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He had done a lot in his life, and had fought a lot of curses in his day. But none had more difficult as this: seeing his brother again, after over a decade of not seeing him.
It started with some kid pulling his pant leg, and calling him dad. Now he may have had three kids, but this was not one of them.
For some reason, though, this kid did not believe it.
“I’m not your dad.” Sukuna said. “Sorry.”
“Stop lying!” The kid said, annoyed.
“I’m not your dad, kid.” He said once more.
“Dad, stop playing!” Yuji said, scowling. “I’m telling mom!”
Sukuna gave him a long look. He’s dealt with much more powerful temper tantrums, and some civilian human kid was not something he was concerned about.
“Go right ahead, brat, I’m not your dad.” Sukuna said.
“Yuji!” A voice he recognized called him, “I’m right here.”
There stood his estranged brother, holding a loaf of bread in his hand.
Yuji looked at him, and then Jim, and looked confused. “Why do you look exactly like my dad?”
“Probably because we’re twins?” Sukuna said. “But that’s just a guess.”
Sure, he didn’t need to sass a child. but he really didn’t want to talk to his brother right now.
Or ever, really.
“Sukuna.” Jin said, lips pursed. “What are you doing here?”
Sukuna scowled, not exactly thrilled to see him either.
“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.
Sukuna begged to differ. “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 fucking kill you.”
He turned to see his very annoying husband, sighing. Great, just what I need, Satoru making a scene.
“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.
“Can you not swear in front my kid?” Jin asked him.
“You’re lucky we’re in public.” Satoru said, in a voice that promised violence. “Let’s go. The kids are waiting.”
He noticed the lack of shadows his husband had, and looked around him.
“Speaking of our kids, where are they? Did you seriously leave them alone to hunt me down?”
“By the toy section.”
Sukuna raised his eyebrows, mock concerned.
“What, did you care more about the candy than your kids?” Sukuna said dryly.
“They’re with Shoko, remember?” Satoru said, rolling his eyes. “I was wondering what was taking so long.”
Jin looked between the two, frowning. “Who are you, and how do you know Sukuna?”
Sukuna had almost been startled. He had almost forgot his brother was there. Satoru had that effect on him, making him forget about others around him.
Satoru frowned, looking at them. “Wait, why is there two of you.”
“This is Jin.” Sukuna said, tensely. “And his son Yuji.”
“No shit?”
He saw the amusement in Satoru’s eyes.
“Yeah.” Sukuna said, not looking happy. “My twin brother. The one I told you about.”
Satoru’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh, that Jin.”
“Nice to meet you Jin, I’m Satoru Gojo.”
He watched as Jin looked at him for a moment, really looked, and then snapped. “I know you!”
Satoru looks concerned for a moment, blinking. He shared a sideways look to Sukuna. Sukuna frowns. If Jin knows about cursed energy and cursed spirits, that’s a problem, and one they’ll need rectify as soon as possible.
“…Yeah?”
“You’re that model my wife and her friends like!” Jin said. Sukuna let out a breath of relief.
Just about his stupid modeling.
“I’ve seen some of your work, and I do have to say you definitely deserve the work they give you.”
A smirk crosses Satoru’s face. “At one Itadori appreciates my modeling career. My husband really doesn’t care much.”
Sukuna rolled his eyes, used to the consoling of his lack of interest in Satoru’s modeling.
(“You’re already rich and famous in the jujutsu world, why do you need to be famous in the civilian human world?” Sukuna had asked his boyfriend at the time.
“Why not?” Satoru has said, grinning. “The elders would hate it for sure.”
“A good enough reason to do anything really.” Sukuna had said.)
Jin nodded, but then his eyes widened, and he looked to him, and said “Husband?”
Satoru looked amused as he answered. “Yes.”
Jin blinked, and looked to be shoving the thought aside. “Just like my brother to not appreciate what he has in front of him.”
Sukuna frowned once more, already irritated with his brothers insults against him.
Satoru’s mouth pinched, like he was unhappy. Sukuna knew he hated when anyone else insulted him. “…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 to him, letting himself be pulled away. 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 to him, “You don’t need to rip my arm off.”
They head back to the toy section with Shoko, who looks up at him. “Your children are hell spawn, I just want you to know.”
“My children are perfectly well behaved.” Satoru said to her. “And I won’t hear anything else.”
“…Right.” Shoko said, clearly not believing him. “The only one who’s actually behaved is Yuta. Which is surprising because he’s actually related to you.” Shoko pointed to Satoru.
“Hey Meeks, how were you and your brothers while I was gone?” Satoru asked.
“Good!” Tsumiki said. “We didn’t even knock anything down this time!”
“I’m proud of you kid.” Sukuna said, chuckling. “Now come on, let’s get your brothers and get out of here.”
After they had made their rounds shopping, and collected all the kids, they headed home. Sukuna had cooked dinner that night, since Satoru was helpless in the kitchen.
All that pampering growing up has made him incapable of doing things for himself sometimes, I swear.
“I can’t believe we saw your brother today.” Satoru said, after dinner that night. “I mean, how long has it been?”
“About a decade.” Sukuna muttered. “If only it could have been longer.”
“Harsh.” Satoru said. “Wait, didn’t he think you were schizophrenic or something? Because you can see cursed spirits?”
“Yeah.” Sukuna muttered. “And my father thought I had some other type of psychosis.”
“How supportive.” Satoru said dryly. “Well, I think that it’s time to go to sleep. Got a mission tomorrow.”
“Oh, joy, I can’t wait.” Sukuna muttered. “And even better, a mission with you.”
“Don’t lie.” Satoru said. “I know you like our missions together.”
“Yeah, because I’m the only one who can keep up with you.” Sukuna muttered. “Now shut up. I’m trying to sleep.”
“Anything for you, your majesty.”
The sound of a pillow harmlessly bouncing off Satoru filled the room. Sukuna scowled. “You and your damn Infinity.”
Satoru laughed, grinning at him. “I can’t let you mess up until this money maker now can I?”
“…Go to sleep. Now.”
Jin really had the worst timing. Sukuna watched as Satoru practically played with the special grade curse. He really needed to learn to just destroy it, rather than give it false hope it would win.
He supposed he did share the blame for that though. Neither of them were known for their quick and decisive battles, even if they could finish the mission quickly.
“This is Sukuna.” Sukuna said, as he answered the phone.
“Sukuna…?” Jin asked. “It’s Jin. What is that noise behind you?”
Looking at Satoru absolutely destroying the special grade behind him, he said, “…We’re watching a loud movie.” Sukuna looked to see the special grade getting back up. He sighed, knowing he was going to have to cut the fun short, since the kids would be done with school soon. “Listen, can I call you back? I’m sort of busy.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Jin said, before the call ended.
“Alright.” Sukuna cracking knuckles. “Show time.”
They quickly dispatched the cursed spirit, and made it in time to pick up the kids. Taumiki was first, and he knew that she heard him when she looked up, and waved goodbye or he friends.
As she got in, she grinned. “All my friends are jealous.”
“And why is that?” Satoru asked.
“They say I get picked up in the coolest cars.” Tsumiki said. “I said they’re okay. My favorite is this one though.”
Sukuna chuckled, and Satoru laughed. “She really is a daddy’s girl.”
“She just has good taste in cars, unlike the rest of you.” Sukuna said, as they drove off. “How was school?”
“Boring.” Tsumiki said. “I already knew everything the teacher taught us.”
“Well look at you miss smarty pants.” Satoru said, as they pulled up to Megumi’s school. He got out, and went in to grab Megumi.
A few minutes later, Satoru walked out, looking like he was barely holding it together. His shoulders were clenched together, like he looked like he was holding in tears. Megumi was looking unimpressed.
As they got back into the car, Satoru burst into laughter.
“Looks like Megumi had gotten into a few fights at school.”
Sukuna turns to look at the kid, who looks even more unimpressed, which he didn’t think was possible. “Did you win?”
“Obviously.”
“We have a meeting next week about it.” Satoru said, rolling his eyes
“Right.”
They manage the third pick up, and Satoru pops back to the school to give their reports. Unsurprisingly, he comes back with Shoko. Surprisingly, Nanami joined them as well.
“They got you too?” Sukuna asked him “I’m sorry.”
“I feel worse for you.” Nanami said. “You’re the one who is married to him.”
“Hey!” Satoru shouted. “Rude!”
“Come on, dinner is ready.” Sukuna said, just as his phone rang.
It was his personal phone, one he didn’t give out to other sorcerers. So clearly it was someone he knew well, He had no idea who it could be, since all the people he did know well were here.
“This is Sukuna.” He said, answering the phone.
“Is that how you always answer?” Jin asked, a bit amused.
Sukuna scowled. He had forgotten that Jin would be calling again. he had hoped he would forget. After all, they hadn’t spoken in over a decade, what’s a few more years?
“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.” Jin said, unaware how the words bring dread. “And I think it would be good for Yuji to have actual friends.”
He does not seem like he likes that idea, Can’t say I don’t disagree.
“And you? 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.
He didn’t, but Jin didn’t need to know that. Unfortunately, he knows that once Satoru finds out, they’ll be going anyway, because he is a freak who likes being invited places.
“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, sighing. “See you on Friday?”
“I’ll see you then.” Sukuna said, hanging up.”
He sighed, slamming his fist on the table, annoyed. Why now? Why can’t he just forget about me? He did it just fine before.
“Damn it.” Sukuna muttered.
“You okay?” Satoru asked him, as he walked into the kitchen, “You have to go?”
“Nothing like that.” Sukuna muttered. Resigning himself, he said, “…What are you doing Friday?”
“You have a lovely home, Mrs Itadori.” Satoru said, smiling at her.
Sukuna was behind him, looking none too happy to be there.
“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.” Satoru said, smiling still. “Thank you for inviting us over.”
One thing he could always count on was Satoru’s courteous ways after being invited over.
Guess all those fancy dinner parties his family forced him to attend weren’t for nothing.
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.”
Sukuna hid his snicker, but with the way Satoru glared at him, he had heard him.
Satoru laughed. “Probably for the best.”
Sukuna watched as he went over to Yuji. One thing about Satoru that he appreciated was that he was great with children. Kids just seemed to naturally approach him. He had said that it was because of his childish nature, but in reality it was probably because of his naturally empathetic nature.
“So, what are you doing?”
“Just playing doctor.” The kid said, pointing to his child medical kit. “Mr Elephant needs a transplant.”
“Did you know I have a friend who’s a doctor.” Satoru said. “She’s very good at what she does.”
Yuji’s eyes widened, and Sukuna could practically see the sparkles. “Woah, really?”
“Yep.” Satoru said, grinning. “She’s helped me out quite a few times.”
Watching the kid play with Satoru, he could swear his heart beat a little faster, and the adoring look he tried so hard to hide was probably very evident. He would never say he was a sappy guy, but certain things had him feeling a certain way.
Snapping out of it, Sukuna laughed. “Come on Satoru, we didn’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.” Satoru agrees, looking excited at the prospect of eating sweets. “I’m looking forward to that the most.”
“Of course you are, you sugar addict.” Sukuna muttered. “Lets go.”
They head to the table, and Sukuna looks at the meal. It looks very good, and tasted even better. It was also nice to not be the one cooking for once.
“This is wonderful Kaori.” Satoru said, smiling.
“Thank you so much.” Kaori said, smiling at them. “So, Sukuna, we know Gojo works as a model, what do you do?”
He shares a look with Satoru, almost amused. Finally deciding on a half truth he says, “I teach at a private school.”
Jin makes a face, and Kaori turns and says, while elbowing her husband quite harshly. “How wonderful!”
Instead of saying what he thought, Jin asks, “How did you decide to do that?”
“It just kind of…happened.” Sukuna said.
Being one of the most powerful jujutsu sorcerers of the modern age didn’t lend itself to much other professions. Plus, he had to make sure whatever nonsense Satoru put in their students heads was quickly overridden by actual knowledge.
“Funny enough, that’s where I met Satoru.”
Satoru grinned, clearly thinking back to their school years together. They had made quite a pair, even when they had hated each other. “Ah, memories.”
“Oh, how wonderful!” Kaori said, “I was curious how you two ended up meeting.”
Sukuna laughed, not saying anymore, lest he sound like a crazy person to his brother, once again. It’s not like he could say ‘we met at Jujutsu High because I’m a powerful sorcerer and could easily exorcise special grade curses.’
“Was that after you went to boarding school at that one place?” Jin asked “I remember you were gone pretty much all the time after that.”
Sukuna pursed his lips. ‘That one place’ referred to Jujutsu Tech, and he was thankful he had been able to go there and prove he wasn’t insane or crazy. Sure his bother probably thought he was still insane, but you can’t win them all.
“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, turning back to Kaori. He was not about to start that argument again. He had long since gotten past the point of needing his family around. Or to care about him, for that matter. “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.”
He felt himself laughing at the way the situation had been minimized, but managed to disguise it as a cough. Coughing out a laugh that sounded a little bit like “Bullshit.”
Wincing as he felt his foot being stomped on, he continued to look at the two at the table. Starting a cult to kill all non-sorcerers was hardly ‘passing away’. But of course, Jin would never know that.
Unenthusiastically, he said, “Yeah, it was a tragedy to us all.”
“Oh no, that’s so terrible.” Kaori said, looking genuinely upset. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“Yeah, he was my best friend.” Satoru said, sighing. Sukuna scowled at the reminder. It didn’t matter that they were married and had kids, he was still jealous about that fact. “But that was years ago, and I’m better now.”
Considering Geto was still alive, there was no “getting better” to be had, but it’s not like he was all that eager to fill in the blanks.
“Well,” Jin said, and Sukuna knew that was their indirect sign to leave. “It’s been wonderful having you.” Jin said, as he got up to collect the plates. “It was nice to meet you, Gojo.”
“Actually,” Kaori said, turinng to him. “I wanted to talk to Sukuna for a bit, since I’ve never had the chance to really do so.”
Surprised, he looked to her. He wasn’t expecting that she actually would want to talk to him.
“How about you and I wash the plates together to give them a bit of time.” Satoru offered, getting up.
His eyes widened, and he knew this was some sort of scheme that Satoru was going to be doing. So, he said, “You never offer to do the dishes.”
“I always told you, that’s a what a dishwasher is for babe.” Satoru said, bringing up their old argument. “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.” Satoru said, picking up some plates. “You two have fun.”
Watching as his husband walked away with Jin, he sighed. Whatever scheme Satoru was doing was so not his problem. Turning to Kaori, he smiled. “What would you like to talk about?”
“Jin said you have kids.” Kaori said, “Would you be okay with showing them to me? I’d love to see my nieces and nephews.”
Sukuna nodded, pulling Satoru’s phone off the table. It’s not that he had none, but Satoru’s photos were always the best, since he was apparently good at everything.
“Oh, how cute!” Kaori said. “What are their names?”
“That’s Tsumiki.” Sukuna said, pointing to her. “And that’s Megumi and Yuta is the one right next to him.”
“That’s so adorable.” She said, smiling.
“Tsumiki and Megumi are siblings, though not by blood. They were just raised together, and Yuta is actually a younger cousin of Satoru.” Sukuna said to her, leaving out the complicated jujutsu politics of it all. “But they’ve been living with us for years now, ever since they were babies.”
“How adorable.” Kaori said, smiling. “I’m so happy that you’ve gotten such a wonderful life.”
“It was a nice to meet you too.” Sukuna said.
“Here, take my number in case you would like to meet up some time, just the two of us.” She said, writing out a number on a piece of paper. “Minus the husbands.”
“Thanks Kaori.” He wondered how his brother had managed to marry such a wonderful and kind woman, though he’s sure Jin had asked that question about him as well.
Satoru came out of the kitchen a few moments later, and started dragging him out. “Ryo, time to go! We have to get the kids ready for bed, and you know that Shoko can’t do that properly.”
He had to agree with that. Despite being entirely capable of babysitting, she was terrible at putting the kids to sleep.
“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.
They went to the car, and upon getting in, and driving away, Sukuna asked him, “Why the hasty departure?”
“Why would I want to stick around and hang out with someone I just threatened?” Satoru asked him.
Shaking his head, he said, exasperated. “Of course you did.”
A serious look came onto Satoru’s face. “He’s lucky I didn’t Hollow Purple him.”
“And we thank you all for your self control.” Sukuna said dryly.
“I didn’t like how he was insulting you. Even subtly.” Satoru muttered. “Only I can do that.”
Sukuna laughed, skiing his head. “…Unbelievable.”
He could agree it wasn’t the worst dinner he had ever been to. And even if he never sees Jin again, he can always see Yuji and Kaori, who he had grown a liking too, even if Yuji was a little brat.
I seem to attract those, Sukuna thinks, as they drive back.
After they get home, and put the kids to sleep, he cracks open a beer, and clicked it with Satoru’s sugar abomination. “I’d say that dinner was a rousing success.”
“You made friends with Kaori, I got to threaten Jin.” Satoru said, smirking, taking a sip. “A wonderful evening indeed.”
Sukuna made a face, but said nothing.
“All in all,” Satoru said, “We made them believe we’re a functional couple. Normal, even.”
“Aside from talking about curses and Jujutsu sorcery.” Sukuna pointed out.
“We made vague references.” Satoru said, rolling his eyes. “It doesn’t count. Not like they knew what we were talking about, Mr. “Private School Teacher”.”
Sukuna rolled his eyes. “Like you’d know anything about teaching. You barely even show up.”
“How dare you.” Satoru said. “I am an amazing teacher. No my fault they send me on all the special grade missions.”
“I’m also a special grade, if you didn’t remember, and I manage just fine.” Sukuna pointed out.
“Whatever.” Satoru muttered. “I’m tired though, time to go to bed.” He made a face, scrunching his nose up. “Ugh, when did I get so old?”
“You're not even thirty, calm down.” Sukuna said, rolling his eyes once mre. Draining his beer, he sighed. “Let’s go, we have a long day tomorrow.”
“Ugh…” Satoru said, growing. “Why can’t we ever have a short day? Like a relaxing one?”
“You know that will never happen.” Sukuna muttered to him. “Now up, time for bed.”
They get ready and settle in bed, and as Sukuna goes to tell his husband something, but finds him fast asleep.
He looked different asleep, like a softer more vulnerable version of himself. It makes him smile, and he brushed his hair away from his face.
“Good night Satoru.” Sukuna says though he expected no response.
He thinks about today, how he felt seeing his brother for the first time in a long time. How much everything had changed. How he was no longer that angry boy who felt like he was going insane because he could see things no one else could. How he was terrified that his family was actually right, that he really was sick.
Pushing those thoughts to the side, he sighs once more, turning the light off, only the moonlight illuminating their bed room.
He closes his eyes, and lets the peaceful feeling of sleep was over him.
He can’t wait to see what’s in store for them next.