Chapter Text
It takes everything in Satoru not to force himself through the barrier protecting you and Suguru. It takes all his strength not to scream and yell until you realize he’s there. There’s nothing worse than being the outsider looking in and right now, Satoru is on the verge of giving up everything if it means he can be with the two of you. Noting you’re sitting across from each other, he finds it a little odd you’re here, together (especially when you’ve never met each other formally). Though it makes his heart soar with butterflies when he thinks of his best friend and wife getting along.
Satoru glances around the room you’re hold up in, realizing this place resembles yours and Satoru’s shared living room as the early morning sun beams illuminates the entirety of it. As of right now, you don’t seem to sense his presence. Your voices are muffled but he can tell you’re in a deep conversation. He wonders what you’re talking about since he can’t make out what you’re saying to one another.
He tries to call both of your names but to no avail. He wishes there was a way to get to you two because his whole being yearns to be with you both. He’s tired, ready to be done with everything that comes with being labeled as ‘the strongest’.
Hell, even banging his fist against the barrier does nothing.
All he wants is to lay in your arms while you tell him how good of a job he’s done. Let him know how much you missed him and how much you love him. He doesn’t want to go back not when he can have both of you here.
With him.
In paradise.
“Please…” Tears threatening to spill over when he falls to his knees, fist balled on his thighs as his head hangs low. It’s unfair. What should he do when he can’t even get to the two of you for comfort? That’s all he’s yearning for! All he needs. He’s never thought of himself as weak but right now, he’s as exhausted as he’s ever been.
He wishes he could be with both of you in this afterlife. Wishing to be a part of your little bubble and it's breaking him the more he's forced to be apart from you. He’s missed you so damn much. The way you would laugh at the most random things, leaving him to figure out what it was that made you so giddy. Hearing your delicate laughter always made his heart soar because it always gave him a little piece of utter bliss. A piece of peace, if you will. Your smile, always genuine and pretty. He finds himself being forced to watch you grin at Suguru whose smile is one Satoru hasn’t seen in ages. His last memory of his friend was one he wishes he could erase but it’s written in the stars at this point, a part of their history.
And in this moment, his heart begins it’s descent when he realizes you’ve both found peace without him.
He tries to call your name again but still doesn’t get an answer. He tries to call Suguru’s name this time as his head whips in the general direction Satoru’s voice is coming from. His heart drums against his chest as he watches the man get up from his spot only for his smile to fade when he walks over to you instead of where he’s stuck standing. Suguru whispers something into your ear, unsure of what was said until you turn in Satoru’s general direction as well.
He can feel both of your eyes on him. He knows you know he’s there now and only then does the barrier begin to open. Your eyes light up with a burning as you’re quick to run and jump into his arms. Catching you with ease. He holds onto you like you’re going to disappear as he lets himself be vulnerable. He lets the tears fall. He lets his mind go numb.
He lets himself be surrounded by you.
“‘Toru.” You hiccup, holding him tighter as he reaches for Suguru to come closer too.
“Satoru…” Suguru smiles but it immediately drops once he reaches forward to caress Satoru’s cheek and Satoru leans into it with a shaky sigh. The look on Suguru face let’s him know that he’s going to drop a bombshell that he doesn’t want to hear.
Not right.
“Don’t-”
“You have to fighting, Satoru. They still need you.”
“No.” Satoru frowns, noticing how you’ve step back to stand in front of Suguru as he places his hands on your shoulders. Why did it feel like you were going to force him out. What is going on? “What? N-No. No! I’m done. I don’t wan-”
“It’s not your time, Toru...” You sigh, growing increasingly antsy as Satoru takes a few strides to stand in front of you.
“We’ll be here. It’s just-”
“No. Don’t make me go back.” You feel horrible, knowing he wants nothing more than to finally be able to rest but you know you’ll have your forever. Now is simply not the right time. “I don’t want to go back. Please…”
“It’s not up to us, though I wish it was.” You wetly chuckle but he can hear how broken you sound (especially since he feels the same). He’s on his knees, hugging and clutching onto you. His face is pressed into your stomach as he remembers you were going to be parents. How excited he was when he found out. You don’t know that he knew. He wanted to surprise you but he knew you were unsure on how to tell him. Unsure if he would be accepting since you hadn’t talked about them before.
Of course, the night before he could tell you over a candle lit dinner, you were called in for a mission. The curse much stronger than you and able to over power you. He still hasn’t forgiven the higher up’s for sending you when they knew you weren’t equipped to take care of.
“Satoru.” Suguru kneels next to his friend as you continue to run your fingers through his snow white hair. You notice he’s beginning to relax (more of less) as he grips your shirt tighter. Suguru kneels beside him to gently rubs his hand up and down his back as he takes the other to unravel Satoru’s blindfold. His finger under his chin, he looks Satoru in the eyes as he wipe the shed tears away. “You have to go back.”
You knew it was going to be a fight to get him to understand, kneeling down to be in front of your husband too. You get him to look at you now as his eyes are just a blue as the last day you saw them. It still leaves you speechless to this day how beautiful he is. You want to kiss his frown away, knowing you won’t get the chance again.
At least, not for a while.
“Tell me you love me.” He stares at you with so much conviction, though he knows you don’t hold any ill-will toward him. “Please. Both of you. Tell me you love me.”
“I love you. I’ll always love you.” You wistfully smile, grabbing his hands to clasp them together. You give them a squeeze before gently kissing his ring. Leaning in closer, you chastely kiss his lips as he lets himself be pampered. When you finally pull away, he chases after you but only until you place your index finger to his lips to get him to stop. Your gaze holds the moon and the stars and as he gazing into your eyes, he feels the burning love you had for him. You still have for him. “My eternal flame, my love. Know that I don’t blame you. None of what happened is your fault.”
Satoru nods, reaching back for Suguru’s hand.
“I loved you, My one and only.” The three of you get up from the floor as Suguru pulls him into a tight embrace. Satoru holds onto him as if he’s going to disappear into thin air. Not wanting to let go and not wanting to go back just yet. He knows he won’t have a choice in the matter since it’s not his time to die but… he just needs this.
Being lonely even when you’re surrounded by people is a wicked existence.
“Go.” You hum, turning your back to Satoru. You don’t want him to see you break down more than you have already. Before he knows it he’s being yank back through the barrier as he blinks rapidly, a blinding white light scorching his eyes from how bright it is. He tries to make out where he is. It’s cold, he can feel the metal stick to his skin as he takes a deep breath before wincing when a sharp pain surges through his stomach. He doesn’t dare move, confused because he was just with you and Suguru.
Where is he now?
It isn’t until he sees a mop of long brown hair hang above his face, brown eyes staring back at him as she smile mournfully.
“Sho-…?”
“Welcome back, Satoru.”