Chapter Text
“Suguru…”
“What is it Yuuji?”
“Can you take me with you the next time you go to fight curses?”
Suguru looks away from the book in his hands and glances down at the young boy laying down across his lap. Satoru had left for a mission earlier that day, leaving Suguru to entertain Yuuji during their weekly meets. Needing to catch up with his studies, but also not wanting to miss out on looking after Yuuji, Suguru brought one of his lighter textbooks as well as some manga to help Yuuji pass the time.
Said child already read through the five volumes Suguru brought with him while he was still stuck rereading the same five pages. As tempted as Suguru was to deny taking Yuuji out to fight curses, he was bored. And he’s grown stronger since Amanai—he’s strong enough to protect Yuuji without Satoru watching his back. Closing his textbook, Suguru pinched the bridge of his nose and lifted the pink-haired boy off his lap.
“You can come with me if you agree to two conditions. Can you do that for me Yuuji?”
Taking Yuuji’s vigorous nodding as agreement, Suguru held up one finger and continued. “One: if I think, even for one moment, that you’re in danger, we’re leaving.” Yuuji crosses his arms and pouts, seconds away from protesting, only to be stopped by Suguru raising a second finger. “And two: stay as close to me as you can.”
Warm brown eyes shone with unshed tears as Suguru tried his best not to be tempted by the younger boy’s obvious attempt at changing his mind. Practically draping himself over Suguru, Yuuji continued to beg Suguru to let him come without any conditions. Suguru closed his eyes and firmly reminded the younger boy that he was still waiting for an answer.
Groaning, Yuuji pulled himself off Suguru’s lap and crossed his arms. Realizing he wasn’t going to get his way this time, Yuuji gave in and quietly replied with a quick okay.
Suguru knew there was no way any of the higher-ups would allow Sukuna’s vessel to run around outside, let alone learn to use cursed energy to fight curses (it was for that very reason that Suguru and Satoru hid any evidence that Yuuji left the facility every time they took him out). So, despite not being one to give in to impulses, Suguru relented and decided an impromptu trip was the best course of action.
“Go get changed, we’ll leave once you’re ready.”
Any trace of tears instantly vanished from Yuuji’s bright brown eyes as they shone in excitement. “Really!”
Suguru couldn’t resist the smile growing on his lips as he confirmed, “really. I’ll be right outside your room, so come out when you’re ready.”
As soon as Suguru closed the door to Yuuji’s room, he let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding—any longer and he was sure Yuuji would have won him over. Suguru always had a soft spot for kids, and ever since what happened with Amanai, he realized how fragile the life of a vessel truly was.
If he could ease Yuuji’s burden, even just a bit, he’d do it. Yuuji didn’t deserve to be chained down by the King of Curses. Not when he’s such a good kid, willing to do whatever he can to help complete strangers. Not when he didn’t think twice about being executed if it meant he could take down the most dangerous curse with him. Not when he’s six years old and barely experienced what life had to offer.
“I’m ready! Let’s go, let’sgolet’sgo!”
Yuuji’s bright voice cut through Suguru’s, admittedly, dark musings as he opened the door and presented himself in front of Suguru. The boy was fidgeting with his hoodie’s strings, practically vibrating where he stood. Yuuji always wore his heart on his sleeve, it was both adorable and the thing Suguru loved the most about him.
An affectionate chuckled slipped from Suguru as he held out a hand towards Yuuji who interlocked it with his own without skipping a beat.
“Suguru, could we get some ice cream later today.”
An idea suddenly struck the jujutsu sorcerer as he tried his best to suppress the devilish grin fighting its way onto his face. This was the perfect opportunity to settle an ongoing debate between him and Satoru.
“Sure!” Yuuji’s eyes shone with hope, somehow brighter than stars lighting up the night sky.
“But only if you promise to tell Satoru that I’m your favorite and you like me more than him.” Suguru teased the (now) offended child. Brown eyes widened comedically wide that Suguru could practically see the gears turning in the six-year-old’s mind as he tried to work out the best way to get his ice cream without making a promise he couldn’t keep.
Yuuji frowned and his brows furrowed as he continued to weigh whether or not the ice cream was worth it. He must have come to his conclusion as he shook his head, refusing to meet Suguru’s eyes and mumbled out, “it’s okay. I don’t need ice cream then.”
Shit.
He made Yuuji sad. That was the last thing he wanted.
Kneeling down in front of the young boy, Suguru rested a hand on the Yuuji’s shoulders while the other tilted his head up so Suguru could meet his eyes. Despite his attempt at getting Yuuji to look at him, the boy continued to stare at the ground dejected.
“Hey Yuuji, it’s alright. I was just joking, okay.”
Finally (finally!), brown eyes meet black. Yuuji’s bottom lip trembled slightly before he threw his arms around Suguru’s neck, hugging the older male. “It’s—it’s just… You and Satoru’ve done so much for me and I—you both mean a lot to me. You’re both my favorite! No one else comes close.”
“Not even Yaga-sensei? He did get you all these toys after all.”
Yuuji shook his head against Suguru’s shoulder. “Nuh—uh.”
Suguru laughs warmly, bringing his arms around Yuuji and rubbing soothing circles around his back. God! What had Suguru done to deserve a kid like Yuuji in his life. This kid with a heart filled with nothing but love despite all the hardships he’s been through. Suguru thanked whatever God was out there for letting him get to take care of this kid.
Slowly getting up, Suguru secured Yuuji in his arms and made his way out of the facility. “What do you think Yuuji; we’ll fight some curses, and then eat ice cream to celebrate.”
Yuuji lifted his head off of Suguru’s shoulder and flashed him a wide smile. “Promise?”
“Yeah, I promise.”
Turned out finding a curse near the facility which held Yuuji was harder than Suguru expected.
Perhaps the elders had wards and talismans surrounding the premise? If that was the case, leave it to the elders for being anything but cautious. While Suguru would normally be relieved to know that there is some level of protection around Yuuji, today he had to resist cursing the circumstances.
Why was it that the one time he wanted to fight a curse, there were no cursed spirits in sight?
Yuuji’s excitement died down the longer they were out. However, every so often, the young boy would flash Suguru the brightest grin forcing the elder to resist melting into a puddle or scooping the boy up in his arms. Or both. Yuuji was just too adorable for his own good.
Morning light turned into a soft evening glow as the duo soon grew tired of their fruitless search.
Spotting a nearby ice cream shop, Yuuji persistently tugged on Suguru’s arm, pulling him towards the direction of the shop. Brown eyes sparkled in excitement as the young boy all but begged to enter the store. Suguru smiled fondly at the pink-haired boy, allowing himself to be led by Yuuji’s eagerness.
A soft ding of a bell rang out as the two entered the store, both sighing in relief as they were hit with a subtle breeze of air conditioning; while it wasn’t terribly hot out, walking around aimlessly for the majority of the day can cause even the fittest of men to work up a sweat.
Letting go of the ravenette’s arm, Yuuji ran up to the counter and ordered a single scoop of strawberry ice cream, along with as many toppings as the employees could put without any of them spilling over. As Yuuji began digging into his frozen treat, Suguru ordered a cone of vanilla ice cream for himself and a tub of cookie dough for Shoko and Satoru.
After paying for their orders, the duo left the shop and decided to make their way home.
“It sucks that we couldn’t find any curses today,” Yuuji stated with a small frown.
Suguru replied with a hum of agreement. “How about I take you on one of my missions?”
“No way!” Brown eyes widened comedically wide as Yuuji’s jaw was left wide open (Suguru had half a mind to joke about catching flies in his mouth).
“Have I ever lied to you?”
A huff escaped the pink-haired boy’s lips as he crossed his arms and turned away from Suguru. “Yeah, you have! Like that time you told me Satoru hated sweet things! I gave him all my candy and he just—”
Yuuji abruptly stopped talking and snapped his head towards the direction the two had just come from. The hand clasped with Suguru’s never felt smaller as it started shaking uncontrollably. Yuuji’s face, normally filled with such life and hope was replaced with one devoid of any and all emotion. Dread pooled in Suguru’s gut. Yuuji only acted this way for one reason.
There was a finger.
One of Sukuna’s damned fingers was near, and its seal is about to be broken.
Does Suguru rush Yuuji back to safety and warn the higher-ups about the finger? No that would take too long leaving whatever curse that finds it free reign to kill any human (and sorcerer) with the misfortune of crossing its path. But bringing Yuuji with him to fight the curse? Sukuna could gain control from the finger—or worse, Yuuji could get hurt.
Whatever option Suguru picked, both have heavy risks attached: the first option guarantees Yuuji’s safety, but Suguru would fail his duty as a jujutsu sorcerer, while the second risked Yuuji’s life but would let Suguru prevent the curse from claiming any victims.
It was a lose-lose situation no matter which option he picked.
If only he could get a sign for what he should do. If only some—
Suddenly the familiar warmth surrounding his hand was gone, as Suguru watched Yuuji walk unsteadily towards the direction of an immediate spike in cursed energy. Rushing up to the boy, Suguru rested a hand on his shoulder, hoping to shake the boy from his trance-like state. Yuuji snapping out of his trance glanced up at Suguru; his own uncertainty reflected upon normally bright brown eyes.
Dropping down to his knee, Suguru rested both his hands on Yuuji’s shoulders making sure he had the younger’s attention. “Yuuji, I need you to tell me where the finger is. We don’t know how many of them you can handle just yet.”
Yuuji’s face shifted into a grimace as he curled his hand into a fist and repeatedly hit his head. A wince escaped from his lips, “I—the finger—Sukuna won’t stop—”
Suguru’s gut twisted in horror as black marks made their way onto Yuuji’s face; the younger boy wrapping his arms around himself in an attempt of holding back Sukuna. Fears and plans flooded the elder sorcerer’s mind like water spilling from a dam. Was there nothing Suguru could do? If he absorbed the finger, would that ease Yuuji’s suffering? Would he have to kill Yu—NO! Suguru couldn’t think like this again! He refused to lose his charge for a second time. If anything happened to Yuuji…
“Suguru… help—”
Yuuji’s distressed plea was what snapped Suguru from his dark spiral leading him to notice two things. One: the finger’s presence disappeared, and two: if the finger no longer had a presence, Yuuji must have absorbed it. Shit! He needed to control his anxiety; he wouldn’t be able to do anything if his thoughts remained jumbled up.
While this situation looked bad, Suguru had to calm down and properly evaluate the situation. While the King of Curses is indeed a powerful, well-warranting caution, even Suguru should be able to handle a Sukuna with a few fingers. Right now Suguru’s priority was to be ready to restrain Sukuna should he gain control.
Yuuji collapsed onto the floor as he curled into a ball while his body shook uncontrollably. A string a no’s escaped from Yuuji’s lips as Suguru’s heart grew heavy. What he wouldn’t give to relieve Yuuji from his suffering. All he could do was pick the boy up into his arms and whisper encouragements, trying his best to assist Yuuji in fighting off Sukuna’s control. His efforts proved to not have been in vain as Sukuna’s presence faded shortly after, halting Yuuji’s shaking with it.
“…uguru.”
“Would you mind repeating that Yuuji?”
Yuuji nuzzled his head deeper into the crook of Suguru’s shoulder as he babbled, “sorry—‘m sorry Suguru. Sorry, sorry, sor—”
Gently combing his fingers through the head of pink hair, Suguru shushed the boy. “You have nothing to apologize for Yuuji. Why don’t you take a rest for a bit?”
A muffled okay was heard from Yuuji who never felt smaller in Suguru’s arm as when he carried the exhausted boy back home.