Your, (yes 🫵) reaction to finding my account

Context: College AU, Yearning, Childhood best friends to lovers (to ex and friends again), Diversion w/ herbivores and carnivores, Forbidden love, Grumpy x Sunshine, Teenage romance, loss of virginity, Breakup, Flashbacks, Drunk dialing? Fluff/angst/Eventual Smut, Rut/Heat, Fwb? Knotting, Reader is a Chital deer (they have prementant white spots!) Size difference, Happy ending, dad!kuna?

Part 1: Puppy love

Still thinking about how many parts will be added but thinking about 7 (but longer parts_

A/N: Im superrr exicted to write this series (and listening to sad music while writing (ah so excited!)) but fr, I'm really looking forward to it. currently working on part 2! I couldnt find the artist :(, ill update this if i do tho

Taglist open! In addition, please inform me if you’ll still like to be tagged when smut chapter are posted for this series—for those chapters, please make sure your age is listed somewhere on your bio/page, must be 18+)

°❀.ೃ࿔* Gem's Masterlist°❀.ೃ࿔*

In progress: Chapter 4: Chapter 5: Chapter 6: Chapter 7: Chapter 8: Chapter 9: Chapter 10: Chapter 11: Chapter 12:

Taglist currently on hold! (I’ll update this as soon as a figure out how many people I’m tagging) In addition, please inform me if you’ll still like to be tagged when smut chapter are posted for this series—for those chapters, please make sure your age is listed somewhere on your bio/page, must be 18+)

Dividers make by me

Art credit to howiiegen on X

It’s cold. No– actually, it’s moist. The hot air sticks to his naked body as he cries. It just feels cold because there's no warm body next to him. He’s barely been born, but even he knows he needs her.

He's crying, lungs taking in large breaths, and noises that escape him disturb life in the jungle. Born a burden. Finally, something– someone sniffs his pink hair, and he stops crying.

Mother?

His tiny fingers reach, coming in contact with a face. He coos. The sniffing from the stranger stops as well. She stays and takes a good look at what she’s given birth to.

He’s about to open his eyes, ready to see his caretaker, the one meant to love him. But it’s too late, she’s decided. As quickly as the contact came, it disappears just as fast.

She slowly backs away. The face he never got to see, slipping between his tiny hands, faint footsteps growing quieter.

He’s left to die for. And he wails harder like he knows he’s been abandoned.

He can't help but cry his heart out. All day, his lungs work overtime. Maybe if he’s loud enough, she’ll come back. But she never did. The sun sets, and it gets cold fast. He’ll die soon- but that was the purpose in the first place.

The parrots and monkeys hide away as the leopards and owls come out. And of course, the cursed spirits. They all want to devour him.

“Mine!” The curses shriek. “Pathetic,” the animals of the forest hiss, wanting him for themselves. “Too loud! We can end its suffering!” They’re cornering him, each wanting a limb from his defenseless body. Something slowly approaches them from behind, huge with thick black stripes on its body, paws, and jaws meant to kill and hunt.

A tigress spirit.

“It’s ours! We found it first!” Both animal and curse greedily growl at her.

But she’s not easily frightened, staring them down until they scramble out of her way and make a pathway.

Her head cranes down to sniff the baby. It’s familiar, her instincts telling her to care for this cub as her own, but his other side, the human part of him, makes her want to kill him that instant. A human doesn't belong in the forest. He chokes, wailing once more. Her ears flicker, a low hum coming from her. “He lives after abandonment.” 

The baby cries louder. “Stubborn to death…such willingness to keep living.”

The baby reaches out, small hand swatting her snout with no force. It takes her but a minute to decide what his mother could not.

“He belongs to me now,” his new adoptive mother declares, turning to face her now-enemies.

“Should any of you attempt to harm him, you will face the consequences.” With a bare of her canines, the spirits and animals halt and run back into the forest like cowards.

At long last, peace and warmth.

She settles down and curls her body around his small one.  “I shall call you… Ryomen Sukuna.” Her whiskers tickle his face. “It signifies ‘two-faced’.”

“You are not one of us, and nor shall you ever be.”

Her amber eyes look down at his fingers and feet.

“But neither are you one of them.” 

Eight years later.

“I cannot!” Sukuna huffed, knees scraped, and not on the verge of crying.

Once he learned to walk and run, she had him hunt and climb trees just like she would. The problem was, he wasn't a tiger, a cub– for her to teach survival skills at such a young age. He was still a boy, but his adopted mother didn't show…affection like most mothers do. She doesn't coddle or help him when he falls. “Again. Exactly as I taught you.”

Sukuna crouches, fingers against the dirt, trying to copy her exact hunting posture, but it's poorly executed.

He stays still, even if his back hurts, until finally, a small mouse leaves its burrow, its paws cleaning its face.

It’s vulnerable. Weak, like him. But it’s smaller. And only the ruthless live.

One of his hands steps forward and accidentally lands onto a twig. The noise is loud enough for his prey to turn and run. Sukuna pounces, but it’s clumsy, and he ends up falling on his ribs, not even close to catching it. He cries, gasping for air from the impact. 

His mother’s not impressed. “Return when you have succeeded.” With that said, she turns and leaves. 

Sukuna scrambles to his muddy feet, panic flashing in his eyes. She doesn't have to say it, but he shouldn't even think of coming back to the den if he doesn't bring something back.

All day, he fails to capture small animals. They’re too fast, slipping from his fingers if they’re quick enough, or they bite onto his hand.

Hours pass, and his whole body aches. He just wants to curl up next to his mother and use her tail as a blanket. Sukuna lets himself daydream, maybe she’ll bathe him after his day’s hard work, licking off any cuts on his palms and knees. But he can’t go back– not unless he slays something– anything at this point. The sun is leaving, and it’s getting colder. He’ll need to return to the den soon, or else he’ll become the prey of many. He steps on damp leaves, already planning how he’ll survive on his own. But then, his ears flick at a small noise. In response, he immediately crouches, just like he was taught. A small mouse– probably a runt- sniffs around. It’s lost, but looking for food. Just like him. He doesn't move until the mouse turns its back against him, then he pounces. Even if it’s a runt, it fights for its life. But Sukuna won't let it escape, not this time. It’s his last chance. The noises of struggle pain his ears, calling for help– it squirms and bites his hand– it escapes his grip, but he chases it until it’s in his palm again. His fingers curl, nails that took hours to sharpen– digging them into its fur. The creature’s warmth and need to live make him hesitate, because it’s just like him. Sukuna inhales, growling at himself before his grip tightens. The small rodent stops squirming, and its shrieking turns silent. He cups the lifeless body, sighing before rushing back to the den. And she’s waiting outside. On the cliff, watching the lives down at the village, they're far enough away for safety.

He steps quietly, bowing and delicately placing the mouse beneath her paws. “I have not disappointed you…Mother.” The last word comes out hesitantly, skeptical, because how could such a powerful being take in a puny thing like him? She turns to face him, one of her paws pushing the prey toward him, silently offering it to him. Sukuna doesn’t hesitate, dipping to grab it and taking a bite. By the time he’s finished, he sits beside her, glancing down at the village with her. But she can see the curiosity in his wide eyes. “You will not set foot there.” He knows not to question her, but– “They are– like me. Two feet.” Sukuna mumbles, looking down at his wiggling toes and useless fingernails, and then back at his mother’s large paws and purposeful claws. “Could–” “Mankind,” She interrupts him, “should not be trusted.” Sukuna fists his hands together, tearing his eyes away from the civilization. “Understood?” 

He shakes his head. “Yes.” She walks away, and he follows her back to the den.

And that should’ve been the end of it, the mention of humans and their village. But Sukuna’s always been stubborn.

The night’s colder, and the jungle looks darker, scarier now. He’s escaped without a scratch, but at the cost of the only life he cared about.

He runs as fast as he can up the mountains. He knows it, every loop and curve, unlike the men chasing him. 

“Abomination!”

“Monster!”

They hold torches, ready to hunt down a naked, scrawny boy with pink hair and a tiger tail. His speed can’t keep up with their large steps– so before they can catch up, he turns quickly and slides beneath a burrow underneath tree roots. Sukuna forces himself not to cough when cobwebs drag across his face, and he covers his mouth so they won't hear his panting.

The men run past him. The footsteps become faint, and he uncovers his mouth, lips trembling. But before he can even process what’s happening, or even cry, something tickles his ear. “The disssgraced one.” A snake crackles, slithering around his body. “Her death is your fault, is it not?” It knows he’s no longer protected. Not with the pained roar it heard coming from the village, followed by the men's yelling with weapons.

The snake's body slides slowly before tightening around his neck until he chokes out. “Don't fret, you’ll see her soon.” His fingers grasp and dig into its scales, gasping for air. 

Part of him thinks he might not make it. But there’s a reason why his mother took him in. She saw it in him- the rebellion, always going against what the world tells him to. Unfortunately, it's the same reason why she died. He lifts his head, gaining more space until his jaw cracks open. “Not before you do!” Sukuna’s canines bite down onto its body.

Twenty-five years later

“Do not disturb him!” The ones that once wanted to devour him tremble in fear.

Sukuna rests on a throne, or on a stump of wood and trunks that had almost formed itself just for him. It had built over time, just as he has. 

No longer skin and bones, but replaced with muscles. Long pink hair that reaches his shoulders, matching the thick hair trailing down on his lower abdomen, the patch of fur doing little to hide his more… masculine parts. His legs are spread, but the rodents' squeaky voices disturb his rest. 

Crimson eyes open to watch the bamboo rats' failed attempt to discreetly pass him. A mother leading her pups follows ahead, glancing back at Sukuna with fear. His index finger taps against his bare thigh, thinking, but rats notice his movements and try to make a run for it. He’s faster, sliding his feet and stepping on the mother’s tail with a loud squeak. “Please– my lord, I have a family!” Sukuna chuckles, reaching out to take her tail and lift her to his eye level. “Has that, at any time, stopped me?” The rodent shakes in fear. He slowly clicks his tongue, then looks at his feet, the young rats pathetically yelling and crying. His gaze returns to her. “Idiot, there’s not enough meat on your bones.” She looks relieved, tension leaving her tiny body. His mouth crinkles into a wicked grin, showing off his large canines. “But you may serve as a snack–” Sukuna flicks his hand, so her tail wraps around his fist and he opens his mouth. “Wait!” the mother rodent yells, refusing to die and leave her young. “How about the humans!”

He halts, jaw flexing as he closes it again. Sukuna squints his eyes, looking straight into hers. “And what of them?” “Ah- uh, why food, of course!” The idea was absurd. Why would he eat his own kind? But even if she may die, at least she’s giving her little ones time to escape. “Humans.” “Humans,” She repeats eagerly, nodding her snout. “They are enormous, but unintelligent.” Sukuna doesn’t say anything. “Very well…” His fingers twist the rat’s body with his pointed nails, making her squeak. “...I plan to make a visit.” He lets her go, carelessly throwing her behind his back and into the forest. Her children follow. But don’t mistake mercy for kindness, for the king of the beasts is anything but.

Causing chaos, families cry out, desperately running away. It started with one kill while everyone was sleeping in their homes. A man who looked far too much like the man who once chased him through the mountains years ago.

Then another man, who had thrown the net over his mother’s body, and another– he who had pushed a spear in her ribs. An arm dangled from Sukuna’s mouth as he feasts. Maybe that foolish rat was right.

But the missing people every full moon start to become a routine.

Word spreads around about the devil hiding deep in the jungle, and it reaches the hybrid zoo and its executives. “We need to capture and bring him here, tiger hybrids are endangered– if we- ” one argues.

The other slams Sukuna’s file on the table. “He’s out of control– if anything, we need to euthanize him!”

“What he needs is rehabilitation!” “Are you mad? He’ll kill us all– ”

“We have to finest caretakers here– do you not think one will succeed in controlling this beast?” One, two, three. Three have failed to fix him. After their best, who else would dare to domesticate him? Well, you, of course. 

‧₊˚✩彡⦮ ⦯ ꠹

Sukuna grunts, waking up from his slumber. And immediately, he’s hit with a scent. Your scent. 

You don't have any fragrance on. No, it's all natural, probably because it’ll disturb your patients. Your scent– it’s musky, smells earthy and woody, and has a light sweat like you’ve been running back and forth. And he can smell the other hybrids you have to work with, especially one that dominates and probably brushes against you too much (a large cat?)

It clings to your uniform. And it disgusts him, really. How can one be all over their caregiver like a house pet?

Beep!

Sukuna doesn’t have to turn around to see that you’ve entered his enclosure. The shifting of your boots beneath the dirt and the door closing are warning enough that you’ve entered. 

But then again, why are you here? Is your skull too thick to realize he almost killed you yesterday? 

Apparently so. Maybe he should've thrown a spear instead, striking it to your heart. 

He knows he won't, not because he doesn't want or cannot, but because he knows you’ll eventually quit. He gives you a week, tops.

Sukuna grumbles and rests against his warmed-up high rock once again. His skin against the sun makes him drift back to sleep. Until his fluffy ears twitch at the noise of snipping, but he ignores it. Snip.

…Snip. Snip. Snip.

What the hell are you doing? Sukuna grumbles and lifts his head to see what. 

You're cutting the leaves at the entrance. “Hi again– Ryo–Sukuna. I’m just cleaning up some parts.” You smile at him so casually. You’re so strange. “Stop. You are disturbing my rest,” He rolls his eyes, turning away from you and lying down again. His pink tail thumps on the rock. “Okay! How about your breakfast then?” You quickly perk up after he disappears from your view.

He doesn't even move. 

“No? Alright, I’ll just have it to myself.” You sigh dramatically, letting the bucket hit the ground and bending down to retrieve a cut piece of meat. It's big enough to hold in one hand, and you give it a light squeeze, the blood dripping into the bucket.

His eyes immediately open, pupils turn into slits. He smells it. It’s freshly killed. “Ugh, my steak is too juicy, and too marbled.” Your voice is full of fake mourning. 

A low rumble comes from his chest, his tail flicking in annoyance. It sounds tempting. “Too red and thick–” You're so aggravating.

“Enough.” Sukuna barks, finally turning around to look down at you. He studied the bucket swaying in your hands. 

You look up at him, wide-eyed for a moment, holding the piece of meat in one hand before shoving the meat back into the metal and brightening. “Great!” 

You both look at each other for a moment until he speaks again. “Bring it here.” “Ah, right,” There's a dumb, folded look behind your eyes, but you quickly shake your head and try to think of how you'll get up to him.

His high rock is…well, high. You'll need to get all the way up there with one hand since the other is occupied with holding the bucket.

An “Oof!” and a loud thud follows after you fall.

Sukuna sighs boredly, looking at his sharp nails and half-paying attention to how you stumble and fail to climb the rock. “I’ll get there!” You yell from the very bottom. Your hand digs into the crevices of the rock. You know how to do this- you just need a few minutes. “The meat is aging by the minute.” He warns.

His tone is motivation enough. 

Your grunts echo, fingertips aching, but finally, he’s in full view. 

Shirtless like yesterday, sun-kissed skin, and acting as if he doesn't know you're right beside him.

You take a second to catch your breath before clearing your throat. “Would you like it–” “Feed it to me.” He tilts his chin, his eyes slowly peeling away from his nails to you. “Ah, but wouldn't you like it if it were cooked–” “I don’t like repeating myself.” The patience, if any, starts slipping. You look hesitant, but your hand eventually dips into the bucket. Your hand grabs a piece of cold, raw meat, rolling it against your palm before leaning closer to him. He opens his mouth lazily. You see the flash of his canines. They’re huge. The meat hits his mouth, which immediately snaps closed, causing you to flinch back.

Sukuna chews. “What's the matter, Keeper?” And he swallows. “Were you not informed that I eat my meat raw?” He sees the way you bite your inner lip, trying to look neutral. “It doesn't bother me.” “Feed me another.” He scoffs.

And you do.

“Do not- ” a slight jolt for you-

“- drop it.” He hisses and has to duck to catch the meat. You look down into the bucket to see how much of this torture you have to go through, and thankfully, there’s a last piece. You move slowly, placing the meat right on his tongue. His jaw snaps again, but this time his teeth press against your finger. Your eyes widen, body frozen in place, and the piece of meat drops on the rock, forgotten. “Did they truly not warn you about this little habit of mine?” The king of beasts mutters, rolling your index finger with his front teeth. “What?” You barely manage to whisper, unable to move.

“I do tend to crave…” A chill runs down your spine as you feel something rough– his tongue- on your finger, sucking the trails of blood.  ‘...human flesh.” 

You're still, until he finally decides to open his mouth, making you stumble back.

“You’re–” Your mouth opens, but no words come out. “A monster? Demon?” Sukuna suggests watching how you can't finish your sentence. 

“Don't come back.”

December- One Month Working with Ryomen Sukuna

Winter’s starting. His enclosure’s still the same, warm and comforting. Sukuna’s the one that turn cold, refusing to speak to you for a whole month. 

“I don’t know, Gojo.” Sighing tiredly, your hand patting his fuzzy ears for the whole conversation.

“Hm? Mmmmm,” He mutters, processing absolutely nothing of what you just said. One of his ears flicks, urging you to continue.

Your eye twitches, and then your index finger flexes. Then it flicks one of his ears, causing him to jolt away from your lap. “Jerk”

“You know they're sensitive!” Gojo hisses, pouting as he pats them down with his hands.

“You're no help.” Your arms cross over your chest and refuse to look at him. You're not sure why you're upset, it’s your job to figure out this tiger, not Gojo’s. 

He plops himself on the ground so you can look directly down at his face. Your frown makes him grin. “Fine, big baby. What does he like?”

You think for a minute. “I'm not sure.” And you don’t, over the past month, he’s shown no interest in anything.

“You should figure that out.” Gojo’s white tail sways back and forth before it settles on your lap.

Sukuna doesn't use any enrichment you provide, and quality time isn't something he’s very fond of.

… 

The steak. The only time he was…excited? He did enjoy that. “He likes to eat?”

“There you go.” He praises, a lazy smirk on his face as he watches you figure it out, face twisting in realization.

“I could bring more food…ah- but what type– live bait? Maybe, not yet,” You fingers tap your chin, brainstorming ideas. A bird? But he has so many in his enclosure, and he probably hunts them down with his bow and arrow. What is empty? His…lake! Your fingers snap. “Fish!”

“Thankyousomuch, Gojo–I’ll get fish for the lake and then–” You get up quickly, packing up, and taking out your keycard.

“Waitt, you still have five minutes with me!” He yells out, watching you leave.

ˋ°•*⁀➷ Chapter 1, Chapter 2 ˋ°•*⁀➷ Masterlist A/N: This took longer than expected, but I was also working on a new hybrid tiger sukuna series--and I won't lie, I felt silly writing his made-up backstory, it sounds a lot like Tarzan. Art credit: qitingyi on X

“Aha!” One hand holds the apple, feeling its weight, while your smile widens with triumph.

“See?” A sudden ego boost blossoms within you, to prove Sukuna wrong. You take a step back on the sideways trunk, and his ears flick. “Told ya- it’s–”

The lean wood shifts against your weight.

Your foot slips– a simple misstep and you're falling.

And screaming– eyes squeeze shut and preparing for the pain of hitting the ground.

But you never do. Instead, you're caught by a strong set of arms catching you mid-fall.

A sharp exhale escapes you, and one eye blinks slowly.

“Tell me what–?” Sukuna tsks, leaning in at your face with an unsatisfied expression.

Your floppy ears droop in embarrassment, and you hide your face behind the apple you risk your life for. “You distracted me– I was fine!”

“You were not fine,” he grunts, his hold on you tightening. He adjusts your body on his arms, your weight nothing to him, before settling you on a tree stump.

“Was to.”

Sukuna’s crimson eyes flick back at you, making your mouth clamp closed.

His hand pushes the fabric of your long dress up, searching for any scratches. “Your parents would kill me if–”

“They know I’m safe with you.” You interrupt, copying his furrowed brows and frown.

He scoffs in response. His fingers slide down to your ankles, and he pauses there. “Do they?” His brow raises.

Sukuna’s hand continues to touch your skin, gentle and soft caressing despite being ridiculously, dangerously huge.

His Adam's apple bobs, before he smooths out your dress and rests his head on your lap. “Think they’ll accept me as your boyfriend if you return with a broken leg?”

Your parents loved him…. when you were only a friend to him.

He was just baby ‘kuna’ then. They found it cute how he would stand up for you, and help you whenever you tripped. Sure, he was a carnivore hybrid, but that didn’t matter….

Until he slowly became something more.

They saw it before neither of you ever did.

That look in his eyes. The way his stare softened and lingered on you and only you, even when surrounded by others, smiling at you so casually, like it wasn’t a rare occurrence with anyone but you. And how he allowed you to call him whatever nicknames you made for him because you couldn’t pronounce it correctly as children.

“Come on, kids,— scoot closer, smile, do something! This photo is for your last year of high school.” Your dad had groaned, and the two of you stood awkwardly. Then Sukuna’s feet shifted, and his arm wrapped around your waist.

Your waist. Not your shoulder like a pal.

No two fingers behind your head to make bunny ears until you figure it out, and punch Sukuna’s chest and call him annoying.

No protest and whining, none of that ‘oh my gosh, seriously dad!’

No.

He simply pulled you closer, fingers tapping against your shirt and staring and the camera at that wasn’t clicking.

Your dad's suspicions spiked about something that wasn’t even there yet.

But blossoming.

Sukuna cleared his throat, and finally, your dad took the picture.

Suddenly, your parents were too busy to drop you off at his house. “Sweetie, you’ve been there a lot, don’t you want to hang out with your other friends?”

It confused you. Spending time with your best friend never was an issue.

They would point out every herbivore hybrid that passed by to see if you were even finding them attractive.

“So…any boys? It’s your last year, a lot of them make their moves around this time.” Your mom hummed, her fingers drumming anxiously against the steering wheel.

And they sure did. Sukuna had asked you out for homecoming. As friends, of course.

Until the dance had finished and you both kissed.

But you couldn’t tell your mom that. She would scowl whenever you even talked about him or brought him up in any conversation. She barely tolerated him now. You truly wanted to tell her the way your heart bursted, how nervous and gentle it was, and talk about it like mother and daughter should.

But, you lied instead.

Because your mom had lost that trust long ago.

“Yeah…actually, this new kid in my class.” You smile and look at the front mirror, meeting her eyes.

“Oh really?” She looked relieved, like a burden lifted from her shoulder, making your heart hurt. Did she dislike the idea of Sukuna that much?

“Yeah, mom. He’s cute.”

The real question came, the one in her mind the entire time. “What type of hybrid is he?”

“Hah! A herbivore, mom, what else? Never been attracted to anything else.”

Lie after lie after lie.

Did you feel guilty?

Partly.

Sure, they were your parents, but you knew that if they knew what you and Sukuna were now, they wouldn’t be supportive.

After two months of talking about a fake crush nonstop, they were finally convinced that Sukuna is, and always was, your best friend.

And they allowed you to spend time with him.

What they didn’t have to know was that the supposed hang out at the mall with many friends, turned out to be a very romantic date in the forest.

With your now boyfriend.

The memory, and Sukuna's question about your parents accepting him as no longer your friend, makes you frown. “Maybe not.”

“Thought so.” He clicks his tongue. “Can already imagine the lecture.”

You smile in return, eyes dropping to his lips as he mocks your parents' voice. “Stay away from that disruptive boy! He’s bad news!” His shoulders loosen at your giggle.

“What were you thinking? If you'd been with some handsome, mannered buck instead, this would have never happened.” He tries to keep the same mocking tone, but it slips the moment the word buck leaves his mouth, a low rumble creeping into his voice.

Sukuna snarls and purses his lips as if the words tasted disgusting.

Your eyes soften and in an attempt to lift his mood, you copy his tone, “And I’ll cry and yell, ‘but daddy, I love him!’”

It’s the first time you've admitted out loud that you love him.

Love him romantically at least. You knew you loved him years ago.

𓃴⋆ ˚｡ ⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡ ⋆𓃮

Children run out of the classroom, laughing and already swarming the playground.

A group gathers around, and a boy is discussing the rules of the game. “See! But that’s cheating, okay? You have to…”

The voice fades when you feel the presence of someone else. Your head turns all the way around, and you spot it– someone is lonely. A boy is crouching, holding a stick and tracing it on the sand beneath him.

Your first response is to invite him, of course. And that is exactly what you plan on doing.

“Where are you going?” Your sheep hybrid friend pulls your arm when you nudge away.

“He’s lonely.” You reply, looking back at the boy. “He can play with us!” A huge smile appears at the thought.

Your friend thinks otherwise.

Her head tilts, and her soft, white ears perk up in fear when she spots him. “No! My mommy said to stay away.” She whispers lowly.

A frown curls on your lips, and hesitation bubbles up. “Why?”

“He’s dangerous. Look,” Her hand points at his pink ears and long tail with stripes. “– a tiger.”

Your eyes squint like you're trying to make sense of the situation. “So?”

“He can hurt us!” She hisses like it’s the obvious answer.

But it still doesn't make sense to you. Your parents always taught you to be kind, despite being a herbivore or carnivore hybrid. “He won’t…I’m going,” and you pull free from her grip, walking to the lonely boy.

“Stop!” She whines, but stays put, looking nervously at the group chatting and now running around to play the game.

Sukuna huffs, drawing on the sand, oblivious that his future everything was behind him.

The others were afraid of him. He knew. The way they scrabbled when he passed by to grab crayons or a pencil from a cubby. Or when the teacher scolded him for carrying the scissors incorrectly, despite the others doing the same thing. It was fine, though. He didn't care.

He likes being alone. He didn't have to deal with annoying and endless talking. That is, until you entered his life.

“Hi!” A high-pitched voice suddenly squeals beside him.

Sukuna’s tail spikes up at the loud noise, making him stumble and fall back.

“Oh- sorry! I didn't want to scare you.” You scramble and reach your hand up to help him get up.

“Nothing scares me.” His eyes narrow when he gets a good look at you. Deer hybrid, delicate and weak, always tripping over your own feet. He scoffs, getting up by himself. “What do you want?”

When he fully stands up and dusts himself off, he realizes you're slightly taller than him. It makes his ears flatten against his head.

“Want to play with us?” Your smile is huge, short tail wagging in excitement.

“No.” Sukuna immediately answers. He’ll probably get called out on ‘playing too roughly’ with the others.

Your tail pauses for a moment before it wags again. “Okay! Can I draw with you?”

“Why?” He scoffs again, looking more confused than grumpy.

“Because I wanna.” There's a happy beam from you that makes his eyes squint.

A minute passes before he shrugs. “Kay.” As long as you're quiet and stay a few feet away, he doesn't see the issue.

He crouches down again and grabs his stick- before a shoulder bumps into his, invading his personal space, and immediately talking.

“Can I borrow the stick next– wait, what did you draw? Looks funny– wait, what’s your name, again?”

𓃴⋆ ˚｡ ⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡ ⋆𓃮

The word ‘love’ makes his head lift from your lap. A soft purr comes from Sukuna, satisfied, his large hands lightly squeezing your thighs.

“Hm, you’ll be grounded for eternity, young lady.” He flicks your knee, in response, your leg flick and almost kicks his face. But he holds your foot.

“For what? Telling the truth?”

Sukuna chuckles, placing your foot back on the ground. “Suppose so.”

Your chest feels warm and tight. Instead of staring at him with goo-goo eyes, you look back at the apple in your hands and bring it to your face and bite into it.

It’s sweet, juicy, the juices running down your chin, and your tongue swipes over your bottom lip to lick it off.

Excited with your new discovery, your head turns to Sukuna to tell him about it, but no need to grab his attention, because he’s already looking at you, red eyes tracing your lips.

“It’s really good.” You mutter while chewing on chunks.

In contentment and enjoying the flavor, your feet sway back and forth and your short tail wagging happily.

“Hm, have some.” Your hand practically pushes the apple in his face, a huge smile plastered on your face.

Sukuna pushes it away from him. “Tch- no, it’s just an apple, they all taste the goddamn same.”

Your ears droop a little before perking up again.

“Promise– this one tastes different!”

He sighs, scratching the back of his neck like he has to do this and chooses to please his girlfriend.

He gives in and leans to take a bite of the apple with a loud crunch.

“Good?” Your tail wags faster.

Sukuna raises a brow, continuing to chew before swallowing. “Like I said, nothing special ‘bout it.”

“Take another bite.” You huff stubbornly.

“What, no—”

“Take. Another. Bite.”

He clenches his jaw, narrowing his eyes.

If this were any other girl, well, he would’ve refused and walked away.

But it's you, so instead of arguing he gives in.

Again.

Sukuna grumbles, lifting his head to take another bite. Except he doesn't. He pushes the fruit out of his way and lunges at you instead.

His hand holds your jaw, and he takes his mouth on yours, tasting the lingering apple flavor on your lips.

He’ll never get tired of kissing these lips of yours.

After a minute, he finally pulls away, leaving you dizzy.

“You're right– it’s sweeter.” Those rare, lazy smirks appear before he nudges your chin with his knuckle. Your cheeks flush, and you turn your head away from him.

“I didn't mean–that’s not what…” You're hazy from the kiss, too flustered to face him. But Sukuna finds it the perfect time to keep pushing.

“No? Mind giving me another taste,” Sukuna chuckles, trying to get a look at your turned away face.

“Ryo– stop it!” You squeal and swat his face.

“C’mon, thought you wanted to prove it was ‘the best apple you ever had.’”

He accidentally kisses the side of your hair when you refuse to look at him.

“Mm.” He huffs with frustration and tackles you, peppering your face with pecks.

…

You had him acting like a puppy on a leash.

Who would’ve thought Sukuna could be such a softie when it came to true love?

Biting and kissing your cheeks every-time he had to the chance. Memorizing every part of you, inside and out.

But that’s just it.

That’s what dumb, idiotic puppy love does.

It twists your mind and heart, making you think that type of love is forever.

But it doesn't.

It really doesn't.

And you should’ve seen it coming. Did you really thing it would last?

The relationship never stood a chance!

With the way your parents didn’t see a future with him— the stares, whispers at school. The sadness and loss—

The two of you weren’t going to make it in this world.

You never belong with each other anyways.

You knew this from the beginning. You knew. He knew. But that didn’t matter to neither of you. Because he love you, and you loved him, that was all that mattered.

…

Silly, puppy love.

Three years later

“Sukuna.” Your voice pulls him into the present. He blinks and looks over at you.

You’ve grown more confident in your skin.

College has changed both of you.

You were still friendly and kind, with floppy ears that exposed your every feeling.

“The homework for yesterday’s class.” Your hand reaches for his, fisting it open and stacking the papers there so he can feel the sheer weight of what he missed.

“Fuck, this is all from one day?” Sukuna huffs, looking at the thick stack. He had a lot of catching up to do.

“Come next time, maybe you wouldn’t have to do so much.” Your grin almost makes him grin back, but he lifts the stack of papers, dreading the work he’ll need to catch up on.

“Yeah, yeah.” He responds with an eye roll.

Your lips curl into a warm, soft smile. You’ve never changed.

“Kay, I’ll see you later to study?” You slowly start walking away from him, waving goodbye.

“Maybe, I have shit to do.” Sukuna shrugs as he watches your back face him, walking further away. From him.

You’re happily strolling, probably heading to your next class of the day.

And he can’t help but stare off.

But out of the blue, a buck hybrid nearby wraps his arm around your waist and steals a kiss.

Your laugh rings in his ears, and your boyfriend follows, handing you a coffee as a surprise.

Sukuna exhales, shoving the papers into his backpack before moving.

Yeah…

You’re still you. Warm, compassionate, caring, and cheerful, as he’s always known you.

Your heart just belonged to someone else.

…

“Hey.” Sukuna sighs, a lion hybrid helps him take off his backpack from his shoulders.

You’re no longer his. That’s fine. It’s been years, why wouldn’t you moved on?

And him?

His girlfriend kisses him before she starts talking about her day, and hangs his jacket.

Sukuna’s eyes flicker.

Not the same lip shape he would kiss daily, multiply times in fact, till the were sore or swollen.

Weren’t the first one he kissed.

And hers lacked the lingering taste of a certain fruit.

That unique taste, that belonged, and only belonged to one person—

His lips curl as he exhale softly.

Yeah, no— he’s yours. Always will be.

Your lungs inhale greedily, taking in the scent of trees and crisp air, and you stand there for a minute while listening to your surroundings. Faint sounds of birds echo- wings flapping, and a croak. A little too loud, actually. Realization hits, and you turn your head just in time to see it- a toucan soars from above you. A beautiful animal and sight that makes you smile. 

You're cheesing, grinning way too hard. A place like this makes a zookeeper like you geek out.

But you’re not here for the enclosure, but for him…who you can’t seem to find anywhere. 

You clear your throat to make sure your voice will be loud enough. “Sukuna, it’s me! I’m back!” A few birds are spooked by the loudness of your voice and fly away, ensuring that he would indeed hear you if he weren't close by.

Swirling and taking in his enclosure, you finally sit on a rock nearby. “Your favorite specialist,” you whisper to yourself sarcastically.

Your hands clamp together and make a fist that rests on your lap, body rocking lightly. “I’ll be here!” 

You wait…and wait…and continue waiting.

You'd rather not look at your watch and realize how long you’ve been sitting here for. It’ll be hurting your own feelings.  

Staring at the dirt ground, your mind drifts and is reminded of yesterday.

“I just might.” Your chest rises and falls as the confident words spill out, eyebrows creased, and mouth agape. 

Sukuna simply stares at you, red eyes narrowed and lips in a tight line. A low rumble comes from him. Before he stands straight up, his nose remains tilted down at you. He clicks his tongue, his back faces you when leaving.“You're a fool if you believe that.” 

Once he’s out of sight, you hurriedly scramble to your feet.

“How did it go?” Your coworker asks, who is coincidentally walking past the hallway as you rush out of the enclosure. You rest your back against the closed door while catching your breath and you don’t say anything for a minute, breathing heavily before grinning.

“Fantastic.” 

Your head jolts slightly at the memory, and you run a hand over your face. 

Okay. 

So maybe it wasn't the greatest first impression, but at least you got to see him. Usually, these hybrids avoid trying to encounter any human, even by the slightest. You didn't see Toji until a week after he was first assigned to you.

But Sukuna hasn't even shown a sign of himself for the past… a flick of your wrist– hour.

And you’re starting to think you’ve jinxed yourself.

Letting out a sigh, you push yourself up from sitting down and dust your pants. 

You're not new to rejection when it comes to these creatures. 

Bending down to retrieve the clipboard on the ground, you take a step deeper into the jungle.

You can do something useful if he won't show up.

Perhaps he’s napping, bathing, or something.

…for an hour.

Doubtful, but you’ll try not to assume before getting to know him properly.

Massive plants are in your way and you, annoyingly, push through them. Your right side doesn't look any different from your left, surrounded by trees and mosquitoes. 

If he’s this uncooperative, it’ll be a significantly long time before he’s grown accustomed to your presence.

So might as well memorize the enclosure and map out where everything is. A pen is attached to your clipboard. You withdraw it and flip through pages– flipping past the files with the words “endangered” and “rare species” until you get a blank piece of paper and click the pen open to begin the map. 

Sukuna’s enclosure is written on top, followed by a large box underneath and the words ‘entrance.’

You turn your head to face the entrance, staring at it while sketching out the door and surroundings. It’s practically covered by large plants. You’ll have to fix it next time you come. Before you forget it, you jot it down, “Bring loppers to clean up.”

Quickly adding some trees to represent the area you’re standing in. You click the pen closed and pause, deciding to follow the faint sound of the waterfall.

It’s messy and a nightmare to travel through. Plants are everywhere and the only way to walk through is by high-kneed walking. Only someone like him, who’s lived here all along, could get through easily. And maybe that’s the point. Reminding you that you're unwanted here.

The sound of falling water grows louder, the air feels fresher, and specks of droplets hit your face.

The waterfall comes into full view, and it’s stunning. Loud, clear streams jumping off mossy rock to mossy rock. You never had to work with a hybrid that liked water. Gojo and Toji don’t particularly enjoy swimming. Sure, maybe when it’s too hot, they’ll request a pool or a large block of ice to cool them down, but not enough to add a waterfall to their enclosure.

Footprints are dug in the mud beside the edge of the water, confirming your guess. Sukuna does spend a lot of time around here, which makes sense. 

Tigers love to swim.

“Nice river!” You yell out.

To no one really.

You didn’t expect an answer anyway.

Taking some time to admire the view and the fresh breeze from it– you draw out the river and waterfall on your map, and clip it back on the clipboard. 

He couldn’t ignore you forever.

Mud sticks to your boots when you venture into unknown territory. It’s sticky and squishy, beneath your feet, until you hit something hard. You take your feet off of it and look down. It’s stone. No, a stone slab.

This is…new.

Stone slab after stone slab, which eventually becomes a pathway leading you ahead. You follow it, and within a few minutes, you're in front of a stone arch. It’s covered in moss. As well as the stairs going uphill. “Wow…” Taking a soft inhale, you realize it’s quieter here. The sounds of pesky bugs or loud birds can’t be heard.

Despite hesitant thoughts circling your mind, your body starts walking up the stairs. 

The land is flat here, and there’s a large house. Nature has taken a toll on it, vines growing on the sides. 

Is this where he lives? The roof is sharp and turned upwards. Some parts of the walls are cracked. It looks abandoned. Stepping into the entrance of it, your hand reaches out to touch the walls, rough and cool but with some patches worn.

You shouldn’t intrude.

But you also don’t know where he is.

It’s a poor excuse to enter further in but curiosity gets the best of you.

It’s darker inside, the only light source being the sunlight peeking through the bamboo blinds. The main hall is meant to be filled with life, but sliding a paper door open to one of the rooms, you see that they’re empty, dust particles flying.

Proceeding forward, you’re faced with a pond. And a bridge over it, it looks steady enough so you walk on it, the material creaking beneath your weight. It leads to another room, a bigger one. Thinking it’ll be abandoned like the rest, this one looks used and kept. There’s not a lot. A raised futon, a wooden table and a sliding door leading outside, most likely a garden.

There are no decorations.

But there’s one thing that takes up a side of the wall– a wooden bow and arrow. And it’s ridiculously huge. The bow itself looks around 6 feet. The arrows, neatly stacked beneath the bow, look between 2 and 3 feet. What monster would need a bow this big?

…

This is his bow and arrow. 

This is Sukuna’s home-

“What do you think you’re doing?” The sudden voice makes you jump and face the direction of the sound.

And there he is, Sukuna, standing in the doorway. How long had he been there? You never even heard him. You can't see him properly, just his broad shoulders filling the frame of the sliding door. That is, until he ducks his head and steps inside. He looks bigger in here, his pink hair falling down his shoulders. Red eyes stare down at you. When you don’t answer, his brow barely raises.

You swallow, forcing your voice to answer him. “I called out for you. You didn't come…so I came to look for you.”

“So you decided to invade my shelter?” Sukuna tilts his head slightly. He looks bored. “Get out.”

His remarks take you aback, but he isn’t wrong. It was your mistake. Your jaw clenches, and you look down at the wooden tiles. “You're right…I didn’t mean to, I simply wanted to–”

“Out.”

“Let me speak.” Your voice is a low hiss.

You're only human, and patience wears thin, but seeing his reaction, you know he's not fond of your tone.

Silence falls between both of you, before he steps closer to you. “Are you asking me to make a meal out of you?”

“What?” You're both horrified and confused by his words. “No!– I’m asking for respect and …” you search for the right words. “...compliance.” 

“Do you mean, obedience?” He snarls the words like they’re bitter on his tongue. His lips curl, thick canine baring, showing you exactly how much humans failed to domesticate him. “You won't find it here.”

But you already know that.

“You’re trying to frighten me away, and it’s not working- it won't work.” You're lying. You're scared as shit. This man is fucking huge– large enough to knock you unconscious in one swing of his hand. But acting up won't work, so you force yourself to calm yourself down, lowering your voice to a steady tone. “I’m here to help.”

“I don’t need your rescuing.”

Your eyes shut for a moment to regain yourself, hands tightening on the clipboard. Patience, this job was about patience.

“Ryomen–I’m doing my job as your caretaker, I only seek to–”

“Enough!” He creeps closer. “You won’t set foot here again.” His words are final. “…and you’ll address me by Sukuna. You’re mistaken to think that your position gets you the right to be on a first-name basis.”

You exhale– “I understand,” and you do. This is his private space, and you invaded it. It’s only fair.

You tilt your head down once more, like a dismissed child, and walk past him.

But then–“And where do you think you're going?” A sarcastic remark is on the tip of your tongue, because didn’t he just tell you to leave?

Your head turns to look at him again– but he’s right there, chest cornering you. A sharp gasp escapes you when your heel hits the wall behind you. He’s caged you. “No one speaks to me in that manner." His head dips to meet yours, and his thumb slides underneath your chin, long nails almost pricking your skin. “I’ll talk to you respectfully when you do the same to me.” Your stern tone makes his eyes narrow before he roughly pushes your chin up. Sukuna leans closer, closer to your neck. He inhales you, his nose almost pressed against your neck, making the hair there stand up.

“Are you scared, Keeper?” Warm breath tickles your skin, the bridge of his nose tracing your throat as he takes a deep inhale, closing his eyes briefly.

“No.” Your jaw clenches in frustration but your voice is shakier than you wanted it to be. You know what he’s doing, taking in your scent so he knows it, can trace it whenever he pleases like a hound hunting down a sneaky fox. It’s far too common among hybrids.

“I wonder...” Sukuna parts his lips and breathes in your scent, “...how long it’ll take.”

“For what?” Your eyebrows crease in confusion.

His thumb slides away from your chin. Your knees buckle once both feet are planted on the ground, but you force a composed look, despite your racing heart. He remains in your space. “For you to quit.”

“The rest resigned after this.” He looks disinterested, and you take the chance, walking out of his home.

Taking a look back and seeing that you're out of his sight, your legs move faster down the stairs and stone arch, past the overgrown plants.

Sukuna's words replay in your mind. His past zookeepers resigned after he used scent recognition on them? Yes, that was terrifying, but hybrids used scent detection on their keepers plenty of times–was that enough to pack up and leave? It couldn't be. There’s more to it. Panic sets in, and you start running while looking back at the clipboard containing your map of his enclosure.

Were you going the right way? Every turn looked the same.

Then you see his high rock, perfect, the entrance is close. And there! The exit.

With shaky hands, you try to take out your keycard, only for your hands to fumble it. “Shit!” You're diving to retrieve it. Thunk!

Your head freezes, body breaking into a cold sweat as you turn to see an arrow lodged against the door. One that would’ve been through your skull.

He followed you all the way here with the attempt to…

With widened eyes, you don’t waste another second, pressing the keycard against the scanner and opening the door to leave fucking now.

The heavy door closes, the small space filled with your panting. But you look through the glass window.

Sukuna’s standing a good distance away, the bow in his hand. Still as stone except for the flick of his tail. He takes a breath, lowering his head, but red eyes are fixated on where you stand, like he’s disappointed he’s missed.

Your heart’s beating out of your chest. You close your eyes and grip the keycard in your hand to calm yourself down. Both mind and instincts are screaming for you to run far, far away from him. And to never come back. 

…

But you know you will.

A/N: This took me longer to write than I thought it would. I was too busy writing chapters in the double digits instead of focusing on the slow burn first. I wanted to thank those who interacted with my first post (Chapter 1), it makes me so happy that people like reading my writing :)) Art credit: daromram on 𝕏

ˋ°•*⁀➷ Chapter 1: The True King of the Jungle ˋ°•*⁀➷ Chapter 3: Abomination ˋ°•*⁀➷ Masterlist