To have a moment like that spoiled, something so precious between a dominant and submissive, especially after everything that Suguru and Yuji have been through together…. It’s no wonder why he’s so upset, so enraged.
It explains enough about Yuji’s shaken state as well. Seeing an old dominant in public with a new one is a strange enough sensation, but seeing your abusive dominant… He must be crushed.
Reaching out, Satoru strokes his hand along his friend’s neck and draws him close, pushing the other man’s face into his neck. Calming, gentle, caring. ]
[ Suguru prickles with tension as soon as Satoru touches him, a reflex more than aggression, but he allows himself to be drawn in. Suguru holds all that pent-up rage in his rigid shoulders, that carefully contained flood of emotion that feels inherently disproportionate to what actually happened. There was no fight, no heated exchange of words, but all the same, Suguru is drowning in sensations he just can't tamp down.
Satoru pulls him in, tells him to breathe and that sounds so ridiculous, but— as soon as he finally exhales, Suguru slumps forward against his friend like a marionette with severed strings.
What the fuck? What the fuck? ]
How is this allowed to happen? How is he free to go about his life like he did nothing wrong?
[ To Yuji, to any other submissives unfortunate enough to cross Mahito's path. To Suguru now, even if Suguru has no compunctions reacting to Mahito in turn – but not when his priority is Yuji and Yuji's safety. ]
[ Satoru holds onto him, anchors him, and gives him a moment to breathe through the tornado of emotions. It’s rare to see Suguru so affected by something, so obvious with his emotional response, and its reminder of how important Yuji is to him. They’re really good for one another, matching puzzle pieces just like Megumi was for him.
Stroking his neck still, Satoru sighs. ]
Because he didn’t.
[ He free hand lifts immediately to stall the objection. ]
I’m not saying I agree. We both know those higher ups deserve to be punished for the things submissive can go through. But we also know that Yuji didn’t object, even if it was because he wasn’t taught better. In the eyes of the law? Mahito didn’t break it.
[ Suguru instantly reacts, even if less explosive (by his standards) than that first emotional release: he tenses up again, shifting to pull away from Satoru. Just because Gojo is right doesn't mean Suguru likes it. ]
And why would there be measures after the fact? Why would they leave open avenues to prove how little they actually care about the wellbeing of submissives?
[ He scoffs, acid dripping from his words as he straightens up. ]
You're right. My mistake for momentarily forgetting that.
[ ... Not his most graceful reception to being comforted. Whoops. ]
[ Reaching out immediately, Satoru tries to bring his friend back over to his side, grabbing his arm gently and stroking, trying to offer some kind of comfort. He's not sure what the right words to say are, not when their world is as fucked up as it is, but there has to be something he can do.
That's why Suguru came to him. For help. Satoru isn't about to send him away. ]
Take a moment to breathe, and then we can do something about this. Shall we sit down?
[ Suguru is still bristling, even if the rational man beneath his own reactions can tell himself that he knows Satoru wasn't making excuses for the circumstances. But he just hates it all so much – and doing nothing to change it makes those feelings stagnate and twist inside him.
It helps when Satoru doesn't shun him in turn. Suguru hesitates, so tense and cold, but he doesn't resist relocating to the couch. Dropping onto the cushion, Suguru stares at the opposite wall, at a random spot on the bookshelf. ]
[ Satoru follows after him, settling on the couch and crossing his long legs under himself. His head tilts for a moment, watching his friend, trying not to let the softer side of himself win out. A few months ago, Suguru wouldn't have cared this much about Yuji and meeting his previous dominant, but now...
[ Short, terse, but the question forces him to start thinking instead of sitting in the bubbling emotions. ]
But Yuji's former address is within 25 kilometers of mine.
[ So it's not like it's outside of Mahito's general radius of existence. Suguru just assumed engaging with Yuji again would require too much effort for a man like Mahito, who could so easily move onto another submissive. ]
So it could've been intentional, or it could've been an accident.
[ It wouldn't shock Satoru to imagine that Mahito had somehow found a way to track Yuji down. He leans back, frowning a little as he taps his chin in thought, idly letting the matter roll around in his head. ]
[ Jaw ticking once, he exhales, a few ounces of tension dissipating as he settles against the back of the couch. ]
... Thank you. [ He's calming enough to realize he's being ungrateful for a man who just burst in on his best friend, begging for help and unsure how to even ask for it. ]
[ Hovering for a moment, Satoru sighs, and then shifts to open his arms again, offering it. It's not unusual for them to take comfort in each other, but this is a slightly new dynamic, given their play.
Satoru loves his best friend, and he wants to make sure he's alright. ]
[ The offer of setting down this rage and tension is hard for Suguru to resist. He skeptically assesses Satoru's open arms, a part of him reluctant to settle into the comfort he knows he'll find there, but he can only resist for so long.
Suguru slumps sideways against Satoru's chest, and with the next exhale, sinks into the safe circle of familiarity that he never even has to question. ]
... I just want to keep Yuji safe. [ And right now, he doesn't know how. ]
[ There we are... An idle hand pats on his friend's back, stroking against his spine. It's not the same kind of tenderness that he'd give Megumi if he was upset, but it's what he is used to giving to his friend, the strength of his arms, careful and tender, holding them together by a thread.
It's easier, now they have their submissives each, but... ]
I know. We'll make a plan, Suguru. [ His hand lifts, sinking into his hair and curling around the dark black. ] For now, what would make you feel better?
[ The fingers in his hair, the arms wound around him – Suguru's knotted emotions are slowly picking themselves free, slowly returning to some semblance of steady. ]
... This.
[ This, being held, setting down the weight of his role and their world, just for a few moments. He doesn't let Yuji see him like this, because he knows that it's his job to hold Yuji together, to make him feel safe and secure and protected. That's just part and parcel with living as a dominant – and Suguru can do it and do it well. But nothing about their reality is different, nothing about the structures that enforce their lots in life has changed, and maybe Suguru loves Yuji, but does that mean accepting everything else that he hates? ]
[ It's easy enough for Satoru to continue to be the one in charge here, to be dominant and careful with himself, with Suguru, to make sure that his friend is alright. There's no one in Megumi's past that could hurt him like this, because Satoru had already dealt with anyone that might be a problem; no one in that stupid clan is going to hurt his boy.
He can imagine how angry he would be, if someone threatened his baby. If they tried to do something to hurt Megumi. He can imagine how Suguru is feeling right now.
Leaning his head back, he closes his eyes and hums softly. ]
You can stay here, if you want. There's enough rooms, and Yuji and Megumi can look after each other while we decide what to do.
[ A room in the most untouchable place Suguru can think of. He's so grateful to Gojo that he doesn't even know how to say it, but the way he winds an arm around Satoru finally, pressing his face against the other man's throat and curling into him demonstrates exactly how much this helps. ]
Good. [ Suguru's voice is cold in comparison to how he melts into Satoru. ]
[ Satoru continues to stroke his fingers through his friend’s hair, caring and gentle, curling his other arm around him in a gentle embrace. He has no doubt Megumi is doing the same for Yuji right now, and that makes him feel warm and soft.
Their boys need them. ]
Is there anything we can do for him in the meantime? I saw his face. How he looked.
[ Every ounce of comfort and point of contact seems to soften the jagged edges of Suguru's anger, patching over the reopened wounds that are as much about himself as they are reactions to Yuji and his experiences (whether he can see it that way or not). ]
... I don't have a clue. [ Suguru hates how true that is, too. He doesn't know how to fix this for Yuji, but... ] But I think knowing that we'll be here for a while might help. [ If nothing else, Yuji has far less opportunity to be exposed to Mahito or vulnerable to him at the Gojo estate. That, and Yuji has multiple voices of reassurance and protection here. Suguru has no qualms with how Yuji has found comfort and companionship with Megumi, and it's good to see Yuji opening up in new ways to different people. That means a lot to Suguru.
He lifts his head to glance towards the office door, a small wrinkle crossing his brow. ]
I should get back to him soon. [ He doesn't want to leave Yuji alone for too long or make him feel abandoned after something so intense, but that also means recomposing his mask, putting that calm back into place to guide in his role. He feels off-kilter right now, reacting to emotions he didn't intend to have or didn't even realize were there, but he can cordon those off for later, when his submissive's world hasn't been so seismically shaken. ]
[ Gojo keeps petting at his friend, idly comforting him as his own mind goes into overdrive. They already know where Mahito lives, so it won’t be hard to pay him a visit, or send someone else. He could lull some strings and get legal protection, but that won’t be enough. Knowing the kind of man Mahito probably is, he’ll bend those rules easily.
He’s going to have to dip into dangerous territory.
Focussing back on Suguru, he smiles fondly. ]
You should be honest with him. You can protect him, but let him know that you’re feeling things too. It might make him feel better, to know he’s not the only one shocked by this. Knowing Yuji-kun…
[ Gojo huffs quietly. ]
I’ll bet he’s blaming himself somehow, don’t you think?
Nevertheless, Gojo has a point. Is it really protecting Yuji to hide himself from his submissive or by trying to maintain a sense of calm Suguru doesn't even feel? Suguru isn't used to budging on his vulnerability, and despite his rejection of how society defines them, he still somehow slots himself into those expectations instead of trying to find middle ground with Yuji.
Hm. Maybe a bit ironic, when viewed behind that lens.
Suguru sighs, nodding. ]
You're probably right. Yuji takes on so much weight that he never should have carried.
[ And Suguru needs to help Yuji see that blame was never his to own. With Mahito before and certainly now. They'll definitely need to talk about that.
Suguru rests his chin on Satoru's shoulder, eyes closing thoughtfully. ]
You don't think it's more helpful for me to stay resolute while we deal with this? [ "Resolute" or "avoidant" – same difference. ]
[ Gojo hums, a little idle teasing as he pats at Suguru's hair. ]
We can be resolute for a while, sure. But it'll be good for him to see that his dominant is human, too, and that feeling unsure is fine.
[ It's not the easiest thing in the world. Being a dominant means wanting to be in control, wanting to be in charge. Wanting to be unshakable. There's something powerful in it, just like there is in submission; it's wonderful.
It's hard to give that up. ]
Let him know that he can feel whatever he needs to feel, and you'll take care of him, and vice versa.
Do you think he has the capacity for that right now? [ It feels... selfish, unfair to expect Yuji to weather any of what Suguru is currently feeling. Yuji needs to be taken care of right now, to get to the other side of this trauma; Suguru doesn't know if it's appropriate to present the expectation that Yuji care for him in this process.
Maybe when things calm down, when they have a few more answers, but Suguru doesn't want to create opportunities for Yuji to feel like he's not doing enough. ]
[ The shape Yuji had been in? He needs some time to recover, to adjust to the panic and settle in to his room. Gojo has plenty of clothes and other items the submissive can have, same for Geto, so it's not like they even need to leave.
Just... An adjustment period would be necessary.
Still stroking his fingers through Suguru's hair, against the soft space of the back of his neck, he hums. ]
We'll take care of him. [ And Gojo will take care of Geto. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
teen gojo thriving
To have a moment like that spoiled, something so precious between a dominant and submissive, especially after everything that Suguru and Yuji have been through together…. It’s no wonder why he’s so upset, so enraged.
It explains enough about Yuji’s shaken state as well. Seeing an old dominant in public with a new one is a strange enough sensation, but seeing your abusive dominant… He must be crushed.
Reaching out, Satoru strokes his hand along his friend’s neck and draws him close, pushing the other man’s face into his neck. Calming, gentle, caring. ]
Take a moment. Breathe, Suguru.
no subject
Satoru pulls him in, tells him to breathe and that sounds so ridiculous, but— as soon as he finally exhales, Suguru slumps forward against his friend like a marionette with severed strings.
What the fuck? What the fuck? ]
How is this allowed to happen? How is he free to go about his life like he did nothing wrong?
[ To Yuji, to any other submissives unfortunate enough to cross Mahito's path. To Suguru now, even if Suguru has no compunctions reacting to Mahito in turn – but not when his priority is Yuji and Yuji's safety. ]
no subject
Stroking his neck still, Satoru sighs. ]
Because he didn’t.
[ He free hand lifts immediately to stall the objection. ]
I’m not saying I agree. We both know those higher ups deserve to be punished for the things submissive can go through. But we also know that Yuji didn’t object, even if it was because he wasn’t taught better. In the eyes of the law? Mahito didn’t break it.
no subject
And why would there be measures after the fact? Why would they leave open avenues to prove how little they actually care about the wellbeing of submissives?
[ He scoffs, acid dripping from his words as he straightens up. ]
You're right. My mistake for momentarily forgetting that.
[ ... Not his most graceful reception to being comforted. Whoops. ]
no subject
[ Reaching out immediately, Satoru tries to bring his friend back over to his side, grabbing his arm gently and stroking, trying to offer some kind of comfort. He's not sure what the right words to say are, not when their world is as fucked up as it is, but there has to be something he can do.
That's why Suguru came to him. For help. Satoru isn't about to send him away. ]
Take a moment to breathe, and then we can do something about this. Shall we sit down?
[ Then he can offer a little more comfort. ]
no subject
[ Suguru is still bristling, even if the rational man beneath his own reactions can tell himself that he knows Satoru wasn't making excuses for the circumstances. But he just hates it all so much – and doing nothing to change it makes those feelings stagnate and twist inside him.
It helps when Satoru doesn't shun him in turn. Suguru hesitates, so tense and cold, but he doesn't resist relocating to the couch. Dropping onto the cushion, Suguru stares at the opposite wall, at a random spot on the bookshelf. ]
no subject
His friend is in love. That's good. ]
Do you know how he found you?
[ It's a place to start, at least. ]
no subject
[ Short, terse, but the question forces him to start thinking instead of sitting in the bubbling emotions. ]
But Yuji's former address is within 25 kilometers of mine.
[ So it's not like it's outside of Mahito's general radius of existence. Suguru just assumed engaging with Yuji again would require too much effort for a man like Mahito, who could so easily move onto another submissive. ]
no subject
[ It wouldn't shock Satoru to imagine that Mahito had somehow found a way to track Yuji down. He leans back, frowning a little as he taps his chin in thought, idly letting the matter roll around in his head. ]
Do you want me to see if I can find out more?
[ He has connections. ]
no subject
Let me know if you learn anything.
[ Jaw ticking once, he exhales, a few ounces of tension dissipating as he settles against the back of the couch. ]
... Thank you. [ He's calming enough to realize he's being ungrateful for a man who just burst in on his best friend, begging for help and unsure how to even ask for it. ]
no subject
[ Hovering for a moment, Satoru sighs, and then shifts to open his arms again, offering it. It's not unusual for them to take comfort in each other, but this is a slightly new dynamic, given their play.
Satoru loves his best friend, and he wants to make sure he's alright. ]
Come on, Suguru. Relax for a moment.
no subject
Suguru slumps sideways against Satoru's chest, and with the next exhale, sinks into the safe circle of familiarity that he never even has to question. ]
... I just want to keep Yuji safe. [ And right now, he doesn't know how. ]
no subject
It's easier, now they have their submissives each, but... ]
I know. We'll make a plan, Suguru. [ His hand lifts, sinking into his hair and curling around the dark black. ] For now, what would make you feel better?
no subject
... This.
[ This, being held, setting down the weight of his role and their world, just for a few moments. He doesn't let Yuji see him like this, because he knows that it's his job to hold Yuji together, to make him feel safe and secure and protected. That's just part and parcel with living as a dominant – and Suguru can do it and do it well. But nothing about their reality is different, nothing about the structures that enforce their lots in life has changed, and maybe Suguru loves Yuji, but does that mean accepting everything else that he hates? ]
no subject
He can imagine how angry he would be, if someone threatened his baby. If they tried to do something to hurt Megumi. He can imagine how Suguru is feeling right now.
Leaning his head back, he closes his eyes and hums softly. ]
You can stay here, if you want. There's enough rooms, and Yuji and Megumi can look after each other while we decide what to do.
no subject
That might be a good idea. [ Because god, nothing sounds worse than running into Mahito again right now. ]
I don't want Yuji to be caught off-guard like that again. [ Who knows how much damage this will have done to the slow recovery of Yuji's confidence? ]
no subject
[ Because obviously Suguru and his submissive will only need the one.
Shaking his head a little, Gojo tilts his head back with a sigh. ]
Stay here for as long as it takes. We’ll figure it out. I already know who to call, and after that? We’ll bury that bastard if we have to.
[ It would almost be too fun. ]
no subject
Good. [ Suguru's voice is cold in comparison to how he melts into Satoru. ]
He can't get away with doing this to Yuji.
no subject
[ Satoru continues to stroke his fingers through his friend’s hair, caring and gentle, curling his other arm around him in a gentle embrace. He has no doubt Megumi is doing the same for Yuji right now, and that makes him feel warm and soft.
Their boys need them. ]
Is there anything we can do for him in the meantime? I saw his face. How he looked.
no subject
... I don't have a clue. [ Suguru hates how true that is, too. He doesn't know how to fix this for Yuji, but... ] But I think knowing that we'll be here for a while might help. [ If nothing else, Yuji has far less opportunity to be exposed to Mahito or vulnerable to him at the Gojo estate. That, and Yuji has multiple voices of reassurance and protection here. Suguru has no qualms with how Yuji has found comfort and companionship with Megumi, and it's good to see Yuji opening up in new ways to different people. That means a lot to Suguru.
He lifts his head to glance towards the office door, a small wrinkle crossing his brow. ]
I should get back to him soon. [ He doesn't want to leave Yuji alone for too long or make him feel abandoned after something so intense, but that also means recomposing his mask, putting that calm back into place to guide in his role. He feels off-kilter right now, reacting to emotions he didn't intend to have or didn't even realize were there, but he can cordon those off for later, when his submissive's world hasn't been so seismically shaken. ]
no subject
[ Gojo keeps petting at his friend, idly comforting him as his own mind goes into overdrive. They already know where Mahito lives, so it won’t be hard to pay him a visit, or send someone else. He could lull some strings and get legal protection, but that won’t be enough. Knowing the kind of man Mahito probably is, he’ll bend those rules easily.
He’s going to have to dip into dangerous territory.
Focussing back on Suguru, he smiles fondly. ]
You should be honest with him. You can protect him, but let him know that you’re feeling things too. It might make him feel better, to know he’s not the only one shocked by this. Knowing Yuji-kun…
[ Gojo huffs quietly. ]
I’ll bet he’s blaming himself somehow, don’t you think?
no subject
Nevertheless, Gojo has a point. Is it really protecting Yuji to hide himself from his submissive or by trying to maintain a sense of calm Suguru doesn't even feel? Suguru isn't used to budging on his vulnerability, and despite his rejection of how society defines them, he still somehow slots himself into those expectations instead of trying to find middle ground with Yuji.
Hm. Maybe a bit ironic, when viewed behind that lens.
Suguru sighs, nodding. ]
You're probably right. Yuji takes on so much weight that he never should have carried.
[ And Suguru needs to help Yuji see that blame was never his to own. With Mahito before and certainly now. They'll definitely need to talk about that.
Suguru rests his chin on Satoru's shoulder, eyes closing thoughtfully. ]
You don't think it's more helpful for me to stay resolute while we deal with this? [ "Resolute" or "avoidant" – same difference. ]
no subject
We can be resolute for a while, sure. But it'll be good for him to see that his dominant is human, too, and that feeling unsure is fine.
[ It's not the easiest thing in the world. Being a dominant means wanting to be in control, wanting to be in charge. Wanting to be unshakable. There's something powerful in it, just like there is in submission; it's wonderful.
It's hard to give that up. ]
Let him know that he can feel whatever he needs to feel, and you'll take care of him, and vice versa.
no subject
Do you think he has the capacity for that right now? [ It feels... selfish, unfair to expect Yuji to weather any of what Suguru is currently feeling. Yuji needs to be taken care of right now, to get to the other side of this trauma; Suguru doesn't know if it's appropriate to present the expectation that Yuji care for him in this process.
Maybe when things calm down, when they have a few more answers, but Suguru doesn't want to create opportunities for Yuji to feel like he's not doing enough. ]
no subject
[ The shape Yuji had been in? He needs some time to recover, to adjust to the panic and settle in to his room. Gojo has plenty of clothes and other items the submissive can have, same for Geto, so it's not like they even need to leave.
Just... An adjustment period would be necessary.
Still stroking his fingers through Suguru's hair, against the soft space of the back of his neck, he hums. ]
We'll take care of him. [ And Gojo will take care of Geto. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)