When he was a child, his mother would tell him stories about her favorite constellations. Smoothing back his pale locks, she would explain how these creatures of myth and legend came to live in the stars.
Ursula major. Ursula minor. Sagittarius.
The sound of her soft, smooth voice was a balm to the weight that had begun to grow in his chest at such a young age. With regret in her eyes, she met his starry blue gaze as she tried to ease him into sleep.
Every year she would have to tell longer stories. Every year the weight grew heavier.
Until he became a man.
2:00 am
Gojo Satoru twisted in his sheets again, turning onto the cool side of his mattress.
He should be used to the weight now, but there were moments where it was unbearable.
Kicking off the blankets, he sat up and let the moonlight ripple across his bare skin. With a fist, he rubbed the middle of his chest to relieve the worst of the weight and pressure.
"Ursula major, ursula minor, Sagittarius," he whispered, shoulders tightening.
The weight increased until he could barely breathe.
Gritting his teeth, he grabbed the cellphone next to the mattress and dialed a number by muscle memory.
"What do you want?"
His shoulders relaxed. "Why do you assume that I want something?"
A slight huff. "You only call me when you want to order me around."
"You know me so well."
"Not willingly."
He grinned. "I want you to read me the list of NASA approved constellations."
The dial tone answered him.
Satoru chuckled to himself before settling onto the mattress and redialing the same number. It was always so much fun interacting with Iori Utahime.
She let him go to voicemail three times before she answered with a growl. "I don't have time for this, Gojo. The game is about the start."
"Tell me about the game then. I want to know who is winning too."
Utahime gave another annoyed huff but stayed on the phone.
Satoru had no interest in any sports, especially not baseball. But he knew every rule of the game and every major player across the league. It was the consequence for getting any sleep these days.
His eyes drooped as Utahime began to describe which players were positioned on the field. The sound of irritation giving way into excitement. Her soft, soothing voice told him stories about her favorite game. The weight lessened until he felt nothing at all.
Strike. Batter Out. Change Up.
Author's Note: Headcanon that Gojo learned all of his umpire skills from these conversations with Utahime.