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The days were becoming cooler, enough so that it prompted for warmer clothing options and the want to go out and enjoy the change of scenery. Summer was nice, but you definitely preferred the more refreshing fall season that was more deeply setting in as the days passed.
So, during a day off from schooling and curses, you and your friends decided to meet up and spend the day in the city. You had all agreed on lunch, and then after, there were a few shops that both you and Nobara wanted to check out, of which you were sure to drag the boys along, too.
With a giddiness taking you over, you showered and dressed, throwing on your coat and grabbing your wallet and cell phone before heading out to meet the other three. Oddly enough, when you reached the meet-up spot right outside the school gates, Yuuji was already there, waiting.
“Oh! Wow, you’re earlier than I thought you’d be,” you jabbed playfully as you approached, though you were honestly surprised he was there before anyone else.
Yuuji’s smile was bright when he greeted you, though it wasn’t nearly as big as it usually was. He seemed a little on edge, and for a moment, you worried something was amiss that you weren’t privy to.
“Guess I was just extra excited to get into the city,” he mused, scratching lightly at his cheek.
Hm…he was acting nervous.
“Well, Megumi is pretty punctual, and Nobara was excited, too, so I don’t think they’ll be much longer,”
“Y-yeah, that’s good!”
Silence stretched between the both of you, and it was becoming more and more apparent that there was something up with Yuuji. He was being extra fidgety and doing his best to avoid eye contact. It was incredibly unlike him, seeing as how he wasn’t usually shy with friendly affection.
Worry began to set in, enough so that you stepped closer and reached out to grab hold of his coat sleeve to gain his attention.
"Yuuji, are you-?"
"I'm sorry, I-!"
At the same time you moved, so did he, apology already leaving his lips as you began your inquiry. He had also stepped closer, stride longer and eager to rectify his odd behavior. Because of this, you both nearly collided with each other, his arms coming out instinctually to pull you in and keep from hurting you.
You were not sure what prompted the switch, but you were aware of when it happened, the immediate difference in cursed energy, albeit much more contained than usual, and the hold around your waist becoming all the more iron-clad.
Of course, you knew Yuuji had a curse that resided in him, one of the most powerful beings that had ever graced the earth, and yet somehow the bright ray of sunshine you called your friend had the ability to hold him back. Even so, there were instances that he slipped out, sometimes when Yuuji was at his weakest, and sometimes on mutual standing.
At that moment, you were confused as to what exactly had prompted Sukuna to take reign.
He hadn't said a word, though he had leaned in much closer, practically pressing himself to you from head to toe. It was alarming, somewhat frightening, if you were being honest, but of the very few times Sukuna had made himself known to you, he had been oddly careful…or as careful as a powerful curse could be, you supposed.
It still didn't mean he wouldn't kill you on a whim, so you did your best to stay still as he…as he started to sniff your hair?
The fear was quickly fading in place of confusion, and you were veering dangerously close to perturbed as Sukuna seemed content to do just that, burying his nose into your hair and breathing in deeply.
"Uh…S-Sukuna?"
You were answered with a deep, slow hum, feeling it against your chest just as much as you could hear it in your ears.
"Is there…um, is there something you needed...from me?
Your question was met with silence, not necessarily a bad thing, but also not always a good thing. You tried your hand at pulling back to get a better look at him, but you were met with immediate resistance.
Okay, so he was just…content to be like that, then. Yeah, no problem, you would just stand there and let him be. It was the easiest course of action, and it was much better than having him go on a killing spree when you could have prevented it without issue.
How long did he plan on keeping you there, stuck in his, er, embrace? Surely it would become a bit of an issue when Megumi and Nobara showed up, though you were beginning to hope they didn't show up at all so that they would remain safe until whatever Sukuna was doing came to an end.
If you thought about it too hard, it was actually kinda nice being held like that. He was pretty warm, and the day was starting out rather chilly…
"You smell of woodsmoke and burnt sugar."
The deeper timbre of Sukuna's voice startled you out of your thoughts.
"Wh-what?"
"Woodsmoke and burnt sugar," he reiterated, frown clearly evident in his words at having to repeat himself. Regardless, he continued speaking, and it was hard for you to decipher if he was becoming frustrated or amused.
“Had to fight the brat just to experience the scent for myself. It’s cloyingly sweet, whatever clings to you, almost sickening. It’s annoying and distracting.”
You had to think for a moment about what it was he could possibly be talking about. It was as you were going through your process of getting ready within your mind that you remembered the new body mist you had been using. Cozy Bonfire was the name of it, and it had a deeper underlying scent of smoke reminiscent of a campfire, while the sweeter notes held vanilla and reminded you of toasted marshmallows.
Honestly, you had really started to like the scent. It was just as the name suggested, cozy and perfect for the fall weather, but it seemed that perhaps not everyone liked it.
“If it’s annoying you, I can change it,” you offered almost carefully, wanting to appease him as best you could.
Your efforts, however, earned you an almost snarl-like sound as Sukuna pulled back to glare at you once more, clawed hands coming up to grip the tops of your arms tightly. There was anger in his sharp gaze, the lines of black adorning his features making him look more fearsome.
"Did I tell you to change it?"
"No! No, it w-was just a suggestion, since it was b-bothering you so much!"
Sukuna continued to stare you down, gaze becoming critical as if to determine if there was any hint of a lie in your statement.
“Good. Leave it. Easier to find you when the brat can’t keep you in his sight.”
His grip on you eased considerably, but he hadn’t actually let you go, meaning he wasn’t quite done with you yet. Surprisingly, his gaze shifted into something more thoughtful. Then he grinned, wide and amused and far more lecherous than you had expected.
“You’re a timid little thing, aren’t you?” he questioned with mirth, face leaning in close, closer, closer still until the tip of his nose was nearly touching your own. “How… endearing.”
All you could do was stare back into his red gaze, face warming at how close he had gotten and at the almost affectionate words he spoke. He shifted again, head leaning more to the side, and you shivered at the brush of his lips against your ear.
“When I have full control of this body,” he spoke, your cheeks burning hot at the rumble of his voice, “when my power is whole again, I will hunt down this scent of burnt sugar and smoke. I will find you, little treasure, and I will wreck you.”
You gave a sharp gasp as you tensed and immediately stepped just out of his hold, too shocked and embarrassed to realize that he had let you do so. Instead, you were focused on his laugh at your expense, gleeful and amused, and how his red gaze was filled with heat, but definitely not from anger.
It was almost instinctual, the way your hand moved of its own accord. You barely had time to process you were in motion, unable to stop the palm of your hand from smacking Sukuna in the face. It was a rather impressive slap, the sound of skin striking against skin sharp in your ears, and the force of it was enough that it had the curse turning with the motion.
The buzzing silence that followed had absolute dread creeping up inside of you. Had you actually just slapped the strongest curse known to society? Oh, surely this meant your death, there was no way he would just let you get away with-
"Ow! Ow, ow, ow, that actually really hurts!"
Your rambling thoughts were cut off by the sounds of someone in pain, and you were immediate in your want to help.
"Yuuji! I'm so sorry! Are you alright?"
Deep brown eyes turned in your direction, surprise and relief swirling in their depths.
"Yeah, I'm good," he answered as he turned fully to you once more, not a hint of a black marking on his skin, though there was definitely a bright red handprint across his cheek.
It seemed Sukuna had switched at just the right time for Yuuji to receive your slap rather than him. You felt bad about it; Yuuji didn't deserve that.
"Are you alright?" Yuuji asked as he reached out to grip your forearms, flipping your question back on you. "I tried to keep Sukuna back, but he's been hell-bent on coming out whenever you're around, recently, and when you got closer, earlier…"
Yuuji shut up real quick, then, a hand coming up to rub at the back of his head for only a moment as he looked away. His bright eyes were on you again rather quickly, concern easy to see by the furrow of his brow.
"He didn't hurt you, did he?"
"No, I'm fine," you assured quickly, watching as Yuuji gave a heavy sigh, a small smile coming to his lips. "I'm a little shaken up, maybe, but he didn't hurt me."
"Good, I'm glad."
There was a moment where the both of you just stared at each other, both relieved to find the other unharmed, save for the slowly fading handprint on Yuuji's face. It was only natural between close friends that a hug followed, filled with warmth and relief and the gentle comfort you had come to associate with being around him.
"Maybe try and give me a warning, next time?" you mused, sighing as Yuuji's embrace tightened just a bit.
"I'll try," he promised, pulling away slightly to smile brightly at you. The grin fell just as quickly as it had come, and a curious expression washed over his features.
"Oh! This might be a weird question, but did you change your perfume?"
"My perfume?" you mirrored, confused.
"Yeah! You used to smell like flowers, but now you smell really sweet, like toasted marshmallows. It's…it's really nice."
Yuuji looked bashful as he finished his sentence, but his smile was as bright as ever, genuine and warm. It was enough to make you feel bashful, too. You didn't think anyone had noticed…well, outside of Sukuna, who had made it absolutely clear just moments ago.
"You think so?"
"Mhm! I think Sukuna likes it, too. That's why he-"
"Oi! You two lovebirds ready to head out?"
Startled, you and Yuuji pulled away from each other, turning to find both Nobara and Megumi walking up to the gates. You greeted them, choosing to ignore Nobara's teasing, as it was a normal occurrence that didn't seem like it was going to stop anytime soon. Megumi made no comment, either, but did greet you with a nod of his head before his attention was taken momentarily by Yuuji's random conversation.
As the four of you began your trek away from the school, you and Yuuji shared a look, an agreement not to mention what had happened before your friends' arrival. The last thing you wanted was for them to worry over something that wasn't all that much of a big deal.
At least you knew your new favorite scent was well received.