Work Text:
It was raining when Suguru found Yuuji just outside the dorms. The boy's expression was haunted, and his complexion pale. The older man didn't need to hear it to know he was likely hearing something awful from the parasite he held inside him. That simply wouldn't do, oh, what would Satoru do in this situation? Well, neither of them was good with comforting people, but Satoru had gotten better at this sort of thing than he had over the years.
"Itadori-kun?" He decided to start by gathering the child's attention. His attempt to not startle the teen failed when Yuuji jumped, his head snapping up to look at his teacher. Rain flung across the space between them from the boy's soaked hair with his wild movements. The water continued to drip down from his scalp, mixing with the tear tracks on his pale cheeks.
"Getou-sensei," Yuuji greeted breathlessly as if he wasn't having a panic attack. Suguru couldn't help but smile at the boy's mannerisms. He was truly a charming young man, Suguru could see why his partner was so fond of him. Yuuji seemed to rub off on just about everyone he came across.
Something about being universally beloved came to mind, but that thought was ruined by the memory of the old windbags up top sentencing a child to death. When he'd heard the news, it was hard to keep his composure. He hadn't even met the kid yet, but the thought of history repeating itself so soon had him stressed, to say the least. It wasn't surprising that Satoru was on the same page as he was, but when his husband had proposed utilizing young Yuuji's ability to harbor Ryoumen Sukuna to their advantage, he felt a bit betrayed. He knew that Satoru had only been playing his cards to the higher-ups' interests to get his way. But the thought of using Yuuji as a tool for their benefit hit an old wound inside him with the force of a hurricane.
"What are you doing out here without an umbrella?" Suguru asked from where he was sheltered beneath the patio roof.
Yuuji looked away and craned his neck to stare at the dark sky. Rain poured on his face, but he didn't seem to mind, finding it refreshing it appeared. "I wanted to feel the rain," Was his quiet reply after a while. "It felt too stuffy in my room," He added, looking back to his teacher with a strained smile. He shivered despite the air around them being rather humid than cold. Suguru hummed thoughtfully and nodded. "Hey, Sensei?" Yuuji called out to him, turned away to state blankly in front of him just like how Suguru had found him a few minutes prior. He hummed in question to signal he was listening. "How long have you been doing this?" Suguru blinked in surprise at the question before a small chuckle left him.
"Quite a while, Itadori-kun," He answered. Yuuji hummed quietly.
"Was it worth it?"
"Was what worth it?" The older man asked, frown marring his features as he eyed his student thoughtfully.
"Giving up a normal life," Yuuji answered blandly as if conversing about the dreary weather.
"I never imagined having a normal life to begin with," Suguru answered truthfully. "It was never an option for me. Though I don't suppose it would sit right with me to sit back idly,"
"Yeah, that sounds like a pretty shitty thing to do when you put it that way," Yuuji laughed weakly.
"On the contrary, I wouldn't blame someone for doing so," Suguru admitted softly. "This type of life isn't for the weak-willed. It is an awful life to live but for most of us, it's all we have. That's why we're able to admonish those who avert their eyes to our way of living and duck their heads amid danger. That's also why we do what we do, to protect those who can't and even those who refuse to do so,"
"I never thought of it that way," Yuuji muttered. Suguru smiled softly at his thoughtful expression. When the boy met his gaze he gestured his head to the space beside him. Yuuji seemed to hesitate but eventually joined him under the patio roof.
"Was Sukuna keeping you awake?" He finally asked. Yuuji ducked his head, an embarrassed expression on his face as he averted his eyes. "It's nothing to be ashamed of," He added with a laugh. "I don't have such excuses for why I am awake at such an hour,"
"You weren't doing anything important?" Yuuji asked, eyeing him without turning his head. His hair continued to drip water onto his shoulders. Suguru shook his head with a small smile as he looked back out to the rain.
"I've been a tad stressed," He sighed heavily. "That and Satoru has left me alone for the night," He chuckled when Yuuji made a disgusted expression. Oh, to be young again, Suguru thought in amusement. "Is there anything I can do to help?" He offered after they fell into another stretch of silence. Yuuji didn't move to meet his gaze again. He didn't give any indication he heard Suguru speak.
"It's going to be awful when I die for real," He stated suddenly. Suguru felt his heart stop in his chest as the boy's words registered. "I'm not scared, but I'm a bit worried about leaving everyone. Maybe I should've tried to keep my distance, but I've never been good at letting things go-" His breath hitched as he suppressed a sob.
"You are more than a vessel," Suguru declared with such certainty that Yuuji jolted and looked up at him in shock. He looked the teen in the eye, a firm set to his brows. "You are allowed to have wants and fears. You're allowed to have a life and legacy to leave behind if you so choose. Itadori-kun, you are a child. A child shouldn't ever have to hold the burden you have on your shoulders. Trust me when I say that pushing others away won't protect them or yourself. All it does is cause pain for everyone involved," Suguru was terrified to see himself inside this boy. He wanted desperately to save him from going down the road he nearly did. He was proof that a true support system means all the difference. He was only here because Shoko and Satoru refused to give up on him.
He placed his hand firmly on Yuuji's shoulders. "I don't know what bullcrap, Sukuna tries to tell you, but I'm entirely sure it's completely false," He added. "You are so very stupid and brave to have taken this responsibility upon yourself but you are not alone in this. Your friends and teachers are here for you," He spoke almost desperately, trying desperately to get his point across.
Yuuji stared at him with wide, glassy eyes before flinching suddenly and curling into himself. Suguru scowled at the clear response from Sukuna and proceeded to pull Yuuji into his arms. The teen didn't seem to mind the movement too much and even went as far as to press into Suguru as if seeking his warmth. His breathing was choppy as he cried quietly into Suguru's uniform. The man rubbed Yuuji's back in an attempt to comfort the boy. He knew words meant nothing in the face of actions and hoped that they could continue to show Yuuji that he was cared for.
It would be a true tragedy for the boy to succumb to Sukuna's abuse. One that Suguru knew would affect everyone. It was saddening to think about the hole Yuuji would surely leave behind someday.
The older sorcerer didn't know how long they sat there in a silent embrace. It was only when Yuuji had finally stilled completely that he looked down at the child. He hoped he wouldn't come down with a cold because of his late-night soak. Truly, Suguru should've had him changed and properly put in bed, but he couldn't find it in himself to move. Not when Yuuji seemed to finally grasp some peace for the first time that night.
"I see you found our little runaway," A chuckle resounded from behind him. Suguru looked over his shoulder, meeting the eyes of his lover. Satoru smiled down at him, blindfold hanging loosely around his neck. His blue eyes shone with mirth and hidden concern as he took in the sight of his student passed out and soaking wet on Suguru's lap. The dark-haired man followed his gaze, sighing heavily as he settled a hand in Yuuji's damp hair.
"It's been quite the rough night for him it would seem," Suguru informed, eyes downcast as he watched the teen sleep soundly. "I don't assume Sukuna makes it easy for him to relax much,"
"Likely not," Satoru scoffed.
"We should probably get him to bed," Suguru mused but did not attempt to move after he spoke.
"Don't think I've seen you this fond since the twins," Satoru observed with a conniving grin on his face as he leaned over to catch the other man's gaze. Suguru shook his head as he met his lover's eyes.
"You were the same about Yuuta, so I don't want to hear it, and the only thing stopping you from outright adopting Megumi is that boy's stubbornness," He retorted. Satoru threw his head back with a loud gasp and grasped his chest as if Suguru had insulted his mother. Suguru rolled his eyes and looked back down at his sleeping student. He moved his hand to gently tap Yuuji's cheek, gently rousing him. Golden eyes, glazed with sleep, observed him blankly before narrowing in confusion.
"Sensei..?" Yuuji mumbled, reaching up to rub his eye. Suguru smiled softly and chuckled.
"You're bound to get sick if I let you sleep out here,"
Yuuji's eyes snapped open wide, and he scrambled off of his elder. Scrambled apologies flew from his mouth as he stood hastily and bowed before darting off, not even noticing his other teacher in his rush.
Suguru watched as Yuuji's pink hair darted around the corner of the building, likely heading back to the dorms. He smiled sadly as he disappeared.
"He's gonna be fine," His husband reassured, watching the other carefully. Suguru nodded and moved to stand.
"It's all we can do to make of that," He replied.
Later, another finger is found while Yuuji is out on his own. The finger's cursed energy flared at their shared proximity, leading to a flood of lower-grade curses.
Suguru got there just in time to help the boy take out one of the larger ones. Absorbing it was simple as always. He looked down with hidden disgust in his eyes as he mourned when he'd have to eat it.
"Getou-sensei," Yuuji called out to him, staring down at the shriveled finger resting in the grass. Suguru recalled when Megumi had griped about trying to hand one to Yuuji only for Sukuna to manage to swallow it by manifesting a mouth on his palm. That explained why Yuuji looked between the finger and him with a conflicted expression. The older male made his way over and plucked the appendage from the ground. He surveyed it before his eyes met Yuuji's. The boy doesn't look very thrilled as he glances back at the finger in Suguru's hand.
"Should I eat it?" He asked cautiously. It was his job, after all. Suguru didn't see any other way to deal with it at the moment, and he'd rather not cause another scene.
"It should be fine for you to," He answered, handing the finger back. Yuuji pinched the tip and held it close to his face but hesitated. Suguru frowned before looking down and remembering the contained curse he'd yet to absorb.
"Itadori-kun," He held up the murky orb to show the boy who watched in confusion. He smiled wryly and lifted the cursed sphere to his mouth. "On the count of three," He offered. Yuuji's eyes widened, and he looked back to the finger resolutely before nodding. Suguru laughed. "One, two, three,"
They threw their heads back and swallowed their respective curses simultaneously. Yuuji's energy spiked as he curled into himself and coughed harshly. Suguru was quick to support him and patted his back through it. Yuuji looked up at him just as Sukuna's markings faded from his face.
"They're so gross," The boy whined, and Suguru nodded sympathetically.
"I don't doubt that," He replied with a small grimace at the taste on his own tongue. "How about we stop somewhere for a treat? I'm thinking of something sweet to wash down that taste, what do you think?" He offered, walking back towards the road. When he looked back to Yuuji he found the boy standing in a stupor. "Itadori-kun?" He called with an amused smile. How little did he talk to his students for them to act this shocked when he offered them something? That would be something he needed to fix in the following months they would spend together. Yuuji jolted to attention with a wide smile spread across his face as he raced to catch up with Suguru.
"I don't have any money on me though," The teen admitted sheepishly.
"No need to worry. I swiped Satoru's card this morning," He answered with a cheeky grin, brandishing the piece of plastic to the younger male. Yuuji burst into startled laughter before cheering loudly and running ahead to lead his teacher to a cafe Nobara had taken him to before. Suguru followed with a fond expression on his face the entire way.