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Ever since you joined Jujutsu High, you and Itadori Yuuji were inseparable. Neither of you could really pinpoint exactly why, but you both knew you were happier with one another.
You were rarely in class, focusing more on your medical studies with Shoko in the infirmary, but when you were, Yuuji always had a seat saved for you beside him.
You found out later from Nobara that he saved it for you every day, hoping you’d be in class unlike usual. It warmed your heart to think that Yuuji, someone you had only known for a short period of time cared enough about you to save you a seat. It was such a simple action, but for some reason it stuck in your mind from that moment on.
Your friendship blossomed over the course of the start of the school year. You opted to start hanging out with Yuuji and the rest of the other first years instead of keeping to yourself during your free time as you usually would in a new environment.
Nobara was instantly your friend. Something about nice to finally have a girl around in the mix of all of these annoying boys. Megumi was quiet. Typical. You two acted similar to each other in a way. Both of you would stay quiet while your other two friends would bicker, fool around, or occasionally tease Megumi about being a sourpuss. You’d spend your nights in one of your four dorms, sitting in whoever's twin bed and sharing snacks and homework answers.
It didn’t matter whose room you were in or what you were doing that night, but you always found yourself next to Yuuji. You both eventually realized that your personalities and interests meshed well when you were together. You started hanging out one on one, running off to either one of your two dorms after classes and dinner.
“I like you a lot.”
You had confessed to him while the two of you sat in his bed, watching a shitty horror movie. You weren’t sure what compelled you to do it, but nothing was able to stop the words from coming out of your mouth. The silence between the two of you only intensified while the dumb sound effects played from the TV.
Yuuji turned his head to look at you as you were waiting for his answer. Confusion spread over his face and you could practically hear the gears turning in his mind. Your heart was racing, even though you kept your composure the best you could.
Maybe you fucked up.
“Well, duh, I like you too.” The boy finally spoke, saying it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “People are usually friends with people they like.”
Idiot.
You rolled your eyes as he turned his attention back to the movie. “Yuu, that’s not what I meant.” You mumbled, feeling the heat in your cheeks rise. It was embarrassing enough to confess in the first place, but it was a whole new level to have to explain yourself to Yuuji.
His eyes were back on you, watching as you moved the pillow in your lap closer to your chest as you hid your face. The same look of confusion was painted over his face for a moment before finally,
“Ohhh…” He came to the realization of what you had been trying to say originally. “I like you like that, too.” He smiled.
You couldn’t believe how calm he was. It was as if he’d known all this time, even though he couldn’t put it together just a minute ago. You looked over his face, taking in his soft, gentle expression that he always seemed to hold when he spoke to you. He was always so kind to you. He was never mean, never angry. It couldn’t have been any more obvious. Of course he liked you back.
You dropped the pillow back into your lap. “Well…” You started, not sure what to say from there. You hadn’t exactly planned for this when you spoke out in the first place.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea though.” Yuuji said plainly.
He was probably right.
No, he was right.
Him getting involved with anyone was just plain stupid. Not only was he the vessel of Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, but he was also part of an elaborate plan to be exorcised once he consumed all 20 fingers. You both knew this, but at that moment neither of you seemed to care.
His voice was soft as he spoke the words to you. It was as if he were trying to cushion the blow of whatever harsh feelings might come from the thought of potential rejection. He was protecting your feelings as he always tried to do when he was with you.
You shook your head as you looked at each other. “Yup…” You couldn’t come up with an answer besides that. The two of you sat in silence, both trying to come up with some sort of solution.
“We can just be together and figure it all out when we get there.” You suggested, a small smile spread over your lips. You didn’t want to push him into a relationship if he truly didn’t think it was a good idea to be with you, but you wanted nothing more in this world than to be with him.
“Wouldn’t that just be a waste of your time?” Yuuji asked. He yearned to be with you. He wanted to spend forever with you, even if his forever was just a few more years.
But he also didn’t want you hurt. He knew being with him would inevitably end in nothing but pain for you when that day finally came.
You took his hand into your own, giving it a small squeeze. “Being with you could never be a waste of my time.” You reassured him.
His eyes met yours once again, looking over the gentle smile you were offering him. He mirrored your expression and nodded. “Okay.” He said through his toothy grin. “Boyfriend, girlfriend?”
You giggled a bit. “Boyfriend, girlfriend.” You confirmed.
And Yuuji was the perfect boyfriend. He always made sure you were safe, even though you were definitely capable of handling curses on your own. He would always let you into his dorm in the middle of the night when you had a bad dream, felt lonely, or even if you just couldn’t sleep. He would shower you in affection, telling you how much he adored you and how grateful he was to have you in his life. No matter what you were feeling, it always managed to ease your mind and put you right to sleep.
Sometimes there would be conversations of the inevitable. What would you do after he was gone? Would Yuuji try to stall to live just a little bit longer?
“What if one day I can’t control him?” Yuuji asked you one day. The two of you laid in his twin bed, cuddled as close as you could possibly get to each other.
You leaned your head back to get a better look at him. He was staring up at the ceiling, not daring to meet your gaze. “Why wouldn’t you?” You asked him quietly. He always played it off as if being Sukuna’s vessel was easy when any of your friends asked him about it, but with you, he’d open up often, letting you in on his true emotions. You always loved the way he was so genuine with you.
He shrugged, staying quiet for a moment as he tried to put his thoughts into words. “It’s just, sometimes I can hear him. He’s just so loud in here.” His eyes never broke contact with the ceiling as he spoke. “He tries to get me to do bad things sometimes.”
“Yuu, it’s okay.” You reached your hand up to his face, gently rubbing your thumb over his cheek as the cute nickname fell past your lips. It felt slightly damp as you touched him and you finally realized he was crying. Your heart ached, wishing you could do anything to numb his pain.
“I know I sound crazy talking like that.” He put his head to the side to look at you. You noticed the small smile tugging on his lips once he saw you at last, as if just your face could bring him back to the reality you were both in right now instead of whatever nightmare he had been thinking about. “I just get worried that he’ll hurt people. Hurt you.”
You shook your head, readjusting slightly so you could press a gentle kiss on his lips. “He’ll never hurt anyone ever again. Especially not me.” You whispered against his lips as you pressed your forehead to his. “You’d never allow it.”
Yuuji smiled against you, his eyes tracing over your facial features at this close up angle. He stayed silent, not that you minded. As long as he was calm, you didn’t care. It killed you to see him upset about things he couldn’t control.
“I love you.” The words left his mouth so quietly, you don’t think you would’ve noticed if he wasn’t speaking directly into your skin.
Your heart skipped a beat. You knew he loved you, he went out of his way to show you how much he cared for you every second he could, but neither of you were ever brave enough to say it to the other. You closed the small space between your lips, slotting them together. “I love you too.” You mumbled into him, earning a smile from the boy beside you.
You moved in even closer, the feeling of his arms tightening around you made you warm inside. This was your safe place, your happiest place. You would spend the rest of your life in his grasp if you could.
As the months went on, you and your boyfriend spent more and more time together. The two of you were practically inseparable, but your friends didn’t seem to mind. At first, they seemed annoyed, frustrated, and just plain bored of the whole honeymoon phase, but when they realized it was just the dynamic of your relationship, they started to accept it and get used to it.
The four of you walked through the streets of Tokyo after classes, finally having some free time in the big city.
“You wanna see a movie with me?” Yuuji asked, showing you a trailer on his phone.
To say it looked awful was an understatement. You sat in shock, wondering how he could want to watch something so
“Stupid.” Nobara spoke up from beside you. You nodded in agreement.
Yuuji’s face formed into a pout. “I was hoping you’d still at least come with me.” He shoved his phone back into the pocket of his uniform.
Nobara knew you were a sucker for your boyfriend, especially when he acted so sad and pathetic like he was currently. “Don’t you dare.” She mumbled to herself, her voice just above a whisper.
You suddenly couldn’t see any reasons not to go, though. Sure, the movie looked like crap and you thought you’d rather watch paint dry, but it’s time you get to spend with Yuuji, and you’d take every second you can. You sighed, a bit dramatically, and nodded. “Fine, I’ll go with you.”
Nobara groaned. “Am I just supposed to go to the cafe alone?” She furrowed her brows at you.
“Megumi likes coffee.” Yuuji answered her as he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling your back close against his chest. He knew just how to get on Nobara’s nerves. Her face turned pink with frustration.
Megumi simply sighed, clicking through his phone as the three of you argued.
“No-chan, we can still go.” You giggled as you felt Yuuji’s chin resting on your shoulder. Both of you looked at her frustrated expression in amusement. “I didn’t say yes to going to the movies right this second.”
Nobara laughed. “Hah!” She reached for your arm, pulling you from Yuuji’s gentle grasp and into her own. “She’s still mine today, Itadori.” She poked her tongue out in your boyfriend’s direction as she hooked your arms together.
The two of them bickered, trying to convince each other that they were the one you’d be spending the afternoon with. You slipped out of the other girl's loose grip and stepped aside, watching the playful argument unfold with Megumi.
“They don’t ever stop, do they?” He mumbled. He acted annoyed, but you all knew every monotone word that left his mouth was said with the most endearment towards his best friends.
You laughed, shaking your head in response to the rhetorical question. You didn’t care though. You loved being able to spend time with the people you loved the most. Whether it was watching Yuuji and Nobara pester each other, the four of you all getting snuggled up together in your room for movie night (much to Megumi’s annoyance, but he eventually gave in every single time), or even just being able to go to cafes and shop together.
Sure, you guys had one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, but it’s because of that that you’re able to spend so much time together and meet in the first place. You wouldn’t change it for the world.
Unfortunately though, most things don’t last forever, especially the good things in life.
You were working with Shoko down in the infirmary, helping her sort paperwork as she dealt with running tests from different cursed objects that were brought to her. You watched as she took a call, stepping out of the room to answer it.
You kept your eyes on the door for a moment, mind racing over the different conversations she could possibly be having. You sighed and brought your attention back to the task she had given you. Your thoughts drift to your boyfriend, thinking about his mission out in the city. You were upset at first when he told you he’d be out for Halloween, hoping the two of you could dress up together and maybe even go trick or treating like children again, but you understood.
The door burst open, pulling you out of the pity party you were throwing yourself. Shoko pushed her way into her room, grabbing her bag and filling it with medical supplies. “We need to get to Shibuya. Now.” She told you.
You rose to your feet, immediately grabbing supplies and helping her pack up so you could leave. Sure, you’ve seen her in a rush like this before, but never quite this urgent. Your heart raced as you thought of your more combat-capable friends who were already out for the night. Were they in trouble? Was Yuuji alright?
Shoko explained the situation the best she could from what she was told on your way out into the city. “There’s a patch face curse who turned a bunch of civilians into distorted figures.”
“Like the two Nanami and Yuuji brought back to us a few months ago?” You questioned as she sped through the streets of Tokyo.
“Likely the same person.” She nodded. She continued giving you information, as much as she possibly could. “And Gojo’s been sealed.” She finished.
Your heart sank. You felt your hands go numb at her last statement. Gojo? Sealed? How was that even possible for someone like him?
You finally arrive at the scene, parking in the middle of the street. You and your mentor run to meet the few sorcerers that were already awaiting medical attention.
As the two of you work to heal your peers, you can’t help but think about Yuuji again. He’s all you can think about.
Please be safe. Please be safe. Please-
Your thoughts are interrupted by Shoko calling your name. “Do you think you could try to find people who aren’t able to be moved?” She asked.
You grab your own bag, heading in through the barrier to the sight of Shibuya in complete shambles. How could it be this bad already? You tuck yourself deep into the shadows, looking and listening for anyone in the ruins that was calling out for help.
You did what you could to free who you could, healing others to the best of your abilities while awaiting the help of someone, or something, stronger to lift them out of the rubble surrounding them.
That’s when you felt it. A deep chill ran through your bones, causing you to freeze. An intense, overwhelming feeling of cursed energy poured through the streets. It was so foreign, but all too familiar. If only you were able to pinpoint where exactly it was coming from.
As you continued working, you watch raging fires in the distance. The heat radiated all the way to you, feeling like the beating sun on the hottest summer day. You rolled up your sleeves, trying your best to keep your distance from whatever was happening in the center of Shibuya.
Your heart ached. Your friends were all still unaccounted for as far as you knew. Yuuji was supposed to be in the heart of the city. You knew he was strong, but if all of this was too much for Gojo to handle, it was far too advanced for him.
You dig through the rubble of the buildings as tears welled up in your eyes at the thoughts that couldn’t escape your mind. Was everyone safe? Were they scared? Did they die well before this?
You sat on top of the pile of bricks, beams, and dust and sobbed. You should be working. You should be helping.
But you couldn’t.
There was nothing in this world you wanted more in this moment than to be in your room with your friends, cuddled up in Yuuji’s arms, watching terrible scary movies and snacking on sugary chocolates and gummy candies. It wasn’t fair.
You weren’t sure how long you’d been sitting there. It might’ve been minutes, maybe even hours. As bad as you felt for leaving civilians trapped, your mind wouldn’t allow it anymore. You sat with your knees to your chest, your arms wrapped around them as you buried your head on top of them.
“Look who’s here.” You heard a deep voice approaching you. The same, ice cold numbness washed over your body when you heard the familiar voice. You couldn’t move.
No.
You were afraid to move.
“It’s rude to ignore me.” He spoke again. You lifted your head and your heart skipped a beat as you saw Yuuji standing atop another pile of rubble.
Only, it wasn’t Yuuji.
That comforting warmth you felt in his presence, even from afar, was completely gone. All that was left was the shell of your boyfriend and the dark, chilling aura that now radiated from deep within his body.
Ryomen Sukuna had finally won.
Your breathing became staggered as you watched him standing there. He didn’t need to do or say anything, his existence was menacing enough. What were you supposed to do? You knew that everyone was taught to exorcize Sukuna if this happened, but the strength in his stance alone let you know you were absolutely no match.
And even if you were, how could you do this to the boy you loved so dearly?
Sukuna slowly stepped toward you. At this pace, you had more than enough time to run, put distance between you and the evil spirit inhabiting your boyfriend’s body, but your limbs are frozen in place. You wanted to move, scream out for help, do anything, but even if you could, it would be useless. All you could do is sit in your spot in the middle of dust and ash covered bricks and anticipate the worst from what has become of your boyfriend’s body.
“I’ve been waiting for you.” The smirk that spread across Sukuna’s lips was full of hatred and disgust. It was almost impossible to think that those lips were the ones to press soft kisses on your cheeks and whisper sweet nothings to calm you when you were nervous or upset. The way he twisted Yuuji’s features to fit the monster he was made the boy almost unrecognizable to you.
But he was still there, nonetheless. You believed it, so it had to be true. The boy you loved was still inside that body, if you could just bring him forward and help him regain control.
The distance closed between you and the King of Curses. You weren’t sure when he got this close, or how you ended up trying to crawl backward away from him. Everything was a blur. “Aren’t you going to greet me?” Sukuna chuckled as he ran his finger along your jawline. The same hands that made you feel so safe were making you fear for your life.
“I-“ You stuttered, eyes focusing on the shoulder in front of you. You couldn’t bring yourself to look Sukuna in the eyes. Yuuji’s eyes. You trembled as tears fell down your cheeks.
“Don’t you want to see your lover?” He teases, grabbing your chin in his hand and forcing your gaze onto his face. “He’s been so worried about you all night. It was terribly annoying to listen to.”
The black markings that painted Yuuji’s soft skin made you sick to your stomach. If you could move, you’re sure you would’ve lost your dinner on the floor beside you at that very moment. His honey colored eyes glowed a deep shade of red as they pierced into your soul.
“Please.” You begged, your voice frail as you spoke. You didn’t know what exactly you were even asking him for. Were you asking to be left alone or for Yuuji to be let free?
Sukuna used the hand around your jaw to shove you back into the concrete. The air in your lungs was forcibly pushed out as you hit the bricks below you. “Pathetic.” He spat. “You’re not even worth my time.” He stated. He knew you were an easy target. If you didn’t have a connection to Yuuji, he probably would’ve killed you in less than a second just for the hell of it.
But to make you both suffer, he wanted to drag this out.
You laid coughing on the ground, watching as he shoved his hands into the pockets of Yuuji’s school uniform. The evil grin never left his face as he saw you struggling to sit up.
“However, the brat would be devastated.” The laugh he let out was maniacal as he hovered over your weak body.
You quickly raised your arm, the buzz of your cursed technique ringing through your body. Now was your chance, quickly while he was staring at your face.
Sukuna easily navigated his hand out of pocket and grabbed your wrist, quickly snapping your arm in the process. You wailed out in pain, trying to pull yourself out of his grip. “You’ve still got a little fire left in ya.” He laughed.
The pain surged through your arm. You squeezed your eyes shut and clenched your jaw, trying so hard not to focus on the unbearable feeling in your wrist.
Sukuna lifted you by the arm that was still in his grasp, leaving your feet dangling just above the ground. The shock of your newly broken bone sent waves from the point his hand connected with your skin. With a small flick of his hand, you were sent flying into one of the few buildings left standing.
Your back connected with the wall, breaking the windows behind you from the force. The shattered glass fell around you as your vision blurred. Your ears rang and your consciousness was slowly slipping.
You watched Yuuji, no, Sukuna stalk over to you once again.
“You’re making this too easy, baby.” His voice sounded like an echo in your mind. “Can’t we at least have a little fun?”
You tried lifting yourself to sit up, but it was no use. Your head felt like it was split open, you were definitely concussed. Your breathing was heavy, your chest heaving. You opened your mouth to speak, but no words came out. Your head pounded, rolling onto your side so you could see the monster that was slowly approaching.
You looked over your boyfriend’s body in front of you. You couldn’t process what was happening anymore. You looked at his big, strong arms that held you when you were sad, his messy pink hair that you loved to run your fingers through any chance you had, his soft lips that you would kiss a hundred times a day. The fuzzy thoughts in your brain welcomed the sight of the boy you loved coming your way to save you from the nightmare you were enduring.
Yuu- Sukuna gripped your hair, causing you to yelp as he pulled you to look at him with what little sentience you had left in you. His mouth moved, but you couldn’t hear the words coming out of them. He looked angry with you.
Yuuji was never angry, though. He was never rough toward you. His words were nothing but loving and affectionate when he spoke to you. He was still in there somewhere, despite how his body was treating you. “Yuuji.” You finally spoke, the small whisper of your voice shaking as you tried to hold why was left of your focus on him. “I love you.” You wanted him to take over. You wanted him to save you from the inevitable.
Please. Yuuji, please, save me. Yuuji.
You felt a sharp pain in your stomach. Your sleepy eyes looked down to see Yuuji’s, no, Sukuna’s hand piercing through your torso. In your right mind, you’d quickly use your cursed technique to seal the hole and heal yourself the best you can, but right now, you couldn’t think enough to even be worried. You watched as the front of your school uniform slowly became damp around the hole.
Sukuna pulled his hand out, watching as the blood poured from the wound on your body. You collapsed to the ground in front of him, trying to steady your breathing.
“Savor it, kid.” His low voice mumbled.
The black marks slowly faded from Yuuji’s tan skin. His eyes slowly drifted down to your body, slowly bleeding out in front of him. Quickly, he knelt to the ground. He carefully took your body into his arms. His safe, strong arms. His frantic hands pulled the shirt of his uniform over his head, bunching it up to hold against the hole in your stomach as he screamed out for help.
“I’m sorry.” He cried, pressing his forehead against your own. The touch was gentle, even in the urgency of the moment. “Please, don’t go. Just, please.” He begged.
Your breathing was shallow beneath him as his tears hit your face. “Yuu,” You managed to mutter below him.
Yuuji held his breath and watched your face. The way your eyes struggled to stay open made his heart race.
He was losing you.
“I love you.” You struggled through the words.
Yuuji held you closer to his body. “I love you.” He repeated. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” He sobbed quietly. He raises his bloody hand up to your face, pulling it closer to his. He continued to beg you quietly to hold on, telling you someone would help you soon.
You did everything you can to lean into his touch, taking in his soft movements. You tried you really did, to hold on to what little life you had left, You mustered up the small strength you had left, channeling your cursed energy in your core as you attempted to heal yourself in a natural reflex. “Yuuji.” You spoke a final time, your consciousness slipping.
The boy watched your eyes close and panicked. He grabs a hold of your face, much gentler than the curse inside him had, trying to pull your focus back to him. He repeats your name over and over, hoping you’d wake up. Hoping he would wake up. He wished and prayed that this was only a dream.
Tears poured from his eyes as he pulled your limp body against his own. “Somebody, please!” Yuuji’s voice rang through the streets of Shibuya, holding on to the little hope he had that maybe this wasn’t the end. Maybe he could still save you.
But you were gone. The one who promised to run away with him before he could get to 20 fingers. The one who always reassured that he was stronger than the curse sharing his body. All of it, all of you, was gone in an instant.
For as long as he lived, he would never forgive himself for letting this happen to you.
No.
For doing this to you.