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The rain outside plays a staccato beat against the windows, the wind howls between the trees and Suguru stands in the kitchen, looking out the window. He watches the leaves in the yard swirl up into the air. Spring time. The time of new beginnings. There was much that had begun for Suguru this year.
He steps away from the stove, walking to the doorway. He sees Satoru asleep on the couch, Megumi and Tsumiki sprawled across him. They're also lost in the world of dreams. Satoru’s hair falls against the dark cushion like a burst of snow. Suguru didn’t care much for snow…not until Satoru came along.
It’s the most peaceful he’s ever seen Satoru’s face. It’s the most peaceful he’s ever seen Megumi’s face as well. That boy’s brow was always furrowed in concentration, or annoyance, or general irritation with the world.
Spring time. New beginnings. The very year Megumi and Tsumiki Fushiguro had come to stay with them.
Nanako and Mimiko were asleep in the bedroom. They had continued to sleep when the others moved out to the living room. It had been a bit rocky with the girls adjusting to two new humans in their house. They doted on Tsumiki, though. Just thinking of their gentle treatment of her brought a smile to his face.
Satoru’s face scrunches up and he wants to rush over to smooth away that frown stuck on his brow bone.
He had been having nightmares a lot lately. Almost every night this week, Satoru has woken unable to tell real life from the curses of his nightmares. He’d just slip on his sunglasses and prowl out to the balcony. On guard.
Nothing Suguru says or does can help him on those nights. At least, that’s what it feels like.
Still, he stays up with Satoru. He sits beside him in bed. He wraps himself around Satoru’s body while they sit on the balcony, keeping the cold away. Keeping the nightmares away.
It’s the least he can do. After all, isn’t he the cause of so many of these nightmares both sleeping and awake?
He shakes himself out of that tempting self loathing; the siren’s call of his own self hatred. Satoru’s brow is smoothed out once more and his dreams do not chase him into wakefulness this time.
A sigh of relief falls from his lips and he moves back into the kitchen.
His gaze shifts to the window above the sink. The window overlooks the modest front yard. Something Suguru had never had. A house— no, a home. Someone to greet him after he comes back from work.
He smiles at that thought. The abundance of joy in his life now…he never would have predicted it.
At least, not for himself.
Isn’t this what Satoru had always deserved? Safety, an abundance of love and stability. This is the life they had worked for back at Jujutsu Tech.
As private sorcerers now, they had little dealings with the technical school aside from seeing Iori, Ieri, Kento and Yuu from time to time. He knows Satoru keeps in touch with Yaga–that’s the only of their mentors he had kept in touch with throughout the years. They belong wholly to themselves now.
He thinks back to those early days in school. Their relationship had been so new, so unlike anything Suguru had ever experienced.
[ 11 years ago ]
The autumn leaves fell gracefully from the tree branches, falling in arches and spirals entirely of their own.
The air was cold as it cut through his light jacket, but his hands were so sweaty and his cheeks so flushed with heat that Suguru could barely take note of it.
He’s on his way to Satoru’s dorm room. They had a date!
Even the thought has butterflies fluttering in his stomach. Anxiety settles somewhere in his chest, making his breathing come in a bit shorter.
What was he doing? Satoru Gojo? He had quickly fallen into a sort of…competitive companionship with the white haired sorcerer, each pushing the other to work harder, to do better, to be quicker.
Soon enough, seeing Satoru’s name on his phone screen made butterflies flutter through his stomach. No; that wasn’t accurate. It was more like agitated hornets; bouncing off every corner, making his stomach turn.
Of course, he was no stranger to these stomach turning sensations; he swallowed curses and had been swallowing curses since he was a boy.
Still, this was altogether a different sensation. Rather than churning in disgust, this sensation was…startlingly pleasant.
He chased it as often as he could.
It wasn’t long before his and Satoru’s relationship went from friendly rivals to…whatever the hell it was now. Subtle flirting. Staying up late just to speak to each other. Finding excuses for their hands to brush in the hallways–dates, apparently.
It was thrilling. It was new. It was…absolutely gut wrenchingly terrifying.
His footsteps quicken as he—almost too eagerly, approaches Satoru’s dorm room.
With shaking hands, he reaches out to knock lightly on the tatami screen door.
He hopes his cheeks haven't become too noticeably red. Satoru loves to tease him about how easy it is to make him blush. It was as if Satoru purposely did things just to see the stain of red blossomed across his cheeks.
Did friends do that? Is that what they were?
Before he can answer his own question, the door slides open–Suguru's fist still outstretched to knock. "Yo! Suguru, you made it!" Satoru exclaims, blue eyes uncovered and sparkling happily.
Suguru opens his mouth to respond with a greeting of his own, but Satoru just laughs and pulls him into his arms. Immediately, the tension Suguru had been holding in his body melts and he sags into the warmth and security of Satoru's body. Satoru doesn't say anything, but he holds Suguru tighter.
Finally, Suguru tilts his head slightly to look up at the other. Their height difference wasn't large, but it was there, and Suguru's head tilted back slightly to look at his best friend.
"Satoru, it's good to see you. You're not wearing your sunglasses today, it seems. Is it a good day then?"
"Isn't it a good day since we're hanging out?"
He blushes and moves to stare out the window. If he avoids Satoru's taunts, it would be much safer that way.
It was silly, really. He swallowed curses and got himself into situations he might not be able to get himself out of, and still the thing he was most intimidated by was Satoru Gojo. The most powerful sorcerer alive today. Of course, that wasn't even close to why he made Suguru's stomach tumble and churn. If only that were the reason…it would have such a simple solution. As it is, there's seemingly no easy situation for the actual reason at hand.
His palms feel sweaty once again. He rubs them on his pants and turns back around to face Satoru.
Satoru is standing much closer than he expected, almost chest to chest with him. He peers down at Suguru curiously, as if seeing through the cracks in his carefully constructed armor. "You know," Satoru murmurs, "You look really pretty when you blush, Suguru."
Of course those words only cause his blush to deepen. Satoru grins as if that's just what he intended to happen. Suguru rolls his eyes and pushes past him, still blushing furiously. "Listen here," he starts, "Just because you can make me blush, doesn't mean you should make me blush." He crosses his arms as he finishes, feeling a bit too embarrassed already.
Satoru shrugs and walks over to his small kitchenette. "Do you want anything to eat? I can get us some drinks too."
Suguru's head swivels around at the question. "What's a movie day without good snacks? Are you trying to starve me?" He asks, easily falling into the teasing camaraderie they had together.
Satoru raises an eyebrow. "If you keep up the attitude, I'll definitely starve you, and I'll tell Yaga when you sneak out my window for your smoke break."
Suguru puts a hand to his chest, feigning a wounded look. His voice tumbles from his throat tightly, as if pushed out through tears, "you'd really be so cruel to me? Aren't I much too handsome for that sort of treatment, Satoru?"
Satoru's playful expression cracks. The crack is so slight, only Suguru, who had spent countless hours analyzing every detail of Satoru' face, would notice. He grins. Satoru's playful grin morphs into a pout.
"That's not very nice, Suguru. You shouldn't tease your best friend like that? After all, who else can stand to be around you aside from me?" He laments, throwing his own hand against his chest in a display of drama befitting a theater major.
"Stop being so dramatic."
"Why would I do that?"
"Shut up, Satoru."
"Make me, Suguru."
He stares at Satoru for a heartbeat too long. Then, he's stepping forward and reaching his hand up to cover Satoru's mouth.
Of course, that doesn't work. Satoru licks a long, wet stripe up the palm of his hand. His mouth is covered, but Suguru can see the grin in his eyes. Then, Satoru winks.
He pulls his hand away,, a noise of disgust falling easily from his lips. He quickly wipes his hand on his pants.
"You're disgusting," he mutters, turning away once more and settling himself atop Satoru's mattress.
He glances back up to see Satoru staring at him, a challenge gleaming in those icy blue irises. He shakes his head.
"Satoru, don't you dare do whatever it is you're thinking of doing right now," he warns.
Of course, Satoru doesn't listen.
In three strides of those beautifully long legs, Satoru is across the room and jumping on top of him. The bed groans under their combined weight, but doesn't fall. He feels himself falling back, head aiming straight for the wall.
He closes his eyes, waiting for the impact, but it never comes. He blinks his eyes open slowly.
Satoru is much closer than he had been before, his lips only inches away from Suguru's own. His arm is outstretched and his palm cradles the back of Suguru's head gently. Satoru's blue eyes are blown wide and his breathing is coming in faster. Pink blooms across those delicate cheekbones and unbidden, Suguru thinks of what a lovely contrast it makes with the blue of his eyes.
Suguru realizes two things then—one, he very much wants to close the distance and kiss his best friend until neither of them can think straight; and two, he absolutely under no circumstances can do such a thing. This, whatever they had now was still so new, so fragile. He wouldn't dare shatter it so quickly.
A blush rises to his own cheeks and he looks away. If he stares into Satoru's eyes much longer, he'll be in danger.
It seems Satoru's thoughts are traveling similar avenues because his next words are soft and breathless, "Suguru, can I kiss you?"
Rather than answer out loud, because the devil himself knows it'd be impossible for Suguru right now, he leans forward.
Their lips meet and Suguru feels some broken thing inside his chest start to heal. He swears sparks fly around them as his lips move against Satoru's.
It's clumsy and awkward, but so very much… them.
There's that undercurrent of competitiveness as each of them fights to get the upper hand.
Satoru wins, of course.
Satoru wins every time. It's not even worth the contest they always seem to have.
[ End of Flashback ]
Suguru blinks a few times as he's shaken out of his reverie. Satoru is stirring on the couch, telltale signs of him waking soon. Tsumiki rolls over and her arm falls a bit too heavily over Satoru's face.
Suguru stifles a laugh as he watches.
Satoru's face scrunches up and he opens one eye groggily. His other eye opens soon afterwards and he assesses the current situation. He slowly lifts up Tsumiki's arm, settling it back at her side. Then, he's sitting up. He gently lifts Megumi from where the boy had been sprawled between his legs, and settles him beside his sister.
The two immediately curl into each other, sensing the other's presence even in their sleep. Megumi pulls the girl into his chest, making a soft contented noise before he's out again.
Tsumiki's own arms curl around her brother, as if shielding him from harm.
Suguru's heart clenches at the sight. His precious children. Their bond was…like nothing he had ever seen before; forged in the fires of hardship. The Fushiguro children had a bond unlike any other, aside from Nanako and Mimiko. His girls…the girls he had rescued, and that had rescued him in return. He turned to the hallway, already wanting to go to them and make sure they were still asleep.
As if he heard his thoughts, Satoru walks up beside him and wraps his arms around Suguru's waist.
"The girls are fine, Suguru. If they'd woken up, they'd be running down the hall to you right now."
He raises an eyebrow as he looks at Satoru. "Are you adding mind reading to the long list of your abilities?" He asks, stifling a laugh.
Satoru just wiggles his eyebrows and pinches Suguru's cheek. "No, but wouldn't that be cool as fuck?" Suguru laughs then; he laughs at Satoru's childlike playfulness.
Nothing could ever take that away from him. No matter what hardships he faced, or trauma he bore, he still clung to that childlike personality that endeared him to so many people in the first place. Satoru Gojo, strongest sorcerer, yes. He was also entirely endearing. Speaking only once with Satoru might endear you to him for life. Of course, Suguru was only speaking from his own experience.
Satoru flicks his forehead then. "Oi, Suguru. Pay attention to me. Stop going all dreamy eyed like that when I'm acting really cute right in front of your face."
"You're insufferable, Satoru," he laughs, leaning up to press a kiss to Satoru's nose.
Satoru places a hand on his chest, feigning a look of hurt and betrayal, "Suguru, how could you say such an entirely true thing like that?" He gasps in offense to slide his point home even more.
"You're insufferable, and I'd still suffer through your antics every day for the rest of our lives, Satoru."
"Now, that's more like it."
"Insufferable man."
"Killjoy."
Suguru pulls away at his last comment, a singular eyebrow raised.
Satoru almost complains at the loss of contact before he notices the playful glint in Suguru's eyes. "Whatever you're thinking of doing, Suguru, don't do it."
It's too late for opposition. Suguru is tugging Satoru closer and running teasing, tickling fingers along his side.
Satoru very predictably gives what can only be described as a squawk of indignation before he's wriggling in Suguru's grasp and trying to pull away. Of course, he could turn on his infinity and the ordeal would be over within seconds flat. Suguru knew he wouldn't, though. He treasured that utter trust Satoru placed in him.
That trust meant that Satoru would never keep his guard up around him, never tense up in anticipation of an enemy that may not come, because he trusted Suguru to watch his back when he relaxed, and he trusted Suguru to keep him safe under any circumstances.
He continues tickling Satoru, delighting in the giggles and peals of laughter that spring forth in the aftermath.
Satoru's joy rouses Tsumiki from her sleep and she sits up, rubbing a small fist against her eyes. "Papa?" It's the only word that falls from her lips, and her voice is soft and scratchy from sleep. Still, Suguru's entire world stops and when it starts again, it isn't the sun that revolves around the Earth, it is Tsumiki that revolves around him.
He grins at her then--an invitation to come and play. Her returning grin is slow to bloom across her face, as if making absolutely sure it was safe. Then, she's carefully dislodging herself from her brother and her little feet scramble across the floor to get to him.
Megumi stirs as his sister's warmth disappears from his side. He's in tune with his surroundings even in sleep. Suguru curses that hyper-vigilance that's been drilled into him. He curses the fact that Megumi thinks it's something that's required to live.
Still, they had only been living here for a few months now. There would be time for unlearning bad habits as the seasons changed and the months passed. Megumi just needed time. Didn't they all? Weren't they all unpacking skeletons from their closets?
He lifts Tsumiki up high as she leaps into his arms. Her peals of laughter ring out through the kitchen, bouncing off the walls and forming the most beautiful melody Suguru has heard in his entire, utterly miserable existence.
Tsumiki was pure love. That's what she was. She was Suguru's own lesson in learning to love and let himself be loved in return.
Soon, the sound of merriment rouses even Megumi from sleep. He sits up from the couch, hair sticking up in every direction, and his eyes search for Satoru. Megumi seems to hold tension in his body until he finds those startlingly blue eyes, as if worried this might be a dream.
Of course, Satoru opens his arms to the boy, and Megumi's entire body sags with relief before he too is pushing himself off of the couch and running into Satoru's arms.
Satoru catches him effortlessly, as if he had been waiting just for this moment. Tsumiki may have been older, but Megumi had been her protector those long dark years before they came to stay with him and Satoru. No one had ever protected him--much less as fiercely as Satoru did. He seemed shocked by it most times. Still, he had gotten used to Satoru's presence; gotten used to his protection. When he needed somewhere to hide, it was usually in Satoru's arms.
Suguru smiles fondly, remembering the day Megumi had told him in confidence that Satoru's arms were the safest place to be.
'Because 'Toru is the strongest!' He had proclaimed it in a voice overflowing with childlike innocence.
Indeed, Satoru was the strongest. That's the way he liked everyone else to see him. Of course, Suguru knew he had his weaknesses; how could he not know? He was one of them. It was flattering, but it was also terrifying.
He brings his attention back to the present. Tsumiki is smiling down at him, curling up in his arms and reaching out to squish his cheeks together.
"Papa, you ran away with your thoughts again. Right?" Her sweet voice is laced with concern and he throws her a reassuring smile. It was just like her to notice when his mind wanders, and to guess the places it could wander to.
He pulls her down and presses a kiss to her forehead. "Papa ran away with his thoughts again, princess. If I didn't have you to bring me back down to Earth, I'd have flown away entirely!"
She giggles, light and happy. "Papa, I'll always bring you back down to Earth. We made a pinky promise, remember?"
Of course he remembers. How could he ever forget?
Tsumiki had been with them for only a few weeks back then, but she called him 'papa' with an ease that he didn't expect. Her soft voice was gentle and she called his name with a reverence he'd never heard before. She opened like the petals of a flower in spring. His Tsumiki was a beautiful flower. She was being nurtured and loved every single day and that's exactly what she deserved after the life she'd had up until this point.
She'd found him sitting out in the front yard. The sounds of her soft footfalls against the wooden porch hauled him back from the prison of his thoughts.
She continued to approach him, slow and steady as she did everything. Then, she sat down at his side, letting her little legs dangle off of the porch. She gave him a smile that was much too knowing. She had a wisdom about her that was far beyond her years. Due to years of having to read the room at all times, years of conditioning that he could never undo. "Papa, are you okay?" Her words were soft, and they caressed his ears as they flowed into the core of him.
"I'm okay, little flower. Papa just ran away with his thoughts again. It happens sometimes."
She sat in silence for a few seconds before responding carefully, "did I bring papa back down to Earth? When I'm running away with my thoughts, I always desperately wish for papa or 'Gumi to come and bring me back down to Earth."
He looks at her then, sees the understanding and the compassion in her eyes. It breaks him a bit, but it also heals some broken part of him deep inside his soul that he hadn't even realized was there; much less as broken as it was.
He pulls her closer, tucking her into his side carefully. "You did bring me back down to Earth, darling. It can be pretty startling to run away with your thoughts like that, right?"
She nods solemnly. "Papa, I understand."
He gives her a squeeze and laughs. "That's why I'm so happy to have you, princess. You're always bringing me back down to Earth with you, right where I need to be," he murmured. His voice was reverent, adoring.
She looks up at him, giving him a small smile. Her smile was radiant. She was pure sunshine. Her voice was quiet and thoughtful as she said, "I want to be the one who brings you back down to Earth. Always. Papa, I wanna make sure you can't run too far."
He looked down to her, holding out his pinky finger. "Promise, little one?"
She beams up at him, reaching out to link her pinky finger with his. "I promise, papa!" Her exclamation is full of childlike innocence, but also utter sincerity. The sincerity of a child.
That was that. Ever since that promise, she'd watched him carefully, she knew his tells almost as well as Satoru does. She brought him back from that smothering darkness of his mind. She was his light in the dark, she was his savior in ways that she'd never know or understand. This little girl and that quiet fierceness that she loved with…it was his undoing, it was his salvation.
His Tsumiki. His and Satoru's and Megumi's. Their light in the dark. He held tight to that promise they'd made together. It anchored him when the tide of his rage and his grief and his sorrow swept in to take him away.
He tosses her slightly in his arms, smiling when that causes a giggle to fall from her lips.
Satoru's eyes fall to him then, and his face is so bright, so full of love that it takes Suguru's breath away. This was the life Satoru deserved. This was the life full to the point of bursting with love that Satoru had always deserved. His heart ached fiercely for the life Satoru had lived before now.
Almost at the same time, they set the giggling children down and walk towards each other.
Satoru towers over him as he always does, strong and all powerful. Still, there's a softness to him that hadn't been there even a year ago. He smiles, bright and free and Suguru can't help but to mirror that smile.
Satoru says his name like a prayer, "Suguru."
Suguru says Satoru's name like an everlasting promise, "Satoru."
The kids' footsteps get softer as they leave the room and then…then, all that exists here in this moment is Satoru; Satoru's bright blue eyes that catch the light and hold it, Satoru's hair as white as the snow he's come to love, Satoru's bright smile that spreads all the way to his eyes.
Satoru takes Suguru into his arms, and Suguru thinks that…that he's never been safer. Not ever in his life. This moment, here in Satoru's arms, with that all consuming love that poured from him effortlessly, this was safety. This was home.
Satoru lowers his lips, and then Suguru is kissing him. Suguru is kissing him and the rest of the world fades away. He doesn't know how long he stands there, kissing this kind, intelligent, wonderfully beautiful man. Hours pass, or maybe it was only minutes. Things like time weren't important when you were being kissed by Satoru Gojo.
Satoru groans low in his throat and it sends a fissure of heat rushing through him.
"Satoru, at least wait until the kids are distracted," he teases softly.
Satoru laughs then, the sound bright and twinkling. "I love you. You were the one who got carried away."
Suguru shrugs, not bothering to deny the statement. So what if that was true? "You went along with it…" he muses quietly. Satoru just laughs again and the sound fills Suguru's chest with light.
The rest of the day is full of laughter, of love, of family. Nanako and Mimiko wake up not long after Suguru leads Satoru out of the kitchen and into the living room. The rain echoes throughout the room, steady and soothing.
Suguru rests against Satoru's chest and falls asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.
**
Suguru wakes briefly once night falls and Satoru leads him to their bedroom and then, he's out once more until the warm, buttery light of morning seeps through the curtains.
He blinks his eyes open, and Satoru is draped across him, white hair splayed out across his skin and across Satoru's silk pillowcase.
He smiles and lets his mind crawl back to wakefulness.
A thirst for coffee is what finally draws him out of bed and he slips his arms into his soft, black robe as he slides out the bedroom door. The kids had slept uninterrupted last night. Those nights were getting more frequent the older they got, and Suguru wonders briefly, what it will feel like when those nights are gone altogether. Soon, the kids will be old enough to stop believing in monsters under the bed, they’ll be old enough to realize that the scariest monsters were real, and lay just outside the door.
Suguru tries not to mourn it; not yet, he tells himself.
He pads silently into the kitchen and, lost in thought, begins to prepare his coffee on autopilot.
It's then when Satoru stumbles into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, that he finds Suguru.
"Hey. You're up early. Is everything okay?" His voice is low, and rough with sleep. Suguru's favorite sound.
He pours a second mug of coffee and wordlessly hands it over to Satoru. "I slept too long last night, that's all," he murmurs softly. Then, he asks, "you have a job today, right?"
Satoru sips from his coffee, as if it wasn't steaming hot. "Of course. Over at the prison. It should be easy. I heard it's only a grade two."
Suguru nods, and though he knows Satoru is more than equipped to handle a grade two, something like worry eats away at his stomach. How could he not be worried? Hadn't the world proved time and time again that it was not kind or easy?
He gives Satoru what he hopes is a convincing smile. "That should be no problem, right?"
Satoru shrugs and takes another long sip from his coffee. "No, Suguru, I don't think the strongest sorcerer of our time will have much trouble with a grade two." he deadpans.
Suguru laughs then, a real and genuine laugh.
His eyebrows scrunch up and he flinches— but he goes silent just as quickly. That was a loud laugh, and he can't wake the kids up this early, not with how late they stayed up last night. Thankfully, only silence greets his ears. They're still asleep. He sags in his seat.
Satoru laughs at him, soft and full of adoration. Suguru looks up and catches those startlingly blue eyes. He pauses and…everything else fades away. Right now, he and Satoru may as well be the only people in the entire world.
He stands and moves to straddle Satoru's lap. Satoru's broad, gentle hands come to rest against his hips as he pulls Suguru closer. The air around them heats up as Suguru leans in close, as Satoru's lips just barely brush against his. He can't help the soft groan he lets out as Satoru's nails scrape against the skin of his hips.
His fingers travel up to the hair at the nape of Satoru's neck and he twirls those satin strands through his fingers lazily. They have all the time in the world. There's no rush this morning.
Satoru grins, like a wolf who's cornered his prey. As Suguru leans in, Satoru pulls away. They chase each other like that for a few minutes, Satoru grinning the whole time and looking far too pleased with himself. He leans in again and finally their lips meet. Time stops. The world stops spinning very briefly. There's only Satoru. There's only the velvet smoothness of his lips, the soft way his tongue swipes across his bottom lip, seeking entrance.
What else can Suguru do, but give it? He parts his lips and his tongue slips out, meeting Satoru's tentatively. The appreciative groan Satoru lets out has him gripping the waistband of Satoru's sweatpants.
The kids are still asleep—
Soft footsteps can be heard padding down the hall and a small, muffled yawn comes from the doorway. Suguru swallows his noise of frustration and pulls back.
Satoru's eyes are blown wide, the blue almost entirely swallowed up by the black of his pupils. It takes him a few seconds to regain rationality and then he's gently, but reluctantly letting Suguru up off of his lap.
Suguru leans close to his ear, pressing a featherlight kiss to his earlobe before he pulls away completely.
"Later," he whispers, his voice dripping with promise.
He watches a shiver travel up Satoru's spine and leans in to nip at his earlobe before turning towards the doorway.
Tsumiki stood there, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and hugging onto her blanket. "Papa?" Her voice is still rough with sleep, and Suguru wonders, if he plays his cards right, if he can get her to go back to sleep for a few hours.
He sits down in his chair and opens his arms to her. She immediately walks over and climbs carefully into his lap. She settles her blanket around her and shifts until she's practically laying against his chest. "Are you okay, princess?" He asks, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
She yawns a second time and nods her head. "I'm okay, papa. There was a dog barking outside that woke me up. 'Gumi and the others are still asleep."
He nods, combing his fingers through her hair, coaxing her tired body back to sleep. He hums softly and rocks her back and forth. He presses a few more kisses to her forehead, to the hair at the crown of her head. He didn't want her to ever doubt the love he felt for her.
She gave a happy, contented little sigh and her body relaxed even further against him.
"Why don't you stay right here and go back to sleep? Papa will stay here with you," he murmurs, keeping his voice soft and low.
She doesn't reply, only nodding once before her already heavy eyelids close even further. Her ear is nestled up to his heart and he likes to think that's what finally soothed her back to sleep.
When he looks up again, Satoru is pouring his coffee into a travel mug and giving him an apologetic smile. "I gotta head out now, Suguru. I'm sorry. I'll be gone most of the day, but when I get back, we'll carve out some time for ourselves after dinner, yeah?"
His suggestion is so welcome, so safe to fall back on that he finds himself nodding before Satoru has even finished his sentence. Of course that's okay. Satoru has given him the safety to know that's okay; that he'll return home to Suguru no matter what.
Satoru seems endlessly amused with Suguru, and he's never been able to pinpoint the exact reason, but he has that look in his eyes again, like he's privy to a joke Suguru can't even begin to figure out. Suguru sighs and rubs the back of his neck, feeling embarrassed. "Yes…that's fine. I'll see you after the job. Come straight home, okay?"
Satoru screws the lid onto the travel mug and then he's walking swiftly and silently to the doorway. He runs his fingers slowly through Suguru's hair as he passes and ruffles Tsumiki's hair before he's gone and down the hallway.
Suguru listens, first to Satoru shuffling into his shoes, then his jacket. He listens to the front door as it opens, shuts and the key turns in the lock.
Then, all he can hear is Tsumiki's quiet breathing as she slumbers on his chest. He stands slowly and carries her back to her bedroom. Megumi is sprawled on the bunk bed on top and he smiles at the sight. The boy clutches one of his shikigami to his chest, the little white rabbit seeming to slumber along with him.
Children were fascinating creatures and the ways their techniques manifested in childhood was even more amazing.
He leans down and settles Tsumiki back into her own bed and her face scrunches up briefly before relaxing once more. She doesn't stir as Suguru stands and makes his way out of the room.
The kids all wake up slowly from around eleven and finally at twelve, Megumi and Nanako wake and stumble out into the living room to join their siblings. Suguru has this time to spend with his kids, no distractions, no other obligations and he revels in it. This is the life he's always wanted. He's not swallowing curses or dodging attacks. He's here, loving his family, keeping the house clean and safe for when Satoru returns later on.
**
Satoru returns home later around five in the evening. Oranges, pinks and purples stain the sky in a beautiful display as he comes through the front door. Suguru glances up from where he's standing at the stove. He’s making pasta and a cake to share with Satoru later, after the kids have had their share and gone to bed.
He wonders if Satoru has forgotten it's their anniversary tonight. They've been married for four years today. Four of the best years of his life after they got away from Jujutsu Tech.
He smiles to himself as he hears Satoru grumble and kick off his shoes. He glances at the clock. It is a little later than Satoru might normally be home after fighting such a weak curse, but of course there could have been traffic on his way home. He won't jump to conclusions tonight. Tonight is all about Satoru.
He glances up and into the living room off to the side. The kids are all sprawled across the floor or on the couch, each immersed in their own thing. They likely wouldn't look up until dinner was ready.
He turns his attention back to the pasta in front of him. There's a cake in the oven currently, baking to utter perfection. Chocolate and raspberry. Satoru's favorite.
He stirs the pasta a bit more, glancing up once again as Satoru stumbles into the kitchen.
There's blood on his clothes, but Suguru is just level headed enough to recognize it as the black blood of curses, and not the red of Satoru's blood. He takes a steadying breath. Everything is okay. Satoru came home and though he looks worn down, he's physically no worse for wear. Suguru can't see any visible injuries, so everything must be fine.
He turns his gaze back to the stove and waits for Satoru to speak. When Satoru comes home from missions with that look in his eyes, it's best to give him time to find his words first. It doesn't take much longer; soon Satoru is opening his mouth, "There was a special grade there. I didn't know about it, no one fucking knew about it. It took me forever to exorcise that son of a bitch." His words are just loud enough for Suguru to wince.
"Satoru, the kids are in the other room…" he warns carefully, not wanting to agitate Satoru any further, but wanting to be careful nonetheless.
"God fucking damn it, Suguru. Just let me vent for a second. The kids are fine. They're all too distracted with whatever we're doing and anyways, we're teaching them that though these words are like any other, there's a time and place to use them. I would say now is a good time and a good place to curse a little bit."
Looking down at the pasta spinning slowly in the pan, he nods. Satoru is right. He just…doesn't know what to do or say. Satoru went out so Suguru wouldn't have to. Since Suguru's technique involves swallowing curses, he only goes out on missions when he wants to, and Satoru never asks for anything else from him. However, that means that situations like this one happen more often than not. Satoru is hurt. Of course, it isn't really his fault. It's the fault of the curse that hurt him. Logically, he knows that. Somehow, his brain wants to toss aside logic. If he had gone with Satoru today, they would have taken care of both special grade and grade two in under two hours.
He hangs his head as he turns away, his body switching into autopilot. Something like shame bubbles in his chest and bleeds into his throat. He tries to swallow around it.
How weak. He was supposed to be the strongest right alongside Satoru. Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto, the two strongest sorcerers of their time. Except, apparently not.
He feels his own weakness in that moment as the air between them grows taut with tension, heavy with words unsaid.
Then, two strong, slender arms are wrapping around his waist. Satoru is burying his face into the crook of his neck and he relaxes instantly.
That's all it takes. One touch,and he's putty in Satoru's hands.
Satoru nuzzles against him, humming some sort of soothing sound. It works, almost too well.
"I'm sorry for snapping. I don't want to upset you on our anniversary. It was a long day. Next time, I'll make sure to take some time to myself to cool off before I see you after a long mission. How does that sound?"
Suguru turns the burner off and turns around until his chest is pressed up against Satoru's. "That sounds like a plan. I'm sorry for getting on your back about cursing. I know it's alright, I just…I don't know. I let my worry overtake rational thought for a moment and I just said the first thing that came to mind. I won't do it again. Next time, why don't I try to also take a moment to get my worry under control before we speak?" He suggests it easily. Solutions and compromise were never easy, but they were a hell of a lot easier with Satoru.
Satoru just nods, leaning in to brush his lips over Suguru's own lips slowly, as if giving him time to pull away.
As if he would.
He leans up, arms wrapping around Satoru's neck and tangling in that snow white hair. He kisses his husband like they're the only two people left in the world. Maybe they are. Satoru's breath is hot against his skin, and the temperature in the room also seems to rise as they kiss.
Satoru's tongue swipes across his bottom lip and what else can Suguru do but part his lips and allow Satoru anything he desires; everything he desires.
Satoru's tongue claims him, and he's completely at his mercy.
He sighs against Satoru's mouth, wanting more. Having four kids didn't lend to a lot of alone time. He didn't realize how much he needed it until right now.
WIth extreme difficulty, he pulls away. Satoru is breathing hard and he knows his breathing is the same, if not worse. It feels like they're teenagers again and the thought makes him huff out a small laugh.
He smiles and Satoru pulls him right back in, swallowing any protest he was going to give. Of course, he lets it happen far too easily. What could possibly be better than kissing his husband while their children laugh joyfully in the next room? He lets himself get lost in the taste of Satoru's lips, in the way Satoru's hands slip under his shirt, tracing circles against his hips. Satoru has touched him hundreds of times before, but it still makes a shiver run down his spine.
The heat of the moment rushes out through the open window above the sink when there's a soft cough across the room and then, "I know that you guys really love each other, but could you please not kiss so much right in the kitchen?" Megumi's voice is soft, but somehow reprimanding.
Satoru's cheeks are red as he pulls away and Suguru can't help the laugh that escapes him. "You're right, Megumi-chan. Sugu and I can kiss in our bedroom after you've all gone to bed, right?" Satoru turns to Megumi with a grin.
Megumi rolls his eyes but still crosses the tile floor to climb up into Satoru's lap. "Yes. Toru can kiss papa later after we all go to bed. That's adult time, right?"
Suguru nods as he gets to his feet. He kisses the top of Megumi's head as he passes and gives the boy a fond smile. "That's right, Megumi. When the kids go to bed, that's adult time. Have your teachers at school told you how smart you are?" He asks with a grin thrown over his shoulder.
Megumi's reply is swift, but bashful. He denies receiving any such comments from his teachers, but Suguru can hear how flustered he is.
Of course Suguru will wait until after the kids have gone to bed to be with Satoru. He has no problem with waiting.
After all, he gets to spend the rest of his life by Satoru's side.