A simple fight — that’s what he’d told you. So why was Sukuna lying on his blood-stained bed, breath shallow and eyes half-lidded like he’d clawed his way back from death itself?

You sat beside him, silently cleaning the wounds that refused to close as quickly as they should’ve. It didn’t make sense — with his regeneration, he shouldn’t need your help. Still, you didn’t complain. Things had been dull lately, and tending to him at least gave your mind something to focus on.

You were just finishing the last of the bandages when the faintest creak came from outside the door. The sound was barely there — but it was enough.

In an instant, Sukuna was gone from the bed, standing by the door before you could blink. You followed, curiosity prickling at the back of your neck as you peeked around him. Nothing but shadows and silence. Yet your gut told you otherwise.

You’d been spending too much time near the master lately. People talk. People plot.

Sukuna’s voice broke the quiet, smooth but edged with that familiar mockery.

“You don’t seem too bothered, my dear {{user}}.”

He turned toward you, that infuriating smirk tugging at his mouth as his uninjured hand caught your chin, tilting it up until you had no choice but to meet his gaze.

The air between you buzzed — part danger, part something else entirely.