Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Yuji tugged at the collar of his shirt as he stepped out of the office building, the weight of the failed interview dragging down his shoulders. He had smiled, answered as best he could, tried to keep his energy up—but the polite, practiced smile of the interviewer told him everything. We’ll be in touch. Which meant, of course, they wouldn’t.

Money was tight, tighter than he liked to admit, and this job had felt like his one good shot. He shoved his hands in his pockets, exhaling sharply as he walked toward the station.

That’s when he felt it.

A prickle on the back of his neck, the kind that made his instincts stir uncomfortably. His steps slowed, eyes flicking to the side. The street wasn’t empty—salarymen trudged home, a few couples lingered by storefronts—but the sensation was too sharp, too focused. Like a gaze cutting straight through him.

He turned a corner, heart picking up. But nothing happened. No sudden shadow, no voice calling out, no one reaching for him. Just the faint hum of the city, the same as always. By the time he reached his apartment door, Yuji laughed under his breath, brushing it off as paranoia.

He had barely kicked off his shoes when his phone buzzed.

Megumi: Hey. Don’t forget tomorrow.

Yuji smiled. Of course he hadn’t forgotten—Megumi’s birthday was circled in his head weeks in advance.

Another message popped up before he could reply.

Megumi: Nobara’s sick. So it’s just us this year.

Yuji leaned against the wall, phone in hand, a small warmth creeping into his chest despite the weight of the day. Just the two of them. That didn’t sound so bad.

* * *

The next day came quicker than Yuji expected. The heaviness from yesterday’s interview felt distant now—pushed aside by the thought of celebrating Megumi’s birthday.

The café they picked was small and tucked into a quieter street, the kind of place with warm lighting and soft music humming in the background. Yuji spotted Megumi at a corner table, already sitting with his usual composed expression, an envelope resting in front of him.

“Yo, happy birthday!” Yuji grinned, sliding into the seat across from him.

Megumi gave a small nod, holding up the envelope. “My parents sent this. Guess they remembered.”

Yuji scratched his cheek, not sure how to respond, so he quickly pulled out his own gift. “Ah, uh—here, this is for you.”

He pushed the box across the table. It was wrapped neatly enough, but the shape gave it away immediately. A heart. Bold. Obvious. Completely unintended.

Megumi stared at it, then slowly raised his eyes. “…Seriously?”

Yuji’s face burned. “Wait—no, it’s not what it looks like! I just grabbed the chocolate box because it looked fancy, I didn’t realize it was… you know… heart-shaped.”

For a moment, silence hung between them, broken only by the clink of coffee cups at other tables. Then, unexpectedly, Megumi sighed and unwrapped it, muttering, “You’re an idiot.”

But Yuji caught the faintest twitch of amusement at the corner of his lips.

Megumi opened the envelope with his usual calm, but Yuji’s eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of the contents. Bills. Thick, neatly stacked, no mistaking the number.

“Wow,” Yuji blurted before he could stop himself. “That’s… a lot.”

Megumi shrugged like it was nothing, tucking the flap back down. “My parents. They probably think money makes up for being absent.” He set the envelope back on the table. “I’m going to the bathroom. Don’t touch my coffee.”

And just like that, he slipped away, leaving Yuji alone with the envelope sitting right there between them.

Yuji leaned back in his chair, trying to focus on the faint music in the café. It’s not my business. It’s Megumi’s. Don’t even think about it.

But the number wouldn’t leave his head. One thousand dollars - at least. That was rent, groceries, and then some. It was breathing space—exactly what he needed. His fingers twitched against the table.

Just a little… he wouldn’t even notice if I borrowed some. Right?

Before he could talk himself out of it, his hand shot forward and pulled the envelope closer. His heart hammered, the guilt setting in instantly.

“Need some help with that?”

The voice was low, smooth, and unfamiliar. Yuji froze, lifting his gaze.

The man standing over him was impossible to miss. He was tall, sharp-eyed, with hair tied back and a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. His clothes looked expensive—black dress shirt open just enough to show a gold chain, a fitted blazer that screamed wealth and confidence. Rings glinted on his fingers, and even the way he leaned on the table felt calculated, predatory.

Yuji swallowed hard. Whoever he was, he didn’t belong in this cozy little café.

The man’s smile widened as his eyes flicked to the envelope. “Looks like you’re in a tight spot, kid. Want me to show you how to make real money?”

Yuji’s throat felt dry. The man’s words wrapped around him like a snake, tempting, suffocating. He clutched the envelope tighter, then forced a crooked smile.

“I’m good, thanks,” he said quickly. “Really. Don’t need anything.”

The man tilted his head, studying him with eyes that felt too sharp, too knowing. Then, just as Yuji was about to crack under the pressure, the man’s smile stretched wider.

And then—he was gone. No footsteps, no door chime, no trace he’d ever been there at all.

Yuji blinked, heart pounding. Did I just… imagine that?

“Back.”

Megumi’s voice pulled him back. Yuji looked up, nearly jumping as his best friend slid back into his seat like nothing had happened. The envelope sat innocently between them, untouched. Yuji quickly pushed it back across the table, pretending his hands hadn’t been anywhere near it.

They lingered a while longer, sipping their drinks, talking about nothing important. For a moment, it almost felt normal again.

Eventually, Megumi stood, tucking the envelope into his jacket pocket. “I should head back. Need to get ready for my shift.”

Yuji frowned. “Wait, seriously? On your birthday? That’s horrible.”

Megumi raised an eyebrow. “Not everyone gets to lounge around, Yuji. Besides, it’s just work.”

Yuji leaned back with a pout. “Man, I’d riot if I had to spend my birthday like that. At least let me walk you there or something.”

“Fine,” Megumi said after a pause, adjusting his jacket. “But don’t complain when you’re bored out of your mind. It’s just waiting tables.”

“Bored? Me? No way,” Yuji grinned, hopping up to follow him.

The walk to the restaurant wasn’t long. It was a nice place—not high-class, but comfortable, with polished wooden floors and neatly set tables. 

“Whoa, look at you. Fancy.”

“Shut up.” Megumi tugged at his apron, pretending not to care.

Yuji stayed off to the side as Megumi handled his first customer—a small family ordering drinks. He was smooth, professional, and surprisingly polite in a way Yuji wasn’t used to seeing. For a moment, Yuji almost forgot about the weirdness earlier. This was Megumi’s world, and he was good at it.

But then a voice from the back called, “Fushiguro! Boss wants a word.”

Megumi nodded, placing his notepad down. Before leaving, he pulled his wallet from his pocket and set it on the table next to Yuji. “Don’t touch my stuff,” he said flatly, then disappeared into the kitchen.

Yuji glanced at the wallet.

It was ordinary—worn leather, nothing flashy. But he couldn’t stop picturing the envelope from earlier, thick with cash. Couldn’t stop thinking about his own empty fridge, his overdue bills.

He rubbed the back of his neck, heart starting to thump. Just a little… no one would know. He wouldn’t even notice.

His hand twitched toward the wallet.

And then—

“Need some help with that?”

He froze. The voice—smooth, confident, impossibly commanding—made his stomach drop. Slowly, he turned his head.

There he was. Same man from the café. Black blazer, gold chain glinting under the restaurant lights, the same sharp, unsettling smile.

Yuji’s hand froze over the wallet. “N-no, I’m good,” he stammered, stepping back instinctively.

The man's eyes flicked to the wallet, then back to Yuji. “If you change your mind, kid… give me a call.” He reached into his pocket and casually tossed a small card toward Yuji. “Here. Keep it.”

Yuji hesitated but picked it up. “Uh… no thanks,” he said, though his fingers closed around it anyway. Something about the card felt heavy—not in weight, but in presence.

The man’s smile widened, just a fraction more menacing, then he turned and disappeared, slipping out of the restaurant like he’d never been there.

Yuji stared at the card in his hand, heart still hammering. He glanced down at the wallet and then back at the card, shaking his head.

“Not today,” he muttered under his breath, sliding the wallet a little farther away.

Megumi returned a few minutes later, finishing up with another table, unaware of the tension that had just gripped Yuji. Yuji tucked the card into his pocket, a strange mix of relief and curiosity swirling in his chest.

Yuji glanced at the clock. “I should… head out,” he said, shrugging on his jacket. “Thanks for letting me hang out a bit.”

Megumi nodded, busy clearing plates. “Don’t do anything stupid,” he muttered, not looking up.

“I won’t!” Yuji called over his shoulder, waving as he left.

By the time he reached his apartment, the day had started to fade into a soft, warm afternoon light. The landlord was leaning against the hallway wall, arms crossed.

“You still owe rent,” he said bluntly.

Yuji forced a smile. “Can I get you next week? I—stuff came up.”

The landlord’s eyes narrowed, but he simply grunted. “Next week, then. Don’t make it later.”

Once inside his apartment, Yuji closed the door and sank onto the couch. His gaze fell on his pocket, where the card rested. He pulled it out.

R. Sukuna

His thumb traced the embossed letters as his mind wandered. The man, the café, the wallet… the temptation. It all swirled together in a confusing mix of fear and curiosity.

Maybe just a call…? Yuji muttered to himself. I just want to know what he meant…

After a few minutes of pacing, checking the card in his hand, he finally took a deep breath and dialed the number.

The phone rang once, twice… and then a calm, smooth voice answered.

“Who is this?”

Yuji swallowed hard, his fingers gripping the phone a little too tightly. “It… it’s Yuji. I—I got your card at the café… and at the restaurant today.”

There was a brief pause on the other end, long enough for Yuji’s heart to start racing. Then the voice, calm but sharp, spoke again.

“I see. Yuji…” The name rolled off the tongue with a strange kind of amusement. “So you decided to call.”

Yuji fidgeted. “Y-yeah. I just… wanted to know what you meant when you said ‘if I change my mind, call you.’”

The voice chuckled softly, like it was savoring the moment. “Ah… I thought you might. Very well. We can talk. But first, I need to know something: do you want help… or do you want to struggle on your own?”

Yuji’s throat went dry. Struggle… or help? The words echoed in his mind, making him wonder just how much this man really knew about him—and just how much he wanted to get involved.

He took a shaky breath, his fingers curling around the phone. “I… I need help. I need money… and, well… I don’t really have anywhere else to turn.”

There was a pause on the other end, then the smooth, amused voice returned. “I see. Very well, Yuji. I’m not going to ask about repayment… for now. That can be discussed later, if necessary.”

Yuji blinked, unsure whether to feel relieved or uneasy.

“Meet me at the café where we first saw each other,” Sukuna continued, his tone casual but carrying a weight that made Yuji straighten in his seat. “In 1 hour. Don’t be late.”

“Okay… I’ll be there,” Yuji said quickly, heart racing.

The line went silent for a moment, then clicked.

Yuji sank back on the couch, staring at the phone. What did I just get myself into? he thought, the card heavy in his hand. But despite the nagging unease, a small part of him felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this was the break he desperately needed.

Yuji arrived at the café, his stomach twisting in knots. He scanned the area, spotting Sukuna leaning casually against a sleek black car parked just outside. His presence was impossible to ignore—sharp suit, confident posture, that unsettling, knowing smile.

Yuji hesitated. “W-wait… we’re supposed to meet here,” he stammered.

Sukuna tilted his head, letting the faint sunlight glint off his rings. “Of course we are.” He gestured toward the car. “But I’m taking you out. Get in.”

Yuji’s mind raced. No way… I can’t just get into a stranger’s car. Especially him! “You… you can’t do this! You can’t just—invite me to get into your car!”

Sukuna’s smile didn’t waver. In fact, it widened ever so slightly. “Of course I can. I decide the terms here, Yuji. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Yuji’s feet felt glued to the pavement, but the intensity in Sukuna’s eyes made it clear: refusal wasn’t really an option. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. Okay… just… get it over with. Maybe I can figure something out once I’m inside.

Slowly, hesitantly, Yuji stepped forward toward the car.

The car door shut with a heavy thunk. Yuji slid awkwardly into the plush leather seat, trying not to fidget. He had expected Sukuna to sit up front, maybe drive, maybe give him space—but no.

Sukuna slid in right beside him, the faint scent of expensive cologne filling the air. “Relax,” he said smoothly, resting a hand on Yuji’s thigh. His fingers pressed lightly, a slow, deliberate massage that made Yuji’s breath hitch.

“H-hey—” Yuji shifted uncomfortably, but Sukuna’s grip tightened just enough to silence him.

The car purred as the driver pulled them away from the café. Yuji’s nerves buzzed the entire ride until, finally, the car rolled to a stop in front of a towering building. Glass gleamed under the fading sun, reflecting the world like a mirror. It was the kind of place Yuji had only ever seen in magazines—where even a single glass of water probably cost more than his entire dinner budget.

“W-we’re going in there?” Yuji asked, wide-eyed.

Sukuna smirked, already stepping out. “Of course. Keep up.”

Yuji trailed after him nervously, tugging at his hoodie and sneakers. The moment they reached the entrance, a woman in a pristine uniform stepped forward.

“I’m sorry, sir,” she said politely but firmly, eyes flicking toward Yuji. “Your companion… doesn’t meet our dress code.”

Yuji’s cheeks burned. He opened his mouth to apologize, to back away, but Sukuna didn’t even stop walking.

He simply turned his gaze on the woman. A lazy, sharp look.

Her entire posture shifted in an instant—eyes widening, her voice catching in her throat. Then, just as quickly, she smiled, bowing slightly. “Ah—my apologies. Right this way, please.”

Yuji blinked in disbelief, hurrying to follow Sukuna inside. What the hell was that…?

They were led to a table by the window, overlooking the glowing city skyline. The chair felt too soft beneath Yuji, like it didn’t belong to someone like him.

He picked up the menu, and his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Fifty bucks for soup? Eighty for pasta? Is that even legal?

He quickly shut it halfway, trying to act casual, though his stomach twisted at the thought of ordering anything here. He could feel Sukuna’s gaze on him, sharp and unreadable.

“So,” Sukuna said, leaning back comfortably, one arm draped over the back of his chair. “What do you want to eat?”

Yuji rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh… honestly, I—I don’t even know how to pronounce half this stuff.” He gave a nervous laugh. “Maybe just water’s fine.”

Sukuna’s smile widened, but it wasn’t friendly. “Water? You think I brought you here for water?” He leaned in slightly, eyes glinting. “Order what you want. Price doesn’t matter.”

Yuji shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, flipping the menu open again. Everything looked incredible, but the numbers next to them made his chest tighten.

“Seriously, though,” he muttered. “One plate of this could cover, like, a week of groceries…”

Sukuna chuckled low, clearly entertained. “Exactly why you’re here with me, Yuji. Let me worry about the bill.”

The waiter arrived, pen poised and smile polite. Sukuna ordered a glass of red wine without even glancing at the menu. When the server’s eyes turned to Yuji, he froze.

“Uh… I’ll have the… chicken thing,” Yuji said awkwardly, pointing at the line on the menu because he couldn’t pronounce half the words. His ears burned when the waiter gave a faint nod of understanding and wrote it down.

When the food finally came, Yuji’s jaw nearly dropped. The plate in front of him looked more like art than a meal, every garnish placed perfectly, sauce drizzled like a painting. He stabbed a bite with his fork, tasting it—his eyes widening. Okay, fine. It’s amazing. Still not worth eighty bucks though.

Sukuna cut into his steak with slow precision, watching Yuji with something between amusement and interest.

“So, Yuji,” Sukuna said, voice smooth as the wine he swirled lazily in his glass. “Tell me about yourself.”

Yuji blinked. “Me? What’s there to tell?”

“Everything,” Sukuna replied simply. “Where you come from. What you want. What keeps you up at night.” His eyes gleamed. “Why you need money so badly that you’d think about stealing from your best friend.”

Yuji froze, fork halfway to his mouth. His stomach tightened at the memory. He hadn’t told Sukuna that. He couldn’t have known.

Sukuna smiled, leaning forward slightly. “So. Let’s start simple: what are you running from, Yuji?”

Yuji set his fork down, suddenly not so hungry anymore. He shifted in his seat, staring at the plate before him. “It’s not… like I wanted to steal,” he muttered, almost more to himself than to Sukuna. “I’ve just… had a few bad job interviews. No one’s calling me back. And my rent’s due next week.”

He let out a small, bitter laugh. “Feels like every day I’m just waiting for someone to tell me ‘no’ again.”

Sukuna swirled his wine slowly, the faint smirk on his lips never fading. “So you’re cornered.”

Yuji shrugged helplessly. “Yeah. Guess you could say that. And Megumi… he’s my best friend. The last thing I’d want is to screw things up with him. But when I saw that money—” He cut himself off, shaking his head. “It just felt like I didn’t have a choice.”

Sukuna leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his eyes narrowing with an intensity that made Yuji’s chest tighten. “There’s always a choice, Yuji. But not all choices are equal.”

Yuji glanced up, caught in Sukuna’s gaze. “What are you getting at?”

Sukuna’s smile deepened. “That maybe you’re looking for the wrong opportunities. If you want real change, you need to step outside the little box you’ve built for yourself. And I…” he gestured vaguely around the fancy restaurant, “I can show you how.”

* * *

Yuji blinked. “Wait—what does that even mean? Show me how? To do what?”

Sukuna just chuckled, sipping his wine like the question amused him. “You’re too impatient. I’ll explain more later… when I know you’re worth the explanation.”

Yuji frowned. “Huh? What’s that supposed to—”

“Tell me,” Sukuna cut him off smoothly, leaning one hand against the table. His gaze sharpened, pinning Yuji in place. “What about your family? You mentioned rent, but what about them? Parents? Anyone helping you?”

Yuji hesitated, his chest tightening. “…It’s just me now. My grandpa raised me, but… he passed away last year.” His voice softened at the edges, the memory still raw. “I’ve been on my own since then.”

Sukuna nodded slowly, as if weighing something. “And friends? Aside from that boy with the dark hair. The one you nearly robbed.”

Yuji winced at the reminder. “Megumi and Nobara are pretty much it. They’re… all I’ve got, really.”

For a long moment, Sukuna studied him in silence, his smile fading into something quieter—though no less unsettling. Then he leaned back, swirling his glass again. “Good. You’re simple. Easy to read.”

Yuji narrowed his eyes. “Simple? Hey—”

“Don’t get offended. Simplicity can be useful,” Sukuna said with a sly grin. “It just means you’re honest. Straightforward. And when people like you get desperate…” His gaze flicked to Yuji’s hands, then back up to his eyes. “They’re very easy to guide.”

Yuji’s heart skipped at the way he said it—like Sukuna already knew where this night was heading.

The last bite of food disappeared far too quickly, and moments later, the waitress returned with the bill. Yuji’s eyes nearly bulged at the number—his jaw practically dropped.

“Uh… I—I can’t even… that’s—” he stammered, feeling a wave of guilt and embarrassment.

Sukuna, unbothered, set down his glass. “Don’t worry about it. Consider it part of the… guidance I’m offering you.” His smirk was calm, almost teasing.

Yuji blinked, too flustered to respond.

Sukuna leaned back in his chair, gaze sliding toward him. “Where do you live? I’ll take you home.”

Yuji’s mouth opened, then closed again. Before he could overthink it, he found himself blurting out his address. Wait… did I just say that out loud?

Sukuna simply nodded, standing and gesturing for him to follow. “Good. Keep it ready in your mind.”

Outside, the night air hit Yuji like a slap. They made their way back to the sleek black car, the city lights reflecting off its glossy surface.

Yuji slid into the seat with a mix of nerves and anticipation, and, just like before, Sukuna joined him— the hand on his thigh returned, fingers pressing and massaging slowly.

Yuji froze, staring straight ahead. “Y-You… can’t just—”

Sukuna’s calm voice cut through the tension. “I can, Yuji. I decide the terms.” His smirk was faint but undeniable. “Relax. You’ll get used to it… eventually.”

Yuji’s stomach twisted, caught between discomfort and the strange pull Sukuna seemed to have over him. He stared out the window, gripping the edge of the seat. What did I just get myself into?

The car pulled up outside Yuji’s apartment building. His stomach was still twisting from the drive—part nerves, part lingering unease. He opened the door and began to step out, but a firm hand gripped his wrist.

“Wait,” Sukuna said, his voice calm, almost casual. He held out a small, thick envelope. “This is for your rent.”

Yuji blinked, staring at it. He hadn’t expected this. With a nervous but grateful nod, he took it and instinctively bowed. “Th-thank you…”

Sukuna’s gaze lingered on him for a long moment, then he tilted his head slightly and extended his cheek toward Yuji, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. He didn’t say a word—just pointed to it.

Yuji’s face flared red. What… am I supposed to do? His heart thumped loudly in his chest. Slowly, almost instinctively, he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Sukuna’s cheek.

Sukuna didn’t move. He simply watched, eyes glinting, that unnerving mix of amusement and satisfaction in his smile.

Yuji pulled back quickly, cheeks burning hotter than ever. “I… I should—uh—go,” he stammered.

“Go,” Sukuna said lightly, still smirking, releasing his wrist. “But remember, Yuji… we’ll talk more soon.”

Yuji nodded, clutching the envelope tightly, and hurried inside, his mind spinning. What just happened? And why does it feel… like everything just got even more complicated?

Chapter Text

Yuji dropped his keys onto the counter and all but collapsed onto his bed, the envelope still clutched in his hand. He stared at it for a long moment, then set it on the nightstand like it was the most precious thing in the world.

For the first time in months, his chest didn’t feel so heavy. The constant knot of worry about overdue rent, about the landlord’s sharp tone, about the possibility of losing his place—all of it loosened. Tomorrow, he could walk downstairs and pay it off.

He let out a shaky laugh, pressing his arm over his eyes. Finally… finally, I don’t have to worry.

As sleep began to creep in, his thoughts wandered back to Sukuna. The sharp smile, the way his eyes cut right through him, the closeness in the car… and now this envelope.

What does he really want from me? Yuji wondered. What’s the catch?

But as his breathing slowed and the first true sense of peace in months washed over him, the questions didn’t matter. Not tonight.

All that mattered was that, at least for now, he could breathe again. And for that, Yuji was thankful.

Within minutes, he was asleep—dreamless, for once.

Yuji drifted deeper into sleep, and before long, his thoughts blurred into a dream.

He was standing in his apartment, toothbrush in hand, and Sukuna was lounging on the couch like he owned the place.

“On your knees, Yuji,” Sukuna said with a grin, pointing at the floor. “Scrub every inch of this place with that toothbrush. Not a speck of dust left.”

Yuji groaned in the dream, scrubbing furiously at the floorboards. Why… why is this happening…?

The scene shifted. Now Sukuna stood in the kitchen, arms crossed, tapping his foot impatiently.

“You’ll polish all of my shoes, every single pair,” Sukuna demanded. At that, the apartment filled wall-to-wall with endless rows of shiny leather shoes. Yuji’s jaw dropped. No way…!

Before he could finish even one, the dream shifted again. Yuji was outside, standing in front of Sukuna’s fancy car. Sukuna tossed him a rag and said with a smirk:

“You’re going to wax this car until I can see my reflection in it—and I mean every single inch. Underneath too.”

Yuji stared at the enormous car, which suddenly seemed to stretch longer and longer, like it would never end. “This is insane!” he shouted in his dream.

But Sukuna only laughed, leaning back with that sharp smile. “You wanted my help, didn’t you?”

* * *

The morning light slipped through the curtains, and Yuji blinked awake. For a moment, the dream still clung to him—images of toothbrushes, endless shoes, and polishing a never-ending car.

Then it hit him, and he burst out laughing, rolling onto his side. “Oh man… what the hell was that?” he wheezed.

He rubbed his eyes, still chuckling. “Yeah, right. Like Sukuna actually wants me scrubbing floors or shining his shoes…”

Yuji sat up, stretching until his joints popped. The envelope sat safe on his nightstand, and for once, his heart didn’t tighten at the sight of it.

Maybe he doesn’t want anything crazy, Yuji thought, still smiling faintly. Maybe he’s just… lonely. A guy like that probably doesn’t have anyone close to him. Maybe what he really needs is a friend.

The thought was comforting, even if it didn’t quite line up with Sukuna’s sharp smile and the way his hand lingered on Yuji’s thigh. Still, Yuji chose to believe it—for now.

He pushed himself up. “Alright. First things first—pay rent.”

Yuji clutched the envelope tightly as he walked down the hallway. His heart pounded, though not from nerves this time—from relief. For once, he wasn’t about to knock on his landlord’s door with empty hands and half-baked excuses.

He knocked. A moment later, the door cracked open, and the landlord peered out, brows raised.

“You got it?”

“Yeah,” Yuji said, holding the envelope out with both hands. “Here. Rent—like I promised.”

The landlord’s skeptical look softened as he flipped through the bills. “Hmph. Good.”

Yuji bowed his head slightly. “Thanks for waiting.”

When the door shut, Yuji leaned against the wall and let out a long sigh of relief. His chest felt lighter than it had in months.

On his way back to his apartment, he peeked inside the envelope again—curiosity gnawing at him. He frowned.

Wait… there’s still a ton left in here.

He flipped through the bills quickly, his eyes widening. Sukuna hadn’t just covered rent—he’d given him more. Enough for food, bills, maybe even a little breathing room.

Yuji sank onto his bed with the envelope in hand, staring at the stack of cash. “What… what am I supposed to do with all this?”

The thought from last night crept back into his mind. Maybe he really is just lonely. Maybe he just wants company…

But deep down, Yuji knew it couldn’t be that simple.

Yuji grabbed his jacket and left his apartment, feeling lighter than he had in days. He had an idea—a little surprise for Megumi. A small gesture, but it might brighten his friend’s morning shift.

He arrived at the restaurant and spotted Megumi behind the counter, expertly taking orders and moving with that composed, efficient energy Yuji had come to admire.

“Yo! Morning!” Yuji called, sliding into a chair at the counter.

Megumi glanced up, eyebrows slightly raised. “Yuji? What are you doing here?”

“Surprise!” Yuji grinned. “Thought I’d treat you to something before your shift really starts. Strawberry milkshake, please.”

Megumi’s lips twitched, almost a smile. “Alright… one strawberry milkshake coming up.”

As Yuji waited, he leaned on the counter, taking in the hum of the café. After a moment, Megumi slid the milkshake toward him.

“So,” Megumi said casually, wiping his hands on a towel, “how’s the job hunt going?”

Yuji’s grin faltered. “Uh… not great. I’ve had a few interviews… and… well… no one wants me. I guess I’m just… unlucky.”

Megumi tilted his head, studying him. “Unlucky, huh?”

Yuji nodded, swirling the milkshake straw nervously. “Yeah… I mean, it’s fine. I’ll figure something out. But… yeah, it’s been rough.”

Megumi didn’t comment further, just nodded and returned to his work, while Yuji took a slow sip of the milkshake. It was sweet, creamy, and comforting—like a tiny pocket of normalcy in the middle of everything.

For a moment, Yuji almost forgot about Sukuna and the envelope and all the complications swirling around him.

Yuji was just finishing the last sip of his strawberry milkshake when his phone buzzed. He frowned at the screen.

Sukuna: Meet me in 30 minutes. I’ll pick you up at home.

Yuji blinked. Already? He set the phone down, trying to shake the nervous flutter in his chest. He wasn’t sure what Sukuna wanted this time, but the envelope and last night’s encounter made it impossible to ignore.

He quickly drained the rest of the milkshake, placed some bills on the counter, and slid out of his seat.

Megumi looked up from the counter. “You leaving so soon?”

“Yeah… gotta take care of something,” Yuji muttered, shrugging as casually as he could. “Catch you later, Megumi.”

“Alright,” Megumi said with a small nod. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

Yuji waved and stepped out of the restaurant, walking briskly back to his apartment. The envelope with the leftover money was tucked safely in his pocket, the card from Sukuna pressed against it. His mind raced with possibilities, but one thought stayed at the forefront: I can’t back out now.

* * *

He stepped into his apartment, kicking off his shoes and letting out a long breath. The morning had felt lighter with Megumi, but now… now it was back to the unknown.

Not long after, the familiar hum of a sleek engine outside caught his attention. Peeking through the window, Yuji saw Sukuna alone in the car, leaning casually against the door. His sharp gaze met Yuji’s instantly.

Yuji’s stomach twisted, equal parts nervous and curious. He grabbed his jacket and keys.

“You ready?” Sukuna asked smoothly, sliding open the car door. “We’re going shopping. Clothes.”

“C-clothes?” Yuji asked, blinking. “Uh… for me?”

Sukuna’s smirk widened, that unsettling mixture of amusement and command in his expression. “Yes. You’re wearing those… rags out there,” he gestured vaguely at Yuji’s hoodie and sneakers, “and it won’t do. Time for something better. Something that suits you.”

Yuji hesitated, swallowing hard. He wasn’t used to people—especially someone like Sukuna—taking such an interest in him. “Uh… okay, I guess,” he said finally, climbing into the car.

Sukuna’s hand rested casually on the console between them, close enough to brush against Yuji at times, the same unsettling intimacy as before. “Good. Trust me. By the end of today, you’ll look… different. Better.”

Yuji shifted in his seat, part excitement, part unease, and buckled up. Why do I feel like I’m being pulled into something I can’t back out of?

The car glided smoothly through the city streets, Sukuna’s presence beside him as unnerving as it was commanding. After a short ride, they pulled up in front of a sleek boutique—glass walls revealing neatly arranged racks of stylish, expensive-looking clothes.

Yuji stepped out hesitantly, tugging at the sleeves of his hoodie. “Uh… this place looks… fancy.”

Sukuna didn’t respond, just tilted his head toward the door. “Go in. You’re here to change. Don’t worry about the price.”

Inside, the boutique smelled faintly of perfume and polished wood. A well-dressed woman approached, smiling warmly. “Hello! How can I help you today?”

Yuji fidgeted, glancing at Sukuna, who was leaning casually against a display rack, arms crossed. “Uh… I… I guess I need new clothes,” Yuji admitted.

The woman nodded knowingly. “Of course! Let’s see… something that complements your features, your build…” She examined him briefly, her eyes scanning his frame like she could see straight through him. “Yes, I have a few pieces in mind that would really suit you.”

Yuji’s cheeks flushed, not used to anyone—let alone someone this polished—talking about him in such a personal way.

Sukuna’s sharp gaze flicked between him and the woman. “Do as she says,” he said casually, voice low. “Trust her. And trust me. You’ll look… different when we’re done.”

Yuji nodded, still a little stiff, as the woman led him toward a rack of clothes. “We’ll start with something simple,” she said. “Then, we can try some bolder pieces.”

As Sukuna leaned against the counter, watching him intently, Yuji couldn’t help but wonder: Why is he doing all this for me?

The question lingered in his mind as he held up the first shirt, feeling the fabric between his fingers and glancing at Sukuna for any reaction.

Yuji slipped into the changing room with the first outfit—a simple shirt and fitted pants. He pulled them on, turned toward the mirror, and blinked. It actually… looked really good. Clean, sharp, nothing like his usual thrown-together style.

He stepped out hesitantly, tugging at the hem of the shirt. “So… what do you think?”

Sukuna’s eyes roamed over him slowly, a smirk curling across his lips. “Better. Much better.”

Yuji’s face flushed under the intensity of his stare. “It’s just a shirt and pants…” he mumbled, retreating quickly back behind the curtain.

He started pulling the shirt off when suddenly the curtain yanked aside. Yuji froze, wide-eyed, bare-chested in front of Sukuna.

“Wha—hey!” Yuji yelped, grabbing at the fabric to cover himself. “Close it! What are you doing!?”

Sukuna leaned lazily against the doorway, eyes locked on him, amused and unashamed. “If I’m paying, I get to see what I’m paying for,” he said smoothly.

Yuji’s cheeks burned crimson. “That’s not—! You can’t just—! Quit staring already!”

But Sukuna didn’t move. Instead, he slipped a phone from his pocket and, before Yuji could react, the shutter clicked.

Yuji’s jaw dropped. “Did you just—!? Delete that! You can’t just take pictures of me like that!”

Sukuna tucked the phone away, his smirk widening. “Relax. It’s just for me.”

Yuji’s face was burning red as he reached a hand out. “Give me your phone. I’m serious, delete it!”

Sukuna raised a brow, pulling the phone just out of Yuji’s reach. He glanced at the screen, his smirk softening into something sharper, almost predatory. “No,” he said simply. “This one’s too cute to be deleted.”

Yuji’s jaw dropped. “C-cute!? What are you even—!?”

Sukuna leaned against the frame of the changing room, phone still in hand, eyes never leaving Yuji’s flustered expression and bare chest. “I helped you with rent. I gave you breathing room when no one else would. And this is how you repay me? By making a scene in a boutique?”

Yuji froze, his mouth opening but no words coming out. The weight of Sukuna’s words pressed against him.

“You should be more thankful, Yuji,” Sukuna said smoothly, slipping the phone into his pocket. “It’s just a picture. Nothing more.”

Yuji hugged the shirt tighter to himself, his ears red. “Still… you can’t just do that without asking.”

Sukuna chuckled, low and amused. “You’ll learn. But for now, stop fussing. Put on the next outfit.”

With that, he let the curtain fall back into place, leaving Yuji’s heart hammering in his chest as he tried to steady his breathing.

Cute…? He really said that? Yuji thought, flustered beyond belief.

Yuji pulled on the next outfit—a soft sweater and tailored jeans—but his movements were stiff, cautious. Every time he lifted his arms to change shirts, his eyes darted nervously to the curtain, half-expecting it to be yanked aside again.

He better not take another photo… Yuji thought, cheeks still hot from earlier. Seriously, who does that?

From outside the booth, Sukuna leaned lazily in a chair, one leg crossed over the other. His phone was angled in his hand, the screen lit with the photo he’d just taken. He zoomed in slowly, examining Yuji’s bare chest, the faint blush on his face, the way he clutched the fabric against himself.

His tongue brushed across his lips, a quiet chuckle slipping out. “Too good,” he murmured to himself, savoring the image.

Inside the booth, Yuji’s hands trembled slightly as he tugged the sweater over his head. He could hear Sukuna shift, that low laugh carrying through the thin curtain, and his stomach twisted.

When he finally stepped out, the new outfit hanging neatly on him, Sukuna’s eyes flicked up immediately. “Better,” he said simply, though his smirk lingered as if he was thinking of something else entirely.

Yuji rubbed the back of his neck, uneasy. “Y-you’re not… taking another picture, right?”

Sukuna tilted his head, amused by the question. “Not unless you want me to.”

Yuji’s whole face flushed as he quickly ducked back into the booth.

By the time Yuji stepped out of the booth in the last outfit, he was already bracing himself for another comment, another smirk. But Sukuna only nodded once, standing and brushing invisible dust from his sleeve.

“That’s enough,” Sukuna said. “We’ll take them all.”

Yuji’s eyes widened. “A-all of them? But—these must cost—”

“Don’t worry about the price.” Sukuna handed his card to the boutique woman, not even glancing at the total as she rang it up. The numbers on the register were dizzying, but Sukuna didn’t bat an eye.

Yuji stared at the neatly folded stack of clothes being placed into glossy bags. His chest swelled with something between gratitude and disbelief. “I… I don’t even know what to say. Thank you so much.”

He bowed deeply, almost instinctively. “Really… thank you. With these… maybe I’ll finally get a job. I can look like someone they actually want to hire.”

Sukuna watched him bow with that same amused curve of his lips, eyes sharp. “Good. I expect you to put them to use.”

Yuji straightened, hugging the bags tightly to his chest, a smile breaking across his face for the first time in what felt like forever. For once, he felt hopeful.

But deep down, that hope was tangled with unease. Because nothing Sukuna did was ever without purpose.

The two of them stepped out of the boutique, the afternoon sun painting the sidewalks in a warm glow. Yuji carried the shopping bags carefully, still overwhelmed by how much Sukuna had just spent on him.

As they walked toward the car, the chime of a familiar tune drifted down the street. Yuji glanced up to see an ice cream truck parked by the curb, colorful pictures plastered across its side.

Sukuna followed his gaze, smirking faintly. “Do you want one?”

Yuji hesitated for a second, then nodded quickly. “Yeah… ice cream sounds good.”

They crossed over, Sukuna’s presence effortlessly parting the small line of kids and parents without a word. Yuji glanced at the menu board, biting his lip as he tried to decide. “Uh… I think I’ll get chocolate. Or maybe vanilla…”

“Get both,” Sukuna said smoothly, already pulling cash from his pocket.

When Yuji finally had the cone in hand, he smiled sheepishly. “Thanks. You didn’t have to.” He took a careful lick, the cold sweetness melting on his tongue, grounding him in the moment.

Sukuna leaned against the truck, his own cone in hand, but his eyes were fixed squarely on Yuji, watching the way he ate with quiet amusement.

Yuji shifted under his stare, cheeks warming. “Wh-what? Do I have ice cream on my face?”

Sukuna’s smirk deepened. “No. Just looking.”

Yuji rolled his eyes, trying to hide his embarrassment as he focused on his cone, though his ears were burning.

* * *

Yuji was halfway through his cone when he noticed the ice cream starting to drip, sliding down the side and onto his hand.

“Ah—dammit…” he muttered, blushing as he hurried to lick it off his fingers. His movements were clumsy, a little frantic, and only made his face heat up more.

“Messy,” Sukuna drawled, clearly entertained.

Yuji pouted. “Sh-shut up, it’s melting too fast—”

Before he could finish, a smear of chocolate had ended up on his cheek. He froze, eyes wide. “…you’re kidding me.”

Sukuna chuckled low, stepping closer. His hand lifted almost lazily, fingers brushing Yuji’s cheek as he wiped the smear away. Yuji stiffened, his breath catching at the casual intimacy of the gesture.

Then, without hesitation, Sukuna slipped the chocolate-stained fingers into Yuji’s mouth.

Yuji’s eyes widened, face going crimson as the sweet taste of chocolate and Sukuna’s skin hit his tongue. He stumbled back a step, pulling away quickly. “Wha—what are you doing!?” he stammered, flustered beyond words.

Sukuna only licked his lips, smirking down at him with sharp amusement. “Making sure you don’t waste it.”

Yuji covered his mouth with his hand, ears burning. “Y-you’re insane…”

“Maybe,” Sukuna murmured, clearly enjoying every second of Yuji’s embarrassment.

Yuji tried to focus on finishing his cone quickly, determined not to make a bigger mess. His cheeks were still burning from Sukuna’s bold stunt, and he avoided meeting his eyes.

But Sukuna wasn’t making it easy. He leaned casually against the side of the truck, watching Yuji lick at the melting ice cream like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

“Careful,” Sukuna said, voice low and smooth. “You’ll make me wonder what else you could suck on like that.”

Yuji froze mid-lick. His brain stalled. He heard it—he was sure he heard it—but his mind scrambled for another meaning, any meaning that wasn’t what it sounded like.

He blinked rapidly, staring at the cone. “H-huh? What… what do you mean by that?”

Sukuna’s smirk widened, but he only shrugged, as though the words had slipped out casually. “Hard to explain. Don’t worry about it.”

Yuji’s heart hammered in his chest. He didn’t know whether to press for an answer or pretend he hadn’t heard anything at all. He chose the latter, shoving another bite of ice cream into his mouth, cheeks puffed like a squirrel trying to hide his fluster.

Sukuna chuckled softly, eyes gleaming as he watched Yuji struggle with himself. “Cute.”

Yuji nearly choked on his cone. “S-stop saying stuff like that!”

Sukuna tossed the last of his cone into a nearby trash bin, wiping his hands clean with a napkin. Without a word, he gestured for Yuji to follow him back toward the car.

Yuji trailed behind, still flustered from everything that had just happened. Why does he always say stuff like that? What’s his deal…?

When Sukuna opened the car door, Yuji expected him to slip into the driver’s seat like usual. But instead, Sukuna slid smoothly into the back.

Yuji stopped short, blinking. “…Uh. The… back?”

Sukuna leaned back casually against the leather seat, legs stretched, one arm draped lazily along the top. His sharp eyes locked on Yuji. “Get in.”

Yuji’s throat went dry. “Wh—wait, aren’t you driving?”

A slow smirk spread across Sukuna’s face. “Not right now. Sit.”

Yuji shifted awkwardly, his hands tightening on the shopping bags he carried. “Uh—I, um—” His voice cracked as he stuttered, trying to piece together an excuse. “Why the back though? Isn’t it… weird?”

Sukuna tilted his head slightly, his gaze unrelenting. “You ask too many questions. Just get in, brat.”

Yuji’s cheeks flushed as he climbed in, the bags pressed protectively against his chest like a shield. The space between them felt smaller than it should, Sukuna’s presence filling the car even more than before.

“Good,” Sukuna murmured, eyes glinting. “Much better.”

Yuji swallowed hard, unsure whether his pounding heart was from fear, embarrassment, or something else entirely.

The air in the back of the car felt heavier, quieter than it had on the street. Yuji sat stiffly, hugging the shopping bags close, while Sukuna lounged like a king, eyes fixed on him.

Then, Sukuna broke the silence.

“You’ve been struggling with interviews. No job. Barely paying rent.” His voice was calm, deliberate. “You don’t have to keep living like that.”

Yuji blinked, caught off guard. “Huh?”

Sukuna leaned forward slightly, the smirk never leaving his lips. “I could give you work. A place to stay. You wouldn’t have to worry about money again.”

Yuji’s grip on the bags tightened. A place to stay… security… it sounded almost too good to be true. “You mean… a job? What kind of job?”

Sukuna chuckled softly, tilting his head. “A special job. One not everyone could handle.” His gaze dragged over Yuji slowly, deliberately, until Yuji shifted uncomfortably under the weight of it.

“Special…?” Yuji echoed, his voice unsteady.

Sukuna ignored the question for now, his eyes narrowing just slightly. “How old are you?”

“N-nineteen,” Yuji stammered.

“Perfect,” Sukuna murmured, sitting back again with a satisfied smile. “Young. Flexible. Exactly the kind I like working with.”

Yuji swallowed hard, unsure if he should feel flattered or very, very concerned. Special job…? What the hell does that even mean…?

Yuji sat stiffly, heart hammering in his chest. The word perfect echoed in his head, twisting his nerves tighter.

Sukuna leaned forward again, elbows resting casually on his knees, eyes locked on Yuji like a predator sizing up prey. “This job isn’t like the ones you’ve been begging for. It’s not about interviews or filling out forms.”

Yuji swallowed. “Then… what is it?”

Sukuna smirked, his voice lowering, slow and deliberate. “It’s about serving. Doing what I ask, when I ask it. No questions. No hesitation.”

Yuji’s throat went dry. “S-serving…? Like… chores?”

A chuckle rumbled out of Sukuna, low and amused. “Sometimes. Maybe I’ll want you to handle errands. Maybe I’ll want you to cook, clean, take care of things I don’t have time for.” His eyes gleamed. “Other times… I’ll want you close. At my side. Entertaining me.”

Yuji blinked rapidly, heat rushing to his cheeks. “Entertaining…?”

Sukuna’s smirk widened, sharp as a knife. “Use that imagination of yours. It won’t all be hard work. Some of it, you might even enjoy.”

Yuji shifted uncomfortably, pressing back against the seat. His pulse was racing, torn between panic and a strange, confusing pull.

“Think about it, Yuji,” Sukuna said, leaning back once more, utterly relaxed. “No rent. No debt. New clothes, good food, a roof over your head. All you have to do… is give yourself to me.”

Yuji’s hands tightened on the shopping bags. He wasn’t sure if the shiver that went down his spine was fear… or something else entirely.

Yuji’s grip on the bags tightened until the paper crinkled. His face burned, but his voice came out shaky as he forced himself to speak.

“What… what do you mean by that? Be more clear.”

Sukuna’s eyes sharpened, his smirk deepening. He leaned forward just enough for Yuji to feel the heat of his presence. “I mean exactly what you think I mean. You’d belong to me. You’d do what I say. You’d let me use you how I please.”

Yuji’s chest tightened, his breath stuttering. His face went pale, then flushed hot. “Th-that… that’s just prostitution!”

Sukuna chuckled, low and dark, shaking his head. “No. Prostitution is cheap. For anyone with cash.” His gaze dragged over Yuji slowly, deliberately. “But you? You’d only submit to me. That’s different.”

Yuji’s mouth opened and closed, words sticking in his throat. Finally, he managed to choke out: “Submit… to you? What would I… have to do… to you?”

Sukuna’s smile widened, sharp as a blade. He let the silence hang heavy before answering, his voice soft but cutting straight through Yuji.

“Everything.”

Yuji’s heart thudded so hard it almost hurt. He wasn’t sure if it was fear, shame, or something else entirely that made his hands shake.

Sukuna leaned back, one hand on the seat, and let out a low chuckle. “Relax. I’m not forcing you to answer right now.”

Yuji blinked, staring at him in disbelief. “You… you’re… letting me… think about it?”

Sukuna stood, stretching slightly, and then sauntered toward the front of the car. He opened the door, giving Yuji a sharp look over his shoulder. “Exactly. Decide carefully. This isn’t something to rush.”

Yuji stayed frozen for a moment, cheeks burning, hands clutching the shopping bags. As Sukuna slid into the driver’s seat, he mumbled, voice barely above a whisper, “I… I’m… scared…”

Sukuna’s head tilted, eyes glinting in the rearview mirror. “Scared?”

Yuji swallowed hard, his lips trembling. “I… I haven’t… I mean… I’ve never… before…” His words stumbled out, awkward and flustered, a nervous confession that left him crimson from the ears down.

Sukuna’s smirk returned, slow and deliberate, as he started the engine. “I see,” he murmured, his voice low, almost amused. “Inexperienced. That makes things… interesting.”

Yuji’s stomach knotted further, unsure if he should feel embarrassed, anxious, or something more. He hugged the shopping bags closer, silently praying the ride would end quickly.

* * *

The engine purred as they drove through the city streets, but the quiet hum was broken by Sukuna’s low, teasing voice.

“You know,” he murmured, eyes glinting in the rearview mirror, “there’s something… appealing about how flustered you get.”

Yuji squirmed in his seat, cheeks burning hotter by the second. “S-stop… I’m not—”

“Not what?” Sukuna interrupted smoothly, a faint chuckle escaping him. “Not cute? Not nervous? Not… inexperienced?”

Yuji’s hands clenched the shopping bags so tightly the paper crinkled. He groaned, “I’m just… trying to… survive the ride!”

Sukuna smirked, clearly enjoying the display. “Good. I like that honesty.”

The ride continued like that, Sukuna’s voice weaving teasing remarks through the hum of traffic. Yuji tried to ignore him, keeping his eyes on the passing streetlights, but his stomach twisted with every sly comment.

Finally, they pulled up outside Yuji’s apartment. The bags in his hands felt heavier now, weighed down by embarrassment and lingering tension.

Sukuna shut off the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt. He stepped out, stretching casually. “Home.”

Yuji followed, stepping onto the sidewalk beside him, glancing around nervously. His heartbeat hadn’t slowed since the teasing in the car.

Sukuna walked with an easy confidence, opening the door for Yuji and guiding him inside. “Here we are. Safe and sound… for now,” he said, voice low, eyes lingering on Yuji for a beat too long.

Yuji swallowed, still flustered, and mumbled, “Th-thanks…”

Just as Yuji reached for his apartment door, Sukuna leaned closer, the air between them thick and heavy. Yuji froze, heart hammering in his chest, and slowly turned to face him.

Sukuna’s eyes glinted with that sharp, knowing amusement as his hand reached up, fingers threading gently through Yuji’s hair. Before Yuji could react, Sukuna’s other hand moved to the back of his head, pulling him closer.

Yuji’s breath caught in his throat. “W-what—”

And then their lips met. Hesitant at first, testing the waters, but Yuji couldn’t stop himself. He leaned in, pressing back, letting the tension and uncertainty of the day melt away.

Sukuna’s hand tightened slightly, tilting Yuji’s head as their kiss deepened, tongues brushing in a French kiss. Yuji’s eyes fluttered closed, heart racing faster than ever, caught between embarrassment, fear, and an undeniable pull toward Sukuna.

The world around them faded—the city lights, the apartment door, even the weight of the shopping bags—everything was reduced to the sharp, consuming connection between them.

When they finally pulled back slightly, Yuji’s cheeks were flushed, his breath uneven, and Sukuna’s smirk was still there, dark and teasing.

“Careful, brat,” Sukuna murmured, voice low and almost possessive. “You’re making this… difficult.”

Yuji swallowed, trying to steady his racing heart. “I… I can’t… I shouldn’t…”

Sukuna only chuckled, letting go of his head but still holding Yuji close. “Maybe. But you did.”

Chapter Text

Sukuna’s penthouse was quiet when he returned, the city lights spilling in through the wide windows. He shrugged off his jacket, draping it lazily across a chair, and sat down at a sleek glass table.

From his pocket, he pulled out his phone. The screen lit up, and there it was—the photo of Yuji shirtless in the boutique, caught mid-change, his face flustered and embarrassed. Sukuna’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk as he zoomed in, eyes tracing the image slowly.

“Too cute,” he muttered, tapping the screen once before setting the phone down.

A voice interrupted from across the room. One of his men, dressed neatly in black, had been waiting near the entrance. “Welcome back, sir. How was your day?”

Sukuna leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other, still smirking faintly. “Interesting. I met him again.”

“The boy?” the man asked carefully.

Sukuna nodded, swirling a glass of whiskey he’d poured himself. “Yuji. Nineteen, desperate, naive. But he has spirit. I want to see how far he’ll bend… what else he’ll agree to do.”

The man bowed slightly. “Shall we prepare something?”

Sukuna’s grin sharpened. “Not yet. No rush. He’ll come to me on his own. Fear and need always drive them back.” He raised the glass to his lips, his crimson eyes glinting with amusement. “Besides… watching him squirm is half the fun.”

He tapped the phone again, Yuji’s image lighting up the screen once more. “He’ll break eventually. And when he does…” Sukuna’s chuckle filled the room, low and dangerous. “…he’ll be mine completely.”

The man shifted carefully, hands clasped behind his back. “If I may ask, sir… what exactly are you planning with this boy?”

Sukuna swirled the amber liquid in his glass, staring at Yuji’s picture for another long moment before letting the screen go dark. His smirk widened, but his voice came out flat and deliberate.

“Nothing.”

The man blinked. “Sir?”

“I’ll do nothing for the next week,” Sukuna said, leaning back in his chair, one hand draped lazily over the armrest. “No calls, no visits, no messages. He’ll think I’ve forgotten him. He’ll start questioning himself, wondering what he did wrong.”

The man nodded slowly, understanding beginning to dawn. “You’re going to ignore him… make him restless.”

“Exactly.” Sukuna’s eyes glinted, cruel satisfaction in his tone. “Ghost him. Let him stew in silence. Humans hate being abandoned more than anything. Especially ones as desperate as him.”

He lifted the glass to his lips, taking a long sip before continuing. “By the time I appear again, he’ll come running. Fearful. Curious. Hungry for attention.” Sukuna chuckled darkly. “And that’s when he’ll be easiest to break.”

The man bowed his head slightly. “As you wish, sir.”

Sukuna leaned forward, placing the glass down with a soft clink. His grin was sharp as a blade. “I’ll make him addicted to me. That brat won’t know how to live without me.”

Steam still clung to the small bathroom mirror as Yuji stepped out, toweling his damp hair. His body felt lighter after the shower, but his mind was anything but calm. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Sukuna’s smirk, felt his hand in his hair, the kiss pressed against his lips.

He flopped onto his bed, phone in hand, staring at the screen for a long moment. His thumb hovered over Sukuna’s contact—the name “R. Sukuna” still looked unreal sitting there in his phonebook.

Biting his lip, Yuji finally typed a short message:

Good night. Thanks… for today.

He hesitated, thumb lingering over the send button, then tapped it quickly before he could second-guess himself.

The message went through instantly. The little “delivered” mark appeared under it. But no dots. No reply. No read.

Yuji stared at the screen, waiting. Seconds dragged into minutes. Still nothing.

Finally, he let out a small laugh to himself, rubbing the back of his neck. “Guess… he’s busy.”

He set the phone down on the nightstand and slid under the covers, a faint smile still tugging at his lips despite the silence. His chest felt warm, full of nerves and hope tangled together.

As he drifted off, Sukuna’s words echoed in his mind—give yourself to me.

Yuji’s heart fluttered uneasily, but for the first time in a while, he fell asleep with a smile.

* * *

That night, Yuji’s sleep wasn’t peaceful. His dreams blurred into vivid flashes, pulling him deeper into the thoughts he tried so hard to ignore.

In the dream, his apartment was quiet, dimly lit by the warm glow of the lamp in the corner. The place felt different—not heavy and lonely, but alive, as if someone else belonged there.

He glanced toward the couch and froze. Sukuna was there, sitting casually with one arm draped along the backrest, looking entirely at ease in Yuji’s home, like he owned it.

Yuji’s stomach flipped, but instead of fear, a strange warmth spread through his chest. He walked over slowly, his feet moving before he even thought about it.

Sukuna’s eyes met his, gleaming with amusement. “Come here, brat.”

Without hesitation, Yuji found himself climbing into Sukuna’s lap, settling there as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He could feel Sukuna’s hand resting firmly on his waist, the heat of his body soaking into his own.

The silence wasn’t uncomfortable. It was intimate. Safe, even. Yuji leaned against Sukuna’s chest, closing his eyes. His heart was racing, but the weight pressing down on him wasn’t dread this time—it was something softer, confusing, and dangerously addictive.

Sukuna’s low chuckle rumbled against his ear. “See? You fit perfectly.”

Yuji’s face burned as he buried it against Sukuna’s neck, unable to answer.

He shifted nervously in Sukuna’s lap, his hands clutching the fabric of his shirt as if to steady himself. He could feel every inch of Sukuna’s body beneath him, firm and unyielding.

Then, Sukuna’s hand slid upward, palm pressing against Yuji’s chest. His fingers spread slowly, deliberately, feeling the rapid thrum of Yuji’s heartbeat beneath his touch.

“You’re trembling,” Sukuna murmured, his lips brushing against Yuji’s ear. “Is it fear… or something else?”

Yuji’s breath hitched, his entire face going red. “I-I don’t know…” His voice was barely more than a whisper.

Sukuna’s chuckle was low and dangerous, vibrating against Yuji’s skin. His hand lingered over Yuji’s chest, thumb brushing against the curve of his collarbone, while his mouth stayed close to Yuji’s ear.

“You blush so easily,” Sukuna whispered, each word sending a shiver down Yuji’s spine. “So soft. So easy to toy with.”

Yuji squeezed his eyes shut, pressing closer against him, overwhelmed by the warmth and the closeness. His heart hammered wildly, betraying his every attempt to stay calm.

Yuji’s eyes stayed shut in the dream, his breath shallow as Sukuna’s hand trailed lower, sliding from his chest down his stomach. The warmth of that touch made his skin prickle, every nerve screaming at once.

Then came Sukuna’s low chuckle, dark and amused, so close it was almost inside his head.

“What is this?” he whispered, his hand creeping dangerously close to Yuji’s crotch.

Yuji gasped—

And his eyes flew open.

The dream shattered like glass. He shot upright in bed, chest heaving, his sheets tangled around him. His skin was clammy with sweat, his face blazing red. The room was still dark, the faint glow of the clock on his nightstand reading 6:03 a.m.

He pressed both hands over his face, groaning. “N-no way… that was a dream… all of that…”

His heart was still racing as if it hadn’t gotten the message. Every detail of Sukuna’s voice, his touch, still clung to him, hauntingly vivid. Yuji buried his head in his pillow, muffling a whimper of embarrassment.

“Why am I… dreaming about him like that?!” he hissed into the pillow, kicking his legs under the sheets. “This is so stupid—so, so stupid!”

But no matter how hard he tried to push it away, Sukuna’s words still lingered in his ears.

What is this?

Yuji groaned louder, rolling onto his back and staring helplessly at the ceiling. “I’m… losing my mind.”

* * *

Yuji rolled onto his side and grabbed his phone from the nightstand, the screen lighting up the dark room. His chest tightened as his thumb slid across the notifications—nothing. No call, no text, no reply to the good night message he’d sent.

He sighed, dropping the phone onto his chest with a dull thunk. “Still nothing…”

The thought of going back to sleep felt impossible, not after that dream. His body was too wound up, nerves buzzing like he’d just run a marathon. With a groan, he threw the covers off and padded barefoot into the kitchen.

The apartment was quiet, the early morning sun barely spilling in through the blinds. Yuji rummaged through the cabinet and pulled out a loaf of bread. “Guess it’s just toast today,” he muttered, popping two slices into the toaster.

As he leaned against the counter, arms folded, he caught himself staring at the phone on the table. He shook his head quickly. No, stop it. Don’t just sit around waiting for him.

The toaster popped, startling him more than it should have. He slapped butter on the bread, took a bite, and chewed slowly, trying to focus on the simple taste. But Sukuna’s voice, his smirk, the dream—they wouldn’t leave his head.

Yuji buried his face in his hands. “I’m seriously losing it…”

After finishing his toast, Yuji dragged his laptop onto the table and flipped it open. He told himself he’d focus—if he just found a job, he wouldn’t have to keep thinking about Sukuna.

He spent the next hour scrolling through listings. Delivery driver. Night shift security. Dishwashing. The pay was barely enough to cover groceries, let alone rent. And the better jobs? They were all on the other side of town, impossible without a car.

Yuji slumped forward, resting his chin in his hand as the screen glowed back at him. “Ugh… nothing. Just garbage…”

The silence of his apartment pressed down on him. His eyes drifted to his phone again, even though he knew no new messages would be there. His chest tightened. Against his better judgment, his mind wandered back to Sukuna’s words.

Give yourself to me.

Yuji bit his lip, his stomach knotting. “He… he meant more than just errands or cleaning, didn’t he?” His face burned hot as the thought circled in his head. “He probably… wants me. Like… intimacy.”

The word stuck in his throat, heavy and confusing. He buried his face in his hands. “That’s… that’s basically selling my body, isn’t it?”

But even as he said it, the memory of Sukuna’s kiss—hot, overwhelming, intoxicating—made his heart flutter in a way he hated. A way that scared him.

Yuji groaned loudly, ruffling his damp hair in frustration. “What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I even thinking about this?”

Still… the thought wouldn’t leave him. Maybe because deep down, he was terrified of what it would mean if he said yes. Or maybe because part of him was even more terrified of saying no.

Yuji sat slouched at the table, laptop still open on a dozen tabs of hopeless job listings. His phone buzzed against the wood, lighting up with a new message. His heart jumped—too fast, too hopeful—as he snatched it up.

But when he saw the sender, his chest sank.

Megumi: Lunch with me and Nobara today?

Yuji stared at the text, lips pressed tight. For a split second, he’d thought it was Sukuna. His pulse had raced at the possibility. But no—just Megumi. Just normal life tugging him back.

He sighed, rubbing his face. “I’m pathetic…”

Still, the thought of seeing Megumi and Nobara made his mood lift a little. They were safe. Familiar. They didn’t make his stomach twist with confusing feelings or give him dangerous offers that haunted his dreams.

Yuji typed back quickly:

Yeah. Just tell me where.

As he hit send, he glanced at his unopened Sukuna chat, the last good night still sitting there unread. His chest tightened all over again. He forced himself to put the phone down, muttering, “Don’t think about him. Just… don’t.”

But even as he got up to get dressed, Sukuna’s smirk wouldn’t leave his mind

Chapter Text

The café was cozy, sunlight streaming through tall windows. Yuji sat across from Megumi and Nobara, hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee. Nobara, as usual, was doing most of the talking.

“So then,” she said, eyes sparkling with pride, “my supervisor actually loved the sketch I showed her! Can you believe it? She said it has potential for the fall line!”

“That’s good,” Megumi replied, sipping his drink.

“Good?” Nobara scoffed, smacking his arm lightly. “It’s amazing! You should be more excited for me!”

Yuji smiled faintly at their banter, but his eyes kept dropping to his phone on the table beside his cup. The screen stayed dark. No new messages. No reply.

His chest ached in a way he didn’t want to admit. He tried to force his attention back to Nobara’s story, but the silence from Sukuna pressed heavier than her words could fill.

“Yuji?” Nobara’s voice cut through his fog. She leaned over the table, studying his face with sharp eyes. “What’s wrong with you? You’ve been moping this whole time.”

Yuji flinched, sitting up straighter. “H-huh? I’m fine! Totally fine!”

But Nobara’s smirk spread like wildfire. “Wait. Don’t tell me…” Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she clapped her hands together. “You’re seeing someone, aren’t you?!”

Yuji nearly spit out his coffee. “W-what?!”

Megumi raised a brow, glancing between them. “Seriously?”

Yuji’s face went scarlet as he waved his hands. “No! No, I’m not—! It’s nothing like that!”

Nobara leaned closer, eyes gleaming. “Then why are you staring at your phone like a lovesick idiot, huh?”

Yuji’s face was still hot, and he waved his hands frantically. “I told you, it’s nothing! I just— I’m waiting to hear back from a job interview, that’s all!”

Nobara wasn’t buying it, her grin wicked. “Mhm. Sure. You definitely look like you’re waiting for a job to text you. Totally.”

Yuji groaned into his coffee. “Why are you like this?”

Before Nobara could answer, Megumi leaned back in his chair, looking unimpressed. “Honestly, Nobara, don’t bother. No one would want Yuji anyway. He’s too loud. He’d drive them insane in a week.”

Nobara snorted, covering her mouth to hide her laugh.

“Hey!” Yuji forced out a laugh of his own, pretending the jab didn’t sting. “That’s so mean! I—I’d be a great boyfriend!”

But Megumi only smirked faintly, sipping his drink again.

The conversation drifted on, but Yuji wasn’t really listening anymore. His chest felt heavy. Too loud… no one would want me, huh? He hated how much it stuck.

Five minutes later, he pushed back his chair abruptly. “I’m, uh… gonna hit the bathroom. Be right back.”

“Don’t take forever,” Nobara called after him, still giggling under her breath.

Yuji slipped into the hallway toward the restrooms, his smile dropping the moment he was out of sight. He exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to shake the ache in his chest.

The bathroom was quiet, the low hum of the café muffled behind the door. Yuji leaned over the sink, gripping the cold porcelain, staring at his reflection. His face looked tired—eyes a little red, lips pressed in a thin line.

Too loud. No one would want me.

Megumi’s words kept circling like vultures in his head. He tried to laugh them off again, but instead, his throat tightened.

His phone was still in his hand. Without thinking, his thumb hovered over Sukuna’s contact. For a long moment he hesitated, heart pounding like he was about to do something dangerous.

Finally, he hit call.

It rang. And rang.

Yuji’s chest rose and fell quickly, his other hand pressed to his stomach as if to hold himself together. But then—

click

Voicemail.

He bit his lip hard, staring down at the screen. His vision blurred, tears threatening at the corners of his eyes. Slowly, he slid down until he was sitting on the closed toilet lid, phone trembling in his grip.

Maybe he thinks I’m annoying too… maybe he’s already sick of me.

Swallowing hard, Yuji opened the chat instead and typed with clumsy thumbs:

I… I don’t know why I’m telling you this but… I feel really sad right now. Like I’m not good enough for anyone. Sorry if I’m bothering you.

He hovered over the send button, cheeks wet, then pressed it before he could stop himself. The message went through instantly.

The screen stayed empty. No reply.

Yuji sniffed, wiping at his eyes quickly. “Idiot. Why’d you even…?”

But even as he shoved the phone into his pocket and forced himself to stand, part of him prayed—just one word from him… anything.

* * *

Yuji took a shaky, deep breath in the bathroom, forcing himself to stand taller. He smoothed his hair quickly, wiped the remaining tears, and headed back toward the café table. Nobara and Megumi were still talking, oblivious to the storm inside him.

“Sorry I—uh, took so long,” Yuji mumbled, sliding back into his seat.

Nobara gave him a pointed look. “You okay?”

Yuji forced a small smile, nodding. “Yeah… just needed a quick break.”

Meanwhile, miles away in Sukuna’s penthouse, the city sprawled beneath the tall windows. Sukuna lounged on a velvet chair, casually scrolling through his phone. His crimson eyes glinted as he saw the latest message from Yuji:

I… I don’t know why I’m telling you this but… I feel really sad right now. Like I’m not good enough for anyone. Sorry if I’m bothering you.

Sukuna tilted his head, lips curling into a sharp, amused smirk.

“Interesting.” He looked up at his servant quietly dusting the shelves nearby. “Do you see this? The brat actually has the nerve to be sad and still try to text me.”

The servant paused, cautious. “Yes, sir.”

Sukuna chuckled, low and dangerous, tapping the message lightly. “And he even called me. Called me! Hahaha… the audacity. Poor little thing doesn’t even realize he’s hopelessly mine already.”

He set the phone down and leaned back, one arm draped over the chair, smirk never leaving his face. “Let him stew. Let him miss me. Makes it all the sweeter when I finally decide to pay attention.”

The servant simply nodded, keeping a respectful distance as Sukuna’s laughter filled the room, low and dark.

Sukuna leaned back in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, a dangerous glint in his crimson eyes as he stared at the city outside the penthouse windows. His fingers drummed lightly on the armrest.

“Hm…” he murmured aloud, almost to himself. “I wonder what that brat is doing right now. Sitting alone? Pretending to be okay?”

He picked up his phone again, spinning it lazily between his fingers. “Is he thinking about me? Or is he trying to push me out of his mind?”

A soft chuckle escaped him, low and dark. “Poor little fool… he doesn’t even know how much he already belongs to me.”

He let the silence hang, tilting his head, watching the lights of the city flicker below. “I could call him… but where’s the fun in that? Let him stew. Let him wonder if I’ll ever care enough to respond.”

Sukuna’s smirk widened, sharp as a blade. “Imagine him, all restless, all flustered… probably replaying every word, every look I’ve given him. Yes… that’s exactly how I like it.”

“I wonder… is he thinking about me right now… or is he too scared to admit it?”

Yuji sat at the table with Nobara and Megumi, but the laughter and chatter around him felt distant, almost muffled. His hands wrapped tightly around his coffee cup, the warmth doing little to calm the nerves twisting in his stomach.

He forced a smile as Nobara animatedly described a new idea for her fashion line, Megumi listening quietly beside her. But every few seconds, his eyes flicked to his phone, hoping for a message from Sukuna that never came.

A tight knot grew in his stomach, and a wave of unease swept over him. He pressed his fingers to his forehead, taking a shaky breath. “I… uh… I don’t feel so good,” he murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

Nobara frowned, concern flashing across her features. “What? Are you sick?”

Yuji shook his head quickly, trying to cover his discomfort. “N-no… I just… think I need to head home.”

Megumi tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly. “Already? You barely got here.”

Yuji nodded, forcing a small smile. “Yeah… I’ll just… go home and rest a bit. I’ll see you guys later.”

He pushed back his chair. Every step toward the door felt heavy, as if the weight of the day—and the silence from Sukuna—was pressing him down.

Home

Yuji shut the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment, letting out a shaky breath. The apartment was quiet, but the silence only made his thoughts louder. Every corner seemed to echo Sukuna’s presence in his mind, even though he wasn’t there.

He sank onto his bed, hugging a pillow to his chest. I just… I want him close. I want him here… The thought made his stomach tighten in a mix of longing and guilt.

His eyes drifted to the empty side of the bed, and his imagination began to take over. In his mind, Sukuna was already there, lying beside him. One arm draped over his waist, holding him close, the other gently stroking through his hair. His warmth pressed against Yuji, calm and grounding, and his low, amused voice whispered softly into Yuji’s ear:

“Relax, brat. You’re mine.”

Yuji’s cheeks burned, but he didn’t push the fantasy away. Instead, he pressed deeper into the pillow, letting himself imagine the comfort of Sukuna’s presence, even if it was only in his head.

He pictured the steady rise and fall of Sukuna’s chest, the way his hair would fall across his forehead, the faint smirk that always made Yuji’s heart stutter. The imagined touch of his fingers through Yuji’s hair was enough to make him shiver, a strange warmth spreading through his body.

God, I just want him… here. Right now.

Yuji buried his face in the pillow, letting the fantasy consume him for a few moments, he hugged the pillow tighter, pressing it against his face as his thoughts swirled. In his mind, Sukuna was still there beside him—warm, steady, and impossibly close. The imagined weight of Sukuna’s arm around him was grounding.

His eyelids grew heavy as he pictured Sukuna brushing hair from his forehead, fingers lingering softly against his skin. That low, teasing chuckle whispered in his ear again:

“Sleep, brat. I’m right here.”

The words, even though imagined, wrapped around him like a blanket. His racing heart slowly began to calm, muscles unclenching, and for the first time in days, he felt a strange sense of safety.

Yuji let out a soft sigh, nuzzling into the pillow. In the dream-fantasy world he’d created, Sukuna’s presence was real. His fingers continued to stroke through Yuji’s hair, his smirk faint but comforting, and Yuji’s tense thoughts began to fade.

He finally drifted into sleep, clutching the pillow as if it were Sukuna himself, a soft smile brushing his lips. In that moment, he was not alone, not afraid.

Morning light spilled weakly through the curtains, pulling Yuji out of his heavy sleep. He stretched, groaning softly, his pillow still clutched tightly against his chest. The warmth of the dream lingered in his body, and for a brief, blissful second, it almost felt like Sukuna had been there with him.

But when his eyes flicked to his phone on the nightstand, reality hit hard.

Still no message.

Yuji swallowed, chest tightening. The fantasy from last night felt almost cruel now, leaving him with an emptiness he couldn’t shake. He reached for his phone anyway, thumb hesitating over Sukuna’s chat.

He typed slowly, biting his lip as if the words might somehow push Sukuna to respond this time:

Good morning. Did you sleep well?

For a long moment he stared at the text, wondering if it was too much, too clingy. But the need to reach out overpowered the hesitation, and with a shaky breath, he pressed send.

The message ticked over instantly. Delivered.

Yuji stared at the screen, waiting—hoping. His heart thudded with every passing second, as if Sukuna’s silence might finally break.

But the screen stayed blank.

Yuji sighed, flopping back onto his bed, phone clutched to his chest. “Please… just answer me, Sukuna…”

The apartment was still. Yuji sat up again, tossing his phone onto the bed with a sigh. If he kept staring at the empty screen, he’d go crazy.

Dragging himself to the kitchen, he pulled open the fridge door. A faint, cold hum filled the air—but inside, the shelves were nearly bare. A half-empty bottle of soy sauce. A lonely packet of eggs that had expired last week. Nothing else.

Yuji groaned, pressing his forehead to the fridge door for a moment. “Great… just perfect.”

He shut it with a dull thud and went over to the table. The envelope Sukuna had given him still sat there, thick with bills. Yuji pulled out a few, the crinkle of cash sharp in the quiet room, and set them on the table like it burned his fingers.

“I’ll… just use a little,” he muttered to himself, though no one was listening. “Groceries aren’t… bad. I need to eat.”

Pocketing the cash, Yuji slipped into his shoes and grabbed his bag. As he stepped outside, the morning air hit him—cool, alive with the sounds of the city waking up. But even with the bustle around him, the silence from his phone pressed in on him, heavier than before.

He shoved his hands in his pockets, walking toward the grocery store with a slouched posture, trying not to think about how badly he wanted Sukuna’s name to finally appear on his screen.

Yuji carried the grocery bag tucked against his chest, the handles biting into his fingers. He hadn’t bought much—just rice, instant noodles, a few vegetables, and milk. The cash had barely covered it, and it reminded him again how fragile everything was without steady work.

He sighed as he reached his apartment building, the stairwell echoing with his footsteps. “At least I can cook something tonight…” he muttered, more to fill the silence than anything.

But when he reached his floor, his chest tightened.

His apartment door was cracked open.

Yuji froze, heart thudding loud in his ears. He was sure—absolutely sure—he’d locked it before leaving. Slowly, carefully, he set the grocery bag down by his feet, staring at the gap in the doorframe.

“…Hello?” he called out, his voice trembling despite his attempt to sound firm.

No answer.

The air felt heavy, charged. Yuji’s palms grew sweaty as he reached for the door, nudging it wider with a faint creak.

His stomach twisted with dread, but he forced himself forward, whispering, “Please don’t let it be anything bad…”

Chapter Text

Yuji pushed the door open with a shaky hand, his body tense as he stepped inside. The air in the apartment felt wrong—thick, unsettled, like someone else’s presence was still clinging to the walls.

His breath caught when he saw the state of the place. Drawers yanked open, clothes tossed across the floor, the couch cushions ripped out and thrown aside. His tiny kitchen looked ransacked—cabinets half-open, boxes tipped over.

“Wh… what the hell…” Yuji whispered, his chest tightening. His feet carried him further inside, slow and cautious, as though he expected someone to jump out at any second.

Then his eyes landed on the table.

The envelope. Gone.

Yuji’s stomach dropped to the floor. He rushed over, nearly tripping over his own shoes scattered by the door, and slammed his hands on the table as if the money might appear if he looked hard enough. But all that was left was the faint outline where the envelope had rested.

His breathing grew ragged. “No… no, no, no—this can’t—” His voice cracked as his hands trembled against the wood. “That was for rent… that was everything…”

His vision blurred with panic. Whoever had been here hadn’t just stolen from him—they’d taken his lifeline. And suddenly, the silence from Sukuna felt even heavier.

If he finds out I lost the money he gave me… what’s going to happen to me?

Yuji’s knees buckled, and he sank onto the floor beside the table, hands clutching at his hair. His chest heaved with shallow breaths, every inhale tighter than the last.

The apartment looked like a stranger had ripped through his world, but what twisted the knife was the space where the envelope had been. Sukuna’s envelope.

Hot tears welled in his eyes. He tried to wipe them away with the back of his sleeve, but they kept spilling over, his breath catching in broken sobs.

What do I do? What am I supposed to do now?

He buried his face in his hands, shaking, the weight of shame and fear crashing over him. He couldn’t imagine facing Sukuna like this. Couldn’t imagine telling him the truth. And yet, who else could he turn to?

His hands fumbled for his phone, slippery with sweat. He scrolled shakily to Sukuna’s number, hovering over it, heart pounding so hard it hurt.

He’s going to be furious… he’ll hate me…

But the thought of silence—of trying to survive this alone—was worse.

Yuji pressed the call button. The ringing felt endless, each second another stab in his chest. His voice cracked before anyone had even answered, “Please… please pick up…”

And then, at last—

click.

Sukuna’s smooth, dangerous voice filled the line. “Hm?”

Yuji’s throat closed up, a sob tearing free. “S-Sukuna… I—I don’t know what to do—”

* * *

“Breathe,” Sukuna’s voice drawled through the phone, steady and unshaken. “You’re blubbering like a child. Tell me what happened.”

Yuji pressed the phone tighter to his ear, curling in on himself on the floor. His voice cracked, broken by hiccups and sobs. “M-my apartment… it’s—someone broke in—it’s a mess, and—and the envelope, the money, it’s gone!”

He squeezed his eyes shut, tears streaking down his face. “I swear I didn’t spend it, I didn’t waste it—I was gonna use it for rent, I swear, but it’s just—just gone!”

On the other end, Sukuna was silent for a beat. Yuji could almost imagine that sharp gaze, the unreadable smirk. The quiet only made Yuji’s chest ache more.

“I-I’m sorry,” Yuji whispered, his voice raw. “You trusted me, and I let it get stolen, I—I don’t know what to do—”

“Calm down,” Sukuna finally said, his tone smooth but firm, commanding. “You’re rambling.”

Yuji clutched the phone with both hands, knuckles white. “But—”

“Brat,” Sukuna cut him off, sharper now. “Do you think crying solves anything? Hm?”

Yuji froze, his sobs stuttering, though tears still slid down his cheeks. “…No.”

“Then breathe,” Sukuna said again, low and deliberate. “And tell me exactly what you saw when you came home. Every detail. Now.”

Yuji sniffled, trying to drag air into his lungs, trembling as he forced himself to speak. “The door—it was open. I swear I locked it this morning, but it was open. Inside was—everything was tossed around. Drawers, cushions, cabinets… everything.” His voice shook harder. “The envelope… it was gone. That’s all. I swear.”

Another heavy silence pressed through the phone. Yuji gripped the device tighter, waiting for anger, for shouting.

But Sukuna’s voice came back low, thoughtful. “Good boy. That’s better.”

Yuji’s stomach twisted, not sure if he should feel relieved or terrified. His breath still came uneven, his chest tight as he waited for the explosion that never came.

Instead, Sukuna chuckled softly. “You really are hopeless without me, aren’t you?”

Yuji pressed his hand over his mouth, trying to choke down another sob. “…I-I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“I know.” Sukuna’s voice was steady, almost too steady. “Which is why you’re going to stop crying like a fool and listen.”

Yuji blinked, his throat dry. “…O-okay.”

“I’ll come pick you up,” Sukuna said simply, as though he’d been planning it all along. “Stay inside. Don’t touch anything. Don’t even think about wandering off.”

Yuji’s eyes went wide, hope mixing with unease. “You’ll… you’ll really come?”

“Tch. What do you take me for?” Sukuna’s voice dropped into a velvety growl. “I said I’ll come, brat. So sit tight. I don’t like repeating myself.”

The line went dead.

Yuji lowered the phone, his hands still trembling, heart racing with a mix of dread and relief. He curled up on the couch amid the mess, whispering to himself, “He’s coming… Sukuna’s coming.”

Headlights washed across the cracked walls of the building, sleek and foreign against the dingy street. Yuji glanced through the blinds and instantly knew—it was Sukuna. The black car looked out of place here, gleaming under the streetlamp like it belonged to a different world.

Moments later, a knock came at his door. Firm. Confident. Like Sukuna owned not just the hallway, but the entire building.

Yuji hurried to open it, his chest tight, and there he was: Sukuna, sharp suit pressed to perfection, his expression unreadable. He looked like he’d stepped straight out of a magazine—and yet his eyes flicked past Yuji once, sweeping the chaos inside, before returning to the trembling boy.

Yuji’s throat closed up. He meant to say thank you, but instead he stumbled forward and hugged him, pressing his face into Sukuna’s chest.

A choked sob escaped. “I-I’m sorry, Sukuna. I didn’t know what to do—I thought you’d be mad—I couldn’t stop shaking—”

Sukuna let him cling, one hand slipping into Yuji’s hair, holding him there with almost casual possession. He didn’t flinch at the tears dampening his suit.

“Pathetic,” Sukuna muttered, though his tone wasn’t sharp. More like a dark amusement laced with something softer. His thumb traced the back of Yuji’s head, a slow, steady pressure that anchored him.

“Let it out,” Sukuna said finally, leaning closer, voice low enough to hum against Yuji’s ear. “I’m here now.”

Yuji only clutched tighter, sobbing quietly, the relief making his knees weak.

* * *

The ride blurred past Yuji, his head heavy against the car window. Before he knew it, he was standing inside Sukuna’s penthouse—a place so wide and pristine it felt like stepping into another reality. The floor gleamed, tall windows stretched up like glass walls, and everything smelled faintly of leather and expensive cologne.

Yuji hugged himself, still in his wrinkled clothes from the day. He didn’t dare touch anything.

Then, a man appeared quietly from down the hall, carrying a folded set of clothes. His steps were smooth, practiced, and his eyes never lingered too long on Yuji. “For the boy,” he said simply, holding them out.

Yuji blinked and took them hesitantly, the fabric warm and soft against his arms. He looked up at Sukuna. “W-who’s… that?”

Sukuna leaned against the arm of a chair, watching him with a lazy smile. “One of my men. He takes care of things around here.”

The servant bowed slightly and stepped back without another word, disappearing into the quiet halls.

Yuji clutched the bundle tighter. “So… you have people working for you? Like, all the time?”

“Of course,” Sukuna said smoothly, his gaze sharp and amused. “You didn’t think I iron my own shirts, did you?”

Yuji flushed, mumbling, “N-no, I just… It’s weird. I’ve never had someone just… hand me clothes before.”

Sukuna tilted his head, eyes narrowing with interest. “Get used to it.”

Yuji shuffled into the guest bathroom with the clothes in his arms. He closed the door and stared at them under the warm light—dark, soft fabric that felt heavier and smoother than anything he owned. Just touching them made him nervous, like he wasn’t worthy of even holding them.

He changed quickly, folding his old clothes into a pile on the counter. When he slipped the shirt over his head, it hugged his shoulders perfectly, the fabric cooling against his skin. The pants fit just right too, no sagging, no awkward length—like they’d been made for him.

Yuji caught his reflection in the mirror and froze. He looked… different. Not like the struggling boy who couldn’t get through a job interview, not like the guy who counted coins at the convenience store. He looked like someone who belonged in Sukuna’s world, at least on the surface.

And that realization made his stomach twist.

When he came back out, he tugged nervously at the hem of the shirt. “It’s, uh… really nice,” he mumbled, cheeks warming. “Too nice. I feel like I’m gonna break it just by wearing it.”

Sukuna’s eyes swept over him slowly, deliberately, before his lips curved into a smirk. “You won’t break it. Clothes like that aren’t cheap. They’re made to last.”

Yuji swallowed, shifting on his feet. “Still feels like I shouldn’t… I dunno. Like I don’t deserve it.”

Sukuna leaned back in his chair, resting his chin against his hand. “Deserve has nothing to do with it, brat. You look good. That’s all that matters.”

Yuji’s heart gave a nervous flutter at the blunt compliment, and he quickly looked down, fiddling with the sleeves.

He shifted awkwardly in the expensive clothes, his eyes fixed on the floor. “Sukuna… I’m really sorry. About the money. I should’ve been more careful. You trusted me with it, and now it’s gone. I… I’ll pay you back, somehow.”

Sukuna, who had been heading for the door, paused. His tall frame filled the doorway, the dim light catching the sharp lines of his face. For a moment, Yuji braced for anger, another cutting remark.

Instead, Sukuna let out a low chuckle. “Doesn’t matter.”

Yuji blinked up at him, stunned. “…It doesn’t?”

“No,” Sukuna said, his tone smooth, unreadable. “What’s lost is lost. I’ll take care of you regardless.”

Yuji’s shoulders sagged in relief, a soft “thank you” slipping from his lips.

Sukuna turned, stepping out into the hallway, but just before he vanished from sight, a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth—sharp, knowing, dangerous—the kind of smirk Yuji didn’t see.

Sukuna’s footsteps were silent against the polished floor as he entered his room. The door clicked shut behind him, and the quiet of the penthouse seemed to thicken around him.

He crossed the space with unhurried grace, pulling open a sleek drawer built into the dark wood of his dresser. Inside, resting neatly among other valuables, lay the missing envelope.

Sukuna plucked it out with two fingers, fanning the bills slightly before tucking them back in place. His reflection in the mirrored panel above caught the curve of his grin—sharp, predatory, utterly satisfied.

“Too easy,” he murmured to himself, shutting the drawer with a soft click.

He leaned back against the dresser, arms folded, eyes glinting with quiet amusement. “The brat clung to me like I’m his last breath. Desperate. Scared. Exactly where I want him.”

His smirk deepened as he pictured Yuji pacing nervously in the other room, drowning in gratitude, never once suspecting.

“All just as planned,” Sukuna whispered, low and certain.

Sukuna rested his hand over the drawer, tapping his fingers idly against the polished wood. His grin lingered, curling wider as his thoughts wandered.

“Pathetic little brat,” he muttered under his breath. “Crying over a few bills, apologizing like he owes me his life… and maybe he does.”

He pushed off the dresser and moved toward the window, the city sprawled out beneath him in endless glittering lights. His reflection on the glass caught the hungry tilt of his smirk.

“He’ll keep thinking he’s in debt. That he needs to pay me back.” Sukuna’s voice dropped into a near growl, his tongue clicking softly. “And when he finally asks me how… well.”

His eyes narrowed, amusement and desire mingling in the glint.

“I can already picture it,” he drawled. “That flustered look, the way he stutters when I get too close. The brat in my bed, red-faced, begging, thinking he’s the one making it up to me…”

He chuckled darkly, tilting his head back, imagining Yuji’s warmth against him. “Might be the sweetest repayment I’ve ever taken.”

Chapter Text

Sukuna reappeared in the hall as if nothing had delayed him. Yuji quickly stood from the couch, tugging nervously at the hem of the shirt he’d borrowed, still looking small and out of place in the enormous space.

“You’ve barely looked around,” Sukuna said, his tone light, almost teasing. “Come. I’ll show you.”

Yuji followed obediently as Sukuna led him through the penthouse—gleaming kitchen, living room that looked more like a lounge in some high-end hotel, walls lined with shelves that held more bottles and books than Yuji could count. The sheer size made Yuji dizzy.

“And here,” Sukuna said at last, pushing open a door, “is where you’ll sleep.”

Yuji peeked in. The room was bigger than his entire apartment—clean white sheets, a massive bed, soft light spilling from lamps that looked more expensive than his monthly rent. He swallowed hard. “This is… for me?”

Sukuna stepped closer, a smile curving over his lips. This one was different—warmer, almost gentle. “Of course. But—” he let his hand brush Yuji’s shoulder, voice dipping lower, “if you don’t want to be alone, my bed is always open.”

Yuji’s face went scarlet in an instant. “W-what? No, I—I mean, thank you, but—” He rubbed at his arm, tripping over his words. “That’s… that’s too much.”

Sukuna chuckled, leaning in just enough for Yuji to feel the weight of his presence. “Think about it. Sometimes it’s easier to sleep with company.”

Yuji’s heart hammered, his eyes darting to the floor. “…Maybe.”

The tour continued—room after room that Yuji could hardly believe were all under one roof. An office lined with dark shelves, a balcony with a view of the city that made Yuji’s chest tighten, even a private lounge space that felt more like a secret club.

Sukuna moved through it all with casual grace, like a king showing off his kingdom. Yuji trailed behind, wide-eyed, murmuring polite little “wows” and “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

When the tour ended, Sukuna simply clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Get some rest. You’ll need it.”

Yuji nodded quickly, trying not to look too flustered at the touch. “Goodnight, Sukuna.”

Yuji lay alone in the massive bed, swallowed by the blankets, staring up at the high ceiling. The sheets smelled faintly of cedar and something sharp, probably Sukuna’s perfume.

It felt wrong, almost—this much space, this much comfort, when just last night he’d been curled up in fear inside his tiny apartment.

But what weighed on him most wasn’t the size of the room or the bed. It was Sukuna.

Yuji turned on his side, hugging a pillow tight against his chest. He kept replaying Sukuna’s words: my bed is always open. The way he’d smiled, warm and sure.

His cheeks heated. “What did he mean by that? Does he… want me there? Or was he just teasing…?”

The thought made his stomach twist. He tried to shake it off, but Sukuna’s image lingered—strong hand at the back of his neck, that confident smirk, the soft rumble of his voice.

Yuji pressed his face into the pillow, muffling a groan. “…Why am I even thinking about this?”

But still, he couldn’t stop.

Yuji tossed and turned, the sheets twisting around his legs. No matter how he curled up, he couldn’t relax. The bed was too big, too empty. And his head was too loud—thoughts circling back to Sukuna again and again.

Finally, with a frustrated sigh, he sat up. “This is stupid,” he muttered to himself. The silence of the penthouse pressed down on him, making his chest feel tight.

Almost without thinking, his feet carried him out of the room. The hall was dim, the air cooler. Yuji hesitated, then padded quietly down to the one door he knew must be Sukuna’s. His hand lingered on the knob for a second. What if he’s asleep? What if he gets mad?

But the thought of lying alone, restless and miserable, pushed him forward. He turned the handle and slipped inside.

The room was dark except for the glow of a laptop screen. Sukuna sat at a sleek desk, posture relaxed, one hand propping up his chin as the other tapped lazily at the keys. He didn’t even glance up at first.

Yuji froze in the doorway, suddenly aware of how intrusive this was. “…Uh…”

Sukuna’s voice came low, calm, but edged with amusement. “You walk into my room without knocking, brat?”

Yuji’s face burned, and he almost backed out immediately. “S-sorry! I just— I couldn’t sleep. The bed’s… it’s too much. Too big.” He shifted on his feet, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to bother you.”

At that, Sukuna finally looked up from the laptop. His eyes caught the light, sharp and unreadable, before they softened into a slow, deliberate smile.

“Couldn’t sleep, hm?” he murmured. “Then maybe you’re in the wrong bed.”

Yuji shifted nervously in the doorway, clutching the frame like it could hold him up. “I-I just… couldn’t sleep,” he mumbled again.

Sukuna leaned back in his chair, shutting the laptop with a quiet click. His smirk stretched wider. “Couldn’t sleep. In a bed big enough for three people.”

Yuji’s ears went hot. “It’s not— It’s just… weird, okay? Too quiet.”

Sukuna tilted his head, studying him. “So you wandered all the way in here. Without knocking. That’s not ‘weird,’ brat. That’s… bold.”

Yuji shook his head quickly, flustered. “No! I wasn’t— I mean, I didn’t think—”

“Then what did you think?” Sukuna cut in smoothly, his voice dipping low. He rose from the chair with slow, measured steps, closing the distance between them until Yuji had to tip his head back to meet his gaze.

Yuji swallowed hard. “…I just—didn’t want to be alone.”

Sukuna’s grin sharpened. “There it is.” His hand lifted, brushing Yuji’s jaw lightly, almost mockingly tender. “All that fumbling around when all you had to say was you wanted me.”

Yuji’s chest tightened, his breath shaky. “T-that’s not… what I—”

Sukuna chuckled, leaning close enough that Yuji could feel the warmth of his breath. “Then tell me. Why are you here?”

Yuji’s eyes darted away, but his voice came out soft, almost ashamed: “…Because I feel safer when you’re around.”

Sukuna’s smirk lingered, but his posture shifted slightly, folding back into that effortless composure. “Hm. I need to finish something here. Work, you could say.”

Yuji blinked, flustered and caught between wanting to stay and not wanting to bother him. “…O-okay,” he murmured.

“Good,” Sukuna said, voice smooth but firm. “Go. Take my bed.” He gestured lazily toward the massive sheets. “I don’t want you wandering around anymore, thinking about who knows what. Sleep. I’ll be done soon enough.”

Yuji hesitated a moment, cheeks burning, before nodding quickly. He slipped past Sukuna, the room suddenly feeling impossibly large, the glow from the laptop casting long shadows along the floor.

Once on the bed, Yuji curled up, hugging the blankets tightly, heart still racing. The thought that Sukuna—so calm, so untouchable—had given him permission to occupy his bed made his stomach twist.

He pressed his face into the pillow, whispering to himself, “…Safe… I really do feel safer when he’s around.”

From across the room, Sukuna’s eyes flicked briefly toward him. That familiar smirk tugged at his lips, unreadable, and then he returned to the screen, fingers tapping lazily, letting Yuji stew in his mixture of relief, embarrassment, and longing.

* * *

The soft tapping of keys finally stopped. Yuji, curled up under the heavy covers, peeked over the blanket. Sukuna had closed the laptop and stood, stretching with a quiet roll of his shoulders.

Yuji quickly shut his eyes again, pretending to be asleep. But his body betrayed him—tense, restless, heart thundering against his ribs.

Footsteps crossed the room. They stopped right at the side of the bed. Yuji couldn’t help it—he turned slightly, just enough to see.

Sukuna was standing there, looking down at him. For a moment, he simply smirked. Then, without a word, he reached for the hem of his t-shirt.

Yuji’s eyes widened before he could stop himself. The shirt lifted, sliding up over Sukuna’s torso. His muscles caught the low light of the room, carved with lines of strength Yuji had only half-expected. Shoulders broad, chest defined, abs marked like stone. And across that body—ink. Tattoos curling and weaving, black patterns that hugged his skin like they’d always belonged there.

Yuji’s throat went dry. He knew he should look away, but his gaze stuck stubbornly, helplessly, drinking in every detail. Holy crap… he’s built. Like… like those models in magazines. But real. Right in front of me.

The shirt fell to the side. Then Sukuna’s fingers moved lower, unfastening his pants. Yuji froze. Wait, wait—what’s he doing—

With the same casual confidence, Sukuna stepped out of the fabric, leaving only dark boxer shorts clinging to him. His tattoos stretched down his thighs, ink curling dangerously along muscle and skin.

Yuji’s whole body felt hot under the blankets. He’s—he’s practically naked—what the hell—

Sukuna smirked again, clearly catching the stunned look in Yuji’s wide eyes. He didn’t say anything, though, as if the silence itself was a game. He simply leaned down, grabbed the edge of the blankets, and pulled them back with deliberate slowness.

Yuji’s breath caught, his hands gripping the sheets instinctively. His mind spun—he’s huge, he’s scary, he’s… beautiful? Why am I even thinking that?

Every nerve in his body buzzed, torn between panic and something he couldn’t name.

Sukuna slid one knee onto the bed, close enough that Yuji could feel the dip of the mattress. His voice dropped low, smooth and dark. “Still awake, brat?”

Yuji’s lips parted, but for a second, no sound came out. Finally, a shaky whisper: “…Y-yeah.”

And his heartbeat was so loud, he wondered if Sukuna could hear it.

Yuji instinctively curled tighter into himself, clutching the blankets up to his chin.

Then Sukuna’s arm slid smoothly around his waist, pulling him back.

Yuji sucked in a sharp breath, his whole body stiffening as Sukuna’s chest pressed against his back. The man’s warmth seeped through the thin layers of fabric separating them. His breath brushed over Yuji’s ear, steady, unhurried, like he had all the time in the world.

Yuji’s mind raced. What do I do? What does he want? He’s so close—too close. I should move—I should say something—but… why can’t I? His fingers trembled where they gripped the sheets.

Sukuna’s hold tightened just enough to keep Yuji still. Then, slowly, deliberately, his lips grazed the side of Yuji’s neck. A kiss—light, soft, almost tender despite how wrong it felt.

Yuji shivered violently. “S-Sukuna…” His voice was barely a whisper, shaky and unsure.

Sukuna chuckled low against his skin, the vibration sending another shiver down Yuji’s spine. “Relax.” he murmured, lips brushing his neck again, lingering longer this time. “You’re shaking like a leaf.”

Yuji’s heart hammered so loudly he swore the whole house could hear it. His body wanted to pull away, but at the same time, some part of him melted into the warmth.

I shouldn’t like this. I don’t know what I’m doing. But… why does it feel so safe?

Yuji squeezed his eyes shut, the heat in his cheeks almost painful. Sukuna’s lips lingered at his neck, and the silence stretched so thick it was unbearable. His mouth moved before his brain caught up.

“W-what… what are you doing?”

The words tumbled out clumsily and panicked, his voice cracking halfway through.

Sukuna stilled for a second, then let out a soft laugh that rumbled low in his chest, his breath ghosting over Yuji’s skin. “What does it feel like I’m doing?”

Yuji’s throat tightened. His mind scrambled for an answer but came up empty. He could only stammer, “I-I don’t know… I—” His fingers twisted in the blanket until his knuckles turned white.

Sukuna pressed closer, his arm firm around Yuji’s waist, his lips brushing his ear now. “You don’t need to know yet,” he whispered, tone smooth, deliberate. “Just stay still.”

Yuji’s pulse spiked so hard it hurt. His body was betraying him—half frozen, half trembling, caught between fear and a strange pull toward the warmth behind him. I can’t move. I should move… but why do I want to stay?

“You’re trembling,” Sukuna murmured against his ear, his voice velvet and edged with amusement. “Scared… or excited?”

Yuji’s heart lurched. “I—I’m not—” He couldn’t even finish the sentence. The words caught in his throat, tangled in the heat spreading through him.

Sukuna chuckled, low and dark, the sound vibrating through Yuji’s back. “You don’t even know, do you?” His lips brushed Yuji’s jaw now, grazing along the edge, slow and deliberate. “Poor boy… doesn’t know what he wants.”

“I-I just… I don’t…” Yuji stammered, clutching at the sheets like they might anchor him. Why can’t I think straight? Why does it feel good when it shouldn’t?

Sukuna tilted his head so that his mouth lingered right by Yuji’s cheek, close enough that Yuji swore he could feel the smirk in every word. “Maybe I should help you figure it out.”

Yuji’s eyes flew open, wide and panicked, but his body stayed pinned in place, frozen between fleeing and leaning closer. “S-stop teasing me…” he whispered, though it came out thin, weak, more like a plea than a protest.

That only made Sukuna laugh again, softer this time. “Oh, but you’re so much fun when you’re confused.” His thumb began stroking slow, idle circles against Yuji’s stomach. “Adorable, really.”

Yuji’s face burned hotter. Why does it feel like he’s in control of my heartbeat too?

His breath stuttered, shallow and uneven, as Sukuna’s hand lingered against his stomach. Just when Yuji thought he might pull away, those fingers slid lower—slow, deliberate—pressing against the waistband of his sweatpants.

Yuji jolted, clutching the sheets tighter. “W-wait—!” His voice cracked, half protest, half something else he didn’t dare name.

Sukuna only hummed, a dark, amused sound, his lips brushing the shell of Yuji’s ear. “Relax. I’m not doing anything… yet.” His thumb traced along the edge of the fabric, dipping just enough to make Yuji’s pulse spike.

“Y-you can’t—” Yuji’s words tangled into a choked breath when Sukuna pressed closer, his chest firm against Yuji’s back, his breath hot against Yuji’s neck.

“Can’t what?” Sukuna’s voice dropped lower, velvet-smooth, every syllable dripping with control. His fingers grazed over Yuji’s hipbone, not quite venturing further, but close enough that Yuji’s whole body tensed in anticipation. “Touch you? Make you squirm?”

Yuji’s face flamed, his heart hammering so loud it drowned out everything else. “Th-that’s not— I’m not—” His throat closed around the rest, the denial collapsing before it could leave.

Sukuna chuckled, quiet and dangerous, and pressed a soft, mocking kiss just below Yuji’s ear. “Your body doesn’t lie, brat.”

Yuji shivered hard, torn between jerking away and melting into the heat wrapping around him. Why… why does it feel good when I should hate it?

* * *

Yuji’s voice was barely audible, a trembling whisper that cut through the tension in the room. “I… I just want to sleep now…”

Sukuna’s hand paused for a heartbeat, then he let out a soft hum, low and approving. “Hmm… finally, some honesty,” he murmured.

Slowly, carefully, Sukuna shifted, easing Yuji back against him. His chest pressed warm and solid against Yuji’s back, his arm sliding around the boy’s waist to anchor him in place. Yuji’s hands clutched the sheets, still tense, but gradually relaxing under the steady weight of Sukuna’s body.

Sukuna’s lips brushed the shell of Yuji’s ear once more, a soft, almost tender kiss. “Sleep,” he whispered, voice low and velvety. “I’m right here. Nothing’s going to happen to you.”

Yuji’s pulse finally began to slow, the tremors in his hands fading as he buried his face into the pillow. The steady warmth, the rhythm of Sukuna’s breathing, the quiet power radiating from him—all of it calmed something inside Yuji that had been raw and tense for months.

“I… I feel safe,” Yuji admitted in a tiny, muffled voice, not daring to open his eyes.

Sukuna chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through his chest. “Good. That’s exactly how I want you to feel.”

Minutes passed in silence, broken only by their quiet breaths. Yuji’s body gradually melted into Sukuna’s hold, the tension draining away, and for the first time in a long while, he drifted toward sleep.

Sukuna’s hand rested lightly on Yuji’s side, fingers brushing now and then over the warmth of his skin, a subtle reminder of control and possession. And though he didn’t speak again, his presence was a steady, reassuring weight, keeping Yuji grounded as exhaustion finally claimed him.

Yuji’s last thought before sleep took him completely: Maybe… being close to him like this isn’t so bad.

Chapter Text

The first thing Yuji felt when his eyes blinked open was warmth. Heavy, unrelenting warmth pressing against his back. The second thing he noticed was movement—subtle, steady, almost rhythmic.

His breath hitched. Sukuna was pressed flush against him, body solid, radiating heat like a furnace. And Sukuna was moving. Rubbing against him. Slowly, deliberately.

Yuji’s face flared crimson. Is he—?!

Before Yuji could shift away, he realized something else: Sukuna’s hand. Somehow, during the night, it had slipped beneath his shirt, palm wide and heavy against Yuji’s chest. The tips of his fingers rested just below his collarbone, thumb brushing faintly over the skin as though he’d been doing it unconsciously in his sleep.

Yuji’s heart raced so violently he was sure it would wake Sukuna. His whole body tensed, torn between jerking away and staying frozen, pretending he was still asleep. What do I do? What do I do?

A low sound—half groan, half chuckle—rumbled against his ear. “Awake already, brat?” Sukuna’s voice was thick with sleep but edged with amusement. His breath was warm, ghosting against Yuji’s neck.

Yuji swallowed hard. “Y-you… your hand…”

“Oh?” Sukuna flexed his fingers deliberately, sliding his palm a little lower across Yuji’s chest. “This hand?” His tone was mocking, lazy, like he’d been caught red-handed and didn’t care at all.

Yuji shivered, heat rushing through him. “Y-you can’t just—”

Sukuna pressed closer, grinding his hips just enough that Yuji felt it, unmistakable and real. His lips brushed Yuji’s shoulder in a slow kiss. “I can do whatever I want.”

Yuji’s throat tightened, caught between panic and something shamefully close to curiosity. Why does my body feel… weird?

* * *

Yuji tried to suck in a breath, but it came out shaky, trembling. Sukuna’s hand moved deliberately now, no longer a sleepy accident—his palm flattening against Yuji’s chest, fingers spreading wider, thumb brushing over the curve of his pec as if testing the texture of his skin.

Yuji jolted, heat shooting through him. “S-Sukuna—!”

“Mm.” Sukuna’s hum vibrated against Yuji’s back as he massaged slowly, kneading the muscle beneath his palm. “Soft,” he drawled, low and satisfied. “Didn’t think you’d be this sensitive.”

“I’m not—!” Yuji protested, but the words cracked, betraying him. His face was burning, his body stiff as a board even as Sukuna’s fingers pressed firmer, circling and dragging across his chest in a steady rhythm. Every touch sent sparks racing through nerves Yuji didn’t even know existed.

Sukuna leaned in, lips brushing the back of Yuji’s ear. “Then why are you squirming?” he whispered, hot breath sending shivers down Yuji’s spine. “Why are you shaking?”

Yuji squeezed his eyes shut, gripping the blanket so hard his knuckles whitened. “I—I don’t know!” he blurted, voice raw, confused. Why does it feel like this? Why can’t I move?

Sukuna chuckled, low and cruel, his hand continuing to knead and tease Yuji’s chest. “Pathetic. You’ve never even been touched like this, have you?”

Yuji’s throat closed up, but his silence was answer enough.

Sukuna’s smirk was audible in his tone. “Thought so.” His hand pinched lightly, just enough to make Yuji gasp. 

His heart hammered wildly. His body was betraying him—every nerve buzzing under Sukuna’s palm, shame and heat tangled together in a way that left him utterly confused. Am I supposed to hate this… or…?

Sukuna’s hand was relentless, kneading, teasing, every movement deliberate. Then, as if he’d grown bored of the slow rhythm, his palm dragged lower—sliding down over Yuji’s stomach, fingers toying with the hem of his sweatpants.

Yuji gasped, his whole body jerking. “S-Sukuna—!”

“What?” Sukuna’s voice was a low purr against his ear, mocking yet patient, like he was coaxing a reaction. “You going to tell me to stop?”

Yuji’s throat locked. His lips parted, but no words came. The heat in his chest was nothing compared to the fire blooming lower, deep in his stomach, spreading fast.

Sukuna chuckled darkly. “That silence says everything.” His fingers brushed deliberately over the waistband, tugging it down just a fraction before letting it snap back into place.

Yuji’s body burned, shame twisting through him. Why there? Why does it feel so— His thoughts shattered when Sukuna pressed closer, his hips grinding against Yuji’s backside in a slow, unmistakable roll.

Yuji’s breath hitched violently. The heat between his legs flared, sharp and undeniable now. He clenched the sheets tighter, his voice breaking. “I—I feel… hot—”

Sukuna’s smirk curled against his neck, lips grazing his skin. “Good. You should.” His hand stroked over Yuji’s stomach again, fingers dipping lower, just shy of where Yuji’s body ached the most. “That’s your body learning who it belongs to.”

Yuji whimpered, torn between fear and a shameful rush of pleasure he didn’t know how to handle. His whole body trembled, the heat pooling between his thighs unbearable, confusing, impossible to ignore.

Sukuna’s voice was a whisper now, low and taunting, as his thumb toyed with the edge of Yuji’s pants. “Do you want me to show you more… or are you too much of a coward to admit it?”

* * *

Yuji’s breath came in sharp, uneven pulls, every nerve on fire. His fists clenched around the sheets until the fabric threatened to tear. He wanted to push Sukuna away, to say stop—but instead, without realizing, his body arched ever so slightly into the warmth of Sukuna’s palm.

The realization made his stomach drop. No—what am I doing? Why did I move closer?

Sukuna felt it instantly. Of course he did. A low chuckle rumbled against Yuji’s back, smug and amused. “See? Even when your mouth refuses, your body tells me the truth.” His fingers traced lower, teasing but not quite giving in. “You’re curious. Hungry, even.”

Yuji shook his head furiously, his voice trembling. “I-I’m not—! I don’t know what’s happening—”

Sukuna kissed the side of his neck, slow and lingering. “Shhh.” His tone softened, though it was no less intoxicating. “I can stop, brat. Right now. If you really don’t like it.”

The words hung heavy in the silence.

Yuji’s chest heaved, his lips parted to answer—tell him to stop, tell him you hate this—but nothing came. Instead, his body betrayed him again, his thighs pressing together instinctively against the unbearable heat growing between them.

Sukuna’s grin widened. “That’s what I thought.” He pressed another kiss to Yuji’s neck, softer this time, almost tender. “You won’t say it because you don’t want me to stop.”

Yuji’s face burned hotter than ever, shame and desire tangling until he couldn’t tell them apart. He’s wrong. He has to be wrong. But… then why can’t I say it?

Sukuna’s hand stroked once more over his stomach, fingers spreading wide, so close it made Yuji’s entire body tense in anticipation. “I’ll only take what you let me. But you’d better decide soon, Yuji… because the way you’re trembling, you’re already mine.”

The silence stretched so long Yuji thought it might crush him. His chest rose and fell too fast, his mind screaming say something, say stop, but the word that slipped past his lips was nothing like that.

“D-don’t… stop.”

The whisper was so faint it shocked even him. His eyes went wide, and shame slammed into his chest. Did I really just—

Sukuna’s laugh was low and satisfied, curling around Yuji like smoke. “Knew it.” His lips brushed against Yuji’s ear. “Knew you couldn’t resist me.”

Before Yuji could take the words back, Sukuna’s hand finally slipped lower—sliding beneath the waistband of his sweatpants with deliberate slowness. His palm pressed firmly against the heat there, the touch bold, claiming, making Yuji jolt hard against him.

Yuji gasped, his whole body stiffening. “Ah—!” His voice cracked, his face burning so hot it hurt.

Sukuna hummed deep in his throat, massaging with a lazy rhythm that made Yuji’s stomach twist with both panic and something darker. “So warm,” he murmured, savoring the way Yuji’s body reacted. “So sensitive. You’ve been starving without even knowing it.”

Yuji trembled violently, clutching the sheets, his mind spinning. This is wrong—this is—why does it feel— His thighs tried to clamp shut, but Sukuna’s hand was already between them, firm and unyielding.

“Don’t fight it,” Sukuna whispered, his voice a sinful caress. His thumb stroked along the seam of Yuji’s boxers, sending sparks through his entire body. “You begged me not to stop. Remember?”

Yuji whimpered, shame flooding him, but his body leaned back into Sukuna’s chest, betraying him all over again.

* * *

Yuji’s pulse thundered in his ears, his body caught between panic and surrender. Sukuna’s hand settled firmly inside his sweatpants now, cupping him through the thin fabric of his briefs.

“Easy…” Sukuna murmured, the word more command than comfort. His palm moved in a slow, steady rhythm, massaging gently, teasingly, like he was savoring every second of Yuji’s trembling.

Yuji’s breath came out in ragged gasps. His fists twisted the blanket tighter with every slow press of Sukuna’s hand. “I—I can’t—”

“Yes, you can,” Sukuna cut him off smoothly, lips brushing Yuji’s neck as he spoke. His thumb dragged lightly across the strained fabric, making Yuji jolt. “You’re already melting in my hand.”

Yuji’s thighs squeezed together instinctively, trying to contain the heat building between them, but Sukuna only pressed firmer, forcing his legs apart with a shift of his knee.

The slow, deliberate massage continued—gentle pressure, then release, Sukuna’s fingers stroking lazily up and down over the hardness straining against Yuji’s underwear. Every touch sent another wave of fire crawling up Yuji’s spine.

Yuji whimpered, muffling the sound in the pillow. His face was red hot, tears threatening at the corners of his eyes from how overwhelming it felt. Why… why does it feel good? Why can’t I tell him to stop?

Sukuna’s chuckle was low, wicked, and far too pleased. “That’s it. Let yourself feel it.” His hand squeezed lightly, making Yuji gasp, then resumed that maddeningly soft rhythm. “Your body’s learning who owns it.”

Yuji shivered hard, every nerve alight, the shame twisting into something he couldn’t name but couldn’t resist either.

The heat between Yuji's legs had become unbearable, twisting his stomach, making his thighs tremble.

Sukuna’s hand, once slow and teasing, shifted—his palm pressing firmer, his strokes faster, more deliberate. The steady rhythm left no room for Yuji to catch his breath.

“A-ah—!” Yuji gasped, his voice breaking as his hips jerked forward helplessly, betraying him. His hands clawed at the sheets, trying to ground himself against the waves of sensation rolling through his body.

Sukuna’s mouth curved into a smirk against his neck. “That’s it… don’t hold back.” His thumb pressed harder, dragging over the dampening spot on Yuji’s briefs, the friction maddening. “Show me how good it feels.”

Yuji’s face burned hotter, shame and pleasure tangling so tightly he couldn’t separate them. “I—I can’t— it’s too—!” His voice cracked, the words dissolving into a strangled sound as Sukuna’s pace increased, relentless and knowing.

“You can,” Sukuna whispered, his voice low, commanding, cruelly soft. His free arm held Yuji tighter against his chest, pinning him as his hand worked faster, squeezing, massaging, driving him toward the inevitable. “And you will.”

Yuji’s thighs shook violently now, his body arching against Sukuna’s touch despite his mind screaming no. The pressure in his stomach coiled tighter and tighter until it snapped—

“Ah—!”

Yuji convulsed, spilling into his briefs, his whole body trembling as the climax ripped through him. His chest heaved, his eyes squeezed shut, tears slipping free as a mixture of relief and humiliation overwhelmed him.

Sukuna didn’t stop right away—he milked every last twitch and shiver from Yuji before finally easing the pressure, his hand still resting possessively over Yuji’s soaked underwear.

Yuji buried his burning face into the pillow, trembling all over, too dazed to speak.

Sukuna chuckled darkly, satisfied. “Good boy.”

The bed dipped as Sukuna slipped out from behind Yuji. Yuji curled tighter into the blankets, face hidden, still trembling from everything that had just happened. He couldn’t even lift his head as Sukuna leaned down, brushing his lips once against Yuji’s temple.

“Stay here. I’ll bring you breakfast.”

Yuji only managed a faint nod, his voice lost somewhere in the back of his throat.

Sukuna smirked and left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.

But just outside, his servant was waiting—head bowed, eyes fixed on the floor. His ears burned red, his posture stiff. It was obvious he’d heard everything.

Sukuna stopped in front of him, tilting his head, sharp eyes narrowing in amusement. “What’s this?” His voice dripped with mockery. “Looking so guilty… like a boy caught stealing sweets.”

The servant swallowed hard, still staring at the ground. “Forgive me, sir. I didn’t mean to—”

“Didn’t mean to listen?” Sukuna cut in, a low laugh rumbling in his chest. He stepped closer, crowding the man until he was forced back against the wall. “Then why didn’t you move? Hm?”

The servant’s silence was answer enough.

Sukuna leaned in, close enough that his smirk was all the servant could see. “Be honest. You liked it, didn’t you? Hearing him whimper. Knowing I was the one making him break apart.” His tone was smooth, cruel, a knife wrapped in silk.

The servant’s breath hitched, his fists clenched at his sides.

“Pathetic,” Sukuna murmured, straightening with a laugh. He patted the servant’s cheek lightly, mockingly. “Next time, try harder not to enjoy yourself.”

The servant finally dared to lift his gaze, shame written across his face, but Sukuna was already walking toward the kitchen, smirk never fading.

* * *

In the quiet of the kitchen, Sukuna set a tray on the counter—eggs, toast, fruit, and coffee. His hands moved with deliberate ease, but his mind wasn’t on the food.

Instead, it was on Yuji.

That wide-eyed face from earlier, the way his body had trembled under Sukuna’s touch, torn between fear and need. It replayed in Sukuna’s mind like a reward, and his grin sharpened as he poured the coffee.

So sweet. So easy to break down.

Yuji’s innocence was almost laughable. He clung to gratitude, to kindness—blindly trusting that someone who gave him money and a bed must mean well. Sukuna knew exactly how to use that. Every soft word, every touch, every act of “kindness” was another chain wrapped around Yuji’s neck.

He’s already halfway mine, Sukuna thought, placing the last dish onto the tray. All I need to do is tighten the leash.

Balancing the tray effortlessly, he left the kitchen and returned to the bedroom.

Yuji was still curled in the sheets, eyes heavy, but he lifted his head as Sukuna walked in. There was color in his cheeks that hadn’t faded since earlier.

Sukuna set the tray down beside him and flashed a slow smile. “Breakfast in bed,” he said smoothly. “Eat up. You’ll need your strength.”

Yuji blinked at him, confused but flustered, and that only made Sukuna’s smile widen.

He picked up the fork, but his hand stalled mid-air. He glanced at Sukuna with a furrow in his brow.

“What do you mean by… I’ll need my strength?”

Sukuna chuckled low in his throat, lounging against the headboard as if he owned not only the bed, but Yuji himself. His eyes glittered with mischief.

“Don’t look so nervous. I simply have plans for us today.”

Yuji blinked, unsure. “Plans?”

“Yes.” Sukuna leaned closer. “I’ll be taking you to one of the places I run. A bar.”

Yuji’s fork clinked against the plate. “A bar?” His voice carried a mix of surprise and hesitation. “Like… a normal bar?”

Sukuna smirked. “Normal enough. Drinks, music, people. But it’s not the kind of place you’re used to, brat.” He let the word drag, teasing. “I want to see how you handle yourself in my world. Who knows—maybe you’ll even enjoy it.”

Yuji’s chest tightened. He wanted to protest, to say he wasn’t sure he belonged anywhere near Sukuna’s “world.” And yet, there was something magnetic about the way Sukuna said it, something that pulled him closer despite every instinct telling him to be careful.

“Eat up,” Sukuna added smoothly, brushing Yuji’s hair back from his face in a strangely gentle gesture. “We leave in two hours.”

* * *

Yuji sat on the edge of the massive bed with the tray balanced on his lap. His stomach twisted too much to really taste the food, but he forced down a few bites anyway. Across from him, Sukuna looked far too relaxed, scrolling on his phone like this was any other morning.

A bar… Yuji’s mind repeated the word over and over. He had never even been inside one before—at least not the kind Sukuna meant. His chest tightened. Why would Sukuna want me there? What’s he expecting from me? What if it’s dangerous? What if he wants me to…

Yuji’s face heated, his thoughts spiraling into places he didn’t want them to. Sukuna’s voice from earlier echoed in his head: “You’ll need your strength.” It sounded loaded. Heavy. Almost like a warning.

He gripped the fork tighter. Does he mean I’ll have to work for him? Like… help out at the bar? Or does he mean something else? Something worse?

When Yuji dared a glance at Sukuna, the man was smirking faintly, eyes flicking up from his phone as if he could read Yuji’s every thought. Yuji quickly dropped his gaze back to the plate, cheeks burning.

“Don’t think too hard,” Sukuna said smoothly, his tone almost playful. “You’ll ruin your appetite. Just be ready to follow my lead.”

That didn’t help Yuji’s nerves at all. If anything, it made his heart pound harder. Follow his lead…

He finished the last bites of breakfast in silence, nodding obediently whenever Sukuna’s sharp gaze lingered on him. He didn’t want to give away how fast his heart was racing.

Later

The world outside looked gray and muted as Yuji slid into Sukuna’s sleek black car. The tinted windows cast everything in shadow, almost like the outside world no longer mattered. It was just him and Sukuna, sealed away in the leather-scented quiet.

Yuji smoothed his palms nervously over his borrowed clothes—too expensive for him, too new—and stole a glance at the man next to him. Sukuna wasn’t driving; a silent chauffeur handled the wheel, and that somehow made everything worse. It made Sukuna free to lounge comfortably, one arm stretched along the backrest, his eyes fixed on Yuji with that unsettling half-smile.

The city streets slid past outside, invisible to anyone who might try to look in through the darkened glass. Yuji shifted in his seat, the silence pressing down on him until he finally whispered,

“Is this… really okay? Me going with you, I mean?”

Sukuna’s chuckle was low and smooth. “Of course it’s okay. You’re with me. No one’s going to question it.” He leaned closer, his hand landing casually on Yuji’s thigh, fingers spreading slowly, deliberately. “Besides… I’m curious to see how you’ll look in my world.”

Yuji swallowed hard, his reflection in the tinted glass staring back at him—wide-eyed, nervous, unsure.

What does he mean by that…?

The car slowed, pulling up to a building that didn’t stand out much at first glance. It was tucked between taller structures, its façade sleek and modern, with dark reflective windows that made it impossible to see inside. A black sign with minimal lettering hung above the door, lit just enough to catch the eye.

Yuji blinked at it, gripping his knees. “This is… the place?”

Sukuna smirked, already stepping out of the car before Yuji got an answer. The chauffeur held the door open for him, and Sukuna extended a hand lazily toward Yuji—half invitation, half command.

Yuji hesitated, then slid his hand into Sukuna’s warm palm. His pulse jumped at the easy strength in that grip as Sukuna pulled him up onto the curb.

The closer they came to the entrance, the heavier the air felt. From the outside, there was no music leaking through, no chatter, no neon glow. Just those dark windows, like they were hiding something.

Yuji shifted on his feet, whispering, “Why are the windows like that?”

Sukuna glanced down at him, amused. “Privacy. Not everyone likes to be seen when they drink—or when they do other things.”

The words sent a shiver down Yuji’s spine.

At the door, a tall man in a sharp suit greeted Sukuna with a bow. His eyes flicked to Yuji briefly, curious, but he didn’t say a word—just opened the door and stepped aside.

Warm air spilled out, carrying the low hum of bass, the faint clink of glass, and something rich—perfume and liquor and something Yuji couldn’t name.

Sukuna’s hand pressed lightly against Yuji’s back, guiding him forward. “Welcome to my bar.”