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Once he started, he couldn't stop.
Because if he stopped, if he cared only about himself, his instincts knew that he would lose Suguru.
(He didn't believe in any gods, but if there were one who had anything to do with him getting the urge to call Suguru and having the other answer said phonecall on that fateful day where his best friend almost killed those villagers, he would thank that one.)
So after he had Suguru settled with the two girls they had brought home — Mimiko and Nanako, who had (understandably) looked at him with the upmost distrust in their eyes — outside of the Jujutsu world, Satoru got to work.
He had threatened made a deal with the Higher-ups, you see. Leave Getou Suguru, Hasaba Mimiko and Hasaba Nanako alone, and Satoru would take all the missions. That, and he would pull all the Gojo-clan strings and use his own powers to kill them if they so much laid their hands on the trio. Infinite replacement for the Higher-ups be damned, he would kill them over and over again.
So Satoru worked—
"You're going to burn out, Satoru."
"I'll be fine, Shoko. Why don't you take care of that corpse over there."
"Satoru,"
"And if you tell Suguru about this, I'll never forgive you~"
He adopted two kids and worked—
"It's only me and Tsumiki. I won't go anywhere without Tsumiki."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of the rest."
—and worked—
"You're not even our parent! You're gonna leave us soon anyway, so do us a favor and do it now!"
But I'm trying.
"I'm sorry."
I know, it's okay.
"I just want you."
I'm sorry. I should have known you were lonely and that you needed me. I don't even know what I'm doing, but you and your sister came into my life when I was alone. You're both my blessings.
"It's okay, Megumi. I promise I won't ever leave you or Tsumiki. You won't get rid of me that easily."
"P-promise?"
"Promise."
I'll be everything you and Tsumiki will ever need until you never ask for anything more. I'll do better, I promise.
—and worked—
"Suguru, I miss you." Satoru cried in his sleep. In a moment of weakness, he let little Megumi jump into his bed and console him.
—and worked, for years, non-stop, until—
Darkness.
"Getou Suguru you better get your fucking ass here right in the next hour or so help me—!"
"How could this have happened?", asked Suguru for the umpteenth time. He clenched his eyes shut while pinching the bridge of his nose in tightly, the headache he's got ever since that phonecall with Shoko a few hours ago gradually increasing.
Suguru didn't expect a response, not after he had thrown his wrath at his best friend and ex-teacher. Still—
"I'm sorry for yelling."
He heard Shoko sighing from where she was standing behind him. "I'm worried as well. He's my best friend too, you know."
"I know. And I know I didn't have the right to blame you, nor Yaga for letting this happen. Not after I left. Not when you're the ones who have been there for him while I—"
A hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed. The motion helped him from drifting away into that familiar pitch black place inside his head.
Suguru let himself have a few minutes of silence, before, "Did you know that his ward, Megumi, had yelled at me too, just a week ago? Said he hated me because I made Satoru cry."
Shoko chuckled. "Figures, Satoru could hide his fatigue and injuries but hadn't managed to keep his tears hidden. That brat Megumi and sweet Tsumiki, small as they are, have been his pillars."
He had them to lean on when you're not around. Suguru heard the silent statement.
"He's been doing this for years hasn't he?" Pushing himself, Suguru meant. Working missions after missions in Suguru's place. Filling the void that Suguru, Nanami, and other unavailable sorcerers had left. All while taking care of Megumi and Tsumiki.
He had learned from Satoru's texts that Haibara, bless him, had been helping with missions from time to time. But their junior had other priorities too. He was busy with his main job as the school's counselor. With what happened with Suguru and his mental health, Haibara wanted to pursue a career in helping sorcerers with their trauma. His seniors were all proud of the man he had become. Suguru himself had been immensely proud.
Meanwhile, like him, Nanami had also left the Jujutsu world because of what almost happened to Haibara years ago. After the mission that almost killed the cheerful student, Nanami stated that he wouldn't be able to handle the loss of his friend if it ever happened.
("Let Gojo-san handle everthing.")
Nanami had simply said before leaving.
He wanted to scream at Nanami, wanted to grab his shoulders, shake him awake and make him realize just how much of a coward he was. He wanted to punch him for even daring to say those words to Satoru, for burdening him with the world.
But.
But that would have been hypocritical of him, wouldn't it? After all, he had left too. He had left everything to Satoru.
Suguru had left him alone, and now Satoru had to pay the price.
"It's an accumulation of stress and fatigue for years, and his body just decided to shut down now. RCT doesn't work with those things, if you're wondering. Not to mention the other side effects that his damn eyes give him everyday." Ah. The good old overstimulation, sensory overload, migraines and fevers. Suguru didn't need to turn his head to know that the expression of frustration had painted his friend's face. Shoko had a tendency to hide her worry from them, especially because Satoru liked to tease her fondly for it, but they knew that she cared.
It was always the three of them against the world. Until it became two. And finally, one.
"Thank you for being there for him."
Shoko pulled her hand away from his shoulder to punch his arm slightly. "Thank you for coming when I called."
They smiled at each other, tired and weary, but no less grateful for the other's presence.
Shoko eventually had to leave to do her work, leaving Suguru to sit by Satoru's side as the latter slept for hours. Satoru laid on the infirmary bed, looking paler than the white bedsheets. He had lost weight since Suguru had seen him last and the bags under his eyes were bigger.
Satoru had gotten so much stronger than in high-school, with more experience and techniques learned. He should be standing tall and strong, but instead, Suguru could barely feel his cursed energy. He looked so frail and vulnerable. And so small.
The white-haired man moaned in his sleep, eyebrows frowning as if he was in pain, his breathing a mix of shallow and hitching.
A nightmare? How many of them did you spend alone?
Suguru shushed him, murmuring words of 'it's alright' and 'you're okay' while gently caressing his cheek with the back of his hand. As if sensing Suguru's presence, Satoru immediately settled and started breathing normally again.
As long as I'm here, nothing can hurt you.
The younger took Satoru's limp hand in his, kissing his knuckles in a promise, "I'll take care of you."
The next couple of days were busy.
Yaga, Shoko and Haibara had worked their magic to fight off the Higher-ups, thus giving Satoru a couple of weeks off to recuperate.
They reached the decision to have Satoru stay at Suguru's apartment throughout his time of rest so the latter could take care of him more easily. Satoru eventually agreed, but with the condition of Tsumiki and Megumi coming with him.
Suguru had no qualms about that, not if it meant he could keep an eye on Satoru. His good conscience would never agree with him letting two children fend for themselves while their guardian was out of commission anyway.
And the twins surprisingly got along with Satoru's kids. They were pulled by Tsumiki's charms, already claiming her as their new big sister by the end of the first night. They had a harder time approaching Megumi, more because the boy didn't let them, and he had refused to leave Satoru's side to play with them in an unknown territory.
Their situation was like this: Suguru kept his bedroom (even though he had offered it to Satoru when the Gojo-Fushiguro family first arrived), Satoru roomed with Megumi in the guest bedroom, while Tsumiki was invited to sleep in the twin's bedroom until further notice (forever, if it was up to his girls).
It's like the Fushiguro siblings had made a pact: Tsumiki was to go and 'face the enemies' while Megumi stayed and 'protected' their father.
Cute. And oddly terrifying for two children to make such a plan.
Suguru knocked on the other two males' bedroom carrying a tray of food. When he heard Megumi's annoyed and high-pitched 'come in' calling out, the ravenette opened the door to find one white-haired man sitting in the bed and leaning against the bedframe with his child sitting on his lap while playing with a Gameboy.
The boy was focused on his game while the older was staring at nothing, looking sleepy and lethargic.
"Hey,"
Satoru blinked up at him before giving a small smile.
"Hey," he replied softly. He had seen this Satoru before, all tired and small as oversized clothes hung off him, practically swallowing him and made him look like a normal human being instead of a strong sorcerer. But back in high-school, he also looked ashamed and grouchy because he had refused to allow himself to look weak in front of anyone (including Suguru, for weeks until he broke down his walls). He was the strongest. He had a responsibility to uphold and an image to maintain. Showing any weakness would be an ultimate error.
Now, however, even though he looked exhausted as hell, Satoru also appeared calm. He was in no rush to get healthier, as if Megumi being in his lap kept him from the constant anxiety to go out there and kept exorcising and exorcising until all the cursed spirits in the world were gone.
Satoru perked up at the meal in Suguru's hands. "Is that purle rice soup?"
"Figured something sweet and hot would stimulate that brain of yours," Suguru put the tray on the bedside table. "Are you too nauseous to eat?"
"I think I could stomach some food if someone spoon-fed me~" Satoru leaned his cheek on Megumi's messy head, his arms around the boy's frame tightened ever so lightly, making the child grumble in his seat. The picture of them sitting together shouldn't look so cute, but Suguru would be lying because they looked absolutely. Fucking. Cute.
He stared at Gojo Satoru and his killer's offspring. Suguru was ashamed at first, to be judging Satoru who had adopted the children of the man who almost killed Riko, had killed Satoru and had almost broken their friendship, even if something good did come out of the whole experience — Satoru learning Reversed Curse Technique. But as he thought about his wonderful Mimiko and Nanako, Suguru realized that he should never condemn a child for his father's doings.
Especially if that child made his one and only happy.
"I hope you're not talking about me. I'm tired of babysitting you as is." Megumi groaned but didn't move away as Satoru rubbed his cheek against his baby skin repeatedly.
"Mou, Gumi-chan is sooo mean,"
"I'm leaving," To Suguru's surprise, the boy actually began to climb down the bed and eventually left the room, but not before giving Suguru a pointed glare.
You hurt him again, I'll beat you up.
It's like being threatened by a puppy, but Suguru nodded at him to give the child a piece of mind, nonetheless.
"He still hates me, huh?" When the door slammed shut, the second oldest male in the house sighed. It's only been a few weeks since he was first introduced to Fushiguro Megumi, a week since the boy had claimed that he hated Getou Suguru for having made Satoru cry, and three days since he had the Gojo-Fushiguro family temporarily moved into his apartment. Suguru wanted nothing more than for Satoru's children to like him, like how Mimiko and Nanako had come to appreciate Satoru's presence in their lives, but it seemed life wasn't done making things hard for him.
"I already told you that he doesn't hate you. Megumi's too good for hate. And he wouldn't have left me with you if that were the case. He's warming up to you, Suguru, don't worry."
"I don't blame him if he did hate me. If it weren't for me..." he trailed off, now standing awkwardly in his own house, even though Satoru was the one sitting down and Suguru had the higher ground.
Satoru's blue eyes pierced him, urging, "What?"
"Shoko, she—she told me you collapsed because you've overexerted yourself for years."
"Just for that, I'm gonna steal all her cigarettes."
Suguru shook his head before sitting down on the space next to Satoru's thigh. "You haven't given yourself a break, have you? Ever since I left. You took care of me and my girls, and then Tsumiki and Megumi, while also taking care of the whole world—"
Satoru waved him off. "Stop exaggerating, would ya?"
"—making you forget to take care of yourself. I told you before, Satoru, you're not god. You're allowed to not be the strongest all the time. You're allowed to be weak."
It was Suguru's turn to pierce the older with his amethyst eyes, making Satoru glance sideways. "Maybe I'm not used to not having someone pulling me back when I go too far."
Right. Satoru always pushed himself to the limits, often enough that Suguru remembered only a handful of missions where Satoru hadn't crashed into his or Suguru's bed straight after reporting to Yaga. He needed someone to remind him to take it easy, and that had been Suguru's job. He was always happy to do the job... until they drifted apart.
Seeing Suguru's wince, Satoru recoiled. "Forget I said anything. I didn't mean to make you feel guilty."
"I am guilty." At least, for not being there.
"We already had this conversation before, Suguru, and we are not having it again. You shouldn't ever apologize for needing help." Satoru insisted.
"Alright, you're right. But that goes both ways," Suguru reached for Satoru's pale hand and squeezed. It's small compared to his. To think that this hand had to carry so much weight. "If you need help, ask for it. Ask for me."
Satoru stared at him for minutes, hours, years maybe, before the Six Eyes user let out a shaky sigh. He slumped into Suguru's arms, leaning his forehead onto the broader man's shoulder. It didn't even take a split second for Suguru to put his arms around Satoru. To try and shield him from the world.
"I've been thinking," He said after a while. Satoru hummed as a response. "I think I'm ready to go back." He felt the taller man tense in his hold.
"I want to go back and be by your side. You're on your way to becoming a teacher, right? I want to become a teacher with you, guiding and protecting the younger generation so they could enjoy their youths. And maybe, so they could also change the current fucked up system."
Satoru pulled back to stare at him with wonder. "Suguru—"
"But most of all, I want to do it with you."
"But, Mimiko and Nanako—"
"Have given me their blessings. I may have needed time from the Jujutsu world to heal, but they know that during those years, I was miserable without you. Satoru, I am miserable without you."
Satoru bit his lower lip, his baby blues shaky as they stared at Suguru. "I just don't want you to regret coming back later."
"I can't promise that the thought of coming back doesn't scare the hell out of me." Suguru laid a gentle thumb on Satoru's lower lip, making the latter relax his mouth so he didn't bleed. "So, just stay by my side, okay?"
The long-haired man leaned forwards to give the white-haired man a chaste kiss. Satoru's lips were soft and warm against his. He longed to kiss him every day.
"You're putting so much pressure on a sick man, you sadist." Satoru breathlessly said after pulling away but still kept his palms on Suguru's cheeks, cupping his face as if he was something precious.
Suguru rubbed his thumbs against Satoru's small waist, teasingly challenging him, "You're telling me that the strongest can't handle a little bit of pressure?"
"Shut up. We're the strongest together."
"Together," agreed Suguru.
"Now that you told me yourself that you're coming back, you know I'm not letting you go, right?" The glint on Satoru's eyes was back. Suguru chuckled as he leaned forwards to squeeze Satoru in his arms, sneaking a kiss on his neck as a plus.
"It's fine. I'm not going to let go of you either, Satoru."
That's a promise they held for months and eventually, years.
About six months later, Satoru, Tsumiki and Megumi officially moved into the Getou household.
Years passed, Gojo Satoru became a teacher at Tokyo Jujutsu High and Geto Suguru followed his footsteps a year later.
They continued to exorcize curses, taught and guide their students while dealing with the mischiefs of the youths, hormonal teenagers and their tantrums, kidnappings and almost death experiences.
During all of that, Nanami came back and after groveling for Haibara's forgiveness, they became a couple. Eventually, the four of them became partners for missions, just like during their high-school days.
Once Satoru and Suguru got married, they practically dealt with the same things, but what was consistent, was this:
"I'm still not letting you go." Satoru — beautiful Satoru who was wearing a white Yukata with blue patterns — said while squeezing his hand, making Suguru glance towards him from the colorful, booming fireworks. He looked like an angel. Or a god, worthy of Suguru's worship.
Their children, along with their colleagues and students were all whooping and smiling with joy as another round of fireworks prettily decorated the dark sky. The Okinawa beach had never felt like a happier place.
Suguru squeezed back before letting his thumb stroke the back of his one and only's hand. "Funny. I'm not letting you go anytime soon either, Satoru."
Come hell or high water.
He pulled the grinning Satoru into a kiss.
🖤🤍