Chapter Text
They both ended up getting nasty colds from all the time they spent in the rain and in wet clothes. Ogata was a sniffling snotty mess for days and it didn’t seem like Sugimoto was doing any better judging from the fact he canceled their next therapy session. Sugimoto’s apologetic tone came through his text loud and clear. Ogata wondered how much of the regret was related to the guilt of canceling a session and how much of it was related to not getting to see Ogata.
When they did end up seeing each other next their dynamic took yet another sharp turn. Only this time the change came with a new feature: an inarticulate Sugimoto. It would almost be endearing if it wasn’t clearly interfering with Sugimoto’s ability to do his job. It made Ogata uncertain of where they were going to go from here. He was pretty sure he knew what he wanted and judging by the way Sugimoto would look at him and then trail off, Ogata figured he had a decent handle on how Sugimoto felt as well. It’s not like either of them said anything about their feelings yet though.
What made things even more complicated was the fact that Ogata was still kind of mad at Sugimoto for his role in Ogata’s panic attack. He needed to get to the bottom of Sugimoto’s previous knowledge of the museum exhibit before Ogata could allow himself to entertain the idea of their relationship moving forward. Which is something he still couldn’t quite believe he was interested in. The 1905 version of him would probably be rolling in his railroad side grave if he ever heard those words.
That was easier said than done when Sugimoto seemed incapable of stringing two words together. They hadn’t accomplished anything in this session other than Ogata getting progressively more irritated. Sugimoto was attempting to address the results of their outing, but kept getting tripped up and trailing off.
Time was winding down for this week and Ogata was done waiting. Sugimoto had wasted enough of their time and Ogata knew if he didn’t say something now then there was a chance he never would.
“So Sugimoto… did you know about the type 30 being in the exhibit before we saw it together?”
Sugimoto absolutely looked like the kid who was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “What do you mean?”
Ogata scoffed and crossed his arms. “I mean, you knew exactly what you were walking me into. Didn’t you?”
“I told you I knew about the exhibit beforehand!”
Those were the words of a guilty man, but hearing the truth didn’t have the effect Ogata was anticipating. Instead of turning up the heat on the gas burner, the admission felt closer to someone shoveling dirt on a fire. Ogata wondered how much of that was because he unfortunately found everything about the floundering idiot before him charming. Or maybe, deeper than that, he understood the exposure therapy wouldn’t have worked unless there was something for Ogata to be exposed to.
He hated to admit the possibility of his evolution, even if that was one of the goals of Ogata being in therapy in the first place. He was used to internalizing the disappointment of betrayal until it turned into resentment. Instead of disappointment there was a reluctant acknowledgment that maybe his therapist knew what he was doing. Probably right up until he kissed Ogata, but Ogata really didn’t have any real complaints about that.
Ogata sighed and combed his fingers through his hair. He realized now that the anger he felt towards Sugimoto in the moment was really only a result of his panic attack. Sure, it would have been nice if they had started in the shallow end of exposure, but Ogata knew Sugimoto was only doing what he thought was best for Ogata. He should have trusted him.
“Sugimoto, it’s okay. I know you had to check if there would be anything triggering for me before we went. And I’m not mad at you for leading me into a situation where there was the possibility of me freaking out.”
Sugimoto scratched the top of his head. “You’re not?”
He sounded extremely skeptical that Ogata wasn’t feeling any ill will towards his plan, like Ogata being a mature adult about this never entered into his equation.
“No. I know you thought about every variable from every angle and you wouldn’t have decided to take me there if you didn’t think the benefits would outweigh the drawbacks.
“Oh. Well that’s good. I guess you’re making progress after all.”
A couple months ago, the lighthearted jab would have infuriated Ogata. Now, Ogata felt a smirk ghosting over his lips. But Sugimoto looked like he had more to say, which was setting off alarm bells.
“Will you go on a walk with me?” Sugimoto blurted out.
That wasn’t what Ogata was expecting. Why was Sugimoto nervous to ask such a basic question? Of course Ogata would go on a walk with him. He nodded his agreement and the two of them got up and left Sugimoto’s office.
As they walked through the rest of the suite Sugimoto waved at his assistant. “I’m headed out for the day.”
They made their way through the building and into the outside air. It was a beautiful day and the wind that ruffled Ogata’s hair was a refreshing counterpoint to the heaviness that had been lingering inside. They descended the steps and Sugimoto motioned for Ogata to follow him.
“There’s a farmer’s market just a few blocks from here, why don’t we head towards it?”
Ogata fell in step next to Sugimoto. “Are you as into food as you were in your last life?” he asked in an attempt to break through the tension that had settled in the air between him.
Sugimoto chuckled. “Yeah only this time, I can actually cook.”
Ogata raised his eyebrows. “Oh yeah? ”
Sugimoto smirked at him. “Maybe I’ll cook for you one day… if you’re lucky…”
Ogata didn’t have the time or the patience for Sugimoto’s flirting if it wasn’t going to lead anywhere. He was just about to open his mouth to say so when Sugimoto grabbed his hand and intertwined their fingers. Ogata’s eyes widened in surprise. He looked to Sugimoto in hopes that he would say something, but Sugimoto was looking straight ahead with a small content smile on his face. His expression told Ogata all he needed to know.
Being sick gave Ogata plenty of time to come to the realization that he wanted to be with Sugimoto in an actual relationship. It wasn’t just long sought after physical closeness. They had developed a true connection. Ogata found himself wanting to tell Sugimoto about random parts of his day. He would go out on errands and wish that Sugimoto was there with him. When Ogata went to sleep at night it was with a yearning for Sugimoto to be there in bed with him.
Without realizing, Ogata started missing Sugimoto’s laugh and his long suffering tone when he was trying to hold himself back from telling Ogata how stupid Sugimoto thought he was being. And the most important part was Ogata felt like he had someone in his life who truly understood him and made him feel safe.
Maybe if they had ever been able to get past their mutual hatred for each other in their last lives, they would have been able to get along. They had an alarming amount in common. They were both deeply familiar with loss, they both overcame the same struggle during the war, not to mention the adventurous gold rush where they traveled together briefly.
Ogata was knocked out of his reverie by Sugimoto speaking for the first time in a few blocks.
“I never did tell you why I became a therapist.”
The topic seemed to come from out of the blue, but it easily captured Ogata’s attention. He was hopeful Sugimoto had maybe gotten over his earlier struggles with speaking because otherwise this would be a fucking long conversation.
They turned the corner and the farmers market came into view. Sugimoto started walking faster in excitement, forcing Ogata to match his pace. There were many stands with a lot of people milling about. From fresh fruit and vegetables to honey and even some small handmade art, there was a lot to see. If the museum was anything to go by, Sugimoto was going to give them all his undivided attention.
Ogata felt a brief pang of worry that Sugimoto was going to leave him hanging with hunger for the rest of the story, but after stopping at a few vendors, Sugimoto continued.
“We did and saw so much in our last life and were just left to deal with it on our own. No one cared if we suffered lifelong psychological damage after, only that we were successful in our duty of making the enemy suffer.”
Ogata nodded. Of course he agreed, but that was life back then.
“I guess I never accepted that. I still live with the burden of the acts I committed. The violence I saw. And I know I’m not the only one.”
Sugimoto spared him a side glance before continuing.
“Did you know that I specialize in treating people with PTSD?”
Ogata shook his head. He hadn’t known that, but he was sure Sugimoto had purposely waited until now to bring it up.
“Maybe it’s selfish on my part, hoping that by helping others that maybe I’ll feel better about myself but…”
Ogata stopped walking, forcing Sugimoto to stop with him. Ogata didn’t know a ton about Sugimoto before they re-entered each other’s lives, but he knew enough to be confident that he was genuinely interested in helping others.
“No. I have a hard time believing you’d dedicate your career to a selfish endeavor.”
Sugimoto looked him dead in the eye when he said, “I’ve done worse for less.”
Ogata swallowed. He didn’t think there was a good way for him to respond, but luckily, Sugimoto started walking again, pulling Ogata along with him.
“I’m sorry about jumping back when you tried to grab my hand in the museum. I just needed time to think things over…”
The farmers market went around the block and they made the turn with it. Sugimoto guided them to a spot against the side of the building in between two stalls. It was busy enough that no one was paying them any attention.
Sugimoto crowded Ogata against the wall. He removes his hand from Ogata’s only to put it by the side of Ogata’s head. Sugimoto was staring at Ogata’s mouth and he dipped his head to kiss him. Sugimoto moved his other hand to hold Ogata’s chin and helped himself to soft sipping kisses.
When it had been long enough for both of them to be out of breath, Sugimoto stepped back. He looked as serious as Ogata had ever seen him.
“You’ve been through so much. I think you deserve to be with someone who sees that and can take care of you.”
Ogata rolled his eyes. “And are you going to be that person?”
Sugimoto paused and licked his lips in a seemingly unconscious movement. “I want to be… if you’ll let me…”
He leaned back in, his intentions fully clear, and recaptured Ogata's lips, snaking his hands around Ogata's waist at the same time. Ogata let himself be pulled flush with Sugimoto’s chest and curled his arms around Sugimoto's neck in return. When Sugimoto started sucking on his tongue, Ogata let out an uncontrollable moan.
They broke apart again, both of them no doubt looking quite disheveled, and the smirk Sugimoto leveled him with went straight to Ogata's dick.
“There’s something else that I’m hoping to show you next.”
~
They were riding the elevator up to Sugimoto's apartment. The door hadn't even fully closed before Sugimoto pulled Ogata in and started mouthing at his neck, grabbing two handfuls of Ogata's ass as he did so. Ogata could feel Sugimoto's dick already start to harden against his thigh, the thrill of having anyone walking in on them adding to how quickly his own erection was forming.
A soft ding notified them of their arrival, but it wasn't until they realized the threat of having to travel to another floor when the doors started closing that the two reluctantly separated. As they made their way to Sugimoto's front door Ogata realized he was slightly curious to see the inside, whether it was messy like he thought it would be or sparsely decorated. He had only known Sugimoto well when he was camping outside or staying in other people’s homes and Ogata didn’t think Sugimoto’s office was an accurate barometer on Sugimoto’s true personality.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t given any time to look around before an already shirtless Sugimoto was shoving him up against the wall. Apparently Ogata lost enough time to his musings that Sugimoto had ample opportunity to unlock his door and start stripping. He pulled at the hem of Ogata’s shirt in impatience and then tugged Ogata’s shirt up over his head. It was flattering to see how badly Sugimoto wanted him, but Ogata was pretty sure they had all night. And if he had anything to say about it, all day tomorrow. Thank god for weekends.
“When I said I had another thing to show you, I didn’t mean my apartment.”
Ogata snorted. “What, did you mean your dick? Saichi, I don’t know if you remember, but I’ve already seen what you’re packing. I will admit it’s impressive, but does it need all this fanfare?”
It hit both of them at the same time that Ogata used Sugimoto’s given name for the first time. They just stared at each other for a moment, half basking in the moment and half adjusting to the reality that they were close enough to use given names.
But also, just because they were probably something now didn’t mean that Ogata wasn’t going to continue in his constant pursuit to push Sugimoto’s buttons. It was just too much fun and Ogata figured Sugimoto wouldn’t want it any other way.
Sugimoto gave a toothy grin that spanned the entirety of his face. “Not quite, but you’re getting closer.”
Sugimoto started taking his own shirt off and then went to his shoes next. And by the time Ogata caught on and started undressing as well, Sugimoto was already down to just his boxers. Ogata never had the time and space to properly admire Sugimoto’s body, but it really was a sight to see. As chiseled as a renaissance statue and the strength to back it up. Ogata took a moment to bask in the beauty of the man who was taking him to bed.
“Like what you see?”
“So cheesy, Saichi. Can’t you do any better than that?”
Sugimoto walked up to Ogata, pulled his own boxers down, and put Ogata’s hand on his erection. He then leaned down to whisper in Ogata’s ear. “I’m going to do you a lot better than that.”
Ogata scoffed and moved his hand away to shove Sugimoto back. He continued to disrobe until he was completely naked. His body would never compare to Sugimoto’s, but Ogata took pride in the results of sculpting and toning his body over many years. The look on Sugimoto’s face told Ogata the results were well worth it.
They were only standing two feet apart at most, but any distance between the two of them seemed like an affront to Ogata’s very existence. Apparently, Sugimoto’s too if the way he immediately stepped forward and effortlessly lifted Ogata into his arms. He turned and started walking them in the direction of his bedroom, pulling Ogata into a steamy kiss along the way.
When they got there and were able to unglue their mouths, Sugimoto gently laid Ogata down on the side of the bed. Ogata scooted over to the middle and looked up just in time to see Sugimoto pounce on him. He had a small half used clear bottle in his hands.
“Gonna get me good and ready for you?”
“Among other things.” Sugimoto immediately leaned down and licked a slow stripe up Ogata’s stiffness. Both of Ogata’s hands grabbed the comforter for purchase.
Knowing Sugimoto’s single minded determination in doing everything to perfection as well as Ogata did, he was sure that he wasn’t going to leave this bed in one piece. Sugimoto popped the cap off the lube and poured a generous amount on his fingers. He then locked eyes with Ogata as he started lowering his head towards Ogata’s dick. Sugimoto timed the insertion of a cold finger to coincide with him starting to tongue at the slit.
Ogata had to bite his lip to stifle a moan as a result of the beginning of Sugimoto’s onslaught. Sugimoto started moving his finger in and out as he continued his laving of Ogata’s cockhead. And it wasn’t long until Sugimoto was pulling out and nudging two fingers into Ogata’s hole. Their first time together showed that Ogata would be fine with the most minimal of prep, so this seemed like the courtesy of a man in a more gentle mood.
It was almost unfortunate that Sugimoto was as coordinated as he was. He moved his other hand to start stroking Ogata at the same time as he began bobbing his head up and down, Sugimoto’s hand covering the area that his mouth couldn’t. Ogata didn’t think he had the motor skills to do this much at once. Sugimoto was doing an excellent job of overwhelming him in the best possible way and that sentiment doubled once he started sucking at the head.
When Ogata was deemed ready, Sugimoto removed his fingers and leaned back from Ogata’s groin. He reached behind him to grab a foil packet. Ogata’s eyes widened in surprise. It’s not like Ogata wasn’t for the practice of safe sex in theory, but they hadn’t used one yet so Ogata was wondering why Sugimoto felt the need to use one now. If they were going to pass anything on, they would have already.
“Nosuke, babe, it’s just until we can both get tested. It’s not forever. If you want, we can go get tested first thing tomorrow morning.”
Using a condom once definitely wouldn’t kill him, but…
“It’s just that I really don’t want anything between us. I want to feel every inch of the drag and friction from your giant cock splitting me open. And think about how much better it’ll feel for you to be unsheathed.”
Ogata figured that the best way for Sugimoto to get over his insistence on doing this the right way was to appeal directly to his dick. From the way Sugimoto immediately threw the packet over his shoulder, it looked like Ogata was right. Lust started clouding Sugimoto’s amber brown eyes. It was nice to know that Ogata’s words got to him.
Sugimoto motioned for Ogata to move to the side of the bed. Ogata shifted over and watched as Sugimoto lay down on his back with his head slightly propped up by his pillow.
“C’mere baby, come sit in my lap.”
Ogata raised an eyebrow. “Going to have me do all the work?”
Sugimoto chuckled. “Not quite.”
Ogata crawled his way over to Sugimoto who was lying almost flat on his back, only his head was slightly elevated by a pillow against his headboard. He straddled Sugimoto’s hips only for Sugimoto to motion for him to turn around. Ogata followed the direction and then immediately started lowering himself onto Sugimoto’s erection.
“Now lay down on me.”
Ogata turned around, or as much as he could, to glare at Sugimoto. “Not going to give me any time to adjust?”
“Please?”
Fuck Sugimoto for all but batting his eyelashes at him. Ogata lay down so that his head was right next to Sugimoto’s on a pillow. Ogata was instantly sure he had never been this full to bursting of cock in his life, good god.
“Doesn’t that feel good? Having me that deep inside you?” Sugimoto purred in his ear.
All Ogata could do was take deep breaths. He was all but impaled on Sugimoto's cock with nowhere to go, his only option being to enjoy the ride. Sugimoto took one of Ogata’s hands that had been at his side and guided it so that it was curled behind his neck and shortly followed suit with Ogata’s other hand.
The gesture had the benefit of stretching Ogata out even more and furthering gravity pressing his body to Sugimoto's. He was laid bare, completely at Sugimoto's mercy with nowhere to hide. Ogata would have never anticipated enjoying being so completely exposed like this. He still had to fight the urge to curl in on himself despite not wanting to be anywhere else with anyone else.
Sugimoto started rolling his hips, slight shifts that were just enough to have Ogata's nerves singing from the pressure of Sugimoto’s cockhead skimming his prostate. The constant stimulation was just another in the long line of sensations threatening to overwhelm him.
It was only due to Sugimoto that Ogata somehow remained in one piece. He was holding Ogata in his arms like he was a delicate and fragile thing all the while upping the pace of his pistoning hips and whispering sweet and dirty nothings into Ogata's ear.
“You're so beautiful Nosuke. I'm so lucky to get to see you completely laid out and vulnerable. A sight only for me to see, yeah? God, I could stay inside your hot tight ass forever. Bet you'd be okay if I fucked you until you were a drooling mess.”
Ogata opened his mouth to speak, but only a whine came out. If Ogata was capable of sparing a thought he would have been mortified, but all he could focus on was the satisfaction pooling in his gut and Sugimoto invading every one of his senses.
Sugimoto gave a breathless chuckle. “So needy. It's okay babe, I've got you. You can have as much as you’d like.” He moved his hand to Ogata’s dick and started stroking him, Sugimoto's hold bordering on teasing as he started pumping his hips faster.
It felt like he was intent on having Ogata fall to pieces. Ogata felt tears start to leak from his eyes and he could vaguely recognize that he had started panting like a dog. He moved his hands from around Sugimoto's neck to hook inside his hole, making Sugimoto slip impossibly further inside of him.
A moan tore its way out of Sugimoto's throat. “God, you're such a little slut for my cock. Should I make it easy on you? Should I let you come?”
Sugimoto’s grip on his dick tightened and his strokes grew more purposeful. Ogata’s dick was bright red and oozing pre cum. He felt more than ready to come, but also didn’t want this to end. Sugimoto was right when he said that Ogata would be okay if he fucked him until Ogata was a drooling mess.
In response, Ogata craned his neck around to kiss Sugimoto, shoving his tongue directly into Sugimoto’s mouth. He felt so desperate to be connected to Sugimoto on every level and the fact that they hadn’t fucking kissed since they were in the hallway was an offense.
They kissed and kissed, eventually switching to just breathing into each other's mouths. When they eventually parted, Sugimoto planted his feet flat on the ground, grabbed Ogata by the waist, and thrusted into him as hard as he could. Ogata cried out.
That had to be the most intense pleasure Ogata had ever experienced and when Sugimoto continued hammering Ogata’s prostate, Ogata started wondering how he was ever happy with sex before Sugimoto. This was by far and away the best Ogata had ever felt in his life. Being close to the person that mattered to Ogata the most who was coaxing more and more gratification out of him.
It hit Ogata that this was their first time having sex in a bed and suddenly this felt even more monumental than it had seconds ago. Their first two times together had been fueled by angst and vitriol. This was way beyond two rivals trying to one up each other by fucking the other into the ground. This had been more tender since the beginning. This is what people would refer to as making love.
The realization had Ogata coming untouched. The shock of the thought only added to the most intense orgasm he could remember. Ogata was pretty sure his eyes rolled back into his head.
While Ogata came apart on top of him, Sugimoto stopped fucking him. He brushed Ogata’s bangs out of his face and started kissing the side of Ogata’s forehead as the aftershocks of the orgasm worked through him.
The only room was silent save for Ogata catching his breath. He was slowly coming back to himself and could tell that Sugimoto was struggling to stay still. He must have been using his herculean strength to restrain himself for long enough for Ogata to give him the go ahead. Or maybe he was more impatient than Ogata thought.
“Think you can sit up and get on your hands and knees for me?”
Sitting up in this position was going to be an exercise in overstimulation, but Ogata complied. After he got comfortable, Ogata took the extra step of leaning forward and stuck his ass up in the air. Sugimoto moved to kneel behind him and took the opportunity to slap it, eliciting a hiss from Ogata. Sugimoto pushed back inside and abandoned all finesse as he chased his own release. The burn was almost on the wrong side of too much and approaching the limit of what Ogata could handle.
“I know it’s a lot, but just a little longer. I’m so close, baby.”
A blush overtook Ogata’s face as a result of Sugimoto being able to tell what he was thinking, but after everything that had transpired between the two of them just today, Ogata figured he didn’t have any reason to be embarrassed.
Ogata just hoped Sugimoto could tell that he gave himself completely over to him today, mind and body. There wasn’t a single other person in either of Ogata’s lives he wanted to have this level of intimacy with. He couldn’t believe they had somehow made it this far, especially considering how their reunion went. But just in case Sugimoto was unaware, Ogata decided to tell Sugimoto while he was still balls deep and still hurtling towards his own orgasm.
“Saichi, I love you.”
There wasn’t any warning before Sugimoto was pulling out and decorating Ogata’s ass with a seemingly never ending stream of hot ropes of cum. As exhausted and wrecked as Ogata was, the image of Sugimoto’s surprised orgasm face in reaction to Ogata’s words had his lips turning up into a smirk.
Sugimoto fell onto the bed next to Ogata, who winced at the feeling of Sugimoto’s cock slipping out. Sugimoto punched Ogata in the arm and frowned. Ogata wasn’t sure how he still had that much energy after they made love for almost two hours according to the clock on Ogata’s nightstand.
“Oh my god, Nosuke. You can’t just tell someone you love them for the first time when their dick is in your ass!”
“I had an epiphany while I was being stuffed full of your monster cock, what can I say?”
“I’m serious!”
“So am I… Maybe I picked the worst possible time to tell you, but I love you, Sugimoto Saichi.”
Instead of an instant reciprocation, Sugimoto just stared at him. He looked like a gaping fish and under any other circumstances, Ogata would have pointed and laughed. But the lack of three specific words being vocalized had Ogata feeling concerned and anxious. Sugimoto clearly had romantic feelings for him, but he might not have been at the love stage yet.
The staring went on until Ogata couldn’t handle the silence anymore. He snapped his fingers right in front of Sugimoto’s face. “Earth to Sugimoto!”
Sugimoto shook his head, hopefully clearing away any uneasiness, and finally responded. Any longer and Ogata might have had a heart attack. Sugimoto’s face went from showing disbelief to a look so blindingly happy that waves of elation might as well have been radiating from his body. He pulled Ogata into a bone crushing hug.
“I love you, Ogata Hyakunosuke, and I will for the rest of this life and all the lives after this that we spend together.”
The two of them continued to hug, the enormity of the moment forming a cosy bubble around the two of them. It didn’t last long before the moment was ruined by Sugimoto shaking.
At first, Ogata was worried that Sugimoto was crying, but Sugimoto released Ogata from his bear hug and leaned back enough for Ogata to see his face. Sugimoto was laughing so hard that he was shaking uncontrollably, tears coming out of his eyes. It was an even bigger laugh than when Ogata had made him do a spit take.
“Are you okay?”
Sugimoto put hand on Ogata’s cheek and started stroking it with his thumb. “I’m just so glad that you had the balls to make an appointment with me.”
For the first time since they’ve known each other, Ogata gave Sugimoto a soft and genuine smile. “Thank you for not immediately kicking me out.”
“The thought never even occurred to me.”