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Yuuji sat—or rather was forced to sit—in Sukuna’s lap while the two curse users talked. He sat straight up with his arms crossed so as to not lean against Sukuna. He wouldn't give the King of Curses or his mother the satisfaction. He looked off to the side and counted the lines in the wood table.
"My posture's gotten better but now my neck's gonna get messed up."
"Yuuji?"
He could hear Kenjaku's voice from across the table. He took his time looking in his mother's direction but didn't say anything.
"You've been so quiet. Do you have anything to contribute?" The curse user asked sweetly—too sweetly.
"No."
Kenjaku sighed at his response. "That's a shame. We enjoy it when you have something to say."
"No, you don't," Yuuji scoffed. He was joined by Sukuna, who grunted in disapproval of the meager contributions that Yuuji tended to offer.
Kenjaku sighed again at his son and son-in-law. "I can only try so much...
"Yuuji, you may leave us if you wish. I'm sure there are more interesting matters to tend to."
Yuuji was about ready to bolt until Sukuna grabbed him by the back of the neck, keeping him pinned to his lap.
" I haven't dismissed you, brat," Sukuna stated.
Yuuji pulled against his hand. The curse didn't let up. "Why do you even care if I'm here? Aren't I useless in meetings, aren’t I?"
"Yes," the curse replied thoughtfully, "but I enjoy keeping you by my side. It's what you were created for, after all."
The hand on the back of Yuuji's neck loosened. Opened, it covered the entire back of Yuuji's head. He moved his hand up his former vessel's nape into the short, dark hair at the base of Yuuji's skull. He massaged his thumb into Yuuji's hair-too gently for Yuuji's liking.
Yuuji made it a point to flinch away from Sukuna's touch, even though it resulted in him being pulled back against the king's chest. Yuuji didn't have to turn around to witness Sukuna's annoyed reaction. He was more than familiar with it.
Kenjaku had resigned themself to the pair's bickering. There was always a chance that they wouldn't get along when Kenjaku had originally arranged for their greatest creation to wed the King of Curses.
“Actually, Yuuji,” Kenjaku interjected, “I believe that Uraume wanted to see you. When was the last time they checked on the recovery of your soul?”
“They can wait,” Sukuna replied instantly.
The curse users stared each other down. Yuuji had already learned to not pay attention to either of them when they disagreed on something. He stayed still and waited for one of them to relent. The more that Sukuna could tell that he wanted to leave, the less likely the curse was to agree.
The large curse scoffed and sat back. “Go!”
Yuuji didn’t have to be told twice. Without looking back or saying goodbye to either of them, Yuuji paced out of the room and down the hall.
Silence weighed heavily between the curse users as Yuuji's footsteps grew farther away. The King of Curses slouched and rested his cheek on the back of his hand. He looked sharply in Kenjaku's direction.
"You spoil him too much."
"I don't know what you mean," Kenjaku replied, smiling and looking away from the King of Curses.
Sukuna's eyebrow furrowed. "Every time I tell him no, you find a way to undermine me."
"That's my job. I'm the loving parent and you're the domineering husband. What else do you expect of me?"
"I expect you to remind the brat of his place."
"You make it sound so easy." Kenjaku shrugged.
"You and I both know what you are capable of.” Sukuna rose, preparing to leave. “Whatever, just figure it out."
Kenjaku sighed. "This seemed so much easier in concept..."
A few hours later, the curse user made their way to the living quarters at the far end of the manor. Kenjaku quietly entered the room where Yuuji lay sleeping. While Sukuna preferred for Yuuji to sleep in his room, the former vessel still had a simple room of his own to escape to. It was mostly bare besides a mirror and a futon. Kenjaku figured that Yuuji must have convinced a servant to put out the futon. He had learned early on that the servants hardly ever allowed him to partake in the chores that he once took for granted.
Yuuji was already asleep and comfortable in his futon. His face was slightly pinched. Kenjaku recalled how even on the nights that he could sleep, Yuuji's dreams had become increasingly haunting—reminding him of the allies who he had failed and a life that would never return.
Kenjaku admired Yuuji’s sleeping face. A rare, blissful expression crossed their own. They traced a thin line across their son's forehead before cupping the side of his head. They looked down softly at him. "I've only ever wanted you to be happy, Yuuji, and to enjoy the life that I procured for you. You are my darling child and greatest achievement, after all."
Kenjaku knelt down and admired Yuuji's sleeping face. They gently traced over Yuuji's soft features—scarred from battle. Their hands settled on the sides of the teenager's head. Kenjaku closed their eyes. In doing so, the curse user was able to peek into the realm of Yuuji's dreams—no, nightmares. They focused their curse energy and rearranged the memories triggering the teenager's night terrors. A simple life—they wove together—one of peace, contentment, and acceptance.
Yuuji swore that he was replaying his last moments with his friends and allies from before their final fight in his head. Of all of his nightmares, this one was less maddening and more melancholic. Perhaps that's what made it all the more painful. The last laughs, the last arguments, the last plans. They didn't know what to expect next, only hoping for victory. Looking back now, Yuuji wished that he could have given everyone the future that they deserved, even if he couldn't be a part of it. He had failed.
Then just like that, he was free falling in his own mind. The anguish he felt slipped through his fingers and his thoughts. As painful as those memories were, he found himself reaching for them. wanting nothing more than to hold them close even as they pierced his chest like thorns.
He thought that he was going to crash. But Yuuji drifted down slowly. He couldn't comprehend anything around him. He felt like a cloud had caught him and was slowly lowering him back to the ground.
When he opened his eyes, Yuuji found himself cooking in a kitchen. He was holding the handle of a pan and stirring vegetables. The bright kitchen and tantalizing smell of the food comforted him. He hadn't cooked for himself since living in the dorms at Jujutsu Tech. He hasn't cooked in his own kitchen since before his grandpa passed away.
Yet despite the recollection, Yuuji couldn't bring himself to feel sad. He was thinking about his friends. He was reminded of his grandpa. He was cooking peacefully. What did he have to be sad about?
The day seemed to go by so quickly that he didn't even remember leaving the house. Which was odd because the groceries were in the fridge and the photos from the purikura that he took with Nobara were on the counter. Megumi had been too much of a kill joy to join in and was dragged into the booth against his will for only the last photo.
But he figured that it was no big deal and went about cleaning the house.
He was halfway done vacuuming when the door unlocked.
"I'm home." The door opened and a welcoming, deep voice greeted him. Yuuji looked towards the foyer. He froze.
The man that entered took off his overcoat and shoes. He shrugged his broad shoulders. Despite looking tired, the man took the time to look over fondly at Yuuji with icy blue eyes.
"Welcome home," Yuuji found himself replying. He was smiling. He felt lighter.
"What's going on?" Yuuji thought. "I would never greet Sukuna this way!"
It was hard to tell at first, but a part of him knew that he was looking at the ancient curse who had ruined his life. But he looked so different—like any other person Yuuji would encounter on the street. This Sukuna only had two arms and his white and black kimono was swapped out with a suit. He was still tall and broad but lacked his signature tattoos.
Sukuna approached him and leaned down. He kissed Yuuji's cheek. "Missed you." He pulled away slightly and looked Yuuji in the eye.
"Missed you, too." The words were so foreign, but he spoke so easily. Despite his true feelings, Yuuji felt a pang of sadness as Sukuna pulled away. It was made up for through as Sukuna continued to cup his face.
"I enjoyed today's bento. But it would have tasted better if I had gotten to eat with you," the man— curse, Yuuji tried to remind himself again—teased. His hand moved around to cup the back of Yuuji's head.
"You tell me that everyday," Yuuji chuckled.
"Do I?" He wove his fingers through the short, dark hair at the base of Yuuji's skull and gently massaged circles into the area with his thumb. Muted sirens rang in the back of Yuuji's head as he found himself relaxing into Sukuna’s touch.
The next thing he knew, Yuuji lifted off of the ground into Sukuna’s arms. He shrieked in surprise. Sukuna chuckled and proceeded to carry him across the room.
Yuuji slapped Sukuna's shoulder. "Put me down! I have to finish vacuuming!"
"You can do that later," Sukuna replied, "I want you all to myself now."
Yuuji pouted.
Sukuna sat back on the couch with Yuuji in his arms. It felt so natural—so safe—that he didn't fight it. The love that the man looked down on him with and held him with was like a warm cocoon.
Yuuji asked Sukuna about his day and Sukuna asked him about his. Just as he listened carefully to the man, Sukuna was thoughtful and attentive when listening to Yuuji. Even after they finished talking, the two sat together enjoying each other's company.
The next morning, Yuuji woke up and gazed up at the wood ceiling. His head felt light. He was nestled comfortably in his futon. The morning sun gently beamed through the sliding paper doors facing the garden.
He questioned how long had it been since he had woken up with such a peaceful feeling.
"Are you awake, young master?" A servant asked from the hall.
It was then that Yuuji was reminded of where he was.
"Yes, come on in."
But he figured that he shouldn't blame them. It wasn't their fault that he was forced into this life, after all.
"Sukuna-sama and Kenjaku-sama insist that you join them for breakfast," the girl stated.
"Of course they do."
"Okay, I'll get ready."
Unlike his life before, Yuuji now had to be dressed by a servant before he could do anything. He would get scolded if he didn't abide by these changes.
After helping Yuuji into a red hakama and white kosode, the servant accompanied him to where breakfast was served. There were three trays placed in the room—two facing away from the door and one across from them where Kenjaku was seated.
The curse user smiled warmly at him.
"Good morning, Yuuji," they welcomed him. "I trust you slept well last night."
Yuuji replied with a soft "Good morning" but didn't comment on his sleep. He wouldn't give the curse user who called themself his mother the satisfaction.
Two servants walked in carrying trays of food for the pair. They knelt down elegantly and placed the various dishes on the floor trays before scurrying off back into the other room.
"Go ahead and eat," Kenjaku encouraged.
Yuuji did as he was told and started with his fish. As expected, it was perfectly seasoned and not too heavy. Despite Uraume's bad attitude, Yuuji acknowledged that their cooking was always impeccable.
He was a third of the way through his breakfast when the doors were slid open and heavy footsteps entered the room. Yuuji didn't need to look over to see who it was.
"Good morning, Sukuna," Kenjaku greeted the user. Compared to the scoff that Sukuna replied with, Yuuji's earlier greeting to the curse user seemed almost amicable.
The curse took the tray next to Yuuji. As they had before, a servant entered to deliver Sukuna's food.
"Did you receive any world from the curse users in the north?” Sukuna asked.
“Yes, they should be here within the next few days to report on their findings,” Kenjaku replied.
“Someone has the respectability to answer a summons.”
As the pair continued conversing, Yuuji sat quietly and tried to enjoy his meal. He found that the less he listened to them discuss what had become of the country, the less likely he was to react. Or maybe he had just become so numb.
At some point while speaking with the curse user, Sukuna reached over and gently traced over Yuuji's shoulder. The teenager got goosebumps. But when he expected to flinch, his body stayed still. Even as the large hand softly petted the back of his head—much to Yuuji's disgust—he couldn't help but relax into Sukuna’s touch.