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There were a lot of things that Jin Itadori expected. Like the usual day to day mundane things, going to the store, paying bills, even going to work. Something he never would have guessed would happen is seeing his brother in a random grocery store.
His twin brother. The one he hadn’t seen in over a decade.
“…I’m not your dad, kid.” He heard the familiar voice of his brother say to his kid.
“Dad, stop playing!” Yuji said, scowling. “I’m telling mom!”
“Go right ahead, brat, I’m not your dad.” Sukuna said.
“Yuji!” Jin called him, “I’m right here.”
Yuji looked at him, and then Sukuna, and looked confused. “Why do you look exactly like my dad?”
“Probably because we’re twins?” Sukuna said. “But that’s just a guess.”
“Sukuna.” Jin said, lips pursed. “What are you doing here?”
“You know, it’s crazy you ask that.” Sukuna said, looking at him. “Because you’ll never believe it, but I’m here to get groceries. I know, shock and awe.”
“You don’t need to be so rude.” Jin said, looking at him.
“Don’t I?”
“Sukuna where the hell are you?” Called a voice. “I swear, if you are not in the candy aisle buying me my Reeces, I might actually kill you.”
He turns to a man standing there. He had skin smooth like porcelain, and eyes brighter, clearer, and more blue than the ocean. Expensive sunglasses sat on top his had, and the rest of his outfit seemed to scream wealthy.
Jin wondered how this person knew his brother, because there was no way his brother knew this type of person.
“I got your fucking Reeces right here.” Sukuna said, holding the candy in his hand. “Calm down.”
“Ooo you said a bad word.” Yuji said, giggling.
“You’re lucky we’re in public.” The man said. “Let’s go. The kids are waiting.”
“Speaking of our kids, where are they? Did you seriously leave them alone to hunt me down?”
That is when his brain started to hurt, because what did his brother mean children? Who would let him have a child?
“By the toy section.” Said the man.
“What, did you care more about the candy than your kids?” Sukuna said.
Jin frowned, looking between the men. He was confused now. Who’s children are they actually?
“They’re with Shoko, remember?” The man said, rolling his eyes. “I was wondering what was taking so long.”
Jin looked between the two, frowning. He needed to know who this guy was, and he hated being kept out of the loop. “Who are you, and how do you know Sukuna?”
The man looked at him, and then at Sukuna, looking confused. “Wait, why is there two of you?”
“This is Jin.” Sukuna said. “And his son Yuji.”
“No shit?” The man said, laughing.
Jin looked to the man, frowning.
“Yeah.” Sukuna said, not looking happy. “My twin brother. The one I told you about.”
The man’s eyes widened. “Oh, that Jin.”
He isn’t sure how he feels, knowing that Sukuna spoke about him, and in a not so positive way. It leaves a weird compression in his chest.
The man turned to him, grinning. “Nice to meet you Jin, I’m Satoru Gojo.”
He frowns, thinking on the name. It sounded familiar, and he wracks his brain, trying to remember where he heard it.
Suddenly he remembered, snapping. “I know you!”
Satoru looks concerned for a moment, blinking. “…Yeah?”
“You’re that model my wife and her friends like!” Jin said. “I’ve seen some of your work, and I do have to say you definitely deserve the work they give you.”
A smirk crosses the man’s face. “At least one Itadori appreciates my modeling career. My husband really doesn’t care much.”
Jin raised an eyebrow, looking out his brother.
It’s just like him to not appreciate someone like that.
Sukuna had always a been rough around the edges, and it didn’t surprise him to see that he still held that trait, even after all these years.
That’s when his brain caught up with what Gojo had said. “Husband?”
Gojo looked amused. “Yes.”
Ignoring that revelation for now, and accompanying realizations, he rolls his eyes.
“Just like my brother to not appreciate what he has in front of him.” Jin says, rolling his eyes.
Satoru’s mouth pinched, like he was unhappy. “…Right. Well, we have to go. Lot’s to do. Come on Ryo, we have to go.”
“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Sukuna said. Turning to Jin, he said, “I would say it’s been nice to chat, but I try not to lie too much anymore.”
Satoru laughed, and pulled him along. “Let’s go.”
“I’m going.” Sukuna said, “You don’t need to rip my arm off.”
Jin just stared at them as they walked away, confused at what his life had become.
I can’t wait to tell Kaori this. She’s never going to be believe me.
“Honey, you’ll never believe what happens at the store today.” Jin said, looking at her.
“What, that you came back with no groceries?” She said, raising her eyebrows.
“No, not that.” He said to her. “I saw my brother again. And get this, you know that model you like? My brother knew him.”
He looked to her, shook painted on his face. “What’s more, he was married to him.”
The fact that his brother was married to a man was not surprising, he had already known about that. But the fact that he had gotten married at all, was the shock.
And to someone who seemed like his polar opposite, at that.
“Seriously?” She asked. “What did you say?”
“Not much, they had to get back to the kids…” Jin sighed. “I mean, he seemed normal enough.”
“Your brother has kids?” Kaori asked, shocked. “The Sukuna I remember wouldn’t be caught dead with someone who wasn’t a one night stand.”
“Yeah, it was so bizarre.” Jin agreed. “I guess he and I should catch up, right?”
“I think so.” Kaori said. “It would be nice to have more people in Yuji’s life. Especially since your dad is no longer here.”
“I guess.” Jin said. “I bet his old number still works.”
“Doesn’t hurt to try.” Kaori said. “Invite him over for dinner, we can chat then?”
“I guess.” Jin said, not particularly wanting to.
But he knew he wouldn’t hear the end of it. It was not exactly a question, it was a direction. If he didn’t do it, she would.
Which is why when the next day found him dialing up Sukuna’s old number, he sighed.
“This is Sukuna.” Sukuna said, as he answered the phone.
There was a loud crash, sounding like something was falling.
“Sukuna…?” Jin asked. “It’s Jin. What is that noise behind you?”
“…We’re watching a loud movie.” Sukuna said. “Listen, can I call you back? I’m sort of busy.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Jin said, before the call ended.
He looked at the phone, confused, shaking his head. “…How odd.”
“What did he say?” Kaori asked him, as he walked back in to the kitchen.
“He seemed busy, and asked to call later.” Jin said, sighing.
“Oh, that’s too bad.” Kaori said, as she set up dinner. “It’s been too long.”
“I don’t understand why you’re so interested in seeing him again.” Jin told her. “He’s not well, Kaori. He was always off…There is something wrong with him. There was a treason my father sent him away to boarding school.”
“You said he seemed normal the last time you saw him.” Kaori pointed out. “Maybe he got the help he needed. I doubt he would be able to get custody of kids if he wasn’t mentally unstable.”
“Maybe he tricked a poor unsuspecting girl to have his kids?” Jin offered. “I can’t imagine anyone willingly tying themselves to crazy.”
“Wow, you really do have a fantastic view of your brother, don’t you?” Kaori said, shaking her head. “What even happened between the two of you?”
“The same thing that always happens.” Jin pointed out. “We grew up and grew apart.”
“Well, it certainly didn’t help that he disappeared off the face of the earth.”
Kaori said, pointing a spoon at him. “Right around high school, right?”
“Well, our dad had to deal with a lot, and he hated how we both looked like our mother, Sukuna more than most. And it didn’t help that he also had his own mental health issues.”
“It’s unfortunate he didn’t want help from you.” Kaori said, sighing. “I’m just glad he’s happy now, from what you told me.”
“It seems so.” Jin said. “Are you sure he needs to be in our lives again? It’s been so long…”
“Jin.” Kaori’s voice hardened. “You’ve been given a chance to reunite with your brother. You better take it. I don’t want you to let this pass you by, and then regret it. What kind of example are you setting for Yuji? That we should abandon family when it gets too difficult?”
“You’re right, I know.” Jin said, sighing. “I’ll call him back tonight, after dinner.”
A she continued to cook, he sighed, thinking about his brother. It had been a long time since he had seen him, much less talked to him. He knew Kaori was right, he had to talk to him, and see how his life had gone.
What amazed him the most was that his brother had kids. That was unfathomable to him. The Sukuna he remembered didn’t even like people, much less children. So to find out he was married and had children was incredible to him.
He continued thinking through out dinner, trying to decide what to say. Yuji chattered on about school. It worried him that his bright happy son never talked about friends. Sure he mentioned kids in his class, but it worried him that he never brought any kids home to play.
Maybe his cousins will be able to help with that, Jin thinks.
He sighs, and once dinner is done, he gets up to grab his phone.
Dialing once again, Sukuna answers, “This is Sukuna.”
“Is that how you always answer?” Jin asked, a bit amused.
“Well, how else am I supposed to answer?” Sukuna asked him. “Two calls in one day, after not hearing from you in over ten years. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Kaori wants you to come over for dinner.” Jim said. “And I think it would be good for Yuji to have actual friends.”
“And you?” Sukuna asked, amused. “What do you think?”
“I think that it doesn’t matter what I think.” Jin says, finally. “I want what is best for my kid, regardless of how I feel.”
“Well, I hate to break it to you, Jin, but I have quite a busy schedule.” Sukuna said. “And it doesn’t sound like you quite want me there. So, tell you what. Me and Satoru will come over, and if I deam it good enough, then we can talk about bringing the kids. Sound good?”
“I suppose.” Jin said, knowing that was the best he would get. “See you on Friday?”
“I’ll see you then.” Sukuna said, hanging up.
Jin sighed, holding his head in his hands. What have I gotten myself into?
“You have a lovely home, Mrs Itadori.” Sukuna’s husband said, smiling at her.
It was still a shock to know his brother was married.
With children.
He was holding a rather expensive bottle of wine, and dressed in regular street clothes. Though Jin had a feeling that those “street” clothes were more expensive than anything in his closet. It made him wonder how this man and Sukuna even met. His brother was not exactly the kind to attract wealthy people.
“Thank you.” She smiled, taking the wine from him. “I’m Kaori, it’s so wonderful to meet you.”
“I’m Gojo, Sukuna’s husband.” Gojo said, smiling still. “Thank you for inviting us over.”
Jin watched as the man, who was Sukuna’s opposite, walked into the house, Sukuna following.
Yuji was in the living room, playing with his toys. Gojo walked into, and smiled at the kid. “Hi, Yuji! Remember me?”
“Yeah!” Yuji said, getting up. “You said a bad word! Daddy told me not to repeat it though.”
Gojo laughed. “Probably for the best.” Looking at Yuji’s toys, he said, “So, what are you making?”
“Just playing doctor.” Yuji said. “Mr Elephant needs a transplant.”
“Did you know I have a friend who’s a doctor?” Gojo said. “She’s very good at what she does.”
Yuji’s eyes widened. “Woah, really?”
“Yep.” Gojo said, grinning. “She’s helped me out quite a few times.”
Turning away from their talk, he turns to see his brother, and surprisingly he does not expect to see what he does next.
There’s a soft look on Sukuna’s face, once filled with adoration and love, and it almost looks wrong on him. It’s not something he had ever remembered seeing.
Snapping out of it, Sukuna laughed. “Come on Satoru, we don’t come here to play doctor. I’m sure Kaori has a wonderful dinner for us.”
“I can’t wait to see what’s for dessert.” Gojo agrees. “I’m looking forward to that the most.”
“Of course you are, you sugar addict.” Sukuna muttered. “Lets go.”
They move to the table, and Jin looks at the food. Kaori had truly outdone herself. She had made a wonderful meal, if he did say so himself. In his totally not biased opinion, it was delicious.
“This is wonderful Kaori.” Gojo said, smiling.
“Thank you so much.” Kaori said. “So, Sukuna, we know Gojo works as a model, what do you do?”
Sukuna and Gojo share a look, and Sukuna says. “I teach at a private school.”
“How wonderful!” Kaori said, elbowing Jin quite harshly.
He wondered how his brother of all people became a teacher. “How did you decide to do that?”
“It just kind of…happened.” Sukuna said. “Funny enough, that’s where I met Satoru.”
Satoru grinned. “Ah, memories.”
“Oh, how wonderful!” Kaori said, “I was curious how you two ended up meeting.”
“Was that after you went to boarding school at that one place?” Jin asked his brother. “I remember you were gone pretty much all the time after that.”
“Well, it’s not like dad missed me.” Sukuna said, rolling his eyes. “Or you, for that matter. I think I can count on hand the amount of letters you guys sent me.”
“Well it’s not my fault you practically disappeared off the face of the earth.” Jin defended himself.
“Right.” Sukuna said, turing back to Kaori. “But yes, we did meet there. Though we hadn’t started actually dating until we had graduated.”
“Ryo was really really helpful when a friend of mine had passed.” Satoru said. “It was a hard time.”
Sukuna coughed, then winced. “Yeah, it was a tragedy to us all.”
“Oh no, that’s so terrible.” Kaori said. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“Yeah, he was my best friend.” Gojo said, sighing. “But that was years ago, and I’m better now.”
Jin sighed, wondering how much longer he would have to endure his wife’s curiosity. He knew this had all stemmed from the fact that she didn’t know Sukuna at all. He had barely been in Jin’s life before he and Kaori started dating, much less after. The other day was probably the first time he even knew about Yuji.
He wanted to get this dinner over and done with. He wasn’t exactly trying to reunite with his estranged brother.
“Well, it’s been wonderful having you.” Jin said, as he got up to collect the plates. “It was nice to meet you Gojo.”
He still wondered how it was possible that Sukuna even got a man as calm and collected as this.
“Actually,” Kaori said, turing to him. “I wanted to talk to Sukuna for a bit, since I’ve never had the chance to really do so.”
“How about you and I wash the plates together to give them a bit of time.” Gojo offered, getting up.
Sukuna’s eye’s widened, and he said, “You never offer to do the dishes.”
“I always told you, that’s a what a dishwasher is for babe.” Gojo said. “But the lovely Miss Kaori would like to chat with you for a bit, so I would be remiss to get in front of that.”
“Are you sure?” Kaori asked. “I would hate to impose, especially since you are a guest.”
“It’s totally fine.” Gojo said, picking up some plates. “You two have fun.”
They head into the kitchen and Satoru is drying while he is washing the plates. It’s quiet for a bit, before the man begins to talk.
“You and Sukuna aren’t very close are you?” Gojo asks, drying the plates.
“No.” Jin says. “He’s always been…” He tries to think of a nice way to out that his brother had severe mental issues. “Different than most.”
“He certainly is a character, of that I will agree.” Gojo said. “But I didn’t join you just to get out of their hair. I wanted to talk to you.”
Drying off one of the steak knives, he said, “If you don’t plan on being in his life for very long, I don’t want to see you reach out. Do whatever you must to keep your wife at bay, but I don’t want you trampling in and ruining his life again.”
He pointed the knife at him, and he swore he saw a bit of a purple shadow tinging the side. It was gone before he blinked again, but the knowledge set something in him to be terrified. He’s not sure what this man could do, but all his instincts screamed danger. Even the warm happiness and affection that had been shown in Gojo’s blue eyes were now cold and empty.
It was incredibly unsettling.
Continuing on, drying the knife even though it was definitely already dry, he said, “Despite what you may think, he is not uncaring. He cared a lot about you and hoped for years that you would reach out and apologize for not being there. But you never did. So if you’re just doing this to appease your wife or get your son some friends, I will do everything in my power to make sure you don’t ever see us or our children again.”
Gulping nervously he said, “I understand.”
It felt like Gojo was staring into his soul, like he was really scrutinizing him. It felt like he had eyes all over him, and he did not like it. He wondered which was the true personality: the happy go lucky guy who laughed and joked, or the serious stone cold man with a frightening aura.
He isn’t sure he wanted to find out.
“Do you?” Gojo said. “Because I’m not sure you do. If you want us to continue coming over, you will make an honest and open effort to reunite. But not because I want you to. You have to want it as well. Sukuna does not need that fake sympathy bullshit. You have to mean it.”
Turning away smiling, humming, he put the knife back in the drawer. “I think you can finish the rest by yourself, don’t you?”
Staring at the switch up, he nodded stiffly.
“I’ll be seeing you around then.” Gojo said, now cheerful. No remains of the intimating man he had just been. “Ryo, time to go! We have to get the kids ready for bed, and you know that Shoko can’t do that properly.”
“Alright, alright.” Sukuna said, letting himself be led out of the living room to get his shoes.
“See you later, Kaori!” He called, as he was dragged away. “It was nice talking to you! We’ll have to meet up again some time.”
“You have my number!” She called back.
The door closed, and they were left alone.
“Well, that was nice.” Kaori said, walking to kitchen. “But it is time for Yuji to go to bed. Mind cleaning up the rest for me, dear?”
She turned to him, and he could barely get any words out, still shaken from the unspoken (and spoken) threat. Clearing his throat and shaking himself out of it, he nodded.
“Of course, honey.”
She smiled back at him. “I think was a rousing success. I can’t wait to visit their house next!”
The only thing he felt was a rush of dread. “…Sure. Me too.”
He goes back to cleaning up, still thinking about his interaction with Gojo.
One thing is for certain now. He understands why his brother married who he did.
Turns out, they’re both crazy.