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They'd spent hours with Naoya. Sukuna had handled the physical part of the interrogation as always, hands slick with blood but firmly handing the pair of tools in his grip. From the warehouse the lot of them had holed up in, back to the estate again. Geto wasn't all that sure what time it was anymore. Hours were slipping by as all available underlings rushed about.
Not a single moment of silence, had fallen since the reveal had unfolded in front of them. For all the things Geto didn't have to be grateful for, the smallest mercy had been that it'd happened within their estate. For all Gojo had agonized over how he could've let Naoya into his own home, around Yuji. It'd meant they'd been able to handle him with nobody stepping in halfway to take him away.
He was largely protected. Except for when he was in Gojo's home, he had no protection there. The sick thing had been that it'd been to their benefit. Perhaps Naoya had just gotten too confident. An unveiling like that on enemy turf was a death sentence, and it hadn't been a quick nor painless death for him. They'd gotten all they had needed from him fairly quickly.
For all his confidence and for all he'd done to other people. The man hadn't been as deeply integrated into his group, these weren't things he'd been prepared for or had experienced earlier. His confidence. The disgusting curved smirk he wore. Geto could see them both when he closed his eyes, the way it made his skin crawl. But he can also see the moments it had all slipped away.
Knocking on the door with eyes closed, deep in thought. Geto pushed the door open without waiting for a response from inside, the knock was just to let the person in the room know that he's coming in. Taking a step in, Geto opens his eyes again and tries to push all his thoughts to the back of his mind. Mouth opening to say what he'd come here to deliver.
But something stopped him before he could even utter a word. Caught in his throat as he stood just within the doorway. Hand still lingering on the door handle behind him. The room was dark, making it unclear even further, what time it actually was. All the windows had been covered and only the glow of a computer screen illuminated enough for Geto to even see anything.
What he caught sight of, was the blank look on Gojo's face. He was sat on the edge of his desk staring at the wall. Sideways to where Geto had entered, so Geto couldn't get a full, clear look of him. Even from this angle though, Geto could tell he'd been long since stuck in his own head. Probably hadn't moved since Geto had left him in here more than half an hour ago when he went to handle something.
It hadn't been all that long since they came back from that warehouse. But it was enough time that the clean-up crew had probably completed their job. Committed to at least three once overs before they were confident enough to leave the scene behind. Enough time for the blood to be cleared up and the body to have been handled. There was enough time for shifts to change over so some men could sleep.
Geto wasn't stupid enough to startle him so he came over slowly, "Satoru, I've come back."
All earlier thoughts disappeared. Nothing he'd come to deliver had been urgent, they'd gotten over the most difficult parts for now. Hundreds of men had been spread out to handle different aspects of this issue. Locating all those people who needed their help and setting up a place for them to stay temporarily. Gojo had bought out a whole floor in an expensive hotel to put them all up in.
He had security on the floor and down in the lobby of the hotel just in case. Gojo had wanted to do more, but Shoko had warned him about overwhelming them too quickly with too much. She sent over some nurses she knew to examine them all in her place, before she went over and saw to the most concerning of the injuries. She'd been up as well, checking over Yuji closely.
Earlier when Geto had gone to check in on Yuji. He'd been silent in the doorway when he heard crying, Shoko was hunched over Yuji as tears streamed down her face. Having spent so long trying to instruct everyone and set things up, she finally let her guard drop. It was agonizing to watch, and Geto had just watched over her without wanting to step in and bother her.
So many people were involved and everyone had been stretched thin. Geto felt like he was going o go crazy. Instead, he just kept pushing things aside as he checked in on everything and everyone. Megumi hadn't been in the room when Shoko had, leaving the space for just a small moment as Shoko cried and apologized. Geto had pulled him aside and checked in with him.
Of course, at first, he'd tried to push the concerns aside. Then he'd quickly found himself crying in Geto's arms. Something that Geto is sure he hasn't done since he was only young. It broke something in Geto to witness. All of it was too much to handle. The crushing grip he held Megumi with was probably painful, but Megumi didn't complain about it at all.
Finding comfort in being held so close probably. They parted eventually, when Shoko had come out with a cigarette between her fingers and dark circles underneath her eyes. Megumi had gone back to Yuji's side carefully, making sure to wipe away his own tears before entering the room. Geto had instructed Shoko to go to sleep, when she tried to fight him on it, he didn't back down until she agreed to at least nap.
"Satoru." Geto said his name again, he was closer this time when he did it and Gojo seemed to react with a small twitch.
Vacantly, he turned his head to look at Geto slowly with eyes that probably hadn't blinked in a while. No longer just left to stare at a wall, recognition seemed to clear away the fog in Gojo's mind as he came back to himself. Geto could see the different minute expressions on Gojo's face, could see the emotions in his eyes and the different tells that signify his mood.
"I have to go see him."
Though he didn't say a name, it was clear he meant Naobito. His health had been deteriorating lately and Gojo hadn't spared a moment to grieve. The sooner that man died the better, was what Gojo believed. But with his heir dead, especially by Gojo's hands, he'd have to show his face eventually. Enough time had passed that the man would've heard something by now.
Honestly, Geto is a little shocked someone hadn't been sent around. For whatever reason, to talk or to seek out revenge. But nobody had come around, and nobody out on the street had actually heard anything. They hadn't returned the body to them, but it was likely the family had come together to discuss this amongst themselves before they decided to take action.
"Later." Geto said in the softest voice he could manage, which wasn't hard because exhaustion had softened his edges greatly. "You can go see him later, there's no need to rush into it now."
"If I don't and-,"
Cutting Gojo off as he said, "Nothings going to happen. All of this is on them and I'm sure they're rushing to handle it, they'd sooner bring you gifts to reaffirm your long lasting friendship then to hit back for revenge."
It was difficult, because Naoya had been an outlier of sorts in the group. he'd clearly been handling a lot behind the scenes, but he didn't have the connection with the men serving them. Not many would mourn him. While the family is close-knit, it's only to a certain extent. His actions were his own and any degree of fighting back would be for pride only, not for family honour.
On the opposite side of that, Gojo's family had deep ties with the group. While they can go against each other on the street, an engage in petty turf wars. Back and forth between men with no serious desire to bring the other down. Just the wish to inconvenience and get one over on the other. This situation as likely going to end with Gojo benefitting in some way.
Though things like this can't be fully predicted. Perhaps the negativity is too ingrained and they use this as their chance to take Gojo down. Their opinions and feelings can be fickle, and can change with the wind. Geto had been thinking it over in his head as he moved their men around. Not taking any chances either way the wind may blow on this.
But in front of Gojo all Geto could say was, "No need to overthink it, everything's handled."
A few days after that, Geto found himself In Gojo's office once again. Shoko had already been over to those who'd been kidnapped and trafficked. Set any broken bones and wrapped any serious injuries, covered cuts and made sure they were getting nutrients and fluids. All their other underlings had continued to do as instructed, but they'd started to need less and less men out there.
Everyone who'd been involved in hunting down the men involved and finding those who'd been taken. Had long since been informed, and thanked for their involvement. The information they'd gathered up until this point, had been used against he information Naoya had offered up. As they confirmed and checked things, they understood where he had lied or misspoken, but used their own information to fill in gaps.
Many of those involved continued to help out in different ways. It was help that they appreciated, and it had made Yuji feel a little overwhelmed to see how many people were helping out. As if he still couldn't believe all of this had happened because people wanted to help him, he'd managed to be a part of a grander scheme that saved so many lives.
Yuji had been taking it easy, but hadn't wanted to be entirely sidelined. Explaining that he wanted to help those who'd gone through similar experienced to what he had and he'd spoken to it at length with Sukuna. Sukuna who'd basically sidelined himself, always seen within a few metres of Yuji or Yuji's room. Megumi and Sukuna worked around each other.
Geto had made sure to check, and everyone had gotten some sleep over the past few days. Yuji was sleeping so much to heal, and the rest of them were sleeping to fight off exhaustion whenever they could. Unlike them, Geto isn't sure how long it's been since he last slept. Now was he certain Gojo had even considered resting. In all of these last days, Gojo taken a moment to himself.
Even when he can be seen blankly contemplating a wall. Within his own head, he's sorting through information and making plans. When he breaks out of it, he's back to work and handling a million different things at once. As the men are brought home more and more, Gojo continues to spread himself out. As if he could do everything himself, as if he deserves it like some form of punishment.
So, Geto was back in Gojo's office. Watching as Gojo spaces out, thoughts flying through his head no doubt as he tries to carry the burden of this situation all by himself. Besides checking in on him, Geto doesn't think Gojo's gone back to see Yuji properly. The man likely blaming himself for everything and fearing that Yuji wouldn't even be glad to see him.
If not for the fact that Gojo's estate was the safest place Yuji could be recovering. Gojo probably would've sent him elsewhere far earlier, so that he wouldn't be subjected to Gojo's presence so close by. He knows Shoko had tried to speak with him earlier but nothing had gotten through. It was aggravating to see someone blame themselves and punish themselves for something like this.
Naoya had done everything himself, but those who were left alive were the ones dealing with everything. All of them had to suffer the heart ache, the blame. While Naoya is nothing but a dead man who'll be forgotten before long. Geto has so much hatred in his heart, but he tamps it down, pushes it aside to handle another day. He's needed right now, Gojo needs him.
"You need to sleep."
It wasn't the first time Geto had said those words and it certainly wasn't the first time Gojo had responded with, "I'll sleep when I'm finished, don't worry about it. I'm fine, so what I'm a little tired, it's not like we get a lot of sleep in this line of work usually."
"Being tired isn't the only issue, you're going to burn yourself out like this."
A flicker of emotion came across Gojo's face before he said, "I don't deserve it."
The words were probably spoken quietly enough not to be heard. Gojo not paying any attention, letting them slip. The room was near silent though and Geto couldn't escape them even if he tried. Had never been able to turn off his attention for Gojo, catching every single word that left his mouth. A grimace showed on Geto's face but Gojo wasn't looking at him to see it.
"Satoru." It wasn't just tiredness that shaped Geto's tone, it was every single emotion bubbling up inside of him. "Satoru look at me, please."
Once again the room was dark, but the computer screen was on again and a small lamp had been turned on. Lighting the space a little more then a few days ago, meaning Geto could see Gojo's face more clearly like this. Eyes tiredly flicking from feature to feature. Taking in all the little things he recognizes about Gojo's face, and the way it shifts and Gojo finally looks over.
When his eyes land on Geto's face, something like shock comes over his expression. Geto hadn't expected that sort of reaction. Actually, Geto hadn't expected much of anything. He was worn out, trying to get Gojo to listen to him over the past few days. Nothing had been working and Geto doesn't know what to do anymore. Doesn't know what to do for Gojo if he isn't going to listen.
"Suguru?"
Gojo had actually said Geto's name a few times before Geto heard it, eyes lifting to stare at Gojo who'd somehow appeared right in front of him. Geto doesn't know when he did that. Doesn't remember seeing the frantic way Gojo got himself up from his chair. The way he banged into the corner of the desk trying to get around to Geto. It was all a blur to Geto who'd stopped paying attention.
"I need you to sleep." Was all Geto managed to struggle out.
How was Geto meant to sleep if Gojo wasn't. So, Geto hadn't slept. Had worn himself thin thinking about everyone and everything going on, especially Gojo. Had looked after him each day, watching to see how much food was eaten. Trying to settle his nerves, coax him into stopping just for a second. Geto had one half of his mind on their current situation, and the other focused on Gojo.
Nothing for himself. He hadn't mattered, no matter how tired he got. Geto hadn't stopped for a single second. Had rushed around from person to person, tending to their needs or checking in on them. Geto was dead on his feet and it was all catching up with him now. He felt like he was pleading with Gojo to please stop. To finally take a break before Geto can't handle it anymore.
The worry is making Geto sick, and it was like Gojo was finally picking up on it, "Okay, Suguru, okay how about we lay down for a little while?"
A couch big enough to lay down on was situated in the office. Gojo didn't really have a use for it, had probably laid on it a time or two. Mostly it was for other people to use whenever they were in there with him. For Shoko to laze on as she talked about whatever to Gojo who was only half listening, shuffling through paper and organizing things at his desk.
Now though, Gojo carefully brought the two of them over to it. Falling onto it himself, then pulling Geto down with him. The weight of Geto on him knocked the wind out of him, but he found himself comforted by the weight of another human being on him. Gojo had worried that he wouldn't be able to fall asleep, still to wired and high strung with everything going on.
With Geto on top of him like this, Gojo was finding it harder to stay awake. Making sure Geto was okay, settled in on top of him. Gojo brought a hand to his hair, his fingers tangling in it lightly. Whispering to Geto not to worry about anything anymore, that they'll have a break. Everything will be okay. Even as he comforted Geto, Gojo tried to listen to those words himself, and fell asleep.