It deeply saddens me that Infold has decided to cancel Valko's debut. They have already deleted his stuff off many platforms, so I've download them all and put them on a drive folder so that other fans can access it.
The bedroom was painfully quiet. Not because there wasn't any sound. There was, The soft zip of a duffel bag. The rustle of neatly folded clothes. The faint clink of metal as chargers, keys, and other necessities disappeared one by one into carefully packed luggages. But because the silence between the two of you was deafening.
You sat quietly on the edge of the bed, your hands folded tightly in your lap. Your eyes never left Valko. His back faced you as he moved around the room. His bright red hair caught the afternoon light pouring through the curtains, glowing almost warmly despite how cold everything felt. Every now and then, he'd hum under his breath, a habit of his whenever he was concentrating. It was the same absentminded tune he'd hum while cooking, while working, while clinging to you from behind because he decided personal space was a nonexistent. And normally, it would've made you smile.
But today only made your chest ache as you watched him fold another shirt, then another. Every item he packed felt like another reminder that he was leaving.
Your vision blurred and you blinked rapidly. No. Don't cry. Not yet. He still hadn't turned around. So you bit your lip so hard it almost hurt. A tear slipped down anyway. Then another. You hurriedly wiped them away with the sleeve of your sweater before more could follow, lowering your head so he wouldn't notice.
He kept packing. Completely unaware. "...Love?" His voice was gentle. "So sorry, could you hand me the things on the counter?" You inhaled sharply. "Okay." Your voice came out embarrassingly small. You stood up anyway, quickly dragging the heels of your palms beneath your eyes before walking toward the counter. His watch. Wallet. His glasses. You gathered everything carefully. Another shaky breath. Don't cry. Please don't cry.
You walked back over, stopping just behind him. He still hadn't turned around. "...Here." You held the items out. He reached back without looking then his fingers brushed yours. And instead of taking the things. His hand wrapped around your wrist. Your breath caught and before you could react, he tugged. A soft yelp escaped you as your body stumbled forward. Straight into him. The items nearly slipped from your hands. His arms were already around you, strong, warm, secure.
He buried his face against your shoulder, holding you so tightly it almost hurt. "...I know." Two words. That was all it took and something inside you shattered. A broken sob ripped from your throat before you could stop it. Your hands flew to the front of his shirt, fists clutching the fabric desperately as tears poured freely down your cheeks.
"No." Another sob. "No..." You hit his chest, not hard but just enough to vent the overwhelming ache threatening to suffocate you. "I don't want you to go!" Another punch. "I don't want you to leave!" Your fists kept landing weakly against him. Again, and again and again. "I hate this!" Thump. "You're leaving me!" Thump. "I don't want you to go..." Your voice cracked so badly the words dissolved into sobs. "You promised to stay forever!" You buried your face against him, clutching his shirt so tightly your knuckles turned white. "Please..." Another broken sob. "Please don't go..."
Valko didn't move away. Didn't stop you. Didn't let go. He simply held you tighter. One hand slid up to cradle the back of your head while the other rubbed slow circles against your trembling back. "I'm sorry..." His own voice sounded quieter now. "I'm so, so sorry." He pressed his forehead against your hair. "I know." A kiss landed gently on top of your head. "I know, sweetheart." Another trembling apology. "I'm sorry."
Your fists had weakened into desperate grips, fingers twisting helplessly into the front of his shirt. "You don't have to go..." You could barely get the words out between sobs. "You don't..." His embrace tightened. "If I could stay..." He swallowed. "I would." You shook your head violently. Then his voice cracked just enough for you to hear it. "But I can't." You cried harder. He whispered it against your hair. "I love you." Another kiss. "I love you so much." Your fingers only clenched tighter. "I'm sorry."
His hand continued stroking your back, slow and comforting despite the way your body shook uncontrollably against him. "I'm sorry I have to leave." Another broken sob escaped you. "I don't want to let go..." "You don't have to." He answered immediately. "So don't." His chin rested gently atop your head. "We'll stay like this for a little longer." He closed his eyes, holding you as though committing the feeling to memory. "I've got you." Another soft kiss. "I'm sorry."
And all you could do was cry into the arms of the man you loved, wishing that if you held him tightly enough. Maybe the world would stop asking him to leave.
[ⓒdark-night-hero] 2026°
: i made this and uploaded this before caleb fiance 3 (its almost done but i couldn't stop crying and crashing out so i couldn't just focus on it and need to lock in aka. Vent out my feelings) I AM SO FUCKIBG SAD AHHHHH
Everything that could go wrong did, and by the time you drag yourself through the door you’re exhausted, drained, and on the verge of tears. You don’t even get to kick your shoes off before two strong arms wrap around you from behind, pulling you back against a warm, solid chest.
Valko doesn’t say anything at first. He just holds you, chin resting on top of your head, tail curling gently around your leg like he’s trying to wrap you up completely.
“Bad day?” he finally murmurs, voice soft.
You nod, leaning into him. He doesn’t need more than that.
Without another word he scoops you up like you weigh nothing (which to him, you don’t) and carries you straight to the couch. He settles down with you curled in his lap, your face tucked into his neck while one big hand rubs slow, soothing circles on your back. His other hand gently scratches the back of your head if you’re feeling extra sensitive, or just strokes through your hair.
“You did so good today,” he whispers against your temple, pressing a soft kiss there. “I’m really proud of you, sweetheart.”
His tail thumps steadily against the cushion, slow and comforting. He keeps you wrapped up in him, warm and safe, occasionally nuzzling the top of your head or giving you little squeezes like he can physically push the sadness out of you.
When you finally relax against him with a tired sigh, he smiles and tucks you closer.
“I’ve got you,” he says simply. “You can rest now. I’m right here.”
You fall asleep like that wrapped up in your giant boyfriend, his steady heartbeat under your ear and his tail curled protectively around you. The worst day doesn’t feel so heavy anymore.
Valko stays there as long as you need, content to be your personal heater, weighted blanket, and safe place all in one.
Hi! I'm on a Discord server with a LADS affiliate, so she brings us news as soon as her contacts inform her. To summarize a long story, what Infold did wasn't to appease CN girls, it was to 'appease the government'. The media was speaking ill of the game and of Valko, and the CCP or Chinese Communist Party was involved. From what I've been told, the government claims that otome games are to blame for the country's low birth rate. It's not just Valko that's at risk, nor just LADS, it's all female-oriented games in China. From what I understand, Infold is trying to become an IPO to be less influenced by the Chinese government. The images explain better what I'm saying, but I think it's no longer time for a boycott... Given that we are at risk of losing LADS, it's better to show support...
Thank you friend for sharing this to us. I’ve also come to the conclusion that Valko’s removal must’ve been an act to appease not the toxic CN fans, but to quickly placate their government.
I don’t know what actions to take at this point. If we stop boycotting, they will devalue global opinions even more, because they’ll think we’re so easily strung along. On the other hand, if we continue, there’s a chance- if all this is true- that Infold will not have the support it needs to move along with future decisions to improve and preserve the game. There’s rumors that they are trying to relocate in order to have more creative freedom with their game without being stifled by their government and now, the forever looming threat of censorship from their crazy, native fans. If this is all true, I would love to support them so they can do what they need to so we’re not given an EOS announcement. But we’re so left in the dark right now, it’s impossible to know what’s happening, and therefore how to act.
I really can’t help but feel like this is an irreparable hit to the game, but I pray Im wrong. From now on, Infold will be entirely at the mercy of deranged CN fans, and if these mentioned fans don’t like a creative choice from the company— more clearly, if it’s not about advancing their chosen LI— then they will band together again and launch hate campaigns; it doesn’t matter if what they’re saying is built entirely on lies or pieces of lore from the story/characters that are taken out of context- so long as they can get the attention of major news outlets and the literal CCP, then they’re happy to slander. Anything for their LI, right? Who they’re too stupid to realize is now just as much at risk as Valko- as is the whole of the game because of their selfish, psychotic actions.
The Love and Deepspace creative vision is damaged; without the intended 6th LI, the main story will suffer and reveal plot holes; we will never get answers for many things; and there will be a clear shift in the trajectory of the story to account for the fact a long existent piece of it was ripped out. The trust from fans is broken. The community is disgustingly divided.
There’s a decent chance, now that the literal CCP is scrutinizing Infold, that we will no longer get spicy, even mildly suggestive, or angsty cards. The moral grey areas of certain characters will never receive more subtance- I won’t be surprised if Infold has to completely scrap any little hint of an ambivalent moral compass for the LIs, which all of them have by the way, some more than others. No LI is safe. And no LI will really be the same anymore. It’s probable that the incredibly complex, detailed, often mature world of Love And Deepspace will be reduced to Cocomelon.
I truly hope the crazed CN fans are proud of their unreasonable, unhinged behavior, because it will punish them the most. If they were so obsessed with their LI to flag down the CN government with the goal to ‘correct’ infold into releasing content for their specific LI, then I can’t imagine what they’ll do if the game collapses because of them. These people really might have just ‘killed’ their beloved LIs 😂 All you can do is laugh because it’s so fcking unbelievable.
Now maybe I’m being positive but I hope all this isn’t the case. LADS officially deleted all promotional content for Valko, and reverted the marketing banners to the 5. However I highly doubt they actually wiped any files for Valko, and in my opinion it sort of feels like they’re holding back…? Like you say you’re going on a diet, but there is still cake in the fridge in case you change your mind. They didn’t fully delete the YT promotional content— his videos became unlisted which means if they decide they want to publicize it again, they can at any time. If you watched them recently, you can find them in your history. I assume they also simply shelved it on their other socials instead of flat out deleting.
I’ve heard rumors that Infold might go on a 2-month hiatus to restructure and save their game (+ move), which is preferable to it being nuked by insane cn fans. However, I still worry about the chance of us receiving a sabotaged, censored version of the game from there on. If Infold really does relocate, I think that’s their best shot. They won’t be so controlled by the government anymore and more importantly the psychotic parasocialites which their own devs labeled as ‘malicious individuals’. It applies distance and future prevention from the legal + political threats we’re seeing them experience now thanks to coordinated fans who know exactly where to hit (spots where it’s historically sensitive; where CN government is worried for their nations prosperity and image, etc) to get their way.
So sorry to ramble. But yeah, I don’t know what to do girlies 🤷♀️ I really hope infold relocates- however long that takes and whatever that looks like. Once they’re safe, I think they would love to release Valko as intended- and expand on their meticulously crafted story which he’s always been apart of. And if they do, I pray they continue developing characters with depth and flaws, which sometimes includes dark themes and uncomfortable topics. Ive always trusted and adored the creative vision the infold team had for LADS, but if this does blow over, and the solution is to minimize any mature content (whether it be morally grey, uncomfortable areas or suggestive cards), I will never redownload this game again. Because it has lost its artistic spark- which is crazy because I truly believe that’s not what Infold wants. They poured so much resources, time, effort, research, and their favorite- money- into Valko’s creation as well as the overall game. If the rumors are true, it’s due to their hands being tied by extremists + their actions that they just can’t fulfill certain intents / actions right now.
also a thought: if infold does have plans to relocate/improve, and desperately wants to keep their players to stay while they do so, that would give recent actions some context. For instance, giving out 30 free wishes across the span of a month— forcing you to log in continuously and be a recurring player. As well a new furniture set they’re releasing which is… surprisingly free. These are incentives to log in and stay. Now, this could also be because they know people are pissed about valko, and so they’re trying to do their ragebait-like damage control… but it also could be because they’re trying to tide players over while they fix things in the background?? Who knows.
- I also want to note that infold tore down the big poster of the LIs outside their building. Not just valko— all of them. This is all so confusing and sus.
- there are a lot of cn girlies who love valko too and want him back; they’re leaving chocolate and flowers for him. also some are backtracking on their hate. some wolfies have reached out to global fans encouraging us to continue petitioning and hold out for them- because apparently they also want to make it known they love valko but simply can’t right now because it’s a holiday(?) in china and they have to remain peaceful or quiet on social media until July 2. but anyways this is just more evidence that it was NEVER about valko, and the majority wants him. Infold wants him.
Anyone saying the spank is OOC for Sylus- Im sorry to be the one to inform you, you don't know Sylus. He has literally spanked MC in a secret times already and has canonically fucked mc so rough she couldn't walk and needed 3 days off work. Just because he's a loving partner doesn't mean he can't fuck, Jesus christ. Seriously, if you believe someone can't be a good partner and be into rough sex, I need you to leave Sylus alone. Man can dote on, kill for, and die for his wife while still spanking her ass red, he has the range.
all i want for 2026 is that gigantic rancid AI bubble to finally burst in such a catastrophic way that the consequences will be so good and i'll never have to see another AI generated image ever again
୨୧ — "Where is she?" Sukuna demanded, crimson eyes scanning your floral shop with predatory focus.
You glanced up from where you were arranging a vase, not bothering to hide your smile at his agitation. Five years together had taught you when his rage was genuinely dangerous and when it was… well, this…
"Good morning to you too," you replied calmly, tucking a spring of baby’s breath into the arrangement.
As he moved past you, you noticed a small splotch of blood on his cheek. Without a word, you reached out, catching his sleeve to stop him momentarily- his eyes flashed down at you, but he allowed it. He watched as you dabbed at the smeared mark with a wet cloth you’d been using to wipe up the counter… Wiping away the evidence of whatever or whoever he’d encountered before coming home.
Releasing his sleeve once his face was clean, you pressed a sweet kiss to the corner of his lips, "Last I saw her, she was out in the back garden counting butterflies."
"She called me," he growled, "Said she needed me for 'urgent business."
Your chuckle only darkened his scowl, "I told her, not to use your emergency number unless it was an actual emergency."
"But this IS an emergency!!" A tiny voice piped up from the garden doorway.
There she stood, his five year old daughter, a miniature mirror of himself. Even at her young age, she commanded attention with the same natural authority as her father, though her methods relied more on charm than intimidation.
"Someone stepped on Mr. Squiggles…" she announced, crimson eyes -identical to Sukuna’s- already brimming with tears.
Your heart broke at the sight, and you instinctively moved towards her. However she completely dodged your approaching form, instead running straight to her father, her small flip-flops slapping against the wooden floor.
Sukuna's brow furrowed as he looked down at her, towering over her tiny frame, "Who the fuck is Mr. Squiggles?"
"Language," you murmured, though the truth is you accepted long ago that battling Sukuna’s vocabulary was a losing war.
"My caterpillar!" She whined, grabbing her father’s much larger hand and tugging with surprising strength, "You have to fix him!"
Sukuna’s eye twitched at the fact he was called from what he was doing to come home to this, but still he allowed himself to be led through the kitchen and into the garden. He shot you a look over his shoulder that clearly said, This is what constitutes an emergency?
You merely smiled, following them outside where the morning sun warmed the small garden.
"There!!" She pointed dramatically to a small patch of milkweed where, upon closer inspection, a slightly squashed monarch caterpillar lay motionless…
Sukuna crouched down, his massive frame folding with surprising grace as he examined the tiny creature. His hands -those same hands capable of unspeakable violence, hands that had broken bones and drawn blood without hesitation- hovered with unexpected gentleness over the crushed caterpillar.
"Who stepped on him?" He asked, voice deceptively calm in a way that made you tense slightly.
"It was mama’s helper," she sniffled, wiping a tear from her cheek...
"Mama's helper, huh?" Sukuna growled, his eyes sliding towards you, a dark glint in his gaze, "I'll have a nice little chat with them later, sweetheart."
Sweetheart. The endearment rolled off his tongue in a way that seemed to go against his very nature, but that's precisely how you knew he was serious. When Sukuna used terms of endearment, it meant he would make sure this person paid for making his little girl cry.
His attention turned back to the caterpillar, and he gingerly poked it.
"Can you help him, daddy?" She pleaded, with complete faith in her father’s abilities shining in her bright little eyes, "Make him all better?"
"He’s pretty fucked up" he said bluntly…
"But-" She looked up at him, little hands clutching his sleeve, wrinkling the fabric, "You fix everything… mama told me lots of times how you make everything better!"
Something tightened in Sukuna's chest- that familiar, uncomfortable squeeze that happened whenever his daughter looked at him like he hung the fucking moon. Like he wasn't the same man whose name made certain parts of the city go silent with terror.
"Not everything can be fixed, kid," he said, gentler than most would believe him capable of.
"Mr. Squiggles is hurt pretty badly, sweetie." Your voice was soft as you kneeled beside the two of them, the grass cool against your knees.
Her eyes started to well up again, tears spilling over, "B-but… Daddy makes us better when we get sick… an- and when my tooth fell out… an- an-"
Sukuna gave you a look that asked for backup, but you merely smiled sympathetically, leaving him to navigate this particular minefield alone.
Traitor.
Sukuna's jaw tightened the moment he looked back at his daughter, "Fuck," he whispered under his breath, a muscle working in his cheek as he carefully scooped up the flattened caterpillar onto a leaf, "I’ll try... No promises though."
It was a strange sight, watching Sukuna- this feared and powerful man, gently cradling this little creature in his hand. His expression was stern, yet focused as he brought it close to his face, examining it intently.
"Ah! Thank you, daddy!!" his little girl threw her arms around his neck, nearly toppling him backwards.
"Yeah...," Sukuna murmured, "No problem." His large scarred hand came up to steady her, patting her back with affection that had become less awkward over the years, "Now go get me a box, brat."
She beamed at him, eyes practically sparkling at the use of her favorite nickname before darting off, her footsteps quick and excited.
Sukuna remained crouched over the very much dead caterpillar, feeling rather foolish.
"How's the patient?" You asked, wrapping your arms around his broad shoulders, kissing the nape of his neck.
"You told her I make everything better?" his tone almost accusatory.
"I mean, you do~" you replied sweetly, and he snorted, turning his head just enough to give you a warning look, which only made you giggle. "Think of all the things you fix and make better. My life is significantly better with you in it,” he rolled his eyes as you continued, “and you fixed that leaky faucet, broken toys, scraped knees… Your motorc-"
"Not dead bugs."
"Mm… Yeah… Well, maybe Mr. Squiggles is just stunned…" You glanced at the small green body still unmoving on the leaf, "I'm sure if anyone can wake him up, it's you."
"It's fucking flattened," he muttered, examining the leaf in his palm.
Your daughter returned with a small pink box lined with fresh leaves, her face scrunched in concentration as she focused on not tripping, "Here, daddy!! The bug hospital!"
She leaned in close, her small hands braced on her father's knee as she watched him place Mr. Squiggles in the box. The contrast between them was striking- his hands scarred and powerful, hers tiny and unmarked. Yet there was no fear in how she pressed against him, no hesitation in how she invaded his space.
"Is he going to be okay?" she asked, voice ever so small and hopeful.
Sukuna's eyes remained fixed on the container, his mouth set in a hard line, "Don't know. Might take him a while to recover."
"So we have to wait?" she sighed, and you smiled at the familiar sound.
Sukuna nodded, and you felt a rush of affection at how patiently he was trying to deal with this.
"Oh..."
Then, without any kind of warning, she looked up at him, "Daddy," she asked with the sudden, left field logic that only children possess, "would you still love me if I was a worm?"
Sukuna went absolutely still, his entire body tensing... The leaf he'd been adjusting tore slightly under the sudden pressure of his fingers. He turned his head slowly to look at his daughter, eyes narrowing as if she'd just asked him a trick question.
"The fuck kind of question is that?" his voice was rough, but his tone lacked any real bite.
She didn't flinch at his harsh tone- she never did. Instead, she just blinked those crimson eyes -so like his own- and repeated herself with the stubborn persistence only a five year old could muster, "If I was like Mr. Squiggles… I- If I got stepped on and turned into a worm. Would you still be my daddy?" her little eyebrows scrunching up in worry.
Shit… It was a serious question.
He ran a hand over his face and then back through his hair, a gesture you recognized all too well… he was thinking, very hard. You'd never seen him so thrown off, and you couldn't help but hide a smile behind your hand.
"Listen," he said finally, setting the box aside and turning to face his daughter fully.
"B-Because, maybe you wouldn't-" a small hiccup interrupted her, "maybe you wouldn't l-love me anymore."
You moved to step in, but Sukuna held up a hand, stopping you. His eyes never leaving his daughter's face, "Look at me," he commanded, his voice low but steady as he dropped to one knee, brining himself to her level.
It was a position he would allow with no one else, an exception he only made for her. "Listen carefully, because i'm only saying this once," his finger hooked under her chin, tilting her face up, "You're mine. My blood. You don't get to escape from that." his tone was deadly serious, the same tone he used when making promises that would be kept regardless of cost. "So," he continued, thumb swiping across her cheek to wipe away a stray tear, "worm or not, you're still my brat. That clear?"
Her red rimmed eyes widened, "Really?"
"Really." taking his thumb from her cheek he lightly flicked her forehead, making her giggle, "And if anyone tried to step on you…"
"You'd protect me?" she leaned against him, arms coming up around his neck, hugging him tightly, "Just like always, right?"
Over her head, his eyes met yours, and something passed between you… "I’d burn this whole damn city to the ground," his words carrying the unmistakable weight of truth, "Anyone who touched you would die screaming."
What should have been horrifying was instead comforting- the absolute certainty that this man, this monster who had chosen to be your protector, the father of your child, would tear apart the world to keep his daughter safe. To keep you both safe.
"I knew it," her tiny voice was muffled against him, "Mama says your heart is bigger than you pretend…" nuzzling into him, she added those three little words that made his throat visibly tighten, "I love you, Daddy." and you saw the moment Sukuna's eyes softened as they did only for you and her.
"Yeah well… Your mother talks too much," he grumbled, his hands moving to throw her over his shoulder.
"Daaaaadddyyyyy" she squealed, tiny legs kicking playfully against him, but there was no real resistance, no fear when he was the one holding her.
Sukuna turned to leave the garden, pausing by your side. His large hand reached out, grabbing a handful of your hair to draw you in with controlled force for a rough kiss. It was his habit- the physical equivalent of an ‘I love you.’
"Love you too," you whispered against his lips.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Later that night, after Sukuna had tucked his daughter in bed, you found him sitting out in the garden, nursing a glass of alcohol and staring at the pink bug hospital.
You slid onto the bench beside him, and he lifted his arm automatically, allowing you to tuck yourself against his side. For a long moment, neither of you spoke, content in the quiet and each other's warmth.
"I replaced it," he broke the silence first, his voice rumbling in his chest against your ear.
You blinked in confusion as you looked up at him, "Replaced what?"
"The flattened bug. What else? It was dead as shit. Found another on a bush at the edge of the garden."
A small laughed escaped you, "Of course you did."
He shot you a look that was both irritated and slightly embarrassed, "Don't start with me."
You trailed your fingers along the tattoos marking his chest, feeling his heart beat steady beneath your touch. "You know," you murmured, "for someone who claims to care about nothing, you’ve gotten awfully good at caring for everything that’s yours." You pressed your lips to the hollow of his throat, feeling his pulse quicken.
"Tch," he clicked his tongue, "fucking ridiculous." he grunted, but his arm tightened around you, "This is what i've been reduced to. Hunting a replacement bug for a five year old..." His expression sobered, "You ever regret it? This life?"
The question surprised you, Sukuna never voiced uncertainty about your relation, ever... "Not for a second," reaching up to caress the mark beneath his eye, "I knew what I was getting into."
He caught your hand, pressing a rare, gentle kiss to your palm, "No you didn't."
"I knew enough," you insisted, "I knew I was in good hands when it came to you, and that's all that mattered."
His eyes, crimson and sharp, searched yours, finding nothing but absolute certainty and trust, "And you're still not afraid?"
"Not of you. Never of you."
He made a sound low in his throat, pulling you into his lap with an ease that still thrilled you to this day. His hands -the same hands that cupped his daughter's face with tenderness, the same hands that would come home time to time stained with blood- framed your face, thumbs brushing your cheekbones.
You smiled, leaning into his touch, "And I’ll always be yours, even if you turned into a worm."
A startled laugh escaped him, genuine and unguarded, before he captured your mouth in a kiss, deep and possessive- promising things no words could quite capture and a lifetime of protection.
୨୧ ― The playground falls silent when Sukuna’s shadow darkens the entrance.
Six foot four of raw muscle and barely contained violence, his black fitted shirt strained against broad shoulders. Scarred knuckles told stories of shattered jaws and walls alike. The tattoos that snake up his arms and across his face, ancient markings that ward away anyone foolish enough to cross him. Three prison stints. Fourteen confirmed hospitalizations of those who dared cross his path. And whispers… dark, unsettling rumors, of bodies that were never found.
But, cradled against his chest -those same hands that have crushed windpipes- holds his little girl, five years old with eyes just like his. She clutches her plastic watering can painted with daisies, her other hand firmly gripping Sukuna’s shirt like she’s taming a beast.
"Down Papa! My flowers are thirsty!!" she demands, completely unfazed by her father whose mere presence makes grown men piss themselves…
"Tch. Such a brat, just like your mother." Sukuna growls, the same tone that makes other parents clutch their kids a little tighter when he walks by, but the girl laughs and squeals with delight as he swings her around and sets her down.
The other parents keep their distance, their fear of Sukuna quite palpable, fueled by the whispers that cling to his name like a curse. But they watch- oh how they watch. Their eyes following him, as if expecting him to do something to prove the rumors true. Sukuna notices, a cruel smile splitting his face, revealing teeth, "What're you looking at?" he snarls at a gawking teenager, who stumbles backward in terror.
Their fear amuses him, but their opinions? Worthless.
He doesn’t care what they think, doesn’t care what they say.
He isn’t here for them anyway. He’s here for one reason, to make sure no one’s foolish enough to lay a hand on his little girl. If anyone dares, if anyone is stupid enough to try, they’ll see it firsthand. They’ll realize the stories don’t even scratch the surface. He’ll show them exactly why they should fear him- why calling him a monster is an insult to what he truly is.
"Papa! Look!" his little girl holds up a tiny daisy, "This one's for you! It's a gift, from me to you." She smiles at him, her eyes sparkling and full of love, as if he doesn’t scare the shit out of everyone else.
His face, usually frozen in a permanent scowl, softens imperceptibly, "Put it back in the ground, kid. Flowers need to grow..."
"Nooo," she pouts, "Mama gave me more seeds to plant and this one told me it wants to be with you!" She reaches up, impossibly small hand extended.
"Stubborn little-," he mutters as he crouches down, allowing her to tuck the flower behind his ear.
"See, now you're pretty just like the garden and mama!" She beams at him, her arms spread wide in a dramatic gesture of pride.
For a split second his eyes widen, surprised at the words coming out of her mouth. Pretty? Him? "I'm not pretty…" he growls, but doesn't remove the flower.
"You are to me," she says softly before wrapping her little arms around his neck, squeezing him tight and kissing him on his tatted cheek, "I love you, Papa."
Sukuna feels his heart skip a beat, then two, his throat tightening as the words leave his little brats lips. He can't bring himself to say it back- not here… He can't form the words he desperately wants to say…
Instead, his rough hands wrap around her, one hand on the back of her head, the other pressing her into his shoulder, "Yeah yeah…" His grip is gentle, almost tentative, like she might disappear if he squeezes too hard, "Me too…"
He feels her lips curl into a smile against him, and it's the only answer he needs. She understands, just like you do, the way he shows his love instead of saying it.
"C'mon," he ruffles her hair, "your mother will have my ass if I don't get us home." He takes her hand, fingers engulfing hers.
"Don't worry, Papa, the flowers will protect us!!"
As they walk home, her tiny hand disappearing in his massive one, Sukuna still wears the bloom behind his ear. A passing man stares a bit too long for Sukuna’s liking and receives a glare promising slow, creative violence if he doesn't look away immediately.
But his daughter just swings their joined hands, chattering about which seeds she'll plant next, completely unafraid of the monster whose reputation makes hardened criminals wake in cold sweats.
She is his one weakness, though he'd gut anyone who suggested it.
And he is her guardian- her hero, and she reminds him daily.
The fearsome Sukuna, brought to his knees by a little girl who talks to flowers.
papa!kuna’s daughter is a little confused . . . ໒ ݂𓈒𓏼 .﹏. 𓏼ིྀ ̥১
the house smelled like warm rice and miso when you walked through the front door, returning from a long day of work to your little family. ryomen was in the kitchen, massive frame somehow fitting behind the counter as he stirred a pot one-handed, his other arm cradling your two-year-old daughter on his hip like the toddler weighed nothing.
“hey, baby,” he rumbled the moment he saw you, voice low and warm in that way that still made your stomach flip even after years together. “missed you.”
your little girl’s head popped up at the sound, chubby cheeks flushed from playtime earlier. “baby!” she echoed brightly, reaching both arms out toward you with a delighted squeal. “babyyy!”
you blinked, pausing mid-step. “did she just—”
ryomen smirked, that sharp-toothed grin softening at the edges when he looked at his creation. “yeah. little brat’s been calling you that all morning.”
you set your purse down and crossed the room, scooping your toddler into your arms. she immediately buried her face in your neck, giggling. “baby,” she mumbled again, patting your cheek like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“sweetheart, my name isn’t baby,” you said gently, pressing a kiss to her messy hair, pink like her father’s. “it’s—”
“baby,” ryomen cut in smoothly, abandoning the pot to wrap his arms around your waist, pulling you both against his chest. his lips brushed your temple. “my baby. always have been.”
the toddler nodded solemnly against you, as if that settled it. “my baby,” she declared, then pointed at her father with a triumphant little fist. “papa’s baby!?”
he let out a low chuckle that vibrated through all three of you, the sound so fond it made your heart squeeze. “that’s right, little princess. papas baby.”
you sighed, half-laughing, half-melting as your daughter kept repeating the nickname like it was the best word she’d ever learned. every time you tried to correct her—“no, love, it’s mama”—she’d just beam wider and say “baby!” even louder, completely amused by your reactions, looking between you and sukuna like you were both in on the world’s greatest secret.
later, when the three of you were curled up on the oversized couch after dinner, little girl fast asleep on ryomen’s chest with one tiny hand fisted in your shirt. he tilted his head toward you, a fond smile tugging at his lips again.
“let her call you that for a while,” he murmured, voice quiet so he wouldn’t wake the little one. his fingers traced slow circles on your shoulder. “she’s not wrong. you were my baby before we actually had a baby. and it’s… it’s pretty cute to hear from her, kinda makes me wanna have another one.”
you rolled your eyes playfully before leaning into him, smiling softly against his skin. “ryo… she’s gonna keep thinking that’s my actual name, you know. you call me that more than my actual name.”
“good,” sukuna said, unrepentant, pressing another kiss to your hair. “she’ll probably let go of it soon enough anyway. like when we had yuji babysit her for a few hours and we came back to her calling me unc, remember? only lasted about a week, so just enjoy it for now.”
your toddler stirred just enough to babble in her sleep before going back to his soft snores, and ryomen grin turned impossibly softer, reduced to putty by the two people who held his whole world.
“yeah,” you whispered, closing your eyes as his big arm tightened around you both. “alright. i’ll be baby just a little longer.”
spreading the stayathome girldad kuna agenda imma need u to also image him sitting in a plastic chair that’s way too small for him with a tiny pink backpack on one shoulder thank u
this lowk is the first fully fluff fic i’ve posted here let’s all cheer yayayay
i legitmately deeply love those fratkuna pieces where he’s choso and yuji’s older brother. or any piece where he’s the elder and is soft around them. (aka unc kuna)
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