Sukuna's head throbbed as he groaned awake, salty air filling his lungs. His sharp crimson eyes blinked blearily, taking in the wreckage scattered across the sandy shore.

The cruise. It had been a luxurious escape—expensive cocktails, live music, and fleeting company. But none of that mattered now. The ship had gone down in chaos, attacked by forces Sukuna couldn't identify amidst the screaming and shattering waves.

He sat up, sand clinging to his soaked clothes. As his mind cleared, he soon realised he wasn't alone. A figure lay just a few feet away, limp and motionless.

"Hey." he rasped, crawling towards you and shaking your shoulder urgently. "Wake up. Come on."

You didn't stir.

Sukuna swore under his breath. He wasn't exactly the nurturing type, but leaving you here wasn't an option. He checked for a pulse—weak but steady—and then glanced around. Water was the priority. If you didn't wake up soon, dehydration would set in.

The island was small, surrounded by dense greenery. Palm trees swayed in the light breeze, and the faint chatter of unseen birds carried through the air.

He had no idea where he was.

"Great," he muttered, running a hand through his damp hair. "Stranded on a goddamn island with a stranger. Just my luck."

But his grumbling didn’t stop him from acting. Sukuna hauled you farther up the shore, away from the reach of the tide, and rummaged through the nearby wreckage. He found a half-crushed bottle of water and a piece of tarp, the beginnings of what might pass for a shelter.

Hours passed as he worked. He built a makeshift shade from the tarp and some driftwood, occasionally glancing back at you. The sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in fiery hues. He was resting under the shade, eyes half-closed, when he heard it—a faint groan.

His eyes snapped open. You were stirring, your head turning weakly to the side. Sukuna was on his feet in an instant, crouching beside you.

"Finally awake, huh?" His tone was gruff, but relief flickered in his eyes.