Work Text:
Sukuna must be an idiot.
Or he must be turning into one. Because first; who's in their right mind would shield your vessel's soul with your own when it was Yuuji who should've took the burnt of that Okkutsu kid's cursed energy in order to end their life?
And two, he never felt any regret after doing it. Hell, even if it meant he's going to lose a big part of his soul after this, he didn't even think twice of actually saving the brat from his impending death.
(He knows the reason why he did it. But he doesn't want to dwell on that right now. He has more pressing matters at the moment.)
Seeing Yuuji's shocked face the second the brat landed on his crumbling domain make him let out a relieved sigh as he fully relaxes on where he laid on his throne of bones, his earlier worry about the brat's soul getting harmed after forcefully shoving him out of the way so he could take the hit slowly but surely dissipates.
The brat immediately ran towards him and pulls him in his arms with a shaky hold, making him let out a weak laugh at the other's worried expression. When he opens his mouth to speak, Sukuna notice that his lips is shaking too.
Really, he must've been turning into an idiot for pulling that stunt just for the brat.
(His mind tells him it's worth it though.)
"S-sukuna... what... what's happening?"
If he had the strength to flick Yuuji's forehead with force because of his lack of common sense, he would've done it. But with how he could only barely keep his consciousness from slipping, he doubt he even could. So he just settles on clicking his tongue and talking, even if its a struggle to do so.
"What do you think, brat?"
Yuuji looks like he's in pain.
(Which is funny. He isn't the one who's suffering from existential crisis right now, yet he looks like he's the one who's in the brink of death.)
"B-but, howㅡ whyㅡ"
Cutting the brat's tirade, he rolled his eyes. "You do know that even if they execute you right now, i'll still be able to come back to life with my remaining fingers, right?"
At that, Yuuji's eyes narrowed. He looks like he's about to throw a punch on Sukuna's face or something, but instead, his hands tightly clutch onto his kimono as he exclaims. "That doesn't mean you're free to use your soul as a shield or something just to save me!!"
'Yeah, you're right. I shouldn't have done that.' He internally agrees. 'I should have let you take the hit, but if i did, then it means you'll cease from existing while i'll be left here, all alone. And i can't afford that. Not when i finally realised that you aren't boring as i initially think.'
(Not when i finally realised that you're part of the reason why i wanted to live.')
Instead of saying those, he lets out a long suffering sigh. "Shut up, don't tell me what not to do. You're a thousand years weaker and younger to do that."
Yuuji look perplexed. "That's not what iㅡ" he sighs and closed his eyes. Letting their forehead touch, Yuuji lets out a shaky sigh. Sukuna watch, as the teen slowly opens those coppery brown eyes that he only started to admire lately. They were watery. "You idiot."
(I'm an idiot, indeed.)
Sukuna only scoffs, gently nuzzling Yuuji's nose that touches his. "Is that what you're going to tell your savior? Not even a simple 'thanks'?"
Yuuji sniffs, and Sukuna thinks that he could feel Yuuji's tear drop on his cheek. "I never asked you to do anything... i was ready to die... why are you so unfair?"
Raising a hand, he gently wipes away his vessel's tears using his thumb. "I've never been fair since the beginning. I'm surprised you only realise that now."
"Smartass." Yuuji mutters before capturing his lips in a salty, desperate kiss.
When Yuuji pulls away, his shoulders were shaking. He's still silently crying as Sukuna could feel his tears drop on his cheek. He tries to open his eyes again, he notices that Yuuji's face began to blur.
Sukuna could feel his soul had turn significantly smaller now, sooner or later he had to leave his vessel's body. And for the first time in months, he'll return back to slumber.
(He doesn't want to go.)
"Sukuna, don't leave me please. Iㅡ I don't know what to do without you. Iㅡ i don't wanna be alone again." He knows Yuuji must looked extremely pained and desperate at this moment, but his face looks merely a blur now. Even speaking takes him tremendous energy to do so.
"I'm not going anywhere."
(Lies. Sukuna could never stop telling lies, could he?)
"B-but yourㅡ"
"Yuuji." Softly caressing his vessel's face with his slowly turning into transparent hand, he whispers. "After they drop your execution, come find my fingers."
He could feel Yuuji's upper body shakes as he nods. Sukuna quirk his lips into a soft smile.
(You shouldn't be crying over me brat.)
Yuuji's voice broke, but at least he sounds determined now.
"O-okay, okay. I will."
(That's good. He doesn't want him to stay sulking forever. He still have to look for his fingers and reunite with him after all.)
His soul flicker like a dying candle light, and Sukuna knows its time to say goodbye.
(For now.)
"See you later, Yuuji."
"See you later, Sukuna."
(Hurry and come find me, brat.)