Chapter Text
Suguru Getou would rarely visit this street. After he left Satoru behind there, he avoided it like a plague. Thinking back of those times only would cause him extra pain. He spoke to the girls about Satoru a lot. Mostly because they would repeatedly say that he looked sad whenever he saw something blue. So he told them about Satoru Gojo. The person who was his one and only friend. After all, Getou was pretty sure that Saturo hated him by now. He didn't tell the girls that the white haired man meant always more to him. Though he assumed that they knew. He would always let his curses keep an eye on Gojo, just to make sure that he was well.. safer he guessed? They were never exorcised, so that either meant that Satoru didn't know or that the man didn't find it a threat. Which caused Suguru to frown. He walked past the KFC and looked at it with a sigh for a moment. He was however not prepared for the voice that called out to him.
"Suguru, didn't expect to see you here." Even though it was softly spoken, to Suguru it felt like it was shouted at him. He stood still and slowly turned his head, a fake smile ready on his lips. Raising his hand and tilting his head as to greet the man he hadn't seen in about 10 years.
"Satoru, long time no see." "Like that was my decision. What are you doing here?" Suguru assumed that that question was fair. What was he supposed to say? 'Sometimes Satoru I like going to the places where we used to go? those are my favourite memories after all.' Instead he sighed and pretended to be put out before smiling politely once more. "Decided to take a trip down Memory Lane. What about you Satoru?" Even after 10 years, he would still say his name softer. Something that his brain couldn't override. Satoru was always his biggest weakness. More then he was willing to admit.
""Really now? Didn't think you were one for nostalgia, since you decided to burn all the bridges." Ahh... He should have expected this. Better time to leave before it gets worse. He would sigh once more before looking towards the road he was going."Ahh sorry, Satoru, but I think I should go. It was good to see you. You look well." He turned around and was about to walk away, but stopped after he heard the next words.
"Why did you leave me? And for once be honest to me Suguru. I deserve that after 10 years don't I?" And maybe it was the soft, pleading way he said it, maybe it was because Suguru still loved him, but he turned around and looked at the white haired man. Another sigh left him as he looked at the other man with a pained look.
"I was going on a dark road Satoru. I couldn't drag you down with me. Better you safe and somewhere else than down the rabbit hole with me." His words were soft. Almost afraid to share them even though he used to share almost everything with Satoru. However his words, while honest and almost placating, did not in fact placate the slightly taller man.
"I wanted you to drag me down with you. Suguru I would have guided you. Helped you. But you have to talk to me, Suguru!" The last bit showed the temper that he expected of him. And almost a small smile appeared on his lips. 'Ah yes, because I have always been so good at talking about my thoughts, my emotions... haven't I?'
"Suguru took a deep breath and let it out slowly, while on the outside he appeared calm and collected, inside his heart was beating too fast for it's own good. "I can't satoru. I refuse. I rather have you alive somewhere else. I'm doing this for us, for your student. Not for the non sorcerer one tho. She gotta go. No offense. But without the nom sorcerers to create curses we could all be free. We could be alive. No more unnecessary deaths like Rika or Haibara!" Okay maybe he got a bit heated there. But how could Satoru not see it? All the sorcerers were nothing but soldiers, easily replacable and expendable. Without curses, the sorcerers didn't have to fight to survive. To see another day! He looked Satoru in the eyes, and for a moment he felt calm. Almost peaceful even though said eyes were filled with anger and something else.
"What kind of nonsense, Suguru. Aren't we the strongest? Didn't we promise to have each other back? You asked me once if I'm the strongest, because I'm Satoru Gojo or if I'm Satoru Gojo, because I'm the strongest. But I was Satoru with you. You and I can prevent the death of other innocents. Of other sorcerers. But without you I am just Gojo. Just... come back Suguru. We can protect the others. We can teach them to be better!" Getou let out an amused huff. It seems that Satoru has been thinking what to say after that fateful day, because now he was not backing down. And even though Suguru didn't want to, he felt compelled to listen. It wouldn't hurt to entertain the teacher however.
"... Even if I wanted to return, the elders wouldn't let me. I got a bounty on my head remember and.... If I return now... Then I killed my parents for nothing... Plus, I don't want the girls to be around them, Satoru... I.. I think it stopped being 'we are the strongest' and that it became that you're the strongest a long time ago. I saw it when we were students. I couldn't keep up with you anymore. Plus I am tired of pretending to be happy there. I'm sorry Satoru, but in this world I can't laugh from my heart." It felt weird to be so honest, but at the same time it felt oddly freeing. Satoru hated him already, so if anything it would only fuel the hatred, so no need for pretenses any more. He looked at the white haired man and saw him bite his lower lip and look away. For a moment he wished he could look into the man's head, but alas.
To his surprise though Satoru moved to hit a wall, punching it hard enough that it cracked and Suguru thought that was fair. He would want to punch something too when the truth was more painful then expected. Then again his thruth came through a form.of 2 abused girls and the death of 112. So a wall was probably better. Suguru noticed however that he took a step forward, arm moving up to reach out before he pulled it back before being frozen by a look of anguish in those blue eyes. Almost seeming to beg for something. Satoru's words came now faster, more passionate or angry, or both who knows.
"The elders? Who cares? I CAN kill them right now, and the bounty will no longer be a thing. And your family... Suguru... I don't know what to say. Why didn't you tell me how you were truly feeling back then? I bared my heart to you, but you never did the same ik return!"
Getou watched as Gojo put his hands in his head, he walked towards him knowing the man would get stuck in his head otherwise. He took the hand that was used to punch the wall, in his own, looking it over. He however didn't notice Saturo moving his head up and looking at him. His next words softer, almost a whisper as he looked at the dark haired man.
"Suguru... I am sorry for not noticing how depressed you were. It's my fault to make you feel as if I left you behind. I thought you would have catched up. You were always there when I needed you, however I was not there when you needed me... Suguru don't you realise that without you there is no Satoru? There is only Gojo. The strong, shallow guy who possesses both the Six eyes and Limitless. I need you..."
The cult leader's breath would stop at those words. He fingers moving over Saturo's hand to check if he was wounded. He couldn't lift his head up and look at Satoru. It felt like both an offer of salvation and condemnation. He focused on the hand before closing his eyes when he saw no damage, but didn't let go of it yet.
"There would be no meaning in killing the elders Satoru. And how could I tell you? You were picking up the slack of everyone. I barely saw you. I didn't want to worry you or Shoko. You already blamed yourself for Rika. But Satoru... He shot her in front of me. She just agreed to go back up. At first I didn't want to believe it. But he said you were dead and I lost it... And even now, I can still hear those people clapping.. and how those... those..." He turned his head away, a snarl upon his lips. He could already hear Manami say about his true feeling coming out but he couldn't stop it any longer. Truth was what Satoru wanted, so truth he would get.
"Those... monkeys treated my girls... death was too kind for them..." He would let out an un amused chuckle and look back at Satoru. Eyes softer as he looked him in the eyes. Satoru offered another chance, but he did not see any positive outcomes for this. With a small smile on his lips he would speak once more. After all what was one more truth right?
" I thought you hated me ever since... since I walked away from you here. I feel like I have been a hollow shell from then on. The girls and my goal giving me reason to keep going. But even then I have to convince myself of my goals every day... Do not kill the elders. I can go with you and face the consequences of my deeds. No need to risk yourself. Just keep Nanako and Mimiko safe, that's all I ask.
He saw Satoru's eyes widen and he would smile in return, however there was confusion in them. Satoru let out a scoff and would even give him a disapproved look.
"You're doing it again Suguru! You are carrying the burdens all by yourself again. I am here for you! Let me carry some of yours and in return you can carry some of mine! I got a shoulder you can cry on, or an ear that will listen to you! Cry when you feel like crying. Laugh when you feel like laughing. If you're angry at the world? Then vent to me! I will listen. If one day you smile or laugh, because you feel like you can then I will join you! That’s how it should be. It’s far better to get dirty while living true to yourself than to throw away yourself and die a clean death."
Satoru said it in a soft tone and a smile, his hand moving out of Getou's and moving to his shoulder and then his cheek. Making sure Suguru couldn't look away. Their eyes met and Satoru took a deep breath.
I never hated you, dumbass. If anything... I hate myself for noticing you depression back then. For not being there for you. I saw it, but I always thought that you could handle it. You were always so composed and mature. If I acted on my doubts, of my suspicion instead of only focusing on getting stronger then maybe we wouldn't be here. But what is all this power if I couldn't even help the one person that mattered to me? If I was there for you... none of the would've happened. But... everything happens for a reason, am I right?"
Geto would sigh softly, scoffing softly as he looked at Gojo for a moment before trying to look away, only to have the hand on his guiding his face back. Gojo's words resonated within him, but then again, he was never good at relying on others. He still wasn't. A small grin would appear on his lips at the words, however it would quickly disappear and a look of astonishment would appear as he realised Satoru never hated him.
"You were never weak, Satoru. You asked if I lost weight, I lied and said I was fine. Like I said, you were sent on more missions, and we didn't speak as much. My depression was never your fault. I believed I could have handled it.... but the repeat of exorcise, consume, exorcise, and consume probably didn't help much either. Haibara's death and that village were just... too much to bear. If anything I was the weak one between us for not, unlike you, being able to carry it all.
Geto's gaze wandered down and he let out a deep sigh. Letting go of the mask he wore as a cult leader, knowing that he could let go now. He would look up with a grimace, his eyes meeting Gojo's. Knowing that his next words might trigger his friend, but it was still an issue to address. And maybe now he could let go and be at peace, knowing he hadn't lost his closest friend. His one and only.
"So shall we go to thise elders then? See how fast they plan my execution, heh. Hope Shoko is not too angry at me however.
He saw a shiver run through Satoru's body at his words and his eyes held another look of anger. Suguru's eyes widened in return, knowing he probably shouldn't have said it. Satoru pressed his forehead against the dark haired man. Frowning as he looked into the cultist's eyes.
"Are you even listening to what you're saying? I almost feel like I don't know you. Why don't you let me help? Am I that bad of a friend?! Quit the 'I can carry the burdens alone' and let me help you, like how you helped me! You were always there, and still are there! Protecting me and making sure I am safe! Don't think I don't notice those curses! I got the Six eyes after all Suguru! Now let me do the same! You protect me and I protect you in return! Your family? My family? Now our family! Let me help. Like I said before. I was the strongest because I had you to have my back! I had you by my side! Sure I might still be the strongest, but that's Gojo. Not Satoru! Satoru is strong when he has Suguru by his side. Suguru would be strong if he let Satoru by his side! We could be the strongest once more!
Suguru's eyes would tear up and he would sniff softly before letting out an amused huff. Taking a a deep, controlled breath before letting it out.
"Ahh... sorry Satoru. I am just used to carry it alone, I guess. And first meet the girls before you say that they are yours as well heh. And im return I will meet yours. I should work on my language as well. Not call non sorcerers, monkeys, so often though. And we go back to the we are the strongest hmm? Well I wouldn't mind that with you... I don't know if I am the same Suguru that you know but I will try to rely on you as well.
He would relax against Saturu and give him a light closed eyed smile, which was slightly ruined from him tearing up but still. He moved his hand to the white haired man's face and gently caress it with his thumb. Opening his eyes softly as he noticed the spark of joy in Satoru's eyes. He felt his friend relax against him as well. All the tension leaving his body. It didn't take long, however before he felt arms around his neck and himself being pulled in a hug. One he would eagerly return after a moment of surprise.
"We are....the strongest, Suguru."
A soft chuckle would escape him as he held his friend. He missed Satoru more then he was ready to admit. The man was always on his mind and definitely occupied his heart for a long time. However he would breach that subject another time. He knew the girls would happily accept Satoru, with how often he talked about the teacher in question. They probably would even be happy because Suguru would be happy. He knew with Gojo by his side he couls take on the world. Technically those elders wouldn't be able to do anything against him and he still had otherwise quite a few demons under his control. He would gently pat Saturo's back, not ready to let go yet.
"Yeah... I guess we are the strongest once more Satoru.~ Want to get some KFC to give this place a happier memory? I will let you steal some of my food too if you want.
He would feel Satoru huff against his neck and he felt goosebumps appear on his arms. A pang of longing ran through him as Gojo pulled away.
"Sounds like a plan Suguru. But afterwards, we will go to my place and talk. It's time you told me everything and every thought since Riko. I want to know everything. And in return I will tell you everything as well, understood?"
Suguru nodded and would hold out his hand and take a step to the KFC, his hand quickly taken by Satoru.
"Sounds good to me Satoru. Now let's go!"
Just for a moment Suguru felt like a teenager again, before the reality of the world hit him hard. And he would try his best to hold onto it for now.