takumina | ( ic inbox );

From:

hey six eyes it's your favorite you know what never mind I don't know what your body count is anymore so I'm not gonna assume

it's toji

what the fuck is going on between megumi and itadori yuji?

From:

takumina

Great lead-in.
What do you mean what's going on between them?

From:

revolts

sukuna's vessel seems to think he has to die in order to protect megumi's future or some shit like that.

the fuck is going on here how did a massive cock up of this scale even happen.

From:

takumina

Itadori is ... very protective of the people he cares about.
And Sukuna is very, very dangerous.
Technically he's already scheduled to be executed for being the vessel in the first place but it's kinda been put on hold.

From:

revolts

that protectiveness would be great if the kid could think his way out of a wet paper bag. anyway, couldn't give two shits about what happens to sukuna or his vessel.

what does it have to do with my son?

From:

takumina

I personally don't care what happens to Sukuna beyond finally being able to deal with him accordingly.
Itadori, I'm rather fond of.
And would prefer nothing happen to him.

As far as I know ...
They're best friends.
There could be something more to it, but what do I know?

From:

revolts

I'm still waiting for someone to tell me why itadori thinks he has to die for megumi.

but if you need someone to clue you in, both of them are very convinced the other one couldn't possibly want to date them, a totally normal thing for boys who are only interested in being friends to be fixated on.

From:

takumina

What can I say, the kid goes hard.

Is it at all possible that they are both, in fact, not the brightest crayons in the box?
Megumi is generally so much more perceptive than that.
Itadori ...
I genuinely love that boy but sometimes I think he's the densest human being on the planet.

From:

revolts

thank god I was starting to wonder how many times you dropped my kid on his head after you got custody.

I asked if being sukuna's vessel caused brain damage but beginning to think it's a pre-existing condition.

anyway you better not be hiding anything from me about itadori thinking he has to die for megumi. do you actually not know what's going on there or are you avoiding the question because you hate me?

From:

takumina

The answer is zero, just for the record.

You can't just go around asking if things cause brain damage, my god.
But Itadori means well, in everything he does, even if he sometimes doesn't go about things in the smartest way.

I'm not hiding anything from you, you have my word on that.
And I don't hate you, either.
For ... reasons beyond my comprehension.

But unless it has something to do with the way time works here as opposed to back home and I am missing something, I would assume it has something to do with his wanting to protect Megumi from Sukuna.

From:

revolts

huh, no kidding? now I'm gonna have to stop fucking with you, shame.

[ he was so sure. now he's out of a hobby, damn. ]

think maybe the kid is just too uh

[ he's trying to be nice now, because gojo doesn't hate him. he's trying so hard. ]

simple to accept that you can just beat the snot out of sukuna if it comes down to it?

oh shit wait does this have to do with you being dead? fuck I forgot in the middle of everything else. did you die? megumi told me he's clan head of the zenin now. that was only supposed to happen if you died or became otherwise incapacitated or whatever.

the fuck did you do satoru

From:

takumina

( we're so sorry for your loss. )

No kidding.
Looks like you're going to have to find a new hobby.

( a for effort on the front of being nice. we're proud of you, toji. )

The problem with beating the snot out of Sukuna is that he is possessing Itadori.
He has no physical form to manifest on his own.
... Though his original one was pretty terrifying, I have to admit.
But that would also mean beating the snot out of Itadori, and there is no way I'm letting that happen.
Unless I have no other choice.

( even then, he's going to be big mad about it.

but. hold up wait a minute what. )

I'm not dead, last time I checked.
But now Itadori being all sniffly when he first saw me here makes more sense.
I have no idea what I did.

From:

revolts

my deal with the geezer was megumi gets to inherit the clan ahead of that little shit naoya if you died or got incapacitated at any point after he died. wrote it up and stuck it in the will, iron-clad.

either something serious happened to you or naobito located whatever hole he shoved his basic human decency in and even knowing you I'm more willing to bet on the first thing.

look, I don't care about the details of whatever you've got cooked up in your crazy little head about sukuna and his vessel, if you're attached to the host then good for him. I trust you to get it sorted.

[ he's trying to say he has every confidence that gojo will take care of sukuna while protecting megumi and probably even save itadori somehow while he's at it so he's not fussed about the details, but that's how it's coming out. still trying. trying so hard. ]

but if you're fucking dead then we all got big fucking problems.

From:

takumina

( forgive the delay in his next response, he's mulling all of this over and over and over and over in his head, because now he's kind of itching to ask both megumi and yuuji what they aren't telling him but at the same time.

it's their right to keep things to themselves if they choose to.

make no mistake, though. he will protect those boys with everything in him. not because, as their teacher he is essentially responsible for them, but because he genuinely loves them. as long as he's around, nothing bad is going to happen.

so he thinks. )

This just means that I have a lot of questions I'm not going to get any answers to, even if I ask.
I'm getting the feeling they aren't telling me something on purpose.
And it's their right, really.
It isn't mine to pry.
But I think things are a lot more dire for them than they were for me before I woke up here.

From:

revolts

yeah that's kinda how being dead works. by definition you got the least problems.

[ he's an expert in this, after all. ]

From:

takumina

I don't think I'm dead.
I think something happened that they aren't telling me.
And maybe I'm ... incapacitated.

( trying to remain objective? perhaps.

which is kind of terrifying, but.

look bro it's your own gay that gets you sealed, and you don't know it. )

From:

revolts

[ if text could convey how dry toji's tone is right now, satoru's device would be turning to dust in his hands. ]

I know you don't need me to fucking tell you that even you being 'incapacitated' is a pretty significant problem for all the idiots counting on you to wipe their own asses. which, last I checked, was clocking in at about 90% of the people who know you.

From:

takumina

( why does his device suddenly feel like it's full of grains of sand? what an interesting phenomenon. )

No, I don't.
But lingering on the thought of it isn't going to do me any good if I don't actually know what happened, and if the kids aren't saying anything, that means bottom line ...
That we're in trouble.
And it's not as if I can do anything about it while I'm here.

From:

revolts

fair enough.

if it came down to one or the other though.

which one do you pick?

From:

takumina

You can't ask me something like that.

From:

revolts

we operating on some kind of blind optimism that the situation's never gonna come up or what

From:

takumina

I'm going to assume there was no pun intended there.

( a-hyuck. )

Maybe I am being optimistic.
But I care about them both too much to think about it.

From:

revolts

buddy, you got blind spots a mile wide. you're just also a cocky asshole so you're sure they're not there because you can't see 'em and you can see everything and whatever.

[ anyway. ]

you should be thinking because you care about them. otherwise when it comes down to it, you just might freeze and lose them both.

us mere mortals have to think about this sort of thing all the time.

From:

takumina

( what was that about being nice, toji. damn. )

I'm just as mortal as you are.
Just better at faking it.

( that's not funny. you are not funny. )

You have a point ...
Much as I'm sure you'll remind me every chance you get after this.

From:

revolts

[ this IS nice. he's roasting with, well, not love but at least mild concern. ]

Don't worry, I'll try not to make a habit out of talking to you. Just...

You can't turn back now, Satoru. You wanted this. You let it happen. You're the strongest. Survived us all.

You don't get the luxury of faltering anymore.

Take care of him for me. Both of them. Hypotheticals aside...

Sometimes there's no choice at all. I know you know. I think they're close, or already there. Where saving one is the same damn thing as saving none.

From:

takumina

( well. we suppose that's close enough for him. we'll take it. )

I don't mind you talking to me.
So much.

( this is weird. but we're going along with it. )

Is now when I ask when you got so bold about using given names, Toji?

( somehow that feels more natural than 'fushiguro', but maybe it has something to do with the fact that yuji hasn't called megumi anything but since they met. )

I'm taking care of them for both of us.
Just so you know.
And I think they're so close neither of them knows how close.
But I'm sure they'll figure it out for themselves one of these days.

Maybe.

From:

revolts

[ it still doesn't sit right, not being hated. to be given any consideration at all. he'd been worried, there at the end. that megumi would have a hard time from everyone to spite his father's memory. not worried enough to live any other way, not really able to change everything about who he was and how he lived, but. worried.

and here gojo is, not hating him. not clarifying that he's taking care of toji's son out of gojo's own attachment by now, but simply reminding that it's an undertaking gojo maintains for them both.

toji was so sure gojo would spite him for his phrasing.

he doesn't understand this man. ]

I really have no fucking clue why you don't hate me, but. thanks. I guess.

anyway, I can call you 'six eyes' again if you like that better.

I'd encourage helping them figure it out before they learn it the hard way.

[ like when one of them dies. ]

From:

takumina

( if it makes you feel better, toji, there had been a time when he wanted to hate you. for everything you'd done in your past, for putting your son up for sale like the only thing he's good for to you was to make a profit — but he's had time to let things sit, let them simmer and then boil down to essentially nothing.

he's had a lot of time to think, as it were.

and if it makes you feel even better, there is a whole host of people that don't understand him. he prefers it that way, most of the time. let him stay some manner of annoying-ass enigma that nobody gets, let alone wants to. )

That makes two of us.
Humans are really odd things, if you think about it.
But I figure if someone can hate for no real reason, they can do the opposite just as easily.

Call me whatever you want, within reason.
Just don't call me late for dinner.

( yeah, yeah, he fucking went there. who'd have ever thought he would be sitting here making a dad joke in fushiguro toji's general direction? not him. )

You know they don't even call each other by anything other than their family names?
They would die for each other, and they both know it.
And they're still at that stage.
Sometimes I worry about our future, if these children are going to be a part of it.

From:

revolts

they're just fucking idiots, no one's perfect or good at everything, etc. reverse heavenly restriction of zero brain.

[ toji also thinks he's funny. but he's pondering the issue, because he likes a good puzzle. problems to pick at are like a meat stuffed pumpkin in his enclosure. ]

I could probably fix half the issue. I'm 'fushiguro' too, so. could just start loitering and wedging myself between them whenever I hear the name. bet that'd get them to drop it quick.

'itadori' though...

[ toji mulls on it, and he mulls on it, and— ]

stop me if I'm wrong but your students are definitely used to you acting like a goddamned clown, right?

From:

takumina

( he likes to think his children aren't complete idiots ... but ... together they seem to be, don't they? okay, okay, he's going to hear you out on what you have to say --

he reads the last bit of that message more times than he should, probably, because there is no lie there and it makes him laugh for the realization, even if he knows well that he plays himself off as someone not to be taken seriously.

toji would, perhaps, know this by now, wouldn't he? hm. )

They're used to a lot of things, but that one in particular ... maybe.

( pause for dramatic effect! )

What are you suggesting?

From:

revolts

just start answering to 'itadori'. what are they gonna do about it? bet you could be like "oh no I'm sooo old my old man hearing is going I SWORE you said gojo-sensei" and they'd have no choice but to deal because I'm sure it's not the dumbest shit you've pulled.

[ have we mentioned this is what it sounds like when toji likes you okay. ]

From:

takumina

( that sounds incredibly suspicious but neither of you are very in with what it sounds like when either of you like someone.

but look you've got a good thought going on here.

hold that thought while he processes it. )

Hmmm.
Has anyone ever told you that you do a pretty decent impression of me?
Should have gone into stand-up.

( case in point: you're growing on him. and not exactly like a parasite. )

I think you might be onto something.

From:

revolts

I'm genuinely embarrassed for you. incidentally, that's also how I keep my impressions nice and accurate, glad you agree.

anyway once they get pissed and confused enough respectively they should theoretically adapt from there, right?

From:

takumina

Isn't embarrassment meant for those also have shame?
Regardless.

( he only mentions it because he rarely is possessed of shame himself, but that's neither here nor there. )

Theoretically, yes.
But how much faith do we have?

From:

revolts

eeeehhh 30/70 pass/fail but 30% is better than zero. if it doesn't work we can come up with something else.

big fan of shotgun marriages, honestly.

From:

takumina

Don't shotgun marriages usually involve a pregnancy?
I don't think we're going to have to worry about that ...

From:

revolts

eh with curses who can say. and wasn't there something about the kid being sukuna's vessel?

anyway it's the 'take responsibility for the mess you've made with my kid' angle.

From:

takumina

I really hate that you have a point with the curse thing.

Don't make me think about that.

From:

shrove

[ all is quiet, but he can't sleep. this bed, even with satoru in it, laying just inches away, has never felt so big and vast. and suguru had never felt this painfully, achingly alone in years.

in the silence of the night, he allows himself to be weary, to want to be comforted. after all, he had been holding himself together all damn day.

finally, he quietly asks: ]

Satoru. Are you awake?

From:

takumina

( it's funny, almost, how easy it had been to acclimate to sharing such a small space, given no other option; they haven't been this close in over a decade, and somehow it still feels like they're back in school together, and nothing has changed.

he's awake when that voice comes, though facing away from him makes it easy to delay his response and give it over to coming back around to full consciousness. he doesn't turn yet, but he does rustle the covers around them slightly to acknowledge having heard him at all. )

Mm. Yeah. ( pause. ) Everything okay?

From:

shrove

[ nothing has changed, and everything has at the same time -- but they slot in with each other easily, as if suguru had never left, as if satoru hadn't moved onward.

suguru is quiet for a long, long moment. then, a soft, weary little half chuckle. ]

I'm tired.

[ no glib comments, nothing. he turns onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. ]

Today has been...

From:

takumina

( always two pieces of the same puzzle, that's what they're going to be whether they want to be or choose to admit it in the first place, and there is a part of this one that is grateful for it. because he'd felt so lost for so long after the other had left, and it had taken him more than a little while to get himself back on track.

this … feels like a second chance that neither of them thought they would get, and he doesn't think they deserve. have we mentioned that, yet?

he finally turns to face him at that, i'm tired, eyes half-lidded but trained intently on him. he moves to tuck one hand beneath his head, the other held close to his chest. )

Do you want to talk about it?

From:

shrove

[ totally agreed on all counts. what they're in denial about is this: that this in itself is a certain kind of homecoming, because home is not a place, it's people. it's the distant warmth of your other puzzle-half, the rustle of sheets in the quiet of the night, the bright, depthless blue eyes that were once the last thing you saw.

anyway. suguru thinks about that question, aware of his eyes on him. he turns his head, and gives voice to the monster that haunts him. ]

Something took on my likeness. I saw him in Yuji's memories. Of course, that was probably why your boy tried to kill me.

[ he rubs his bruised throat subconsciously. see those dark, dark fingermarks? that is not actually suguru developing a kink. ]

From:

takumina

( home has never been a place for him, it's been the people he's chosen to surround himself with, the ones he's chosen to keep close, and this is more of a homecoming than either of them could have asked for, though it stands to reason that maybe … neither of them would have.

but this —

it's the smile so rarely given, that warmth, yes, of the other half of you, the sweetness in subtle gestures that could have never come from anyone else.

he does see those marks, and without even thinking he reaches out to ghost the tips of his fingers over them, inwardly wincing at how much it still must ache; yuji hasn't said anything to him about even speaking to suguru yet, but perhaps he hasn't had a reason, and he's not about ot fault him. or start asking questions. ( yet. ) )

Something? ( he pauses. ) Or someone?

From:

shrove

[ suguru consciously doesn't think about how, very suddenly, he yearns for more of that touch. not just the barest ghost of it, because that feels like the home he's turned away from, the only place he's ever belonged.

does he still have a claim to it anymore?

suguru reaches for him without thinking, fingers closing around his wrist, but the memory comes upon them vividly at the touch, immersing them in the fateful day of geto suguru's last mission. that cursed, awful village.

the stench of it is overwhelming, girded by the soft whimpers and cries of two very small girls huddled in a dirty cage. they're filthy and malnourished, so small and fearful, and suguru's surprise and horror is evident.

here is where he breaks, in the midst of the villagers' accusing and vile prejudice, soaked in willfully ignorant cruelty.

geto suguru makes his final choice, horror becoming grim fury as he, once the bastion of protection for humans, turns on them in a wrathful moment.

what unfurls next is a bloody massacre, screams and crunching bone filling the silence of the night. the blood of the villagers barely skirt the soles of suguru's polished shoes, the broken bodies piled atop each other.

in the middle of it, suguru, stained with blood, opens the cage and smiles, sadness, grief buried in his eyes. a part of himself that satoru will surely recognise has died alongside the villagers that he has murdered. it's missing now, but suguru's gesture is tender, when he reaches out to the girls.

"come on out. my name is geto suguru, and you're safe now. i'll protect you from now on."

suguru comes to, shuddering -- ]

... you weren't supposed to see that.

From:

takumina

( he doesn't have a right to touch him so openly, and some distant part of him knows that but a part of him so much closer to the surface wants just as much as suguru does, but he'll be damned if he acts on it. it isn't his place, isn't his right, but then the other man is reaching for him and he thinks he might be overthinking things too much —

but then the memory hits him like a ton of bricks and it's as though he has a front row seat to one of suguru's greatest horrors, one of his biggest nightmares. it doesn't take long to get from start to finish, little more than flashes of images that only give him as much clarity as he needs to know just who those little girls are, young as they are, and it's only when suguru comes back to himself that he even thinks to say anything, a bit stunned himself for everything he's just seen. and he doesn't even know the half of it.

still, he's quiet for a small moment, focusing on breathing, taking it all in and slowly bringing himself to meet his gaze with his own, somewhat searching. )

Your … ( he stops, starts, trying to pick through his words carefully. ) Your girls. I had no idea …

From:

shrove

[ suguru looks back at him, a little too disoriented to put on his usual unaffected front. in this moment, he's vulnerable, lonely, and he misses his girls so much that his worry for them keeps him up at night. things aren't supposed to be like this.

but perhaps it's just as well that satoru sees them -- sees it, the front row seat to his darkest moment, the day he had made his choice and ended up leaving the one person that he's loved. ]

I couldn't tell you then. [ he admits quietly, apologetic. the higher ups were hunting him, they would've come for them, too, and where would they be, then? ]

...would you have done differently, if you were me?

[ satoru with his moral compass, satoru, who had wanted to kill everyone in the cult -- and satoru, who had ultimately been a better man than he is. ]

From:

takumina

( he can see it even in the dimness, the small space between them, the vulnerability and openness of his expression making something in his chest ache like it had all those years ago when he'd lost one of the most important people that had ever come into his life.

( just because he'd made the choice to walk away. )

there have been so many dark moments in suguru's life, so many that had ultimately led him down his final path and then he asks him that question — would you have done differently, if you were me? — and all at once his throat is dry, closes up on him and for a handful of seconds he can't breathe, because up to that point, suguru had been his moral compass.

he'd been at such a loss when he found himself bereft.

he falls quiet for another moment, one that perhaps stretches too long before he can speak up again. ) I can't answer that. I don't know.

But I understand why you couldn't tell me. I don't … I don't blame you.

From:

shrove

[ maybe this is what he's wanted to hear all along -- to know that satoru didn't hate him despite all the atrocities he's perpetrated. he is very aware, of course, that his sins are unforgivable. there is blood on his hands that can never be wiped clean, and his existence up until then had been absolutely unbearable.

he watches the play of expressions on his face, and reaches up to lightly touch his cheek. there is nothing more to be said for that now, and suguru finds himself on a new thought. ]

You had some kids of your own too.

From:

takumina

( he cuckold never hate him, much as he might have wanted to in the beginning of his desertion; he'd lost a piece of himself that day, he's been convinced since then, and he'd been so sure that there was no getting it back.

and yet here he is, right in front of him, baring his heart and his past and all the things that had hurt him. and it leaves him breathless.

his one and only.

when that touch comes to his cheek, the contact lasts long enough that suguru is going to get a flash of one of gojo's own memories. one of a small boy with dark, unruly hair in a short-sleeved shirt, shorts and sandals with a hand basket hooked over one arm. it's very clear they're doing a grocery run, and the seriousness on this child's face is a force to be reckoned with.

especially when it pans over to a much younger-looking gojo clearly hiding something behind his back, and when we next see small, dark and too-serious? there is a very stern look on his face and he's pointing to a nearby shelf, put them back! cropping up in a small but authoritative voice that. quite honestly cannot be ignored.

unless you're gojo satoru, and you're being policed about your sugar intake by a seven-year-old.

he laughs under his breath as the images fade, unconsciously nuzzling into the hand at his cheek. )

Yep … and he was my first. Megumi is a good boy but heaven help you if you try to sneak sweets around him.

From:

shrove

[ suguru's breath catches. he sees it, the tiny little boy that is fushiguro megumi -- the features and the spiky hair are largely the same, and the implications are obvious; when suguru had his own children to raise, so did satoru.

he can't help a smile; it's cute, and having satoru policed by a very small child makes him chuckle, too, his heart aching in the sweetest of ways. the images linger, and suguru makes a note to thank megumi for taking care of satoru all these years -- yes, he's very sure that's mostly how it went. ]

I'm glad you had him.

[ he exhales a soft sigh, pressing his forehead to his, unable to help a wave of homesickness for his children. ]

Aaah... I was fighting to win, you know. Your other boy, your second, he fought for love. I wanted to win.

[ and now... ]

From:

takumina

( of course there was no way of knowing that he would spend the next ten years of his life being effectively bossed around by a child, but he wouldn't have had it any other way; he would have done just about anything to keep the boy from being sold to the zen'ins for a myriad reasons, but if he thinks about the years they'd spent together, the three of them before tsumiki had been cursed —

his life would not have been the same without them. he cherishes those years with everything in them, and he's proud of the young man megumi is growing up to be. he really does love him with everything in him.

satoru inhales sharply when he mentions yuta, and by god and everything he stands for he doesn't want to think about that day, not now, when everything already feels so tentative, fragile and new. he lets that breath out slowly, swallowing around a patch of dryness in the back of his throat. ) Yuta is always going to fight for love, I think. It's just the kind of person he is. ( a good heart. a good soul. steadfast, loyal —

he pauses, and then: ) What will you fight for now?

From:

shrove

[ what will he fight for now? what a question to ask. suguru's loved ones are in the other world, and he's here, a dead man given another chance (maybe?) with the one person he's ever truly been himself with, his other half, the only one he cherishes and loves; the hardest one he had to leave behind.

he's silent for a long moment, more vulnerable than he's ever allowed to be, lost. this moment truly is fragile, and with everything that has been going on, suguru can barely have time to himself to really, really think.

there's satoru, there's the children, there are those from other worlds who have been hurt for who they are, with their own unique powers --

-- he shifts, swallowing a lump in his throat. finally, he confesses a single truth: ]

I don't know. I've lost everything, Satoru.

[ and satoru -- who's here with him, whom he's sharing this bed with. there is an uncharacteristic uncertainty in suguru's eyes, tentative and careful.

almost everything. right...? is satoru still his? ]

From:

takumina

( it's difficult to be vulnerable, he knows that well — perhaps it's the most difficult with the ones you hold most dear, because it means giving over an opening to be hurt, an achilles' heel to bring down the biggest, the strongest.

it would be so much easier to keep everyone at arm's length, and maybe that's why satoru is so particular with those he lets past his barriers. he would rather keep the walls up, truth be told, because it brings everything down to the bare minimum chance of some measure of fallout.

where the other's fingers had curled around his wrist at the beginning, satoru reaches to loosen that grip and instead twine those fingers with his own; it's something he does without thinking, meeting suguru's gaze as he fights to find the words that come out of him next, and it's such a finite statement — i've lost everything — that for a second he's unsure if he should say what lingers on the back of his tongue or not. )

There's always something to fight for. ( he ends up giving over softly, his voice catching, gone rough around the edges with the emotion he's trying to swallow down. ) Unless I'm nothing to you now.

From:

shrove

[ ... oh.

his words hang in the silence between them, the revelation that satoru still wants to be considered his even after everything he's done, all the chaos and pain and death he's brought. his heart skips a beat when their fingers twine, the edges of warmth that keep him anchored where he is, steady against the darkness of spiraling thoughts.

suguru looks at him, sensing satoru's quiet understanding. they're rebuilding their connection, little by little -- and as it usually does with second chances, so much of it is difficult, and so much of it is ultimately worth doing.

here, they discover something new, they talk about things they've never said to each other when they were so, so young and flush with the illusion that they had all the time in the world. now, tempered by loss and heartbreak, they know better. ]

You're too much of a pain in my ass to mean nothing to me.

[ suguru manages with a small smile, leaning in to press his forehead to his despite his sass. his tone is gentle, and he squeezes his fingers. he remembers the last words satoru has ever said to him, and makes a soft noise. it's his turn now, is it? ]

...you're my one and only best friend.

From:

eyescar

[ attached is just a picture of the most obnoxious looking akita inu: it is BRIGHT PINK. three guesses who it is, gojo-sensei! ]

From:

takumina

( and the first two don't count. )

Yuji??

( PUPPY?? )

From:

eyescar

that's right! i can turn into an animal now too, gojo-sensei!

From:

takumina

Holy crap.

( good job watching your language in front of your son. )

You're pretty cute ...
I have to know, though.
Any sudden inclination to chase your tail?

From:

eyescar

sensei!!

[ That's so embarrassing... ]

only a little.

From:

takumina

( okay, megumi ... )

It's a legit question, given the circumstance!

... Cute.

From:

eyescar

it is not!

From:

takumina

Gonna have to beg to differ on that one, kiddo.

From:

eyescar

it's pretty annoying, actually! i bet fushiguro wants to laugh at me.

From:

takumina

You mean he hasn't tried to pet you?
That's not like him at all.

From:

eyescar

he did scratch my ears!

From:

takumina

That sounds more like him.
He likes animals too much to not at least want to pet.

Did he tell you he let me lay in his lap when I first turned into a leopard?

From:

eyescar

he didn’t!! that’s cute…
he let me lay on him too until i turned back

then he scolded me and scratched me

From:

takumina

Did you not have your clothes close enough at hand either ...
Because he scratched me for the same reason.

From:

eyescar

i was right by my room but i didnt know how to turn back so i was thinking about that

he told me about that too. i guess he was embarrassed.

From:

takumina

I was really relaxed when I turned.
Purring and everything, not thinking about it at all.

But that's what I thought ...
It's not like I did it on purpose!

From:

eyescar

sensei purring… i’d like to hear it!

me neither! at least i could heal my scratches.

From:

takumina

I'm getting used to it.
It happens involuntarily if I'm happy or relaxed.
Which makes sense.

You can hear it anytime you want!
You still have to see my cute tail~

From:

eyescar

just like a cat!

do you want to see the dog in person? then i can see your tail too

From:

takumina

Leopards are just giant house cats, after all.
Kind of.
We should try to get Megumi to purr ...

I would!
Only in this place would such a proposition seem normal ...

From:

eyescar

i’ll definitely get him to purr. if he’s allowed to pet me then i’ll do the same!!

anyway, the reason i can be a dog now is i was hoping for my cursed energy and got this instead. maybe it’s some kind of joke?

From:

takumina

( if anyone can get the boy purring without even trying, it's you, kid.

who said that. )

I believe in you.
And it really is only fair.

Hmm ...
If it makes you feel better, I haven't managed to get mine back yet either.
Maybe you just have to try harder!

From:

eyescar

i'll do it!!

and i'll try harder! i'm still pretty strong but i'm sure having my cursed energy back will be helpful too!
i wanna make sure everyone is okay

From:

takumina

You're already doing a lot by being able to heal people.
It's something you couldn't do before, at least not conventionally.
You're doing a heck of a job and I'm proud of you. ヽ (°◇° )ノ

From:

eyescar

sensei... thank you

[ he might be crying a little. but, hey, wait - ]

From:

eyescar

⊂(▀¯▀⊂ ) <- it's you, sensei!

From:

takumina

( baby boy you're so cute sometimes it physically hurts him.

but! hold on! )

Whoa, it is!
A stunning likeness, I must say.

( stop. )

I think ...
This one's you: (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ
Or wait.
Since you can be a dog now ... ◣(´ᴥ`)◢

From:

eyescar

woah, that's so cute!! i wonder if i can put it in my messages!!

let me see what i can do for you as well sensei

i sent this one to fushiguro ⊹⋛⋋( ՞ਊ ՞)⋌⋚⊹ <- this is you as well

꒰ღ˘‿˘ற꒱❤⃛ this one is kugisaki

this one was fushiguro isn't it funny ( ▀ 益 ▀ )

From:

takumina

( he is actually laughing out loud. good job, yooj. )

This one is also Megumi: (=🝦 ༝ 🝦=)
Tell me I'm wrong.
You can't!

I feel like this is also Kugisaki ... (ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง
She's scary sometimes.

From:

eyescar

i can't, you're totally right!!

she is pretty scary... i miss her a lot

but look, i found another fushiguro: /ᐠ-ꞈ-ᐟ\

is this what your cat form looks like, gojo-sensei? ฅ •ع• ฅ

From:

takumina

Maybe she'll show up just to boss you around.
You never know~
Though I can't deny that I would like to be able to look after all of you again.

( hold that thought. )

I ... hm.
I'm not sure, you'll have to tell me when you see it.

From:

eyescar

[ He is NOT going to be the one to tell Gojo what might have happened to Kugisaki, so instead - ]

if she does you can take a picture of us for your phone background d(>_< )

when can i see?

From:

takumina

( he is just going to spend his entire time here not knowing a damn thing about what's going on back on. which is probably for the best, honestly. )

Now that would be pretty cute.
Do you think we'll have to strongarm Megumi into it?

Whenever you want, of course.

From:

eyescar

i'll ask him really nicely and maybe he'll do it!

do you wanna come over for dinner??

From:

takumina

He'd do anything for you, Yuji.
I don't think you're going to have a problem convincing him.

Hmmm ...
What's for dinner?

From:

eyescar

nah, no way, he tells me "no" a lot of the time

whatever you like! including dessert :)

From:

takumina

He's been telling me no for going on ten years.
You get used to it.
I think it's his love language.

You had me at dessert.

Actually, you had me at the notion of being invited at all, buuut I think suspense makes things more fun sometimes.

From:

eyescar

it's not that bad, i guess. he says yes when it's really important.

i'll let fushiguro and akira-kun know, then!

From:

takumina

What qualifies as really important?
For curiosity's sake.

Hold on, Akira?
The self-proclaimed devilman?

( do not ever tell him he didn't capitalize that correctly. )

So you all live together?
That must be a rowdy household.

From:

eyescar

like picking something for dinner, or deciding who's going to buy food

akira-kun is pretty cool, even if he does have that devil form. he hasn't been any trouble at all.

it's been nice. it feels like being back in the dorms.

From:

takumina

Those things are pretty important, I'll give you that.

I met him when I first woke up ...
I was still wearing the blindfold and he thought I was actually blind, and when he found out I wasn't ...
He might have thrown a little tantrum.
I think he's still mad about it.

But I'm glad you're getting comfortable here, even if none of us know how long we're going to be here in the first place.

From:

eyescar

that sounds like akira-kun... he's pretty cool, though.
he'll get over it once he realises you didn't really mean it.

are you happy here, gojo-sensei?

From:

takumina

You think so?
He seems like the type to hold a grudge ...
But I won't hold it against him, either way.
Far as I can tell, he's looking after you both, so I can't really complain, can I?

( that question has him pausing, just long enough to think about it seriously. )

I'm not unhappy.
What about you?

From:

eyescar

if he does then i'll talk to him for you, ok
he's been a really good friend, so it would be nice if you could get along

i guess i'm not unhappy either?
it's nice here
i even got a job

From:

mahoraga

If you don't mind, I would like to visit you today.

[ just come over meg please why are you so serious ]

From:

takumina

( REALLY, megumi ... why are you so serious. )

You know I never mind if you visit.
You don't have to ask, for the record.

From:

mahoraga

You might have something else to do during the day.

But, alright ... I'll be there soon.

[ They don't live too far away from each other, so a short while later, Gojo will hear a knock at his door. ]

From:

takumina

And since when do I not drop everything if you want my attention?

( which is not untrue, never has been, even if he sometimes has a funny ( read: obnoxious ) way of giving megumi his attention when he's in a particular kind of mood. still, the boy doesn't often seek out his attention these days, so when he does, he's not about to turn him down for anything in the known world.

he opens the door when the knock comes, lightly leaning against the doorframe and peeking over the rim of his glasses. )

And when are you gonna start listening to me when I say you don't have to knock? C'mon in.

From:

mahoraga

[ That last message is seen, and Megumi continues to process it as he walks the short distance to his mentor's home. When he thinks about it, it's not untrue, but he doesn't know what to do with that kind of knowledge. That someone with so many more important things to do would drop it all just because he calls out to them. It makes his heart sort of warm, but he still doesn't respond, leaving the guy on read. ]

You don't have to drop anything for me... [ He says quiet, awkwardly. They're still on that. Once inside, he reaches into his bag like he's going to take something out. ]

From:

takumina

( he's more than a little bit used to being left on read, so he doesn't even think about it; the truth of the matter is that he's never not going to give the boy his full attention when he wants it, when it's warranted, when-the-hell-ever because fushiguro megumi's attention is a precious thing, and anything ( or anyone ) that manages to keep it for longer than a handful of seconds deserves a little bit of recognition.

not that he's saying he deserves some recognition for megumi having reached out to him in the first place, but that's neither here nor there. )

I don't, no, but that isn't the point. ( he steps away from the door, closing it behind megumi once he's made his way inside. ) The point is that I do at all, and I don't do that for just anyone. ( roundabout way of saying his boy is special, yes, even if he's being a little shit about it.

he notices him reaching for his bag, but doesn't comment on it. there might be a surprise to be had, and he doesn't want to ruin it! )

From:

mahoraga

[ His teacher is trying to say that he's special, that he warrants the best of Gojo's attention whenever he asks for it. Megumi is smart enough to understand that, but it's still difficult for him to accept that he might be of significance to anyone. ]

I'll make sure to reach out to you when it's something worth your time then.

[ And it's just like Megumi to miss the point entirely, even if he understands the general meaning. Finally, he takes two modest boxes of chocolates out of his bag. The box itself is nothing special, but the chocolates inside look pristine enough to be store-bought, even if he made them. It's like he followed the recipe and the chef's instructions to the letter.

There's a note also. ]

To Gojo-sensei,

Thank you for taking care of Tsumiki and I, and teaching me everything that I know. I don't think I could repay this debt to you for as long as I live. Though this isn't much, please accept it.

Please live a long life. For my sake.

Also, don't eat all of this in one day.

- Megumi

[ Yeah, he doesn't know why he was compelled to write such a personal note, but it is what it is.

Glancing away, he pushes the two boxes in Gojo's direction. When he opens them, they will turn yellow, maroon and red. ]

From:

takumina

( megumi … honestly. when will you realize he loves you more than anyone else?

he realizes that the smaller gestures mean more when it comes to the one he's looked after for so many years, that something that could be seen as grandeur could simply be passed off as who gojo is as a person because he's always had a flair for the dramatic and he's not about to stop, but when it comes to the things that really matter … he'll only ever want to be perceived as genuine.

and so he only bows his head in quiet acknowledgment at what megumi gives over. it's more than enough for him.

but then he takes the boxes of chocolates in one hand, the note in the other, and it takes him a moment to read it.

he reads it over a couple of times, and maybe he won't understand what compelled him to write just a personal note, either, but he takes it for everything it is and reaches out and tugs at the younger's sleeve, like the other had so often in his younger years, asking for his attention.

he doesn't say anything about the note, not yet. )

You made these?

From:

mahoraga

[ That little tug is ... familiar. It does remind him of when he would do the same to the older man, when his clothes and sleeves was just about all he could reach. It looks like Gojo appreciates the gesture, and that's about all he wanted out of this endeavor. There's a step taken closer in response to the light tug. ]

Under the guidance of a chef, yes. [ He doesn't take credit if it's not warranted. ]

It's my first time making any sort of sweet, so I hope the taste is agreeable. [ He did try his own chocolates first to make sure they weren't horrible, but Megumi is not very fond of chocolate to begin with, so he's a poor gauge of quality and taste in this regard. ]

From:

takumina

( when he doesn't go against the tug, when he takes a step closer it's all the incentive gojo needs to pull him in the rest of the way, to wrap him in a hug the way he had when he was smaller and easier to do it to. if he fought him now, he might just give him a run for his money.

but. assuming he doesn't pull out of the embrace too soon, gojo is going to press a soft, brief kiss to his forehead beneath the fall of his bangs, something subtle enough that he should be able to pass it off as inconsequential if he wants.

but a part of him hopes he doesn't. )

I'm sure it tastes fine. ( and he means that. ) It's the thought that counts, don't you think?

From:

mahoraga

Hey -- [ Megumi does want to protest when he's scooped in by those long, gangling arms, but he barely gets a sword or shove out before it's too late, and he's encapsulated in the warmth and sweet, flowery scent of this man he's known for most of his life.

And then, the soft kiss against his forehead ... Oh, he's really blushing now, feeling overwhelmed from just that small gesture of affection. When he thinks about it, throughout his life, most of the affection he has received has been from this one man right here. He's always been supporting him, spending time with him when he really doesn't have to, when he should be busy with someone else because he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Why? Megumi never understood. The same way he doesn't understand why his teacher likes being close to him so much.

What he does understand ... is what he's missed, these past few months since that catastrophe in Shibuya. The stupid daily texts and emojis. The souvenirs and snacks. The special attention he keeps trying to push away. He lost all of that in one day, when he lost this man.

He misses him.

And that's why Megumi relaxes when he would usually tense up at close contact, allowing those arms to encircle him. His own touch is shy, but smaller hands creep up and grip onto that tall back, clutching the fabric in a needy way. There's something desperate in his touch, which should be Gojo's first clue that something is wrong - that there's something they just haven't told him. Megumi buries his face into the older man's chest, letting those memories of his childhood wash through him, and just basking this way -- because he can. Here, he can do this. When they return home? He doesn't know. ]

Quiet for a second ...

From:

takumina

( he's known for a while that something is wrong — that there's something they aren't telling him — but he hasn't pushed, hasn't pressed because it isn't his right to do so in the first place. he thinks that maybe, in time, megumi or yuji or both of them will finally come clean about what they're keeping from him, and until that time comes, he has to believe they're doing it for the right reasons.

they trust him, and in turn, he has to trust their reasoning. the method to their madness. so —

he only hums a low, quiet note in the back of his throat when the demand for quiet comes, turning to rest his cheek against the top of the other's head, the way soft, dark hair tickles his nose reminding him of how he used to coerce him into hugs when he was much younger, much smaller, and it was too damned easy to hold him like this.

that, at the very least, hasn't changed.

his hold tightens infinitesimally and one hand slips up to smooth over the back of his neck, through the ends of his hair in what he hopes comes across as a soothing gesture, something that means i'll always be here for you, if i have anything to say about it.

and for once in his damned life … he's quiet, and he stays that way. )

From:

shrove

[ there's a box of chocolates on satoru's side of the bed. they are a swirl of vivid orange, pink, purple, maroon and red.

also there is a note. ]

I made some chocolates for you because I wanted to, they turned out to be more colourful than I find myself comfortable with.

I hear they're based on feelings. Don't look them up.

Edited Date: 2023-02-14 01:20 pm (UTC)

From:

takumina

( he is absolutely not expecting to find a little box with a note on his side of the bed when he comes in, but when he does, the nostalgia hits him so hard in the very center of his chest that he nearly has to grab hold of something so he doesn't lose his balance.

it reminds him of when the other would leave him a sweet roll or some other snack cake sort of thing on his pillow ini his room when they were still at school. when they were still whole, even if things are beginning to feel like there isn't such a huge chasm between them anymore.

he picks up the note and the chocolates, and goes to find wherever suguru might be hiding himself away, if he's even doing such a thing, and when he does find him? a smile spreads across the line of his mouth as he folds his arms over his chest. )

If I said I didn't look up the meanings for myself, would you tell me what they are?

From:

shrove

[ and suguru is messing around in the kitchen! but he looks at the note that satoru's carrying like it betrayed him -- but oh, what the hell.

they can't do this. when satoru gets out of here, he should move on from him. and yet, suguru's selfish.

so he smiles. ]

Would you look it up if I said no?

From:

takumina

( it doesn't surprise him at all that he's in the kitchen, because he most often is when they're in the cottage at the same time, and so he closes some of the distance between them and leans against a nearby counter, placing the note in plain sight.

suguru smiles, and satoru smiles back because it's easy, but he answers with: ) Probably, but I would rather hear what they mean to you than what they're supposed to mean in a very general sense.

From:

shrove

[ satoru comes closer, and suguru is reminded of how he seems to be caught more easily in satoru's orbit. his smile fades, because being with him is so easy that wanting more seems natural. he shifts, becoming pensive. ]

It means I want what I shouldn't have, Satoru.

[ it means i love you. ]

From:

takumina

( the other's smile fades and satoru watches him closely, just in case he's about to overstep some invisible line that they have set and never spoken of — but he says it means i want what i shouldn't have and everything sort of clicks into place with a resounding chorus of duh so deafening that he thinks he'll be hearing it in his sleep for weeks to come.

still, he keeps his expression carefully neutral, almost teasing as he waves a dismissive hand. )

Don't we all want something we shouldn't have?

( he steps closer, chancing reaching out and tugging at the end of one of suguru's sleeves. ) I think want and shouldn't have are both up for speculation, anyway. It's all a matter of opinion. ( there's a pause, and he deliberately doesn't meet the other man's gaze. )

If there's something you want, you should take it. ( bold words, and perhaps precarious ones, considering suguru's past. but he's willing to take the risk of context in order to get his point across. )

From:

shrove

[ suguru's gaze goes right to where satoru's tugging at one of his sleeves, and a big, big part of him wonders if he knows what he's asking. suguru's already crossed that line, right? he's crossed that line with the chocolates.

satoru doesn't meet his eyes, and maybe, suguru supposes, he has an inkling. it's not every day that chocolates are put on his side of the bed, even if suguru has taken to storing candy in his sleeves in case the resident sugar-addicted sorcerer hits a low.

he should nip this in the bud now. close the chapter. he's already dead; there's no future for him, but for satoru...

suguru reaches out with his other hand, two fingers under the other man's chin to tip his face up gently, his expression searching. ]

Then why don't you tell me, what is it that you want but shouldn't have?

From:

takumina

( they shouldn't be doing this, they shouldn't have done a lot of things up to now but they've always been in the business of blurred lines, skewed boundaries, so. why stop now?

it isn't every day that someone spoils him like suguru has seen fit to try since they ended up with this little place all to themselves, as he had when they were younger because there had never been a shortage of sweets when he found himself in need of one, or of anything else he might have needed at any given moment and he'd never taken that sort of thing for granted, but …

missing it when it was gone, that had been another thing entirely, and there was more than grieving happening there when it did, but he's not about to bring that up now.

fingers under his chin bring his attention back up to where it should be, and he knows he could say what he wants but shouldn't have, but it's so much easier to take it and explain after the fact that he closes that minimal distance between them to press his lips to suguru's. firm, but soft, warm and sweet as the chocolates the other had left for him and he lingers when he meant for it to be brief, parting with the smallest nip to the other's bottom lip because sometimes … he can't help but to be a little shit about things. )

I prefer showing to telling. ( he quips, one corner of his mouth kicking upward. ) Like I need to tell you that.

From:

shrove

[ oh.

oh, well. okay. so. he didn't see that one coming. the gentlest press of those glossy, soft lips makes his heart stop, and suguru forgets to breathe.

suddenly, all of the memories, the brightest moments they had in the glory of their youth come rushing back to him -- all of the ways suguru had loved him even through their petty spats and fights, how satoru is the brightest star in the sky and how he would orbit around him, up until... well, until.

and here he is, bridging the distance that had yawned cavernously between them since forever ago, and suguru is, for a moment, too stunned to get his thoughts together. for the first time in forever, the normally-composed, eloquent, charismatic curse user looks back at him, wide-eyed (also, did he just nip him? that little shit -- )

intelligently, he says: ]

Wh --

[ again. oh, shit, suguru wants satoru to do it again. reeling, his mind only registers this: he'd kissed him. he'd -- the sight of satoru lingering will always be seared into his memories. this isn't part of the plan. romantically, he tries again: ]

... I always wondered if you used lip gloss.

From:

takumina

( he likes to think he was always able to keep the other on his toes when they were still in school together, and even though such a long stretch of time has come between them by now, he also likes to think some things just don't change. if he's able to consistently catch suguru off-guard —

well worth it, if you ask him. but nobody has yet, so we're just going to move right along.

he waits to see what sort of reaction he's going to get for his troubles, and suguru has always been the more eloquent one of the two of them, alongside being the more reserved and composed one, he can't help but to chuckle at the response he finally comes back with. )

Mm, it was strawberry-flavored when we were in school. ( is he lying just to be even more of a little shit? no, he isn't for once, but suguru doesn't know if he's bluffing or not.

maybe he will do it again, with the proper incentive … think about that, won't you? )

But then I started licking it off more often than not and it was pointless even putting it on. Sticking with the boring old unflavored stuff these days.

From:

shrove

[ you're still such a gremlin, satoru. what's he going to do with you? suguru licks the gloss off his own lips, and perhaps it's just like chasing the taste of him, just a little (a lot).

and ohhhh, you've got him thinking about the strawberry flavored gloss, and how, back in the day, suguru had been tempted to kiss him, too. funny how the memories come back all at once -- and funny how back then, satoru might have let him taste it. would he have? ]

I like strawberry.

[ he says absently; granted, it's not so much the actual flavor/fruit as it is the thing satoru's wearing, and before he can stop himself, he tugs him closer by the collar, pretending to look contemplative. ]

Is it really unflavored? You should let me taste it again.

From:

takumina

( oh, we don't know, what are you going to do with him? we're pretty sure he's never going to grow out of his gremlin tendencies entirely, especially since he's closing in on thirty and there's no end to them in sight.

but it is rather funny to think of those times now, when it would have been so much easier for them to give in to their impulses, to explore as teenagers, but they hadn't exactly had the testicular fortitude to follow through, had they? too concerned with ruining their friendship to do anything about what they wanted even more, and yet again, this comes around as their second chance.

assuming one or both of them doesn't muck it all up by being himself. that remains to be seen.

he allows himself to be pulled in, grinning into the space between them because he knows what he's doing. ) I should, hm? ( and he hums, of course, like he's giving it some actual thought. ) I guess I can make an allowance, just for you.

( even as he's closing that distance between them again, absolute goblin man that he is. kiss him just to shut him up, suguru. )

From:

shrove

[ and he definitely does kiss him to shut him up -- his eyes fluttering closed when the distance between them is sealed. the touch of his lips again is electric, and for a few moments, suguru allows himself to be overcome by want, by years and years of yearning and longing.

finally, everything in suguru sighs, and he deepens the kiss, pressing forward, tongue gently touching between satoru's impossibly lips to request access. suguru can't help himself now, passion awakening as the kiss draws on. it becomes more heated, and suguru's hand comes to rest on his waist, the other sliding warmly up the span of his back.

he grasps that second chance, shelving his apprehension to give in, to explore him like he's always wanted to as a teenager -- god, he tastes so good, how hadn't he done this sooner? ]

From:

takumina

( remember this tactic for the future, when you're in the middle of some sort of petty argument or another and you want to fight a little dirty; just pull him in for a kiss and don't give him room to argue, or fuss, or anything even though he won't, probably, because when it comes to things like this he much prefers to be a lover, not a fighter.

( finally. )

his lips part at the touch of the other's tongue, like he's been waiting for it, like he's been wanting it for longer than he'll ever deign to admit out loud, and he's always wondered what suguru would taste like, whether the sweetness from a dessert or bitterness from coffee would linger on his tongue enough for him to be able to take the taste of it for himself. tuck it away in some dark corner of his mind to bring up later, whenever he wants, just because he can.

satoru shifts, pressing flush against the other's chest now, one hand coming up to curl around the sided of his neck and staying there. an anchor, another point of contact, warm and solid and real and he sucks on his tongue just to gauge what sort of reaction he might get. whether it's too much or not enough, and some part of him is so giddy at the prospect of being allowed more that it should be embarrassing … but it's him, so it very much isn't. )

From:

shrove

[ suguru will totally, absolutely remember this tactic for the future, especially when he's caught up in one of the many arguments he will have with satoru and he will smooch the living daylights out of this insufferably beautiful man and have the last word.

is this what they call a win-win situation?

and speaking of lovers, not fighters... suguru is busy discovering an entirely new world of pleasure, of want, of delight and yearning and the wonder that is kissing gojo satoru right now. that little suck on his tongue surprises a moan out of him, and shit, shit, he likes it. he does, and he presses back to do the same to him, to capture his tongue and suckle on it, only -- well, he nips it so gently, too, just to tease him. ]

Mmm --

[ who knew kissing is such an experience? who knew this could be so exhilarating? he's shifting flush to him, enjoying being held. ] ... we can just keep kissing. All day.

From:

takumina

( at least you know — probably — that any future arguments are going to be as ridiculous and ( maybe ) petty as they come, and when it comes to things that shouldn't be taken too seriously, smooching him to shut his damned mouth is a perfectly rational choice of action. use your new power wisely, suguru. don't let it all go to your head.

( yes, this is what you would definitely, one hundred percent call a win-win situation. he stops talking, and you both get smooches! who isn't going to end up winning? )

he really, really likes the sound he gets out of him for his trouble, mind beginning to wander with all the things they still don't know about each other; where to touch, where to taste, what makes suguru feel good and just wait until they both come to the conclusion that they could have had this much, much sooner. if they hadn't been so goddamned stupid.

he's about to try a nip of his own when the other man beats him to it, and even if it is teasing, it's nothing short of enough to send a delightful little shiver down the very center of his spine, and the fingers curled around the side of his neck slip to sift through the long ends of his hair. just for the sake of being able to feel its silkiness against the pads of his fingers.

he hums as though he's giving it some real thought. ) I don't see any reason why we can't … but if that's what you want. ( he pauses, lets the silence stretch a little longer than it needs to. ) But don't you want to be more comfortable?

( come curl up with him, yeah? )

From:

shrove

[ definitely a win-win situation when you put it that way. suguru's already letting it get to his head -- he feels like a damn teenager again, excited and nervous and full of anticipation when presented with the boy he loves. and yes, even if he doesn't realise it yet, it's love, it's their first blush of springtime coming around again.

although his mind is more focused on the softness of his lips, the taste of him, the way satoru holds and touches him and how that little nip makes satoru shiver and now suguru wants to do that again. what else can he touch and kiss that'll make him do that again? he's leaning into the touch, realising he really likes when satoru plays with his hair, and he makes a small noise at the question, trying to chase his mouth again. ]

But we only have a --

[ bed. right. bed, that's what satoru means. to curl up together and keep kissing, and maybe explore -- and of course, suguru makes that executive decision, taking his hand firmly in his and nudging him back only to lead him back to bed.

a gentle tug and a push, and he's climbing back in after satoru, his heart pounding with excitement. instead of stopping at his side of the bed, suguru is about to cage satoru down on his, with his limbs. ]

Yes, I think I'm more comfortable now.

[ he smiles, tucking his hair back as it spills down his shoulders, pooling on one side of satoru. ]

Are you?

From:

takumina

( imagine, for the smallest moment, that they hadn't been completely oblivious when they were younger and could have had this when they were teenagers; when they were both young and unruined by the world around them, when they didn't have the kind of history between them that they do now, when everything was still innocent and beautiful.

it might have changed everything between them, but then it might have changed nothing, and he's not going to let himself think about that now, not when it's easy enough to go along with the other man's push and pull to lead him back to the bedroom.

he stretches out on his side, just short of reaching for suguru even as he's crawling in after him, not wanting there to be any distance at all between them and there isn't, not much at all when he finds himself caged in by those long, long limbs, and his own heart knocks against the cage of his ribs like it might just burst out of his chest entirely.

fingers sift through the ends of dark hair, and he hums a soft note of approval. ) Mhm. C'mere— ( and then he's boldly curling a hand around the back of suguru's neck, pulling him down to meet his lips with a kiss that is much, much less tentative than the previous ones had been. )

From:

shrove

[ SO ANYWAY there's a fuzzy fox hanging out where suguru used to be! all sleek black fur and bushy tail. he's sniffing around the house for gojo! ]

From:

takumina

( and he's not about to find him — at least, not in his human form, which should honestly make him a whole hell of a lot easier to sniff out.

gojo is in a mood; that is to say, he's in a mood to play and more often than not when such a particular mood strikes he ends up slinking around in leopard form, on silent feet and with his tail lazily swishing back and forth behind him, and this time, when he comes up on the other's enormous fluffy tail, he does what any sensible man-in-a-leopard's-body would do.

he chomps down on it and runs in the opposite direction with a playful chirp.

playtime, suguru! )

From:

shrove

[ suguru yelps when his tail is chomped from behind suddenly! it's not enough to hurt, but it's enough to startle. but he recognises that playful chirp anywhere, and he spins around with a squeal, loping after him excitedly.

playtime! he's going to nip at your tail now, satoru! ]

From:

takumina

( he would never hurt him on purpose! like … this … anyway. but! suguru should more than know by now that when he's in a mood to play he doesn't do anything by halves, and he's not about to stop anytime soon. especially not like this.

the yelp makes him chirp in response, and he swishes his own tail in an open invitation to return that chomp — if you can manage it! he's bounding ahead with that long, lean body, possibly ultimately flopping over onto his back and giving a gentle swat in the other's direction. without claws, of course.

come and get him, suguru~ )

From:

shrove

[ he's going to get him!

the fox in him is absolutely excited to play, and there's a series of yips as he bounds over to him, before he leaps high into the air --

-- only to land on him, paws on either side to cage him down and liiiiiiicklicklicklick anywhere he can reach, that chest, that face, everywhere!!!

he flomps directly onto him, all fur and fluff and happiness, squealing with affection.

you're caught now!! ]

From:

takumina

( you see, here's the thing about leopards — they're very handsy, they use their paws to play more often than they don't and when suguru jumps up to plop down on him, between one heartbeat and the next he's gotten him wrapped up in an effective bear hug ( kitty hug! ) and then he's rolling them over to reverse their positions. even if all that affection already has him purring incredibly loudly.

( you're embarrassing, sir. )

he nips at the air between them, then full-on headbuttnuzzles underneath his chin with a very loud, very affectionate trill.

this is probably going to go on forever, isn't it? fine with him! )

From:

shrove

[ and speaking of embarrassing, it's not like suguru is faring any better! he's making a series of sounds that sound like hysterical yip-laughter as he wiggles under satoru, pinned down under his paw and headbuttnuzzled!

he loves that trill, his yip-laughter more pronounced in turn to express his delight with him. he's bumping his head against his, tail swishing excitedly against satoru's. he nips right back, gently nipping at his neck, licking along the fur too, to soothe! it's not a hard nip, just enough so that he gets to lick his WHOOOOOOLE FACE.

his little fox paws scrabble fondly over the snow leopard's ears absently as he snuggles, making more of those sounds, louder now! ]

From:

takumina

( lord have mercy on a multigrain cracker, are we forgetting that these are two whole ass grown men frolicking, playing in their new animal forms? and actually, dare we say —

forgetting, for just a second, the lives they'd come from before, and everything attached to them?

it's almost like they're teenagers again, back in school with everything ahead of them in their future, and only worrying about being the strongest together.

this is, of course, a thought that meanders its way to the forefront of his mind and catches him off-guard, and he ends up pressing full-body into suguru's attention; the affectionate licks, the pawing at his ears, the way it feels like he's holding him even like this, and for the span of half of a heartbeat, it's almost too much.

… until he hops up with one last nip and puts some distance between them, chirping again to incite further chasing. come get him, you affectionate goober! )

From:

shrove

[ did satoru just -- that split second of having him press up against him with all of his furry self sends sparks up his brain, together with the wrenching, quiet realisation: he gave this up.

he gave up all of this. the heat and warmth of satoru, his eyes on his. that affection. that potential that this could and would go to places that he had once dreamed of. this feels real; it's easier to give things up when they're only a concept, a potential you can't allow yourself to have.

too much, indeed. too much.

sugufox rises when his fluffy friend pops off, dazed and stupidly enamoured but also --

-- heh.

sugufox chases after him! but then he trips and tumbles head over paws, making a show of it before making distressed, high pitched little whines.

he's hurt! come back! ]

From:

takumina

( they're not going to think about that now; not the things that had been given up, not the things that had been left behind and ultimately lost, because while he never would have thought it possible for them to have a second chance, it seems like they're getting it here, and he's getting closer and closer to believing that they really deserve it.

( i missed you so much. )

he's keeping an eye on him even as he's keeping careful distance, because it wouldn't be playing otherwise — and he sees him tumble ass over teacup, sure, but you know the saying 'you can't bullshit a bullshitter'?

he knows you're putting on a show, sir. but he does circle back around, low to the ground in what might appear a hunting sort of stance, but that's not quite it.

not entirely. there's minimal distance between them when he pounces again, landing full-body against him and sprawling, the whole of his weight bearing down on the other's smaller fox body, and he presses a large paw against the side of his narrow foxface.

you're fine, stop being so dramatic~ )

From:

shrove

[ oof! ok, so that wasn't what sugufox was expecting. he was expecting an innocent snow leopard wandering into his trap and then getting pounced.

he makes laugh-yipping sounds when he's bested, squirming to lick the paw that's on his face, before deciding to open his mouth and gently nibble just because he can. satoru's weight on him is a welcome one, and he can't help an affectionate trill, animal instincts melding with his own human ones. i've missed you, too.

he presses up against him boldly, squarely, licking his face now, because he's tired of skirting around this new boundary and make if he's an animal he can take some liberties and pretend the fox in him made him to it. but then -- oh.

well, snow leopard satoru, you have a very naked suguru underneath you, an arm draped around.

sooooooo that's awkward -- ]

From:

takumina

( he's always been the first to call the other's bluff, they've known one another for so long and so well that there could be no other way about it, and if you think for a second that he would fall for that trap of yours, you've forgotten just who're you're dealing with, haven't you?

satoru gives another pleased little chirp that sticks in the back of his throat when the other licks his face, something in him swelling with warmth and something else entirely as he presses into it, nuzzles into him and it's the very same thing that had happened with megumi before, he forgets himself, and instead of letting his guard down enough to not focus well enough to keep his leopard form —

suddenly having a very human, very naked suguru beneath his weight startles him so much that he reverts back to his own human form, the both of them naked as they day they were born and pressed so close, skin to skin and he swears he can feel the other's heart beating alongside his, and to say that his eyes go wide and bright with all kinds of shock and awe and … something else, something more, still, would be putting it mildly.

one of suguru's thighs is nestled between his own like this, chest to chest and nose to nose as they are, and he swallows thickly, speechless for the first time in a very long time.

really hoping y'all don't have any neighbors close by right about now. )

From:

shrove

[ ...ok so he's never actually seen satoru completely naked full-on; they've taken quick showers and done public baths from time to time, but it's not like he can actually be straight up open about ogling his bits, right? and it's not like they're usually in a position like this.

at definitely not in the past ten or so years in their... uh, estrangement. so this is really, really new, especially with those dangly bits barely an inch from his own dangly bits, and suddenly all the things they've tentatively been doing fully-clothed together comes flooding back to him.

and god, god, he loves the warmth of his skin, he loves how he looks like this up close, and his heart is roaring in his ears because all of that forcibly repressed teenage libido comes back with a vengeance, and satoru is so beautiful and so naked and suguru's brain completely shorts out.

...shit.

he really, really fucking wants him.

but they're out in the open and they have neighbours and they're really naked and satoru feels so good and suguru has gone without all his life and --

-- so suguru does the only thing his brain wants him to do: he grips his chin, pulls him forward, closes his eyes and kisses him fiercely. the neighbours can look at satoru's bare ass shining in the sun. whatever. ]

From:

takumina

( neither of them have been in a position like this before, so naked and so close, and maybe he'd thought to sneak a peak every now and again when they were younger, when things were simple, but they had never had the chance to follow through with anything, and that means … well.

repressed is one way of putting it, that's for sure.

every point of contact is one that seems to set his skin on fire as close as they are, every kiss they've shared up to now slipping up to the forefront of his mind and he remembers how it felt, every single time to have those lips against his own, to be welcomed even after all he'd done, everything they'd lost together in the idiocy of their youth.

and he wants it. he wants all of it, the things they'd missed out on on top of the things they're building toward now; he presses forward into that kiss even without the other drawing him into it, lips against lips and his tongue already seeking to taste him, licking into his mouth with a small noise that catches in the back of his throat as he lets gravity pull the weight of his body downward. not quite resting flush against the body beneath his own, but close enough that there could be a fair amount of friction should either of them choose to move, and for the moment —

for the moment he doesn't care if there are any neighbors around to see his bare ass. he just wants to kiss him, and feel him. )

From:

shrove

[ repressed is definitely the way to put it. the past many years has never accorded suguru the opportunity to act on it (or the interest, because to him there only really is that one person, and he'd spent that decade believing that satoru hated him, and rightfully so).

and so now, when he's extremely aware of the heat and smoothness of satoru's skin, the warmth of his body, the way he feels against him, his heart is nearly pounding out of his chest, overwhelming him with more than a decade's worth of impulse and a libido that rears its ugly, repressed head.

and speaking of rearing -- and speaking of biological impulses, he's absolutely sure that he's getting hard, and unlike girls, arousals are real obvious. it's not like the times he wakes up with morning wood while satoru is still asleep, and he still gets a couple of minutes to discreetly get that sorted.

no, this is different. this is satoru above him, intoxicating, beautiful, kissing him, and he's damn near losing his mind like a goddamn teenager. he doesn't think before he moves, his half-hard cock rubbing up against satoru's, and the sound he makes at the spike of pleasure is helpless, overwhelmed, so thick with longing.

his tongue is twining with satoru's shamelessly, before he's pulling him in and suckling on it with another wrecked moan, unable to stop himself. shit. shit, oh, shit. satoru is all he feels, all he thinks about, all he wants, but they're out in the open --

and his hand, traitorous, reaches between them to brush fingers over satoru's cock tentatively. is he -- is he hard too? because it's going to be so embarrassing if suguru's the only one horny as hell. ]

Mmmmh --

From:

takumina

( he's thought it before and he'll undoubtedly think it again — even with everything they've been through, even with everything the other man had done in the ten years they were separated, all the way up to the very end, he could never hate him. maybe it's that vulnerable spot he has for him, that weak spot that will always have him thinking of his closest friend, his once closest ally, and now that they're getting their second chance to not fuck things up all over again.

it's laughable, really. to think he could have hated him for anything.

the way suguru moves beneath him, the subtle shift of his body that finds their lengths subtly brushing against one another has him biting back an embarrassing sound, one that catches right behind his teeth and sounds almost as a whine, and most certainly would have, had he let it betray him in the first place. he's never quite been the responsible one in any situation, but one of them is going to need to be the voice of reason and either make this stop or go inside in order to continue, and while he knows which one he would prefer …

that still means getting back inside and away from any prying eyes first.

his tongue is in suguru's mouth, curling around his own and when the other sucks he really can't help the sound that comes out of him then, a tortured sort of moan that, paired with the brush of fingers over the length of his cock ( yes, god, he's already getting hard ) he can't help but to roll his hips downward absolutely shamelessly, one hand slipping up to curl around the side of his neck while its twin snakes down between their bodies to join suguru's own, taking both of them into their twined fingers and stroking experimentally.

the whole thing is shameless. and desperate. and everything they might have had a chance to explore if the world hadn't fallen apart. ) Suguru— we should—

( his thoughts are half-formed at best, and he can't stop kissing him, can't stop touching him, even with the thought that they could be stumbled upon without a moment's notice. how often does yuji stop by unannounced? )

Inside. ( ah, to hell with full sentences. they're overrated, anyway. )

From:

shrove

[ inside?

the beauty of full sentences, satoru, is that you get to provide clarity, and not make a horny virgin even more horny, because that single word sends him spiraling.

inside him? yes, definitely, inside him. he might not have cashed in his v card yet, but he's aware of how it works -- porn sites and books exist. although to be fair, watching/reading about it and doing it are two very, very different things. ]

Mmmm -- [ he manages greedily between kisses, groaning when he feels satoru's large, warm hand come to grip their dicks and hold them together and the velvety friction is going to make him come embarrassingly fast if he doesn't at least get a goddamn grip on himself --

-- he's stroking both their dicks together with him, and the pleasure is so intense it almost makes his eyes roll into the back of his head, any possible thought he'd have sliding from his brain like hot butter.

no thoughts, only kissing satoru. touching dicks with satoru, and a hand comes down to squeeze a plump, firm buttcheek and who knew satoru has quite the ass? those uniforms hide so much, husband. the friendship ring he wears rubs up against his ass, and he blurts out, completely misunderstanding -- ]

-- yes, yes, inside you --

[ but shit, they don't have lube, and despite suguru's newfound desperation, he pauses in between hungry kisses and gropings, lust-addled teenage brain belatedly registering where they are and what they're doing.

buck naked. in the open. it's a wonder they haven't been arrested for public indecency yet.

but listen, his dick feels really good and satoru feels really, really good and he really wants to keep kissing him and never stop and oh, look, he's dropping kisses to nip and lick at those gorgeous collarbones -- ]

...Mhhh... now's a really good time to make a veil, isn't it?

[ okay, okay, they have to move... ]

From:

nailed_you

[Someone managed to figure out how to get a small box of chocolates to where he's staying. How? Nobara's not going to give up her secrets. ~~She probably bullied one of her classmates for the information.~~

The wrapping on the box turns maroon when he picks it up. The note on the top simply says:

Thank you for everything.

Kugisaki]

From:

mahoraga

Sensei.

Could you please send a picture of the chocolate boxes I gave you yesterday?

[ chocolate check! ]

From:

takumina

( WOW YOU TRUST HIM THIS LITTLE?

no, you're right to.

he sends a picture of one box, unopened. where is the other one? has he already devoured it?

... just kidding, he sends another picture seconds after with both boxes, one of them has been opened, but there's only one chocolate missing. )

Making sure I don't eat them all in one sitting~?

From:

mahoraga

This is a surprising amount of restraint ...

[ The trust he does not have. ]

From:

takumina

( he weeps ... for the trust you do not have ...

but no one blames you. )

You gave them to me, so I'm rationing them.
They're special.

From:

mahoraga

You think so ...

[ this is making him blush, you stop that. ]

Don't force yourself. I could easily make more.

[ says the guy actively stopping gojo from being a glutton ]

From:

takumina

( he will do no such thing. you're very cute when you blush. )

I do think so!
But I can't have you making more just to appease my sweet tooth.
These are more than enough.
Thank you again for them.

From:

mahoraga

It wasn't difficult. It's good that they don't taste bad.

Anyway, it's the least I can do, since you used to pay for all our groceries back then.

[ And spoiling him with good food that he otherwise could not afford. All of the luxuries in life he's experienced are a direct result of Gojo spoiling him. It was to the point Megumi even started to become picky. ]

From:

takumina

( he'll keep spoiling you if you let him. and maybe even if you don't; the fact remains that he likes doing things for his boy, making sure he knows he's loved and appreciated, even if it ends up making him picky ... )

The least you can do is nothing.
So.
Don't ever think you have to repay me for all I did for you and Tsumiki over the years.
Please.
It was my pleasure to do it.

From:

mahoraga

It's not about repayment...

[ He wants to ... show his appreciation? Make his teacher happy? He can't express this. ]

I'm not good at this.

From:

takumina

( you make him happy just by existing. gay as that sounds, it's the truth. )

Expressing your emotions?
You always were a little bit emotionally constipated.

( DON'T RUIN THE MOMENT YOU ABSOLUTE FUCKWAD. )

My life wouldn't be the same without you in it, you know.

From:

mahoraga

[ Look, he can't deny the facts. But he's not interested in changing. ]

Am I really that important?

From:

takumina

( he wouldn't have him any other way, honestly. )

You are to me.

From:

eyescar

[ A little dog comes and drops off some chocolates for Gojo! The colours? A mixture of blue, yellow, maroon, all swimming together.

It's actually a little ugly.

The chocolates themselves are decorated with little cats. ]

From:

shrove

Satoru, I found some interesting little trinkets at the marketplace that you might like.

Are you at home?

From:

takumina

You did, huh?
I'm home~

( because of course he would use tildes in text ... good lord. )

From:

shrove

[ satoru why

but also not surprising!!!!! ]

Wait for me, I'm reaching soon.

Did you finish the cupcakes I left for you?

From:

takumina

( legitimately, sir, are you even surprised! at all! because you should not be! )

Is that a trick question?
If it were Megumi asking, it would be a trick question ...

( doing a chocolate check the day after he'd given him those two boxes ... his child really is something. )

From:

shrove

[ you're abusing tildes!! but anyway suguru doesn't answer that in text. just in person. he's back, looking quite pleased with himself, and he has a little paper bag with him.

it looks too small to be candy. ]

I see Megumi has been parenting you when it comes to sugar.

You left me one, right?

From:

takumina

( it isn't abusing them if it's his default setting! you know better!

he glances at the bag curiously when the other finally comes back, but he doesn't say anything right away. he figures he'll find out what's inside soon enough.

he does offer up a pout for the question, though, folding his arms over his chest. )

Of course I left you one. I do have some restraint, you know. ( just. not very much. )

From:

shrove

[ that's true it's his bad, he's sorry, husband :(

suguru only smiles wider at that pout before he goes to get that one. single. cupcake that's still sitting, unmolested, in the box. he lifts it up, eyeing satoru and setting his little bag aside.

it's a pretty bag, a small drawstring that hints at precious baubles within -- it clinks when it rests on the table. ]

Are you sure I can have all of it?

From:

takumina

( just don't forget in the future when you accuse him ( probably ) yet again of tilde abuse.

his curiosity piques when he hears the little clink of the contents of the bag, momentarily forgetting about the cupcake entirely, because what have you gone and brought back with you, wife? you've been full of surprises since you found each other here, and he can't say they haven't all been pleasant.

he huffs out an exaggerated sound, one side of his mouth kicking upward at the very corner. ) If you don't just go ahead and eat it, I'll make the decision for you. ( meaning that he will, in fact, take it back and swallow it whole. probably.

he's quiet for a second, and then he gestures to the bag. ) What did you bring back this time? Looks too small to be from the bakery.

From:

shrove

[ he will definitely do it again!! but then maybe he'll kiss it better ♥

but he can practically see the wheels in your head turning, husband. he's unable to keep a smile from tugging at his mouth -- aren't you such a curious one! but suguru, ever the kind and generous wife (not), divides the cupcake into half. he takes the one, and gently pushes the other half to him.

he knows how big of a sweet tooth you have, and he won't deny you just about anything.

it takes him a moment to open the bag, to reveal two beautiful matching silver rings. ]

I found this at a stall selling enchanted baubles. The rings glow whenever they're in proximity to each other, once they're activated.

[ he studies him carefully, wondering if he'll take to it. ] I thought it would be useful for us, just in case I need to find you. Or the other way around.

Edited Date: 2023-03-29 08:04 am (UTC)

From:

eyescar

[ For a little while, there's just a weird silence, but Yuji has definitely called him...?

Then there's a quiet, sad voice, clearly talking through what has to be... Tears? ]

Gojo-sensei...?

From:

takumina

( he waits, because he's learned to be patient with a certain few of his students over the years, but yuji ...

they're kind of two peas in the same pod, so when there's a stretch of silence? he knows something isn't right. )

Yuji? Are you okay?

From:

eyescar

[ He’s doing his best not to be sniffly, but… ]

Yeah, it’s… Fushiguro’s asleep? I had to stab him?

From:

takumina

( oh. baby. it's okay to be sniffly! )

He turned, didn't he?

( the damned blood moon ... all of that chaos hadn't ended as quickly as he would have liked, but at least he knows what's going on. )

It's okay. He's going to be okay.

He just needs to sleep it off, that's all.

( never mind that his instincts have him wanting to fuss over the both of them until they can't stand him, but. the kids gotta grow up sometime, don't they?

we'll see how long that thought process lasts. )

From:

eyescar

... Yeah.

[ This, to Yuji, is one of the worst things that could've happened. The idea of having to be the one to essentially "put down" Fushiguro makes him feel sick, and even now, sitting at his bedside, he thinks he ought to be somewhere else, as if Fushiguro is going to wake up and hate him for what he did.

He wants to cry even harder.

Curling up a little in his chair, despite how awkward and uncomfortable it is, he tries to keep talking.

He doesn't really want Gojo-sensei to worry about him but he doesn't know what else to do. ]

What if it isn't over? He could turn again, or he could still...

[ Be like that. ]

From:

takumina

( he might have done his fair share of putting down the wolves, himself — and none of it had been easy, because it hadn't been anyone's fault — but at the very least, on his end, no one he'd known personally had met the business end of one of his arrows.

even knowing that megumi is going to be okay ( he has to be, he's been told ), it takes everything in him not to worry alongside yuji. what the boy needs is an anchor, someone to help hold him up when he would otherwise prefer to fold in on himself and his worry.

what an awful sensei he'd be, if he let that happen.

he tries to make himself comfortable, or at the very least, make it sound like there isn't so much tension in his voice.so much worry for them both. )

We won't know for sure if it's ever going to be over, will we? ( he tries to keep his tone light. almost nonchalant. ) Maybe not until the next blood moon, at least … but there's no use in worrying yourself now when it's not going to happen again anytime soon, don't you think?

He has you looking after him. I think that means he's going to be just fine when he wakes up.

From:

eyescar

[ This is strange for Yuji, who is so used to keeping these things to himself; he bottles it up because it doesn't feel right sharing it with people. But with Gojo-sensei being here... It feels a little easier, somehow, like he can trust himself to do it, just like he can trust Gojo.

He's quiet, his voice low - clearly he is still in the room with Fushiguro, not wanting to wake him too soon. ]

Do you think these will happen regularly? I'll have to find something to keep him safe...

[ Yuji sighs. ]

Do you think I need to worry about food, or water?

From:

takumina

( for all he messes around and acts like a complete goofball, he does care about his students and their well-being very, very much. to the point that he would go above and beyond to make sure they were comfortable. healthy. that they are, bottom line, properly cared for.

megumi is so very lucky to have this precious boy worrying after him as much as he does. he hopes they both stop being stupid at some point in the future and realize they're more than just best friends. )

I don't know, but I think ... since it seems things have calmed down for a minute, you might be all right for a little while. At least until he wakes up.

( he's quiet for a moment, himself. ) I'm not sure, but ... is there anything I can do to help? Either of you? You have to sleep sometime yourself, you know.

From:

eyescar

I don't know. I haven't stopped to eat or anything just yet and I don't think I can sleep.

[ He's too hyped up on adrenaline and fear to think about going to sleep, and he shifts a little anxiously. ]

... Gojo-sensei, what if he doesn't wake up and it's my fault?

From:

takumina

You need to eat, Yuji. You're not going to be much help to him if you end up passing out, yeah?

( he's still trying to keep his tone light, because even though he's well aware of the severity of the situation, he doesn't want to upset him more than he already is. )

He's going to wake up, I don't want you thinking about that. At all, got it? None of this is your fault. ( he pauses, trying to keep his composure for the other's sake, but anything happening to his kids that he can't do anything about doesn't sit well with him. never has, never will. )

He's going to wake up.

From:

eyescar

I'll eat something. You have my word, Gojo-sensei.

[ It's not as if it's something that's consciously in his mind, all things considered. The idea of eating makes him feel queasy, but...

Leaning back in his chair, he slumps a little. ]

Okay. I believe you.

From:

takumina

( stress and anxiety aren't very often kind to the stomach, he knows that well enough for himself, but he has to fuss over the one that fusses over literally everyone else all the time, doesn't he?

and he hates that there isn't much he can do expect wait with him, whether in spirit or in person, if he wanted it. )

Are you sure you don't want me to come by?

From:

eyescar

[ Yuji is quiet for a moment - he's leaning over to adjust Megumi's blanket and settle him down a touch - before he settles back in his chair. ]

I... I don't want to bother you, sensei.

From:

revolts

heeeeeeeeeeey satoru

you got a second?

got a question for you

teensy little one

From:

takumina

Nothing with you is ever teensy, just so you know.

What is it?

From:

revolts

why the FUCK does megumi not know I'm dead

From:

takumina

( ah fuck.

sorry toji you're gonna be left on read for a few minutes while he sets his phone down and stares at it like it just insulted his entire family and put dishonor on his cow. )

There are a LOT of Megumis in the world.
Do all of them need to know if you're alive or dead?

From:

revolts

[ he's been avoiding calling megumi his son to you out of partial awkwardness and partial acknowledgement satoru you bitch. he's sure the one thing we can all agree on is that that's more gojo's kid than his, but there's no faster way to slap down satoru's bullshit du jour so here we all are. ]

my son.

From:

takumina

( there is a part of him that understands this, both sides, but at the end of it all, regardless of whether or not he'd been the one to effectively raise him.

he's your son. though if you want to start a co-parenting thing, he might be all ears. )

That one.

I tried to tell him.

From:

revolts

apparently not that hard. fuck.

[ he gets it though, he's proud of you for at least not pressing it when megumi wasn't interesting in hearing, but also, the last ten years????? what is going on with that kid besides not enough therapy. ]

well I tipped him off by accident. because I didn't think he wouldn't know. FUCK.

From:

takumina

He didn't want to know, Toji.
I wasn't about to press anything.

( thanks for being proud, at least, though?

there is a lot going on with that child besides a lack of therapy. how much time do you have? )

...
....
.....
......

( yes, he is doing the excessive ellipses on purpose. )

How do you do that BY ACCIDENT?

From:

revolts

[ he's having a crisis here man and he really needs you to get on board. ]

I THOUGHT HE KNEW

From:

takumina

I should have told you that I never managed to tell him.

I'm sorry.

From:

revolts

[ being apologized to is WEIRD and he doesn't like it. especially since it doesn't feel like gojo is being sassy with him. ]

god dammit. what are we supposed to tell him now I just stopped responding but what if he starts asking questions

From:

takumina

( nope, he's being entirely genuine. get used to it.

maybe if it keeps happening, it will. )

Do you really think he's going to?

From:

revolts

[ we've moved on to sheer dad panic. ]

I don't know, fuck. I'm not good at gauging this kid's sheer capacity for denial. are you??

From:

takumina

( oh no. don't worry, he's got you.

as much as he can, anyway. )

His capacity for denial is astounding, honestly.
So ... maybe he won't.
But then he could throw us for a loop.
He's been known to do that.

From:

revolts

are you going somewhere with this because all you've said is 'could be anything'.

From:

takumina

It could be anything.

( he's not doing this on purpose.

their boy is just that much of a variable. )

From:

revolts

[ ARE YOU FUCKING SURE YOU'RE NOT DOING THIS ON PURPOSE, GOJO SATORU. because toji's blood pressure is so high right now he can physically feel all the veins in his head. ]

thanks that helps.

fuck.

look, I don't care where on this you fall or what you were gonna tell him.

I don't want him to know it was you.

From:

takumina

( don't pop a blood vessel, sir. it's not cute.

but he's going to go quiet for a second, the tone of the conversation sobering up instantly. )

Do you think he would hate me if he did?

Edited (don't mind me changing shit a week later you saw nothing) Date: 2023-03-27 04:51 pm (UTC)

From:

revolts

don't ask me to know the first thing about the kid. you raised him. I was just around for a minute.

I think it'd complicate things for him either way. he doesn't need any more of that.

From:

shrove

[ so, this is becoming quite a regular arrangement -- sleeping together at night, starting from separate ends of the bed and slowly meeting in the center, and eventually curling up into each other for the rest of the night.

suguru is growing accustomed to having satoru asleep in his arms, and his face is buried in fluffy hair, their arms and limbs tangled. satoru is usually a still and quiet sleeper -- a far cry from what he's like when he's awake. but then he feels the movements, satoru's restlessness drawing him out of deep, deep sleep. ]

Mmmmph.

From:

takumina

( he likes their new arrangement. he likes the feeling of being able to feel the other close to him, perhaps especially when he's asleep and at his most vulnerable with his continued lack of cursed energy. it's a comforting thing, to have suguru right there next to him, present and tangible if he should reach out for him —

the nightmares come to him out of nowhere, unbidden, unwanted as they dredge up all the things he would have preferred to leave in his past. whether it had only been the year before, or ten years before when the other had taken his leave in the first place, it doesn't really make much of a difference when it all comes back around to effectively slap you right across the mouth.

the least you could do is hit me with some curses.

he starts awake with a shuddered breath, not even realizing that he's clinging to the other man until his fingers begin to ache with how tightly he's holding onto him and he loosens his grip almost immediately, embarrassed and apologetic in equal measure as he presses his forehead to the very center of suguru's chest.

just. breathing. )

I'm sorry, did I wake you?

From:

shrove

[ he's gripping him tightly, suguru sleepily registers, coming awake in slow stages as awareness seeps in. the heat and shape of his body, the way he starts awake, the hitch of satoru's breath.

something's wrong, satoru doesn't normally burrow like this, nor does he hold him bruisingly tight -- and as his brain fuzzily puts the pieces together, he rubs his back, quietly concerned.

this is an aberration; satoru's not usually like this. his hand coming up to tangle in his soft, soft white hair, he keeps him cradled, quietly waking. there's nothing in their immediate area that's a threat -- suguru has become more vigilant with satoru's absence of infinity, fiercely protective (even if he will never admit it) and ready to strike back at a moment's notice.

but this time, it seems the enemy is his mind. ]

It's all right. What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?

From:

takumina

( he isn't normally like this, no, and he would genuinely prefer if his past stayed precisely that instead of invading what would have otherwise been peaceful sleep. it's over, it's done, it had been done and they'd found themselves here, their effective chance to realize everything they'd missed out on when they were younger —

and here come the nightmares, ready to snatch it all away from him again like he'd never been meant to have it in the first place.

satoru inhales deeply, drops his head to rest his cheek against the other man's chest now, counts the number of his heartbeats and the spaces between them, one, two, three, four. and only when he thinks he can keep his voice from shaking does he finally respond. )

I'm not sure you could call it just that. ( he sighs, voice barely a murmur, muffled as it is with how he's pressed his face against him. ) Short answer, though … yes.

From:

shrove

[ the short answer is yes, huh. it's not often that something like this will rattle him so, and suguru is quietly thoughtful, stroking his hair to soothe him. he can feel how he's pressing his cheek to his chest -- to listen to his heartbeat, perhaps. if he's using that to soothe himself, and holding him tightly earlier, then suguru might have a suspicion as to what it might be.

probably? he's not sure.

but the important thing is that he's comforted. the chasm between them had once been too wide to be breached, and satoru had ultimately killed him for the sake of the future. he understands it -- after all, satoru killing him isn't a pointless exercise, but the emotional fallout of it is something he can't quite imagine.

and he imagines satoru hasn't had much in the way of processing that particular grief since he'd died. he gives satoru a few moments before he shifts to grasp his chin with one hand, urging him to look up at him. ]

...do you want to talk about it? You don't look all right.

From:

takumina

( he prefers to consider himself largely unrattled by most things, unshakable as he most often needs to be; it's been a long, long time since he'd had a nightmare like this one, maybe not since the first year following the whole ordeal that had ended up giving them to him in the first place, but how often had he woken in a cold sweat, shaking from the top of his head down to his toes, the corners of his eyes burning with unshed tears because he couldn't help it —

there had been no time to grieve. there had been no time for anything and there is a part of him he's still convinced hasn't let go of everything they had been before the beginning of their falling apart. he could never let go of that entirely, his best friend, his only friend, his.

one and only.

he inhales deeply and holds it, and only when the other man tips his chin upward to make him look at him does he finally let it go, and it comes out of him so shakily that he can feel the way it rattles all the way down to his bones. )

I dreamt I lost you again.

From:

shrove

[ i dreamed i lost you again.

that confession surprises him, because if he looks this shattered and rattled, his death really must have an effect on satoru that is more far-reaching and devastating than he's let on.

it would've been easier if satoru genuinely hated him like suguru thought he did.

satoru has never looked so vulnerable to him, so shaken, and for a moment, suguru doesn't know what to do, how to react, when his heart inexplicably aches at satoru's words. how do you even begin to comfort the one and only best friend that killed you, and has been quietly suffering for it. things are harder to bear for the living. ]

I see...

[ is all he manages, his hand unfurling to cup satoru's cheek warmly. he exhales a quiet sigh, unable to look away from him; between them, a sea of every opportunity, every chance they've lost. ]

... I'm sorry it ended that way.

From:

takumina

( he's carried the weight of what he'd been forced to do with him all these years, kept it locked away along with everything else he'd lost and kept it hidden, because it's never been anyone's burden to bear but his own, and he couldn't fathom letting the skeletons out of his closet just for the sake of a little bit of peace of mind.

( he hadn't had a choice. there was no other way. but the toll it had taken on him had been a big one, and he'd never thought he would ever actually find himself getting over it. )

satoru swallows hard, pressing into the hand at his cheek and all at once shifting to close what little distance remains between them, lifting himself up to straddle the other's waist and bury his face in the side of his neck, choking back a strained, strangled sort of sound at i'm sorry it ended that way. )

I never wanted it to be like that, Suguru. I never thought I would have to—

( do what i did.

he's shaking now, and a part of him hates how vulnerable he's made himself out to be, but if there's ever going to be a weakness he'll own with everything in him … it's the man he now shares a bed with without a second thought. )

Sometimes I think I'm dreaming. Here, you know? ( he murmurs against the beat of his pulse, lips brushing over warm skin, not wanting to pull back enough to speak properly. ) That I wanted you back so badly that this is some kind of screwed up coping mechanism for refusing to accept you were really gone. ( he pauses, then lifts his head to press a desperate kiss against his mouth, so out of his mind from a stupid dream that he doesn't stop to think for a moment that he shouldn't. )

I'm not still dreaming, right?

From:

shrove

[ the things it does to him, this whole killing business.

suguru has once said that he is kinder of them both, with the implication that satoru is fully capable of carrying out cold-blooded, calculated acts -- he has demonstrated that on several occasions, but suguru also knows that gojo satoru is ultimately only human where it counts, and that the unbearable weight of killing the only best friend you have is quite something.

he's seen the quiet devastation in his face when he'd been dying, learned that even in his death, satoru, precious satoru, had not even given his body over to the higher ups. sentiment, perhaps, for someone who doesn't deserve it.

he can feel him shaking, that familiar, welcome weight above him a reminder that satoru is still a man, and his hands come to rest on his hips before his arms come to wrap around him. it's a raw, pivotal moment, this vulnerability that he displays in the darkest of the night. is it just a dream, he wonders?

maybe he's dreaming, too, and satoru is simply privy to the yearning of a dying man's last thoughts. but satoru feels real, and his heart hurts for him too sharply to be some sort of fantasy. he runs his fingers through his hair in silence as he parts his mouth for him, taking his desperation, kissing him back, tongue sliding sweetly against his.

he gives him the comfort he seeks, shaking his head in between kisses. he leads him into another kiss, and another, a third. ]

You're not. I'm here. [ another kiss. another. he draws the last one out longer, gently gripping his hair to tug, as a reminder of his presence. so he wants him back so badly, huh? ]

I'm here with you, Satoru. Right now, you're wide awake in a brand new world with me, and we're kissing, and we're pretending this is what friends do. I'm pretty sure even you can't actually dream up how annoying I can be.

[ ...and so he pinches his inner thigh suddenly. just because. see? annoying. can screwed up coping mechanisms pinch you suddenly in the soft spot and remind you of their shared denial? they can't. dryly, he murmurs, teasing him to keep him anchored, to keep his satoru here, with him: ] Give this a few more weeks, maybe you'll really want me gone, then.

From:

shrove

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<font face=courier new">More and more of your children are here. How are you feeling?

From:

takumina

( are they ever going to stop texting each other when it would be just as easy to find wherever the other is in the space they share?

nah. )

The short answer is: conflicted.
So far this place hasn't been too bad.
And them being here means I can look after them properly.
But I wonder what might be waiting ahead for us in the future.
And without my cursed energy ... I'm of much less use to them than I would be otherwise.

From:

shrove

[ no, they are absolutely not. but suguru's dozing on satoru's side of the bed if he wants to find him! ]

You've always wanted them to grow on their own, didn't you?

That's why you sent them off to dangerous situations in the first place.

From:

takumina

( he'll come find him in a bit, to be sure. they're never very far from each other these days, are they? )

True, but that was always under ... slightly more metered circumstances.
I don't have any control over what happens here, and I'd be lying if I tried to say it didn't make me nervous.

From:

shrove

You're right. The unpredictability of this place does inspire a measure of nervousness.

But you'll make the best of it, won't you? You are Gojo Satoru, after all.

The bed is getting cold.

From:

takumina

You asked me once ...
If I was the strongest because I was Gojo Satoru, or if I was Gojo Satoru because I'm the strongest.

( he leaves it at that, finally making his way to their shared room and crawling into bed next to the other man, flopping down next to him and pressing in close to his chest, nosing at the hollow of his throat. )

This place makes me question all of it.

( he would never admit that to anyone else. maybe -- maybe megumi, but he doesn't want to burden the boy. he doesn't deserve that. )

From:

shrove

[ suguru observes him with dark amber eyes, quiet and contemplative, laced with a softness reserved only for him. it's a strange, wonderful thing, having satoru clamber into his arms, and stranger still for suguru to slide an arm around him and keep him close like it's the most natural thing in the world.

he presses his face to the crown of his head, breathing him in for a few moments. ]

Would you like to know what I think?

From:

takumina

( this is the sort of closeness that has become something of a second nature to him, going so far as to actively seek it out when the only other person he would have thought to be so openly affectionate with is megumi — in a very different way, of course, but he'd always been the type to strongarm the boy into a hug or a cuddle when he was smaller — and just being near him calms a bit of his anxieties, his insecurities.

when he speaks up again, his voice is muffled against his collar. ) Always.

From:

shrove

[ it's good that satoru has found someone else to anchor himself with in the void that suguru has left behind. megumi is good for him; the boy is largely stable, grounded -- bearing the barest shadows of the geto suguru of seventeen, before he had spiralled, broken beyond repair.

he chooses his next words with care, his hand rubbing absent circles over his back in a subconscious instinct to soothe. ]

You are more than your incredible gifts. You've carried the burden of strength for so long --

[ he shifts back to look at him, sober and thoughtful. ]

You must have been so lonely, Satoru.

From:

takumina

( megumi has been so much better for him over the years than he thinks the boy actually knows, especially if he'd felt the need to ask if he was really that important — you are to me — and he thinks, sometimes, that his world might have fallen apart entirely if he hadn't had something else to latch onto.

something else to give him purpose.

he meets his gaze when he pulls back to look at him, and the words out of his mouth strike a chord in him that nearly punches his next breath out of him before it has a chance to do him any good to begin with; it's lonely at the top, isn't it? someone one said, somewhere, and he'd never thought it would matter so much to him, even when he's always been well aware of just how outclassed everyone else is in comparison.

it's lonely at the top, isn't it?

he sighs, and something in him fractures. ) Am I that transparent? ( be a mirror, he'd told himself once. don't let them see what's on the inside—

quiet stretches between them for a handful of moments. ) I carried it for so long, and now I don't have it. What good is it being the strongest when what makes me the strongest is gone?

From:

shrove

To me.

[ because it's a privilege to be allowed that close, to be by his side. suguru has always understood that, which is why satoru being the strongest had left him on his own, whether they both realised that or not. satoru is the gamechanger, the one man who tips the scales, and suguru can't help but think back on all the pieces he'd put together; satoru had been such a threat that the only thing that could neutralise him is --

-- ah, he understands it now. ]

You've never allowed anyone else in. [ a one way mirror, always on the outside looking in, seeing others for who they are but not allowing the others to see -- not even his own children. after all, satoru has a duty to them, and perhaps here, suguru's task is to be what he should have been to satoru, before the world's cruelty had turned suguru against it.

he touches his cheek thoughtfully. ]

Even the son of God shed his power to walk among humans for awhile.

[ not that suguru particularly cares about humans, the nasty, backbiting creatures who will bite the hand that protects them. but perhaps to someone with satoru's power, even the sorcerers will seem like simple humans. but satoru has a crisis on his hands right now, a reckoning with the absence of his powers. ]

Have you considered that this could be an opportunity for you to draw close to the people you care about? Maybe you might discover a different type of strength that you never had, even at your strongest. After all, you're still Gojo Satoru.

[ and if you tell anyone suguru tells you soft, squishy things like these, husband, he's going to deny it vehemently. ]

From:

nailed_you

Gojo-sensei. There's someone that wants to meet you and learn a bit more about cursed energy. He comes from a version of Japan without it. I explained what I can about it, but he still wants to meet you.

From:

takumina

Oh? He wants to meet an expert, I take it?

( stop. )

It's hard to imagine a world without cursed energy ... but I suppose you don't know what you're missing if you never had it at all, hm?

Does this curious person have a name?

From:

nailed_you

Akechi-san.

I helped him out with something when he first arrived. He seemed a bit skeptical, but I still don't have my cursed energy back. Hopefully I'll get it back soon.

From:

takumina

It's possible, at least. Megumi and Yuji already have some of their abilities back. Makes me wonder what they're doing right and I'm doing wrong ...

Anyway, just tell him to get in contact with me and I'll tell him anything he wants to know.

From:

windsongs

gojo-san! i need your expert opinion on something!! nbd but you're probably the only person i can trust with this 人(_ _*)

[ Is she being serious or is she just trying to butter him up? ]

From:

takumina

( hmmmmm, which of those is it, indeed!

it doesn't really matter which, honestly, because he likes talking to her no matter the conversation content. )

Oho, the only person you can trust, you say?
Consider my expert opinion yours, Fujiwara-san.
What can I help with?

( good job on buttering him up tho. you got him hooked. )

From:

windsongs

[ One of these days, she's going to get on him about the name. But she still calls him Gojo, so it's partially her own fault. Anyway. ]

how do you take care of kids? what all goes into that? you seem so good at it i'm gonna need to figure that out for myself really soon so i thought i'd ask

[ As a teacher of some sort. She assumes he knows what she means. ]

From:

takumina

( call him satoru, if you want, ma'am. he's not going to mind at all. )

Well that's a loaded question if I've ever heard one.
Take care of them how?
As students?
Because I am rather good at that, thank you ...

( sir you are like. literally the worst instructor ever because you forget key information until the very last moment. but he does care for his babies as well as he's able, so ... )

Don't baby them, to start.

( says the one that babied megumi ... to a degree. he mostly got policed by that one. )

From:

windsongs

[ That's way too personal! Says the woman who insists that everyone calls her by her given name ┐( ˘ ､ ˘ )┌ ]

as students yes!! i knew i went to the right person baby them? like go easy on them? even the beginners??

From:

takumina

( so how is he going to feel if she wants him to call her hibiki? and not get the same treatment in return??

we suppose it could be hibiki-san ... and she could call him satoru-san, if it's important to keep the honorifics. )

Exactly.
You won't know what the newbies can take if you don't test them!
But don't be too hard on them, I guess.

From:

windsongs

[ That would be acceptable. But wouldn't he be her teaching senpai? Maybe she'll call him that instead~ ]

so easy blocks and throws got it!! 💪✨ i wonder how well quilts will work for padding? it's probably fine right?

From:

windsongs

[ And a few seconds later, after she rereads her text-- ]

I'M KIDDING OBVIOUSLY!!

[ She won't sound like a violent idiot if she says she's joking, right? She's definitely not throwing her newbies around the dojo! ]

From:

takumina

( then she would be his kouhai, and he would call her as much ... does she want that~?

and he just. reads that second text as it comes in, chuckling to himself. )

That should be fine for padding!
You won't know what you're dealing with if you don't throw them around a bit, right?

( look. you don't know what he's done to his newbies.

what you're considering is probably child's play. )

From:

mahoraga

[ Hi, Gojo. There is a black Divine Dog scratching at your door and trying to get your attention. When you approach it, it walks away, looking back like it's asking you to follow. ]

From:

takumina

( hm? scratching …

he opens the door and peers out, the familiar canine form trotting away from him and looking back at him when he doesn't immediately follow, and his head tips to the side curiously. )

Hmm …? What's up, pup?

( yeah, he thinks he's funny. but he's coming out of the cottage and shutting the door behind him. ) What's Megumi gone and gotten himself into this time? ( he just assumes, even though he would also think megumi would send something to come get him if yuji was in trouble, too. )

From:

mahoraga

[ The black dog lets out a whine in response. They can't speak, but they seem to understand basic human language. Yes, Megumi is in trouble. And the fact that he hadn't simply texted for help probably means it's something he's a bit embarrassed about.

With Gojo following him, the black dog leads him to a nearby tree and sits at the base of that tree. It looks at Gojo, then looks upward. Look up!

And stuck in that tree ... is Megumi, who's holding on to the branches with both arms. There has to be a reason he doesn't just jump down, right? ]

So you came.

Edited Date: 2023-04-11 10:41 pm (UTC)

From:

takumina

( oh boy, yeah, okay — the fact that he hadn't texted is either going to mean it's something he's embarrassed about … or something much more serious, but he would much prefer to bet on the former than the latter, and he's going to follow the dog as quickly as they both can go in order to find out just what's going on.

they come to a tree and the dog sits as though told to do so. looks back at him, and then up, and.

oh.

he.

oh no.

gojo, at the very least, has the decency to cover his smile with one hand as he peers upward, though there is a distinct twinkle in his eye. unmistakable. he is amused. )

Are you stuck? ( he asks in a wavering voice, on the verge of laughter. ) How'd you get up there?

From:

mahoraga

[ Of course he'd laugh. Why wouldn't he? For a boy who's been stabbed, beaten up and had a dozen other unfortunate things happen to him, this is silly in comparison.

The expression on Megumi's face sours to the point he's scowling. And how is he staying on the tree when his body is wanting to float away like a helium-filled balloon? Cat claws. They are out, and lodged into the bark to stop him from floating any further away. ]

I was cursed ... It's not funny.

From:

takumina

( he only laughs because of how ridiculous a situation it really is, and megumi isn't gravely injured or anything close to it. just. looking like he's chosen a very peculiar hangout spot.

he's allowed to find this amusing. he's spent the last ten years of his life with you.

he waves a hand. ) I'm not laughing.( liar liar, pants on fire. ) Wait, cursed? By one of the fairies, or whatever they are?

( he'd caught wind of things like that happening, but he hasn't seen any of it for himself. until now, of course.

he inhales, exhales slowly. ) Want me to come up and bring you down? I can keep a good hold on you so you don't float away.

( GOJO STOP THINKING THIS IS FUNNY. GOD. )

From:

mahoraga

[ Oh, this man is definitely laughing at him, and he's not having any of it. Megumi can clearly see that his mentor is amused at his expense. Why wouldn't he be? It's such a ridiculous situation he might as well be in a clown costume right now.

And he's just about the worst person to be seeing Megumi in this state. Maybe he should have called for Yuji instead!

And so, his stubborn streak surfaces at the expense of his own wellbeing. ]

... Nevermind. On second thought, just leave me up here. [ It's easier to suffer up here on a tree than it is to ask Gojo to help him and carry him down. ]

From:

forfeited

Hello, forgive the unceremonious message.
My name is Akechi Goro, I've been given your contact information by Nobara-san. She mentioned you could perhaps shed some more light on the cursed energy she's mentioned is prevalent in your Tokyo?

From:

takumina

It's nice to finally hear from you!
When she mentioned you a little while back, I have to say I'm always intrigued when someone wants to know about cursed energy.
Tokyo and Kyoto, yes.

From:

forfeited

It's a very interesting concept, and one not discussed in my own Tokyo, so I'm very interested to see how it compares to what may be a similar, but differently-named power usage.
Is it only those two cities, or is it just concentrated in those regions?

From:

takumina

Kugisaki mentioned that you made it seem as though cursed energy did not exist there for you ... which I find odd, since they're the same place, but.
Can't say that I haven't experienced stranger things than that.
I find it hard to believe that it doesn't exist elsewhere, but considering there are only three major clans at the top of the sorcerer food chain -- at least that we know of, mind you -- I would have to say yes.
Just those two cities.

From:

forfeited

It does not, far as I'm aware, though I'm sure we have our own brand of chaos. I'm certainly no stranger to parallel worlds, so it may well be a case of that.
So it originates from those families, and those without ties to them are unable to utilize the ability?

From:

eyescar

hey sensei

are you busy rn

From:

takumina

I'm never busy for one of my precious students.

( gojo stop being extra for like. two seconds. sometimes. please. )

What's up?

From:

eyescar

[ That just made him feel bad… ]

i need to tell you some things
about the future

From:

takumina

( anyone that has ever made one ( 1 ) itadori yuji feel bad deserves to go to hell.

or get locked inside the prison realm.

oh wait. )

I was wondering whether or not you lot were going to keep things from me forever.
Does Megumi know you want to talk to me about it?

( the last thing he wants is to upset him, if only because he's been so adamant about not letting him in on what's happened to them. and him, apparently. )

From:

eyescar

i didn't tell him or anything
but he'd agree? maybe??

but you should know, dont you think

From:

revolts

[ shortly after this conversation with yuji. ]

hey satoru

you the type to blame yourself for stuff?

From:

takumina

( ohhhh boy. )

I don't generally make a habit out of it.

( liar. you blame yourself for all kinds of shit. )

But short answer, yeah. Sometimes.

From:

revolts

[ yeah, that's what he figured. what an idiot. ]

don't bother.

worst thing that can happen to someone like you is getting all noble and shit. you were better off as the shitty reckless teenager I had to put up with.

just do what you can and forget about the rest.

From:

takumina

( some things are just predictable like that. )

Are you going to tell me why you're saying all of this, or are we going to have to play twenty questions?

( is there a very keen sense of foreboding here? little bit. )

From:

revolts

megumi, I guess. but not really. I was just thinking about it.

what a pain in the ass it's gotta be to be the only hope those idiots have.

I used to think about it sometimes. how strong I was. how much it didn't mean a damn thing when I needed it to. how fucking hard it was all the fucking time.

I gave megumi the best shot I could. sounds like it's not amounting to much.

it's never enough.

people like us, world as it is.

no such thing as strong enough.

From:

takumina

( it's going to take him a minute to reply to this, because the wheels are turning in his head and he doesn't particularly care for the direction this conversation could go. )

It sounds you're getting more information about things happening back home than I'm ever going to.
Unless I'm misunderstanding something.
I don't know why they think they need to protect me from something that's already happened to them.
Not knowing about it only makes it worse.

( that's what you think, bud. )

From:

revolts

for some fucking reason the kids think I'm capable of giving good advice. you might wanna set them straight about that. you'd think how things worked out for me would tip em off, but here we all are.

anyway.

it's because they love you, dumbass.

From:

takumina

As if I'm in any position to police what someone considers good or bad advice.

( holy shit, you admitted it? good for you. )

Loving someone doesn't necessarily do much when it comes to protecting them.

( do both of you know this from personal experience? mmmmmaybe. just a little. )

From:

revolts

yeah. but it does mean you'd die trying if anyone'd fucking let you.

[ speaking from experience? perish the thought. ]

they're dumb as shit kids doing what they can. let 'em.

From:

takumina

( heh. would he die for his kids?

yeah. in a heartbeat.

would he die for megumi specifically, if it meant keeping him out of harm's way?

do you even have to ask?

give him a second to respond. )

I know they are.
I'm not about to stop them.

From:

revolts

[ yeah, yeah. toji gets that, satoru. but the 'if anyone will fucking let you' that gets you every time.

it's a hell of a life, isn't it? all that strength spent on burying all the love you've ever known. ]

good. give yourself a break.

you're never gonna catch me taking my own advice, but best thing you can do for people you couldn't save is to treat yourself the way they would've.

From:

takumina

( it's a hell of a lonely life, if he's perfectly honest. he's almost come to the conclusion that everyone he's ever loved, everyone he will ever love will ...

everything he's ever touched has turned to ash.

he doesn't want to think of what that might mean for any of his kids, past, present or future. his heart can't stand it, battered thing that it is. )

Listen to you, sounding like a responsible adult with a good head on his shoulders.
Why can't you take your own advice?

From:

revolts

does it matter? I'm already dead.

From:

takumina

You're not dead here, idiot.

From:

revolts

I'm never gonna see her again so I don't have to worry about how mad she's gonna fucking be so I get to do whatever I want.

sucks to be all beloved and shit, good luck having to keep up your mental health and all that. couldn't be me.

From:

revolts

hey satoru what are you wearing

From:

takumina

Why is that ANY concern of yours.

From:

revolts

anyone ever tell you you're no fucking fun

From:

takumina

They tell me I'm too much fun, actually.
What's your point?

From:

revolts

I'm gonna poll the kids after about how much fun you are.

I'm fucking bored satoru do something about it.

From:

takumina

Don't ask Megumi.
His vote doesn't count.

You're a grown man, Toji.
Don't you have an imagination?

( or do you want him to dress in drag and do the hula?

... wait a minute. don't answer that. )

From:

revolts

no I was born without it just like cursed energy.

come do dumb shit with me you can't have grown up that much in ten years just look at you.

From:

takumina

You poor thing.

A lot can happen in ten years, you know.

( wait for it. )

But growing up is no fun.
Have any particular dumb thing in mind to start?

From:

revolts

dunno, I've been told I'm not allowed to punch the tax birds anymore so there goes half of my ideas.

wanna fuck?

From:

takumina

Now who would go and deprive you of that outlet.
Shame.

( uh please hold while his brain makes dialup noises. )

Are you THAT bored?
Don't have anyone else to ask?

( please note that he is. not saying no. uh. )

From:

revolts

you want me to ask itadori? that's disgusting. I'm into it you've convinced me.

[ he's fucking with you don't worry. ]

From:

takumina

You HAVE to know people that aren't teenagers.
Jesus.

( then disregard the fact that he didn't say no. moving right along. )

How did I convince you??

From:

revolts

elias still won't fuck me, it's weird.

[ it's not weird toji, teenagers are the only ones who like to make bad decision with enough regularity to fuck him. ]

other than that it's just you. c'mon, we had fun right? when you killed me?

From:

takumina

Sounds like a you problem.

And if that's your idea of dirty talk, it could use some work.

From:

revolts

open to suggestions

From:

takumina

You want suggestions on what to say to make me all hot under the collar?

IF you're serious.

I'm not about to make it easy on you. No fun in that.

( his turn to fuck with you. )

From:

revolts

I'm never serious but that doesn't mean I don't mean it.

let's see.

you want someone to come put you in your place, baby?

From:

takumina

God, you're a walking contradiction.

You're honestly lucky you're attractive.

What place do you think I need to be in? Hm?

From:

revolts

I think the fact you got no one to overpower you anymore is the saddest thing in the world.

I think you could do worse than having me tie you up and shake the foundations of your exalted existence.

From:

takumina

Oh, I'm sure you do.

( yuji got his cursed energy back ... surely he will, one of these days. it's only a matter of time. )

Sounds like you've thought about this before now.
Or you're just a really good bullshitter.
Not sure which I believe more ...

From:

revolts

what can I say, I get bored a lot. I also happen to think taking you down a peg or die trying is hot.

From:

takumina

Please don't die again.
What would I tell Megumi?

From:

naturallywavy

gogooooo psssttstt hey gogog i wnaan tell you something it’s a secret okay cum on

_{[ DUDE IS WASTED GOOD LUCK GOJO ]}

From:

takumina

( oh boy.

here we go, huh. )

Oh, I'm all for hearing secrets.
Yours or anyone else's.
Is it juicy?

( joke's on you buddy he's about to enjoy the hell out of this. )

From:

naturallywavy

it’s MINE

_{[ wow don’t get aggressive about this.. and now he’s typing and erasing, typing, erasing…

Gojo is left in this endless suspense until: ]}

n yeah it’s good

From:

takumina

( what do you mean, he's still left in suspense because you're stringing him along like a fish on a line.

it's okay, he'll wait. )

Plan on sharing it with me anytime soon?
Or are we going to play twenty-or-more questions?

From:

naturallywavy

hahaha maybbbbe im mebarassed the thing is i act angry n stuf around you butt the reason why is

From:

naturallywavy

_{[ Oh, there’s more texting that is taking forever, and then.. ]}

thing is you’re really hot and i wanna **** you or maybe we can *********** together or i can suck on your **** or you can eat my *** bUT THERES S PROVLEM i ain’t nothing in comparison to ya it’s like makin someone like n*ruto **** y*mcha i don’t have cursed powers or something like that im a swordsman and can’t even b*nkai 77 volumes later i know people are just gonna forget me but not you because you’re so cooooollll

From:

takumina

( he'll wait as long as he has to in order to see what this big, juicy secret is, and to his credit, he's reasonably surprised at the. well. detail gintoki goes into, even with all the censoring.

he needs a second to process this; yes, he's well aware even after a couple of messages that he can't be entirely sober and that's why he's suddenly contracted diarrhea of the mouth in text form, and maybe he's felt a level of attraction on his end before now ...

he's going to play along, sure, that much has been said already, but how is this going to come out on the other side once gintoki is sober? )

Well that's ... very descriptive.
Consider me extremely flattered.
But before I go any further than that, let me tell you something.
Comparing yourself to others is never going to do you any good.
There is always going to be someone better, at least from your perspective, whether it's true or not.
And it's always going to mess with your head no matter how strong you get.
You can't let that get in the way of something you want, especially if you want it badly enough.
It doesn't matter if you don't have cursed energy, it doesn't matter if you don't have any powers at all.
Case in point, I still don't have any of mine.
Maybe, in that case, you can consider us equals?
Does that help?

( well that sure was a lot. )

From:

naturallywavy

_{[ His eyes glaze over all of that text and his comprehension is pretty wrecked right now, but he can respond to some of this. ]}

hey heyyy don’t come at me with that crap i dont giva shit about bein strong i just wanna be COOL like all the other jump heroes you knowwww I can’t help it m*ppa went apeshit on your eyelashes and it’s hard to loko away fr on them SUNRISE NEVER GAVE ME EYELASHES LIKE THAT EVEN WHEN WE HAD THE BUDGET

From:

naturallywavy

there’s no way we can be equal even if you don’t have your cool powers im not polished and good morally like you

From:

naturallywavy

but damn id love to see you nakekd

From:

takumina

( hey gin maybe drink some water ... he's not your boss or anything but your liver might not be having a great time right now. he doesn't drink so he can only assume, but that's pretty much common sense, right? )

Who says you aren't cool?
I mean I may not know anything about where you're from but I happen to think you're a pretty cool guy.
And since you think so highly of me, that has to mean something, right?

( gogo you're abusing this. he doesn't mean it, of course, but that isn't the point. )

Hmmmm.
How badly do you want to see~?

( he's teasing him now, because he's convinced he isn't going to remember this later, but if he does, he'll deal with it then. )

From:

naturallywavy

i see waht you’re doin… okay IDIOTT i usually want people to beg for something like this butt like you said we are equalsssss EVERYBODY should wnanann see ginchan’s hanvsome body hu h is that what you want a nude for a nude Wwlelel here we fu*cckng go

From:

naturallywavy

_{[ And with that, he sends Gojo a… “nude” but most of his body is cut off and the image quality is blurry, but Gojo can definitely see it’s an awkward aerial shot, mostly just his bare shoulder and chest in the picture. Anything below the waist is side angled out of the picture. ]}

how’s that your turn jsckass

From:

takumina

( he's beginning to wonder just how much further these texts are going to slip into the realm of unreadable, all those stray letters and whatnot, but gojo likes to think he knows the man well enough by now that he'll be able to parse out whatever he's trying to say regardless of however many typos there might end up being.

sure, the picture isn't anything special and the quality leaves almost everything to the imagination, but he's still in the mood for playing along ... so.

what he gets in return is a shot from the curve of his grin down to the point at which his waistband rests against the jut of sharp hipbones, bare from the waist up and maybe he has the thumb of his free hand hooked into the band of his pants and tugging them down just enough to show off the light dusting of white hair traveling down from his navel. )

I think you need to take some photography lessons.
You can do better than that, can't you?
I'm giving you a lot to work with, here.

From:

naturallywavy

_{[ oh looks like the curtains match the drapes just like him!!

But wait a second.. did he just respond back? He knows this guy has a playful personality, but god.. he’s so drunk. It’s so embarrassing. The room has been spinning for awhile now and he feels like he might just pass out soon.

Gintoki grumbles to himself, muttering something under his breath, then types out a response. ]}

you’re not supposded to actually send soemthkng back, idiot

_{[ ??????? ]}

From:

takumina

( maybe it's a good thing he won't remember any of this come morning, and he won't have to wonder if gojo is being serious or just stringing him along for the sake of some moderate entertainment.

DRINK SOME DAMN WATER, GINTOKI. )

Oh, is that not how this works?
Maybe I'm more behind the times than I thought ...
I thought any shared media was at least supposed to not be so blurry.
But sometimes it's better to leave things to the imagination.

( yeah, he's still having fun with this. )

From:

naturallywavy

_{[ no, he refuses to take care of himself!! He is gonna worry about it when he inevitably passes out which should be… any minute now… after he blows a tsundere gasket. ]}

SHUTTUP THE REAL DEAL IS BETTER THA N ANYTHJNG YOUR BRAIN CAN IMANGINE

_{[ and yet, he doesn’t attempt to send another picture. ]}

From:

takumina

( sighs. fine. wake up dehydrated and with the kind of headache you wouldn't wish on your greatest enemy. possibly some nausea, too, since alcohol is absorbed into your system through your stomach. this is why you get such hellacious ass hangovers, sir.

he isn't expecting him to send anything else, anyway. )

Is it?
I like to think I have a pretty decent imagination.
Buuuut I won't know unless you decide to show me, so I'll just have to make do.

From:

naturallywavy

take me to dinner first

_{[ ??????? ]}

From:

takumina

What if I cooked for you?

From:

naturallywavy

_{[ Gintoki is a freeloader at heart, really. He will take any kind of free food offered but something is especially intimate about having a personal cooked meal, and if he wasn’t drunk off his rocker he would probably be shy about having one of his many JUMP crushes cook for him.

But he’s drunk, so: ]}

do you wants picture or are you trying to see me naked in the flesh?!!! cook for me asshole

From:

takumina

( it's okay, he can be shy when it actually happens. it'll be cute. very cute. )

I'm just offering to share a meal with you, that's all.
What do you like? I'll try to incorporate as much as I can.
Not everything I would think to make back in Tokyo is readily available here, so ... eh.

( waves hands around. he'll do the best he can, though! )

From:

naturallywavy

yakinikuuhggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggghj

_{[ ok he absolutely passed out on his phone, then rolled off of it. It's a wrap. ]}

From:

takumina

( ... okay yeah he's sure he just passed the hell out. he might have been wondering how long he would last. )

Sweet dreams, Gin-san.

( here's hoping you don't wake up either stuck to your pillow with drool or feeling like you're going to vomit up your entire life. )

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( every time your gravity has a hold on me )

( ic inbox );