Chapter Text
Sukuna’s way of loving is unnatural. It’s crude and obsessive, bordering on violent. It’s like a starving animal defending its food with claws and teeth. But for him, it’s the only way he knows how to love.
Yuuji knows this too. He was, after Uraume, the only person to receive Sukuna’s unconditional love. With strength and a serious expression, he withstood every onslaught Sukuna launched against him. Until, finally, he earned a place by his side, accompanying him despite being just a mortal.
And, as usual, it was these very same people who snatched Yuuji away from his side. His little human wasn’t weak, by the standards of the time, and he didn’t believe anyone would be stupid enough to attack what belonged to him. He underestimated this fact, undoubtedly. He should never have left him alone. Of course, Yuuji was the only one who kept Sukuna sufficiently at arm’s length from mortal affairs. The brat was his chains. There was no curse more twisted than love, after all.
Humans paid dearly in blood for their actions.
And, a thousand years later, here he was, with Yuuji by his side again. Changed, as his cursed status dictated, but still his brat.
It had been almost two months since he’d been reincarnated, and a month of peace with Yuuji. He didn’t consider this calm necessary, but after a millennium apart, he’d let his husband have his way.
“Even though you turned into a curse, even after what humans did to you, are you still going to take their side?” That was the first thing he growled at him that day, after they’d left the ruined battlefield that had once been Shinjuku.
Yuuji laughed, glancing at him sideways. “If I were mere, simple curse, I’m sure I wouldn’t be like this. But I am the husband of the King of Curses, am I not? Retaining a part, however small it is, of my humanity, was to be expected.”
Sukuna just snorted, but he wouldn’t deny the proud smile that slipped out, pulling Yuuji tightly against his side. He was warm, soft, just as he remembered. If he closed his eyes, he could almost pretend they were still in the Heian period, that nothing had gone wrong.
Over the course of that month, his husband told him what he’d been doing. From his reincarnation in the Kamakura period, through his suicide, and everything he’d done afterwards as a Vengeful Spirit. Of course, he’d devoted himself to eliminating other curses. He also mentioned his period of inactivity, how he’d stayed on the sidelines until the Heisei period, when the birth of that Six Eyes user had awakened him from his slumber.
“I waited for you for a long time, Suku,” he remarked one day as he rested in his lap, one of the King’s arms automatically stroking his hair. “If Kenjaku were still alive, I would have dealt with him personally for making me wait so long.”
Sukuna laughed, baring his teeth. His faithful servant, Uraume, had accompanied them and kept them informed of current events, including Kenjaku’s downfall.
It was at the end of that second month when the peace his husband had hoped for was disturbed by a familiar presence on the grounds they had claimed as their own—a simple but spacious abandoned temple that both Yuuji and Uraume had taken the time to rebuild.
“Yo.” The Six Eyes user greeted them, smiling. Sukuna shot him a dirty look, growling at him.
It seemed they hadn’t heeded the simple demand his husband had imposed on them in exchange for peace. “You have three seconds to get out of here before I finish you off, kid.”
“Sukuna!” He heard Yuuji shout behind him, peering over his shoulder with difficulty. “Six Eyes.” He greeted him in a friendly tone, smiling. “I wasn’t expecting visitors.”
“Well, I wasn’t expecting to visit,” he replied, his smile now directed at the boy behind him. Sukuna narrowed his eyes, his massive body rising to block the view, despite the complaints coming from behind him. “However, as the strongest sorcerer, I have a duty to ensure that this… peace, I suppose, is maintained over time. And there are many reports of sudden surges of Cursed Energy coming from this area.”
Despite his best efforts, Sukuna was forced to step aside after Yuuji shoved him away. The two exchanged a tense glare before the curse sighed, giving in. “If the sorcerer enters the house, I’ll eat his limbs,” he threatened, returning inside. He would still keep his attention on his husband, but no one seemed to expect otherwise.
“Ah, Suku gets bored sometimes, so we fight to calm him down.”
“And other things that aren’t fighting,” he added from inside, smiling broadly.
Yuuji turned to yell at him, indignant. “Sukuna!” The curse laughed in response. His husband sighed in response.
Gojo remained unfazed by the exchange. Although the King knew the tension the sorcerer was building up in his body, like a spring ready to snap at the slightest provocation. That sense of danger running down his spine, keeping him on high alert… Well, that’s how it should be.
“Ignore him, he’s a brute.”
“Yes, I’d heard that,” Gojo replied sarcastically, one eyebrow raised behind his eye mask. “What I hadn’t heard from him, however, was the fact that he had a husband.”
“Ah, well, I’m not surprised. Other humans came after me, which angered Suku. I doubt they’d be willing to take the blame for his reign of terror, so they most likely erased me from history…” A sigh was heard, followed by a few moments of silence. “Anyway, how is the user of the Ten Shadows?”
“Oh, Megumi? He’s recovering, though… Well, he’s still shaken up, of course. What happened to his sister was a real blow.” If Sukuna didn’t know better, the tone of his voice sounded like a reproach.
“Well, at least he’s still alive.” Yuuji sighed again, relieved. “Now, while I appreciate the visit, you’re here for a reason.”
“Well, of course, as I said, I have to make sure this peace lasts. And I must admit I’m curious. For starters, your cursed energy is very similar to that of the King of Curses, which intrigues me.”
He watched his husband tilt his head, humming. “Well, I can always make a binding vow.”
“Yuuji!” Sukuna exclaimed warningly, frowning. “Don’t even think about making a binding vow with that sorcerer.”
Yuuji ignored him and continued speaking, not bothering to turn to look at him. “To myself. I promise to keep Sukuna out of this, and I’m willing to offer my life in exchange.”
Sukuna didn’t bother to warn him again, moving from his spot to catch up to his husband and lift him by the arm, dragging him inside. “Don’t talk nonsense,” he growled, shaking him. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“I can.” He challenged him, narrowing his eyes. Sukuna’s arm was severed, forcing him to drop Yuuji, who quickly regained his composure, brushing off his kimono from any dirt it could have caught. The lost limb regenerated rapidly, and the stare-down continued. “You wouldn’t be capable of letting me die just for the sake of your need for a little entertainment. You have everything you need with me by your side.”
Sukuna softened a little at his words. He wasn’t immune to those displays of possessiveness from his brat. The anger was still simmering beneath the surface, of course, but he didn’t speak again, merely glaring hatefully at the Six Eyes.
Yuuji returned to the entrance, smiling again. “And, regarding your question… Well, Suku gave me a piece of his soul when we got married. I suppose it remained intact in the reincarnation.”
“Stop telling that sorcerer about our private life.” He grumbled, looking away.
“I see. Well, wow! I didn’t expect the King of Curses to have a little love interest.” Gojo laughed, sounding almost mocking. Sukuna was going to rip that damn Six Eyes’ head off.
Much to the curse’s misfortune, Yuuji and Gojo talked for quite a while, laughing, as if they were old friends. And no, Sukuna didn’t snort or pout. He’s the King of Curses; that wouldn’t be befitting of him.
By the time they finally finished whispering to each other and the one from the Gojo clan left, Yuuji returned to his lap, settling in as if that were his designated spot, sighing contentedly.
“It’s better this way, isn’t it, Sukuna?” His hand rose to his face, gently caressing his cheekbone. “We’ll be together forever.”
He closed his eyes, accepting the touch without resistance. He didn’t deign to give his husband a response.
Love was, in fact, one of the worst curses, for there were so many ways to love. Sukuna could be violent and obsessive, but of the two, Yuuji was the crueler: possessive, forcing him to submit to his whims.
Sukuna couldn’t be himself the way he wanted to be.
But it didn’t matter, as long as Yuuji stayed by his side. And if one day his chains were to disappear, he would unleash his rage just as he had in the past.
His husband was a prison he had walked into headfirst, and he wasn’t all that concerned about getting out.