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The moon hung heavy in the sky, casting a pale glow over the quiet forest clearing. Satoru Gojo stood near the edge, the soft crunch of dried leaves beneath his sneakers the only sound in the stillness. His Six Eyes scanned the area out of habit, but tonight, his attention wasn’t on the world around him. It was on the faint energy he could already sense approaching.
Suguru.
A flicker of cursed energy heralded his arrival. Moments later, Suguru Geto emerged from the trees, his silhouette illuminated by moonlight. He looked the same as always: calm, composed, and every bit the enigma that haunted Satoru’s thoughts day and night. Yet there was something softer about him in these secret meetings, something vulnerable beneath the cool exterior.
“Hey,” Suguru greeted, his voice low but steady.
Satoru smiled, taking off his blindfold. “Hey. You’re late.”
Suguru arched a brow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re early.”
“Details, details.” Satoru shrugged, but his teasing tone didn’t quite mask the relief he felt at seeing Suguru again. It had been weeks since their last meeting, and each one seemed to stretch longer than the last.
Suguru stepped closer, stopping a few feet away. The distance felt both too close and not close enough. “How’s life in the shining world of jujutsu sorcery?” he asked, his words tinged with a mix of sarcasm and genuine curiosity.
“Same old, same old,” Satoru replied lightly. “Saving the world, babysitting idiots, pretending everything’s fine. You?”
Suguru’s gaze flickered away for a moment, as if weighing how much to say. “The usual. My followers are…persistent. They’re starting to notice my absences.” His tone was casual, but there was a shadow in his eyes that Satoru didn’t miss.
“Persistent, huh?” Satoru leaned against a nearby tree, his smile faltering. “You’re being careful, right? They don’t know about…this?”
“This” was unspoken but understood. These stolen moments, fragile and precious, were their secret—a thread connecting them in a world determined to tear them apart.
“I’m careful,” Suguru assured him, his voice softening. “What about you? The higher-ups aren’t suspicious?”
Satoru snorted, though the humor didn’t quite reach his eyes. “If they knew, I’d probably be in a cell by now. But don’t worry, I’ve got it under control.”
The silence that followed was heavy, filled with unspoken fears and questions neither dared to voice. It had always been like this—tiptoeing around the edges of the truth, afraid of what might happen if they crossed the line.
“Why do you keep doing this?” Suguru asked suddenly, his voice quieter, almost hesitant.
Satoru blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
Suguru’s gaze was steady, searching. “Meeting me. Protecting me. You don’t have to, you know. It’s dangerous—for both of us.”
Satoru opened his mouth to reply but hesitated. The truth lodged in his throat, too big to say, too painful to keep inside. Instead, he deflected with a smirk. “Someone’s gotta make sure you don’t do anything too stupid.”
Suguru sighed, shaking his head. “Always with the jokes.”
The air between them grew heavier, charged with something neither of them dared to name. Satoru’s smirk faded, replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness. He stepped closer, his usual swagger tempered by uncertainty.
“Suguru,” he began, his voice unusually soft, “do you ever…regret it? Leaving?”
Suguru’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he looked younger, almost like the boy Satoru used to know. “Sometimes,” he admitted, barely above a whisper. “But it doesn’t change anything. This is the path I chose.”
The honesty in his voice was a knife to Satoru’s chest, but he couldn’t bring himself to look away. “I wish you hadn’t,” he murmured, the words slipping out before he could stop them.
Suguru’s breath hitched, his calm facade cracking just enough for Satoru to see the pain beneath. “And I wish things were different,” he said, his voice trembling. “But wishing doesn’t change reality.”
They stood there, the space between them feeling both endless and suffocating. For a moment, Satoru considered reaching out, closing the gap, but fear held him back. Fear of rejection, of breaking the fragile balance they’d maintained for so long.
“I miss you,” Satoru confessed, his voice raw. It was the closest he’d ever come to admitting the truth.
Suguru’s eyes softened, and for the first time, he looked unsure—hesitant, almost shy. “I miss you too,” he admitted, his cheeks tinged faintly pink under the moonlight.
Satoru blinked, his heart stuttering in his chest and his face blushing. “You…do?”
Suguru nodded, looking away as if the intensity of Satoru’s gaze was too much to bear. “I thought it would be easier to let go,” he said quietly. “But I can’t.”
Something shifted in Satoru then, a surge of courage breaking through the fear. He stepped closer, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from Suguru’s body. “Suguru,” he began, his voice trembling, “I—”
“Don’t,” Suguru interrupted, while looking away, his voice barely audible. “Don’t say it if you don’t mean it.”
Satoru’s heart clenched at the vulnerability in Suguru’s voice. Slowly, he reached out, his hand hovering near Suguru’s before finally brushing against it. “I mean it,” he said firmly. “I’ve always meant it.”
Suguru looked up, his eyes wide and searching. “Satoru…”
“I love you,” Satoru said, the words tumbling out in a rush. “I’ve loved you for years, and I know it’s stupid and complicated and impossible, but I—”
Before he could finish, Suguru closed the distance between them, pulling Satoru into a fierce embrace. “You idiot,” he muttered, his voice muffled against Satoru’s shoulder. “You think you’re the only one?”
Satoru froze, his breath catching and his face turning a deeper shade of red. “S-Suguru...”
Suguru pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, a small, shy smile playing on his lips. “I love you too, Satoru.”
For a moment, neither of them moved, the weight of their confessions hanging in the air. Then, slowly, Satoru’s lips curved into a grin, the tension melting away. “You could’ve said something sooner, you know.”
Suguru chuckled softly, his cheeks still pink. “I could say the same to you.”
They stayed like that for a while, holding onto each other as if the world outside their little clearing didn’t exist. For the first time in years, the weight of their choices felt just a little lighter, and the future didn’t seem quite so daunting.
Satoru's grin softened into something smaller, something real. He didn’t let go of Suguru—not yet. Instead, he tightened his arms around him, as if afraid Suguru might disappear into the night if he let go too soon. The forest seemed quieter, the usual hum of insects and rustling leaves fading into the background. All Satoru could hear was the soft sound of Suguru’s breathing, steady and close.
“So,” Satoru murmured after a long pause, “what now?”
Suguru sighed, the sound both exasperated and fond. He stepped back just enough to create a sliver of space between them, but his hands lingered on Satoru’s arms. “You tell me. You’re the genius, aren’t you?”
Satoru chuckled, a low sound that seemed to vibrate in the stillness. “Flattery will get you everywhere, you know.”
Suguru shook his head, but there was a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I’m serious, Satoru. What do we do? You know this doesn’t change anything...”
The smile slipped from Satoru’s face, and for a moment, he looked impossibly young, his usual bravado replaced by something raw and unguarded. “I know,” he admitted quietly. “But I don’t care.”
Suguru’s eyes widened slightly. “Satoru…”
“I mean it,” Satoru interrupted, his voice firmer now. “I’ve been protecting you all this time, keeping the higher-ups off your trail, risking my neck every time I meet you here. And I’d do it all over again if it meant I could keep you safe.”
“You’re insane,” Suguru muttered, but there was no bite to his words. Instead, his voice was tinged with something softer, almost reverent.
“Probably,” Satoru agreed, a small, lopsided grin returning to his face. “But still you’re the one who fell for me.”
Suguru groaned, his hand coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Why do I even put up with you?”
“Because you love me,” Satoru said, the teasing tone in his voice undercut by the sincerity in his eyes.
Suguru didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he looked at Satoru, really looked at him, as if memorizing every detail. “Yeah,” he said softly. “I guess I do.”
The words hung between them, fragile but unbreakable. Satoru felt a warmth bloom in his chest, spreading through him like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. He reached out, his fingers brushing against Suguru’s, hesitant at first but growing bolder when Suguru didn’t pull away.
“I know it’s dangerous,” Satoru said quietly. “But I’m not going to stop meeting you. Not unless you tell me to.”
Suguru hesitated, his gaze dropping to where their fingers were intertwined. “I should tell you to,” he admitted. “It would be safer for both of us.”
“But?” Satoru prompted, leaning in slightly.
Suguru’s lips quirked into a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “But I don’t want to. Even if it’s selfish.”
“It’s not selfish,” Satoru said firmly, squeezing Suguru’s hand. “You’re allowed to want this. We’re allowed to want this.”
Suguru’s eyes flickered up to meet Satoru’s, and for a moment, the weight of the world seemed to lift. They stayed like that for a while, their hands entwined, both smiling and blushing like two teenagers in love and the silence between them filled with unspoken promises.
Eventually, Suguru broke the stillness with a quiet sigh. “We should go. If someone catches us…”
“Yeah, yeah,” Satoru said, waving a hand dismissively. “You’re no fun.”
“I’m practical,” Suguru corrected, though his tone was lighter now. “You should try it sometime.”
“Not my style,” Satoru replied, but there was a softness to his words, a lingering tenderness that he couldn’t quite hide.
As they turned to leave the clearing, their hands brushed one last time before parting. Satoru watched Suguru disappear into the shadows, his heart aching with the weight of all the things he couldn’t say. But for now, it was enough.
They would meet again. And until then, Satoru would keep protecting Suguru in the only way he knew how.
-----
Days turned into weeks, and though their meetings were rare, each one felt like a stolen moment, a secret shared between two souls who had been torn apart by the world around them. The distance between them grew in the physical world, but emotionally, Satoru and Suguru found themselves drawing closer, despite the risks.
One evening, weeks after their last meeting, Satoru was waiting in the same clearing. He had come early, as usual, pacing restlessly, his mind far too active for the stillness of the night. He had grown used to this—the waiting, the longing, the quiet ache that grew inside him every time he saw Suguru leave. But tonight was different. There was something in the air, a change he couldn’t quite place.
And then, through the trees, Suguru appeared. His presence was unmistakable, even before Satoru saw him clearly. The familiar pulse of cursed energy reached his senses, and before he knew it, he was walking toward him, unable to help himself.
Suguru’s expression was softer than usual, almost hesitant. He looked different—tired, as if the weight of their secret meetings was finally catching up with him. But his gaze still held that quiet fire that had always drawn Satoru in, the flicker of something more than just the lingering remnants of the past.
“Hey,” Suguru said quietly, his voice almost tentative.
Satoru smiled, though there was a flicker of concern in his eyes. “Hey. You’re late.”
Suguru shrugged, his usual smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “Had some things to deal with. The cult doesn’t exactly let me have a lot of time off.”
Satoru’s brow furrowed slightly. “Still pushing you, huh?”
Suguru nodded, though his expression softened with something almost like regret. “Yeah. I’m trying to keep it under control, but it’s getting harder.”
The words hit Satoru harder than he expected. He had always known their situation was precarious, but hearing it from Suguru’s lips made it real. Made it more dangerous.
“Don’t worry about that right now,” Satoru said, his voice firmer than he felt. “You’re here. That’s all that matters.”
Suguru’s eyes softened, but there was a weariness in his gaze. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep running from this, Satoru. From everything.” His voice wavered, just for a moment, betraying a vulnerability that he rarely showed.
Satoru stepped closer, his heart racing. “Suguru, I’m not asking you to run forever. I just…” He trailed off, unsure of what exactly he was asking for. The words felt too big, too heavy to put into a single sentence.
“I know,” Suguru said quietly, his gaze dropping to the ground for a moment. “I know...”
Satoru reached out, gently lifting Suguru’s chin with his fingers, guiding him to meet his gaze. “We’re already in this together, whether we like it or not.”
Suguru’s breath hitched, his expression softening in a way Satoru had never seen before. “You don’t have to do this. This is too risky for you,” he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.
But Satoru shook his head, his grip on Suguru’s chin firm but gentle. “I’m doing this because I want to,” he said, his voice low and steady. “I’m not letting you go again. Not when I finally have you back.”
The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken promises. Suguru’s lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but no words came. Instead, he leaned forward, his forehead resting gently against Satoru’s.
For a long moment, neither of them moved. The world seemed to hold its breath as they stood there, a quiet understanding passing between them. They didn’t need words right now. There was something in the air, a silent agreement that they would face whatever came next, together.
Suguru finally spoke, his voice a quiet murmur. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, Satoru. But if we continue with this…we’re both in danger,” he made a pause. "You're in danger."
Satoru leaned back slightly, lifting Suguru’s chin again, a serious look in his eyes. “I’ve been in danger my whole life, Suguru. And if I’m being honest… I don’t care anymore. Not if it means being with you.”
Suguru’s breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, there was an emotion in his eyes that Satoru couldn’t quite read. Then, Suguru smiled, a rare, soft smile that made Satoru’s heart flutter.
“Stubborn,” Suguru said, his voice tinged with something like affection. “You really are the worst.”
Satoru grinned back, his usual cocky smile returning. “You love me for it.”
Suguru’s eyes softened, and for the first time in a long while, he looked truly at peace. “Yeah. I do.”
There was a quiet moment where time seemed to stretch, both of them simply holding onto each other in the stillness of the night. It was fragile, this moment—fragile and fleeting—but it was real. And in that moment, Satoru felt like everything else, the world and its dangers, could wait.
“What now?” Suguru asked quietly, his voice soft, a trace of shyness in his tone.
Satoru leaned in, his lips brushing against Suguru’s ear as he whispered, “Now, we take it one step at a time. Together.”
For the first time in years, they both allowed themselves to believe it—to believe that maybe, just maybe, they could carve out a future for themselves in a world that had always seemed determined to tear them apart.
Suguru didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes, letting the warmth of Satoru’s presence seep into the cracks of his resolve. For years, he had carried the weight of his choices, confusion and the consequences of his path. But here, in this quiet moment under the moonlight, he allowed himself to feel something else—something softer, something fragile yet unyielding.
He let out a soft chuckle, the sound barely audible. “Together, huh?” he murmured, his lips curving into a faint smile. “You make it sound so easy.”
Satoru pulled back just enough to look at him, his usual grin tempered with a rare gentleness. “It’s not. But I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. You should know that.”
Suguru opened his eyes, meeting Satoru’s gaze. In those brilliant, unrelenting blue eyes, he saw not just power, but a promise. A promise that no matter how dark the road ahead became, Satoru would be there, defying everything and everyone for him.
“Alright,” Suguru said softly, his voice steady now. “One step at a time.”
Satoru’s grin widened, the mischief creeping back into his expression. “That’s the spirit. Now, let’s get out of here before someone decides to crash our little reunion.”
Suguru nodded, his hand lingering on Satoru’s arm for a moment longer before he stepped back. “Lead the way, genius.”
Satoru winked, turning toward the edge of the clearing. “Try to keep up, slowpoke.”
As they walked side by side, the forest seemed less foreboding, the shadows less oppressive. For the first time in what felt like forever, Suguru allowed himself to hope. The path ahead was uncertain, filled with danger and impossible odds, but with Satoru by his side, it didn’t feel quite so impossible.
And as they disappeared into the night, their footsteps fading into the distance, the moon continued to shine above them—a silent witness to a bond that refused to be broken.
-----
Several weeks passed until their next meeting.
Satoru sat on the edge of a rooftop, the faint light of the moon casting a soft glow on his white hair. The night was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves in the cool breeze. He toyed with the corner of his blindfold, nervous despite himself. Suguru would be there any minute.
It had been more than three months since the meeting where they confessed. The weight of it still lingered in Satoru’s chest, equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. He’d taken extra precautions to ensure no one could trace their rendezvous tonight. A private place, far from prying eyes or cursed spirits—a small, abandoned temple nestled deep in the forest.
The sound of soft footsteps made Satoru glance up, and his heart leapt. Suguru emerged from the shadows, his long hair tied back loosely, his dark eyes searching until they locked with Satoru’s.
“You’re late,” Satoru teased, though his voice was softer than usual.
Suguru smirked faintly. “And you’re impatient as always.”
Satoru hopped down from the roof in one fluid motion, landing mere steps away from Suguru. For a moment, they just stood there, the silence between them heavy but not uncomfortable. Satoru could see the faint flush in Suguru’s cheeks, mirroring his own. They were both still adjusting to this new dynamic—this fragile yet thrilling shift from friends to something more.
“I thought you might not come,” Satoru admitted quietly, breaking the silence.
Suguru’s expression softened. “I’ll always come, Satoru.”
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause. Satoru reached out hesitantly, his hand brushing against Suguru’s. It was a small gesture, but it felt monumental. Suguru turned his hand, their fingers intertwining naturally.
“Do you ever think about what would happen if we got caught?” Suguru asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“All the time,” Satoru replied, his thumb absentmindedly tracing circles on Suguru’s skin. “But I won’t let that happen. I’ll protect you, no matter what.”
Suguru chuckled softly, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “Always the hero, huh?”
“For you? Always.”
They sat together on the temple’s steps, the quiet intimacy of the night wrapping around them like a cocoon. They talked about everything and nothing, their voices low and filled with a tenderness they’d never dared show before. Satoru shared stories of his recent missions, and Suguru spoke of the small, mundane things that made up his days away from jujutsu society.
As the hours slipped by, the space between them grew smaller until Satoru found himself leaning in, his heart pounding in his chest. Suguru didn’t pull away, and when their lips finally met, it was gentle and hesitant, as though they were both afraid the moment would shatter.
When they parted, Satoru rested his forehead against Suguru’s, his breath uneven. “I wish we didn’t have to hide,” he murmured.
“Me too,” Suguru replied, his voice tinged with longing. “But for now, this is enough.”
And so, they stayed there, stealing a moment of peace in a world that would never understand. Satoru vowed silently to keep Suguru safe, no matter the cost. Whatever it took, he wouldn’t lose him again.
-----
The nights they spent together became a lifeline for both of them, stolen hours where they could forget about the weight of their respective worlds. Satoru kept Suguru’s presence a closely guarded secret, masking his cursed energy and carefully laying false trails. He was meticulous, but not because he doubted his loved one's abilities—he couldn’t risk the higher-ups discovering Suguru.
This time, their meeting place was a secluded cabin hidden deep in the mountains. It wasn’t much, but Satoru had restored it for Suguru in his free time, making it cozy enough for the two of them. A small fire crackled in the hearth, the warm glow casting soft shadows across the wooden walls.
Suguru was already there when Satoru arrived, sitting cross-legged on the floor and sipping from a steaming cup of tea he must’ve brewed. His hair was loose tonight, framing his face in a way that made Satoru’s chest ache.
“You’ve been busy,” Suguru remarked as Satoru stepped inside, pulling off his blindfold and tossing it onto a nearby chair. His ice-blue eyes softened as they met Suguru’s.
“You’d be surprised how much time I have between missions,” Satoru replied with a grin, though his shoulders sagged slightly. He kicked off his shoes and sank onto the floor beside Suguru, leaning back against the wall.
Suguru raised an eyebrow. “Rough week?”
“You could say that.” Satoru tilted his head back, letting his eyes drift closed. “The higher-ups are pushing harder lately. They might be suspicious.”
A flicker of worry passed over Suguru’s face, but he quickly masked it. “Do they know about us?”
Satoru opened one eye and smirked. “Not a chance. I’m way too good at this.”
Despite his confidence, Suguru reached out, placing a hand on Satoru’s arm. The small gesture grounded him, and he turned to meet Suguru’s gaze.
“Hey,” Suguru said softly, “if it ever gets too dangerous—”
“No.” The word came out sharper than Satoru intended. He softened his tone, taking Suguru’s hand in his. “Don’t even think about it. I’m not letting them take you away from me again.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the crackling fire and the faint rustle of wind outside.
“Sometimes I wonder if we’re just being selfish,” Suguru admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Satoru shook his head. “Selfish? Suguru, we’ve given everything to this world. Don’t we deserve something for ourselves?”
Suguru’s lips curved into a small, sad smile. “You always know what to say, don’t you?”
Satoru leaned closer, his breath ghosting against Suguru’s skin. “It’s because I mean it.”
Suguru didn’t pull away. Instead, he let Satoru’s presence wash over him, their foreheads resting together in a gesture more intimate than words.
“Stay with me tonight,” Suguru murmured.
Satoru nodded. “I wasn’t planning on going anywhere.”
They settled in, the weight of the world temporarily forgotten. Satoru lay back on the floor, his head resting in Suguru’s lap as they talked quietly. Suguru’s fingers threaded through his hair, a soothing rhythm that lulled Satoru into a rare sense of peace.
The night stretched on, and for those precious hours, they allowed themselves to dream of a future that felt impossibly out of reach—a future where they didn’t have to hide.