Work Text:
"'Kuna."
Your husband said nothing. He merely brushed his horse down, barely acknowledging your presence behind him. Your fingers fidgeted with your sleeve, nervous and guilty.
Just an hour ago you had argued with him openly in front of his men over something trivial. It should've occurred to you that something was wrong when he didn't even say a word in response. He only let you rant as he stood silent, jaw tightening. When you were done, you had simply stormed off without giving him a chance to reply.
As your anger subsided, you had started to realize how he must have felt. Being a formidable warrior with a fearsome reputation, Sukuna never once showed a hint of weakness. He had always been intimidating, terrifying, powerful. And there you were, undermining him with just an indignant lecture and no care at all for who he was with.
Sukuna always met your fire with just as much ferocity. Deep down, he loved to fight with you because he knew you could take whatever you dished out. The two of you would row it out until it ended in begrudging apologies and laughter while tangling under your sheets.
Yet now, he didn't even deign to look at you. It hurt more than you could admit.
"'Kuna, please," you pleaded softly, fingers brushing the muscles of his back. "I didn't mean to lose my temper, I'm sorry."
Without him even turning, you knew the face he was making. Eyes shut, teeth grinding, refusing to meet your eyes despite how much he might have wanted to. You didn't back down. A pout pulled your lips as your voice turned exaggeratedly plaintive.
"If I have offended my lord husband in any way, I wish to repent." Your arms came around his torso, cheek resting against him. "It wasn't my place to speak to you that way," you murmured, coy, docile, so unlike yourself that Sukuna would've laughed any other day. "I'll suffer any punishment you see fit."
Still, he didn't move, though his hands almost paused, then tightened on the brush, resuming. You could feel his resolve breaking bit by bit, and you latched on to it.
"Yell at me, curse me, scold me, do whatever you'd like to me," you walked around to face him, stood between his horse and his broad chest. You looked up at him through your lashes, then hugged him as his whole body tensed up, still acting like you weren't there.
"Just please, look at me again. I can't bear being apart from you."
After a few moments of tense silence, Sukuna cursed under his breath and suddenly moved. Strong arms wrapped around you in a crushing embrace, bringing you closer to him, making you hide a triumphant yet relieved smile.
"You provoke me, over and over again," he began, growling. "And the second I turn away from you, you cling like a vine." His fingers grabbed your face and forced it upwards as he glared down at you. "Spoiled brat."
"Will you forgive me?" You asked, voice muffled as he squished your cheeks. He let out an exasperated huff.
"Let's see how I feel once I give you the punishment you so sweetly asked for," he pinched your ear, suppressing a smirk and you whined. You didn't move away from him, though, content to be right where you were. And you suspected your husband was, too.