Satoru Gojo had love and dreams.

You were his love and his dreams.

He had dreamed of leaving the jujutsu world behind, he had dreamed of a future where he would finally be free of all responsibility when his students far surpassed him, a future where he was no longer The Strongest. A future where, no longer carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, he would have proposed to you. A future where you weren't the only one who saw him for something more than this power of his.

“I’m going to come back to you,” Satoru had promised that morning, “You know I always will.”

How could he not, when you were everything he had ever dreamed of, everything he could ever need? Life with you meant having a space where he could let the mask slip off, a place where he didn't have to be The Strongest, but simply Satoru, your Satoru.

... maybe in another life he won't break his promise.

When Satoru realized it was the end, his last thoughts were of you. He should've hugged you tighter this morning, gave you one more kiss before he left...

“I love you," he whispers, even knowing you won't listen. Those words were still a curse all the same.

---

He’d never get used to watching you cry.

You're kneeling at the side of his dead body, sunlight shining behind your head in a way that makes you look almost angelic. He'd believe it if you said you were an angel who came to guide his soul to the afterlife.

“But I would never leave. I made a promise, didn’t I?”

Satoru's presence wavers, flickering like a candle flame in a gust of wind. He can feel your pain, taste your sorrow on his tongue. His heart clenches, phantom organ that it is, wishing he could gather you in his arms and hold you until the tears subside.

“I’m sorry.”

The apology is whispered into the air, unheard by anything but the breeze. He leans in closer, as close as he can get without actually touching you. Close enough to pretend, for just a moment, that he's still alive.