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Sukuna was used to being bored. Before the brat swallowed one of his fingers, Sukuna had been dormant, but still somewhat aware of his surroundings and his continued existence. He had waited so many grueling years for someone to make a foolish mistake and set him free, and finally that kid came along. Sukuna had expected that after that point, he would be free to do as he pleased. That was what made it so goddamn irritating when he realized that he would now just have to wait in his domain for the majority of the time.
It was just another one of those ordinary days spent trying not to perish from the sheer and utter monotony of his new reality that he was surprised to find a jujutsu sorcerer standing before him in his domain. As far as he could tell, they weren’t associated with his vessel’s school, either. Curious.
“Sukuna Ryoumen!” called the sorcerer. It seemed like they were waiting for a response, but Sukuna hadn’t yet decided whether they deserved one. After a somewhat awkward pause, they continued. “I have sought you out to offer my services to you. The moment I heard of your power and greatness, I knew I had to join you. Will you allow me?”
That was certainly a new one. Sukuna leaned back in his throne, tilting his head to rest his chin on a fist. “How did you manage to find your way here?”
“I um- I just kinda… did?” the sorcerer stuttered, quite different from the carefully rehearsed speech they’d delivered a moment ago.
“And how am I to know you’re not just some coward who was so afraid of me that they decided to join me in hopes of saving their own skin?”
Sukuna saw the blast of cursed energy aimed at his head from a mile away, and merely tipped his head to the side to dodge it. Still, quite a ballsy move if this strange sorcerer was just here out of fear. This was getting exciting. Sukuna hardly gave the sorcerer time to blink before he was standing behind them with both of their wrists behind their back in one of his hands. “Oh, I like you,” he grinned.
The sorcerer tensed at his sudden movement, but momentarily relaxed. They craned their neck to look up at him. “Is that a yes?”
Unbelievable. Their shaking legs betrayed that they were clearly somewhat afraid of him (as they should be, he was the great King of Curses after all), but they still boldly looked him in the eyes with such hope that it took Sukuna aback for a moment. He doubted there were many mortals who would look at him the same way. “Hmmm… for now. If you swear your eternal devotion to me.” He released one of their wrists, allowing them to spin around and face him.
The sorcerer smiled. “I swear it.”
Well, that was quick and surprisingly easy. “Cause me any trouble, and I’ll kill you.”
The sorcerer nodded as if this was a normal, everyday interaction. As if they hadn’t just sold their soul to the most powerful curse in the history of the world. “Of course.”
Sukuna pulled them closer. “Now then, tell me about yourself.”
“Me?”
“Do you see anyone else here?”
“Oh- of course! Um-” Were they blushing? Cute. He let them continue. “I like music. And being outside.”
“Both very ordinary things for a human to enjoy. But you’re not so ordinary, are you?” Sukuna cocked his head, considering the mortal before him. “I don’t think many of your kind would have the guts to stand before me as you do now. So what makes you so special?” And why don’t I immediately want to kill you? He kept that question to himself.
“I don’t know. Maybe I just don’t have anything much else to lose.” Interesting.
“Well, whenever I need something, I’ll contact you.” Sukuna flashed back up to his throne, making himself comfortable once more. “Don’t pester me by asking when or you’ll find your life cut short.”
“Okay. Thank you, Sukuna.” The sorcerer smiled a little, staring into Sukuna’s eyes for a moment before they turned to leave. They had a pleasant smile. The kind you wouldn’t mind looking at for a bit. Upon meeting most humans, Sukuna instantly wished to make them forget they ever could smile. But… something was different about this one. Something was special. He would have to be careful. This strange sorcerer could get him in trouble.