Chapter Text
His disappearances started with smaller things, like dipping after missions instead of eating out, or missing their weekly movie nights. Hell, not even Nanami would skip those, let alone Satoru! Shoko had even offered to bring food next time, and he skipped that meeting as well.
All four of them had noticed it long before, hell, even Utahime noticed it, and she hates the guy! All of them knew it was weird behaviour. However, it seemed like only Suguru had the courage to do anything about it.
Well, to be fair, he wasn’t going to do anything about it if Satoru hadn’t gone and ditched on hanging out with him. Him! It’s okay if it’s the group, if it’s someone else, but him? After avoiding him the entire day? That wasn’t like him. Ignore anyone else, just not Suguru.
Suguru speed-walked through the trail Satoru’s cursed energy left behind. It was fleeting and weak, but it was enough for him. Suguru swears, once he catches Satoru, he will be lecturing him to no end. Yes, he’s concerned. He’s extremely concerned.
But he’s also mad.
Mad that Satoru is pulling back from them, from him! He’s mad that Satoru can’t even apologize, or fucking say what he’s even doing. He’s mad that Satoru doesn’t trust him enough.
He’s also extremely damn angry that his cursed energy trail is leading him to the middle of butt-fuck nowhere in the middle of the night. Seriously, why was he going to a forest at seven pm? Who the hell does that?
Sugurus footsteps come to a halt when the trail strengthens to Satorus normal levels.
Huh. He had expected Satoru to be doing something devious. Or dangerous.
Not… This.
Suguru knew Satoru had a lot of hobbies, but he’d never expect him to be into something so delicate as gardening.
He couldn’t have made all of this. Not him. This clearing was so meticulous, so perfect, so neat. The flowers he was watering were bright and bloomed. The trees were lush and trimmed. Hell, even the grass looked like they were enhanced with RCT somehow.
“Satoru?” Suguru called out, stepping into the light of a full moon.
“Hey.” Satoru didn’t even sound guilty.
“What.. are you.. doing?” Suguru narrows his eyes at Satoru, his words breathless. Satoru blinks and turns around, suddenly as confused as he is.
“Uhh… Cultivating. A garden.” Satoru explains, setting down the watering can he was holding and staring at Suguru.
Staring.
He- He doesn’t have his sunglasses on?
Satoru laughs and scratches the back of his head, “Haibara likes gardens, doesn’t he?”
Haibara? Since when was he in this conversation??
“It’s his birthday soon. It’s a present.” Satoru brightly puts up two thumbs-ups.
“..And the ditching us?”
“Oh, right, time flies when you’re having fun, or something. I was going to say something… I, uhm, forgot.”
Of. Fucking. Course.
“Dude.” Sugurus hands found their way to Satorus shoulders.
“Whoops!”
Sugurus unintentional silence, he was just noticing, made Satoru nervous. It’s just that-
Satoru. With no eye covering.
It was beautiful.
“Keep a secret?” Satoru smiled, placing a white rose in Sugurus hair.
“..Yeah.” Suguru touched the petals, and agreed.