet.”
His hand tightened around her throat as he fucked another powerful thrust into her. She yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks. She could feel his cock throbbing inside her.
“Maybe I stayed out later on purpose..”
He pulled out slightly, “Maybe I showered so you could get the wrong idea..”
He pulled out a little more, “Maybe I sprayed Shoko’s perfume to see if you even noticed.”
He slammed back into her, making her moan. She scratched at his arm while her other hand struggled against his grip on her wrist.
She shook her head back and forth as he began to deliver short fucks with most of his cock inside her. She felt his tip hit her deepest part inside, making her whimper and shake all over.
Her eyes fluttered opened, staring up at his focused expression, “Toru, please, please-“ her voice broke. she felt so full.
“Please what.” he snapped, his pace picking up, “You never get jealous, Ara, ever. Do you know how insane that makes me?”
His hips smacked into her with each thrust, “I get jealous when you talk to another man—when you stand near another man. Even when you look at another man—haah, I must be crazy.”
He was fucking into her ferociously now. Her body shaking from the pressure of his fucks, her body getting buried deeper and deeper into the bed.
She writhed under him, her free hand pulling at his hair, “Toru—please! slow-slow down—nghhhh!”
He let go of her throat to grab her tits. squeezing it hard in his one hand. letting his fingers sink into the entirety of her perky yet soft breast.
He nipped at her throat, “Maybe you know I won’t cheat cuz of how obsessed I am.”
He suddenly squeezed her tit hard making her wince and look down at him. His blue eyes were hazy with lust.
“But i can’t be the only one obsessed.”
She screamed as he fucked her-impossibly-harder. her insides sqlueching with her juices as her cunt tried to keep up with him but in the end she gave out. the last thing she felt was his warm cum spurt inside of her. loads and loads of it, as his cock twitched within her depths.
She sighed at the feeling of her hair being stroked before her eyes opened in a panic.
She was met with Satoru’s big ocean blue eyes staring back at her. He was lying right beside her, facing her while she lay chest-down on the bed.
“How do you feel?”
She moved to shift her legs but winced.
“Achey.”
He smiled slightly, repeating her words, “Achey?”
She nodded.
“You want water?”
She nodded.
He sat up easily, reaching over to grab the glass from the nightstand and offering it to her.
She tried to sit up, only to immediately crumple back at the action. Her face pinched up in pain.
His eyes widened before setting the glass down, “S’okay baby, I got you.”
He propped his pillow up on the headboard and slowly pulled her up against him so that they were half sitting, half lying down.
He then handed her the glass. He watched her attempt to hold it but her hands shook—shook so badly she could barely hold the glass.
He slipped the glass out of her fingers. She sighed weakly, leaning into his shoulder.
“I’m-i’m thirsty.” she whispered.
“I know kitten.” he replied gently before taking a rather large sip of water himself.
He then held her chin and brought her lips to him and let her drink. She drank from him. It was absurd but his hand on her chin made her less shaky. Their lips on each others made her more stable.
He gave her a peck when she finished.
“More?” he asked.
She nodded.
They did it once more, his mouth holding the water for her to drink. Maybe she was in too much of a daze from their sex to even question it but god, water never tasted better.
But it didn’t end there.
Once the water was gone from his mouth it should’ve ended there but he couldn’t seem to let go of her lips. and neither could she. his hand on her chin keeping her lips to his as his tongue sweeped her mouth. a low groan leaving him.
She broke the kiss, breathless. Her hand coming to rest on his chest as she pushed him away slightly.
“Toru.”
His arm slipped around her back, squeezing her hip as if to keep her close. He kissed her along her jaw.
“Just to keep the record straight, I didn’t stay out late on purpose.” he kissed her shoulder, “I did swim and shower and hug Shoko goodbye. I shoulda texted that I was gonna be out later but I didn't expect to, honest.”
She shifted beside him, silently letting him kiss her until he grabbed her chin and made her face him.
“Okay?” he asked.
“Yeah.” she sighed.
He scanned her before smiling faintly, “I love seeing you worry about me though.”
He reached over to squeeze one of her tits, making her shiver, “It makes me so hard.”
When she felt her nipple harden under his palm she glanced down at herself. Only to freeze when she saw she was naked under the sheets.
She looked over at him in a panic, “Why am I naked?”
He spoke from the crook of her neck, his hand still fondling her tit, “cuz we’re not done yet.”
He began to nip at her neck, she knew they’d be marks but that was the least of her worries. Her gaze dropped down to the tent in the blanket, right where his groin would be.
He suddenly pinched her nipple, making a low weak moan leave her lips.
Ara wandered into one of the living rooms. This one had the best lighting in her opinion, perfect for reading. just as she walked towards the couch she froze.
“Oh!” it was maid Marin, standing on the other side of the room with a vacuum beside her.
“I’m sorry to startle you, Miss.” Marin bowed her head slightly.
Ara waved her hand, “Oh no, you're good!”
“I’ll head on to another room-“
“No please, don’t worry about it.” Just as she turned around to bolt somewhere else, Marin quickly spoke.
“Please, miss, continue as you were. I just finished.”
Ara slowly turned around, belatedly noticing that the floor looked spotless. she’d thought marin was just about to get started.
“oh, um, thank you.”
Ara walked towards the couch, hesitantly getting comfortable on it before flipping through her book trying to find where she’d left off. She’d lost her bookmark for it.
Surprisingly a light laugh left marin, “You don’t have to try make my life easier you know, that’s my job.”
Ara immediately glanced up, confused.
Marin was looking at her rather fondly, “You leave your room the cleanest I’ve ever seen it. Do you put away his clothes as well?”
Ara blinked, belatedly realizing that… she did. but it wasn’t on purpose. It was because Gojo was an actual mess. He was terribly comfortable with tossing his clothes anywhere and misplacing random things after using it—which was the worst because she liked to keep things in a rather meticulous order at times. things had to be in a certain place.
Which was why his hastily tossed aside clothes in random corners of the room would not do. neither would his half-open drawers. or misplaced colognes or-god, i could really go on.
But she supposed the main reason for her minute attention to the room was because it felt ungrateful-it felt ungrateful to leave such a lavish space messy.
“Miss Natsuna?”
She snapped out of her thoughts, “Yes-um-please call me Ara.”
The maid shook her head gently, “That won’t do.”
Ara eyed her as unobtrusively as she could. This was nicest she’d ever seen Marin act with her. The older woman was usually reserved. She usually saw her in passing, as she did with the other maids or workers of the estate. But Marin was the one she interacted with the most and even that was seldom.
“I’d like you to know that I’m grateful. I’m grateful that you're here.”
Ara’s eyes widened.
“Sir gojo was barely home before you moved here but now he is here all the time. He seems so much brighter as well, more lively. He was always energetic since he was a boy but this is different. He’s so happy with you.”
She could tell the woman meant her words. Whether it be because of the care in her voice or the genuineness of her words-all she knew was that this maid really did care about Gojo.
“It’s all his Mother ever wanted for him, for him to be happy.”
Marin offered her a small smile-the first Ara had ever seen.
“I’m happy he met you.” she paused, “Please take good care of him.”
Ara stabbed her sausage with a fork.
“So… Gojo’s birthday is coming up.”
Ara’s eyes flickered upto Millie across from her. “Is it?”
“Of course I know.” she responded, annoyance clear in her tone.
Idiot Haibara wouldn’t shut up about it. He was unnecessarily hype that it would be her first time attending Gojo’s bday bash. Apparently something ‘wild’ happens every year. When she asked him to give an example, she was told to ‘wait and see’ with the most goofiest smile on his face.
As if she couldn’t just ask Gojo herself.
Unfortunately she knew Haibara was right. In the previous years she remembered her fellow peers raving about his birthday parties in the following school days. Whether it be live singer or a yacht party, his bday party was the social event for these airheads.
She supposed she was one of the airheads now herself, since she was dating the biggest one.
“Well what are you gonna give him for his birthday?”
“That’s the thing, I don’t know. What do you get someone who has everything?” Ara took a frustrated bite out of her sausage.
Millie placed her chin on her hand, “Hmm that’s true.” she squinted as if mulling over a few things but then dismissing them, “Damn, he really does have everything.”
“Thanks for the help.” Ara responded sarcastically before taking another bite from her sausage.
Millie eyed the sausage jealously. She’d devoured hers in two seconds. She loved how the school chef made them—suddenly her eyes widened.
“Wait.”
“What?” Ara asked.
Millie smirked, her eyes glinting with excitement, “He technically doesn’t have everything..”
Ara stepped out of the car feeling like a doll. Even though it was Gojo’s big day he’d rented out an entire spa and massage sesh for her and Millie cuz he could tell she was getting anxious.
Maybe because everyone was hyping Gojo’s birthday party up or maybe because it was the fact so many people were going to be there, her introvert self couldn't take it.
but after everything. hair. nails. makeup. outfit. all put together—& maybe some hits from Millie’s j. She felt more calm-ish.
It was saturday, the night of Gojo’s party even though his actual birthday was tomorrow. It was taking place at the estate. He’d considered throwing it at one of his family’s beach houses but Shoko declined the idea due to the fact that Geto apparently did that last year so they had to keep it different.
Apparently Gojo didn’t host events often at the estate-mainly for security/privacy reasons. His uncle also hated it but-according to him-his Uncle's opinion didn’t really matter.
The last time he’d thrown a birthday bash here was freshman year so he counted it as a full circle moment since they were seniors now. so they had to go all out.
Ijichi closed the car door behind her and handed her her mini bag. “Mis-“ he quickly shook his head, “Ara.”
She raised a brow, “Yes?”
“Y-you look beautiful.”
She smiled shyly, “Thank you, Ijichi.”
Suddenly Millie tapped her shoulder, “C’mon c’mon lets go.”
Music could already be heard from the estate even though it was rather early. She supposed it was never too early to start. The sun was bound to set soon.
Ara glanced back at Millie, who was smiling wide as she took in the view of the estate. The place that had homed Ara for the past few months.
“The fact that you live here… insane.”
Ara shook her head, “I’m nervous.”
Millie rubbed her back, “Don’t worry. don’t worry. No one’s here yet. We have time to chill. besides you know how to party so don’t be a party pooper now.” she teased.
Ara rolled her eyes, “Thanks.”
His friends were in the living room—chilling and smoking. It seemed everyone had gotten the memo to dress nice aka hot.
Shoko passed her cigarette to Toji the second she saw Ara. She ran upto her.
“Hey hey!”
Ara hugged her back.
“When did you get here?” Millie asked.
“Oh, we got here like twenty minutes ago. Where were you guys?”
“Still getting ready.” Ara answered.
“Well, it was worth it because ya’ll look-“ she bit her lower lip, making the dumbest face she’d ever seen.
Millie laughed while Ara shook her head, “Please stop.”
Shoko grinned, “Did you guys have anything to drink yet?”
Millie snapped her fingers, “Nope. Imma need that.”
Shoko gestured towards the table in the center of the living room, “Knock yourself out.”
Millie zipped straight where she pointed. Shoko then turned to her, “What about you?”
Ara was silent for a moment, examining the room. Toji sat on the couch, his feet crossed over another and propped on the coffee table before him. Haibara was on his right, blabbing about something passionately that Toji clearly could give two shits about.
Then there was Nanami sitting on the sofa across from them. He’d gotten a hair cut and-if Ara’s vision wasn’t impaired-he seemed to have filled out a bit. It suited him.
“Where’s Gojo?”
“Oh him and Geto are upstairs, doing god knows what.” Shoko shook her head.
“Do you know how many people are coming?” she asked.
Shoko blinked, “Um.. no. Let’s just say this entire place is gonna be packed though.” she examined Ara with a raised brow, “What’s with you?”
“Nothing nothing. I’m just.. nervous.”
“What?! Why?”
Ara ran a hand though her perfectly done mermaid waves, “I don’t know.” she sighed.
“There’s got to be something.”
Ara straightened her posture, “I don’t know why.. I just feel this pressure in my-“ she gestured towards her stomach, “I can’t explain it.”
“Your anxious?”
“Yeah.” she sighed.
“You know, I think I know a cure.”
“Let me guess, a drink?”
“Damn,” Shoko grinned, “I'm predictable as hell aren’t I.”
Ara chuckled.
“Okay but listen, this drink is actually called ‘the cure’ and I invented it. All the girls love it, it’s fruity and yummy and it’ll prolly calm your nerves. Let me make it for you.”
“Don’t make it too strong please.”
“Of course, I got you.”
“Uno!” Ara spoke a millisecond earlier than Toji.
His sexy green eyes narrowed but she didn’t miss the subtle curl of humor on his lips, “Ah-fuck you.”
He drew four cards from the pile.
She felt a slight nudge to her left and glanced down to see Nanami outstretching his fist towards her in silent commemoration. She smiled, fist bumping him back.
Nanami had already won the round so now her and Toji were fighting for 2nd place.
“Alright, your turn.” Toji grumbled.
She glanced down at the yellow card with the number 9 at the top of the pile. She bit her cheek to hide her smile before kissing her card and setting it down atop the pile.
A green nine was her last card.
Toji sucked his teeth before tossing his pile of cards on the table.
“This a damn scam.”
“You owe her 10k.” Nanami added monotonously.
He leaned forward in his seat adamantly, “The hell’s she gonna do with 10k? Gojo literally gets her Birkins every other week.”
“Are you jealous of her gifts?” Nanami retorted, “Should she ask Gojo to get you one next?”
“eh?” Toji’s ears turned red, “Hell no.”
Ara held back her laugh while arranging the cards on the table in a neat pile, “A deals a deal-“
Suddenly a hand clasped her shoulder and she looked up to see Millie with a bright smile on her face. She handed her a glass.
Ara hesitantly took it, looking at the pinky orange liquid within it, “What’s this?”
Millie patted her shoulder, “A gift from Dr. Shoko aka the cure.”
oh right. She’d forgotten about that.
Millie glanced over at Nanami, “By the way, she’s looking for you.”
“Where is she?” he asked.
“In the kitchen.”
“Which one?”
Millie’s eyes nearly popped out of her body, “There’s multiple?”
“Yes.” Ara, Nanami and Toji all replied at the same time.
Millie sucked her teeth, “Jesus. Well, it’s the one with the blue marble countertops.”
“East wing.” Nanami muttered under his breath before getting up and leaving.
Millie quickly took his seat and held out her glass of the same drink.
“Cheers?” she asked Ara.
Ara could already tell by the glassy look in Millie’s eyes that the girl had clearly got a head start with the drinks.
Ara sucked in deep breath, “We don’t need a chaser?”
Millie ignored him, facing Ara, “Nope you barely taste the alc in this, for real.” she held her glass up, “C’mon, c’mon.”
Ara held out her glass, a satisfying ‘clink!’ resounding from their glasses once they touched. They then linked arms and tilted their heads back, downing the drink in one go.
They set the glasses down in a fit of giggles.
Ara lightly dabbed at the corner of her lip with her fingertips, making sure none of it spilled or messed up her lipstick.
“That just tastes like juice.” Ara noted.
“Told ya.” Toji replied.
If Ara had been nervous before, she barely remembered what that felt like now. What had she even been worried about? people? ha. She barely noticed when the house began to gradually fill up.
The music was all she could focus on. It felt like it was connected to her veins. pumping through her body with each soundwave that blasted from the speakers.
She was dancing, moving her hips in ways she didn’t even know was possible. Millie wouldn’t stop laughing and it seems her laugh was too contagious cuz Ara couldn’t stop laughing either.
But suddenly, the song changed and she saw Millie’s face turn serious. She grabbed Ara’s hand, leading her somewhere.
Millie climbed atop the pool table and pulled her up. She started yelling the lyrics, Ara handed her a pool stick as if it was a mic.
The surrounding people turned around, staring up at them and the next thing she knew people started to sing along, some people even started jumping. A few girls climbed on top of the pool table to join them as well.
Millie tossed the pool stick somewhere and started to dance with her. Ara only knew the chorus of the song so the second it started to play they both started pointing at each other and singing. (a/n: song is okay - by JT)
“I’m pretty than a motherfucker, hoes be lookin’ okay.”
“She think that she fuckin’ with me, is this bitch okay?”
“He said he ain’t fuckin’ round, i look at him like, okay?”
“I used to be down bad but now a bitch okay.”
Millie nearly tripped and Ara grabbed her shoulders, catching her just in time. They both gasped, staring at each other with wide eyes.
They both burst out laughing. In the midst of their laughter, they didn’t notice people cheering and making way for a certain individual.
No one other than the birthday boy himself, Gojo.
He stood a little distance away from the pool table, dapping a few people up as he passed before crossing his arms when he spotted her. A wide grin on his lips.
His vibrant eyes looked her up and down, before chewing at his lower lip and sighing.
She was wearing his favorite color on her. red—blood red. It looked so fucking good. Her dress hugged her waist so tight, those thin straps were barely holding in her yummy tits. He swore her skin glittered under the lights-and her hair, it looked so silky and wavy, swaying with each roll of her hips. She had to be a siren.
The thought of running his hands through those locks and wrapping it around his fist before spreading her glowy little legs. He wondered if her back was just as sparkly—haah. I need to calm down.
To say he was pent up wouldn’t cover it. He’d felt so utterly betrayed when she suggested that they hold off on sex before his birthday, just so he could cherish it more.
She’d suggested that he hold off for a week. Impossible. They broke that a day in. She should know he always cherished whenever they fucked. He never ran out of stamina with her and she knew it. He felt like this break was more for her than anything.
In the end he ended up only managing to hold out for two days, today being day two. He didn’t like it—not having her. Discipline wasn’t in his nature when it came to her. but-god-with the way she looked right now… mmm she better not expect to sleep tonight.
He felt an elbow jab his ribs and remembered himself. He glanced over at Geto.
“Get your shit together.”
Gojo grinned, uncrossing his arms to run a hand over his mouth, “I’m trying.”
Geto tilted his head, “Are you?”
“Gimme a sec.”
He deftly made his way towards her, standing in front of the pool table, right where she was. How distracted are you kitten? She barely looked away from Millie as they danced, enjoying the song to its fullest.
She looked so good, singing the words-word for word-fuck he was too impatient to wait. He wanted her eyes on him. She hadn’t even greeted him when she came back to the estate after getting dolled up all day.
His hand slid up her calf, immediately drawing her attention. She glanced down, her eyes instantly brightening.
The spark that ran up his spine was incomparable.
He stared up at her with a boyish grin, his hand sliding up along the back of her thigh and she leaned into him, placing her hand on his shoulder. He easily held her waist and placed her down in front of him.
He hummed, pressing her body to his by sliding his hands down her waist to her ass, squeezing her cheeks hard.
A small, sexy little yelp left her lips and he exhaled silently. She stared up at him, her hands on his chest, “Toru..” he heard the reproach in her tone until her gaze dropped to his lips.
She shook her head but he quickly cupped one side of her face. “Your lipstick..”
She smiled softly. Right. She’d gotten mad at him about that before. She tilted her head up, fully pressing her chest against his, “It’s waterproof.”
His lips crashed to hers, nearly swallowing her lips whole. The music silencing their sloppy, desperate sounds. Her hands grasped at his forearms and his hands squeezed her pretty waist. He could taste the alc on her tongue, it tasted fruity, sweet—
Her nails dug into his skin, pushing herself back.
“Toru..” she whined, resting her head on his chest.
He ran a hand down her hair before pressing his lips to the crown of her head. God, she’s so damn cute.
“Everytime I look at you I feel so lucky.” he muttered into her hair.
His hands found her hips, squeezing lightly as he looked down at her, “Do you know how good you look right now?”
She looked up at him, “I do.” she pressed her stomach to his groin to prove her point. His eyes widened. The action made his cock throb—painfully so. He’d been hard as a rock the second his eyes landed on her.
He grinned, “You wanna do something about it?”
She tilted her head, giving him a look.
“Fine, fine~” he pressed his forehead to hers, running a hand down her hair only to grasp her nape to drag her close. His lips at her ear, “You can’t drink too much.”
He felt her hands on his chest waver, “I won’t.”
“You promise?”
She slipped her hands around his neck, pulling back to nudge her nose against his, “I promise.”
He introduced her to a ton of people. She couldn’t possibly remember them all-but to her shock, Gojo was friends with so many nepobabies, celebrities and LA influencers, it was incredulous. She couldn’t believe they’ve never talked about it before.
She never thought in her life she would ever meet these people. and the fact that some of their classmates were talking to these celebrities as if they were friends… as if they’ve met them before. She couldn’t believe it.
Like genuinely in what world did Gojo know David Beckham’s son, Romeo? or Monica Bellucci’s daughter?
She’d done her best to remain as calm as possible whenever Gojo introduced her to these people. He loved saying it—“this my girlfriend, Ara.”
She was almost sick of hearing it so many times but she knew he ate it up. The little smile he gave her whenever he said it, he loved claiming her like this.
His arm was on her back, his hand resting low on her hip as he spoke to an actual prince-Prince Nikolai of Denmark to be exact. Then randomly, Vinnie Hacker joined their conversation. She felt like she was watching the mogging olympics. She couldn’t even focus on the conversation, merely laying her head on Gojo as she stared up at them talking.
Suddenly she felt a hand on her arm, prying her away from Gojo. She glanced over to see Shoko, “Come here.”
Gojo’s hand loosened on her hip, letting Shoko take her as he continued to converse. Ara slipped away, letting Shoko lead her to the corner of the room.
“How are you feeling?”
Ara slow blinked, “Um… I feel good.” The realization made a small smile spread across her lips.
“Really?” Shoko inquired, before running a hand through her hair, “Thank god.”
She tilted her head, “Why?”
“Because Millie came up to me and I don’t know if she was joking or not but she said she put ecstasy in your drink.”
Ara froze.
Shoko went on, “She said she only put a little-to ease your nerves or something but, still. I was hoping you knew… did she tell you?”
Ara answered with a simple, “Nope.”
“Oh god. Are you sure you're okay?”
She gave her a thumbs up.
Shoko raked a hand through her short hair again, “Are you sure?”
She grabbed Shoko’s arms, “I promise i’m okay, stop worryingg.”
Shoko stared at her smile for a second before nodding, “Alright, alright.”
Shoko reached out to fix one of Ara’s necklaces, “Isn’t your friend.. a little sus? Why would she not tell you that.”
Ara shrugged, high out of her mind, “Dunno, maybe she told me and I forgot.”
That was a lie. Ara would remember something like that.
Shoko shook her head, smiling slightly, “You’re a mess.”
Suddenly Mina showed up in all her blonde haired glory. Ara swore those big loose waves belonged in a Victoria Secret show. Mina grabbed ahold of both of their wrists.
She wriggled her brows, “Lets dance.”
Ara was on the rooftop, dancing with girls she didn’t even know. Shoko knew them though.
It threw her off when some of the girls recognized her as Gojo’s girlfriend. She wondered if it had to do with Gojo’s socials. She didn’t really use social media much herself but she’d advised him against posting her too much. She wondered if he’d listened.
The breeze on the rooftop was perfect along with the sunset. The multicolored sky looked like something straight out of a landscape painting.
She walked away from the dancing girls, telling them she was going to get a drink but in reality she needed a break. She wandered to the farthest lounging chair and laid down.
She lay on her side, one leg over the other as she stared at the sky, letting the music and breeze waft over her.
She felt surreal. She didn’t want to ever stop feeling like this.
Suddenly she heard a familiar voice nearby, “Ara?”
She glanced over to see Geto hovering nearby. He bent down slightly, “Are you okay?”
She smiled a bit, “I’m great.”
“Yeah?” he sat on the seat beside her, sighing.
“Mhm, what about you?”
He scratched his brow with his thumb, “Fine, a bit… tired. Maybe I’m not drunk enough.”
She laughed lightly, “Maybe.”
“You drink enough?”
She nodded.
He set his drink down to light a cigarette. He offered her one but she shook her head. She watched him take a puff. The smokey air billowing upwards was the most interesting thing to watch.
She laid down more comfortably, adjusting her arm underneath her head. She stared at him. His black hair looked nice down. It ended a little past his shoulders. She was so used to seeing it up in a man bun that she didn’t realize how long his hair actually was.
She followed his gaze. He was looking at a girl, near their age. She swore she might’ve seen that girl on pinterest or something. Regardless, the girl was gorgeous.
“You should talk to her.” Ara suggested lightly.
His eyebrows raised slightly, “Oh no-no, she’s my friend. I’ve known her since i was little.”
She watched him lean back in his seat, raising his glass to his lips to take a sip. He gazed over the crowd uninterestedly.
“Why don’t you talk to any girls?”
He nearly spit his drink, “What?”
“I just..” her brows furrowed slightly, “I just realized I’ve never seen you talk to a girl at a party. like talk talk.”
He held her gaze for a moment, expression shocked before he hunched over in his seat, looking away.
“I’m not really good at talking to girls.”
She could see the tips of his ears reddening as he admitted this.
“No way.” she gasped out.
His eyes immediately flickered to her, “What?”
“So Gojo wasn’t lying? You’re a virgin?”
She watched color swiftly bloom along his cheeks, “He told you that?”
"I honestly don’t think that’s bad. I don’t see the big deal about losing your v card by a certain age or whatever. It’s just unnecessary pressure. I was a virgin-“ she cut herself off, suddenly thinking over her words.
“Um-“ she felt her face go warm, “-until-uh-“
He couldn’t seem to make eye contact, “Oh.”
“Yeah.”
She sat up, crossing one leg over the other. She adjusted the end of her mini dress.
“Anyway,” she muttered, “I don’t see the big deal. I just hope you lose it with someone you love.”
Her eyes widened as she processed her words. She felt Geto’s eyes boring into her.
“So you love him?”
She glanced over at him, unable to read his blank expression.
He offered her a small smile, “He’s been waiting to hear you say it, y’know.”
“He hasn’t said it.”
"He said he did.”
She blinked, belatedly remembering that he has. In fact, he’s said it multiple times-but he never pressured her to say it back.
Faint confusion etched her features, “He wants to hear me say it?”
“Who wouldn’t.”
Fireworks sparked across the sky. the air was foggy with smoke. the scent of alcohol, sweat and expensive colognes and perfumes everywhere.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOJO SATORU!!!!” Haibara yelled atop his lungs into the mic after his spiel-that she could barely concentrate on-and countdown.
Gojo was laughing beside her, she playfully shoved him away. He shot her the handsomest smile as he stumbled backwards. He then faced the balcony, sharing his smile to the people below.
He easily climbed atop the balcony railing, standing on the ledge with just his two feet.
She felt like she was watching him in slow motion when he slipped off his shirt. His built upper body visible to everyone. His protruding biceps, compact abs. The pool water somehow reflecting across his body, creating lines of light blue waves along his skin.
He shook his head, moving his floppy white hair out of his eyes before he blew a kiss to his fans by the pool below. He tugged at the belt of his jeans, grinning down as the party goers hooted and hollered. chanting his name.
She stared at him, looking at the shit eating grin on his face. She hated how attractive the expression was.
He tossed his Jean Paul Gaultier sunglasses off before jumping off the railing.
She watched in astonishment as he managed to curl into a ball and roll in the air a couple times before landing smack center in the pool. She swore she felt water droplets from where she stood on the rooftop.
She was gaping until his head emerged from the pool. He shook his hair out like a dog, laughing in his boisterous airy way. Several people jumped into the pool, his friends swarmed him.
She shook her head, glancing away when she felt something poke her arm. it was Arden, one of Shoko’s friends. When Ara glanced down she realized what had been poking her was the straw of a multi-colored fruity looking drink.
“It’s yours.” Arden offered.
“I think I’m good—“
“Drink.”
Ara snatched it out of her hand and chugged it down.
She laughed, shoving Millie back, “What the hell is with you?!”
They both made eye contact before breaking down in a fit of giggles.
She burst into one of the guest rooms to find a group of boys and girls hovered over in a loose circle. Her gaze then dropped to the tray between them and the lines of white powder on it.
“Ooops, my bad.”
She quickly slammed the door shut. Her hand still on the handle as she kept her back to the door, standing in complete shock.
“What is it?”
Toji stood in front of her.
He gestured with a tilt of his chin towards the door behind her, “What’s in there?”
“You like coke?”
“Maybe.”
She let go of the door handle, “It’s all yours.”
Just as she walked around him, he grasped her wrist.
She raised a brow as she looked up at him.
“You took a line?” an undercurrent of shock and curiosity in his voice.
“Pft no.”
His eyes narrowed, a subtle grin on his lips, “Liar.”
She tried to tug her wrist away, “I didn’t.”
He let her wrist go, “You definitely took somethin’ ” he leaned in, “Your pupils are big.”
She touched her cheek, “They are?” she tried to recall reading about physical symptoms for MDMA use but couldn’t remember anything.
“Mhm.” he leaned back, “What’d you take?”
“Ecstasy… Millie said she crushed up a bit and put it in my drink. She said it would help me relax and it did.. but..”
“But?”
She met his gaze, “She told me she only put a little.”
The corner of his lip curled ever so slightly, “I hope she did, for your sake.”
“Am I going to black out?”
He looked her up and down, “You don’t look like it. How do you feel?”
“I feel fine.. I feel like everything feels better.”
He smirked, “I bet.”
“Do you think i’m gonna be able to stay up all night?”
Confusion flickered across his features, “Why…” a millisecond later realization made his thin brows instantly shoot up, a sly grin on his lips.
“Never mind.” she quickly spat out.
“You’re a good girlfriend.”
“Shut up.”
Ara stood in the kitchen, scarfing down a slice of cake. It was delicious. The frosting was the best texture on the entire planet. holy grail.
The cake was a cute faded pastel blue color, the inside was made of three layers-moist chocolate cake, fluffy chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache. She wasn’t even that much of chocolate person but this tasted heavenly.
“dish is amazhing.” Some girl beside her spoke through her chewing. Ara had never met this girl before.
“It- yes.” she agreed.
The floor pulsed with the bass of each word, each beat drop. Her heart pulsed along with it.
She was jumping so much her legs were sore. She danced with her hands on Millie’s shoulders. Millie? yes, Millie.
Millie was dancing too. Her curls had loosened and appeared more mermaid-like than tightly curled. She looked like a doll.
Millie grabbed her hands and spun around with her. There were so many cheers, so many voices. Everyone was so loud.
People danced in front of them, behind them. They somehow got tugged into a circle, hooting and hollering as girls and boys alike took the center space to dance. Some people were recording. Ara swore she’d seen some of the faces around her on tik tok or youtube.
Ara’s mouth dropped open when she watched a few girls slide into the center of the circle, showing off their moves in their skimpy outfits. Goddamn, they know how to dance.
She’d never seen so many people having so much fun at once. It almost felt like one of those antidepressant ads in real life–except it was real life.
Millie touched her cheek, “dance! dance! dance!” her voice echoed in her ears.
Was music always this beautiful?
She felt hands on her waist and opened her eyes. It was dark, the sporadic neon flashes the only source of light but she could recognize the man in front of her anywhere.
His skin was poreless, smooth. Her hands touched his familiar abs.
His hand was in her hair, his other hand on her ass—keeping her groin against his. He was hard.
The neon lights flashed over his eyes and she swore they glittered—brighter than uncut diamonds.
His lips were on her neck, his lips were on her lips. his hand tugged her nape closer. His cock throbbed through his jeans, against the thin material of her dress.
She couldn’t stop his lips from moving over her own. She felt like she was gonna disappear in him and-oh she wanted to. yes she wanted to.
Her body needed something and he knew exactly what. She felt it in his hold, in the pressure of his lips against hers. She couldn’t think.
He pulled her legs up around his waist and she knew the party was behind them.
warnings: 18+ only babes, stalking/possessive themes, profanity, coercion, pet names (kitten, baby, my sweet, cupcake), underage drinking, w33d, grinding, oral sex (f receiving), orgasm denial, rough sex, overstimulation, dub/non-consented sex, drunk sex, handjob (if i missed any jus tell me but pls fr don't read this unless ur an adult)
word count/plot: [15.1k!] ara catches gojo's attention when news breaks that she is the top academically ranked student in their grade. he is ranked second. he tries to befriend her but she ignores him. despite her obvious disinterest, his obsession begins..
a/n: here's part 2, i thought it would take 3 posts to post this chapter but it seems its about to take four smh. more content for u guys tho!! woot woot!! happy reading
ch. 1 , ch. 2 [ part 1 | part 2 ] , ch. 3 , ch. 4 , chapter 5 [ part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 ]
Shoko sat her down in front of a vanity.
“Alright, now that hair is done we can do makeup.”
Ara stared as Shoko opened all the drawers of the extravagant vanity before her, revealing a countless amount of high-end makeup. Most of it barely touched.
“Shoko!!” a girl yelled from downstairs.
“What!” Shoko yelled back only for silence to follow.
She rolled her eyes as she mumbled to herself, “What does Arden want now,” she gestured toward the makeup, “Knock yourself out, I’ll be back.”
“Wait—“
Shoko turned around, eyes alert.
Ara hesitated before admitting, “I don’t know how to do my makeup.”
Her eyes widened, “Forreal?” She then crossed her arms, “Actually I can’t even blame you, I only started doing my makeup like a year ago.”
“Would your Mom do it for you?” she asked, considering the fact that the vanity before them was hers.
“Nah, I had a makeup artist.” Shoko appeared to be in thought before she said, “Hold on.”
She walked out of the room and yelled, “Anybody here good at makeup??!”
A ton of feminine voices arose, answering her. Ara wasn’t the least bit surprised since half of their school’s female population was here.
She heard Shoko yell something before peeking her head back in the room, “Alright, we got help for makeup. Do you want anything to drink?”
Ara hesitated. She’d told herself that she wouldn’t drink after the last party but—
“SHOKO!!”
“IM COMING IDIOT!” Shoko yelled back before saying, “I’ll be back.”
She left within a blink of an eye, only for someone else to enter the room a second later. Karina.
Ara stared as Karina walked closer, looking insanely perfect as usual. She also had a bottle of Pink Whitney in her hand.
She set the bottle down on the vanity, “You need help with your makeup?”
Ara waited for the random bout of laughter erupting from somewhere downstairs to pass before answering, “Yeah..”
“I got you,” she murmured before looking through the drawers for something. She seemed to find it and asked, “You already washed your face right?”
“Yes.”
Karina quietly applied the primer to her face before suddenly asking, “Why didn’t you come to my party that time?” she paused in her actions, “I was expecting you..”
Fuck. It’d been months, Ara had hoped she’d forgotten. Besides, that night had probably been one of the worst moments of her life. She wanted to laugh—to think all of it started simply because she wanted to go to her party.
“Yeahh, I wasn’t able to make it.” she muttered vaguely.
“Why?”
“I think I was too tired.” she lied.
“Hmm,” Karina picked up another product and swatched it on her wrist, “I see you got back with him.”
Ara glanced at her but was unable to gauge anything from her countenance, “I- I did.“
Suddenly Karina sighed, “Ugh, I don’t blame you. He eats pussy so damn good.”
Ara’s eyes widened as she continued, “And his dick-why'd it have to be so big? I miss it so damn bad sometimes.”
She shook her head, “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t be saying that to his girlfriend but—“ she paused, as if considering something, “He really does like you, y’know.” she muttered begrudgingly.
Ara had a lot to say but settled on, “What makes you say that?”
She paused, masking her hesitation by pretending to look extra focused while dabbing the beauty blender against her skin, “He doesn't answer my texts. Even when you guys broke up he didn’t.”
“You texted him?” Ara asked incredulously.
Karina blushed, “Well—yeah.”
Ara glanced away, she supposed that answered all of her questions.
She then added, as if guilty, “Well, you guys were obviously over then but-like-before we always used to hook up. Like, it didn’t matter who else he fucked he’d always come back to me.”
Ara thought she sensed an undercurrent of possessiveness until she cleared her throat, “But ever since you got into the picture.. he’s different, I guess.”
“Loyal, you mean.” Ara replied flatly.
Karina stopped using the beauty blender, “How’d you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Lock him down?”
Ara shifted in her seat, “..I honestly don’t know.”
Karina didn’t meet her eyes, merely playing with the concealer in her hand, “I mean.. I see it, you-” she cut herself off as if it hurt to admit, “you are pretty, in that black cat kinda way. I just- I’ve never seen him like that,” her voice faded out slightly, “He’s obsessed with you. I can see it in his face-“
“Trust, it’s not something you want.” she answered instinctively.
“Really?” she asked curiously, “Why not?”
She saw the thoughts brewing within Ara’s mind as she slowly asked, “Has he.. ever done anything.. that scared you?”
“Scared me?” she questioned before appearing to contemplate it, “No?-wait, there was this one time where he freaked me the fuck out cuz I thought I was home alone and he kept moving things around, making me think an intruder or some shit was in the house but-“ she rolled her eyes, “it was just him.”
Ara blinked. The scariest thing he’d done to her was show her he was capable of committing murder without a scratch, while she was talking about a prank.
Karina chuckled to herself, as if it were a fond memory before meeting her gaze, “How’d he scare you?” she asked lightly.
It was clear to Ara then, that Karina had gotten a different Gojo than she had. The side of Gojo she seemed to have was specifically curated just for her, apparently.
Ara tilted her head, deciding to say something partially true, “He scares me when he jokes about baby trapping me.”
Karina laughed before tilting her head back to pour her drink down her throat. She made a face as she wiped her lips with the back of her hand.
“Fuck, my lipstick-“ she quickly turned around, looking in the mirror to make sure it was right.
In the midst of re-applying some lip gloss, Karina asked, “Who went back to who?”
“Huh?”
“I mean after the breakup,” her voice wavered, as if aware she was prying but couldn’t help it, “Who went back to who. I can imagine him begging you to take him bac-“
“I went to him.”
“Oh?” she raised a brow before turning away from the mirror to look her in the eye.
Ara knew that the whole school knew she broke up with him. She didn’t know how but she assumed it had something to do with Gojo telling his friends or everyone catching onto his lingering stares and moody demeanor during their breakup.
Karina sighed, “you missed him didn’t you.”
“no.” Ara replied a little too fast.
Karina gave her a pointed look.
She suddenly glared, “No, you don’t understand.” her words came out sharp, “He’s not who everybody thinks he is. At all. I shouldn’t miss him, need him, or even think about him honestly but I-“
She placed her head down on the vanity before her. Her arms around her head covering her face, “I’m a mess.” she whispered.
Never in a million years would Karina ever think she’d want to console someone-especially her-and yet, she did. Something about her was oddly compelling, in a way she couldn’t understand but she almost… wanted to.
Karina found her hand resting on Ara’s shoulder, she honestly didn’t know how it got there.
“Look,” Karina spoke calmly, “I don’t know what’s going on with you two but.. i’m pretty sure it’s not illegal to like someone. Sure, issues happen and it feels like the end of the fucking world each time but we’re just in high school. Is it ever that deep?”
Ara wanted to laugh at how trivial she made high school sound. As if it were just a kids playground and not the sole stepping stone to her ideal future.
Karina couldn’t tell if she was truly hopeful or being sarcastic when she overheard her murmur, “High school.. just high school.”
Ara was squished between Shoko’s friends on the couch, whom she was slowly starting to recognize.
“Karina really popped off with your makeup,” Mina said, “I’m gonna need her to do mine next.”
Ara believed her, especially from the way she was staring. She smiled halfheartedly, “Thanks.”
“Ara!”
She turned her head to see where the voice was coming from. It was hard to focus with the music blasting, girls chatting and cameras flashing in every corner of the house, The scent of weed and expensive perfume hung in the air… and Ara-surprisingly-didn’t hate it.
“Yo,” A hand suddenly snapped in front of her. It was Shoko.
Ara liked the way she’d pin-straightened her short hair. It suited her, she could almost imagine how she would look when she was older.
“You need to stop lookin’ moody and be happy. Midterms are over.”
Ara raised a brow, “I’m not moody.”
“Yes, you are. You look like you want to kill someone.”
“What-“
“Oh my god!” Leah suddenly yelled before pointing at the tray before them, “Did you make those?”
Ara hadn’t noticed but it seemed a tray of ombré yellow-orange drinks in cute clear glasses was on the table now. The drinks were topped with ice, cherries and a piece of pineapple. It looked delicious.
“Duh, why do you think I was in the kitchen for so long?” Shoko then bent down to pick up a cup, gesturing that they all do the same.
Arden-who sat on the other side of her-took a sniff of the drink, “How much rum did you put in this?”
Shoko smiled, “Don’t worry about it.”
Arden laughed and Ara couldn’t help but stare at her. How could she tell from one sniff?
Leah stuffed a drink in her hands and Ara looked down at the glass, at her blurry reflection in the ice. She didn’t need to sniff to smell the pineapple and orange juice within the drink.
“What is this?” she asked.
Arden turned to look at her, as if in shock.
Mina chuckled, “It’s a Mai Tai.”
Leah randomly babbled, “Yeah, it’s actually the first drink I had when I was eight.”
“Wait-“ Shoko suddenly deadpanned, “This is your first time drinking this?”
Ara blinked, “..i haven’t drank it yet but, yes.”
“No way.” Arden gasped.
Shoko beamed, “I am so honored. I’ll make you more whenever you want it.”
Mina rolled her eyes, “It’s not that good.”
“Then why don’t you give it back-“
She stared down at the drink once more, tuning out their bickering until she blurted, “Am I gonna die?”
Arden was cracking up, maybe she was naive but she didn’t care. She’d made a vow to herself to never drink but.. she actually wanted to this time. And that scared her.
It scared her because she wasn’t the type to break her own promises. And yet, all she could think about was that blind happiness she felt the last time she was drunk. That comfortable lightness that took over her thoughts and body, letting her tongue run loose and her mind go bye bye.
It was nice, so nice. Until it wasn’t. Until her memories came b-
Suddenly Shoko’s hand was on her chin, “We’re all gonna die one day, right.”
“Cornball.” Mina joked.
Shoko stuck her tongue out before raising her glass towards them, “Shut up and drink.”
And they did. With a clink of glasses, her vow was broken.
There she is.
A grin split across his lips when he spotted her. His bright eyes looked her up and down before groaning internally. She wore a sleeveless maroon mini-dress that ended just a little under her hips. The dress was skin-tight, barely hanging onto her sensuous tits-which sat so fucking nicely cuz she was braless. Fuck. He loved when she was braless.
She was mid conversation, running a hand through her thick locks when he came up behind her.
“Hey sexy~” he smiled into her temple when he felt her jump. His arms instinctively went around her, his hands sliding up her waist-her ribs-about to cup her b–
She stopped his hands right at her underboobs, merely placing her hands over his and keeping them there. He whined slightly.
“Toru,” she admonished before turning around. She looked up at him with the sweetest of smiles, it was always so subtle-just a little curve to the right end of her pouty lips. God, he wanted to devour her.
She tilted her head, “You’re finally here.”
She looked more stunning up-close, if that was even possible. His hand went to her hips, drawing her closer. He hadn’t noticed her lips moving until she cupped his chin and shook his face-
“Satoru, can you hear me?”
He pretended to bite her fingers, chasing her hand away from his chin.
Her hands came to rest on his chest, “Can you stop checking me out and answer my question.”
He shook his head, smiling boyishly, “I can’t. You look too good. Too good.”
He licked his lips and she shoved him, laughing, “Shut up.”
He grabbed her by the hips again, tugging her close, “Never, never, never~” He buried his face into her neck making her giggle slightly.
She attempted to shove his shoulders as he began to nip at the crook in her neck, “Toru–”
“Let's find a room.”
She finally managed to push his shoulders back, “No.”
Her eyes searched his face as he pouted, “Why?”
“Cuz..” her gaze dropped from his eyes to his chest, then back up again, “not here.”
His pout deepened, “I missed you.”
Her eyes narrowed, but a tiny smile managed to find its way to her lips anyway, “Even though you saw me in school a few hours ago?”
He nodded, his white hair flopping slightly, “Too long.”
Her hands interlocked behind his neck, his mind going haywire when her chest pressed into him as she leaned closer. She tilted her head, “You just want to be in my skin.”
“I do. I do. I do. I do.”
She smiled lazily–as if she already knew. He leaned down to kiss her and she let him. His lips moved against hers while she stayed firm, kissing him back steadily–slowly. Always pacing him, wasn’t she? She broke the kiss, giving him one last peck before leaning back.
He leaned towards her, as if chasing her lips but she quickly placed her finger over his mouth.
“Noo.” she chided him as if he were a puppy.
He smirked before sighing, “Fine. Fine.”
He moved a piece of her hair behind her ear, “What was your question?”
“I asked what took you so long.”
“I went over to Suguru’s cuz they were pre-gaming at his,” He suddenly broke out into a smile, “Haibara broke his TV.”
Her eyes widened, “What–how?”
“He was flying the remote control helicopter and-BOOM! TV cracked. I think he hit the wrong button or something but I was dying.” He chuckled.
She shook her head, “Of course you were. How did Geto react?”
“Oh he was mad. Haibara said sorry a million times but I know he’s still mad.”
“Hmm,” she hummed, “He probably needs a drink.”
He grinned, “Forsure,” He slipped his hand into hers, “Let's go bother him.”
She smiled faintly, “Lets.”
“So that's why-“ Suguru suddenly cut himself off when the song switched, his gaze cut to Satoru.
Satoru's eyes widened before backing up a bit to dance slightly, “Yoo this song.”
Satoru began to get a bit of a groove on while Geto nodded his head in sync with the beat. Ara glanced around to see others on the patio doing the same–dancing.
Suddenly Satoru took her wrist, tugging her towards himself, “Dance with me, Ara.”
She tilted her face up to meet his eyes, “No way.”
Just as she stepped away he pulled her back. His arms slipping around her waist, “C’monnn~”
“i can’t dance—like at all.”
“Who cares,” he whined, “just dance.”
She stepped away from him, raising her hands, “That’s all you, buddy.”
“C’monn, don’t do this to me!” he pouted as she walked off.
The music thumped around them as people hollered the lyrics.
Mina lowered the mascara wand and held onto the sink, “Goddamn, the whole house is shaking,” she sucked her teeth, “Can’t a girl fix her mascara in peace.”
Ara ran a hand through her hair, removing a random piece of glitter with a frown.
“Should we get more shots?”
Ara glanced over to see Mina looking at her expectantly.
It didn’t sound like a bad idea.. Ara smiled somewhat shyly, “Sure.”
Mina’s face brightened, “Bet. Let's go.”
The girls giggled as they ran out of the bathroom.
Shoko was dancing in front of her, singing the lyrics word for word. Her hands on Ara’s shoulders as they moved with the beat. Arden, Leah and Mina surrounded them. The patio was so crowded it seemed like everyone was outside.
“Somebody come get herrr,” everyone sang along, “She dancing like a stripper.” (a/n: song - come get her by rae sremmurd)
Ara swayed her hips, unaware of the bottle getting passed around until Shoko made a mischievous expression. Ara noticed her arm was raised and glanced up, only to see a bottle getting tilted over her.
Ara instinctively tilt her head back, opening her mouth to take in the liquor. She felt some of it trickle past her lips as Shoko jumped along to the music.
Everyone sang the lines, “somebody come get herr, she’s feelin’ all the liquor.”
Gojo was mid-conversation when a tiny bundle bustled into him and sat on his lap. He glanced over to see Ara.
“Ara.” he stated in surprise before giving her a onceover. She looked flushed. Her thick hair was wavier-probably due to the humidity-and her eye makeup had smudged slightly, making the color of her eyes pop. His eyes dropped down to her freshly coated, glossy lips.
Goddamn. He placed his hand low on her stomach as she leaned her head against his slightly, “Hey.”
He smirked, “Hey.”
“Hey.” Choso interjected flatly.
He’d completely forgotten Choso was there. Ara’s eyes brightened as she greeted, “Choso!”
Choso froze-as if starstruck, “H-hello.”
She moved as if to give him a hug but Gojo used his hand on her stomach to keep her close. He raised a brow in surprise, she was not a hugger and he didn’t want her to start being one now.
A soft laugh left him, “Are you drunk?”
She blinked, “No.” She looked between him and Choso before adding, “I just want to sit.”
Gojo smiled subtly, “‘Kay.” He kissed her temple before facing Choso, “What were you saying?”
“Right, so…” and they drifted off into a conversation that Ara could care less about. She truly did need to sit. Her legs hurt from all that dancing. Damn heels.
She shifted on his lap and shifted again, trying to sit comfortably until his hand tightened around her side. “Ara-” he murmured but it was too late, she’d already discovered his hard-on. Her ass was directly on it.
“Right?” Choso suddenly asked.
Gojo blinked, “Uh-yeah.” Not having a damn clue what he was agreeing to.
“Exactly so..” Choso went on.
Gojo had completely lost interest in the conversation when a fierce blush appeared on her cheeks. She’d gone completely still, except for her hand on his knee. Her fingers seemed to flit slightly.
“-I’m telling you, seeing him live is different,” Choso sighed before asking, “Do you think you're gonna go this year?”
“This year..” Gojo faintly repeated the last words he heard, attempting to focus, “It depends..”
“Oh but listen the third time I saw him it was crazy cuz—“
Suddenly her ass-ever so subtly-pressed against his erection, making his eyes widen. He glanced down at her, only then noticing that her hand had tightened around his knee. It was dark enough in the room that no one could see her rubbing her ass against him, especially with how slow she was moving.
His mouth parted in shock, almost wishing the flickering lights could hit them so he could see her ass move on him. He quickly closed his mouth before Choso noticed, he honestly didn’t know how the guy was still going.
He grit his teeth, trying not to groan as her ass cheeks grinded on him. The way her ass pressed against his length was something else—it was only making him stiffer by the second.
She felt so soft against his cock, moving at that agnizing pace.. The last thing he wanted to do was be still, he was gonna lose it.
He wanted to see her face but she wasn’t facing him. He bit his lower lip, hiding his grin. Fuck—he didn’t know she could be like this.
Her ass started to slowly move up and down and he nearly lost it. He hissed, his fingers digging into her hip-but she didn’t stop.
His arms slipped around her torso, tugging her against him as he spoke into her hair-breathless, “Ara..”
She finally faced him, her eyes radiating with mischief.
Oh that’s it. He didn’t have to think when he scooped her up in his arms and stood.
Choso raised a brow, midst speech, “Yo?”
Gojo didn’t spare him a glance, “I’ll be back.”
“Satoru!” she shrieked as she was tossed onto the bed.
He climbed atop her and her hands loosely cupped his neck, “Satoruu..” she whined while shaking her head, “What are you doing? I was just playing.”
“I know, cupcake,” he leaned down to press a heady kiss to her lips. The kind of kiss that rushed through her veins, making her body liquify with fervor until her cloudy thoughts grew clear–crystalizing his want, his need.
He broke the kiss, leaving a string of saliva between them until he spoke, “I know,” He looked her up and down, “But I don’t wanna play anymore.”
His hand ran down her side, “I wanna have all of you,” He nipped the end of her jaw, “Here, now.”
“Toru..” she whined softly. Her head was spinning. She was too drunk to move on her own. Her fingers twitched over his neck, “Toru, we can’t.. not here.”
“Yes here.”
“Toru-
He easily hoisted her legs over his shoulders, sliding her further up the bed. He then pulled the bottom of her dress up to her waist. The second he glanced between her legs, he groaned. He never got tired of the sight of her cunt adorned in lace panties. It was like a gift wrapped just for him.
She cupped his face, tugging him closer, “Toru please-” Why’d she have to sound so sweet and needy? “Please.. Not here,” She searched his face, “Home, only at home.”
He stared into her dazed eyes for a moment before groaning. He pressed his forehead into hers, “Kitten you can’t just wear this sexy lil dress, grind on me and expect me not to fuck the shit outta you,” He shook his head, “S’not fair.”
His hand slid up her side, hooking under the fabric of her dress to tug it lower–until her chest spilled out the top, “Where’d you learn how to move like that anyway..”
His eyes drank in the sight of her bare tits before meeting her gaze, “You do that to anyone else?”
Color rose to her cheeks as she stared up at him in silence.
She cried out when he began to grind himself against her cunt. She could feel every inch of him–how hard he was. Each stroke against her fast and purposeful, ringing with desperation.
His forehead pressed into her temple, forcing her face aside as he panted, “Answer me.”
She mewled as his grinding picked up, “N-no-ngh! you know this–I’ve never been with an-anyone bu-unnhh-but you.”
He smirked against her cheek before slightly raising his head. His smirk was handsome enough to make her forget how to breathe. It didn’t help that his vibrant eyes seemed to simmer with lust. He knew the answer; he just liked to hear her say it.
He slowed his hips down to drop his face into her neck. His lips instantly finding that sweet spot in the crook of her shoulder and nipped at it. He licked up the dessert-like, mocha perfume on her skin–fuck, he couldn’t get enough. He tasted makeup as well. It seemed Shoko had covered his baby’s love bites. How dare she..
Suddenly the corner of his lip curled deviously. I’ll just decorate her all over again.
He tilted his head, allowing his lips and teeth to mark her as he pleased. His fingers sank into her tits as he palmed her areola, urging her cute perky nipples out. She was moaning and whining so sweetly underneath him—god, he needed to fuck her bad.
“T-toru, not now,” she whimpered, inadvertently rubbing her cunt against his bulge as she churned underneath him.
He groaned into her neck. The pressure of her rowdy hips against his clothed cock—Oh, she had to be dying for it.
“Please-not here. Only at home, Toru, at home.” she whined, her small hands pushing at his chest uselessly.
Suddenly he drew his face back-his voice completely haggard, “Fine, fine. At home.”
His bedazzling eyes fixed themselves on hers, “I’ll have all of you at home..but.. you have to let me do one thing here.”
She spoke through uneven breaths, “W-what is it?”
His eyes lingered on the way her tits moved with each ragged inhale. He felt himself grow tighter inside his pants. Fuck, he really wanted take all of her here.
His eyes swam with lust and mischief as he leaned into her, his cock pressing against her warm cunt, “I wanna taste you.”
“Where’s Gojo?” Toji asked over the blaring music. “He’ll def wanna go. He loves that shit.”
Nanami shrugged.
He glanced over and punched Geto’s shoulder, “yo-you know where he is?”
“Who?”
“Your boyfriend, who else.”
Geto was about to make a snarky retort only to hesitate when he realized he truly didn’t know where he’d gone.
“What are you looking so confused for?” Shoko sauntered before them, joint in hand.
“You know where Gojo is?” Toji asked.
“Satoru? He’s busy.”
Geto raised a brow, “With what?”
“You didn’t see him throw Ara on his shoulder? He took her upstairs,” she took a hit from her joint, shaking her head, “Thank God it's not my house.”
“Damn, already?” Toji grinned, “Can’t blame him though, did ya see her dress?”
Nanami instantly glared at him, “Stop that.”
She was lost. Lost in the abyss of pleasure that made her lose any and all sense—if she had any in the first place. His tongue was so unfair.
The tip of his tongue flicked her clit–making her jerk as she moaned. His hands on her spread thighs the only thing keeping her legs open and body semi-still.
She threw her head back, breathless, as she shook her head side to side, “Satoru.. Satoru!”
His tongue was suddenly gone, his lips still on her most sensitive part. He backed away slightly, lightly kissing her throbbing clit, “You close, kitten?”
Her body twitched, “Toru–stop, stop teasing me.”
Even through her drunkenness she could hear how helpless she sounded. He always knew how to make her so weak.
He chuckled, the faint exhale against her cunt making her inner thighs tremble. She could feel the sensation of her orgasm suspended within her, waiting to spill given the right touch. His touch.
He stared up at her, his eyes gleaming with hunger and a tinge of that typical demeaning playfulness. But she knew he was far from unaffected by this–if anything, playing with her always seemed to get him on to a different degree.
“That’s how it feels like, kitten,” he blew on her tense nub, making her twitch once-more.
“Toru!” she cried.
“--that’s how it feels when you put this pretty pussy on me and tell me not to fuck you.”
His lips found her clit again, sucking it oh so delicately—not nearly enough friction as she needed. She whined helplessly.
He lightly kissed her clit once more, “You wanna cum, kitten?”
She was too out of it to respond. His fingers dug into her soft thighs, making her gasp.
“Let me fuck you here,” his voice was low and eager, desperate, “ ‘Kay?”
She squeezed her eyelids shut, her bent legs wavering in the air. “Toru.. I can’t–can’t think-”
He chuckled faintly, “Then don’t, my sweet, don’t.” His lips were terribly close to her nub again, “I’ll think for you.”
He was instantly lapping her clit up—the pace so consistent that she was easily driven insane. Her breath hitched and suddenly his mouth cupped her clit just right, his tongue probing her most reactive spot.
She cried out as her body bucked. She didn’t see the amount of liquid she squirted out but she felt it pour out of her. The feeling of euphoria that pulsed through her cunt made her thighs shake from its force. Her moan was so loud and defenseless, she couldn’t help but judge herself for how desperate she sounded.
His hands tightened around her thighs to keep her legs spread as he drank in the sight. He loved this–every single bit of her. Her shattered expression down to the taste of her silky juices. She always had so much to give him..
and he knew how to hunt it out of her.
His cock sank into her and he immediately groaned. Her cunt wrapped around him so viscerally tight. She was so fucking hot inside he might as well have dipped himself in warmed honey.
He couldn’t stand it–how perfect she was. Her arched body raised at the hips to let him press into her this deep. Her waist twisting as she lay face down, making the sexiest little sounds as her hands fisted the sheets. He needed all of her. Now.
He squeezed her ass before fucking her exactly the way he wanted to the second his eyes landed on her in that slutty little dress. Her pussy was only his to use and tear apart like this.
The squelching sound of his cock delivering fuck after fuck to her sweet core was music to his ears. He whimpered at the feeling of her walls gripping the sides of his cock like it craved his seed–like it needed him to stay inside.
He bent over her, keeping his forehead to the crown of her head as he gripped her waist. His hands large enough that his fingertips met on either side of her.
He didn’t stop–his cock bullying into her boundlessly.
“I’ll give you what you want, Ara..” his rugged voice trailed down her spine, “I’ll always give you what you want.”
He shoved his cock deep into her and she screamed. He buried his face into her nape as he emptied his balls within her. Cum spewing endlessly from his tip as it filled the condom to its brim. Pleasure consuming every cell in his body.
“Ara..” he groaned against her back, eyes squeezed shut as he retracted his hips slightly and shoved his cock back in. She cried out as he groaned again. His cock felt so fucking good inside her.
“Never have enough of you..” his low voice was filled with such unrestrained desire– “never.”
She gasped, loud enough to make his eyes flutter open.
He reached out, his arm easily wrapping around her waist before he shifted in bed to face her, “What is it?” he mumbled sleepily.
She glanced at him with wide eyes, “Sorr-”
Suddenly he snatched the phone from her hands, quickly turning over in bed so she couldn’t snatch it back if she tried.
His brows scrunched together, “Nails?” On her phone was a picture of hands, hands with very pretty detailed fake nails on Pinterest. He looked over at her, “You want these?”
She jumped over him, snatching the phone from his hand, “Yes, but I didn’t want to wake you up.”
His eyes widened when he felt her bare tits press into his chest as she partially laid over him. Her eyes widened a second later and she quickly turned over, taking majority of the sheets with her. Her back was facing him.
He grinned, scooting closer to her before tugging the blanket slightly, draping more of it over himself. He propped himself on an elbow before sliding his free hand under the sheets. He touched her waist before sliding his hand under her arm around her chest. He sighed when he felt her bare tits against his forearm.
He tugged her close and she squirmed slightly, “Toru-”
He kissed underneath her ear-where several hickeys remained, “Last night was fun.”
She blushed, “For you. I’m sore as hell right now.”
He grinned as she pushed at his arm, “I can’t believe you did that. I was drunk, y’know.”
“You said you weren’t-”
“You knew I was.”
He stuffed his face into her shoulder as his arm tightened around her, “It’s your fault tho, you tempted me.” he whined.
“I didn’t tempt you-”
“Grinding on me?”
She blushed furiously, “I was drunk.”
“You're so hot when you're drunk.”
She reached over and smacked his head at her shoulder. She felt him chuckle into her neck as he yelled, “aH!”
“Gojo I’m serious,” her voice wavered, “I’m really sore. It hurts. You should.. really let me be when I’m like that.”
He was still for a moment before rubbing her hip under the blanket, “I’m sorry, baby–kay? I’m sorry,” He raised his head to lightly kiss her cheek, “I’ll try to do better next time,” He kissed her jaw, “--even though it’s hard–” he lightly squeezed her ass, “--especially when you rub this cute ass on me.”
“Satoru–”
He buried his face into her shoulder again, his arm winding around her chest once-more, “I know, I know,”
She felt him sigh into her neck, “I can’t think when I wanna fuck you y’know. I jus have to be inside..”
She closed her eyes, “I know.”
“..it’s a miracle we even got home.” he mumbled to her neck.
“When did we get home?” Ara asked, suddenly curious since she didn’t remember a second of it.
“Around three. You were passed out by then.”
“Hmm..”
He kissed her shoulder, “You talked to Millie?”
Her eyes shot open, as if surprised–but he’d overheard Millie’s familiar voice when she’d gone to the bathroom earlier.
“Yeah, she called,” she muttered, “She wanted to know all the tea from last night.”
“She’s still grounded?”
She rolled her eyes, “Yeah, it’s killing her.”
He smiled slightly, “I bet it is.”
“Andd you’re all set.” The nail lady backed up with a smile.
Ara glanced down at her nails in shock. They looked just like the picture, maybe even better. She outstretched her fingers slightly, looking at both sides of her hands. She felt oddly… empowered. Despite it being the first time getting her nails done, she immediately saw the appeal.
She stood up, still staring at her nails, “Wow, these are… amazing, thank you.”
The nail lady’s smile widened, “Of course.”
She faltered at giving her a smile back before walking out of the beauty room–which she didn’t even know she had. She’d only been joking when she’d told Satoru she was too lazy to get out the house but it didn’t matter–he’d brought the nail salon to her. In mere minutes he was able to book an at-home session with a celebrity nail technician. It was baffling.
And yet, her stomach bubbled with excitement.. excitement that she inexplicably had to share. She walked into their bedroom, only to find no one there.
She walked further into the room, only to find the attached balcony doors open. He was leaning against the railing, talking on the phone. The closer she approached she noticed a few notebooks and his laptop open on one of the tables outside.
He ended the call, tossing his phone up in the air and catching it precariously before sauntering towards his books.
Just as he sat and leaned back in his chair, she asked, “You're studying?”
He immediately glanced up, his big blue eyes instantly brightening once they landed on her, “Ara!”
His eyes dropped to her hands and she quickly hid them behind herself with a small smile.
He squinted playfully, “Lemme seee-“
To his surprise she fast-walked over, holding out her hands for him to see, “Look-look, it looks just like the picture. The almond shape, colors, everything—“ he stared at her, mesmerized by the look of child-like fascination on her countenance as she continued, “I can’t believe it. She even made the stone on my middle finger smaller because I asked. It’s so sparkly too. And the butterfly??” she shook her head, smiling, “-insanity.”
She outstretched her new talons, her smile widening unknowingly, “I love them.”
He tugged her closer, despite her already standing in front of him. Her hand rested on his shoulder as she was drawn in between his long legs. His arms slipped around her waist as he stared up at her, “You love them, kitten?”
She nodded before glancing down at him, “What do you think?”
“I think I need to tip her well for making you smile like that.”
She rolled her eyes-blushing, “Stop flirting.”
“No really-“ he picked up her hand, finally looking at the nails for the first time, “If getting these little fingers dolled up makes my baby happy i’ll have her here every week.”
“Not every week. They’re supposed to last two to three weeks.” she informed him.
“Hmm,” His thumb suddenly brushed the skin underneath the knuckle of her ring finger. His blue eyes flashed with something before he met her gaze with a smirk, “Can’t wait to put something here.”
She snatched her hand away, “You’re so annoying.”
His smirk widened, “You’d love it if I proposed-”
“I’d literally reject you.”
“WHAT?!—you would?”
“I would.”
“Whyyyy~you meanie. Do you even care about me.” he pouted.
Suddenly her hands slid into his hair and she was kissing him. The rest of his whines swept up by her tongue as she bent over him, deepening the kiss invasively. Her nails raked through his thick, white hair as she tugged his face close as if she needed him closer. He nearly groaned.
She broke the kiss, her thumb brushing over his bottom lip as she asked, “Still think I don't care?”
His eyes widened at her quietly spoken words. The flush that bloomed across his cheeks couldn’t be helped. For once, he was speechless.
He held her gaze for a short moment before leaning towards her. Before his lips could connect with hers, she scurried off of him—backing up several steps.
“No, no, no, satoru. You need to study and so do I.”
He was already whining again, “Whyyy~”
“Because,” she shrugged as she walked backwards, “we have to.”
He stood up and she immediately bolted inside the house. He chased after her, giggles and laughter following their wake.
She stared up at the stars and he stared at her. He wondered if she had a morsel of a clue of how much she meant to him.
Loving her was easy for him, as easy as breathing, as easy as the sharp exhale that escaped him when she first turned her back on him.
Sure, it started as a challenge then. A game that only she and him could understand but, he saw her now. He knew why she was the way she was and he liked it. all of it.
He learned her skin, her mind, her voice, her loneliness and he wanted all of it. all of it for himself.
She didn’t know how much he loved her unpredictably. her brattiness, her anger, her kindness, her tears. She gave him her everything and he’d take it every time. It didn’t matter where they were, what universe they were in, he’d find her. He’d always find her.
She turned her head on the grass and looked at him, “Are you even looking at the stars?”
“I am.”
He saw her freeze for a moment. He anticipated her witty response, something like ‘how many times have you used that line’ or ‘aren’t you smooth’ but she held his gaze.
He saw her look between his eyes before her gaze dropped to his lips. He watched as she slowly drew herself up next to him, balancing herself on one elbow as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
He forced himself to stay still, despite his heart racing in anticipation. His eyes stayed on her as her hand came to rest on his cheek, his jaw. She gently pressed her lips to his and he nearly groaned. His hand slid up her side, squeezing her ribs as he tilted his face up–craving more of her.
Her hand on his jaw held him back, instead she lowered herself into him. Her lips prolonging the tenderness of the kiss before she backed away. He closed his eyes, refraining from chasing her lips.
He felt her fingers on his panting lips and opened his eyes. She was completely expressionless–which only made him more keen on knowing her thoughts.
“What do you want to be?” she suddenly asked, before adding, “-when you grow up.”
She expected an unserious response at first-maybe even something flirty. Something like ‘your husband’ or ‘a garbage man’ but-for once-he answered seriously.
He appeared contemplative, “I haven’t decided. I already got an offer from the NBA but I don’t know if I like basketball that much.”
He readjusted his head on his crossed arms, “Obviously, Coach is pushing for that but.. I think following my father’s footsteps would be more interesting.”
He glanced over at her, a small smile spreading across his lips, “As basic as it sounds.”
“Director of National Intelligence.” she stated, “For the US.”
“Yes.” he confirmed, while looking at her curiously. He couldn’t tell how she felt about that.
“Would that make you a politician?”
“Mmm, kind of? I’d obviously have to be a part of the same political party as the president in order to be recommended by him.”
“What else do you have to do?”
“Well, it varies. Some directors have military experience or climb in government service. Some have law degrees or extensive experience in intelligence agencies.”
“Intelligence agencies? Like the FBI?”
“Well, yes and no. It’s more the CIA and NSA-” at her look of confusion, he clarified, “National Security Agency-is experience that they might prefer but I have considered the FBI. It would be different from my Father’s past position but I wouldn’t mind dealing with domestic policy–well, they’re still involved in foreign intelligence threats but-”
He grinned, “Director of the FBI sounds hot doesn’t it?”
She rolled her eyes, “Of course you would say that.”
“It’s that or CEO of Gojo Industries.”
She blinked, having completely forgotten that. She assumed that was the main source of his family’s income. Long ago, another genius in his family found a more efficient way of processing crude oil, which later resulted in the creation of their family’s multi-industry company. Gojo industries is responsible for more than half of the world’s refineries. Despite being widespread on foreign level, they are still a private company.
She blinked in astonishment, “Well, what's stopping you from that?”
“Nothings stopping me but I feel like business is kinda boring,” he shrugged, “I’ll probably have to deal with that regardless.”
“You will?”
“Well I don’t have any siblings, do I?” He smiled slightly, “I guess I could just hire someone but I still wanna be involved, probably as chairman or something but good thing that’s a later problem.”
He poked her cheek, “What about you, kitten? What do you wanna be?”
“... a doctor.”
He squinted at her hesitance, “Do you really?”
She sighed, “No, it’s what my Dad wants me to be. I was kinda set on it but..”
The corner of his lip twitched slightly, “Never mind him, what do you want to be?”
She paused before saying-rather softly, “An artist.”
“Forreal?”
She nodded.
His face instantly brightened, “Can you draw me?”
“No.”
She skeptically watched him pretend to be in pain before adding, “You’re too ugly to draw.”
He immediately cut the act, “Now you're just lying.”
Ara stepped inside the Rolls Royce, closing the door after herself.
Ijichi popped his head from the driver’s seat, a warm smile on his lips, “Hello, Miss Ara.”
She opened her mouth-ready to tell him for the millionth time that he could simply call her Ara but she decided to let it be. At least he hadn’t stepped out and opened the car door for her. He was learning.
She offered him a small smile in return.
She stared out of the car window, watching the other students buzz about until the car began to move.
“Are you okay, Miss?”
Her eyes flitted to the rear view mirror, meeting Ijichi’s concerned expression.
“Y-you seem.. unlike yourself.”
She supposed that was the nicest way he could say she looked off—which she’d been feeling like the whole day.
“Ijichi, can you do me a favor?”
He adjusted his glasses, “Yes?”
“Can you take me home?”
“I am taking you home, Miss.”
“I mean- my Dad’s home?”
“Of course.”
She stared at the house outside the car window. It should’ve felt familiar but it felt... indescribable really.
Ijichi glanced back at her, unsure of what to do since they’d been sitting out here for a good minute.
He looked between her and the house, “Would you like me to accompany you inside?” he offered unsurely.
“No!” she quickly cut herself off before running a hand through her hair, forcing herself to breathe.
“No,” she repeated, more calmly, “it’s fine. I just.. can we wait a few more minutes?”
It was silent for a beat before he answered, “Of course, miss.”
She could only imagine how confused he was right now but he d—suddenly the front door of the house opened and she immediately straightened in her seat. Thank god the windows were blacked out.
Her Dad stepped out. He was balancing himself on one crutch and there were less bandages on his face. His hair was clean-cut short and he was wearing pajamas-a matching set-something about that made her want to smile.
She watched him half-limp, half-walk towards the mailbox. He hastily pulled it open and grabbed the mail. He eyed it warily, rubbing his scruff as he did so before making his way back inside.
She waited until he closed the door behind himself to speak.
“We can go now, Ijichi.”
A low, soft moan left her until she realized there were lips on hers. Her eyes fluttered open to find Satoru in bed beside her.
“You’re back.”
He smiled subtly, his hand on her clavicle gently pushing her back down—“Yeah.”
Her eyes darted to the clock only for him to catch her chin, refocusing her attention on him.
“You took a nap?” he inquired softly.
“Yeah,” she closed her eyes, sighing when she felt him kiss her cheek, “dunno why.”
She blindly reached out to rest her hand on his chest, “How was practice?”
“S’good,” he slipped his arm underneath her head, sidling up next to her under the sheets, “would’ve been better if I was here with you instead.”
She smiled slightly, still sleepy enough to not want to open her eyes. She felt his long fingers tap her abdomen.
“Ara?”
“Mhm..”
A short silence ensued before he asked, “Why’d you go to your Dad’s house?”
Her eyes flew open to find him staring right at her, not one readable emotion on his face.
“I just.. wanted to see how he was doing.”
“Why?”
For some reason, she struggled to answer that. She thought it was obvious but maybe it wasn’t—to him.
“He’s my Dad.” was all she managed to say.
He was silent for another moment, it was so unlike him that she couldn’t help but get nervous.
“Do you miss him?” he suddenly asked, an odd undercurrent to his tone.
She quietly observed him. His floppy white hair, pale matte skin, long light lashes, spark-less blue eyes, the solemn set to his lips. Something about him seemed poised in a way that seemed to await her answer.
She couldn’t tell what was going on with him and maybe that should’ve scared her but..
She flattened her palm against his chest, “Are you mad at me?”
His eyes seemed to widen slightly before he blazed with color. He averted her gaze, “No.”
She touched his jaw, “Then why does it feel like it?”
He met her eyes, “It’s not—well,” He subtly shook his head, “I don’t like him, your Dad. I don’t like him at all.”
“Neither do I.”
His hand on her stomach slid around her side, drawing her closer, “You can’t live with him,” it was a demand but his voice wavered, his eyes pleading, “I don’t want you to.”
She stared up at him, her throat feeling oddly obstructed, “I don’t want to.”
“No?” he didn’t give her much time to respond, instead suddenly turning himself atop her. The tip of his nose brushing hers, “Good, cause..”
His vivid eyes didn’t leave hers, “I can’t let you leave.”
“You can’t?”
He shook his head, sliding his fingers through hers.
“Whyyyyy are you guys so boring,” Gojo whined.
“Stop yapping, Satoru.” Geto muttered, barely glancing up from his notebook.
Suddenly Ara felt something light knock into her temple and spotted a paper plane on the floor beside her seat. She glanced over to see Satoru staring at her across the table, a wide grin on his lips.
She kicked his seat, “Don’t bug me.”
Just as she faced her textbook again, he threw his arms up and flung back in seat.
“You guys studied yesterdayyy~” he whined.
A second before the paper plane hit his chin he caught it. His grin widened as he met Ara’s narrowed eyes.
“Just because you don’t have to study doesn’t mean everyone else doesn’t have to.”
“Don’t be jealous, baby.”
“No one is jealous.”
“You sure?”
Geto set his pen down, “I'm two seconds away from kicking you both out this study room.”
“Okay nerd.”
She straightened in her seat, “It’s not my fault! He’s distracting me.”
Geto glared at Satoru, “I’m about to kick you out.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
Geto stood up and Ara’s eyes widened. Everything that happened next was a blur.
One second Geto’s hands were at Gojo’s collar then the next Geto was face first on the floor. The boys were kicking and hollering at each other, horse playing on the floor.
Ara slammed her textbook shut, easily gathering her things as she stood up.
“I’m out.” She closed the study room door behind her.
“Ara! Help me! Get this ape off me!” Gojo yelled.
She heard several camera snaps and turned around.
She attempted to smack the phone out of his hand but he easily raised it out of her reach.
“Why are you taking pics of me?” she demanded.
He smiled, his arms still upraised as he swiped through the pictures, “Because my kitten looks so pretty.”
“You see?” He said before placing the phone right up to her face.
It was.. admittedly a good picture. It was her from the back, staring off at the amusement park they’d just entered. Her silhouette looked good in her Miu Miu mini skirt and knee-length Naked Wolfe platform boots.
He snatched the phone back before she could even think to grab it from him. He was grinning to himself, swiping through the pictures once more.
“It’s good, right? You look so good.”
She sighed, tugging at his sleeve, “Toru, seriously. We got to. Shoko’s waiting for us.”
“Hold on, hold on. Let me make this my lockscreen.”
She glanced up when she heard him whistle.
He was shaking Geto’s shoulder playfully before tossing his golf stick in the air–somehow making it land upright in the ground.
He glanced in her direction and jogged over, “Baby did you see my shot? It was such a good shot.”
She lowered her phone in her lap, “No.”
“Aww.” he plopped into the seat beside her, “I told you to watch mee~”
“You are such a kid.”
Suddenly he snatched the phone out of her hand, “Who are we texting?”
She tried to reach for her phone, “I’m not texting anybody-!”
He easily caught both her wrists in one hand and held up her phone in the other, “Ooo you looking at jewelry, baby?”
He swiped down to see her cart. It was all Van Cleef & Arpels–ranging from earrings, rings and dainty bracelets. It was all wildly out of her price range but it wasn’t like she was planning on buying it, she just liked to get inspiration.
“This is a nice bracelet,” he noted.
She glanced down to see the picture, “I know right.”
“I can’t wait to see it on your wrist.” he smirked.
Her eyes widened as she watched him go through with the cart, inputting his credit card details by memory.
“What are–”
“Sh, Sh, Sh-”
“Toru, wait-” but it was too late. The confirmation page of the order was already up on her phone, along with pending delivery details. She couldn’t believe it. Even though she hadn’t added too many jewelry pieces to her cart she knew the total had been about 75k. And he’d just purchased it all.
He handed the phone back to her as she gaped.
“What the fuck..” she muttered, shell-shocked.
He kissed her cheek.
She glanced up at him, “What did you do that for?”
“For you.”
“Satoru, you're up!” Geto called.
He placed a deft kiss on her lips before standing and jogging over to Geto, leaving her stunned in silence.
She squirmed, “Toru, please– I’m still sore.”
He loosened his grip, sighing as he cupped her tits. “This bikini looks too good kitten.”
She pushed his hands away, quickly covering her chest as she swam further into the pool. It was admittedly a very sexy bikini set, the first of its kind that she’d ever worn. She felt very naked.
She turned around, “This is why I don’t like wearing what you want. You just want me naked all the time.”
“I do.”
She splashed him with water, making him laugh.
He swam towards her suddenly, splashing her with thrice the amount of water. She yelled, quickly attempting to swim away only to get cornered.
“Okay, okay! That's enough you fool!”
He quickly popped up from the water, closing in on her, “Quitting already?”
She didn’t hesitate in hitting him with a fierce splash but he quickly dodged it. Suddenly she was chasing him around the pool, sending splash after splash after him. He cackled as he attempted to dodge the bombardment of water.
She kept missing him, only to jump to get some distance on him. She jumped atop his back, nearly making him topple into the water–only for his athlete instincts to kick in and easily make him balanced.
“Ara-” he laughed, turning his face aside as she used her spare arm to splash water in his face. Her other arm wound tightly around his shoulders.
He slipped his arms under her legs around his waist, hoisting her higher on his back. “Hold on tight!”
She didn’t have a second to register his words because he was already swimming. He was swimming so fast she nearly screamed. She clutched his back, feeling his back muscles move against her chest. She felt like she was on a jet boat.
Finally he stopped, holding her knees up once more as he straightened.
“How was that?” he questioned, a bright smile on his face.
At her silence he glanced behind himself, “Ara?”
She dropped her face to his back, “I… I’m dizzy.”
He used his arm under her leg to swiftly maneuver her body in front of himself. His arms slipped around her bum, keeping her legs around his waist.
He rubbed her back, tilting his head, “You okay?”
She blinked several times, “Yeah.” her voice revealed something a bit unsure.
He swam towards the poolside, slipping his hands into the dip of her waist before placing her atop the marble floor. Her legs still dipped in the water.
She ran a hand through her wet hair as she breathed, “I’m fine.” she mumbled.
His eyes were alert, “Sorry.”
“No you’re not.”
A grin split across his lips.
She reached over to splash him with water again but he caught her wrist. She attempted to do the same with her other hand but he caught that one too.
“Ugh!” she grunted in frustration only for him to lean over and peck her lips.
“You’re so cute.”
“You’re so annoying.”
“Don’t make me blush baby.”
She stuck her tongue out at him.
His eyes widened, along with his grin, “Ah? Do that again.”
She sharply turned her face aside, “Shut up.”
He chuckled once more, finally releasing her wrists, “Ara..”
Just as she crossed her arms, his index and middle finger turned her chin his way, “I have something to ask you.”
“What now.”
He tilted his head, his bright eyes flickering up and down her face. She thought she saw his adam’s apple bob in his neck.
“So.. SATs are coming up.”
She raised a brow, “And?”
“And college applications are due soon so.. I wanna know your top choice.”
“Top choice?”
“Top choice for university.”
She eyed the faint blush on his cheeks, “Why?”
His hands rested atop the poolside as he drew closer, “I want us to go to college together.”
She tensed.
His intricate eyes scanned her face, unable to read her fixed expression.
“Kitten?” he asked.
She finally moved, her eyes darting up to his. “Are you sure?”
“What?” he asked, completely flabbergasted, “Of course I’m sure.”
He cupped her chin, “You think I can live without you?”
She turned her face a second before he could even think to kiss her.
His nose trailed her cheekbone, “You don’t want to?” he questioned.
She closed her eyes, “I do but.. can we not go far?”
His hand cupped her neck, tilting her face back up, “ ‘course kitten. Stanford then?”
A light laugh slipped out of her, “I know I can get in but can you?”
A grin spread across his lips, “You think you're better than me cuz you're valedictorian?”
“I know I’m better than you.”
His grin widened, “True, but have you checked the ranks?”
“I checked last week.”
“How about this week?”
“No but..” her eyes widened, “Are you saying you’re first again?”
He shrugged.
She shoved him, “Tell me!”
He laughed, loving every second of this, “Maybe.”
“Maybe?!” she barked, “Ugh, give it a week. Once my calc exam is in you’ll be back in your place. Watch.”
Suddenly his arms slipped around her waist and he was burying his face in her neck.
She pushed at his arms, “Toru—“
Suddenly she was pinned to the floor, his hands holding hers down as he bent over her. His tall frame between her legs.
He tilted his head, “Why do you want to stay near here?”
Her eyes lingered on the water droplets falling from his abs before meeting his gaze. Her face flushed.
“Cuz… just cause.”
“Tell me.”
She stared up at him, trying not to get swallowed up whole by the brightness of his blue eyes.
She closed her eyes, “Cuz I want to be near my Dad, okay?”
His jaw clenched as his eyes raked down her body, “You can go to any university in the world.. and that’s what you're gonna choose by?”
Her eyes fluttered open, her expression somewhat somber.
“He doesn’t care y’know.”
Her brows furrowed slightly but he continued anyway, “Does he really matter that much to you?”
“He’s the only family I have.” she answered curtly.
“So? He beat the shit outta you.”
Her expression twisted and she attempted to release herself from his hands pinning hers, “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“I don’t want you to make another decision based on someone who doesn’t care about you. I care about you. I want the best for you-”
She twisted underneath him, “Toru, let go of me—“
He bent lower over her, “Listen to me.”
She froze, her breath incredibly shaky.
“I am listening. You want to know my top choice? Anything in fucking California. That’s what I want, okay? If you don’t like it then go somewhere else.”
“Go somewhere else?” he repeated quietly.
She swallowed, unable to find any words.
“Without you?” he pressed.
Her heart raced in her chest, “N—no.”
“Hmm,” he hummed approvingly before running a hand down her side, “That’s what I thought.”
“Stanford?” Geto questioned on the other end of the line.
“Yeah Stanford.”
“Why?”
“Cuz,” he hadn’t really thought this through, “Stanford’s.. nice.”
Geto scoffed, “Nice? That’s it?”
“Yes?”
“You couldn’t decide what college you wanted to go for the past two years but suddenly you wake up and decide that Stanford is nice?”
Before he even had the chance to respond, Geto asked, “Does Ara have something to do with this?”
Gojo couldn’t help but chuckle, “Maybe~”
Geto sighed.
“Gojo!” she whined as he lifted her up from the couch. “Gojo, put me down!”
He smacked her ass over his shoulder, “Nah.”
“Gojo!” she yelled while attempting to kick her feet but his other arm quickly held her legs down.
He playfully bit her hip as he walked, “Don’t whine kitten.”
She attempted to twist herself away but it was impossible, “Satoru seriously— I want to finish the movie!”
“Then you shouldn’t have kissed me.”
“You kissed me.”
He merely shook his head, “Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
Her small fists hit his back and he laughed.
Just as he opened their bedroom door, she raised her head. Her eyes landed on the maid down the hallway, staring right at her. A slight blush on her face.
Before Ara could even think of feeling embarrassed Gojo kicked the door closed behind them.
“Satoru?”
“Hm?” he glanced up from his phone. He was rather comfortable, lounging on one of the several patio chairs.
Ara rubbed the back of her neck as she approached him, “Um.. you remember how i’m supposed to go shopping with Mils today?”
He tossed his phone onto the empty seat beside him and straightened.
“The shopping spree you rudely refuse to let me join? Yes.”
She stood before him, “Baby I need some girl time.”
He pouted, “I can be a girl?”
She cupped his chin and shook it, “Just because you're as pretty as one doesn’t mean you can be one.”
His eyes brightened, “I’m pretty?”
She shoved his face away but he quickly faced her again—a devious grin on his lips.
His white brows wriggled, “Are you gonna talk about me?”
She squinted, “No, why would I talk about trash.”
His arms slipped around her, tugging her close as he rested his chin atop her bosom.
“Meanie~”
Suddenly she was flipped into his arms, fully laying on his lap. She gasped.
He nuzzled her hair before tilting his head to drop a kiss on her lips. Just as his lips connected with hers she gently cupped his chin, pacing him. He pecked her, his eyes fluttering open to peek at her face as she kissed him back. He pecked her again and grinned when he felt her breath hitch.
Just as he drew closer to deepen the kiss, her fingers slipped into his hair–pulling him back.
“Wait–toru, wait–” she fought to catch her breath, “I have to go.”
He whined, “Right now?”
She nodded, “Yeah, Ijichi’s waiting outside but I need your help.”
“What do you need?”
She hesitated a second before admitting, “I-um, I want to shop but I.. I don’t have any money.”
It was true. She’d left the spare cash she had at her Dads and even if she did have the debit card her Dad had given her she wouldn’t feel comfortable using it.
His eyes widened, “Oh!”
He reached into his pocket, fishing out his Bottega Veneta wallet. He took out a credit card and gave it to her.
“Keep it.”
She stared blankly as he put it in her hand.
“It’s yours.” he added further.
She felt her face heat up, “I can give it back after—“
“I just said it’s yours, kitten. Buy whatever you want.”
She continued to stare at him and he stared back—only to cackle a second later.
“You can’t take anything normally huh?” he squeezed her cheek, “It’s always somethin’ new. Never a-” suddenly his voice turned saccharine, “‘Thank you, Toru’ ‘You're the best boyfriend ever, Toru-“
She quickly stood up from his lap, “I’m leaving.”
“Nooo~” he whined as he latched onto her, keeping her in his lap. He buried his face into her nape, “You can’t go yet.”
“Stop it-“
“Two minutes, just two minutes.”
“Toru!”
She jolted up from the bed, breathless. Her mouth felt terribly dry and her hands.. her hands were shaking.
She stared at her trembling fingers before registering.. I had a nightmare.
It’d been a terrible one at that, so terrible she wanted to scream at the top of her lungs. She could feel her scream stuck in her throat.
She blinked, trying to remember the details but the more she tried to think of it, the more it escaped her. She was grasping at straws but something within her felt an almost frantic pressure to remember. Something had happened, something bad-bad enough to feel real. She didn’t want to forget, she couldn’t—
Suddenly a hand slipped into the curve of her waist, “Ara?”
She glanced over to see Gojo propped on an arm behind her, his bright eyes nearly illuminating in the dark. His white hair tousled and disorderly from sleep.
She gently touched his face, her fingers pushing his soft silver-white hair back, “I’m okay.” she attempted to murmur only for her breathlessness to betray her.
His thin brows furrowed subtly, “Bad dream?”
She didn’t answer, merely moving to lay down underneath him, under the crook of his arm. His eyes followed her, never leaving her stoic face. They both knew it wasn’t the first time.
She avoided his gaze for a second, absentmindedly running her fingers over his collar bone before nodding.
He watched her flit about before lowering himself to press a gentle kiss on her forehead. Then another between her brows… on the bridge of her nose… the tip of her nose… then her lips.
Her lips quivered under his, making a heady rush hit his lower abdomen but he forced himself to think past it and be calm. He let his tongue sweep her mouth just once before breaking the kiss.
Her lips were swollen and parted. She was breathless all over again.
He searched her face, trying to find his focus but he didn’t need to when her hands suddenly slipped around his neck and they were kissing once more. It was sloppy, desperate and unexpectedly wanton in every degree.
Her nails dug into his scalp and kept him close. His hand found her tits, squeezing and groping needily. Fuck. He’d already had her tonight but hell he could never help himself when it came to her.
He meant to ask her about the nightmare, how they were coming a bit too often but– “Fuck,” he rasped out raggedly, breaking the kiss.
Her hand was wrapped around his cockhead, her thumb rubbing his tip before running up and down as much of his length she could reach. His hips bucked in response to her touch.
She never touched him there first, especially unprompted. If he ever wanted her to touch his cock he’d have to cup her tiny hand in his and guide her there.
She squeezed his cockhead, making him gasp before bucking into her harder. Her small palm ran along the underside of his length, feeling all his veins and heat. He could feel his cock throb in her hands as she rubbed him.
His forehead pressed into hers as he groaned. He was fully erect now and she knew it too. His cock had grown in size and felt incredibly hot and solid in her fingers. His pre-cum dribbled out the tip, making her palm sticky as her pace quickened.
He yanked the blankets off and flipped himself over her, eyes alert. He took in her frame and his cock twitched at the sight.
She was naked, hair splayed out over the pillow and legs loose around his waist. Hickeys strewn all over her skin, the fresher ones around her tits turning a deeper color.
He leaned lower, aligning his fully stiff cock at her entrance. Just touching her with the tip made his body gripe with lust.
He’d meant to tease her, maybe slide his cock through her folds a little, let his tip tease her clit but the second his cock touched her wetness his thoughts were set aflame. His jaw locked and he drove his cock straight into her pussy in one forceful stroke.
She cried out, her tits jumping as she jolted sensitively. Her hips could only tremble as her cunt squeezed around him. It always hurt when he fit himself inside all at once—but right now it hurt so good. She felt full in a way that she couldn’t think.
He was breathing heavily above her, his hand forming a fist at the crown of her head as he began to move his cock with no mercy. He was determined to show her what it meant to finish what she started.
“Satoru!” she cried while digging her nails into his shoulders.
He thrusted into her, hard and fast. As if they didn’t have any spare time to waste. He was hungry and she could feel it in each buck of his hips.
“Dont worry, baby.” he murmured huskily into her ear as she whined, “I got you.”
He pounded into her, burying his cock impossibly deeper each time. He knew it was a lot for her but he couldn’t help himself. He told himself she wouldn’t either—if she knew how good she felt.
Her insides clutched his cock like he was her lifeline. Fuck, if he wasn’t already, he should be. She was his lifeline as it was.
“ah—ah-aHh! Satoru—Satoru!!”
Fuck. He couldn’t stop. He kissed her, hard. She was too distracted to kiss him back. He felt her wet tears against his cheek and it made his thrusts get sloppy with heat.
He was close. So close. A few more thrusts—
Suddenly her fingers curled in his hair, her body arching underneath him as her insides gushed with fluid. Her eyes were squeezed shut, her head moving side to side desperately as she begged, “S-satoru—please!”
He exploded, cumming buckets and buckets and buckets into her heat. It didn’t matter that he’d already came inside her earlier in the night, something about her made him cum loads each time. And this time was no different.
He panted as he fell into the crook of her neck. He felt her body tremble oh so delicately underneath his.
He was still for a beat before kissing the skin underneath her ear and lowering his hand to where they were still joined. His thumb found her clit, making her jolt sensitively.
A small grin slid onto the end of his lip when he heard her slight, broken breath turn bated as he rubbed her tiny, slick bud.
“Toru,” she rasped out, unable to successfully twist away due to being pinned under him, “T-toru, what are you doing?”
The gentle pressure of his thumb against her clit picked up, making her shiver.
“What you did to me.” he murmured. “Waking you up.”
“I’m—I’m already awake.” she stuttered out, his thumb was making circles over her clit now.
“Hmm,” he hummed, “You didn’t cum.”
“I-I did.”
He used his thumb and forefinger to lightly squeeze her clit, making her lose all her breath.
“No you didn’t.”
“I did!” she gasped out desperately.
She shoved at his shoulders just as he began to move inside her, his cock slowly thrusting into the mess they’d made inside her. The wet sound echoing promiscuously in the room.
“Then prove it.” he whispered into her neck before licking underneath her jaw, along her several hickies as if sealing them in.
He straightened above her, looking down to see her eyes squinted shut and her lips twisted in unwanted desire. His cock throbbed as he thrusted into her harder.
“Prove it to me and do it again.”
“Millie, where the hell are we?” she asked.
Millie laughed, her tone as lighthearted as ever, “Don’t worry about it, just come.”
Millie took her hand and pulled her out of the car. Before them was one of the most extravagant hotels Ara had ever seen. It was absolutely insane.
She stared at the palm trees surrounded pool in shock. It had to be the biggest pool she’d ever seen in her life. The lights decorating the pathway to hotel doors were lit with real fire as Millie dragged her to the entrance.
Their heels clacked along the marble ground as they walked up to the main doors. They’d spent the entire day together–pointlessly glamming themselves up to the most excessive degree. From massages, to manicures, pedicures, eyebrow threading, hair, makeup, shopping, shopping and more shopping. From clothes, jewelry, shoes, accessories–anything that they liked they picked up. Gojo had said she could use her card on anything she wanted and Millie was more than happy to run it up–she nearly regretted telling Millie that.
But-at the same time-if she couldn’t spend with her best friend then what the hell was the point? Even if they’d blown through more money than she’d ever spent in the last decade in one day, it was admittedly a blast. It felt like something out of a dream.
The only thing she regretted was smoking a little weed in the car because now her head felt fuzzy–very fuzzy.
Ara couldn’t help but notice the security guards lining the walls the second they entered the lobby. Paranoia immediately seeped into her veins.
She turned and sharply faced Millie-only to become momentarily silenced. Millie looked stunning, her hair was pinned in a sexy, undone but not, 90s inspired updo that suited her incredibly well. Her mini-dress and heels matched perfectly and something about her dark brown smokey eye makeup brought out her eyes in the most appealing way. Damn, her best friend was hot.
Millie blinked, “What?”
Ara shook her head-pulling herself out of her reverie, “You’re hot.”
Millie smirked, squeezing her hand, “You’re hotter.”
Ara rolled her eyes before remembering her original task, “Listen,” she tugged her hand, “What are we doing here? We better not be doing something stupid. There’s a shit ton of security here.” she whispered.
Millie giggled, “Why do you always think the worst of me? We’re not sneaking in anywhere, don’t worry.”
“Then what are we doing here?”
Millie shook her head, “Just trust m-”
Ara glared, “What is this? Seriously?”
Millie let go of her hand and motioned for her to stay where she was, “Just hold on a sec.”
Ara stared at Millie in complete aggravation as she watched the girl walk up to the front desk. They were supposed to go to Millie’s place to drop off her shopping bags and then to Gojo’s place to drop off her own stuff. They then planned to just hang out and take pics there–not whatever this was.
She glanced up at the glass ceiling, reveling in the sight of the gorgeous starlit night sky before realizing it was rather late. Gojo was bound to be worried. Fuck.
She flipped open her clutch to find her phone–only to see it wasn’t inside. Oh shit.
Her heart rate skyrocketed–suddenly she felt a hand on her elbow and glanced up to see Millie with two security guards behind her.
Millie smiled, “C’mon lets go.”
Ara stared at the three of them in confusion, unable to speak for a moment. “..Millie..?”
“Just c’mon.” Millie slid her hand around her elbow and began to walk towards the elevator. The security guards followed.
“Wait,” Ara pulled her arm out of hers, “I can’t find my phone. I think I left it in the car. I need to call Ijichi–”
“Just don’t worry about it.” Millie hassled her into the elevator–nearly making Ara trip over her heels.
“What the fuck, Millie?” Ara asked harshly. She swiveled around to notice the security guards follow them inside the elevator and press a button to a floor she couldn’t see due to the guards’ huge stature blocking the way.
“I’m sorry, I just need you to be patient for a sec.”
Ara immediately refocused her attention to her, “Patient? What the fuck is going on? Do you even know where we are going?”
Millie pursed her lips and shrugged.
Ara raised a brow, “Are you good? I need my phone. I need to call Ijichi–or Gojo.”
Millie smacked her teeth, “Gojo? Are you still thinking about him right now? Just quit already–you're like a lovesick girlfriend.”
Ara glared, “What the hell? You know he’s the one on my ass all the time. He’s probably texted you already, asking about me.”
“Doesn’t he have your location?”
“Yeah but if I don’t text him often he gets pissy. You know this.”
Millie giggled, “Is he the girl in the relationship?”
Ara couldn’t help but chuckle, “You still want to date him?”
“Yes, especially if he gives me that credit card.”
Ara didn’t get the chance to respond because suddenly the elevator doors opened to reveal a lavishly adorned rooftop–everything pastel purple and white themed. Her favorite colors..
Suddenly the sound of confetti cannons went off, making her jump.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!”
Ara was pushed out the elevator by Millie to see several of her classmates waiting for her, hooting and hollering like animals. Pastel purple confetti everywhere. Shoko crushed her in a hug first.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!” Shoko pulled back, beaming-it wasn’t hard to tell from the flush on her cheeks that she’d already started drinking.
Shoko’s eyes widened, before pinching her cheek, “You look soo good, girl. Damn.”
Ara blushed slightly, “Thank you.”
“No thank you,” Shoko placed a hand on her shoulder, “Seriously. You’re probably…” She paused, as if trying to find the right words, “one of the coolest people I’ve ever met.” she said with a firm nod.
Ara paused, “Really?”
“Yeah, you’re.. you. And you don’t let anyone else around you make you otherwise, I like that. You don’t let Gojo get his way all the time either, which is exactly what he needs. He needs to hear some no’s in his life. And get humbled. Lots of humbling.”
Shoko shook her head, smiling to herself as she continued, “It’s honestly refreshing to hear him complain about you.”
“He complains about me?”
Shoko laughed, “Little things like you refusing to go to an escape room with him or you forcing him to wear a seat belt ever since he nearly totaled that car.”
Ara refrained from rolling her eyes, she’d only seen a video of the 'almost' incident but he’d been two seconds away from smashing the car front first into a bridge and that was all she needed to witness to shut it down. She knew it’d be impossible to stop his chronic speeding but a seatbelt was the least she could do. It hadn’t even been his car either, it was Geto’s.
Shoko continued with a humorous smile, “He gets so upset when you don’t use his gifts.”
Ara’s eyes widened indignantly, “He gives me too many.”
“It’s honestly hilarious,” she chuckled before shrugging, “It’s stupid but like, lots of the girls he’s been with were honestly.. pushovers and it was highkey nauseating. You know how to handle him though.”
Ara opened her mouth slightly, intending to respond but..
Is that how it looks like? Stoic, studious Ara keeping fuckboy billionaire Gojo in line? She supposed only Millie knew of his possessiveness but then.. maybe to others it really did look like he was in line. He rarely did things without her, in fact he didn’t even party without her–out of his own accord. He listened to her every whim and desire and was almost desperate to do so—outside of bed.
Shoko patted her cheek, drawing her out of her thoughts, “I just hope he doesn’t do something stupid and lose you.”
She stared at Shoko’s sincere expression for a moment, feeling her heart tighten suddenly. She didn’t have much time to dwell on it though because the second Shoko let go of her shoulder, she went stumbling backwards.
Before Ara could even outstretch her hands Nanami appeared and caught Shoko a second before she truly toppled over. His arms slipped around her waist and she melted into him. Shoko mumbled something incoherent in his neck and a warm smile immediately bloomed on his face.
He glanced towards Ara, his kind smile widening, “She’s fine, I promise.”
She watched his hand caress Shoko’s short hair as he continued, “Happy birthday. I hope you like our gift. Ieiri went through a lot to make sure you liked it.”
Shoko placed her index finger on his lips, still keeping her face buried in his shoulder as she did this, “Don’t tell her what it is.”
“I didn’t!” he exclaimed.
Ara laughed only to suddenly be pulled into another hug. Then another and another. All of Shoko’s friends. Arden. Mina. Leah, they all wished her and updated her on random tea about their classmates that she could’ve lived without hearing but she didn’t mind. When the conversation turned to her outfit they showered her with such compliments she couldn’t help but feel bubbly inside–until Arden spoke.
“Listen, I don’t know about you guys but the second she stepped out that elevator my g-string got soaked.”
A short silence ensued and she added, “Just saying.”
Mina spoke, “Girl what.”
“It’s the bi in me.”
Leah laughed as Mina playfully shoved Arden. Ara shook her head, giggling under her breath as she turned around–only to run into Toji and Haibara.
Haibara beamed the second he saw her, “Birthday girl!!!!”
He outstretched his arms but quickly looked past her, seeming to notice something-or someone-and pretended to run his hand through his hair. Ara was too in her own head to notice. She hadn’t exactly been mentally prepared to see so many people.
Regardless, Haibara’s smile offered her a semblance of reassurance. He had that sort of aura-of a human teddy bear.
She returned his smile, “That’s me~”
He suddenly whipped out his phone, “Your reaction was so funny, look look. You really looked around trying to find out who’s birthday it was.”
Ara watched the video on his phone to see he was right. When everyone shouted happy birthday, she’d broken her neck to look everywhere and behind herself like a fool.
She moved his arm away to get the video out of her sight before she could over-analyze herself further. She hated being photographed, videoed or any of the like.
“That’s cuz I forgot it was my birthday.”
“You really forgot?” he asked.
“Yeah.” she shrugged. Her family never did anything on the day so-aside from a happy birthday text from Millie-it was just a regular day to her.
“Well,” Toji’s deep voice rumbled, “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded, his dark hair swaying subtly as he did so. It should be illegal for his narrow green eyes to look as seductive as they did while merely maintaining eye contact.
“You look pretty.” he complimented. The words were simple, truly straightforward and yet his sensual voice made it feel like something more. No wonder women dropped like flies around his feet.
She raised her chin imperceptibly, “Thanks Toji.”
Out of all of Gojo’s friends, he was the one she least got along with. Maybe because they were both somewhat the quiet type but it was also because she wasn’t a fool.
She knew-given the chance-he’d rip her clothes off without a second's delay if she asked. He wouldn’t even care if Gojo came after him. He was just that sort of person. But even he with all his lingering stares and subtle seductive tactics wasn’t aware of Gojo’s limits—or moreso, the lack thereof.
She was forced to break their little staring contest when a hand suddenly grabbed her elbow and twirled her around. She was met with Millie’s sly grin and Geto standing a slight bit behind her. He greeted her with a small smile.
“Having fun?” Millie teased.
Ara tilted her head, “Did you set all this up?”
“I’m rich but not that rich,” she jutted her chin somewhere to her right, “That’s all him right there.”
Ara glanced over to see Gojo leaning against a railing, somewhat excluded from the others for a change. He looked like something straight out of a romance movie. His silky white hair had been pushed back, minus for the few unruly strands that hung over his forehead. He’d grown his hair out a bit-at her request-but she liked the way it looked more weighted at his nape, like a little mane.
He wore a simple black dress-shirt, untucked from his matching pants. The outfit was simple and yet the subtle contours of his tautly muscular frame made it all the more appealing. He was unbuttoning the top few buttons at his collar when he caught her gaze. The corner of his glossy lips immediately lifting upwards.
Her heart skipped a beat.
“He’s waiting for youuu.” Millie sang into her ear.
Ara was suddenly forced forward by Millie’s not-so-subtle push.
She walked towards him, feeling her breath grow shallow with each step. His eyes remained transfixed on her. She didn’t miss the way his gaze dropped to take her in from head to toe. When his eyes found hers again, a pale pink hue decorated his cheeks.
He straightened off the railing, “Hi kitten.”
She stopped right before him. A tiny smile finding its way to her lips, “Hey.”
He brought his arm around from behind himself to reveal a bouquet of white hibiscus flowers. Her favorite flower. She didn’t meet his eyes as he handed it to her.
“Satoru..”
“Don’t be mad at me,” he rushed out, “please.”
She glanced up at him.
“I know you don’t like people. That’s why I kept it small. I just.. had to do something. I had to. Especially after you told me you never did anything for your birthday before-I didn’t like it. You deserve to be celebrated-”
A small laugh left her lips, “I deserve to be celebrated?”
“Yes.” he replied indignantly.
She shook her head, “You worry about the oddest things.”
He blinked slowly, “..you hate this.”
“I would’ve been happy even if it was just us, y’know.” she replied gently.
His eyes widened for a moment before he hung his head, “I’m sorry.”
She set the flowers down on a nearby table before touching his arm, “I didn’t say I wasn’t happy now though.”
He lifted his head slightly, a hint of that boyish spark returning to his eyes. He searched her face, “..really?”
She nodded, “This is all.. really nice actually. No one’s ever surprised me before.”
The corner of his lip lifted tantalizingly, “You like it?”
She slipped her arms around his shoulders, “Only this once.”
His devilishly handsome smile returned in full force before he crushed her to himself. His strong arms tightening around her waist to lift her up as he kissed her. Her hands wound themselves in his hair as they kissed. She felt his heartbeat through his shirt and couldn’t help but smile against his lips. He’d been nervous and she couldn’t help but find it undeniably cute.
He lowered her to her feet but didn’t let her go, showering her face with kisses as she laughed.
She gently shoved his firm shoulders, “Toru, stop.”
He kissed her temple, still keeping her close as he whined, “I can’ttttt.”
One of his hands around her waist slid low to her ass, giving it a squeeze.
She glared up at him, “Satoru.”
He grinned.
“Alright lovebirds,” Millie’s familiar voice rang out from their left, drawing them out of their little bubble. “Now that you’re done sucking each other’s faces off, I need to take a picture with the birthday girl.”
She took Ara’s hand and walked her over to a lengthy, elaborate flower wall made solely of white hibiscus flowers. Ara gaped.
Millie shoved her phone in Gojo’s chest only for him to catch her wrist, “Milsss, don’t you think her boyfriend should get a pic with her first?”
“I’m her best friend.”
“So.”
“So?” Millie nearly yelled.
“I set this whole place up.”
“You mean the people you hired set this place up.”
“Same difference.”
“It’s most definitely not. Do you know what it took to get her here? She nearly bit my head off in the elevator.”
“Did she?” Ara could hear the grin in his voice.
“Yeah! It was hard as hell to sneak her phone from her too cuz you kept texting her..”
As they bickered, Ara couldn’t help but take a moment to look around. Some of her classmates were already taking pictures in front of the flower wall while others were at the drink table. Pouring themselves drink after drink as they meandered about. Laughter and music filling the air. And the view… the rooftop view was to die for. It was something she never could’ve imagined in a million lifetimes.
It was in moments like these where she’d wonder..
How did I get here?
Ara pulled the blanket up to Millie’s shoulders. She was passed out, like most of her classmates once they brought the party inside the penthouse suite of the hotel. It was nearly 5 am so she couldn’t blame them.
“Psst.”
Ara glanced over to see Gojo walking her way, a drink in hand. She knew he didn’t drink so..
“If that drink is for me then you can put it away.”
He grinned, “Nah it’s water.”
“Oh,” she took it from him and then took a sip, only to spit it out, “That’s vodka!”
“Eheheh,” She shoved him as he sat down on the couch beside her. He motioned towards Millie, “She’s out?”
Ara nodded, “She drank enough for everyone combined.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.”
Ara squinted, “You don’t even drink.”
“Shhh,” he slipped his hand into hers, “Can I steal you now?”
“For what?”
“I have to show you something.”
She was silent for a moment, “It’s too early for a prank.”
He grinned brightly, “It’s not a prank. I promise.”
warnings: 18+ only babes, stalking/possessive themes, profanity, coercion, pet names (kitten, baby), begging, mentions of abusive parents, w33d, dub/non-consented sex, unprotected & protected sex, rough sex (just pls be an adult before reading this)
word count/plot: [17.3k!] ara catches gojo's attention when news breaks that she is the top academically ranked student in their grade. he is ranked second. he tries to befriend her but she ignores him. despite her obvious disinterest, his obsession begins...
a/n: ahaaa so i know this has been a long time coming tbh i wasn't even sure if i was ever going to end up finishing writing this chapter bc it is soooo long. prolly the biggest chapter yet. i just didn't want to post it without completing it all and maybe at the end of this chapter (in part 4) you'll see why. regardless tysm for even being interested & pestering me enough to feel guilty about leaving u guys on a cliffhanger for so long haha. u guys got me thru writing this toxic bs but here it finally is!! enjoyy
ch. 1 , ch. 2 [ part 1 | part 2 ] , ch. 3 , ch. 4 , chapter 5 [ part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 ]
She couldn’t stop crying. The loud pitter-patter of the rain behind her felt like her tears.
Gojo clutched her so tight, it was almost reassuring. She almost wished he could crush her to dust. She was tired of herself.
And now, she reached rock bottom. She went to him.
She knew what that meant. What stepping into Ijichi’s car would entail. And she hadn’t stopped.
She went to him.
And now her consequences were own to bear.
Ijichi grabbed her fallen duffel bag from the ground beside her. He’d offered to carry her bag for her but she refused. She supposed it didn’t matter now because she dropped it the second Gojo held her in his arms.
Gojo’s voice was faint to her ears, “That all her stuff?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Take it to my room.”
Her breathing evened out as the last of her tears slipped down her face. She had no tears left to cry.
The moonlight streaming through the windows casted shapes along on the floor, a slanted reflection of the tall windows. The outlines luminous enough to subtly brighten the dimly lit living room–if that’s what this expansive space even was. It was so quiet, her sniffles and uneven breath felt like the loudest thing in the room.
His fingers ran down her hair, “You done?” he whispered, voice soft.
She glanced up at him-heat scattering along her cheeks as she realized this was the second time she’d cried on him as if he weren’t a part of the reason. She supposed it didn’t matter anymore, especially not after the decision she’d made.
His iridescent eyes searched her face as he whispered once-more, “Can I kiss you now?”
Her puffy eyes narrowed, “Seriously?” she croaked.
A low, whiny sound left him as he tugged her further up his lap-pressing his forehead to hers. “Just one, just one,” he insisted-trying to convince her, “On the cheek.”
It seemed he was helpless to his instincts because he didn’t wait for an answer-quickly tilting his head to press a short yet eager peck to her cheek.
She felt him pause, his lips ghosting up her temple before kissing her forehead. She sighed, she knew it wouldn’t be just one.
Suddenly he was kissing her all over—showering her face with short, chaste kisses that landed everywhere but her lips.
She writhed on his lap before placing a hand on his chest to push him back, “Satoru!”
“Sorry, sorry.” he sighed, “I just missed you. A lot.”
She merely stared at him, searching his crystalline eyes. She could only imagine why.
My body, you mean.
“All of you.” he corrected, a light smile slipping across his lips.
She instantly tensed. She hadn’t meant to say that outloud.
He lightly flicked her forehead, “Your mind..”
He lowered his hand, brushing his thumb over her bottom lip, “..your naughty mouth..”
His fingertips trailed down her navel, “I guess I missed this place too..”
Her eyes widened, quickly catching his hand before it went lower.
His lips curled into a smirk, “But your panties kept me company.”
“You-?” Her face instantly heated up when she realized. She threw his hand away from her, “Ugh. You’re actually disgusting.”
His eyes glittered with amusement, “Yet you came back.”
She glared, her face simultaneously blazing brighter as she hastily turned her face aside.
He laughed-the sound too triumphant for her liking.
A yawn suddenly left her lips. It seemed her lack of sleep finally caught up to her.
“You tired?”
She froze-her eyes flitting to him. If she said yes he’d most likely take her to his bedroom and she didn’t trust what that would entail. She didn’t trust him. She truly couldn’t tonight. Especially not with the way her whole body ached.
“No.” she replied instinctively.
“Hmm,” his blue eyes raked over her countenance, “Are you hungry?”
She shook her head.
“Are you…staying the night?”
She swallowed before whispering, “Yes.”
“Just tonight?” he asked-a little too quickly.
She paused, her voice hollow, “Longer.”
She saw something flash through his glowing eyes. His arms around her tightening possessively.
He nuzzled her hair, inhaling sharply-before exhaling when he pressed his forehead to hers, “Are you gonna tell me what happened?”
She hesitated, voice shaky, “N-not right now.”
His gaze sharpened, eyes colder than ice, “Why?”
“Because..” she slipped her shaky hand over his jaw, “I don’t want to be sad anymore.”
He went quiet at that, seemingly still for a moment. Her fingers stroking his jaw wavered as something close to fear made her stomach knot.
Suddenly he tilted his face into her palm, his eyes flickering close like a cat enjoying their scratches.
“Hm..” he murmured before kissing the bottom of her palm, his eyes bright, “I got an idea.”
He showed her ‘their’ home (he kept calling it that)—giving her a house tour. Well, estate because that's what it really was. There were so many rooms, so many floors. It was entirely impossible for her to remember them all.
It was 4 am and they still weren’t done with touring the ‘house’ yet. It was truly unreal. It was nothing like she’d ever seen, not even in her dreams. The architecture was so ‘old world’–everything exquisitely detailed down to a T. It was breathtaking, and overwhelming.
A music room. ball room. library. gym. balconies–several balconies, as well as living rooms, dining halls. engraved ceilings. statues–real-life, hand carved statues. She couldn’t fathom it. She couldn’t understand how someone could have so much.
Her head was spinning.
She stared at the marble steps growing larger behind him as he carried her upstairs. Looks like her tour was done for the night.
She glanced up at the sky themed mural on the vast ceiling and walls. She could only imagine how long that took to paint. It suddenly struck her that every part of the house contained some sort of blue. Not always the exact same shade but there were hues of blue everywhere.
Especially the main areas. The kitchen, the foyer, the extravagant pool directly in front of the manor—she couldn’t help but notice that those areas were the same shade of blue. The blue felt oddly familiar, maybe because it meshed so well with the rest of the white and tan-ish gold theme of the manor. She couldn’t help but commend whoever the interior designer was-they’d truly done the estate justice.
She glanced up at him and suddenly everything clicked into place. His eyes. Everything blue was a similar shade to his eyes. Even now, the sky themed mural on the ceiling above matched perfectly with his eyes.
“Gojo..?”
He glanced down at her. His platinum hair was slicked back today-for what reason, she didn’t know but it seemed the gel couldn’t tame him either because unruly white strands hung all over his forehead.
He pouted, “You know how I feel about that name, sweets.”
“Satoru.” she corrected quietly.
A subtle smirk formed on his lips as he perused her countenance fondly, “Mhm?”
She absentmindedly held onto his shirt tighter, “Does everyone in your family have blue eyes?”
He raised a playful brow, “Why do you ask?”
“Cause.. there's a lot of blue everywhere. You said this has been your family home for generations so I thought-maybe-“ she fumbled with her words, “It wasn’t a coincidence.”
A sly smile slipped across his lips, “Smart girl.”
He lowered his head to dramatically blink in her face, purposely showing her his big diamond blues up-close. She pushed his chin away, squinting in disapproval.
His smile widened, “Yeah, everyone in my family’s got blue eyes. It doesn’t matter who we marry, the kid always gets blue eyes.”
He glanced up at the sky mural above them as he made it to the top of the steps, “I guess we made it a personality trait.” he teased.
She glanced at the rest of the floor ahead of them. It looked empty. In fact, the only people they’d encountered during her tour was a maid here and there.
“Where is everyone?” she asked impulsively.
“What do ya mean?”
She glanced up at him, “Is there no one else here?”
She’d known he was an only child but.. all this space? There had to be others.
He nodded before pressing a delicate kiss to her neck as he continued to carry her through the hallway.
“No one but us.” he smirked.
A cold shot of fear entered her system as she rapidly became hyper-aware of her situation, who she was with–what she was doing–his arms carrying her, bridal style, at that.
She tensed, “Put me down.”
He glanced down at her-walking a bit slower, “But we’re almost to my room.”
Her eyes widened ever so slightly-an uneasy feeling swirling in her gut, “We’re going to your room?”
“Yeah,” He blinked, “What—you wanna stay up?”
She paused, “No.. It’s late, I’m tired.”
When he didn’t respond, she added, “A-and we have school tomorrow..”
A short laugh left him, “Oh, we’re not goin’ to school tomorrow.”
She stared at his room. It was the size of her living room–quadrupled. It was dauntingly surreal, the level of luxury he was encircled with. It was nothing short of royalty. She didn’t understand how he eagerly stayed all those nights in her room when he had access to this much space.
It felt irregular for her to even be seeing all of this–like she shouldn’t be here.
His chest brushed the back of her head. His hands lightly touching her waist, “You gonna stand here all night?”
She hesitated before stepping past the threshold. His hands sliding off her as she walked into his room.
He waited a beat, watching her step further into his domain with slow, unhurried steps. It was almost teasing, the way she took her sweet time, as if he hadn’t repeatedly dreamt of her being here with him countless of times. Whether it be a passionate fantasy of them intertwined on his bed or a glimpse of a future where they made this home less empty–he never dared to believe he’d get here this soon.
The feeling that settled in his gut was so utterly possessive-it was visceral in its intensity. This was their room now. Everything here was hers as much as it was his.
She looked so curious, so hesitant-maybe for good reason. He watched her twirl around slightly, taking in the room as if it were too much to accept. Her eyes swept over the lounge area, the sliding glass doors that lead to the balcony, the leveled embroidered ceiling. Her neck arching as she tilted her head back to peer at it.
A subtle smile slipped across his lips. Too damn cute. Her eye for art was too obvious, her eyes always catching little details. His great-great grandfather also had an eye for such things. He utilized that interest when he designed this place. She’d fit right in here.
He quietly closed the doors behind himself-his eyes never leaving her. He covertly followed behind when she stepped through the short pathway that led into the private area of their room. Her eyes skimmed over the king sized bed, the flat screen TV across it, the multiple doors at each corner-those leading to his closet, bathroom and study. He’d show her them all tomorrow.
She stood beside his bed, completely distracted by her surroundings when he silently approached her. His arms snaked around her sides, drawing her close to kiss the crown of her head. She gasped.
“Do you know how much I missed you?”
His low voice sent a shot of fear up her spine. His hands traveled up her hip bones to the dip of her waist, squeezing lightly. She winced-hard.
“W-wait-“ she quickly turned around, hastily sitting on the edge of the bed. Her eyes wide, “I can’t tonight. I really can’t.”
His white brows drew together when he spotted her arm over her stomach, “Why?”
“B-because-“ she came up with something on the spot, “I’m on my period.”
He took a step towards her, “You know a little blood doesn’t scare me.”
Shit. Shit! She did know that. Her frantic mind couldn’t come up with a good excuse.
She slowly shifted further back on the bed-trying not to move too fast. She knew if she made it too obvious that she was trying to gain some distance from him, he’d act without a second thought.
“M-my cramps are really bad. It hurts-a lot, please.” her voice shook.
He held her gaze for a long moment. She thought her anxiety would end her before he responded.
“Take your shirt off, Ara.”
Her eyes widened, “I-I’m in pain, Toru-please.”
His eyes flared, “Not for that.”
He moved towards her and she instinctively scrambled back. Just as she made it halfway across the bed, he grabbed her by the leg. She screamed as he dragged her back to the bed’s edge.
She struggled against him, crying and writhing as he pinned her wrists above her head-forcing her in place. He ripped her shirt off with his free hand.
She sobbed, turning her face aside, keeping her eyes squeezed shut. She couldn’t bear this-she never let anyone see her like this.
His lucid eyes slowly took in the sight of her body. Her skin tone matching bra the only article of clothing on the upper half of her body. Bruises of varying colors blooming all over her torso—especially along her clavicle, sternum and abdomen. There were also thin red cuts on her skin-some longer than others, some scabbed over and others still bubbling with caked blood.
He released her wrists, standing over her in pure, unadulterated silence. He stared as she instinctively turned to her side, curling in on herself as she sobbed-unintentionally revealing her back. It was in worse condition than her front, with a few larger cuts marking her shoulder blades and spine. Most were already scabbing. A bruise faintly resembling the shape of a hand on her upper arm.
“He cut you.” his voice was flat, purely factual.
She shook her head, her voice cracking, “N-no, I fell on broken glass.”
“Don’t lie.” he snapped.
“I’m not!” she shouted through tears, partially sitting up, “He kept kicking me so I fucking fell on the pieces of the mirror. H-he dragged me t-through it s-so-“
Her voice cracked and she curled in on herself once more—trembling.
“He.. dragged you?” he repeated, voice hollow.
“He threw so many things..” she murmured to herself, a bit zoned out, “I don’t know how he’s gonna clean it all up.”
His eyes widened. Suddenly she sat up, “He remembered you, y’know. He asked me who the white haired boy was.”
He stared down at her-appearing to consider that, “Is that right?”
She glanced aside-deep in thought, “Yes. He remembered you.. hurt him that night. I-I don’t know how.” her voice ended as a whisper.
“So he knows of me then..” he nodded a few times, “That’s good.”
He sauntered backwards a couple steps, “I should pay him a visit.” His tone was oddly light.
Her eyes snapped up, refocusing on him, “What?”
He glanced down at his rolled up sleeves, eyeing the Patek on his wrist, “It’s not too late now, is it? He should be up.” he mused.
She rose from her seat on the bed, “W-what are you talking about?” her voice slightly raspy.
He lowered his arm, shrugging, “It’s about time we officially met, no? I’ve been wanting to introduce myself for a while..”
His eyes raked over her body once more before he tugged at his tie-easily loosening it as he turned around, “There’s a lot I want to ask him.”
Her eyes widened. His tone was too light. His attitude too airy. Something wasn’t right.
She closed the distance between them-nearly tripping as she ran on wobbly legs to stand in front of him, “What are you saying?!” her voice panicked, “You can’t see him-You can’t-He’s n-not okay. I didn’t tell you so-“
“Relax, Ara,” his voice was silkier than honey as he touched the side of her face, “I just wanna talk, that’s all.”
She gripped his shirt, staring up at him through tear-filled eyes as she spoke, “No, you don’t. You don’t!”
She searched his face wildly, heart beating erratically in her chest as she whispered, “You’re angry.”
He stared down at her for a long moment before a fervid smile slowly blooms across his lips, “You got me all figured out, don’t you?”
He tilts his head, his hands slipping around her loose fists at his shirt. He tugs her wrists-forcing her close-close enough that his lips brush hers with every word he spoke.
“No one touches what’s mine, remember? No one.”
He yanks her wrists off him-with enough force to make her stumble backwards. She gasped out, clutching the armrest of a nearby loveseat to keep from falling. She quickly glanced up to see him stalk towards the door.
“No!” she ran towards him, attempting to grab the back of his shirt, “Toru! Toru-please!”
He easily side-stepped her.
She lunged, clutching onto him with all her might. Her arms locked around his waist as she buried her face in his back.
“Stop, toru! Stop–STOP!” she cried out, he could feel her body trembling with the force of her cries, “It doesn’t matter! It doesn’t fucking matter–I hate him!”
He froze. If there was one thing about Ara, she never-ever-spoke badly about her dad. Even if he brought up an obvious disparity, it didn’t matter. She would easily shoot him down with a cold look or say ‘don’t talk about him’ with such a severe edge that even he decided it wasn’t worth the argument.
Her arms tightened around him as she whispered off, “I hate him, I hate him, I hate him, I hate him–” her voice cracked.
Suddenly her arms disappeared from his waist and he immediately turned around. Her back was to him, her hands running rampantly through her hair as she sobbed, “I HATE HIM–I HATE HIMMM!”
The pain in her voice, the frustration echoed throughout the walls and seemed to rack through her own body as she visibly shook.
He reached for her, “Ara-”
She smacked his hand away, “No!”
He reached for her again, voice softer, “Ara—”
“NO!” she screamed before scurrying away from him, “You don’t get it—you don’t get it!”
She shook her head, another sob leaving her lips before she raked her hands through her hair once more, “I did everything for him-everything! I did everything for my family but guess what? GUESS WHAT?”
She went on, “No one gives a shit! My dad doesn’t give a shit. My mom doesn't give a shit. And n-now I don’t give a shit. I’m done. I’m done!”
But she was lying. Her watery eyes, trembling lips, wobbly knees. Every part of her was hurting.
She dropped to her knees and he immediately went to her. He lowered himself before her but before he could get a word out, she shoved him back—barely making him budge.
She yelled, “I don’t wanna see him again! I don’t want to-” her voice cracked.
He pulled her close, letting her lean against his chest. His long arms easily enclosing around her back, one hand at the crown of her head, “You don’t have to.” he murmured into her temple before kissing her forehead, “You don’t ever have to.”
A deep sob left her, the kind that made her feel so utterly vulnerable. She’d been trying to hold it back, gritting her teeth so tightly to the point that it hurt but it was useless. Useless, when it came to being held in his arms.
She clutched his arms as he sank lower to the floor, letting her fully lean into him-in between his long legs. He gently rubbed her back, trying to quell her trembling as she buried her face into his chest.
Suddenly her head shot up-a lost look to her tear stained eyes, “Y-you can’t see him either! No one can see him-” her voice was so small, so hoarse from all her yelling and crying. Her frail hands tightened around his sleeves, over his biceps, as she shook her head.
“You can’t leave me,” her voice cracked again, “You can’t–”
His eyes widened before he instantly cupped her face, “No, kitten, no, no, no,” his voice oh so gentle as he planted sweet deft little kisses all over her face as she cried, “I’m not leaving you, I’m never leaving you.”
“You promise?”
How could I ever deny you?
“I promise.”
Her shoulders sagged before she curled into his chest once more. He wrapped his arms around her again-one hand at her lower back and the other in between her small shoulder blades. One long leg semi raised beside her while the other was bent at the knee, outstretched on the floor. His fingers raked through her hair as he rested his chin atop her head.
He patiently listened to the pace of her uneven breaths as she cried, listened to the way her breathing gradually staggered less and less and grew into something more slow, more shallow.
“Why is it always you..” she suddenly asked. her voice low, a subtle scratchiness to it before she repeated herself, slightly stronger, “Why’s it always you?”
She pulled back from him slightly and he loosened his arms to give her some room. He glanced down to find her staring-somewhat zoned out-at his chest.
“Why are you always there-“ for me, her voice cracked, “..why do you always know what to do… what to say… to make me feel better… why.. why? why!” she didn’t know when she started to hit him but she was. Her tiny fists connected with his chest, blow after blow–continuously yelling ‘why!’ as she did so.
His lips were moving, probably saying her name but she didn’t hear it–not until her arms were pinned to the floor and he was over her.
“Ara!” his voice wasn’t angry at all, maybe a bit admonishing but even then he didn’t appear offended. She wasn’t sure if she wanted him to be.
His bright blue eyes stayed on her for a lingering moment. He was slightly out of breath, she felt it against her skin as puffs of air traveled down her neck. She watched his eyes slowly look her up and down-as if just now realizing their proximity. His hands unconsciously tightened around her wrists.
She quickly turned her face into her elbows, “No–”
Suddenly he yanked her wrists higher, forcing her arms to straighten. No where for her to hide now.
Her eyes widened as he leaned closer, his face merely millimeters away, “I make you feel good..” his eyes trailed up and down her face once more, “cuz your mine, Ara, your mine.”
Her mouth parted a hair's breadth and suddenly his lips were on her. In that all consuming manner that she’d nearly forgotten–no, more like tried to forget. Every part of her lit up in that heedy addictive way that only he knew how to ignite. His tongue sweeped her mouth as he tilted his head, needing to taste all of her. A broken whimper left her lips as he kissed her like a madman, an addict who hadn’t gotten its fix in too long.
His jaw opened up as he pulled back for a millisecond only to attack her mouth again. Her lips were merely his to use with how demanding he was being. It was like he was trying to prove his words to her, by branding her lips with his own. She could feel the desperation of his obsession thrumming through him, through the force of his hands on her wrists, through the pressure of his lips on hers.
When he finally pulled away, his vivid eyes were hazy with lust–his hair infinitely more disordered than usual.
Her elbows shook as she attempted to move her hands underneath his grip, “Toru.. let me touch you.”
He froze-as if in shock-before instantly letting her wrists go. She placed her hands on his chest, pushing him aside so that he laid on his back, on his elbows. She climbed atop him, planting her ass on his abs–inches away from where she knew he’d prefer her to be. He stared at her with wide eyes as her hands slid up his chest to either side of his neck.
She took her time lowering her face above his.. before kissing him. Her kiss was slow, light and teasing at first. Her lips pressing his sweetly before nipping at his lower lip-a trick she’d learned from him. She felt his breath hitch–and reacted a millisecond before he could. Her tongue slipped past his lips and intertwined with his. She gripped his jaw-controlling the pace as she turned the kiss into something molten hot and sensual to a degree that made him dizzy.
So much so, he nearly lost strength in his elbows and fell back but she broke the kiss. He leaned up slightly-chasing her lips-but she pushed his shoulders, making him fall back.
He groaned.
She smiled slightly. He never wanted their kisses to end.
Her palms rested over his pecs as she stared down at him. She mumbled something, her voice entirely too faint to hear.
His head immediately snapped up. His big blue eyes blown wide, “What?”
She squinted, “I’m not saying it again.”
A seductive grin split across his lips as he sat up, she slid into his lap in the process.
“You missed me?” His forehead pressed into hers as his eyes sparkled with satisfaction, “I knew it.”
“Your hearing things.”
His hand slipped into her hair, around her nape and suddenly they were kissing again. His lips insistent at first before growing more gentle, more probing.
He pulled away, his nose nudging hers, “You're staying here.”
He hadn’t asked but she heard the undercurrent of question in his tone.
She nodded.
His fingers around her nape tightened slightly, “Not just tonight right?”
He already asked her this but she hesitated anyway, “I’m here now, aren’t I?”
A slight laugh left him as he recalled the countless times she vehemently denied him from bringing her here whenever he offered, “Right.”
He watched her glance away, unsurely, “I’ll stay here as long you let me.”
Something within him swelled so strongly he nearly crushed her in his arms then and there, but instead he snaked his arms slowly around her shoulders, drawing her as close as possible.
She felt his smirk against her lips, “I’ll keep you here forever then.”
She awoke to the sweet smell of waffles and maple syrup. She jolted upright on the bed, only to immediately crumple in on herself at the pain that consumed her. It looked like all the pain-numbing salves the nurse applied last night could only deter so much.
She gasped slightly, hand over her stomach as she writhed.
“Ma’am-Ma’am, are you okay?”
Her eyes shot open to see she was in an extravagant, sunlight lit room-Gojo’s room. Last night had been real then.. not just a bad nightmare…
She pulled the covers up when she saw an elderly woman in a monochrome outfit standing at her bedside. A cart filled with several trays of breakfast food behind her.
She blinked, completely at a loss for words.
“Should I call the doctor?” The woman inquired-despite her monotone voice and wary gaze she seemed genuinely concerned.
“N-no,” she croaked before clearing her throat. She slowly straightened to a sitting position, “.. Who are you?”
“I’m Marin.”
Ara gave her a once-over and belatedly realized that her outfit could surpass as a maid uniform. She supposed her all black attire was a requirement, similar to Ijichi-who always wore black head to toe. The only color being that tiny blue emblem at the chest pocket—the Gojo family sigil.
Ara swallowed, “Where’s Satoru?”
“He wanted me to inform you that he had a family matter to attend to. He won’t be long. He’d like for you to eat breakfast without him.”
“He didn’t go to school?” she questioned.
She shook her head, “No, ma’am.”
Her brows furrowed as she glanced at the several trays on the cart beside her. There was too much-food-drinks-fruits-it was completely excessive.
“He doesn’t.. expect me to eat all of that, does he?”
Marin paused, “I’m sure he’d want you to eat as much as you like.”
She stared at the cart in wonder. The entire contents of the cart was enough to feed a family of ten-maybe even fifteen.
Marin followed her gaze to the cart and clasped her hands together in front of herself. “Please let me know if you need anything else.”
“Erm-“ Ara stammered, “I’m good. Thank you.”
She slightly bowed her head and exited the room.
She felt the sheets shift slightly and immediately opened her eyes. Gojo sat on the edge of the bed, beside her.
He looked absolutely breathtaking. The sunlight streaming through the open windows lit the edges of his white hair, casting an angel-like glow to one side of his face. His blue eyes glittered as he smiled.
He tousled her hair, “Wakey, wakey.”
His touch drew out of her daze. She quickly shoved her face back under the sheets, groaning. She heard him laugh.
He tugged the blanket lower-revealing her face again. “Araa, you barely ate y’know.”
“I ate enough.” she muttered, “Who eats that much in the morning?”
“Me.” he said, rather upbeat.
She narrowed her eyes before freezing when he leaned close. She turned away a millisecond before his lips touched hers.
“I-I didn’t brush my tee—“
His hand found her throat, rendering her frozen when he pressed a sweet yet passionate kiss to her lips.
He withdrew, a satisfied smile on his lips, “You know I don’t care about that stuff, kitten.”
His blue eyes looked her up and down slowly. In the midst of his silent perusal she asked, rather quietly- “Did something happen with your family?”
His eyes widened before he smiled again, “Ah, right-you met Marin. What’d you think of her? She was so curious about you.”
Ara blinked, “.. she was?”
His smile turned impish, “I don’t usually have girls running into my arms and crying on my doorstep-despite what you may think.”
She buried her face into the sheets once more, “Shut up.”
“You were so cute y’know-”
She squeezed the sheets tighter, “Stop talking!”
He chuckled, tugging her blanket down again. He leaned towards her, “Make sure to call her if you need anything when I’m not here, ‘kay? She knows where everything is. She’s been with my family for 50 years.”
Her eyes shot open, “50 years?!”
He smirked at her shock, “Mhmm..”
He cupped the side of her face, his thumb playing with her bottom lip, “You’re gonna be with me for much longer..” he grinned.
She smacked his hand away. “Go away.” she mumbled before pulling the sheets up once more.
He laid down atop her, tickling her through the blanket. She gasped before laughing uncontrollably. She twisted underneath him-making a mess of the sheets as she did so.
His grin widened, “Never.”
“Toru-toru! Wait, wait. It hurts.” she whined through laughs.
He paused, immediately tugging the blanket down to see her flushed face. He watched her gather her breath, “Sorry.” he replied.
He waited a moment before resting his head on her chest, continuing to stare at her. He absentmindedly twirled a strand of her hair until her breath returned to normal.
“Are you gonna lay in bed all day?”
She turned her face aside, not meeting his gaze, “.. Is it bad if I do?”
He stared at her-his blue eyes searching her face for a moment, “Course not.”
She glanced down at him, holding his gaze for a few seconds before her face heated up. She didn’t know how he managed to look so innocent sometimes-despite being the most chaotic individual she knew. Maybe it was those big baby blue eyes. They ought to swallow her up whole at this point.
She placed her hand over his eyes, “You should’ve went to school.” she muttered.
He shook his head to move her hand away, “And leave you here all by yourself? After I just got you back? Hell no.”
“Satoru-”
He nuzzled his face between her collarbones-making her squirm from ticklishness, “I wanna stay with you.” he whined.
“Okay, okay.” She huffed, turning her face aside to cover her eyes with her arms. She didn’t want him to see the effect his words had on her.
A moment of silence ensued until she felt him kiss her cleavage, somewhere along the soft skin that treaded above her breasts. She shivered, shifting slightly, “Toru..”
She was grateful he hadn’t tried to touch her again after everything that occurred last night. She wasn’t sure if her wounds would stop him when he kept kissing her before bed. She could tell he wanted to go further.. but it seemed he had enough decency to hold back.
She felt his breath whisper down her skin as he hummed, “This doesn’t feel real.. you being here…doesn’t feel real.”
She raised her arms slightly to look down at him laying over her. Her breath caught at the sight. He was looking at her as if.. as if he had everything he wanted.
She gently cupped his jaw, her chest inadvertently rising as she forced herself to breathe. If someone had told her at the start of this semester that Gojo would look at her like this she would’ve told them to go back to the psych ward they were discharged from. And yet, here she was.
Her eyes flitted between his before she swallowed inaudibly. She used her hands on his face to lure him closer, gently pressing her lips to his.
He instantly deepened the kiss-his head pushing her further into the pillow. A subtle sound left her, “mmmh!”
His tongue moved eagerly against hers-unrelenting. She slipped her fingers through his hair, swiftly kissing him back with just as much strength.
He immediately tilted his head, intensifying their lip lock-until she began to run her fingers through his hair, somewhat coaxingly. Her lips moved softly over his-kissing him sweetly before using her hands in his hair to gently pull him back.
Their shallow breaths filled the minimal air between them. She ran her hand over his smooth cheekbone as she spoke quietly-through uneven breaths, “What if I’m not real..”
He exhaled in faint humor, his gaze flitting between her lips and eyes, “Yeah?”
A subtle smile bloomed on her lips, “I’m just a figment of your imagination..” she teased.
He nuzzled her nose with his own, his typical smirk on his lips. “Nah.”
“You’re dreaming.” she continued.
His smirk widened, “We do different stuff in my dreams.”
Her eyes widened before she shoved his face away. His bright laughter filling the room.
“I really don’t wanna go..”
“Should we both skip?”
“No.” She glanced up at him, “You should go to class.”
Gojo blew out a puff from his joint, “Now that’s not fair.” he complained.
“Why’d you park all the way out here?” Another voice pitched in from nearby.
Gojo glanced over from his perch against the car before tossing his unfinished joint in the air and rushing to- “Suguru!” he slipped his arm over the male’s shoulder, greeting him enthusiastically.
Suguru accepted his liveliness with a mere shake of his head. He lightly elbowed Gojo before returning his hands to his pockets, “What’s got you all-oh.”
Suguru’s dark eyes landed on Ara and nodded in greeting, “Glad to see you back.”
Gojo used his free hand to gesture towards her, “You see, Ara here is going through a little..” he paused, as if considering the right word for it, “-social anxiety moment so I parked all the way here for her sake.”
She glared, “What?!”
It was true to some extent. When they pulled up to school in his car, he’d pulled into his unofficial yet ‘official’ parking spot-which was the first one closest to the school. No one else parked there but him-it seemed no one else ‘dared’ to. But Ara wasn’t mentally prepared to step out of his car and have all eyes on her again. She’d gotten comfortable slinking back to her semi-unnoticeable demeanor at school and wasn’t ready to be forced back into the spotlight again.
“It looks like you're tryna’ hide.” Geto muttered, kicking a nearby rock to cover the joint on the ground.
Gojo blinked at Ara, “Am I wrong?”
Ara’s glare intensified, “I asked you to park away from the school entrance, not the furthest spot in the entire lot! Now we look even more sus.”
The boys watched her discreetly peek past the car. She instantly noticed the other students glancing their way-a few even pointing at Gojo’s car-before murmuring amongst themselves. She raised her hands to her head, turning her back to them as she made a noise of frustration.
Geto chuckled under his breath before glancing at Gojo beside him, “You didn’t kidnap her, did you?”
Gojo beamed, “Nope. She came back to me by herself.”
“For real?”
“For real real.”
Ara closed her locker door only to jump when she saw Millie behind it.
Millie stood with her hands on her hips, “You and Gojo are back together?!”
“Holy shit, Mills,” She glanced around before snapping quietly, “Can you talk lower?”
Millie threw her hands up, “How come you didn’t tell me?”
Ara sighed, readjusting her tote bag over her shoulder before turning to walk down the hallway. Millie walked in stride beside her.
“I’m living with him now.” Ara mumbled.
Millie’s eyes nearly popped out of her head, “What?! No way.”
Ara kept her eyes low, “Yeah.”
“How?” Millie asked.
Ara’s eyes shot to her, “I told you. My dad kicked me out.”
Millie stared at her before stammering out, “Wait so.. your Dad was legit about that?”
Ara raked a hand through her lengthy hair, barely keeping the annoyance from her tone as she responded lowly, “Yes.”
Millie pried, “He hasn’t contacted you since then?”
Ara stopped walking, not looking Millie in the eye as she nodded.
Millie merely stared at Ara in shock-while she fidgeted uneasily under her gaze. Millie knew how Ara was, there was no way she was comfortable living without her Dad.
Millie asked, “What are you gonna do?”
Ara shrugged.
“Are you really not gonna call him?”
Something flashed through Ara’s eyes before her poker face returned. She merely shrugged again-still avoiding eye contact.
Millie’s brows furrowed. This behavior was completely unlike the Ara she knew.
Millie belatedly added, “Also.. I thought you never wanted to get back with Gojo? You seemed so sure..”
Ara winced, “Um..”
“Ara!”
The girls both turned around to see Gojo waving his hands wildly from the other end of the hall. A bright, boyish smile on his face.
Millie glanced back at Ara to see her gnawing at her bottom lip. She finally met her gaze, her voice low, “Gotta go. See you.”
Ara quickly walked past her.
Millie watched Ara walk up to him-completely unaware of the students moving aside to make room for her. She watched a cute yet shy smile bloom on the girl’s face the second Gojo engulfed her in his arms. Light laughter coming from her as he squeezed her obnoxiously.
Millie couldn’t believe her eyes. Ara wasn’t the type to enjoy PDA. Even when her and Gojo dated before, she never accepted his PDA without her typical grumpiness or scolding. This was.. different.
Gojo lowered his face to kiss her and she welcomed it-a small, pretty smile on her lips when he withdrew. He automatically returned her smile with a cheeky one of his own.
Wow. She really is different. Millie concluded before staring at them a little longer. Something about them was just so intriguing to watch..
Ara looked so small compared to him-especially with the way she had to turn her face up to look at him. Even her hand on his chest looked small. Maybe it was the height difference-maybe it was their clashing personalities-she couldn’t pinpoint it.
I guess I’d cave too if I had the chance. Millie giggled to herself before glancing down at her phone to check the time.
Shit. She only had two minutes to get to her class. Just as she turned to head in the direction of her next class, she froze.
She slowly turned around to see she was standing directly beside the door. Ara must’ve stopped walking here on purpose.
She smiled, glancing over to check where she’d last seen her-only to find that she was gone, as well as Gojo.
She sighed. Ara was always the considerate type-once you got to know her anyway.
At least, that hasn’t changed.
“What the hell?”
“What is it?”
Ara spun around, she hadn’t expected him to be here. He must’ve skipped basketball practice again. This was the third day now-coincidentally the same amount of days since she’d been here, living with him. It seemed he was trying to find every excuse to be home now.
She stared at him leaning against the entrance of their shared closet. Half of the closet had been cleared out and replaced with feminine clothes, accessories, shoes-you name it. It was completely excessive.
She blinked before pointing at the countertop where her duffel bag had been, “Where’s my bag?”
“I dumped it.”
“What?!” she snapped, her voice sharper than a blade.
He held his hands up, laughing airily as he sauntered towards her, “Heh-heh! Just kidding—kidding!” (a/n: he wasn’t kidding, he’s about to make Marin go dumpster diving)
He grasped her shoulders before spinning her around to face the various rows of high-end, maybe even fresh off the runway items.
“Your clothes were dirty so I put ‘em in the wash. You can use all this now ‘kay? I ordered a lot cuz I didn’t know what you’d want—a stylist helped me but we can always do more shopping if you don’t like it.”
She stared at ‘her’ side of the closet in shell-shocked silence. Everything about it was just… unfathomable. A stylist? Did he seriously go to a stylist?
She unconsciously gravitated towards a floor length dress on a hanger. It was undoubtedly stunning. It might’ve looked plain and simple to some but it was quite literally everything to her. A pure white silk dress that looked almost perfectly tailored to her frame. It had the most unique ruching around the chest area and was backless.
She moved the dress aside to look at the other dresses behind it and nearly gaped. A blue thin strap, beautifully detailed, high-low style dress lay before her eyes. It was somewhat early 2000s inspired as well, clearly haute couture. The following dresses-a nearly sheer purple dress, a more modern-esque black dress, an elegant silky light pastel yellow dress-weren't any less impressive.
She found herself touching the angelically soft material of the pastel yellow dress, “This is insane.” she murmured.
The corner of his lip curled upwards.
She immediately withdrew her hand, facing him, “Where the hell would I wear this.”
He shrugged, “Galas, soirées, red carpets, any black tie event.”
She stared at him like he’d grown three heads before remembering he was somewhat known in the media for his father's name—and basketball, annoyingly enough. She was sure his last name contributed to that as well since his family was listed yearly on Forbes richest families, aka billion dollar dynasties. The media would never leave those families alone.
She fixed him with a glare, “I’m not going to any of that.”
He whined, “You have tooo. I need a plus one.“
“No-“ she cut herself off when she saw the classic Louboutin’s amongst the several women’s shoes arranged on the built in shelves, “Red bottoms, seriously?”
His grin reappeared, “They’re hot.”
She rubbed her temple, “Baby, y’know I can barely walk in kitten heels.”
His eyes widened momentarily before his arms slipped around her-drawing her small back against his chest. It was hard to focus on her little complaints when she oh-so-rarely called him pet names.
He kissed the spot of her temple she’d been rubbing moments ago, “You can practice in them?” he suggested lightly.
He kissed her cheekbone while winding his arms a bit tighter around her waist, “M’sorry, kitten. I know I got carried away. I jus got excited cuz you look so sexy in everything-“
He kissed her neck, “-had to spoil you..”
She flushed deeper, “Satoru..”
Her breath scattered all over the place when he continued to kiss and nip her neck.
She pushed at his arms around her, “Toru—Toru, wait, I need pajamas.”
His head suddenly shot up, “Pajamas? Hehe—I got you.”
Her brows furrowed when he quickly released her and began to open several drawers, efficiently searching for whatever he was looking for. He usually never let go of her that easily—or eagerly, at that. It made her nervous.
“Aha~” he grinned brightly, holding up something that she couldn’t see until he tossed it to her. She instinctively caught it as he said, “Wear this.”
She didn’t miss the glint of mischievousness in his eyes before she caught it. She held open the nightgown. She immediately bunched it up-a bright flush on her face.
“I’m not wearing this.“
“Pleaseeeee, don’t be mean.” He was suddenly behind her again. His arms slipping around her waist as he buried his face into her neck, “I got it for you.”
She squirmed slightly, “Toru-“
“Try it, just try it. You can take it off later if you hate it that much but I wanna see it on you.”
She pushed at his arms around her waist, “Let go-“
He dug his face into the crook of her neck once more, “No.” he whined, squeezing her in his arms, “No. no. no-not til you tell me you're gonna try it.
She pushed at his arms again, “Let go, you fool.”
He began to tickle her and she shrieked before laughing. “Oh- my god! Stop! Stop!”
He kept tickling her and she doubled over in laughter. He grinned boyishly as she tried to push his arms.
“Stop what?”
“Toru!” she yelled before shaking her head, “Okay! Okay! I will-let go,”
He didn’t stop. “Promise?”
“Promise-!” she squeaked through giggles.
He instantly let go, a bright smile on his face, “Really?!”
She immediately shoved him, “Fuck you!”
He was laughing now, “You promised~”
She stepped out of the closet, covering the top half of the thin nightgown with her arms. The material was incredibly soft, in fact she might’ve liked it if it wasn’t… the way it was. The straps were awfully thin, it ended a little higher than mid-thigh—in fact she wasn’t sure if it even fully covered her ass—and the chest area of the nightgown was see-through.
“Satoru,” she called out-a bit hesitant, “I’m not wearing this. I’m taking it off, okay?”
When she didn’t hear a response, she walked further into the bedroom, “Okay?”
She’d kicked him out of the closet to change-despite him wanting to stay-but she hadn’t expected him to leave the room. She supposed that saved her the trouble.
Just as she speedily turned around to zip back into the closet and steal one his shirts, an arm slipped around her and she yelped.
“Woa, woa–where you runnin’ off to..”
She tensed when she was pulled flat against his chest. Her back against him as he slowly slid his hands down her sides. He sighed-in a way that was anything but regretful.
“You look so cute, Ara.”
He gently kissed her below the ear and she shifted slightly, turning her face into her opposite shoulder. She wrapped her arms tighter around her chest.
“Can I take it off now? You saw it..”
“Hold on, hold on,” he whined a bit before pausing, “But I didn’t see all of it, did I?”
She blinked, “What?”
He moved his arms over her own wrapped around her chest. “You’re hiding something, aren’t you?” he teased-though there was an undecipherable undercurrent to his tone.
She swallowed, too dumbstruck to respond when he grasped her hands and slowly led them down to her sides–unveiling her ample chest, barely contained within the lace bust.
He inhaled sharply through his nose.
She closed her eyes, unable to bear the weight of his gaze. She felt his gaze from above her shoulder-in fact, she felt it all over. From the strands of her hair pressed against his chest to the goosebumps rising along the skin his eyes pierced. She couldn’t bear it–and his silence only made it more unnerving.
He squeezed her hips, making her jolt.
“Does that hurt?” he asked, a bit quietly.
She swallowed, “N-no.”
His hands slid higher up her sides, into the dip of her waist. He squeezed lightly, “What about here?” he murmured.
She was so tense, she wondered if he sensed it, “No.”
His hands slid higher, his fingers fitting right underneath her plushy underboobs as he gently squeezed her over her ribs.
“And here?” he asked, not a trace of emotion in his low voice.
A sprinkle of pain spread from his hold but it was rather faint. It seemed the wounds her father had given her had healed some. The nurse’s ointments were more effective than she thought.
“A little.” she murmured.
Suddenly he pressed his face into the side of hers.
The sound of his low groan was muffled by her hair as he fisted her nightgown needily. Her nightgown bunching up between his fingers.
“Okay,” he breathed out, his nose grazing her temple as he withdrew-his voice ragged, “That’s okay..”
Her heart thumped rapidly in her chest. She didn’t understand what he was on about.
“I can work with that.” he murmured.
Suddenly he tugged down her straps, “Let’s take this off-“
She didn’t get the chance to react when she was getting walked to his bed-his firm frame walking behind her forcing her to stumble ahead. She held onto the front of her nightgown to keep it from falling.
“Wait-“ she tried to fast walk ahead but couldn’t when she was suddenly grabbed by the hips. She yelled when she was held up and tossed onto the bed. She landed face down in the sheets with her hips in the air.
He hastily unbuckled himself-the sound of his belt hitting the floor and zipper quickly followed.
She attempted to turn around only for him to steady her hips and flip her nightgown up. He caressed the soft skin of her hips, groaning under his breath, “Fuck, jus’ looking at you..”
She twisted partially to look at him, her movement rather restricted due to his grasp. Fear bloomed in her gut at the hunger in his eyes. She instinctively reached towards him, “Toru, wait-Toru–”
He grabbed her forearm, pinning it to her lower back, “What is it, kitten?”
She winced at the uncomfortable angle he held her arm at, “I’m not ready, Toru-please, I’m not ready.” she pleaded futilely, “My body hurts..”
He bent over her, pressing short needy kisses along her jaw and temple as he rasped, “You said only a little..”
She felt his cock ghost along her inner thigh. He was hard-hard enough that she had to look.
She glanced underneath her partially twisted body to see his rigid cock between her raised hips. His cockhead a prominent shade of pink, as if it was swollen for attention. She couldn’t ignore the veins popping out against his pale length. Her eyes widened as his angry cockhead twitched and touched her belly, a clearish white substance dribbling out the tip.
She buried her face into the sheets, holding back a sob.
“Ara..” his voice was ragged-speaking into her temple, “I miss you, Ara. I wanna be in you..”
She felt his tip graze her pussylips and jolted.
“Toru-toru! Be gentle, be gentle-please.” she begged.
Her begging made him want to do anything but. He straightened to hold his cock at her entrance. He released her restrained arm to keep a hand on her ass.
He pushed his cockhead through her narrow hole, groaning through his teeth, “Fuck, Ara..”
He’d only gotten an inch past the tip in and her cunt was already acting like she couldn’t take it. Her pussy was too damn tight. He would’ve burst right there if he hadn’t gotten himself off that morning-well, every morning since she’d moved in. Sometimes it’d be multiple times a day. It was the only way he kept his hands off of her for this long.
He gripped the rest of his length, trying to push himself deeper—she yelled out, gripping the sheets, “Toru-Toru! Please-nngh—“
He pulled out slightly, only leaving the tip in. Her cunt was so tight it wasn’t letting him leave.
Fuckin’ hell. He glanced down at the sight of his cock stuck in her pussy—only a fourth or so in. The rest of his veiny length waiting to be fully drenched. He was desperate-delirious-addicted.
He squeezed her ass cheeks, hard, “Been two months and you forgot me already, hmm? Do I need to reshape you all over again?”
She gasped, “N-no, please, be gentle with me, please..”
“Sh, sh, sh..” he pressed his hand into her nape, pushing her down, “S’okay…”
He spoke into her temple, “Just listen to me and you’ll be okay, kitten. I promise.”
She cried silently into the sheets.
His hand slid down her nape, along her spine. He gently pressed the middle of her back, “Bend more here.”
He watched her back arch further-her nightgown dropping low to reveal her waist. He just wanted to hold that pretty little waist and fuck her senseless.. but that would have to wait.
He caressed her hips, his tip still lodged in her cunt. His eyes flitted closed as his cockhead nudged her walls, “Raise your hips a bit.”
She complied, her thighs trembling oh so bad as she did so. God, she’s so cute.
He lowered his hands, letting his palms run over her soft ass before his thumbs touched her pussylips right where it suctioned his cockhead. She jolted, whimpering.
“Loosen up here.” he ordered, raspily.
“I-I can’t!” she cried out, face buried in the sheets-hidden from him.
“You didn’t even try, kitten.” he teased.
She merely whimpered in response.
He bent over her once more, pressing his hands to the sheets beside her head while pushing his hips into her slightly.
“You won’t like it if I do it.”
A low, weak whiny sound left her before she wriggled her hips slightly. He watched eagerly as she spread her knees, angling her hips up high around his cock, only to tremble when she tried to lower herself over him.
He groaned, her cunt walls sucking him in so fucking tight. He grabbed her hips, his long fingers leaving marks on her soft skin as he attempted to work with her and slowly push himself in.
I missed this… so much—so fuckin’ much.
Her pussy walls were wrapping around him just right. The rigidness of her cunt gradually giving way the further he seated himself.
Her mewls and whines didn’t stop-only getting louder the deeper he sank into her cunt. His cock was half-way in when he lost it. His fingers dug into her waist-forcing her still-before savagely thrusting his cock all the way through.
“Toru!” she shrieked, “Toru-toru!—fuck!”
His forehead dropped to her nape as he groaned. His grip on her waist unforgiving as he delivered short desperate thrusts to her cunt. Lewd sounds echoing throughout his room.
“-m’sorry, Ara-m’sorry, I can’t—I can’t stop.” he rushed out, completely lost in the feeling of her.
“nnngh-torunnh-ngh! unh-unh-toru!”
His speed picked up. The lewd sound of their sex louder now that her pussy had grown slippery within.
“Missed you s’much-so fuckin’ much—“ he half groaned, half-growled into her ear. His grip on her waist relentless as he pounded into her.
“Never gonna let this pussy forget me again.”
She moaned when his cock reached a spot too deep. She couldn’t take it. He promised he would be gentle and yet here she was. She should’ve known.
His cock twitched and her eyes widened. Oh no.
“Satoru!” she cried, “not inside, not inside-please-“
Suddenly his hand fisted her hair, forcing her face into the sheets as he bent over her. His voice ragged beside her ear, “Let me, Ara, let me-I deserve it.”
“T-toru-nnghf-f-fuck-uungh.”
He didn’t slow down, “Be good to me and take it-all of it.”
“Toru-uh!-ngh! ohhh.” she moaned through tears.
His cock throbbed within her slick cunt. His tip pulsating against her cervix before spurting within her. She felt his warm cum fill her cunt up—it’d been too long since he’d had her bareback.
His mouth was half-open, his eyes squeezed shut as he buried his face into her neck. His hands clasping the back of hers as he groaned.
She felt so fucking good he couldn’t stop. The tip of his cock twitched as it spilt load after load within her.
He needed her—he needed this.
He squeezed her tits while looking down at her. Her tits bouncing hypnotically with each rough fuck.
His free hand fisted the sheets beside her head, her hair splayed out all over his fingers. The heels of her feet knocking into his lower back as she lay spread open between his knees. Her smooth legs supported by his firm thighs. Her body trembled-addictingly-with each deep rut of his cock. Her eyelids sewn shut as she bit into her lower lip.
He let go of her right breast to grasp her jaw. His thumb swiftly tugging her bottom lip free from her teeth.
“Don’t quiet yourself. It’s just me.”
She merely reddened.
His cock pistoned into her harder—forcing her to cry out.
“Toru-uh-ungh!-hnn-” Broken moans left her.
He bent over her, his hand finding her tits once more. He squeezed greedily before palming her perky nipple. She was breathless—and so helpless to his advances he couldn’t help but fuck her harder. It didn’t help that her tiny pussy walls seemed to gobble him in.
“Be as loud as you want.” he urged-wanting to hear it all. She would always have to keep quiet at her father’s house.
She held onto his forearm as her body jerked.
“unngh-satoru!-p-please-nngh!!”
Her cunt tightened around him. She was close.
He saw it in her face-her trembling lips, her strained expression. She always tried to hide her pretty face when she came, as if she were doing something wrong. It was truly adorable, but she couldn’t hide from him now.
Nor did they have to hide from anyone else.
His lips ghosted her neck as her entire body arched, “This is our home now.”
His cock slipped out of her with a lewd sound. A low sigh left her lips as she plopped onto the sheets. Her breasts pressing into the bed uncomfortably but she was too tired to care.
She felt something warm and thick slowly slip out of her cunt, traveling down her thighs. She couldn’t even think straight.
Suddenly she felt his cockhead touch her leaking cunt again-she jolted, “T-toru!”
But he was already back inside her, buried half-way to the hilt. She was so gummy inside that there was no resistance. He nuzzled her cheekbone, strands of his light hair sticking to her skin. “One more time. One more,” he urged.
She whined through strangled gasps as she felt him push his cock deeper, shoving his spilled cum back in.
“Hhnngh, toru..” She shook her head, her voice cracking, “Y-you said that last time.”
He thrust his hips into her and she cried out-quickly fisting the sheets once more.
She lay in bed, facing him. The moonlight streaming through the thin curtains the only light in the dark room.
Her short uneven breaths loud in the silence.
The air felt thick from their nonstop activities. The scent of sex stuck to the sheets. Her breath still hadn’t recovered-neither had her heartbeat.
His blue eyes glimmered in the dark-not one emotion on his face as he stared at her. He appeared completely composed, a calm aura radiating from him. As if completely satisfied.
He looked agitatedly beautiful. His pale face flushed as he lay his head atop his lean bicep. Strands of his white hair pointed every which way from their sex. She couldn’t count how many times she’d sifted her fingers through his hair to draw him near or away whenever she came.
Light pink nail marks decorated his tautly muscular chest. There were a few along his bulging shoulders as well. She hadn’t realized she marked him that much. She didn’t even want to think about the marks he left on her.
His hand ran up and down her side reassuringly, lightly squeezing her over her ribs.
He scooched closer, “Breathe, Ara..”
He kissed her forehead, “You’re perfect yanno.. perfect.” A low, slightly rugged edge to his voice.
She closed her eyes when he began to lightly thumb the sensitive skin of her under boob. He always liked to touch her there.
She instinctively held onto his arm, stopping the subtle movement. Her eyes flickering open to find his eyes still on her.
The silent stream of fear coursing through her couldn’t be withheld as she shivered. Her hand wavered over his elbow; her gaze dropped to his arm to reel herself in. She needed to focus on something that wasn’t his eyes.
Her eyes followed the bright green veins protruding against his triceps, down his forearm-like little pathways along his skin. She didn’t notice her hand following her gaze, her fingertips lightly tracing his dark veins.
When her fingers made it up to his wrist, she took his hand-gently lifting it off of her. She intertwined her fingers with his before placing their connected hands beside her cheek, using it as a makeshift pillow for the lower half of her face.
She glanced up at him-finally confident enough too-and immediately flushed at his expression. His light, clear-ish blue eyes were looking at her as if she was the only thing in the universe.
She glanced away from him again, inadvertently squeezing his hand as she did so.
“Toru..” she whispered.
“Hm?”
Her eyes flickered back to his, “What would you do if I didn’t come back?”
She felt his hand subtly twitch in hers before a short silence ensued. It was hard to make out his expression in the dark. They’d fucked all evening since they got back from school so no one had gotten the chance to turn on any lights-in his room anyway.
Suddenly his hand in hers yanked her close. His lips caught hers mid-gasp. The kiss was needy—desperate—and unrestrained. His tongue lashing against hers as he winded his arm around her lower back, keeping her close as she twisted slightly. Her hands on his chest the only thing keeping some distance between their bodies.
He drew his face back, a small grin on his lips as their noses grazed each other.
His arm subtly tightened around her back, “I had a few ideas…”
His eyes shimmered as he searched her face, “You’d hate me if I told you.”
Her breath hitched. She didn’t doubt his words.
Her tone was flat, “You don’t think I hate you already?”
His white teeth were visible in the dark. She hated how attractive his smile was.
He leaned closer, his forehead nudging hers, “Nahh..”
His hand on her lower back traveled down to her ass, squeezing her with enough strength to make her yelp.
He watched her cry out with a grin before whispering into her ear, “You moan like you love me.”
Her face instantly went hot. She pushed his hand away from her ass and quickly turned around to face the other side of the bed—only to be stopped by a firm hand on her hip.
“Where are you goin’ Araa?” A bit of laughter intertwined in his tone.
She didn’t have time to answer because suddenly she was pushed to her back and her hands were pinned to the bed.
He squeezed her wrists before moving her arms so that only one of his hands was necessary to keep her down. His one hand was large enough to curl his fingers around both of her wrists.
His blue eyes were fierce in the dark as he leaned above her, nearly panting as he looked her up and down. She suddenly wished that she wasn’t naked.
She turned her face aside, raising her elbows slightly as if they could cover her.
“What are you doing?” she asked shakily.
His head dropped low, making their foreheads touch, “I’m showing you how I woulda had you tied to my bed..”
Her eyes widened as his free hand touched her arm-his knuckles grazing her skin-making her hands buckle slightly. His gaze was distant, yet alert.
He cupped her breast, making a low whimper leave her lips. Her tits were already so marked up and sore from his attention, she wasn’t sure she could handle anymore.
He continued, “If Suguru wasn’t around you would’ve been right here a week in. Tied up, spread open..”
He squeezed her wrists, “I pictured it.”
His voice dropped low as he looked her up and down again, “I had the rope, just no you.”
His forehead against hers pressed her deeper into the sheets, “I missed you so much, Ara.” She couldn’t miss the desperation running rampant in his tone.
He palmed her breasts, needily, “Suguru stopped me from getting you so many times—I hated it. I jus wanted you back.”
Her eyes widened, “H-he knows?” -that you would literally kidnap me?
“He knows I don’t like being abandoned.”
She gasped when his thumb pressed into her nipple, “Toru!” she squealed.
He leaned back to watch her writhe below him. His gaze growing fond as he played with her. He missed those pretty expressions on her face so damn much.
“He kept telling me to leave you alone..” he tilted his head, tips of his white hair tickling her face, “but look at you.”
Her body arched, pressing her chest into his to slide his hand off her breasts. Her nipples were too sensitive, his touch was too much.
“Toru!” she whined, “No more, toru, please.”
He pecked her lips, loving the feel of her bare tits pressed up against him. He let himself lean into her with all his weight, nearly crushing her petite body. His free hand slipped under her thigh, tugging her leg around his waist.
She moaned weakly. If she’d known her question would lead to this..
He pecked her once more, “Suguru said you’d come back if we were meant to be.”
Her eyes widened as he kissed the heart of her throat.
“He was right.” he whispered, before shoving his length through her slick walls. Her pretty whines masking his groan.
He was right.
“Ara Natsuna?” Mrs. Finch called.
“Absent.” Gojo’s voice answered.
Mrs. Finch raised her head from her clipboard to cut a glance towards Ara’s desk—to find it empty. She’d been ready to scold him but it seemed he was being honest-for once.
She merely squinted at him before continuing down the list.
He smiled to himself, completely unaware of the looks coming from the other students glancing his way. He sat propped up on his elbow, hand supporting his head. His posture lax as he absentmindedly spun a pencil in his free hand.
Suddenly the pencil was snatched away, instantly drawing him from his thoughts.
He blinked to find Geto staring quizzically at him-pencil in hand, “What’s with you?”
The corner of his lip curled, “Oh, nothing.”
Ara glanced down at the steamy dish on the ornate plate before her, with several utensils set out on either side of the plate. She hesitantly raised her hand only to freeze when she heard a camera click.
She immediately glanced up to see Gojo lowering his phone, a smirk on his lips, “Shit-“
She reached out, trying to snatch his phone, “What the hell—“
He easily stretched his arm out of her reach, his grin widening, “Aht, aht, this is for me.”
She leaned back in her seat, scowling, “Why?”
She watched him scroll through his phone with a stupidly wide grin, “Because,” he explained lightly, “I don’t have enough pics of you.”
Her brows furrowed as he continued, “I always take pics on your phone cuz I want you to think of me but when you left I realized I didn’t have you on my phone.”
He set his phone down on the table before resting his face on his propped arm. He reached over to flick her chin with his free hand.
“You won’t give me the chance to miss you like that again but I don’t wanna make the same mistake twice.”
A smug smile slipped across his lips before he gestured towards her food, “Eat. You asked the chef for it after all.”
More like he had asked for her since she was still shy with the house staff. She wasn’t used to having people at her beck and call but she also wanted to test if his chef really could cook everything.
It was simple banter with Gojo at first-with him trying to convince her that his chef could truly cook anything-but it ended with her googling an uncommon dish to purposely throw off the chef. Now, they both sat at the lavish long table in one of the several dining rooms with a steaming bowl of Käsespätzle in front of her. And it smelled delicious.
She’d only picked the German dish because she remembered once seeing a microwavable, frozen food tray version of it at the grocery store. She never saw it again so she assumed it was seasonal.
She scooped up a bit with her fork before taking a hesitant bite. She was careful to school her reaction as she chewed—heavily aware of Gojo’s eyes zoned in on her.
“How is it?” he asked.
It seemed the chef had defied her expectations.
She swallowed-doing her best to keep her poker face intact, “It’s… okay.”
His eyes glittered with amusement as he watched her grip over her fork waver and her little tongue deftly swipe her bottom lip to lick up a bit of cheese sauce.
“Oh?” he raised a brow before reaching out to her plate with the bowl atop it, “I’ll take it then-“
She instinctively smacked his hand, “It’s mine.”
He grinned and she immediately flushed-belatedly seeing through him.
She quickly withdrew her hand, crossing her arms, “Nevermind, it’s yours.”
He suddenly grabbed the bottom rim of her chair and tugged her seat close. He shoved aside the several neatly aligned utensils to place her plate before her.
“You’re a bad liar, kitten,” a teasing grin on his lips as he raised a forkful to her lips, “just eat.”
Ara grabbed her lunch tray and turned around. She didn’t meet anyone’s eyes as she walked through the cafeteria to the courtyard entrance.
She used her back to open the courtyard door before stepping outside. The weather was nice enough to make her feel warm through her blazer.
She took a moment to scan the freshly landscaped expanse of green before her eyes landed on the familiar gazebo. She took her time as she made her way towards it. The closer she walked she began to overhear their voices.
“That’s not the answer.” Geto’s voice.
“Yes it is!” Gojo.
“It’s not, where’d you even get that equation from?“
“Ara!!” Gojo exclaimed the second she entered his line of sight.
He reached for her as she set her tray down beside his. His muscular arms winding around her to bury his face in her sternum, a low whine coming from him.
She placed her hand over his head, absentmindedly raking her fingers through his fluffy white hair as she half-sat, half-stood on the bench attached to the table.
“What is it?” she muttered as she glanced down at the open notebook and ipad-displaying a textbook page-laying on the table.
She instinctively reached for the notebook just as he raised his head to look up at her from against her chest. She read over his scribbles as he complained.
“Suguru is saying I’m wrong~”
She recognized the problem immediately, it was a physics problem.
“Is this Mr. Langard?” she asked.
“Yes.” “Yep~” Geto and Gojo answered simultaneously. She’d taken his class last semester.
She pointed at an equation in Gojo’s notebook, “That’s wrong.”
Geto immediately pitched in, “Exactly.”
“But that’s what photomath used!”
“Seriously.” Geto grumbled.
“That equation isn’t bad-if you're looking for an estimate,” she leaned over to use her fingers and zoom in on a specific sentence in the online textbook, “You need precise numbers for this question.”
Geto quietly read over the zoomed in text-which confirmed her words. He hadn’t known that, he’d merely been following Mr. Langard’s instructions. Gojo’s lips made a small ‘o’ shape.
Geto then went on to use his apple pencil to minimize the textbook to one half of the screen and reveal his own notes in the other. He swiped to a specific point in his notes before circling an equation.
Geto added, “This is the equation you're supposed to use.”
She peered at his work before reaching out to swipe her index finger across the screen to see if there was more, only to find blank sheets.
A subtle frown graced her features before she responded, “Yeah but your answer is incomplete.”
Both boys merely stared as she slipped the apple pencil from Geto’s fingers and scribbled in a new formula underneath his numerical work.
She continued to deftly solve the equation until she circled the answer, “This is the answer.”
Geto’s brows furrowed as he turned the iPad to himself—quickly readjusting it for him and Gojo to see when Gojo loosened his hold around her to lean towards the ipad.
Gojo silently assessed the work as Geto glanced up towards her, “How?” he asked.
“We need to convert it back to its original units.” Gojo answered-rather quickly.
Ara nodded, before sitting down beside Gojo.
Geto shook his head, gradually retreating into his slouched position as he did so. “I completely missed that.”
Just as she handed the apple pencil back to Geto, Gojo pressed a haste yet passionate kiss to her cheek. She immediately shoved his face away.
He was beaming, “I love having a smart girlfriend.”
Geto’s attention returned to the ipad, his thin brows furrowed in concentration, “This formula.. do they ever ask for estimates on exams?”
Ara shook her head briefly, “No but that formula is mainly for checking your work. If your answer is far off from the estimate then you probably did something wrong.”
“Ah, makes sense.” Geto said, until Toji plopped into the seat beside him.
Toji was peeling an orange in his hands, “What’re you guys talking about.” he asked, though he didn’t sound too interested.
“Nothing you would understand.” Gojo answered sweetly.
“Fuck you.” Toji retorted.
Toji’s head was suddenly shoved and they all looked to see Shoko behind him, cigarette in hand. Toji rubbed his head, “The hell?”
“You skipped again? Are you planning on repeating this year too?”
Toji frowned, “Why do you care?”
“I don’t. Miss Payton was asking about you.”
Toji raised a brow, grinning, “Was she?”
Shoko rolled her eyes before sitting beside him, “Don’t tell me you gave her STDs too.”
Geto's brows raised, “too?”
“Yeah, didn’t you hear Inez got herpes?” Shoko gave Toji a dramatic side-eye, “Zenin was messing with her last sooo we all know who the herpes handler here is.”
Geto and Gojo burst out laughing while Toji’s face twisted in annoyance.
Geto shook his head, “Herpes handler is crazy.”
Gojo reached out to high-five Shoko, “Syphilis sampler.”
Shoko high-fived him back, “Gonorrhea gobbler.”
“Will ya shut the fuck up.” Toji spoke up, rubbing his temple as if he had a headache.
Suddenly Haibara ran up to the table, all huffing and puffing.
“Hi guys.” he chirped through breaths.
Shoko looked him up and down, “Why are you running?”
He used his thumb to point behind him, “Nanami wanted to race here—“ he turned around to glance behind himself. No one was there.
Shoko snorted, “Idiot.”
Haibara barely frowned before slipping into the seat next to Ara. Ara was diligently eating her lunch.
He greeted her politely, “Hi Ara.”
She glanced over, “Hey.”
He smiled shyly, “Can I have one of your mozzarella sticks?”
“Don’t give it to him,” a male voice stated. Ara glanced over to see Nanami walk upto the table, “He already ate mine.”
Nanami lightly smacked Haibara on the back of the head before sitting down next to Shoko.
Shoko offered him her cigarette and Nanami took it without a second’s hesitance, only to toss it on the ground and stomp it out.
“What-!” Shoko exclaimed.
He glanced over at her, “I thought you were tryna quit?”
Toji snorted, “She says that every week.”
Shoko shot him a look, “Noo.”
Gojo’s tone was teasing as he tilted his head, “Are you actually tryna quit then?”
She scratched her head, “I was..”
“How long did you last?” Geto asked.
“30 minutes.”
Geto chuckled while Nanami shook his head.
Gojo faced Nanami, “Yo, what’d you get on your exam?”
Nanami answered flatly, “Ninety eight.”
Shoko smiled-nudging him, “I knew you were gonna ace it. We should celebrate.”
Haibara immediately piped in, “Yeah! Let’s.”
Nanami kept his eyes on Shoko, “Don’t we have to go to the mall today?”
“Oh shit, you're right. I need to get a gift for my aunt.”
“Can I come too?” Haibara asked.
Shoko nodded, “Yeah, yeah, come,” her eyes landed on Ara, “You come too.”
Ara’s eyes lifted up from her lunch, “Me?”
“Yeah, we don’t hang out enough,” her eyes cut to Gojo, “since Gojo’s gatekeeping you.”
Gojo smirked, “I’m not gatekeeping her~”
“Then why don’t you bring her to the hangouts?”
“Because she’s always studying!” he pouted.
“Oh c’monnn,” Shoko tilted her head at Ara, “You gotta come out sometime. How about this weekend?”
Ara glanced at Gojo to see him looking at her with thinly veiled anticipation. Ever since they got back together he’d been asking her to come hang out with his friends with him or not-so-subtly tell her who was throwing a party this weekend—she always declined, using studying as an excuse. Though it wasn’t entirely an excuse. She wasn’t like Gojo who didn’t have to try to keep up stellar grades.
She would tell him to hang out with his friends by himself, which he sometimes did, but he never went to parties—since it was against his self-assigned rule of not going without her.
She knew not attending these ‘parties’ was making his social butterfly ass itch.
She ran a hand through her hair, “..how about after midterms?”
“So next weekend?” Shoko asked.
“Yeah.”
She felt Gojo’s hand at her back, “Really?” he asked.
She glanced at him, noticing the subtle spark in his gaze before rolling her eyes, “Yeah.”
Shoko announced, “She can get ready at mine.”
Gojo immediately responded, “Wha—no, she’s getting ready with me.”
“No-“
“Yes-“
“You see! You are gatekeeping her.”
“I’m not!”
Gojo bounded up the steps before scurrying down the hallway to his room. He gathered his breath before entering the bedroom.
The doors opened soundlessly as he stepped within. There were some lo-fi beats playing from the speaker and he smiled slightly before his gaze fell on Ara.
She was sitting on his bed, papers splayed out before her. She used a textbook as a firm surface to write on as she shifted her attention between her notebook and laptop.
Her hair was down loose, tucked behind her ears to keep her hair from falling in front of her face. She wore a pair of fuzzy shorts and a tank top. One baby pink ankle sock on her left foot whereas the other sock lay a foot away on the floor. Her face a mask of deep concentration.
His smile widened subtly, tilting his head as he watched her.
He told her she was free to use the desk but she always seemed to find her way to the bed.
He deftly picked up his drawstring bag and backpack off his shoulder before letting it drop to the floor. Her eyes immediately darted up.
Her eyes widened, “Satoru.”
He walked towards the bed, a wide smile on his lips, “Hey.”
“How was practice—aah!”
He jumped atop the bed, letting his head rest on her lap and the rest of his long limbs crinkle her papers.
His arms slipped around her, “I missed you.”
Her eyes widened as the bed shifted from his weight and her Macbook tipped over the bed’s edge.
“TORU—“
Suddenly his arm shot out and he caught its edge a millisecond before it tumbled off.
“Got it.”
At her silence he glanced up and instantly grinned at her shell-shocked expression. He placed the Macbook on a safer area of the bed before slipping his arms around her again.
He tilted his head on her lap, “Can I have a kiss now?”
She blinked-gathering herself from her shock to respond, “You think you deserve one?”
He pouted, “I don’t?”
She stammered out, “Y-you literally jumped on my homework and damn near broke my laptop—“
“But did it break?”
She glanced down at him, “What?”
His bright eyes didn’t waver, “Did your laptop break?”
Her brows furrowed slowly, “.. no but-“
“Aht aht. I saved it, so we’re good.”
She squinted, opening her mouth to refute him only to get interrupted by a whiny nonsensical sound, “It’s not like I can’t get you a new one if it broke, okay?”
He partially raised his head from her lap. His adam's apple bobbing within his neck as he spoke, “Now gimme a kiss.” he pleaded.
She rolled her eyes before gently slipping her hands around either side of his face, “You’re so annoying.”
He grinned delightfully, “I know.”
She bent low, letting her nose lightly nudge his before pressing her lips to his.
He couldn’t deny the butterflies that erupted in his gut.
He leaned up slightly, trying to access more of her lips but she continued to peck him—some of her pecks longer than others. She was truly such a tease.
Just as he leaned in some more, she broke the kiss. Her hands cupping his face slid down to his neck, her thumbs stroking the skin along his sharp jaw..
“Toru—“
She yelped when his arm around her grabbed her thigh, deftly tugging her down so that she was no longer sitting. Instead she now lay beside him.
His hand clasped her throat before he kissed her—deep and with tongue. Just the way he liked.
He lightly bit her lower lip before breaking the kiss. His gaze was fond as he looked down at her, “You know how perfect you look on my bed?”
She couldn’t find any words—to breathless by his kisses to speak.
“I used to dream about you being here..” His piercing eyes slowly looked her up and down, making her skin rise with goosebumps wherever his gaze touched, “..never thought I’d get to see it this soon.”
He kissed her cheek, “Now I get to see you sitting pretty on it everyday,”
He kissed the corner of her lip, “I’m too lucky..”
His lips hovered over hers, “I get to come home to you.”
She placed her hand on his chest-stopping him a millisecond before he leaned in.
“Toru wait—w-we can’t.”
He made a short sound of dismay before continuing to shift himself over her. He easily angled himself between her legs, “Why not?” he whined once-more.
She cupped his jaw just as he leaned in again, “Cuz you stink, fool.”
He chuckled as she went on, “Go shower.”
“Liarrrr.” His nose nudged hers playfully, “You’re just tryna get rid of me.”
She reddened, “Nooo.”
He shook his head wildly, letting strands of wet hair touch her face.
She immediately faced elsewhere, “Ew! Get your sweaty hair off me-“
He laughed, his lips ghosting her cheek as he stopped shaking his head, “It’s not sweat, baby. I showered in the locker room.”
She swallowed inaudibly, her eyes widening with indecision.
Suddenly his hand found her throat, his long fingers gently probing her to face him.
She cupped his hand over her throat, “Toru, we have homework..” she whined hesitantly.
He pressed his forehead to hers, “Sh, sh, sh. No more excuses..” he murmured before unbuttoning her top one by one.
“nngh-ngh!-unnn—“ She gripped the sheets tight as he pounded into her. Her macbook and papers scattered along the ground.
His fingers dug into her hips as he panted. She looked so fucking good, he couldn’t stop.
Her back was to him, his large hands easily fitting into the curves of her waist as he moved her hips as fast as he liked. She could barely moan properly due to his pace.
Her hair swayed sexily with each deep thrust of his cock. Her body jolted when the tip of his cock reached somewhere deliciously deep.
“toru…!” she rasped, “oh god—oh godohgodohgod—nnnh!”
She bent over, her hands resting on his knees as her cunt twitched around him.
He groaned, “fuckkk, ara, ara, ara..”
He sat up straight from his position against the headboard. He cupped her tits-squeezing them heartily-as he pushed her small back against his chest. He shoved his cock deeper into her, making her yelp.
“toru please!” she cried as her cunt tightened drastically, “please-t’much, toomuch.”
He didn’t stop fucking her through her high. His bright eyes peered down at her over her shoulder, kneading her tits greedily with one hand and keeping his palm against her stomach with the other.
“cum, ara. cum.” he huskily urged her, his eyes only growing brighter with each squeeze of her cunt, “cum on me jus like that.”
He groaned when her body listened to him. He’d been fantasizing about fucking her like this all day—the feeling of her cunt suctioning his cock like this. Fuckk, her pussy was perfect. perfect.
“a-araa..” he groaned into her ear as his cock throbbed. He knew she felt it too when a whimper left her lips. Her legs continued to shake as he burst inside her—his cum so warm she could feel it through the condom.
Her head was spinning as he squeezed her tits hard. She knew there’d be marks left behind. She closed her eyes, breathing heavily as she ran a hand over forehead to move her hair out of her face.
His haggard breaths trailed down her skin as he began to massage her breasts—more kindly.
She kept her eyes closed as his lips ghosted her neck, “Again.”
His fingers found her clit and she instinctively squeezed her legs together. His fingers didn’t budge, neither did his stiff cock within her.
“Let’s do it again,” he murmured-almost drunkenly as strangled gasps left her when he rubbed her clit, “again and again and again.”
“You don’t understand, this one has 12 new weapons-“
“You said that about 30 times.” Nanami muttered.
Haibara was too distracted by Toji and Geto heading towards the kitchen.
“Yo! Where you guys goin? Let’s go to the spot.”
Toji opened the french door refrigerator, “I’m tryna eat something first.”
“C’monnn, we can eat later-“
Nanami ruffled Haibara’s hair, “Aren’t you a little too excited for a game?”
Haibara immediately faced him, “It’s not just a game!”
“Can you tell he gets no bitches,” Toji closed the fridge when he spotted nothing but fresh ingredients, “Where’s the chef here?”
Haibara pouted, “Hey.”
“Me and you both, Haibara,” Geto slid off the stool beside the island counter, “I’ll get Marin.”
Toji raised a brow, “Marin?”
“The maid,” Geto answered, “She’s cooked for you a thousand times and you still don’t know her name.”
Toji scratched the back of his neck, “Oops.”
Geto disappeared down a hallway just as Haibara announced, “Alright, you all get ten minutes to do your shit before you're required to show up to the game room, okay? Be fast. I don’t wanna start without everyone.”
“Okay, dweeb.” Toji muttered.
“Shut up, don’t act like you're not hype.” Haibara replied lightheartedly.
Toji grinned, “True.”
“Where’s Gojo?” Nanami asked.
“Dunno, but Toji can let him know he has to get to his ass to the game room, okay? Let’s goooo!” Haibara’s voice faded out as he bolted from the kitchen in the direction of the game room.
Nanami shook his head.
Suddenly her airpod disappeared from her ear. She glanced over and screeched.
“Oh my god!! What the fuck, Satoru!” Ara yelled while scurrying out of the chair, hand over her heart. “Scared the shit outta me.”
He smiled-a bit too brightly, “Heh, I wanted to surprise you.”
She glanced over at the clock before frowning, “Aren’t you supposed to be at practice?”
He set the airpod down on her desk, “We got out early today.”
She stared as he stepped towards her. He cupped the sides of her face, keeping her eyes on him.
“Aren’t you happy to see me?”
She lightly grasped his forearms, tilting her head back when he leaned over her.
“No..” she smiled slightly when his lips grazed hers, “Never.”
He pouted, “Meanie.”
She didn’t have to go on her tiptoes to press a light peck to his lips. He eagerly returned it, his arms sliding around her waist to tug her against him.
He tilted his head, prying her lips open with his own before going still. He then kissed the corner of her lip, her jaw, her neck..
“Tell me the truth, kitten.”
She blushed, quickly closing her expectant mouth. She turned her face aside and pressed her forehead against his chest. His large hands rubbing her lower back as he lightly nipped at her ear.
She shivered. Her hands grasped his firm biceps as she spoke-her voice wavering, “You already know how I feel about you..”
“Do I?” he squeezed her hips, “Tell me again.”
She squealed slightly before shaking her head, voice small, “You don’t need to hear it.”
He chuckled slightly. She was always worried about making his ego too big, wasn’t she? Too late.
He kissed her forehead, “Fine. Then show me.”
Her brows furrowed only to loose all train of thought when his hand wrapped around her neck and tilted her face up.
She stared at him as he nudged her nose fondly, “Show me you're happy to see me..”
“Where the hell is he..” Geto muttered.
They’d been waiting in the game room for a good five minutes before Haibara got restless—constantly asking him about Gojo's whereabouts as if he knew. Gojo wasn’t answering his texts either, just like the rest of them.
He sighed while walking up the steps, hands buried in his pockets. He made it Gojo’s bedroom, pushing open the door with his shoulder.
“unngh—nngh! ohh, toru..”
“Yo-“ he immediately cut himself off when he processed what he heard.
His eyes instinctively landed on the bed and froze when he got a split second glimpse of Gojo propped over someone. Even with the blanket over them it wasn’t hard to tell that whoever it was had their legs around his waist. A short feminine yelp came from under sheets and the blanket suddenly got yanked higher, only revealing the top of her lengthy hair.
Geto immediately turned around, hastily running a hand over his face in shock. Ara. He’d completely forgotten she lived with him now.
Even through his breathlessness, he could still hear the smirk in Gojo's voice, “Suguru!! hi~”
Geto’s face burned, “Dammit, I didn't know y—“ he quickly cut himself off when he swore he heard not-so-subtle sounds of the bed moving and a whispery ‘stop’.
Geto raised his hands, “Fuck, I’m out.”
Just as he bolted towards the door, Gojo called out, “Suguru, wait!” The little shit was laughing.
He continued heading out the door, face still hot.
“Sorry!” Gojo called out, his voice laced with humor. “You guys can start without me!”
Just as Geto closed the door he faintly overheard Ara’s voice, “You didn’t lock the fucking door?!”
Ara hesitated before entering the semi-dark room. Her eyes followed the atmospheric lights dancing along the high ceilings and walls while recalling the first time Gojo showed her this room—ironically, the last time she’d been in there.
The huge flat screen TV on the center wall was the main source of light. It would’ve resembled a movie theater if it weren’t for the gunshots blasting infinitely from the speakers in the walls. She didn’t know how they managed to sound proof this room.
“Haibara what are you doing?” Nanami snapped.
“I’m reloading! Wait, wa—“
Suddenly the sound of a bomb rang from the speakers.
“What the fuck!” Toji hollered.
Gojo’s maniacal laughter filled the room, “Oops~”
“You said you had no bombs left!” Haibara protested.
She watched Suguru smack the back of Gojo’s head as he continued to laugh.
Gojo suddenly raised his hands, one hand clutching the video game controller as he shouted in his typical whimsical demeanor. It wasn't hard to tell that he was-unapologetically-explaining himself from his body language but his words were suddenly too far to make out. too distant to decipher.
Her eyes had latched onto his hands and her mind had gone elsewhere…
She couldn’t believe those hands were pinning her wrists to the sheets moments ago. or that sly voice of his was in her ear—all breathy, whiny and worshipping.
She didn’t even need to close her eyes to remember…
...
"ara—araa," he whined over the repeated smacking sound of his cock pummeling into her. her inner thighs growing slicker with each thrust.
...
"T-toru!" she cried out. she couldn’t take it anymore. He'd grown bigger inside of her and was stretching her to her limit. She’d lost her ability to think eons ago.
He didn’t stop. He spoke haggardly, between fucks, "your cunny knows what it wants right—how to milk Toru dry."
...
His cock throbbed within her.
"gripping me so tight," He groaned out—ever so desperately, "you wanna get knocked up so bad."
...
“mmmm,” He groaned from above her.
She felt his eyes on her skin—his hands on the back of her thighs—his hot cum on her stomach.
He spread her knees further apart, letting her watch as he rubbed his length through her folds—over her clit.
“toruuuuu—“ she pleaded, weakly.
He watched her body arch, trying to give her overstimulated pussy some space but he refused-merely lowering himself against her to keep his cock glued to her clit. She moaned when the pace of his grinding picked up.
He pressed his forehead to hers, his eyes never leaving her face, “y’know how beautiful you are, ara? sodamnperfect, i can’t take it.” he was breathless.
Her hands found his chest, trying to push at him, “stop toru—please—“ she whined. He came twice already, it should be enough.. should be enough..
“Stop telling me to stop kitten—“ he rammed his length into her, thrusting without a second thought, “-you know i can’t.”
...
“Ara!”
She blinked, suddenly back in the game room. She glanced over to see Haibara beside her.
He smiled, “When did you get here?” He was about to greet her with a side hug until he heard-
“Ara?” another-all too familiar-voice piped up. Haibara stepped out of the way to let her see Gojo. His face was upside down as he looked at her, his head against the couch’s backrest.
“Toru.” she instinctively responded before walking towards him.
“Toru.” Toji mocked under his breath.
Gojo immediately straightened in his seat as she approached, his eyes bright and curious. When she stood close enough he tugged her onto his lap.
“You were lookin’ for me?” he asked her, a note of verve in his voice.
Her eyes met Geto-who was seated right beside him-and immediately flushed. Geto glanced away, seemingly red himself.
“Yeah..” she answered Gojo hesitantly. She placed a hand on his shoulder to adjust herself on his lap more comfortably before facing him, “Why’s the game paused?”
“Cuz Haibara will get his panties inna twist if we play without him.” Toji answered.
“He went to the bathroom.” Geto supplied.
“Ara~” Gojo suddenly whined, tugging her chin to make her face him, “What happened?”
He deftly searched her face before smiling in a way that was endearing yet smug. He murmured, “You came to me.”
“Yeah..” he playfully pinched her cheeks as she spoke on, “I jus wanna know how late you’re gonna stay up.”
“Oh?” he raised a brow, deliberating, “Why? You want me to join you in bed?”
She flushed, “No I was just checking cuz you have a midterm first period tomorrow..”
His eyes sparkled, “You’re worried? How cute~”
Suddenly her face and throat was getting peppered with kisses. She laughed, pushing at his chest to get him off. He didn’t budge, continuing persistently.
She finally managed to push him back a little, “Stop you idiot,” she breathed out through giggles.
He was still grinning, “You’re worried about me~”
She shoved his shoulder, “I’m leaving.”
He immediately grabbed her hips and planted her back down, “Nope, you're gonna stay here.”
She tried to pry his hands off her as he continued, “C’monnn, watch me play.”
She glared, “That’s boring.”
“Then you play.”
“I’m not a kid.”
She faintly heard Toji say, “Wowww.”
Gojo smirked, “You never played video games before, have you?”
“Nope.”
“Yep, you’re not goin’ anywhere.”
He glanced down at her and grinned.
She sat in between him and Suguru, his controller in her hands. She was doing surprisingly well for a beginner, he wasn’t sure if she was truly picking it up that fast or if it was pure luck. Maybe a mix of both.
She was definitely more engaged than she let on, her bottom lip stuck between her teeth and steady gaze on the screen gave her away.
Suguru leaned over to give her a pointer and she nodded before opening her inventory as he instructed.
Suddenly the sound of a bomb going off blasted through the speakers.
“Yo, what thE FUCK! WHO THREW A BOMB???” Toji bellowed. Poor guy was in the lead. was.
She yelled back, “It was an ACCIDENT!”
“How DO YOU ACCIDENTALLY THROW A BOMB?!”
Gojo opened his mouth only to get interrupted-
“LIKE THIS!”
His laughter was masked by the sound of another bomb exploding through the speakers.
He skipped several steps as he bolted upstairs. He boisterously shouldered open his bedroom doors, tossing his duffel bag to the floor before catapulting straight to the bed—
He stopped a second before lift-off, staring at the neatly made bed.
Where is she?
He didn’t move, merely turning his head to aptly scan the room. Her backpack was nowhere to be seen. Her home slippers were left in place. Her daily afterschool coffee left untouched on the nightstand.
She didn’t come home? Marin would’ve said something.
He took a step towards the nightstand only to note a lighter brown line of foam within the rim of the clear mug residing a slight bit higher than the coffee itself. She did come home.
He didn’t waste a second slipping a hand into his pocket and retrieving his phone. He tapped the screen twice before a location showed up.
His brows furrowed, “555 Palm Avenue..” he murmured to himself before his eyes widened.
Shoko’s house.
He tilted his head, faint confusion passing over his features before he raised the phone to his ear.
She picked up on the second ring.
“Hi loser.” Shoko.
He tilted his head, “Ieiriiiii, why’d you steal her?”
“What the hell did you do to her phone that it won’t turn off location sharing with you?” she huffed, “I wanted you to have a panic attack.”
“Heheh. Nice try,” his smile flipped into a pout, “Now give her back.”
“Never.”
He slipped his car keys out his pocket before tossing them into the air and catching it, “I’m coming.”
“NO! This is a pre-game for the girls only.”
“Eh? I’m one of the girls too,” he said before adding, “the fuckk.” -in a feminine voice.
“Shut the hell up. And don’t do that again.”
He was cracking up as she continued, “She’s getting ready here.”
“I wanna seeeee.”
“Nope.”
“Can I talk to her then?”
“Nope.”
He whined, “C’monn, don’t do this to me, Ieiri~”
When she remained silent he continued, “pleasepleaseplease-“
“You’re like a puppy with separation anxiety. How is she not sick of you?”
He grinned, “She loves me.”
“She said that?”
He blinked before his brows furrowed slightly, “Not yet.”
“Then don’t assume.”
He knew she only meant that in jest but suddenly he was thinking about it.
He heard the sound of footsteps over the phone, a door opening before the sound of a lot feminine voices. He heard Shoko say something and then-
“Hi baby,” My sweet Ara. She sounded worried, “I’m so sorry, I wanted to call you when she picked me up but she wanted to prank you.”
He shook his head, smiling, “s’okay, kitten. i jus miss your pretty face.”
He heard her exhale softly, “You’ll see me tonight, all dressed up.”
He groaned, “ughh, i don’t wanna waittttt.”
He could hear the smile in her voice, “stop whining you child.”
He grinned, “let me see you at shoko’s then.”
He heard shoko yell, “NO!” in the background.
“did you hear that?” Ara asked with a light laugh.
“yes. tell her i said she sucks bootycheeks.”
Shoko yelled once more, “i know!”
Ara spoke, “i’ll see you at brit’s okay?”
He pouted, “fineeee.”
“bye baby.”
He smiled slightly, he couldn’t help but feel warm whenever she said that. “see you, kitten.”
Shoko sat her down in front of a vanity.
“Alright, now that hair is done, we can do makeup.”
Ara stared as Shoko opened all the drawers of the extravagant vanity before her, revealing a countless amount of high-end makeup. Most of it barely touched.
“Shoko!!” a girl yelled from downstairs.
“What!” Shoko yelled back only for silence to follow.
She rolled her eyes as she mumbled to herself, “What does Arden want now,” she gestured toward the makeup, “Knock yourself out, I’ll be back.”
“Wait—“
Shoko turned around, eyes alert.
Ara hesitated before admitting, “I don’t know how to do my makeup.”
Her eyes widened, “Forreal?” She then crossed her arms, “Actually I can’t even blame you, I only started doing my own makeup like a year ago.”
“Would your Mom do it for you?” she asked, considering the fact that the vanity before them was hers.
“Nah, I had a makeup artist.” Shoko appeared to be in thought before she said, “Hold on.”
She walked out of the room and yelled, “Anybody here good at makeup??!”
A ton of feminine voices arose, answering her. Ara wasn’t the least bit surprised since half of their school’s female population was here.
She heard Shoko yell something before peeking her head back in the room, “Alright, we got help for makeup. Do you want anything to drink?”
Ara hesitated. She’d told herself that she wouldn’t drink after the last party but—
“SHOKO!!”
“IM COMING IDIOT!” Shoko yelled back before saying, “I’ll be back.”
She left within a blink of an eye, only for someone else to enter the room a second later. Karina.
Ara stared as Karina walked closer, looking insanely perfect as usual. She also had a bottle of Pink Whitney in her hand.
She set the bottle down on the vanity, “You need help with your makeup?”
a/n: continued in chapter 5 [ part 2 ] >:) & here's a link to the previous chapter if anyone needs it
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