Jean

“yes!” you insisted quickly.

you took a long slurp from your drink, the fizz biting sharply at your throat. “the least interaction we have is because we’re peers and end up paired on missions,” you said, gesturing vaguely with your cup. “and geto-sensei always pairs up hakari and kirara hoshi for missions.”

nobara snorted. “of course he does.”

“right?” you groaned. “he practically encourages them to go on dates while exorcising curses.”

a group of teenagers brushed past behind you, their laughter trailing down the corridor as the nearby arcade chimed and beeped with bright electronic sounds.

nobara went quiet for a moment, her brows knitting together slightly as she sipped her drink. you could almost hear the gears turning in her head.

then something clicked.

“…senpai,” she said slowly, glancing sideways at you.

you hummed absently, still fiddling with the lid of your soda.

“do you have a crush on him?”

the question hit you like a brick.

“ah— no i don’t,” you blurted quickly, the words tumbling out a little too fast. “i mean i did a long time ago but everybody knew that…”

your grip tightened around the soda cup, plastic crinkling slightly under your fingers. a thin line of sweat curled along your temple as you forced out an awkward laugh.

“plus it’s sukuna,” you added with a helpless shrug. “i mean, who hasn’t had a crush on him—”

nobara stopped walking so abruptly you nearly ran into her.

she slowly raised a hand and pointed at herself with a deadpan expression. “i haven’t.” then she wrinkled her nose in visible disgust. “neither has maki-senpai.”

her lip curled slightly as if the very idea offended her. “feels weird thinking somebody would have a crush on that barbarian of a man.”

you stared at your soda instead of her, swirling the drink gently so the ice clinked softly against the plastic.“ha-ha… yeah.” your laugh came out just a little strained.

nobara suddenly slapped a hand dramatically against her chest like she’d just realized something deeply offensive. “honestly,” she scoffed, “thinking about him getting a girlfriend before i get a boyfriend would fucking frustrate me.”

you snorted immediately. “anybody getting one before you would frustrate you, nobara.”

“BECAUSE THEY SHOULDN’T!”

her voice shot up so fast a few nearby shoppers glanced over in surprise before quickly pretending they hadn’t heard anything. a mother tugged her child along a little faster as nobara threw her hands up toward the ceiling like she was addressing the universe directly.

“such a beauty as me should not be losing to barbaric men like him— or anyone for that matter!” she continued indignantly. “men at jujutsu high are barbarians!”

you burst out laughing, the sound bubbling out of you so suddenly your chest hurt. nobara tried—tried—to maintain her serious expression, lips twitching violently for a solid two seconds before she gave up entirely.

you drifted deeper into the mall, conversation melting into easy chatter again as storefronts rolled by in a blur of color.

nobara slowed when a clothing store caught her eye. “oh,” she breathed. she drifted toward the display window like a moth toward a flame, eyes sparkling as she immediately started inspecting the outfits on the mannequins with intense interest.

“wait here,” she muttered absently, already halfway inside the store. “this place looks promising.”

you lingered just outside as shoppers flowed around you in slow waves. your gaze wandered lazily across the opposite side of the corridor.

your eyes snagged on the toy shop window.

you blinked. “…huh?”

a small display stand sat near the glass, piled high with soft pastel plushies— bears, rabbits, sleepy-looking cats.

and sitting right in the center of them was a tiny pink tiger.

you stepped closer.

the plush was small and round, with stubby legs and tiny ears. its stitched expression looked oddly grumpy, thick little eyebrows angled downward over bead-like eyes. darker stripes wrapped across its back and forehead in a pattern that looked…

strangely familiar.

you squinted.

then leaned closer to the glass.

“…gahhh…” your nose almost bumped the display window as you studied the thing like it had personally offended you.

one hand slowly came up to your chin, fingers tapping thoughtfully.

“…this reminds me of somebody…”

“who?”

the voice appeared right beside your ear; low and dangerously amused.

you jolted so violently you nearly slammed your face into the display window.

“sukuna!” you half-yelped, barely catching yourself before your voice carried across the whole corridor. the last syllable came out as a frantic whisper as your hand flew to your chest.

standing close enough that you could feel the faint warmth of his presence through the cool mall air, tall and relaxed, his hands rested comfortably in the pockets of his uniform, shoulders loose, posture lazy in the way that only someone completely unbothered by their surroundings could manage.

he looked down at you with that familiar smirk rested on his lips, though… it was noticeably gentler than the usual one he wore.

“w-what are you doing here?” you whispered urgently, already whipping your head toward the clothing store entrance.

nobara hadn’t come out yet.

thank god!

you turned back to him immediately, eyes wide.

sukuna didn’t seem remotely concerned.

“finished my mission with hakari,” he said simply.

he pulled his phone out of his pocket, unlocking it with an idle flick of his thumb before holding the screen out between you. “your location said you were nearby,” he continued casually. “so i decided to stop by.”

your brain short-circuited.

you immediately started waving both hands at him like you were trying to shoo away a stray cat.

“you shouldn’t be here!” you hissed under your breath, “nobara is already suspicious enough— she’s been interrogating me!”

sukuna leaned one shoulder casually against the toy shop window beside you, he tilted his head slightly, watching you panic with quiet amusement dancing in his eyes.

“what did she ask you?” he sounded far too calm about this.

you groaned and dragged your hands down your face.

“if you have a crush on me,” you muttered into your palms.

you peeked at him through your fingers.

“and if i have a crush on you…”

sukuna’s eyebrow lifted slowly. “and?”

you squeezed your eyes shut. “…and my dumbass admitted i had a crush on you.” shoulders hunching as if the embarrassment might physically crush you.

the distant smell of caramel popcorn drifted through the corridor from the food court while shoppers passed by behind you, completely unaware that your social life was imploding beside a toy store window.

for a moment sukuna said nothing.

then his brow creased.

“…huh?”

he straightened slightly.

“had?”

a faint scowl tugged at his mouth, his hand moved to clutch his chest with theatrical offense.

“and here i thought my feelings were reciprocated all this time,” he sighed dramatically, leaning back against the glass like a man who had just suffered a devastating betrayal. his fingers pressed against his heart as if he might collapse at any moment.

“you wound me!”

you lowered your hands slowly and stared at him.

flat.

unimpressed.

“…i see gojo-sensei is rubbing off on you.” the words slipped out under your breath.

sukuna’s eyes narrowed slightly. “don’t compare me to that idiot.”

you were about to roll your eyes when something else caught your attention.“…wait.”

sukuna raised a brow.

you leaned closer before he could question it, eyes narrowing as you focused on the faint smear along his cheekbone.

“did you get hurt?” without thinking much about it, you quickly licked your finger and reached up to wipe it away.

his hand shot up and caught your wrist mid-air.

“ew,” he said flatly, grimacing like you’d just threatened him with poison. “get your saliva away from me.”

you stared at him in disbelief. “haaaHHH?”

your face twisted in exaggerated offense as you yanked your hand back.

“this same saliva you’re going to taste in a few hours!”

“yeah, but it’s different—!” he snapped back instinctively, scowling.

“it is literally the same!”

“the context is different!”

“that’s not how biology works!”

you huffed and stepped closer before he could keep arguing.

with a quick motion you smacked his cheek lightly, not hard, just enough to make him blink in surprise, your hand stayed there, fingers spreading as you squished his face slightly to hold him still while your other hand reached up to wipe the dried blood away properly

his lips puckered under the pressure, his scowl deepening as he glared down at you.

“unbelievable,” he muttered through the squish.

but he didn’t move.

in fact, he actually slouched a little so you could reach him easier.

the realization made you bite back a laugh.

his expression right now; puffed cheeks, annoyed glare, slouched posture. looked so ridiculously similar to the angry pink tiger plush from the toy store window that you almost lost your composure.

you wiped away the last faint smear of blood and leaned back to inspect your work. “there.”

you released his face with a satisfied nod and without much thought, you leaned up and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.

his reaction was instant, he recoiled slightly, sticking his tongue out with exaggerated disgust as if you’d just contaminated him. “disgusting.”

you couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of you.

the mall around you hummed with life; people walking past in clusters, laughter echoing faintly from the arcade further down the hall, the distant smell of fried food and cinnamon drifting lazily from the food court.

sukuna rubbed the cheek you’d kissed with mock irritation before shoving his hands back into his pockets. “hakari keeps pestering me too, you know,” he said after a moment.

you glanced up at him. “what do you mean?”

he sighed, tilting his head back slightly as though the thought alone was exhausting. “i think he’s caught on.”

“already?”

“too much for me to even try convincing him otherwise,” he muttered. “especially when i just dipped on going back with ijichi-san and said i’d take a walk.”

his tone made the excuse sound even weaker than it already was.

he rubbed the back of his neck, irritation slipping into his expression. “i can’t do this anymore.”

you blinked.

“what?”

his gaze dropped to you, something more genuine slipping through the usual sarcasm.

“it hurts acting like we hate each other,” he admitted with a quiet exhale. then his mouth curved slightly. “when hours later i’m making love to you—”

“SUKUNA!” you smacked his shoulder and he burst out laughing immediately.

the sound was loud and bright and completely unbothered by the public setting.

before you could hit him again, his hand caught your wrist and he leaned down quickly, pressing a warm kiss against your cheek.

your skin instantly flushed pink.

 you shoved at his chest lightly, half embarrassed and half smiling. “you’re insufferable—”

“you guys…”

the voice cut through the moment like a knife.

both of you turned.

sukuna was still slightly hunched from kissing your cheek when your eyes landed on the source of the voice.

nobara stood just outside the clothing store entrance.

four shopping bags hung from her hands.

or… they had.

because the second she’d clearly processed what she’d just seen, the bags slipped from her fingers and dropped to the floor with a soft cascade of crinkling paper.

her expression was frozen somewhere between horror, betrayal, and absolute disbelief.

her eyes slowly moved between you…

your flushed cheeks.

sukuna standing way too close.

the very obvious kiss you’d just received.

the silence stretched.

then nobara inhaled slowly.

her face twisted.

“are fucking disgusting.”

𝙗𝙤𝙣𝙪𝙨!

later that evening the dorms had finally settled into the quiet lull that came after a long day of missions, lectures, and far too many people yelling in the hallways.

sukuna’s room was dim except for the soft glow of his phone and the faint wash of moonlight slipping through the half-open window. cool night air drifted inside, carrying with it the distant hum of cicadas and the muted sounds of someone walking down the hallway outside.

you were already half asleep against him.

your face was pressed into his chest, cheek warm against the fabric of his shirt while one arm was curled securely around the small pink tiger plush you had insisted on bringing back from the mall. the toy’s stitched scowl peeked out from under your arm, its angry little eyebrows somehow managing to look exactly like him even now.

sukuna had complained the entire way back. he still hadn’t convinced you to get rid of it.

his arm rested loosely around your shoulders, fingers absentmindedly tracing slow circles against your upper arm while his other hand held his phone above him. the blue light reflected faintly against the ceiling as he lazily doom-scrolled through whatever nonsense appeared on his screen.

every now and then his thumb slowed, but his attention wasn’t really on the phone, it kept drifting back to you.

the soft rhythm of your breathing against his chest. the way your hair tickled his collarbone. the faint warmth of your body tucked against his side.

his fingers paused briefly, adjusting the blanket over your shoulder when it slipped.

then his phone buzzed.

the vibration was quiet, but noticeable in the still room.

a notification lit the screen.

hakari durden sent you a message!

sukuna sighed slowly through his nose.

he tapped the notification open.

the first popped up.

hakari durden: she hates you, huh?

sukuna’s eyebrow twitched.

before he could even react, another message appeared beneath it.

hakari durden: liar, liar i’ll set your fucking pants on fire!

a third bubble followed almost instantly.

hakari durden :i knew it. i fucking knew it.

sukuna stared at the screen for a long moment, his expression slowly flattening into pure annoyance.

his thumb hovered over the screen.

another message arrived.

hakari durden: also you dipped from ijichi like a guilty husband

there was a brief pause.

then:

hakari durden: next time at least try to lie better

sukuna let out a long breath through his nose, the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth despite himself.

his thumbs moved over the keyboard.

sukuna:mind your business.

the message sent.

he tossed the phone aside onto the nightstand without waiting for a response.

against his chest, you shifted slightly in your sleep, your arm tightening instinctively around the plush tiger as you murmured something unintelligible.

sukuna immediately stilled.

his hand moved back to you automatically, adjusting your position with quiet care so you settled more comfortably against him.

after a moment he shifted himself too, sliding lower against the pillows before dipping his head down into the curve of your neck.

he breathed in slowly.

your scent lingered there; faint soap, warm skin, and something that was unmistakably you.

his arm tightened slightly around your shoulders.

within minutes his breathing slowed too, the phone message forgotten on the nightstand.

sukuna had never been a very convincing actor.

especially when it came to pretending he hated you.

𝙖/𝙣 | and when you think I couldn't be more in love with him i find out about sorcerer!sukuna. i wanna post megumi but every time i end up writing about him, he feels like a ex i can't get over...

he wipes a veiny hand down his face as he scuffs his shoes off at the door, praying to god that nothing else goes wrong tonight or he might actually kill someone.

as he tracks inside, what other than the kamisama kiss intro starts blaring in his ears, the happy upbeat tune dragging against his eardrums, he realllly didn't need this right now.

he peers over to the couch and spots you sitting cross legged fully engrossed in the shower.

you were cute, but to be honest, he just wanted to go to bed. so, when you whip your head around and spot that he's finally home, he braces for the impact he knows is coming.

you hop up and dart into his arms with the biggest little smile on your pretty face, you clasp your hands together behind his back and pull him in close.

"ken! i missed you." you muffle into his chest, relived to see your boyfriend after a long day of free periods at home.

he sighs through clenched teeth, then half heartedly wraps an arm around your waist before letting it drop back down and slipping from your tight grasp.

“hey,” he mumbles, already tracking halfway down the hallway, leaving his poor, pouty girlfriend standing there all confused.

he doesn't notice though, the door to the bedroom is already in his sight and he looks at it like a finish line.

you stay cemented to the wooden floor, watching with a small frown as he pads down to the bedroom.

you tell yourself not to read into it. i mean, c'mon! he probably had a long lecture, he looks exhausted, and everyone has off days, after all. even your perfect boyfriend.

you smooth it over in your head before you overthink it to the point of tears.

you turn and follow him down the hall, keeping your steps feather light as to not irritate him further. "hey, baby? i made sushi earlier,” you say softly. “it’s in the fridge. i thought you might want some when you got home?"

he stops just short of the bedroom door. not to turn to you, not to soften up and cut the foul attitude, nuh uh. just to answer dully.

“i’ll have it for lunch tomorrow,” he sighs. “m' not hungry.”

the door handle clicks open under his hand, and your chest gets all tight and uncomfortably achy. he never turns down the food you make. never. even when he’s exhausted, he always eats at least a little. he always thanks you and asks how long it took to make, then tells you it tastes good even when the rice is overcooked.

you nod even though he isn’t looking and force a brighter tone of voice. “oh, okay! that’s alright.”

he stays silent, and an old habit of filling up conversation space before it turns awkward twists around in your gut..

“um,” you start, then stop. your fingers rub together nervously as you look away from him shyly. “there’s.. uh, something else i gotta tell you.”

he turns his head slowly to face you, his expression oozing with irritation as he answers curtly, “what.”

your thoughts jump backwards to earlier that morning. you were ironing one of his more expensive shirts after it had been crinkled on the clothes line. the setting might've been too high, because the unfamiliar scent of burnt fabric started wafting into your nostrils... your heart dropped when you saw the mark.

you swallow. “i’m really sorry. i was ironing your shirt. the one you wear to class sometimes? and i didn’t realise the heat was too high and i… i messed it up.”

his expression doesn’t change yet, but you can tell some cogs are stalling and jamming in that big head of his.

“i ordered you a new one,” you rush on. “it's the same cut, the same color. it should be here in a couple of days... gosh– i'm so sorry honey, i– i know it won’t be exactly the same but i–"

“you did what.”

your words freeze up in your mouth.

“you burnt my shirt?" he spits lowly, “i told you not to iron my clothes, [name].”

your shoulders pull in. “i know. i just thought i could help. i didn’t think–"

“–clearly.”

oh.

he steps closer. not into your space, but near enough that you feel the heat and anger pulsating off of him. “do you have any idea how expensive that shirt was?"

you nod, feeling the anxiety crawl up your back and down your throat. "yes, baby... that’s why i replaced it.”

“oh, but you didn’t replace it,” he says. “you bought a different one. that's not the same thing.”

“i'm sorry,” you say quietly. “i didn't know where–”

“you never know,” he cuts in. his voice is getting louder now, he's no longer being careful with his volume. “that’s the problem, [name]. you never know, and you still insist on getting involved in all of my important shit.”

you ears begin to ring a deafening hum. this isn’t how he talks to you. not ever. he corrects you sometimes, sure. maybe he gets semi-annoyed, but even then it's very rare. but this tone, this anger? it feels so horribly wrong on him..

“I was trying to do something nice,” you mumble out softly, the nervousness you were sure you'd shaken since meeting him curling around your head and trapping you in that shy vice once more. “i.. i’m sorry i ruined your shirt, kento..”

“yeah? well sorry doesn’t fix it,” he snaps. “sorry doesn’t mean anything when you keep doing the same thing over and over.”

your lips are getting wobbly but you manage to choke out a small reply. “but.. i don’t?"

he lets out a curt, poisonous laugh. “don’t lie. you mess things up constantly. the chores, my things, the schedules. i spend half my time fixing what you fuck up.”

okay, wow. that hurt like a motherfucker. you'd always been a little insecure about the way you weren't always the best at house work, but you were trying. you were trying for him.

“I clean,” you plea. “i cook. i try to–”

“no! you try, then you do it badly,” he snaps. his voice is close to shouting now. “half the time i redo your shit because i don’t trust you to do it right the first time. i’ve told you this before, if you don’t know what you’re doing, stay out of it!"

all of this over a shirt?.. your poor mind was reeling with what ifs. what if this was him finally throwing the cat out of the bag and telling you he wanted to break up? what if this was his way of telling you he'd be better off with a girl who was more capable? what if this was all a big lead up to him telling you you were never good enough to be with such an upstanding man like him?

each cruel word from his mouth only acts as a catalyst to these thoughts. you were incompetent, useless, untrustworthy. he doesn’t say them outright, but he might as well with the way he's berating you.

you feel so small now, your clammy hands curl into themselves until your nails are leaving little moons in your skin. you don’t raise your voice at him, you don’t interrupt at all, and you most definitely don't even think of arguing back. you’ve never been good at fighting with people, especially not with him. especially not when he looks at you like you’re an obstacle he needs to kick out of the way.

“just leave everything to me, why don't you?” he continues. “obviously i don't do enough. it would be easier that way since you clearly can’t handle basic tasks without ruining shit.”

your eyes sting. you blink hard, but it doesn’t help, like, at all. the hot streaks down your flustered face is evidence of that...

this doesn’t feel real. nanami is kind, nanami is patient, nanami listens, nanami's kind. the man in front of you is mean and cruel and doesn’t seem to see you as his loving girlfriend at all.

“I didn’t mean to make things harder for you,” you whisper.

he only scoffs. “intent doesn’t matter. results do. and your results are always a fucking problem.”

you want to dissolve into a puddle on the floor, you want to curl up somewhere and hide away from this monster disguised as your once living boyfriend. you don’t defend yourself, you don’t tell him how much effort you try to put in, how careful you try to be. you don’t remind him of the mornings you wake early just to make his day smoother, you don’t point out that he never used to talk to you like this.

you just stand there, and you take it. this was so unbelievable, so new, you didn't know how else to handle it.

and he just keeps on going. every frustration from his day pours out, redirected and sharpened, pointed straight at you. the partner who didn’t pull his weight, the criticism he didn’t deserve, the sense of being judged for things outside his control. it all lands on you instead, because you’re here, because you won’t fight back, because you look like you can carry it.

and you do. for a while.

your eyes go all blurry from the way tears prick at your lids, your gaze plummets to the floor and your hands start to shake. you hate how badly you're taking this, how he can obviously see that you're terrified but he just won't stop.

after it feels like he's gotten it all outta his system, he finally stops talking. the words dry up, leaving a thick silence behind in both his throat and the air. his chest is heaving as the anger drains out, replaced by a horrible, innate awareness.

what did he just do?

his head shoots up to look at your face wet with tears, then to your hands and the way they shake, to your eyes as they dart anywhere but him. his girlfriend, his gentle girl, looking like she'd just been battered, standing there all scared..

because of him.

fuck.

he opens his mouth to say your name, to apologise, to explain, but he never gets the chance.

because you push him away before he can, your hands come up and push against his chest, not hard, but forceful enough that he gets the memo.

“don’t,” you say. your voice cracks pathetically. “just.. just leave me alone.."

then you turn and dart the rest of the way down the hall.

the bedroom door closes behind you with a soft, careful sound, like you don’t want to make anything worse, even now, after he'd just rebuilt every wall you'd managed to break down with him when it came to you opening up.

~

“my sweet girl… please open the door…”

you'd been locked away in the bed room for a little over an hour now, hiding from him.

his voice comes through the wood much softer than of the foul shit you’d heard from him tonight. he sounds worn down and stripped bare of all the angst he'd been harbouring beforehand. you sit on the edge of the bed with your knees pulled up to your chest, staring at the door with a forlorn expression.

you don’t move and you most certainly don’t answer.

from the other side of the barrier, nanami stands with his forehead pressed to the wood, feeling like every bad person in the world all at once.

“i know you don’t wanna see me,” he says quietly. “i get that. i deserve it.” he sighs softly. “but please… just listen. you don’t have to say anything. just… let me say this, sweetheart.”

you don't reply once more, the apartment feels too big and roomy without you in it, even though you’re only a few steps away.

“i’m sorry,” he huffs out quietly, his soft spoken self coming back out into the open. “i’m so fucking sorry. i should have never spoken to you like that. not ever. i don’t care how bad my day was, i don’t care how angry i felt, none of it excuses what i said to you.”

he gulps down the stinging in his lungs and persists.

“what i said was so cruel. it was disgustingly wrong. it was aimed to hurt you, and i knew that while i was doing it. and that’s the part that makes me feel sick to my stomach.”

you stay silent, but your ears are definitely pricked.

“i took everything i was feeling and i threw it at you because you were there. because you wouldn't yell back. and that’s disgusting of me.” his voice dips. “i made you feel small. i made you feel useless. i made you feel like a burden in your own home.”

you press your face into your knees. your eyes start to sting all over again.

“but baby, you are none of those things,” he says a tad louder because he needs you to hear this part clearly. “not even close. i don’t know how i let that shit come out of my mouth when the truth is the complete opposite.”

he exhales slowly, gathering himself just to let go again.

“today's class was rough. just stupid thing after another, more stupider thing.” a pause. “and i came home already angry, already looking for somewhere to drill it.”

his voice breaks a little. “and i took it out on you.”

another fill of quiet and you still don’t make a sound nor open the door.

“i love you,” he mumbles desperately. “i love you so much it seriously scares me. im not usually one for relationships, but i told myself i'd try my best with you, because you mean more to me than anyone else..." his voice cracks like he might cry. "and tonight... i acted like someone who doesn’t deserve you at all."

his forehead stays against the door and his shoulders sink.

“everything i said about you not doing enough… about you ruining things… i don’t believe any of it. not for a second. i was lashing out, i was trying to hurt something because i was hurt.”

he lets out a strangled sound that might of been a laugh if it didn’t flatline only a second after sounding.

“you cook for me every single day. you make food that reminds me to slow down and actually eat instead of skipping meals like an idiot. you clean even when i tell you not to worry about it. you organise my class notes when i forget. you remember my deadlines better than i do. you wake up early just to see me off with a smile like i’m the best part of your morning.”

your fingers shake into the blanket beneath you.

“you ironed that shirt because you wanted to help me,” he continues. “because you thought about me while i wasn’t even home. and i stood there and tore you apart for it.”

his voice drops lower. “i’m appalled by myself. truly. i never wanted to be the kind of man who raises his voice at you. i never wanted to be the reason you look scared in your own house.”

he shifts on the floor outside, the faint sound of him sitting down against the door.

“you do so much for me,” he says softly. “you do more than i made it out to look. you make this place feel like a home, you make me feel so steady when everything else is a chaotic mess. and i stood there and told you that what you do doesn't matter..."

his hand lifts and presses flat again to the door, right where your back would be if you were standing there.

“i am so, so sorry my love."

his apology pours through the door and it feels earnest and aching, but it doesn’t erase what’s already been said. the words he used still sit under your skin, sharp and lodged deep in your pumping arteries.

outside, nanami closes his eyes with a deep breath, he knows there’s no guarantee you’ll forgive him. he knows apologies don’t rewind time, and he knows he might have undone months, maybe years, of trust he'd built between the two of you, especially with such a shy girl, in a single night.

his throbbing head drifts softly to the first time he met you. you were timid, you spoke softly and avoided all of his eye contact, you were careful with everything you did. he remembers promising himself he’d never be another voice that made you shrink away like a snail into its shell.

yet tonight, he was 10x worse than that.

he stays there, back against the door, replaying every sentence he'd spat down at you. every moment he could have stopped and didn’t. every chance he had to walk away instead of cutting you down.

“i’ll wait,” he says quietly, not sure if you’re still listening. “as long as you need. i’m not going anywhere.”

...

the door clicks, then slides open gently leaving nanami's back without a rest.

"baby?" he flicks his head around, now looking up at a very sad, yet very pretty girl.

he practically jumps to his feet, flattening down his shirt and running a hand through his hair.

“are you okay?” he asks quietly like he’s afraid the question alone might do some more irreversible damage.

you can't muster up and answer, you don't try to tell him something you're not even sure of yourself, so you stay quiet looking up into his solemn eyes.

he spots a dried track of salt running down your cheek and his arm reaches up instinctively to wipe it away. after, you gently push his arm away, but too keen on him thinking he can touch you just yet.

“i’m fine,” you say. your voice is steady, even if it doesn’t quite match how you feel. “really.”

he nods, even though it’s obvious he doesn’t believe you, not one bit. he drops his hand back to his side like he’s been reminded of his place.

“i’m sorry,” he chirps again. “i know i already said it. i just… i need you to know i mean it.”

the way nanami looked right now would send your past self into a coma. he was shrunk into himself, his eyes were hollow from stressing out over you, and his voice was shaken and impossibly weak. still. even if he was sorry, the fact that he'd done what he did still remained.

“i don’t forgive you,” you say honestly.

he flinches, just a little. but he doesn’t interrupt.

“not yet,” you add. “but i don’t want to shut you out either. i just… i need some space from what you said.”

he lets out a big exhale with relief and guilt all tangled together. “that’s more than okay,” he says. “i understand, honey. completely.”

he steps forward then, giving you time to move away if you want to. when you don’t, his big, grounding arms slither around your shoulders and hold you tenderly against his chest.

you let yourself melt into him, after this hell of a night you needed some tlc, even if it was from the very root of your discomfort.

“i’m taking tomorrow off,” he says softly, chin resting near your hair. “no class, or homework, nothing. m' gonna spoil you, baby. i promise you."

you pull away to look up at him. “ken., you don’t have to do that.”

he gives a small shake of his head. “i know. this isn’t about getting back on your good side.” his mouth curves into something gentle. “i just want to. i want to spend the day with you. i want to make it a good one after all of the pain i just put you through.”

you shyly mumble, “you don’t need to spoil me.”

“yes, but i want to,” he replies simply. “please, let me.”

his hands come up to frame your face, the pass of his thumbs resting along your cheeks as he strokes lines down where your tears would of fallen.

“i hate that i made your pretty little face look like this,” he murmurs. “i hate that i put that look in your eyes. you deserve softness, my love...not that..”

your lips inch upwards into a small smile despite the situation, and you look him in the eye for half a second.

he notices right away and of course, his own smile follows gently.

“there it is,” he murmurs, brushing his thumb along your flushed cheem. “that smile. i love that smile.”

he leans in and presses a kiss to your cheek, his stubble tickling your chin.

“i’m sorry,” he whispers again, another kiss following. “i’m so sorry.”

he guides you back toward the bedroom with a hand at your back, he helps you sit on the bed, then gently encourages you to lie back. his movements are nice and kind, so attentive, he’s really making sure every step feels safe and familiar.

he leans his big muscular body over yours as he peppers small kisses over your delicate skin.

“i’ll never talk to you like that again, okay?” he says quietly between kisses. “never. i don’t care what kind of day i’ve had, you are not where my anger belongs, and i am so sorry for ever getting that mixed up."

you look up at him with shiny eyes. “you.. you really scared me,” you admit.

his expression softens further, if that’s even possible at this point. “i know. and i hate that. i swear to you, i will spend every day making sure you never feel like that with me ever again.”

he presses his forehead to yours, “you’re not a burden,” he insists. “you’re not useless. you’re the best part of my life, [name]. and i am so grateful you didn’t walk away from me tonight even though you had every right to. hell, you still do."

you reach up, fingers curling lightly into his shirt. “i just… need time.”

he nods. “take all of it. anything you need. i’ll be right here.”

pulling you into his side after rolling over, his arm rests tightly around you in such a way that feels protective without being overwhelming and possessive.

“tomorrow, i’ll take you wherever you want. we’ll eat whatever you want. we’ll do whatever you want, we'll do nothing if that’s what you need.” he assures you, sighing contently into your neck.

you let go of a small "mhm." in response, your sore, puffy eyes finally starting to close.

“thank you,” you whisper.

he kisses your hair. “always.”

he might of been an asshole who misplaced his anger, and he might of been the single most asshole-ish guy in the universe tonight, but when a man like nanami makes a mistake? you best belive he never, ever makes it again.

that's why you stay curled up in his arms as he strokes your back gently. you could tell he meant every word of the apology, and you knew that this was a one time thing.

nanami wasn't the prefect boyfriend, but after that night, he promised himself he'd be the closest thing to it. for you, his sweet, gentle girl.

The floor is cold when you stand up, the mattress instantly shifting due to the heavy man being left on the bad alone. And he shifts awake instantly.

“Where are you going?” Sukuna’s voice comes out low and rough, still tangled in sleep, each word slow and heavy. He’d only just woke up and yet he was his usual grumpy self, the lines in his brows from furrowing them could still be seen in the dark light.

“Oh, um back to my apartment.” You said nervously, slowing picking up your clothes with your back to the intimidating man.

Sukuna frowns, his stomach churning at the idea of you leaving, but he quickly brushed that feeling aside and huffed, “Get back into bed.” You stood up straight, startled at his demand.

“Huh?” You raise your brow slowly turning to him, which you instantly regret as you feel yourself melting to the floor at the sight of him. The white crumpled sheet was laying so low on his hips, his chest was glistening with sweat running over his hard abs— and his fucking biceps unconsciously flexing as he runs his big hand over his face with frustration.

“Are you deaf, brat? Get back into bed, now.” Sukuna snaps quietly, making your legs move on instinct to get back into bed and return home into that god like chest of his.

His arm instantly slings over your hip grabbing your ass to pull you closer, melting into him and his heat. He dips his head down to your neck, inhaling your scent making his brain all blurry, the scent making him higher than any drug ever could.

Anxiety pricks at your skin, not wanting rejection or embarrassment before you fall asleep from his comfort again. “I thought you said-”

Sukuna huffs and quickly interrupts you, his hand slides up you back to tug at your hair to face him. “Ignore what I said… just… stay, I want you to stay.”

Your whole body is on fire, your heart aching with joy though you’re carful not to show it in case your big grumpy “friend” decides to change his mind. You slowly nod making Sukana grin and tut. He slowly brings his mouth to yours, it’s a gentle slow kiss, warm and unhurried as if he plans to keep you here forever, gone almost as soon as it starts.

- 

“bro this is the only game yer’ ass is allowed to play and ur playin’ like dog shit.” 

“fuck does that mean gojo?” sukuna could practically hear the smirk on his face through the mic. 

“he means that mommy has you on a leash and your washed ass can only play for one game.” toji teased. 

“you got a lot of shit to say for someone with no girl jackass.” sukuna growled out. 

“relax dude, its just a game dude.” if anyone could get a reaction out of sukuna, it was gojo. 

“nah nah nah, you guys are talkin’ mad shit like i’m not carrying the fuck outta you both, check the scoreboard you dumb shits. it ain’t my fault i actually gotta girl that loves me.” sukuna snarled. 

“calm yer ass down ryomen, it was jus’ a joke.” toji snorted back.

sukuna was anything but calm now. what the fuck were they even getting at? his healthy relationship with his girlfriend? 

“seriously dude, if you really wanna back your shit run the 1v1s then.” gojo egged on. 

“bro he jus’ said he’s boutta hop off, don’t tease the puppy with a bone he cant eat.” toji snickered through the mic. 

sukuna could’ve punched his monitor right then and there, “run it. so i can shut you fuckers up.”

toji and gojo burst into laughter before starting up the game again. 

-

after 2 tough losses led to 3 straight wins, all sukuna had to say was “get shit on.” 

“yeah whatever dude, m’hopping off.” toji yawned.

“yea same— holy shit its 2 am??” gojo yelped mid yawn. 

sukunas heart dropped. how did he let three hours pass by without realizing???

fuck. 

“wait, ryomen weren’t you only supposed to play one ga—” toji was mid chuckle before sukuna cut him off. 

“fuck you losers.” sukuna didn’t even bother listening to whatever dumb remark they had to say to him, he logged out without bothering to turn off his console and practically sprinted down the hallway, his large figure almost tripping on his own feet. 

fuck fuck fuck. 

he slowly creaked open the bedroom door, part of him hoping you were still awake and the other part of him hoping you fell asleep instead of having to see the sweet groggy look you got while waiting for him. 

“babe?” his voice cracked a little at the unusually soft tone he spoke in, though it was a tone he found himself speaking in often when he was around you. his heart was racing, he didn’t like breaking his promises, especially when it came to you. why would he take a gamble at losing the one good thing in his life? he would never. 

well, not on purpose at least. 

sukuna would be lying if he said that there wasn’t a massive pit in his stomach when he saw your figure softly snoring on the bed, wrapped in one of his hoodies, and your phone in hand still playing a video you must’ve fallen asleep watching. 

he kneeled down onto the empty space beside you and carefully removed your phone, you stirred a little after feeling the bed shift causing sukuna to freeze in place. he watched closely as you adjusted yourself back into a comfortable position, your arm reached over to his side only to find it halfway empty, the sight was just too much for sukuna to bear.

“fuck m’so sorry my love.” sukuna mumbled out before dipping down onto the bed and moving his your hood out of your face. 

your eyes flutter open slowly, barely registering your clearly panicking boyfriend who is trying his hardest to play it cool. 

“‘kuna? whas wrong?” you murmur, your voice still laced with sleep. 

 “i-i uh—fuck, did’ya still wanna watch a movie?” sukuna wanted to punch himself in the face for how idiotic he was acting. 

“mmm s’okay, m’tired.” you let out a breathy string of words before your eyes began to close. 

“are you sure? cus’ ill watch one, i jus’ lost track of ti—,”

he was interrupted by your soft snores starting up once again. the large man let out a sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair before taking his usual spot beside you and placing a soft peck on the back of your neck. “i love you. m’sorry for waking you.” 

- 

sukuna didn’t sleep a wink that night. 

he kept on replaying the interaction shared between the two of you just a few hours ago, trying to determine if you were upset or not. 

truth is, you were barely conscious. 

you stumbled down the hallway wearing nothing but shorts and sukunas oversized hoodie, early morning grogginess was still evident on your face. you normally wouldn’t be up this early, let alone be walking around the house, but you couldn’t help but follow the trail of a freshly cooked food and your missing boyfriend. you creep into the kitchen to see the dining table covered in assortments of freshly cut fruit, tea, coffee, freshly squeezed fruit juice, and so much more. 

“whats all this for?” you can't help but choke down a laugh when your boyfriend finally turns around, revealing a pink apron that did little to cover his shirtless broad frame. 

“for you. sit.” he pulls out a chair and ushers you to sit before plating a steaming hot waffle on your plate. 

“uhh did I miss an anniversary or somethin’? cus i couldve sworn that 's not for another three months ‘kuna.” you question with a mouth full of waffles.

he pauses with a pan still cooking eggs in his left hand and a spatula in his right, “wait, you aren’t mad?” 

“what? why would i be mad?” 

now it was sukunas turn to look at you like you were the crazy one. like you didn’t completely blow up on him for that one time he forgot to bring a spare towel to the beach, or when you cussed him out for being rude to waiter who was clearly flirting with you, or that one time you thought he wanted to break up because he was ‘ignoring you’ when really he just dropped his phone in the toilet. 

“ last night? when you wanted to watch a movie, but i uh— got distracted and lost track of time.” he cleared his throat ready for the string of curses he was about to get thrown his way. 

“I said that?”

he gave you a curt nod before taking a seat at the table and mentally preparing himself once again. 

“mmm I don’t remember that, I was probably half asleep.” you shrugged it off and chugged down a glass of juice. 

“yer kiddin’ me.” 

“wait is that why you did all of this? cus’ you thought I was mad?” you bit your lip all giddy, too giddy. 

“tch, a waste.” sukuna’s 6-foot-something frame was slouched against the kitchen table as he rubbed his eyes that hadn’t seen a wink of sleep, the dark circles under his eyes proving just that. 

you pouted with a mouth full of food before swallowing it down quickly and shooting up from your spot at the table to set yourself down in your boyfriends lap. 

“not a waste. i love it. and I love you for being such a good house wife.” your arms wrapped around his neck while you pressed a kiss to his lips. 

“alright get off.” you held onto him even tighter as he weakly began pushing you off his lap. 

“okay okay! house husband!” you giggle out. 

sukunas head found its way into the crook of you neck leaving a trail sloppy kisses before he snorted out, “s’what i thought. now eat cus’ yer napping with me.” 

“then a movie?” 

“yes brat.”