Chapter Text
Satoru's first interaction with the King of Curses had been nothing short of amusing. Sukuna, at that time, only had control of one finger’s worth of cursed energy, barely at the level of a grade 2 curse. Satoru had enjoyed toying with him, easily keeping him at bay. It had been fun, but brief— he didn’t get much time to take a good look or even exchange a few words with Sukuna. Oh well. He had a feeling that this was just the first of many encounters they'd be having soon.
After that day, the balance in the Jujutsu world shifted, if only a little. Even though Sukuna only spent a few minutes in Yuji’s body, his cursed energy had been enough to stir up chaos. Small and special-grade curses began appearing in swarms, crawling out from their hiding spots.
That, of course, meant more work for Satoru. More trips, more sleepless nights, more everything. He started seeing his students less and less, but Ijichi kept him updated with regular reports on their missions and progress.
Then came the news that shook him; Itadori Yuji was dead, killed by none other than the curse residing in his body. Sukuna had literally ripped the heart from Yuji’s chest.
Satoru returned to Jujutsu High, and for what felt like the millionth time, he considered wiping out the Elders entirely. Rage boiled inside him, tempting him to use Blue and erase them off the face of the Earth. He’d tried his best to stall Yuji’s execution, but he knew sending first-year students to fight a special-grade curse disguised as a lower-level one had been no mistake. It was a setup, premeditated. And in the end, they had succeeded in executing Yuji.
Even so, he kept his composure in front of Shoko and Ijichi. But inside, his heart was heavy with the weight of a young life lost— one with so much potential. He liked Yuji, a lot.
And the cause of it all? Sukuna. That bastard had been the reason Yuji lost his life. Satoru could hardly wait to get his hands on the King of Curses again and make him pay, with interest.
But just as Shoko was about to begin her medical procedure, something incredible happened—Yuji woke up. Fully recovered, as if nothing had ever happened. And, of course, completely clueless about how he’d been revived.
Satoru cheered him up, cracking a joke as if nothing was wrong. But he knew better. Sukuna didn’t do anything for free. The curse had likely made a binding vow with Yuji, one the boy was compelled to forget.
All the more reason for Satoru to exorcise Sukuna the next time he got the chance.
✦
The next encounter happens sooner than expected. Satoru decides to take Yuji to a hidden inventory, away from the Higher-ups, to train him personally. It gives him time—time to think, plan, and deal with the Higher-ups in his own way. Plus, it’s safer for Yuji that way.
Yuji’s a quick learner. He’s already consumed two of Sukuna’s fingers, holding around 10% of the curse’s power. He’s still in control of his body, still keeping Sukuna at bay. But Satoru can’t help but wonder, with a nagging concern he is not enthusiastic to find, exactly how many more fingers it’ll take before Yuji starts to lose that control.
It is one of those nights while Yuji trains with one of Yaga’s cursed doll to control the flow of his cursed energy. Satoru finds himself with some rare free time, so he joins the boy, lounging beside him, leaning against the armrest. Ijichi had brought them takeout earlier, and now, with a full stomach and a rare moment to relax, Satoru feels his eyes growing heavy. Soon, he’s drifting off into a peaceful slumber.
He doesn’t know how long he’s been out before a sudden spike in cursed energy jolts him awake. Even before he opens his eyes, his Six Eyes confirm what’s happened— the King of Curses is here.
Satoru sighs, lazily lifting his head and stretching his arms, “Tell me you didn’t mess with Yuji before I send you back to the Heian era,” he mutters, grabbing the remote to turn off the TV that’s been stuck on the screensaver for who knows how long.
A low snicker echoes beside him, and Satoru finally turns his attention to the curse. The dim light from the side lamps casts shadows around the room, but thanks to his Six Eyes, Satoru sees Sukuna clearly—his tattooed face, the extra set of eyes, and those brilliant red irises.
Sukuna’s smirk widens as he catches Satoru’s gaze, clearly enjoying the attention. “The brat passed out from boredom,” he sneers. “I didn’t mess with his heart or brain this time... though I won’t lie, I was tempted.”
Satoru waves off the comment, eyes glinting with amusement. “You were trying to poke through Infinity,” he says, almost gleeful.
“Don’t look so smug, sorcerer,” Sukuna remarks flatly, noticing the amusement in the sorcerer's eyes. “When I get my full powers back, I’ll cut through Infinity. And preferably through you.” His red eyes narrow. “Also, your eyes are blinding in the dark. Cover them.”
Satoru chuckles, sitting up straighter, completely unbothered. “If you’re that eager to lay your hands on me, you could try asking nicely. Maybe I’ll indulge you.”
Sukuna's grin turns wicked. “I won’t just be laying my hands on you, Six Eyes,” he says, his voice low, and with no intention of elaborating.
Satoru doesn’t care to press for details either. In fact, he finds himself intrigued, enamored. Sukuna may be physically identical to Yuji, but the way he carries himself is completely different. The curse is every bit Yuji’s opposite. He looks like the first-year student but remarkably feels like an entirely different being. It’s fascinating.
And also, because it’s Ryomen fucking Sukuna sitting next to him, still too weak to stand a chance against Satoru. Yet, he’s the strongest sorcerer in history. The strongest, huh. Satoru’s never had to share that title with anyone— except Suguru, but that was over a decade ago.
“Why’d you bother taking over Yuji anyway? You’re too weak for me right now,” Satoru comments, watching as Sukuna gets up from the couch, stretching before casually glancing around the room.
Sukuna doesn’t even bother looking back. “I don’t need to entertain you with any answers,” he says, his voice bored and bothered as he lazily inspects the small trinkets on the bookshelf across the room while he other hand is stuffed inside his pocket.
Satoru kicks his legs up onto the couch, his arm draped over the backrest as he watches the man with interest. Man, not a boy. He can tell Sukuna’s influence affects Yuji physically, aside from the markings. The curse moves with more confidence, more presence. Though Yuji and Sukuna are the same height, Sukuna somehow looks broader, stronger. The t-shirt Yuji wore now strains across his back with every movement.
“Must be frustrating being the backseat driver,” Satoru muses, clearly entertained. “A hit to your ego, for sure.”
Sukuna remains silent, continuing to examine the objects on the shelf. Satoru takes that as a sign to keep going, undeterred.
“Still bitter about your pathetic attempt to use your cursed technique on me while I was sleeping?” Satoru grins, more amused than boastful. “You didn’t even come close.”
“It’s revolting how much the brat idolizes you. I haven’t seen one thing about you worth admiring,” Sukuna responds, finally turning around with a snow globe in his hand, examining it with mild curiosity.
Satoru’s grin widens. “Yet.” He adds with a mock pout, “I’m actually pretty amazing. Maybe someday I’ll bless you with my charm— but not feeling generous today.”
Sukuna's eyes flicker with a mix of boredom and disappointment as he lifts the snow globe in his hand. A moment later, it bursts into flames, shattering with a loud crack. Satoru smirks as he watches the glass fragments rain down, but the curse looks unfazed, wiping his hands clean as if nothing had happened.
“I have a proposition for you, Six Eyes,” Sukuna says as he approaches Satoru, who remains sprawled casually on the couch.
Satoru makes a soft, curious sound but doesn’t move. Sukuna stops just at the edge of the couch, his presence looming.
“Give me the rest of the thirteen fingers you have in the school. We’ll have a fight to the death. If I lose, I die,” Sukuna proposes, his deep, cold voice cutting through the air, nothing like Yuji’s.
Satoru tilts his head back and lets out a short laugh, eyes closing for a brief moment. “You wouldn’t stand a chance, even with all those fingers combined with the two you currently posses. I’d win,” he says, almost amused by the thought.
“Misplaced arrogance,” Sukuna mutters, stepping closer. Hands still in his pockets, he leans over Satoru, hovering just above him, even with Infinity still separating them. “Aren’t you curious what would happen if I win?”
Satoru's eyes flicker up to meet Sukuna's burning red gaze. The proximity between them allows him to feel the raw energy crackling against his Infinity, the curse’s presence so intense it’s almost palpable.
“You want to rule,” Satoru says, his voice quieter now, his usual playful tone dimmed by the closeness.
Sukuna smirks, his crimson eyes gleaming. “I was talking about what I’d do to you, sorcerer,” he leans in closer, his words practically a growl. “I’d fuck that throat raw until your mouth bleeds and no more insolence comes out of those lips.”
For just a fraction of a second, Satoru’s breath hitches. Sukuna’s pleased little laugh tells him the curse noticed.
Stepping back, Sukuna remains smug, his grin never fading. “It’d be a waste to kill you too soon. I’d rather play with you first. You’re unbearable, but at least that face is pretty.”
Satoru quickly recovers, schooling his expression into one of indifference, “You want me so bad it’s pathetic,” he quips, sitting up, the usual carelessness returning to his voice.
“You have no idea,” Sukuna responds, turning his back to Satoru as he heads toward the door. His head tilts slightly, and over his shoulder, all four red eyes lock onto Satoru once more. “Pray for the day I bypass your Infinity, Six Eyes.
And when he turns to face Satoru again, the black markings have vanish from the Yuji's face. The boy looks at Satoru, confused, then down at his own body. “Huh? Sensei? Did we finish the movie? Why is it turned off?”
Satoru puts on his signature grin— the easy, fake one that’s become second nature to him now. “Yuji-kun! Welcome back. You dozed off, and Sukuna decided to make an appearance. But no worries, let’s call it a night.” He grabs his sunglasses from the table and hooks them to the front of his shirt casually.
Yuji’s eyes widen as he scrambles closer, panic lacing his voice. “Gojo-sensei, did Sukuna do anything? How did I not realize he took over?”
Satoru ruffles Yuji’s hair, voice cheerful, “Maybe you’ve just overdone it with training and watching these DVDs. Your progress has been great, so let’s get you some well-deserved rest.”
He switches off the lamps and leads Yuji out of the basement toward their temporary quarters.
“Sensei?” Yuji calls as they head up the stairs.
“Hm?”
“Will Sukuna be too powerful with all of his fingers?” Yuji looks up at him, a trace of worry hidden behind the question.
Satoru pauses for a moment, rubbing his chin between his thumb and forefinger. “If he gets all his fingers back, it could be a field day.”
“But would you lose?” Yuji asks without missing a beat, eyes wide with genuine concern.
Satoru’s lips curl into a smirk. “Nah,” He drops his hand and waves the question off. “I’d win.”
Before Yuji can fully relax, a deep, familiar voice cuts through. “When you lose, remember I had generously warned you, Sensei.”
Sukuna’s mouth appears on Yuji’s cheek, and though it’s not a new occurrence, Yuji still reacts with disgust, slapping it shut as fast as he can.
Satoru bursts out laughing, clearly amused by the whole situation, as he continues walking. Yuji rushes to catch up, his curiosity outweighing his discomfort. “Wait, what was that about? You and Sukuna had a chat while I was out?”
The boy seems more intrigued than worried, reassured by Satoru’s confidence. Sukuna might be terrifying, but Gojo-sensei is Gojo-sensei, unbeatable in Yuji’s eyes.
Satoru offers a vague, noncommittal answer, smoothly changing the subject before Yuji can dig any deeper. Soon, they reach their rooms, and after a quick goodnight, Yuji heads off, leaving Satoru alone with his thoughts.
Back in his ownn room, laying in the bed, Satoru finally heaves out a deep sigh. What the fucking hell just happened? Did Ryomen Sukuna really express his physical desire for him? Albeit it being a threat to torture and hurt Satoru. But still.
Did he fucking call Satoru pretty?
Fuck. Now, this might just get more challenging than simply exercising the fucker.