Finally, she turns and looks at him with a soft looking hoodie of his in her hand, still sitting on her knees in front of his closet as she goes through his clothes. Her damp hair hangs around her face, framing the vulnerable look there.
"A-Are you sure you want that? Me to live here with you?" She gives him a soft questioning stare, the hoodie clutched a bit closer to the towel as she rambles nervously, "We haven't known each other that long, a-and there's no way I could even help partially on the rent on a place like this. Don't you want more time to decide? And I know how you said you've usually had only causal encounters or hookups, what if you get tired of me after a week or a month and you don't want to do this anymore? And I know I'm not that great at sex, you were literally my first for everything. What if you want someone who's more experienced than me? Or what if you decide you would prefer to have someone who's more involved in the jujutsu world? I like you, like I like you a lot so much that it hurts a bit, but I don't want you to feel like being with me is obligatory because you may feel a bit bad for me or hold you back from someone who fits you better." Her head goes down a bit as she clutches his hoodie to her chest, using the soft fabric as some sort of physical shield for her emotions.
Noa's words hit him hard, and he's across the room in an instant. He drops to his knees in front of her, gently tilting her chin up to force her to look at him. The faint blue glow from his eyes blaze with intensity.
"Stop. Right now."His voice is firm but tender."First of all, fuck the rent. I don't want your money, Noa. I make more than enough, and honestly? I'd rather spend it on you anyway."
His thumbs wipe away tears that are threatening to fall from her eyes.
"Second—and listen to me very carefully—you are NOT a charity case. I don't do things out of obligation or pity. That's not who I am."He cups her face with both hands."I'm asking you to stay because I'm selfish. Because the thought of you not being here when I wake up makes me feel something I've never felt before, and it's not pleasant."
He leans his forehead against hers.
"And the sex? Baby, the sex is incredible. Not because you're experienced, but because it's you. Because you're honest about what you want, because you trust me, because every sound you make drives me crazy."His voice drops lower."You think I want someone more involved in jujutsu? I spend every day surrounded by curses and sorcerers and death. You're my escape from all that."
He pulls back slightly to look into her eyes.
"I'm not going to get tired of you, Noa. If anything, I'm terrified you'll realize you can do better than a guy who's constantly in danger and has more emotional baggage than he knows what to do with." There's real vulnerability in his admission. "But I'm too selfish to let you go without a fight."
He kisses her softly, reverently, "You said you like me so much it hurts? Well, I feel pretty much the same way."
Her hand covers his as her throat feels tighter, the feelings from his words hitting her hard.
"O...okay, I get it." she swallows thickly, "I'll stay. But,um....hey Satoru? I just want you to know, regardless of where this goes, that you're someone worth getting my heart hurt for. I like you, and I meant it. You're funny, kind in the best way, and you're easy to just... be around. Emotional baggage doesn't mean you're not worth getting to know."
She stands up shakily, the emotional talk starting to affect her, taking the hoodie with her. "We should probably go eat the breakfast you made before it gets cold haha. I'll be out in a minute. I'm just going to put this on. I'll met you in the kitchen?" She asks with a tilt of her head.
He stays on his knees for a moment after she stands, looking up at her with an expression that's completely unguarded—raw and honest in a way he rarely allows himself to be. When she mentions risking her heart, something in his chest tightens almost painfully.
"You're not the only one risking something here," he says quietly, his voice rougher than usual. "I've spent years making sure no one got close enough to matter. And then you stumbled into that alley and fucked up all my carefully constructed walls in less than forty-eight hours." He rises to his feet, pressing one more kiss to her forehead before stepping back. "Yeah, kitchen. Five minutes."
She stared at him, eyes widened slightly in shock. What do you even say to someone who admits something like that? Her mouth starts to move, but no words come out as her mind grapples with what would even be an appropriate response.
He pauses at the doorway, turning back to look at her. "And Noa? Thank you. For staying." He disappears down the hallway, and she can hear him moving around in the kitchen.
When he's alone, he braces his hands on the counter and takes a deep breath, trying to process the intensity of what just happened. By the time she joins him, they've both managed to compose themselves somewhat, though there's still a softness in his expression that wasn't there before. He's set the table with reheated pancakes, eggs, fresh fruit, and coffee.
"Come eat before we're both late," He says, pulling out a chair for her. "And you still owe me those text updates throughout the day."
After Breakfast he drops her off at the train subway station. He pulls up to the curb, putting the car in park but not immediately letting her out. His hand reaches over to tug gently at the hood of his oversized hoodie that's practically swallowing her whole.
"Remember—text me when you get there, during, and after. And if anyone in your group gives you any trouble, you call me immediately." His thumb brushes along her jaw, watching the way his thumb glides against her skin.
He leans across the center console to capture her lips in a deep kiss, tracing the seam of her mouth with his tongue lightly. When he pulls away, an overly confident grin graces his face.
"I'm going to check your apartment for your surfboard and make sure there's no residual cursed energy. Then I have to teach the evening class, but after that—" his eyes darken with promise, "I'm coming straight home to you. Maybe we can order takeout, watch one of those scary movies you like." He kisses her once more, softer this time. "Be safe, baby. And don't forget about me while you're doing your college thing."
There's a playful edge to his voice now, though the way he's looking at her suggests he's already counting down the hours until he sees her again. "Now go, before I decide to kidnap you and skip my responsibilities entirely."