Chapter Text
The moment Maki-senpai took Yuuji into her arms to comfort him, the boy couldn't help but compare it to Sukuna's approach, and he snorted. Senpai pulled the boy away and gave him an incredulous look.
“Itadori, are you crying or laughing? Make up your mind.” She scoffed, so Yuuji wiped his tears and smiled.
“I'm sorry, Senpai. I just remembered something.” He mumbled sheepishly and then frowned. Because, honestly, it was the third time Sukuna bit him somewhere. But why?
“If it makes you feel better, then I don't mind.” Maki-senpai shrugged and shifted on the bed, so they didn't have to be so close.
“Um, Senpai? Do you… do you know why people are biting others?” Yuuji asked hesitantly, staring into her eyes. She looked surprised and then suspicious.
“There could be several reasons to do so.” Maki-senpai replied slowly, watching him intently. “Who is biting you, Itadori?”
Shit. Of course, Senpai would figure it out. The boy felt his cheeks getting warmer.
“Don't wanna tell.” He murmured, averting her eyes.
Maki-senpai's snorted.
“I knew it. From the moment you told me he kissed you, I was suspecting it, but the way he complained about you being your oblivious self…” She snorted again. “It makes so much more sense now.”
Yuuji looked at her, confused.
“What are you talking about, Maki-senpai?”
“Oh, Itadori.” She sighed and then smirked. “Let's go back to your question, shall we?” The boy blinked but nodded. “Have you ever heard of cute aggression?” He frowned at the question and shook his head. “It's when something really, really cute triggers an aggressive response in you. Like when you see a kitty and you want to squish it, that's how cute it is.” Senpai explained.
“Oh! I know that one! Sometimes I want to hug Fushiguro’s dogs to death, they are so cute!” Yuuji admitted excitedly. “I didn't know there was a name for that!”
She nodded.
“It may be the reason for someone biting you. They just find you so cute, then can't help it; they have to go with their urge to bite.” Maki-senpai ended and raised one of her eyebrows.
Yuuji thought it over, but it didn't match up. Because…
“Sukuna definitely doesn't see me as cute.” He mumbled, and Senpai snapped her fingers.
“Got you, Itadori. You just admitted that it was Sukuna.” She smirked, and the boy gaped.
“Maki-senpai!” He whined in betrayal. She cackled.
“You can't win with me, Itadori.” Senpai grinned. “I'm not so sure he doesn't find you cute, though, but if that's not the case, then usually it's just liking it. The biting. Maybe he likes it, or maybe he thinks you like it.” She squinted her eyes. “Do you like being bitten, Itadori?”
“Of course not!” Yuuji denied it, but she smirked again.
“Then let me rephrase it. Do you like being bitten by Sukuna?”
“Of course…” The boy recalled every single time such a thing occurred and instantly felt himself getting embarrassed when he thought back to the second time. Because he mo—moaned. “...not.” Yuuji ended weakly, looking down at his hands. Maki-senpai hummed disbelievingly.
“Your face is a give-away, you know.” She muttered, so he glanced at her, only to find her grinning. “But I think it would be my last guess. Because when I talked with Sukuna, he was complaining that you were flirting with everyone.” Senpai said and chuckled.
“Eh?! That's what it was about back then?!” Yuuji realized, shocked. “But I never…” His voice died down, a sudden realization hitting him.
“And that's exactly what you are doing all the time.”
"I witnessed every single one of your interactions, and they pissed me off equally.”
Wait.
The way Sukuna always called Yuuji stupid and lacking awareness, how he was so annoyed at the bets… Could it be?
Was Sukuna jealous?
But why…?
He didn't seem to be interested in doing anything with the boy.
But then Yuuji recalled every time Sukuna touched him. Even if his words and movements were rough, his fingertips and his lips were…
The boy thought about the kiss, the gentle, slow, and pleasant one, which made him weirdly tingly from the inside, and, oh shit, the sensation was back even at the memory alone! What the hell?! And back then, he really, really wanted to kiss Sukuna back. How would it feel? He gulped, wetting his lips subconsciously. Sukuna was a good kisser, even Yuuji could tell. The boy wanted to kiss him more, he realized, and, oh gods, his heart was racing and his cheeks were burning now!
Maki-senpai whistled, and Yuuji flinched because he was so occupied with his thoughts that he forgot she was there in the first place. He glanced hesitantly at her and saw her smiling with amusement.
“I have no idea what happened in your head, Itadori, but I never saw you getting so flustered before.” She commented, raising her eyebrows in disbelief. Yuuji made a pathetic whine at that. “Did you just realize that Sukuna likes you?”
The boy choked on his spit.
“What are you talking about, Senpai?!” He squealed, panicking. “He doesn't like me, he hates…”
“No one is able to hate you, apparently.”
Yuuji gasped, then brought his hands to cover his mouth and took a shaky breath because…
“Oh gods.” He uttered it, petrified. “Oh gods, he… I…” The boy tried to comprehend and gave up, just whimpering hopelessly.
For how long…?
When was the last time Sukuna was actively trying to kill Yuuji…? It stopped right after the Hug Day.
Whoa. No way.
“Itadori. I feel bad for telling you this right now, but it should help too. My last guess about the biting thing.” Maki-senpai said, and Yuuji snapped his attention to her. “It could be marking possession. I don't know the details, and you don't need to tell me, but personally, I believe Sukuna was claiming you as his own.”
His… possession? That would actually make sense with the jealousy and…
“He was just upset, and I can empathize.”
“Who wouldn't be upset? Seeing their special person in the arms of someone else.”
Yuuji gaped, processing. There was just no way. Was Sukuna… talking about himself back then?!
Was that the real reason for Sukuna always being snappy and annoyed?
Why was Yuuji getting all flustered about it?! Was this weird sensation in his stomach what people called butterflies? Oh gods…
“Senpai, I think I will combust right now.” The boy groaned weakly, sagging into Maki-senpai's bed, trying to calm down. “Sukuna is so weird. He is mean and gruff, but then he can laugh happily and smile at me all softly and be so gentle, and I…” Yuuji mumbled, embarrassed, watching the ceiling, then groaned again, hiding his face in his hands. “I think I like him.” He whispered into his fingers.
“No wonder. It's called ‘gap moe’; you can't fight with it.” Maki-senpai said it matter-of-factly. “But I must admit, I thought you were going to fall for Gojou. That's unexpected.” She chuckled, so the boy looked at her from between his fingers and then took his hands away, staring at the ceiling thoughtfully.
“I haven't told you this yet, Maki-senpai, but Satoru-san scared me today, you know? He was just so cold suddenly, and Sukuna made me realize it was my fault.” Yuuji spoke slowly, trying to find the right words. “I feel sorry for Satoru-san, and I appreciate that he was treating me special, showing his vulnerable side to me, but Sukuna did the same and even more.” The boy frowned. “Satoru-san said that I can always rely on him, but when we both hurt each other, he left me there, and Sukuna was the one who caught me, comforted me, and explained everything. Even if he did all of that in his own messed-up way.” Yuuji chuckled slightly. “And as much as I love Satoru-san, I think my heart was completely stolen by Sukuna because of that. Because of his laugh, his smile, and his gentleness underneath his mean behavior.” He smiled. “Sukuna complained all the time, but he was also right. I was stupid. But I'm not going to be stupid anymore.” Yuuji decided, finally glancing at Maki-senpai. She was smiling.
“Who am I to stop you, Itadori? It sounds like Sukuna can be much nicer than they picture him.” Senpai teased. “But aren't you afraid he is listening to us this entire time?” She pointed.
Yuuji became sad at that, reminded of Sukuna's painful expression and the way he harshly told the boy to disappear from his domain.
“I don't think he will listen again. I hurt him too. I will apologize to Sato—no, to Gojou-sensei tomorrow—but first I need to talk with Sukuna and fix it.” The boy decided, sitting up.
“Well, good luck then, Itadori. But if Sukuna hurts you somehow, I am grabbing the best weapon from the inventory, and I am tearing him out of you, even if I will have to touch the soul itself.” She said this, smiling darkly.
“Scary. Maki-senpai, that's scary!”
~◉~◉~
Sukuna wasn't sulking. He wasn't. He was just tired. And annoyed. Right. Exactly that. And the reason was, as expected, his vessel again.
Seeing Brat cry wasn't as satisfying as Sukuna had hoped deep inside. It was unnerving. The fact that he managed to calm the boy down was a big achievement. Then explaining everything to this dumb brat made Sukuna realize that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't aware of something himself. It all rang the bell too close for his liking. Of course, Sukuna was the only one who noticed. Brat and his unawareness saved Sukuna this time, but then the boy thanked him and…
Okay, he was sulking now.
At least he had a memory of kissing Brat to cherish. But the boy definitely wanted to kiss back. Why did Sukuna have to get angry then? Oh, right. Because the thought of others being able to touch his vessel this easily was pissing him the fuck off. He caught himself scowling and clicked his tongue, irritated, then shifted on his throne.
Sukuna cut himself off from the outside world. Watching Brat get together with the Six Eyes Sorcerer would be like stabbing a fresh wound.
No, Sukuna wasn't hurt. He was just… disappointed.
“Yeah. Because I was so clear with my approach from the beginning.” He grumbled to himself, scowling again. “Fuck.”
And he was the one who couldn't understand all those people getting attracted to Brat. He laughed bitterly. How ironic.
When did that even start? When did Sukuna bite Brat’s neck? He definitely figured something out then, but it seemed to be much earlier. The kiss? No, he was pissed about others kissing the boy, even before. A hug…
Oh. The sensation of holding Brat by his waist.
“So it had to be the skirt, then.” He mumbled, flabbergasted. “So from the beginning?” Sukuna scoffed. “That's so stupid.”
Sukuna's pondering was interrupted in this exact moment because Brat, as called, appeared in his domain. Wearing a skirt.
“Of course.” Sukuna whispered, resigned, and then sighed. “Why is this my life? I swear to gods.” Then he glared at the boy, who was just standing there, staring at Sukuna with determination in his eyes. It didn't bode well. “I told you not to come here again.” He spat loudly.
Brat tilted his head to the side, and no, Sukuna was weak to this gesture. Stop it.
“You also told me a lot of other things that we need to talk about.” His vessel responded with a clear resolution.
Sukuna froze. No. No, this oblivious brat couldn't realize it, could he?
“I don't care. Out.” Sukuna ordered dryly.
“No.”
“I said ‘out’.” He stressed, growling.
“And I said ‘no’.” The boy glared. He wasn't intimidating at all.
“Brat. I will kill you.” Sukuna warned.
“Then do it.” He challenged. Sukuna faltered there. Because, honestly, he didn't want to. “What's wrong? Is something stopping you?” Brat asked cheekily, and Sukuna gritted his teeth, irked. In seconds, he showed up right in front of the boy, clutching his collar, his vessel's eyes widening at that. And he could see how well the skirt was hugging his curves up close.
“Nothing is stopping me. I will kill you right here and there.” Sukuna snarled into the boy's face, but he just looked at him in a serious manner.
“Sukuna. Do you want me to be yours?” Brat asked quietly. Sukuna froze. “You said that people are mad when they see their special person in someone else's arms. Is that the reason you are always so angry at me? Do you think I'm yours, Sukuna?” His vessel prodded, and Sukuna let him go instantly, looking away.
“I wasn't talking about myself then.” He lied flatly.
“Then why were you biting me?”
“Out.”
“No, we need to talk about this.” Brat grabbed Sukuna's kimono.
“Out.” Sukuna scowled, hiding his distress.
Because how was he figured out? By this oblivious vessel of his? Just what in the world happened when Sukuna stopped paying attention to him?
“Sukuna. Look at me.” Brat whispered, and Sukuna sighed, but snapped his eyes to him, only to find the boy putting his hands gently on Sukuna's cheeks and then kissing him on the lips softly. He blinked, taken aback.
“Brat. Stop.” He hissed.
“No.” Another whisper and another kiss, almost equally tender.
What the fuck.
“Don’t you dare do it again.” Sukuna warned, but the boy just smiled, closed his eyes, and leaned again, so this time Sukuna kissed him first, hungrily.
There was a surprised sound from Brat, and Sukuna smirked into his mouth, sucking on the upper lip, then wrapped his right arm around the boy's waist and tugged closer, getting another small noise. Oh, he loved it. His left hand came to his vessel's neck, caressing in slightly. Brat's lips finally parted enough to put the tongue in, so Sukuna licked his upper lip gently, the boy pulling a bit at that, and Sukuna let him, only to slide his tongue further after a moment, until his vessel relaxed and licked back hesitantly, Sukuna grunting in approval. The boy then licked with more courage, and they could pull a bit and then catch their tongues back and forth. Not bad for a first time, Sukuna decided, enjoying every moment of it and getting more excited with every second. When the kiss was heated enough, he pulled away to bite Brat's neck, and this time the moan was loud and clear. What Sukuna didn't expect were the boy's legs buckling underneath him, and suddenly he had his vessel completely slack in his arms, his head on Sukuna's shoulder, panting heavily into his skin.
“Shit.”
“More.” Brat uttered, his voice hoarse. “You can bite me more, Sukuna.” He mumbled, and Sukuna gulped, something stirring in his low abdomen at the words.
“Brat. Do you know what you are saying right now?” He asked in a strained voice.
“Sukuna.” The boy kissed his neck and pulled away, so Sukuna could finally see the wrecked expression on his face, and he smirked at the sight, proud. “I wasn't sure at first, you know. Because you say mean things and do mean things, but the way you touch me…” He took Sukuna's hands into his own and played with his fingertips. “...is always so gentle.” Brat ended with a warm smile.
Sukuna blinked and stared at him.
“What?”
The boy chuckled.
“I wanted to tell you when I came here, but you didn't let me.” He took a deep breath. “You don't need to be upset anymore.” Brat smiled warmly.
Sukuna frowned.
“What are you talking about?” He asked, confused.
“Look who you are holding in your arms.” His vessel raised his eyebrows and then laughed at Sukuna's dumbfounded expression. “I won't let anyone do it except you. So don't be angry anymore, hm?” The boy tilted his head, smiling softly.
Sukuna stared at him more, processing.
“Are you trying to say… that you chose me?” He whispered, completely shocked. “But why? What about your lover?” Sukuna reminded him, and Brat chuckled.
“And you always say I am the oblivious one. It's you, dummy.” The boy kissed him again, sweetly. “You are my lover, Sukuna.” He said it with a fond expression.
“But… how? Why?” Sukuna asked disbelievingly.
Brat hummed, looking away and blushing.
“Told you that I'm dumb, but some things are obvious to me. You explained everything to me so well that I finally realized what all your actions and words really meant. I liked how you were there for me when I needed someone. And… I might have really liked the way you were touching me so gently, even if you claimed to hate me, and after that one super soft kiss, I thought you are great at kissing, and I wanted you to kiss me more because my body reacted and I thought I'm going to die, and…” Sukuna kissed him gently right there, so he wouldn't spout more embarrassing facts. Then Sukuna pulled a bit, and he smiled. “Oh, gods. And this smile! I needed to see it again! I love it!” Brat exclaimed, looking at him with awe. Sukuna snorted.
“That's funny because I wanted to hear something very nice again.” He smirked, and the boy gave him a suspicious glance.
“What is it?” His vessel asked hesitantly.
“This.” Sukuna said and bit the other side of Brat’s neck, a moan slipping from his lips again. He hit Sukuna's chest, pouting, a slight blush overtaking his features. “I love how sensitive your neck is. You make the most beautiful sounds, Yuuji.” He admitted it softly, and Yuuji gaped, tears suddenly forming in his eyes.
“I hate you, Sukuna.” He mumbled, squishing himself into Sukuna’s chest, so he chuckled, hugging this boy, his lover, tenderly.
“Just tell me one more thing, Yuuji. Why are you wearing a skirt?” He asked finally, and the boy chuckled sheepishly.
“Because it gives a power kick to my courage.” Yuuji replied shyly. Sukuna raised an eyebrow.
“And not for me to do that?” He murmured and slid his hand underneath to brush it lightly on Yuuji's thigh. The boy shivered, grabbing his kimono like a lifeline and bending towards Sukuna so he could hear the shaky breath coming from his vessel’s mouth a second later.
“Please don't do it again.” Yuuji mumbled weakly, and Sukuna blinked, then grinned.
“Oh? Are you sensitive there too, Yuuji? Where else? Should I check myself?” He purred, and the look his vessel sent him was so murderous, Sukuna laughed.
“You are doing this on purpose! I really hate you, Sukuna!” His lover whined.
“I hate you too, Yuuji.” He replied, smiling.
“You sure?” The boy looked up at him.
Sukuna kissed him lovingly.
“One hundred percent.”