Chapter Text
“Has he made plans to see you anytime soon?” Akiko asks, pacing back and forth in front of her son’s dorm bed.
During the brief phone call between her only son and her husband, she took a moment to actually look at the space she was paying money for. Suguru’s roommate has a horrid taste in decor, much like her son, but at least Suguru is tidy. Both of the omegas are bubbling with personality and while Akiko has interest in neither she understands that it isn’t for her to understand.
Her university years are far behind her and despite how the media may depict women her age, she doesn’t yearn to return to her “Glory Years” whatsoever. That’s because her Glory Years are occurring right now.
Suguru sniffles, blinking his red-brimmed eyes at her pitifully. “No,” he says, shaking his head and staring at his lap as if he's hiding from her sharp gaze. “He only wanted to see how my flight went and if I…if I had fun last night…”
Akiko refrains from snorting. “Did you have fun?” she asks.
“Mom…”
“Forget it. I heard what you told him.” She heard how Suguru lowered his voice as well, how he made himself sound bashful yet coy. Her son’s a natural. “He is quite fond of you. I only assumed as much before but now I am certain.”
This is fantastic. Phenomenal, truly.
Naoya, that sleaze, happily ratted Gojo out in order to save his own skin. At least he’s smart enough not to tell anyone outside of her.
Apparently Naoya had been out at a restaurant with an escort when he noticed Gojo getting handsy with Suguru on the way in. They wore disguises which was wise but Naoya is a Zenin. He may not be an impressive alpha by most standards but his nose is never wrong due to his clan’s bloodline. He caught a whiff of both their scents.
Even still, Akiko didn’t believe it until she confronted Suguru and he didn’t deny it. She has to teach him how to lie under pressure it seems.
For years Akiko has tried to think of ways to ensure the next heir to the Gojo clan was birthed by someone she could either erase or control.
Honestly, it never crossed her mind to consider her own son for the job.
In fact, she’s done everything in her power to forget his existence entirely because she can’t look at his face without seeing her true mate; her dead husband. A fated pair cannot live without the other is more of a romanticized truth, but that isn’t factually correct. One half of a fated pair can live without the other, though, with great difficulty. If not for health concerns, she doubts she could nurse another alpha’s knot at all. That is how deep her heartache has set its roots within her.
Gojo Satoru is a prime alpha, an elite, and one of the few specimens to truly sit at the top of the food chain. He is beautiful as well with an exceptional physique. She isn’t blind to his natural charms, either.
The simple fact is, Gojo isn’t her mate.
Her father forbade Suguru’s father from marking her at the threat of him losing his fangs if he ever dared. Her father didn’t want her to be deemed useless in case she needed to be used for another marriage alliance. That is their family’s tradition. None of the omegas in the Geto clan have the luxury of a mating mark. They belong to no one, only their clan.
Despite that, the bond she had with her first husband still holds true even in death. It’s why she acts as if he never existed, it’s why she can never visit his grave or talk about him, it's why she keeps Suguru at arm’s length.
Due to her self-isolation toward her own son, it’s fairly easy to use him as a pawn in her game.
“Tell him you want to see him again soon,” Akiko says to Suguru as she continues pacing. “The sooner the better. You can drop out and move back home until after you give birth. And then—”
“Drop out?” Suguru asks incredulously. He gets off the bed. “You want me to drop out and have your husband’s baby? Do you hear yourself?!”
“Lower your voice,” Akiko hisses. She steps up to him, smirking when he raises his head defiantly; that’s her boy. “Have I not made it clear how important this is for our family, Suguru?”
Suguru rolls his eyes. It’s a nasty habit of his that she loathes but she doesn’t comment on it this time. “Then what? I’m to be his new wife while you fuck off and reap the rewards?”
“His new wife?” Akiko does snort at that. “You are greatly mistaken. You will never be his wife.” She reaches out to fix Suguru’s hair but he slaps her hand away. “Next time, I’ll break your goddamn hand.”
Her threat is sincere, and Suguru can see it in her eyes. Slowly, he lowers his hand and takes a cautious step away from her.
“Gojo-san is my husband,” Akiko says, enunciating each word carefully, “and he will remain my husband until either he or I dies, and I assure you, I intend to outlive him. You will do nothing more than hold his attention and birth as many heirs as needed to keep us off the streets!”
Technically, they wouldn’t be on the streets without the Gojo connections and wealth as they have their own connections and wealth, but they will never sit this high above others again. The top is quite comfortable with a stunning view. Akiko will do anything to remain right where she is.
Even whore out her own son.
Suguru starts crying again. He’s too sensitive like his father. He has a big heart brimming with love and kindness but if he ever wants to have anything for himself he’ll have to get a grip.
Gojo may like Suguru now but Gojo is a shark entertaining a guppy until his appetite is fulfilled.
If Suguru doesn’t evolve into a shark as well, he’ll be kicked to the curb. Sometimes Akiko sees hints of herself in Suguru but sadly he’s not built for this. She can tell right now that he doesn’t have the balls to take that pill and do what needs to be done.
What a disappointment.
No matter, Akiko thinks, she will slip Suguru the pill herself the next time Gojo is at the house. She’ll leave them alone, chain all the doors to ensure neither can escape, and deal with the aftermath however she sees fit. Then she will marry Suguru off to preserve what little honor he may have left.
“Fine,” Suguru says, lifting his head to glare at her, “I’ll do as you say and finally make you proud. Is that what you want?”
“Yes,” Akiko says, walking over to cup his chin. He allows her this time. “It would make me very proud.”
She has been proud of Suguru before when he was younger and his father was alive to make it easier for her to love her son. But she hasn’t paid attention to him enough over the years to know if he has made her proud or not.
Now he has her full attention.
From the hopeful look in Suguru’s eyes, it’s apparent how much her approval means to him.
And like the opportunistic, cut-throat business woman that she is, she uses it to her advantage.
The last time Suguru attended an event like this he was nine years old and he remained glued to his father’s side the entire time.
Back then he saw his father as a knight who shielded him from all the evil trolls they encountered throughout the night. But he was a stupid kid back then who thought his life was a fairytale and that they lived in a castle. Now that he’s older and somewhat wiser, he fakes a smile and walks beside his mother with as much distance between them as she’ll allow.
Her evening gown is a black qipao that has a red crane in mid-flight on the sweeping skirt. Her hair is pinned back in a sleek bun, and she looks sharp and elegant.
Per her suggestion, Suguru is wearing a sleeveless, powder pink bodice dress and a diamond choker. His hair is loosely curled and left to flow down his back. The makeup makes him look like a Barbie doll; innocent, sweet, and unmarked. She wanted him to wear his hair up to show off his scent glands but he stood his ground about that.
It’s bad enough she’s using him to weasel her way into conversations she wouldn’t be able to have without Gojo being here.
Speaking of Gojo, Suguru hasn’t responded to the text he sent him this morning following the arrival of the roses and gifts he had delivered to his dorm. While it was a nice surprise, he doesn’t think he can face Gojo right now.
They haven’t seen each other in a week because Gojo has been busy, naturally, and even though he made two attempts during the week to fly Suguru out, Suguru declined each time. He came up with excuse after excuse.
Thankfully, Gojo didn’t push him. Suguru was annoyed about that even though he knows he isn’t ready to see Gojo but a part of him did want Gojo to be pushy. He knows it’s crazy to think that way.
If he wants to see Gojo, he should just see him, but it’s not that easy. Regardless, his mother is growing restless so he’ll have no choice soon.
To familiarize him with the world he’s avoided for years, his mother dragged him along to a banquet for some charity organization he doubts anyone in this ballroom gives a flying fuck about.
Throughout the evening, his mother parades him around and entertains enough small talk revolving around him and his lack of suitors just to get her foot in the door. From there she switches gears and starts talking business.
To Suguru’s surprise this tactic works like a charm. His mother’s secretary, who quietly follows them the entire time, has already penciled in three meetings for his mother. His mother has also built new connections and solidified old ones.
Suguru almost wishes this would be enough to make his mother forget her schemes involving his womb and Gojo, but he begins to realize that all of these people are only hoping to get closer to Gojo through his mother. None of them truly care about the Geto clan outside of possibly having Suguru as a trophy wife or a concubine.
A man old enough to be his grandfather even says as much right to their faces.
“He’d be a lovely addition to my omega harem. How frequent are his heats?”
To Suguru’s horror, his mother answers right away.
“Once every two months,” Akiko replies proudly. “He spends them all alone…” She smiles.
Her answer is false as Suguru’s heats are irregular yet it’s the fact that she answered at all. She should’ve told this old perv off, not entertained him.
Feeling gross and beyond his limit, Suguru excuses himself. He heads in the direction of the Omega’s Powder Room but once he’s out of his mom’s line of sight he snags two champagne flutes from a passing server and ducks off into a billiards room where a few betas are playing a game. None of them pay any mind to him so he sits in a dimly lit corner in a leather chair, drinking and trying not to cry.
In a way, Suguru thinks this is all his fault. He wanted a thrilling life, right? He thought it’d be fun to fool around with an older guy and experiment with some of his secret fantasies. Now his own mother is operating like his pimp and he has to gather enough courage to drug himself, rape his stepfather, and birth his heir.
Suguru downs both champagne flutes in quick succession. He needs more alcohol than this to survive this banquet.
“Easy,” a deep voice says.
Looking up, Suguru’s breath hitches when he sees a hulking frame standing over him. A tattooed face is the most he can make out in the poor lighting. He watches silently as the alpha takes the seat across from him and removes a cut cigar from behind his ear.
As he lights the cigar and the tip burns red, a memory fills Suguru’s mind.
This is the alpha from the nightclub. He was the one who watched Suguru and Gojo—
Suguru gulps. “I…my mom is waiting for me,” he says as he tries to get up.
“Sit,” the alpha says, using that same commanding tone as Gojo. “Your mom barely knows you’re gone now that she has the attention of that rorikon Gakuganji.”
Even though two champagne flutes aren’t enough to make Suguru intoxicated, they seem to be enough liquid courage to make him brave. He remains seated, and instead of ignoring this stranger or trying to think of another excuse to leave, he glares at him.
“Are you the loud mouth bastard who can’t mind his damn business so he ratted me out to my mom?” he asks.
The alpha raises his eyebrows in surprise.
Now that he’s seated and Suguru can see his face better he notes his attractiveness. It’s not like Gojo’s blinding beauty but it’s alluring all the same somehow.
When the alpha smiles and shows all his white fangs, Suguru inwardly gulps. “I was wondering when the redhead would show up again,” he says, amused. “I’m a lot of things, pup, but I’m not a snitch. Why would I rat you out after you gave me such a good show?”
The “redhead” comment is nearly lost on Suguru until he remembers that his hair was temporarily dyed cherry red that night at the club. So much for a disguise. And if this guy didn’t rat him out then who did? He would really like to know but right now his attention is pulled to the last thing the alpha said and his face burns hotter the more he remembers the “good show” he put on for this stranger.
“I was drunk,” Suguru says, glancing away.
He wasn’t that drunk. He’s just a dumb slut apparently.
“Lucky me.”
Suguru glances back at the alpha to see that his smile is genuine. “Who are you? Are you stalking me now?” He’s heard about alphas who catch an omega’s scent and become obsessed until they get their hands on them. If this is the case he thinks he may have the shittiest luck in the world. “My mom will have you arrested. She knows the Police Chief.”
“My apologies for my poor manners,” the alpha says, holding out his big hand. It looks like he can crush someone’s skull with that hand alone. “Ryoumen Sukuna.”
Hesitantly, Suguru places his hand in Sukuna’s. He watches Sukuna lower his head while maintaining eye contact and kiss the back of his hand. His lips linger there and Suguru involuntarily shivers before he quickly pulls his hand away.
“Sounds familiar,” Suguru says, looking around the billiards room to see that it’s empty now. He wonders if Sukuna told everyone to leave or if they left on their own accord to avoid him. “If you’re not going to rat me out then what do you want?”
Sukuna continues smoking his cigar as he stares at Suguru, from head to toe, his eyes taking a slow crawl down his body before returning to his face. What he wants is crystal clear.
“Are you the secret second wife or an incubator?” Sukuna asks.
The blunt questions leaves Suguru momentarily floored.
If he had a drink he would throw it in Sukuna’s face and shatter the glass on his stupid head. Standing up, he flips Sukuna off and then he steps around his chair to walk off but Sukuna grabs his wrist and jerks him into his lap. He puts his arm around Suguru to pin him in place.
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” Sukuna says quietly and he almost sounds apologetic. He stares up at Suguru, careful to keep the cigar smoke out of his face. “With me you wouldn’t have to be second best…” He closes his eyes and lightly sniffs Suguru and when he opens them again his pupils are dilated. “You’d be my wife.”
Suguru blinks in surprise. “Huh? You…you want to marry me?!” He tries to wiggle free but Sukuna won’t let him go. “My mom hates you! She wouldn't agree to a marriage agreement!”
And besides, Suguru doesn’t want to marry some random alpha.
He wants…
Gojo.
Suguru wants Gojo even if it’s just sex and empty affection. He wants Gojo but he can’t have him the way that he wants anymore because his mom is now using him to trap Gojo. He only had one night of freedom, one night of genuine happiness before his mom ruined everything. Now even when he wants to see Gojo he avoids him because he’s ashamed to admit to the scheme he’s agreed to carry out.
“Your mother is a wise businesswoman, I’ll give her that,” Sukuna says, showing no intention of letting Suguru get up from his lap. “However, she may think her only way to the top is the Gojo clan but she doesn’t understand how they operate.”
“And you do?”
“My tribe is as old as the clans. I know exactly how they operate.”
“Then enlighten me.” Suguru may sound irate but he’s genuinely curious to know more about Gojo’s clan in order to feel closer to him.
Sukuna smiles, taking Suguru’s interest in what he has to say as a sign that he’s winning him over. “The longevity of their clan is their first priority,” he says. “It doesn’t matter how well your mother can handle the business. If she can’t produce an heir, she’s nothing to them.”
What a shitty and outdated mindset. Omegas are more than wombs with legs. Instead of feeding into that stereotypical bullshit he wishes his mother would use it to her advantage. Well, technically she is, but in the worst way because she’s dragged him into this mess.
“They’re already married,” Suguru says pointedly.
“Marriage is just a temporary alliance. The birth of an heir is what truly binds a family.”
Suguru can understand why his mother is acting this way then. But since Sukuna is so chatty, he may as well collect all the information that he can. He doesn’t want this guy touching him but if sitting pretty gets him what he wants then so be it. Gradually, he’s learning how to use his status as an omega for his own benefit.
Licking his lower lip, he leans closer to Sukuna. “What will happen if my mother can’t fulfill that duty?” he asks, breath above a whisper.
He has to contain a smile when Sukuna’s eyes lower a fraction and he looks as if he wants to eat him. This is too easy!
Sukuna clears his throat. “In ancient times, the Gojo clan beheaded their…poor investments.”
Gulping, Suguru stares into Sukuna’s crimson eyes. “And now?”
Sukuna rubs Suguru’s arm, acting as if he’ll die if he doesn’t touch him in some way. “Beheadings are rather barbaric these days, I suppose. They usually poison them now, making the deaths look accidental.”
“Seriously?!”
Chuckling, Sukuna starts touching Suguru’s hair. “Who knows,” he says, bringing a few strands up to his nose for a sniff. “Your scent is very enticing, Geto-san, even that asshole hasn’t tainted it…”
“He’s not an asshole,” Suguru says before he can catch himself. He doesn’t know why that insult toward Gojo ticked him off this much. He steers the topic back to what he cares about most concerning this chance encounter. “And how does the Gojo clan treat good investments?”
Sukuna’s eyes are closed and he’s still sniffing Suguru’s hair so his guard is lowered. “Oh, they treat them like royalty. To marry into the Gojo clan and birth a healthy heir is highly regarded by them,” he says. “I hear Gojo Satoru’s mother never had to want for anything. She was loved and cherished by her husband and the clan…”
Suguru’s eyes widen a fraction at that. “All because she birthed an heir?”
“No. All because she ensured their continued survival as a clan.” Sukuna drops his hand from Suguru’s hair to grab his inner thigh under his dress. The next time he speaks, his voice is unrecognizable. “Can I have a taste of this pussy and see why someone as careful as Gojo Satoru would stupidly fuck his own stepson in public?” He whispers.
Startled, Suguru nudges Sukuna’s face away. “Hell no!” He uses more force than previously, trying to wiggle free. “Let me go!” It seems his little act earlier was too effective.
“Don’t be like that. I saw how much you enjoyed taking his knot.”
“Yeah, I enjoyed it because it was his fucking knot, not yours, you fucking bastard!”
Sukuna chuckles, sounding borderline insane. He tightens his arm around Suguru’s waist and slides his hand further up his dress. “You’d make a good little wife. You’re already knot-trained…I bet this pussy creams for a fat knot…”
Enraged, Suguru slaps Sukuna so hard his palm stings. He may be a massive slut for Gojo but this bastard is not Gojo!
The slap helps to sober Sukuna somewhat, returning his eyes to normal, and for a moment he looks stunned by his own actions. He licks the cut on the corner of his lip and a little blood spills out. Instead of being pissed, he grins at Suguru and lets him go.
“Get out of here before I fuck my knot into you no matter how loudly you cry and scream.”
Suguru doesn’t take that as an empty threat. He gets the hell out of there.
For a moment, his heart is racing and he’s disoriented, his bulging eyes scan the room frantically for a familiar face. He’s afraid. He’s afraid of what would have happened had he not slapped Sukuna and gotten himself out of there.
Fantasizing about similar scenarios is one thing but the real thing is terrifying.
That was everything he used to get off to. An older alpha cornering him, obsessing over him to the point of assaulting him, so why is he panicking now?
Because it’s not Gojo. It’s not a consensual set up with someone he actually likes, that’s why.
Suguru really fucking misses Gojo. He should call him right now and beg him to fly him out or come to where he is, anything.
As he stands there, thinking of what he’ll say when he calls Gojo, several nearby alphas stare at him. Some wear blank expressions while others show obvious interest. They all have the same look in their eyes though. Lust. He wonders if he’s hallucinating this.
It wouldn’t be the first time a panic attack has caused hallucinations.
“There you are, Geto-san,” his mother’s secretary says, popping up out of nowhere. He takes Suguru by the elbow and guides him out of the ballroom. “Your mother has been looking for you. It appears it’s past time…”
“Past time?”
The secretary doesn’t answer. He takes Suguru outside the venue to where the limo they arrived in is waiting. They both slide into the back seat where his mother is seated comfortably while taking a phone call. Wordlessly, she takes an inhaler out of her clutch and hands it to her secretary who instructs Suguru to use it.
Confused, Suguru stares at the inhaler and then at his mom. She mouths for him to “hurry up” so he uses the inhaler.
Once he does, he rests his head back on the seat as his body cools down and he begins to think clearly. His eyes are closed but his other senses are on high alert now.
“I never thought a half dose would have such a strong reaction,” his mother says, ending the call. “Perhaps your pheromones are naturally enticing. Hm, we may only need a half dose with Gojo-san as well.”
Slowly, Suguru opens his eyes and sits up straight. “A half dose?” he asks.
Ignoring his question, his mother flips through her meeting journal to admire the new appointments she collected tonight. From the looks of it she has about ten in total.
“No need to let Gojo-san hold me back anymore,” Akiko says, smiling at her secretary. “I’ve found the perfect way to get those snobby pricks to pay attention to what I have to say.”
Because Suguru has had a long night, he loses his patience. “What in the fuck do you mean when you say a half dose?! A half dose of what?!” He screams.
That gets her attention.
Sighing, his mother begins to unpin her hair. “I slipped you a half dosage of an inducer during dinner earlier,” she says as though it were nothing of importance. “Your beauty can only take us so far with these kinds of businessmen. I needed to boost you. But next time I’ll use a smaller dose. Several alphas were beginning to get wound up more than intended.” She chuckles.
Suguru’s heart drops.
He opens his mouth and closes it, utterly shocked and speechless. His mother drugged him. She slipped him an inducer and used him to strike up conversations about tonight. She risked him being jumped just so she could—
“You fucking bitch!” Suguru screams. Hot tears spill down his face as he stares at his mother in disbelief. “What is your problem? I could have been raped!”
No wonder Sukuna was acting that way out of nowhere. Yes, he’s obviously attracted to Suguru and maybe he’s considering a marriage offer for business gain but would he have tried to force himself on him without the inducers? Suguru remembers the surprised expression on Sukuna’s face once he realized his own actions. Now it all makes sense.
His mother loudly sighs at what she deems a dramatic reaction. “I wouldn’t have allowed that,” she says but something in her voice makes it sound unbelievable. “And watch your mouth.”
If an important investor raped him she would probably help them cover it up since she’s such a heartless bitch.
“I’m sure you would’ve liked that,” Suguru says, no longer holding his tongue. “The more alphas who violate me, the less desirable I’ll be to Gojo, right?” He snorts. “What? Afraid he’ll toss you aside and marry me instead?”
Clearly those words are triggering because his mother aims her hair pen at his face threateningly, her eyes red with rage. “Don’t think too highly of yourself! He’d never marry an immature brat like you! You’re only a fun time. I’m trying to make sure you’re a fun time he never forgets!”
“By pimping me out!”
“So what?” She fires back. “You opened your legs to him without any persuasion from me. I’m only making sure all of us get something out of it!”
“And what will I get out of this?!”
“I will no longer see you as a mistake I should’ve aborted!”
All of the fight and the anger is knocked out of Suguru by those cruel words. His heart shatters completely even as he sees the instant regret on his mother’s face.
The remainder of the ride is suffocatingly silent.
A loud sigh would be enough to erupt the tension and have mother and son at each other’s throats again so all three occupants of the limo hold their breaths until they reach the hotel.
Since Suguru got dressed at the hotel he only goes upstairs to grab his overnight bag before he leaves without a word. He could go back to his dorm but instead he books his own hotel room across town.
Suguru is numb as he takes a scalding hot shower in hopes of peeling his flesh off so that pain can outweigh the pain in his heart. It doesn’t work. It only leaves his skin red and tender. He puts on a bathrobe and buries himself under the covers, trying and failing to fall asleep and put this horrible night behind him but his mother’s words play on repeat inside his head.
He knew she never loved him. Most of his life has been wasted hoping to gain her love and approval just for her to only see him as a womb with legs. The bitter truth hurts so much. He wants to know what’s wrong with him. Why can’t she love him?
Eventually he does fall asleep.
But he wakes up hours later to a dead phone and a hollowness in his chest. He orders room service; a cheeseburger and a bottle of vodka.
After two bites of the cheeseburger he drinks the vodka straight from the bottle, hoping he’ll get so drunk that he’ll forget any of this ever happened, forget his own name, and forget he was ever the son of Geto Akiko, but he only ends up crying and wishing his dad was here.
Sometime later when there’s a sharp knock on the door, his drunken mind convinces him that his dream has come true. His dad really is here! That’s why he staggers over to the door instead of ignoring the knock completely.
“I’ve been calling you nonstop. Is your phone dead?”
At the sight of Gojo, Suguru blinks to see if this is a hallucination. Before he can confirm that with his eyes, big arms are wrapping around him and soft lips are kissing his face.
The warmth of Gojo’s embrace nearly brings Suguru to tears. He clings to the back of Gojo’s shirt like a lifeline. “Go—Satoru?” he asks, using that name for the first time.
Gojo stiffens before quickly relaxing. He cups the back of Suguru’s head. “Yeah, I’m here, baby. I’m here.”
“How?” Not that it matters at this point considering how much he’s missed Gojo and has wanted to reach out to him. But he’s too stunned to think of anything else to say.
“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” Gojo picks Suguru up in a princess-carry and closes the hotel door behind him. He carries him into the bathroom. “I flew in…I wanted to surprise you…”
That still doesn’t explain how Gojo knew his exact location. Suguru never told his mom where he was going and he doubts she sent her secretary to follow after him. Because he’s drunk and still in disbelief that anything about this encounter is real he wonders if Gojo secretly placed a tracking device on his phone during their time together last week.
Suguru laughs at the thought.
Gojo is sitting on the edge of the tub as it fills with water. He’s cradling Suguru in his arms and smoothing hair away from his face. “What are you laughing at?” he quietly asks, smiling fondly.
“Satoru, are you stalking me?”
“Naturally,” he responds without hesitation. “Is that a problem, Suguru?”
Not all.
To Suguru, it shows just how much Gojo cares.
The incessant yet serene chirping of birds wakes Suguru. Opening his eyes, he’s met by an unfamiliar sight. He’s laying on a futon inside of a traditional-style bedroom that is tastefully decorated.
Two large sliding doors are parted open, permitting entry to bright, sunny rays of light that beam on his skin. Instead of squinting in annoyance, he softly smiles and drinks in the beautiful scenery. This unknown place almost reminds him of his grandmother’s summer home.
Since the woman had long reached an age where she couldn’t bear any more heirs, her husband “allowed” her to live separately from him. Suguru had a healthy relationship with his grandmother, and he loved visiting her whenever he got the chance. He often wonders how she was able to have a daughter like his mother.
Before his mood can sour, Suguru sits up. He’s surprised to find himself wearing a light yukata with a family crest embroidered on the right side.
Now this is a very familiar sight. A six-petaled flower encircled by solid black. It’s the crest of the Gojo clan.
Gojo brought him here from the hotel. Suguru tries not to read too deeply into that because neither he, nor his mother — at least to his knowledge — have been here before, and Gojo bringing him to his clan’s secluded compound seems like an intimate gesture. He doesn’t want to read too deeply into it in order to shield his heart.
Soon, silent servants enter the room bringing him platters of food. They place the dishes on a low table that’s outside on the wooden deck so he enjoys a fulfilling meal while he watches the koi swim below. He’s wondering where his phone is so he can shoot his absent host a text when the man himself steps out onto the deck.
Gojo is also wearing a yukata. The Gojo crest is on his left side instead of the right, making Suguru curious to know if the crest placement has a special meaning.
The servants who were here earlier only had the crests on the back of their clothing so there has to be a deeper meaning he reasons. He wants to ask Gojo but he’s momentarily distracted by how handsome Gojo looks in this yukata with part of his biceps exposed.
“How’s the food?” he asks, walking over to sit across from Suguru.
“Everything is really good.” Suguru picks up a clump of rice with his chopsticks and offers it to Gojo.
It’s a small gesture yet Gojo looks at the rice as if it were a prized gift. Suguru thinks his interpretation of that look may be off because why would this make Gojo feel grateful? He stares at Gojo as he eats off his chopsticks, their eyes meet, and they maintain that stare as Gojo chews and swallows.
“Have you eaten?” Suguru asks. He pats the seat next to him. “Come here, let me feed you.”
To his surprise, Gojo doesn’t hesitate to take him up on his offer. He’s obedient, and really cute as he sits here waiting for Suguru to feed him.
“Do you have a clan meeting?” Suguru feels like he’ll be more effective if he sat on Gojo’s lap so he does that. He smiles while Gojo hugs his waist and eats everything he gives him. “Is that why we’re here?”
“No. I figured you needed a break.”
Suguru’s smile falters. He didn’t expect that answer at all.
Gojo moves all of Suguru’s hair over to one side and kisses his neck. “Was I wrong?” he asks.
Putting the chopsticks down, Suguru touches Gojo’s hands. He doesn’t know if he wants to pry them away or kiss them so he doesn’t do anything with them at all.
“No.” He does need a break. Honestly, he needs a new mother or no mother at all but he keeps that thought to himself. “School’s stressful.”
“School is the reason why you downed nearly an entire bottle of vodka? I’m not belittling the struggles of a university student but, Suguru, I took you as someone who could handle that level of stress.”
Gojo knows he’s lying.
But is that because Gojo somehow knows about the banquet and the fall out with his mom or because Gojo simply knows when Suguru is lying to him? While Suguru tries to come up with any excuse that can get him out of this conversation, he’s lifted up by the hips with surprising ease and turned around until he’s facing Gojo. His yukata is scrunched up and the airflow makes him extremely self conscious about his lack of underwear.
Glancing down, Suguru’s face reddens when he sees his bare pussy. He’s not trying to be modest for Gojo’s sake. It’s just jarring to see given the circumstances and the fact that clan servants are walking the nearby grounds.
His indecency is irrelevant to Gojo who is only staring at his face.
Suguru tries to sit up to pull his yukata down but Gojo grabs his wrists, stopping him.
“Look at me.”
The serious tone has Suguru complying immediately. He stops breathing when he sees how intensely Gojo is staring at him.
“Every day, people lie to my face,” he says, eyes open and sincere. “I don’t treat you like anyone else so show me the same favoritism please. I don’t care if you lie to others. Never lie to me, Suguru. Never hide things from me. If you don’t want to talk about it now, fine, but don’t lie.”
At a loss, Suguru lowers his head. He wants to hide from the raw emotions Gojo is directing at him because he doesn’t know how to respond to them. But he does know that he wants to trust Gojo and he wants Gojo to trust him.
Then why is he still hiding?
He hides from his mom enough as it is. Even when he has his outbursts he still cowers at the sight of her. He’ll never have a true bond with Gojo if he treats him the same way. He even avoided Gojo for an entire week simply because his mom decided that her career was more important than her own son.
Why does Suguru have to give up what he wants because of that?
If she sees him as a mistake she should’ve aborted then it’s time for him to stop treating her like his mother. It’s time for him to treat her like his competition.
So what if this is temporary and Gojo is only having fun? Who says that Suguru can’t turn this fun time into something long term? Then he’ll truly make Akiko wish she aborted him. Because he’ll be her downfall one way or another.
Lifting his head, Suguru stares into Gojo’s eyes with the same sincerity and openness. “I’m sorry…Satoru.” He sees the way Gojo’s eyes brighten when he says his given name, and he has to contain a smile. “My mom and I had a major fight. I’m not ready to talk about it though.”
Gojo searches his eyes for a moment. “Did she hurt your feelings?” he asks, cupping Suguru’s face.
Suguru touches Gojo’s hand with both of his own, turning his face to kiss the warm palm. “Yes but I don’t want to think about her right now.” He licks Gojo’s thumb and then sucks on it.
The subject is immediately dropped.
Gojo pets Suguru’s hair and watches him suck on his thumb with hooded eyes.
Mouthing around the digit, Suguru whispers, “Papa, I’ve missed you…”
Gojo’s breath hitches. “I’ve missed you too, sweetie.” He shoves his thumb deeper into Suguru’s hot mouth. “I almost showed up to your dorm and abducted you.” He chuckles.
That clearly isn’t a joke.
Suguru would have loved being tossed over Gojo’s shoulder and carried out of his dorm room to be fucked in some unknown location until Gojo had his fill.
“Then why didn’t you?” Suguru asks, swirling his tongue around the tip of Gojo’s thumb. “Seems like you didn’t miss me enough. If you really missed me you would’ve snatched me off campus and tied me up until you were satisfied.”
From the way Gojo is staring at him it seems like that was his exact plan. “I tried to behave,” he says, sounding defeated.
“Now that isn't like you at all, Papa.”
Suguru frees Gojo’s thumb to untie his own yukata. The fabric slips down his shoulders but he doesn’t take it off. He just leans back, thighs spread, pussy glistening with slick, and nipples erect. He lifts Gojo’s hand and kisses the palm, wanting for Gojo to make the next move.
Gojo reaches over Suguru’s shoulder to pick up a golden bell from the table that one of the servants left behind. He rings it once. Inside the bedroom, a door slides open and moments later two servants step out onto the deck. One is carrying a black briefcase that she quietly places next to where they’re seated.
After the side of the table closest to them is cleared, Gojo lifts Suguru up by his hips and sits him on the table.
He has Suguru’s thighs spread open and his mouth on his pussy right there in front of the servants who focus on their task of clearing the table and nothing more.
Suguru is startled at first until Gojo slides his middle finger into his tight core and starts sucking on his clit simultaneously. Then he stops giving a fuck about the servants who are clearing the table or the many servants who are walking around the compound carrying out chores. He doesn’t care if they see. He wants them to see how much their clan head loves eating him out.
“Papa…Papa…so good…” He fists his hand in Gojo’s hair, urging him to keep going.
Gojo curls that finger, and Suguru sees stars. His moans increase, becoming louder and less contained. He begs Gojo to fuck his pussy, to make him cum. But Gojo keeps lapping at his cunt and pumping that finger inside of him.
With the table finally cleared, Suguru finally lays back. Gojo takes this as him trying to escape his clutches so he grabs him by the thighs and roughly jerks him off the edge of the table. He devours Suguru, leaving him a panting, shivering mess.
Suguru doesn’t register his own orgasm until he dazedly sits up and sees the amount of slick dripping down his thighs. Gojo only stopped eating him out when Suguru reached his peak. Now he’s untying his yukata and taking it off. He’s also bare underneath so Suguru is greeted by his thick, hard cock that’s pearling at the tip. Mouth watering, Suguru reaches out for it. He wants it in his mouth, wants it jammed into his tight cunt, wants it everywhere it can fit.
“Papa…”
Gojo pulls him off the table and into his lap. Suguru grabs his cock, moaning from how heavy it sits in his hand, and allows Gojo to guide it to where they both need it most.
They kiss messily, teeth clacking, and tongues lapping while Suguru rides Gojo out in the open for any passing clan member or servant to see.
“Do…do they…know who I am?” Suguru asks. He can barely get his words out. Gojo’s cock is buried in his stomach. “Do...they know who you’re fucking, Papa?”
Gojo sucks on Suguru’s neck, gripping his ass and thrusting harder. “Yes…they know exactly who you are. They know you’re my sweet little stepson who loves his Papa’s cock.”
Suguru giggles. He hugs Gojo’s head against his chest. “It’s true…I love…I love Papa’s cock… and I want his fat knot…so I can have his litter…”
Groaning, Gojo curses. He slaps Suguru’s ass. “My knot would rip your little ass in half.” He bites Suguru's nipple and then licks over the aching flesh. “What you had last time was nothing…my actual knot is too big for some pup…no matter how well he takes my cock like he was born for it.”
They both know that by the standards of the consent laws, Suguru isn’t a pup. But to an alpha like Gojo with a knot that is guaranteed to sire superior offspring, Suguru is a pup with the scent of his mother’s milk still on his tongue. It makes sense why Gojo is careful about spending his rut with just anyone.
Suguru isn’t just anyone though. He and Gojo have a perfect compatibility.
The subject is put on pause for now. They both reach their peaks one after the other. Usually Gojo likes to breed him and linger inside of him until the excessive cum nudges him out but this time he lifts Suguru up and sits him back on the table.
“I saw these on a business trip and thought of you,” Gojo says, popping the briefcase open. He shows off jade anal plugs of varying sizes. One even has a small rabbit tail attached to it. “Ass facing me.” He orders.
Obediently, Suguru turns over on his stomach. His thighs and legs hang over the table, giving Gojo direct access to his ass. Feeling coolness on his skin, he looks over his shoulder to see Gojo clasping a gold ankle bracelet on him. It’s beautiful.
“I had to get my Pumpkin something extra special as well.” He kisses Suguru’s ankle bone. “Can Papa see your virgin asshole?” he asks quietly.
Suguru holds his breath as he reaches back and spreads himself open. He sees how Gojo’s breath hitches at the sight of a place he’s never even explored on his own. But he’s always been curious. Of course Gojo is curious as well. They matched on their kink test, after all.
Gojo admires him for a moment longer before he takes a small jar out of the suitcase. “I read somewhere that some omegas get so turned on from ass play that they piss themselves.” He chuckles, and the faint crow’s feet near his eyes become prominent. “But I think my special little boy is a squirter…”
The possibility that Suguru may piss himself during any kind of intimate encounter with Gojo actually terrifies him. That’s one of the things he would eradicate his own existence over. He sits up, not wanting to risk it.
“Did I tell you to get up?” Gojo asks in that same loving tone. He looks at Suguru, seeing the apprehension in his expression. “I figured you wouldn’t be as compliant about this. That’s why I’m prepared.”
The suitcase seems to have an assortment of hidden compartments because Gojo presses down on the center and it pops open. Suguru can’t see what he’s looking for so he watches closely.
When he sees the bundle of red rope, his eyes sparkle. He’s always found Shibari beautiful and intriguing, and from the way Gojo is unraveling the rope it seems he has some experience in this field.
“Arms behind your back,” Gojo commands.
Shaking his head, Suguru scoots away from Gojo.
“Do as I say.”
“No.” Suguru may want to try this but he’s afraid anal play will push him too far into his hard limits. “No, Satoru…”
Gojo continues unraveling the rope. “Are you scared that I’ll play with your ass so well that you’ll piss everywhere?”
Suguru nods.
“I know your body quite well, Suguru. Won’t you trust me?”
“I do trust you.”
“Ah, I see. You distrust yourself then.”
Suguru nods.
Gojo sits up on his knees, rope in hand, and he kisses Suguru’s thigh. “All you have to do is surrender control to me and I’ll make your body act exactly how it’s supposed to.”
Surrendering control to another person is terrifying yet there is undeniable appeal that Suguru can’t ignore.
For a week straight he ran himself ragged, stressing and panicking over every aspect of his life. He would have loved to give someone else the control switch while he operated on auto-pilot until it all went away. While this isn’t necessarily the same scenario, he does often feel as if he has too many decisions to make, too much to consider, too much that he doesn’t want to deal with on his own.
Maybe this is the first step to learning to let go.
Mind made up, Suguru kneels on the table with his back facing Gojo and he clasps his hands so that Gojo can tie them. Gojo kisses his lower back as if thanking him for his trust.
His previous assumption was correct. Gojo is experienced with tying knots for bondage. He ensures the rope is intricately knotted yet not too tight to cause discomfort. He tugs on his masterpiece once he’s finished, testing its sturdiness.
Suguru inhales and exhales, trying to calm his breathing as he’s gently nudged forward so that his face is resting on the table but his ass is raised in the air.
His legs remain untied and he knows that’s because Gojo wants to ease him into this instead of hog-tying him right off the bat. He impatiently waits to feel cold lube on his quivering hole so he’s pleasantly surprised when he feels Gojo’s searing tongue instead.
The touch of his tongue burns in the best way, making Suguru melt into a puddle. Gojo has his ass pried open as if he wants to see his tongue working him open. Since Suguru is an omega, neither of his holes require much prodding to become spongy and pliant. It’s improper to openly say, but it’s widely known that an omega’s body is made to be bred and molded into whatever fuckable shape their alpha sees fit.
That’s partially why alphas prefer untouched omegas. Omegas who’ve been molded by another alpha need a lot of time and doting to adjust to a new alpha.
But Suguru belongs to Gojo right now.
That’s why after a few licks, Gojo is able to tongue Suguru’s asshole and nudge his thumb in alongside it. Slick drools from Suguru’s needy cunt. It’s begging for attention yet Gojo cruelly neglects it.
Whining, Suguru deepens the arch in his back in an attempt to draw Gojo’s attention to his pussy. He feels cheated when Gojo gives his ass a couple more licks and thumbing before pulling away entirely.
Frowning, he lifts his head.
There aren’t any more servants walking about, not that he cares either way. Looking over his shoulder, he sees Gojo holding the jade anal plug that has the bunny tail attached to it. He watches Gojo open the jar he took out of the briefcase earlier and apply lube to the plug.
“Lay down and relax, Suguru,” Gojo says, still using that loving tone as though they were husband and wife.
Suguru rests his face on the table again. He’s aching for attention but it looks like he won’t get the kind he wants until he gives Gojo what he wants. He flexes his hands to test the strength of the rope. Damn. He’s bound tight. He won’t be able to slip a hand out to thumb his clit to offer himself some relief. He has no choice but to wait like a good boy.
He nearly whines again when Gojo touches his ass and spreads one side of him open but his excitement dies a little when he feels that coolness on the hole he’s least concerned with at the moment. It isn’t all bad. Really, it isn’t bad at all. Gojo kisses the back of his thighs and whispers praises into his skin as he rubs his spongy hole with the tip of the plug and slowly pushes it in.
Startling himself, Suguru’s thighs shake and wetness spurts out of his pussy the moment the plug breaches. Before he has time to register the scent of that substance to decide if this is his last day on earth or not, Gojo shoves the plug in deeper, groaning when Suguru’s thighs shake again and more wetness spills out of him.
“I knew it,” Gojo says. He nips Suguru’s thigh hard enough to leave a bruise. “I knew my baby was a squirter…”
With the plug fully lodged in, Suguru moans loudly as he squirts once more. His vision burns white and his head is ringing but there’s a blissed out smile on his sweaty, flushed face. This time he can feel the wetness running down his trembling thighs. Suguru doesn’t have time to bask in this new experience because soon Gojo is gripping the edge of the table above his head with both hands and mounting him.
It’s too much for Suguru.
The plug is shoved up his ass and Gojo is pounding into him and grunting in his ear. Through bleary vision, he can see that servants are once again out and about, carrying out their tasks while their clan head is mounting his stepson in broad daylight.
Suguru squirts again from the sheer deviancy of this whole affair. He’s so fucked up. They’re both fucked up. The Gojo clan is even more fucked up for continuing their day as if they don’t see anything strange at all.
The rope starts to burn. Suguru doesn’t mind that burn but he starts to struggle against the rope out of habit, feeling claustrophobic for some reason. But he ignores that feeling, shoves it down in order to not ruin the moment. If he’s a good boy, Gojo will be happy. All he wants is for Gojo to be happy.
He wants to free his hands so that he can touch Gojo, worship him. It’s useless. The only thing he can do is lay here and take Gojo’s cock.
A small voice inside his mind tells him he was made for this and nothing else. He’s just a warm, wet hole for Gojo to use and abuse. He’s nothing. With each passing moment, he starts to believe that.
It’s fine though. It’s fine. It’s…
Suguru nearly passes out from the overstimulation because this is the most pleasure his body has ever experienced in one sitting but he powers through it. He wants to be alert when Gojo breeds him. He loves how warm and full his stomach gets whenever it happens. It makes him feel closer to Gojo, like pieces of Gojo are infiltrating his body bit by bit until he’s completely consumed by him.
He wants Gojo to consume him, devour him whole. He wants Gojo to own him, break him, fuck him until he’s nothing. He wants Gojo to live and breathe for Gojo. He wants…
“There, there, Suguru,” Gojo says, lowering his body so that he can kiss Suguru’s tear-stained cheek. “Don’t fall too deeply into that headspace, baby, stay grounded with me…”
Suguru didn’t realize he had been babbling all of that loudly just now. The out of body experience has him reeling. His breathing quickens and before long he’s sobbing uncontrollably.
“I’m nothing,” he whispers. “I’m…do whatever you want with me…you own me…”
He doesn’t understand what’s happening.
“Fuck.” Gojo carefully pulls out of him, removes the plug, and quickly unties the knots. “I’m here, Suguru. I’m sorry, baby. I got careless.” He lets the rope slide off the table into a twisted heap. “I’m so sorry.”
Once his hands are free, Suguru clutches his head in hopes of putting an end to his spiraling thoughts. He feels small and feeble, non-human, as Gojo picks him up off the table and carries him into the bedroom.
They go to a washroom where a wooden tub is already filled with water that still has steam rolling off the surface. Gojo helps Suguru in first before he gets in behind him. He holds Suguru against his chest, scent marking him and apologizing profusely.
It takes some time for Suguru to feel like himself again. Even then the doting doesn’t stop. He goes from numbly receiving Gojo’s affection to soaking it up.
“We need a safe word,” Gojo says, kissing Suguru’s temple. “And I should’ve known you weren’t ready for all of that yet. I’m sorry, I got excited because…Suguru, you’re perfect for me and I got carried away…”
“It’s okay, Satoru.”
Blinking hard, Gojo looks down at Suguru as if he’s surprised to hear him sound so alert already. Then he looks bashful like he said more than he should’ve.
“It’s not okay. I’ll be more responsible in the future.”
Suguru doesn’t think he really understands what’s going on. It doesn’t help that he can’t remember what exactly caused him to have a borderline anxiety attack moments ago. He can tell from how stressed out Gojo looks that it was pretty serious.
“Did I do something wrong?” Suguru asks because he’s accustomed to things being his fault. “Did I mess up?”
Frowning, Gojo touches his face. “No, you did nothing wrong at all. I…” He sighs in frustration. “I took advantage of your trust in me. I should have known you weren’t ready to give up complete control during an intimate moment like that but I allowed my dick to do the thinking.”
Suguru wants to say that it’s still okay. He wants to say that even if Gojo intentionally took advantage of him due to selfish desire, Suguru will forgive him and hand over his control once more. But this is the first time someone older than him has apologized to him this adamantly.
Not even his father ever took accountability for the handful of times he let Suguru down or failed to keep a promise.
“Can you discuss it with me before you want to try anything like that again?” he asks with uncertainty.
Gojo looks relieved. “Of course.” He kisses Suguru’s temple again and rests his chin on his shoulder, nuzzling him. “I never want you to feel like you’re nothing to me or that I only see you as an object, Suguru.”
“…at least not unless I agree to it, right?”
He chuckles. “Yes. Only if we discuss it beforehand and establish a safe word.”
“What would our safe word be?”
“It has to be something unique between us. Nothing commonly used during sex either. I want you to choose it.”
Suguru will need time to think about it then. He tries to think of something clever while Gojo gives him a bath, occasionally pausing to kiss the rope burns on his wrists, but his mind is useless right now.
There’s only one thing that can hold his attention.
Turning around, he straddles Gojo’s lap and hugs his neck. Kissing Gojo is nearly as enjoyable as being fucked by Gojo. Every time they kiss it has the same passion and thrill as the first time they did it. Suguru wishes he could spend hours just kissing Gojo and listening to his quiet sighs and groans. But kissing Gojo can’t end with just that.
“Are you sure you want to do it again so soon?” Gojo asks as if he’s not rock hard and doing nothing to stop Suguru from gripping his cock at the base and rubbing his folds against it. He doesn’t even wait for Suguru to answer. “We can keep things vanilla for now…” He cups Suguru’s ass and watches his cock disappear into his tight body.
Suguru is fine with that as long as Gojo is inside of him.
It’s becoming concerning how much he wants that. Even after he rides Gojo and drains his sack, he refuses to allow Gojo to pull out of him. He’s nodding off, face in the crook of Gojo’s neck, arms dangling over his broad shoulders, and he still begs Gojo to keep it in.
“I want to sleep like this,” Suguru mumbles as he drifts off. “...with you inside me…”
He thinks Gojo calls him perfect or something along those lines but he’s too drained to tell.
As Satoru expected, his family’s colors fit Suguru quite well.
The rich navy yukata he picked out for his esteemed guest is considered a heirloom to the Gojo clan because despite its simple design it has been worn by special members of the clan for several decades.
While Suguru admires himself in a full-length mirror, smiling as he touches the embroidery on the right breast of the yukata, Satoru is briefly reminded of his mother. He hasn’t thought about her in a long time. It’s just that this is the first time he’s brought anyone with him to the compound and he wishes she were here for it.
“Can I really have these earrings?” Suguru asks, touching the diamond and pearl flower earrings Satoru gave him moments ago. “You said they were your mom’s…”
Not only did the earrings belong to Satoru’s mother but they belonged to his grandmother and his great grandmother.
They’re another family heirloom. He doesn’t tell Suguru all of that though. It’s too soon for him to learn the other half of the reason for Satoru bringing him to the compound.
Satoru walks over to the mirror, standing behind Suguru. Their yukatas are the same shade of navy but his flower is on the left side. Touching Suguru’s shoulders, he takes a moment to note their height difference before he leans down to kiss his cheek.
Suguru blushes a pretty red.
“Do you like them?” Satoru asks.
“Well, I love them but-”
“Then they’re yours.” He kisses Suguru’s cheek again. “They’ve been without a worthy owner for some time since my mom passed. It’d be a waste for them to remain in a jewelry box, don’t you agree?”
Suguru touches the earrings again, smiling. “Yes, I agree. I promise to take great care of them.”
“I don’t doubt that.” Satisfied, he takes Suguru by the hand and they leave the room.
Two servants bow before them and kneel to slide the doors open. Satoru and Suguru step out into the courtyard where the sun is peeking behind a cloud now. Satoru wants to show Suguru the other side of the compound before sunset. Thankfully, they have enough time.
“The other side?” Suguru looks around in amazement. “There’s more?”
His disbelief is understandable Satoru supposes.
Since Satoru has spent most of his life confined to this place he doesn’t think much of it but Suguru’s reaction has him taking a moment to appreciate the true grandeur of his ancestral home.
They’re currently in the east wing which is historically the place where the clan head resides. Satoru has a mountain to himself with an abundance of servants and smaller structures for him to use at his leisure so he understands why Suguru would assume this was the entirety of the compound.
In order to get to the place Satoru wants to show Suguru they have to travel by a pulled rickshaw. He lifts Suguru up and settles him inside before he gets in after him.
“Is it that far?” Suguru asks, clasping his arm with Satoru’s as they begin to move.
“Not to me but it’s customary for…” Satoru stops himself, not wanting to say too much. Instead he says, “I didn’t want to have you hiking without prior notice.”
Suguru doesn’t seem to mind this mode of transportation, in fact, he looks excited. He’s looking left and right, taking in the scenery of the mountain and distant waterfalls. They encounter a peacock further down the dirt path and Satoru smiles at the wonderment on Suguru’s face.
With the Geto clan being relatively new they don’t have an estate as vast as this. It makes Satoru wonder what Suguru’s upbringing was like in comparison to his. There is still a lot he doesn’t know about Suguru but he intends to uncover every single thing about him to satiate his own obsession.
Reaching their destination, Satoru disembarks first and he offers his hand to Suguru and helps him off the rickshaw. He continues holding his hand as he leads him through a row of peach trees.
“Is this an orchard?” Suguru asks, noticing rows of apple trees over the rolling, verdant hills.
“And a farm and a lab of sorts. This is where the clan’s medicine is made.”
“I read somewhere that clan medicine is the real deal. It seems a shame to keep it all to yourselves.”
Satoru smiles. “I’ve been saying the same thing for years.” He shows Suguru a large greenhouse where they can see women picking herbs and grinding them in mortar bowls. “I’m hoping to open a company under a pseudonym to sell our medicine across the country. That way it’s accessible to non clan members as well.”
“Really?” Suguru’s interest is palpable. He starts leading the way to the greenhouse before he suddenly halts. “Can we go in?”
“Of course we can.”
When they enter the greenhouse, the workers take a moment to bow at them both. Suguru returns the gesture with a warm smile. He looks as if he has a million questions to ask but he contains himself.
“I need to apply ointment to your wrists,” Satoru says. There are plenty of jars already made but he picks up a basket and hands it to Suguru. “I can show you how it’s made.”
Suguru nods eagerly. “Please!”
They gather the necessary ingredients and find an empty workbench. It’s been years since Satoru has been out here due to his busy schedule but it all comes naturally to him. His mother was the one who helped him appreciate the family business and the many doors it could open.
He brought Suguru here in hopes of sharing this with someone he likes. And he means he likes, like, Suguru. He has a full on crush at this stage of his life and it would be embarrassing if he were anyone else probably. But he’s long accepted that if he ever met someone who made him genuinely consider taking time off from work that they were the one for him.
“It smells really good,” Suguru says, sniffing the paste they took turns shaping. “Is it ready?”
“Almost. I have to add the secret ingredient.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a secret. Only members of the Gojo clan can know what it is.”
Suguru nods in understanding and closes his eyes. Picking up a glass bottle from the lower rack of the workbench, Satoru looks to see if Suguru is peeping.
His eyes are still closed and he’s patiently waiting for Satoru to add the secret ingredient. He’s too precious, truly. One day Suguru won’t have to cover his eyes if Gojo has his way. He’ll know exactly what the secret ingredient is.
After adding in the final step, he puts the bottle away. Then he kisses Suguru just because he wants to.
Suguru peeks one eye open. “Satoru, are you done?” he asks, blushing.
They’ve had two sexual exhibition moments together yet Suguru still blushes whenever Satoru makes small gestures like this. It’s endearing.
“All done.” Satoru pushes up the sleeves of Suguru’s yukata and applies the ointment to his wrists. “I know you’re not interested in the company but do you think you’d like to do something like this instead?”
Suguru look’s around the greenhouse, his expression thoughtful. “I do enjoy the thought of natural medicine.” He smiles. “And this work seems peaceful.”
“How would you feel about becoming my partner…for this new company? No one would know we’re pulling the strings and we'll share this medicine with those who need it.”
“You want me to work for you?”
“Not for me, Suguru, with me.”
Satoru can tell that Suguru is actually considering it. He likes helping people and shares Satoru’s appreciation for the work that goes into creating something from scratch. They would make a great duo in this industry.
“I’m not changing my major to Business,” Suguru says, sighing. “That’s what my mom wants.”
“You wouldn’t have to change your major. You wouldn’t need a degree at all. Suguru, you’re a nepo baby, let’s be serious here.”
“Maybe that’s why I want to keep my major as it is and earn my degree instead of having things handed to me.
Satoru continues rubbing the ointment on Suguru’s bruises. “You’re studying a subject you’re uninterested in to piss your mom off. But is that what you want for yourself?”
“So what, I should just do what you want me to instead?”
“I want you to find something you enjoy. Regardless of what you decide, I’ll support you.”
Hearing that means a great deal to Suguru who has a mother who is never impressed by anything he does and doesn’t care to support him in anything that doesn’t benefit her. Satoru means every word of it too. He would love to create a meaningful business with Suguru by his side but he understands if Suguru wants something else out of life.
Their moment is interrupted by the alarm on Satoru’s phone reminding him of a meeting he has in a few hours. He’s spent too much time away from the office these past few days. He’ll have to attend this meeting to keep a handle on things.
“Work?” Suguru asks knowingly.
“Yes but I can do what I need to over the phone. First, I’ll take you back to my quarters.” He puts the remaining ointment into a jar. “My meeting won’t take any more than an hour. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
Suguru touches Satoru’s shoulders and leans up to kiss his lips briefly like a wife sending her husband off to work. “You better.” He smiles.
Satoru will have to treat Suguru to an extra special evening then. Anything to keep the future Gojo clan’s mistress happy.
Only two days have passed since the Banquet from Hell.
To Suguru, he’s been here at the Gojo compound for much longer than that, not that he’s complaining. He almost doesn’t want to check his phone, allowing himself a longer escape from everything that’s awaiting him outside of this peaceful escape, but he bites the bullet.
His gracious host put his phone on the charger. It’s sitting on top of his overnight bag in a corner of the large bedroom. While his phone powers on, he looks through his bag to see if he remembered to pack any manga. That should help him kill time until Gojo gets back.
During his search, he hears pills rattling in a bottle. Picking up a folded shirt, he sees the heat inducers his mom gave him after she discovered his affair with Gojo.
Guilt begins to eat away at Suguru, twisting and coiling in his gut. He hasn’t told Gojo everything yet because he doesn’t know if it will make Gojo think less of him. His own mother doesn’t value him so why should Gojo?
The screen on his phone lights up. A flood of notifications fill the screen one after the other.
The days old texts from Gojo are drowned out by a few from Haibara and a dozen or so from his mom. Stomach sinking, he picks up his phone and reads her messages first. She was pissed that he left the hotel without a word and demanded he return. When she didn’t get a response she called him spoiled and sensitive and said that she would see him tomorrow. Then when she still didn’t receive a response she kept telling him to call her.
She’s never acted this way before. Usually after they bump heads they give each other the silent treatment for days until they’re forced to break the ice.
Suguru wonders if she’s sorry for what she said to him or if she’s worried her investment will ruin her schemes.
He checks Gojo’s messages next. There are only three. One is of Gojo telling him that he always watches the video he “accidentally” sent after a long day of work. The other two are telling him that Gojo has a gift for him and can’t wait for him to see it.
Suguru looks at his new ankle bracelet, wondering if this is the gift or if Gojo has another one for him.
Lastly, he reads Haibara’s two texts. Haibara is completely oblivious to the Telenovela Suguru has been living in for the past week. He needs to catch up with his best friend soon. For now, he texts Haibara back so he doesn’t begin to worry too much.
Then he checks his social media accounts since he’s been MIA for a while. Amidst the dozens of messages in his inbox is one from a familiar face.
Sukuna.
Sukuna wants to make up for his poor behavior at the banquet and take Suguru on a date.
This wouldn’t be the first time some business exec has tried to get with him. All of them are only interested in forming business relationships with either of his parents. He doubts Sukuna is any different, but he didn’t take Sukuna for someone who would slide into his DMs.
If he replies to Sukuna at all, even to cuss him out, he’s sure the guy will take it as him showing some interest. That’s why he opens the message to show he read it but doesn’t respond.
He’s tried not to think about what Sukuna almost did to him at the banquet but he can’t stop thinking about the things he said. Not the dick-brained things, the stuff about how the Gojo clans treat omegas who birth their heirs.
If all of that is true then he doesn’t think his mother is privy to that information. She’s under the impression that if her son carries the Gojo heir that she’ll be secured by default. If anything, she’ll be viewed as irrelevant.
Suguru has always loved his mother even when she started to ice him out and treat him like a stranger in his own home. He has tried so many times to make her proud, to make her like him enough to pay attention to him, and for what? The moment she realized his body could be used as a chess piece she knew no bounds.
He can continue to cry and let her walk over him or he can beat her at her own game.
Gojo is really into him. It’s far from love but it’s something his mother doesn’t get from the man. Suguru needs to exploit that even though he doesn’t like the idea of using Gojo in this way.
However, he’s starting to learn that everyone uses each other for their own gain. He’s just late to the party.
Picking up the pill bottle, he pops it open and stares at the tiny pink pills. He can’t believe something this miniscule is strong enough to bring an elite alpha to his knees.
Gojo keeps his word and returns a little over an hour.
By then, Suguru has taken another hot bath and changed into a sheer robe that sticks to the damp parts of his skin which just so happen to be the most appealing parts of his body. He uses a claw clip he packed to pin his hair up and he keeps the ankle bracelet and flower earrings on.
When Gojo enters the room, he finds Suguru sitting out on the deck beneath the stars, sniffling and wiping his tears.
“Suguru?”
Quickly glancing over his shoulder, Suguru acts startled and scared. He turns back around and hides the pill bottle in his lap, rattling the bottle loud enough for Gojo to hear.
“Oh, Satoru, you’re back,” he says quietly. He looks at Gojo again, forcing a smile. “How was your meeting?”
As expected Gojo disregards that question. “What happened? Why are you crying?” he asks, stepping out onto the deck.
Suguru lowers his head before turning around. He remains seated while Gojo stands over him. Slowly, he looks up through his full, wet lashes, and brings the pill bottle up to clutch it against his chest. The way he’s sitting draws a lot of attention to his curvy frame and his nipples that are straining through the robe.
Gojo’s eyes are dark and his fists are clenched as if he’s fighting to keep his hands off Suguru. He doesn’t want to lose himself in Suguru until he knows what’s wrong.
“I’m sorry…” Suguru says, crying on command. The tears may be fabricated but they’re not born from nothingness. He’s channeling his hurt and rage toward his mother. “I was afraid to tell you so I avoided you all week!” It’s not like that’s a lie.
Gojo frowns as if he can’t bear to see Suguru distressed. “Afraid to tell me what, baby?”
Suguru touches the sash on Gojo’s yukata and stares up at him. “My mom knows. She knows about us. I don’t know how she knows but she does!”
Hearing that, Gojo finally kneels so that they’re eye level. He cups Suguru’s face with both hands. “Are you sure she actually knows or are you being paranoid?” He kisses Suguru’s face as if to reassure him. “She’s good at playing mind games. Don’t let her make you confess to anything.”
“I’m not being paranoid, Satoru. She confronted me the day I got back from Tokyo. Someone saw us when we were out.”
Gojo stiffens at that. “What did she say?” he asks, and it actually looks like he doesn’t care that they’ve been caught. He’s caressing Suguru’s neck now and staring at how the robe clings to his nudity.
“She said…” Closing his eyes, he sighs when Gojo softly kisses his lips. “She wants me to baby trap you.” He opens his eyes again.
Gojo laughs. “Is that so?” he asks. Once again he doesn’t sound bothered or panicked in the slightest. “Is that what those pills are for?” He nudges his head toward the bottle Suguru is clutching as he plays with the string on Suguru’s robe.
Suguru nods. “Yes, she told me to take one the next time I saw you to entice your rut…”
“And have you taken the pill?”
“No,” he answers truthfully. He thought about it but in the end he decided to do things his own way. “I don’t want to deceive you, Satoru”
“Isn’t that precious...” Gojo touches his hips and licks the pulse point on his neck before nipping it, making him whimper. “And has she ever considered that I plan on baby trapping you first?”
Suguru gasps. “Huh?”
Did he hear that right? No way.
“My rut isn’t due for another month. By then I had hoped I’d have you groomed into the perfect clan wife.” His tone of voice suggests he’s dead serious. “I guess I can work on that some other time. Now I’ll have nine months worth of time to do just that.”
This is Suguru’s cue to drop the act and shove Gojo off. Not only is Gojo unperturbed by his mother’s schemes but he just admitted that he has schemes of his own. He’s trying to groom Suguru to be his perfect clan wife, and he has considered baby trapping him to ensure that happens.
If Suguru was sane he would put an end to this and tell Gojo to never contact him again.
Instead he’s really happy to know that Gojo wants him as a wife. Now the yukata and the earrings make sense.
“But you’re married to my mom,” Suguru says, frowning. He won’t settle for second best. “She told me that I will never marry you. She said you’re her husband and I can only be a breeder!”
Gojo cuts his eyes at that, and he looks fucking pissed. “She said all that to you?” he asks.
Suguru nods. “She said much worse too.” He sniffles.
“As if she has any control over that. As if I would waste a prize like you and make you some concubine.”
A prize? Gojo thinks he’s a prize? Suguru can’t believe this. He wants to ask Gojo if he means it but he knows if Gojo reiterates it right now, he’ll lose sight of his plan and fall head first. He can’t beat his mother if he allows his heart to blind him.
It crosses Suguru’s mind to mention Sukuna’s marriage offer as well even though he knows it’s a load of crap. But he’ll save that trump card for a later time. He’s done enough. Gojo is eating right out of his hand. If Gojo wants him, he needs to make a move.
“Give me a pill,” Gojo suddenly says.
Suguru’s heart races with excitement. He stalls so as not to appear too eager. Opening the bottle, he takes out one pill and places it in Gojo’s palm.
“These aren’t on the market yet. I doubt they ever will be,” Gojo says, staring at the pill. “They’re stronger than average inducers with a higher success rate. I know this because I created the formula.” He takes the pill and places it on the tip of his tongue, waiting expectantly.
For a moment, Suguru hesitates, and it’s no longer an act. He knows that once he does this his life will never be the same again. He’s come this far though. He has Gojo right where he wants him, and soon he’ll have Gojo all to himself.
Hugging Gojo’s neck, Suguru sucks on his tongue, dry swallowing the pill as they share a kiss.
To be continued...