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Suguru was awoken by the sound of movement in the room. As he opened his eyes he was hit with the first rays of daylight, and Satoru getting dressed. He found that unusual as Satoru wasn’t always an early riser.
“You're up early,” Suguru said, still half asleep.
Satoru turned to Suguru as he was buttoning up his shirt, “sorry, didn’t mean to wake you up.”
Suguru sat up, “you didn't. It was time for me to get up anyway.”
“I have a mission today,” Satoru explained, grabbing his jacket, “kinda last minute sort of thing, it’s annoying as hell.”
Suguru frowned, “seriously, they are still doing this shit?”
This had been an issue since they were younger. The second Satoru had become the strongest he was sent on more and more missions that got harder and harder. Suguru remembered that on the outside Satoru seemed fine taking every mission in stride, sometimes pushing back, but never going too far. But it took a toll on Satoru, his migraines became more frequent and he would be gone for long stretches of time. They silently knew it was unfair and that there was nothing they could do about it.
It just got worse for him after Suguru stopped going on missions.
Suguru would never say it out loud, and it was something he and Satoru both knew. Satoru Gojo could not be both the strongest and a human being. He was one or the other, and he had chosen to be the strongest.
“What can you expect from a bunch of old fucks like them.”
“I know, that doesn’t mean we have to like it,” Suguru responded, as he got out of bed.
“We’ll change it one day,” Satoru said with a grin.
Suguru returned the smile and nudged Satoru's shoulder, “I’ll get breakfast started.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Satoru replied. ”Still too early to wake the kids up.”
It had been about a month since Satoru had brought Yuta home, and slowly the nervous kid was getting used to everyone.
He easily got along with Tsumiki, however almost anyone could get along with her. Yuta had also slowly started to bond with Megumi, though the younger boy never made that easy. Yuta had also begun to open up to Satoru and Suguru more, he always seemed to gravitate toward the ladder. Suguru saw no issue in that, Satoru had saved the kid after all.
Suguru stood in the kitchen for a minute figuring what to make for breakfast, before settling on waffles, eggs and bacon, taking into consideration what not only Satoru would like, but the kids as well. In many ways that was easy as the only ‘picky eater’ was Megumi.
Suguru decided to start with the waffle mix, this was the easiest process. Once the mix was done he poured it into the waffle maker. Following that he grabbed the bacon and eggs from the fridge, and two frying pans from the cupboard and began cooking that.
Suguru knew Megumi wouldn’t eat the eggs. Suguru and Satoru had tried making eggs in different ways but around the fifth try Megumi was done with that. Suguru figured it was either the texture or smell. Megumi was equally picky about bacon not being able to stand it if the fat was too soft, that was a texture thing.
Satoru soon joined Suguru in the kitchen, he leaned against the counter watching Suguru cook.
“I forgot to mention, I won't be home till tomorrow morning.”
Suguru didn’t like that, the longer missions were the hardest. Of course, he knew Satoru could handle any mission given to him, but it would take some toll on the sorcerer's body. It just seemed continually unfair that he was put through that all.
“Think you can handle the kids tonight?” Satoru asked.
“Of course.”
“It’ll be the first time you’ll be alone with Yuta,” Satoru added.
“Yuta’s a good kid, he won’t be too much to handle.”
“Kid’s still got issues,” Satoru said, as he started the kettle.
Suguru paused for a moment, understanding what Satoru meant, “I can handle that as well.”
The conversation faded to a comfortable silence as Suguru finished making breakfast at the same time Satoru was setting the table.
It wasn’t long after that that the kids started waking up. Megumi was the first at the table, followed closely by Tsumiki and then Yuta. The breakfast conversations were never anything too important, just back and forths about the plans for the day. Suguru knew most of his day would be quiet, with Satoru out on a mission and the kids at school, it would just be him at home
“By the way kids,” Satoru started, “it’s just gonna be you and Suguru tonight.”
The reaction was mixed, Yuta seemed the most nervous about it.
“It’ll be okay, Yuta,” Suguru said, trying to comfort the young boy.
Shortly after that, the kids got dressed for school, and were out the door alongside Satoru.
Suguru, now alone, continued his day. He cleaned up the dishes from breakfast and did other small chores around the house. He was used to a quiet house, even if it was rare. He had managed to fill the hours and soon, it was time for him to get the kids from school.
He went to the kids' school waiting near the gate for them. Waving at them when he saw them exit the building, first it was Tsumiki and Megumi followed shortly by Yuta.
Despite the kids slowly growing closer, Yuta never seemed to hang around Megumi and Tsumiki outside of the house. Suguru hoped it would change one day and that Tsumiki, Megumi, and Yuta would all see each other as siblings even if they weren’t all related.
On the drive home he listened as Tsumiki explained what she had learned that day, both Megumi and Yuta quiet in the back seats.
Suguru noticed that Yuta still looked nervous. He wished there was something he could say to ease the kid’s nerves. He knew that wasn’t an easy task, even more so considering what Yuta had been through.
The rest of the day at home went almost the same as it always did. Suguru eventually made dinner, and after dinner he helped them with homework, the day ending with a quiet downtime before the kids had to go to bed.
Suguru found that bedtime with three kids wasn’t that easy when there was only one adult. Still, he tucked each kid in, wished them goodnight and did whatever else they needed to fall asleep.
The evening then fell quiet. He was so used to spending his evenings with Satoru, idlily chatting about whatever had happened that day. It became part of the routine that he found great comfort in. So instead he pulled out his phone and sent Satoru a text.
> kids are in bed.
He wasn’t expecting a reply from Satoru, or at least not a response right away.
So, Suguru sat in a comfortable silence reflecting on his day to just himself.
His phone vibrated when he got a response text from Satoru.
Did they give u any problems<
> not at all, they went to bed easily.
Good<
I have to go<
Love you Goodnight<
Suguru smiled at the messages
>love you too.
>goodnight.
Suguru checked on each kid as he walked to his and Satoru’s room, making sure each was comfortable and tucked in. And once he was sure the three of them were fine he went to get ready for bed himself.
Suguru wasn’t sure how long he had been asleep when he was awoken by a sound at the door. Turning on the bedside lamp he got out of bed and went to the door. Upon opening it being met with a very upset Yuta.
“Bad dream?” Suguru asked.
Yuta, with tears in his eyes, nodded.
Gentilly Suguru led Yuta to the bed, he sat the boy on it and then sat down beside him. He pulled Yuta into a one armed hug, Yuta responding by pressing himself deeper into Suguru.
Suguru watched as Yuta fiddled with his shirt. This wasn’t new to Suguru, it may be the first time he’s had to comfort Yuta, but he’s helped comfort Megumi and Tsumiki after bad dreams before. Even he himself had his fair share of nightmares, Satoru almost always being there for him.
“Want to talk about it?” Suguru asked.
Yuta sniffled before talking, “It was Rika.”
Suguru had only heard bits about Rika, mostly from Satoru. She was Yuta’s friend, and she had cursed Yuta when she died. She was the main reason Yuta was here. He didn’t know how Rika had died, he wasn’t even sure if Satoru knew.
Suguru pulled Yuta in closer as he noticed the boy starting to cry more.
“When she died,” Yuta added.
Suguru turned to face Yuta pulling the boy into a full hug. He didn’t need to hear anymore. He felt he could guess the type of dream Yuta had. The worst type of nightmares, the real kind, Yuta was too young to have to deal with them.
He himself has had those types of dreams since the death of Riko. She had died right in front of him mere moments after wanting to live. Everything about that has haunted him ever since. He was 16 at the time, 10 years older than Yuta is now.
“I’m sorry Yuta,” Suguru wasn’t sure what else he could say. “I know how scary those dreams are, but you’re safe now.”
As Yuta's tears turned to sobs, Suguru pulled the boy in as close as he could, rubbing small circles on his back. He knew the most he could do for Yuta right now was to be with him and make him feel safe.
“You’re okay,” Suguru said softly, “I’m here. I got you.”
Slowly Yuta sobs started to quiet down. Suguru guessed it was because Yuta had exhausted himself. He knew crying alone was tiring but it was also the middle of the night.
Suguru pulled Yuta alway slightly so he could see the boy's face, “do you want to sleep in my bed for the night?”
Yuta just nodded before pressing his face back into Suguru.
Suguru did his best to move Yuta around to get the kid settled into the bed before laying down beside him bringing the covers over each of their shoulders. Even as Yuta was drifting off to sleep he still clung to Suguru.
Suguru couldn’t help but smile. Even though it felt odd to have a moment of such soft domestic bliss he welcomed it wholly. He knew the world was harsh and the world of a Jujutsu sorcerer was even harsher. One day Yuta and Megumi would have to face that world but, for now, he could protect his and Satoru’s kids from that world.
It wasn’t long until Suguru fell back to sleep as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was early in the morning when Satoru returned home. He wasn’t surprised to see the home quiet when he opened the door, even with Suguru being an early riser. He did his best to make as little sound as possible as he took off his shoes and went upstairs.
Satoru decided to check in on the kids' rooms as he walked down the hall. Tsumiki and Megumi both fast asleep, but seeing Yuta’s room was empty. He was a bit worried knowing Yuta probably has a nightmare. Normally Satoru was there to comfort him but he wasn’t home last night.
However, Satoru’s fears were eased when he entered his room and saw Yuta curled up against Suguru. Both were still asleep.
Satoru smiled and took a picture so he could show Suguru when he woke up, and maybe send it to Shoko.
As Satoru began to take off his uniform Suguru started to stir.
“Welcome back,” Suguru said softly, careful to not wake up Yuta.
“Thanks,” Satoru responded in the same tone, “looks like everything went well.”
“They did, but let's hope it doesn’t happen all the time.”
“Agreed.”
Satoru knew that being the strongest meant he had responsibilities, he knew it meant there were things only he could do. For now he would take on all those tasks. He wanted a world where people like Suguru wouldn’t have to suffer, a world where kids like Megumi and Tsumiki wouldn’t be orphaned, a world where kids like Yuta wouldn’t be sentenced to death.
He knew it would take a lot of work, especially if he did it the right way, but the work would be worth it.
After all, no one is allowed to take youth away from young people.