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The underlying assumption made by their peers and friends alike was that Satoru was more enamored and invested in their relationship than Suguru was. Most called Satoru clingy, referencing how he was constantly touching Suguru when they were together; whether it was Satoru placing a comforting hand on Suguru’s shoulder, leaning against Suguru when they walked, or laying his head in Suguru’s lap.
Suguru could understand why people made this assumption, even if he vehemently disagreed, as from the outside it did appear that way. But what his peers and friends did not understand, was that Suguru never had to show his own clinginess. Satoru was comfortable enough with touching Suguru openly, so Suguru never had to ask for more. What they did not understand was that just as much as Satoru needed Suguru’s touch, Suguru needed Satoru’s.
At first, the jokes and comments felt harmless. Satoru did not seem to mind, and Suguru felt that as long as Satoru was okay with it then Suguru himself would follow Satoru’s lead. But after months and months of comments and jokes, Suguru noticed it wearing on Satoru, and Suguru himself was becoming more irritated, finding the commentary harder and harder to ignore.
It baffled Suguru that no one seemed to notice when Suguru would initiate or add to their contact, like when Suguru would quietly link their pinkies together, watching Satoru’s face light up in delight, when Suguru would scratch Satoru’s scalp as Satoru napped in his lap, or when Suguru would adjust Satoru’s glasses just as they were about to fall of his face when he was particularly excited. Suguru noticed every minute detail about Satoru, even the smallest changes that might seem insignificant to others.
Suguru thought about Satoru constantly. He worried about Satoru’s eyes and how sensitive they were. He worried about the burden of strength placed on Satoru’s shoulders and how this impacted Satoru’s mindset and sense of self. He looked forward to hearing Satoru share facts about Digimon, noting how animated Satoru would get as he made sense of the world around him through Digimon metaphors. He loved Satoru’s delight in finding new cafes to try. Suguru most loved Satoru’s happy and surprised smile when Suguru would bring him sweets without prompting.
One seemingly random Friday in October, there had been two back to back situations that finally culminated in Suguru snapping, much to the surprise of not only their friends, but Satoru, too.
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On his way to meet his friends for lunch, Suguru overheard three classmates talking about him and Satoru. They had not noticed his presence, and he wanted to keep it that way. He was curious.
The first girl, was smiling, though Suguru found it unnerving and lacking genuineness, as she asked her other two friends, “Do you think Geto-san ever gets annoyed?”
The second chimed in, looking thrilled to be included in this particular gossip, “He has to. Gojo-san is always hanging off of him and touching him. Geto-san always looks bored or completely miserable. I bet Geto-san wouldn’t mind if it was me instead.”
“I think you’re wrong.” The third girl quietly said. Suguru noticed that she was firm, even as her voice shook.
The first girl looked annoyed, “What? You think Geto-san likes the attention?”
“I think Geto-san likes Gojo-san.”
“Well yeah, they are friends, so, I guess.”
“No, I think that he likes Gojo-san romantically.”
“Uh what?”
Suguru took a step back to hide himself more. He felt his face heat up. Of course, she was right. They were dating, though they had never publically come out. Only Shoko, Yu, Utahime, and Nanami knew about them.
“There’s no way! Listen, Gojo-san is definitely attractive, but his personality? No thank you. I see Geto-san with someone more reserved.”
“I think that he likes that Gojo-san isn’t reserved. He always has a small smile on his face when he’s with him.”
“I still think Gojo-san is way too touchy with Geto-san. It’s kind of pathetic, really.”
“Yeah, I agree.”
“I guess… I could be wrong,” The third girl seemed less certain as the other girls insisted.
Suguru knew he needed to walk away before he said or did something he regretted. He did appreciate the third girl standing up to her peers. But what did the opinions of these three unknowns really matter? He loved Satoru and no one could change that.
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At lunch, Suguru was completely on edge. Satoru had noticed, and he had already asked Suguru privately, if he was upset with Satoru, to which Suguru had calmly reassured his boyfriend that he was not mad at Satoru. He had not wanted to burden Satoru with his frustrations or make him feel insecure, especially with the negative comments primarily being about Satoru.
Suguru, unlike everyone else, knew just how much of a privilege it was for Satoru to touch him and for Satoru to allow himself to be touched in return. Suguru had watched Satoru bloom as he became more comfortable with Suguru and their relationship.
Suguru, Satoru, Yu, Shoko, and Kento usually ate lunch together. And at first, everything had been fine. Suguru had felt himself starting to calm down. Typical jokes and gossip were exchanged. Until eventually, Suguru and Satoru’s relationship had become part of the discussion. It was not always a topic among the group, but it seemed, that Yu had found a magazine with couple’s questions, and seemed eager for Satoru and Suguru to participate.
“Please, what if you answer just a few of them?” Haibara pleaded.
Nanami rolled his eyes, “Yu, if they don’t want to, then let them be.”
“Ask away, Yu!” Satoru exclaimed, clearly enthusiastic and excited to share.
“Who is more likely to lose track of time?”
“Satoru,” Suguru surprised himself with how quickly he answered. Satoru did not object, shrugging as if to say yeah, it's true, so?
“Who is more romantic?”
“Suguru!” Satoru said vehemently.
“No, Satoru is,” Suguru said confidently.
“Ehh, Suguru, you definitely are very romantic! I’m right, and you know it,” Satoru was pouting at him now. Suguru felt his heartbeat spike, wishing he could kiss the pout away. Satoru was so cute.
Suguru sighed, “Satoru, don’t underestimate yourself.”
“Ok, we get it, you’re both hopelessly romantic, what’s the next question, Yu?” Shoko asked.
Haibara started to laugh before he asked, “I think we already know the answer to this one, but who is clingier?” Suguru tensed up at the implication, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Oh, that’s easy, Gojo, for sure,” Shoko said with confidence. She looked bored as she took a lighter out of her bookbag, lighting the cigarette hanging from her lips.
Satoru laughed, “Yeah, yeah,” shaking his head good-naturedly. Suguru noticed Satoru’s eyes dim slightly, knowing that no one else would pick up on the change in him.
“I bet Gojo couldn’t handle not touching Geto for more than an hour at most,” Yu said playfully.
Suguru frowned. He did not want Satoru to stop touching him for even a minute. He was very comfortable in that moment with Satoru laying against him, his head gently resting on Suguru’s shoulder. He felt Satoru tense at Yu’s words. He did not like this bet at all.
Suguru watched as Satoru rolled his eyes, as he asked, “You realize we do spend time apart, right?”
“Yeah, but I think Geto would be fine without the constant touches. I don’t think you could, Gojo,” Nanami chimed in.
“Why does this matter?” Suguru interjected, he knew irritation had unintentionally seeped into his voice, as evidenced by the looks of surprise from Yu, Shoko, and Kento. Suguru was not one to easily upset, but he was already feeling tense after overhearing that group of girls. Why was everyone so fixated on them? And why were they all so critical of Satoru in particular? As though his affection was something to mock rather than be embraced. To Suguru, every sign of affection from Satoru was a sign of love between them.
“What do you want to wager for this bet?” Satoru asked Haibara, clearly trying to diffuse the tension he sensed.
“Satoru,” Suguru said gently, nudging his foot under the table.
“Suguru,” Satoru looked at him and grinned. But again, his smile did not reach his eyes; they lacked their usual shine. Suguru grabbed Satoru’s hand under the table and squeezed. He felt his the tightness in his chest loosen slightly when Satoru squeezed his hand back immediately.
“Satoru and I aren't participating in this. I know you all think it's funny, and at first it was, but it’s not anymore. And if you must know, which really it isn’t your business at all, but I’m just as clingy. I’m just more subtle about it,” Suguru knew he was being quite honest and vulnerable with their friends, but he was not going to have anyone imply that he loved Satoru less, so he continued firmly, “If I wanted to, I could easily stop Satoru at any point, but I don’t want to. It would bother me a lot if Satoru stopped.”
Shoko, Yu and Kento had varying expressions of shock on their faces. Shoko’s cigarette was precariously hanging from her mouth.
“Geto, you’re right, I’m sorry. And Gojo, I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to upset either of you, or imply any such thing. That was very inconsiderate of me,” Yu at least looked shame faced and sounded genuinely sorry.
“I accept your apology. Now if you don’t mind, Satoru and I are leaving,” Suguru stood up, and pulled Satoru along with him.
Once they were far enough away, Satoru, who had been quiet throughout the exchange, said “Wow, Sugu, watching you get all pissed off and passionate defending us was hot.”
Suguru stopped walking, and faced Satoru, placing his hands on Satoru’s shoulders, “You know I cling to you too, right? You must know I need your touch. I don't want you to stop, ever.” Suguru said desperately, his purple eyes meeting Satoru’s blue.
“Of course, I do, Sugu. You touch me all the time,” Satoru grinned, “You know what you are, Suguru? You’re undercover clingy.”
Suguru laughed, “You make it sound like I’m some sort of spy, Toru.”
“Hmm, maybe you are? Sent to get information from me through integration methods like touching my hair, holding my hand, and rubbing my back. I think you’re doing excellent undercover work, Sugu,” Satoru said flirtatiously, all while dramatically batting his eyelashes and grinning at him.
“You’re ridiculous,” Suguru shook his head, smiling in amusement at his love. Suguru leaned in to kiss Satoru, who enthusiastically responded, the kiss breaking as they both laughed. Suguru rested his forehead against Satoru’s, finally feeling calm again, “I love you, Satoru.”
“I love you, too, Suguru,” Satoru kissed Suguru’s nose in return. Suguru watched as Satoru’s impish smile reappeared, “Hey Sugu, wanna make a bet with me?”
Suguru tried to tell himself that he did not want to indulge Satoru's whims, yet he found it impossible not to. He loved him dearly, after all, “What’s your bet, Satoru?”
“I bet that we could touch, non-stop, for more than an hour,” Satoru kissed Suguru’s cheek, then his jaw, before moving to lightly kiss his neck, as he spoke.
“I think you’re right. Though, I bet we can touch for even longer,” Suguru leaned into Satoru’s touch, feeling warmth bloom throughout his body.
“You’re on!”
It was a bet that was easily and enthusiastically won.