The thought of Hanabi and Erena trying to get their fathers to be besties like them and failing will always make me laugh a bit
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@nocturnalreader106
The thought of Hanabi and Erena trying to get their fathers to be besties like them and failing will always make me laugh a bit
a bouquet of brambles | ryomen sukuna
pairing: god!sukuna x priestess!reader (+ a hint of god!gojo x reader)
summary: greek myth au. being sukuna's priestess is all you've known, and you've spent a lifetime alone in his temple, devoting yourself solely to him and his needs.
when a different god appears at your door one day with promises of more than a life in the darkness, both you and sukuna find yourselves in uncharted territory
word count: 10.7k
content: 18+ mdni, greek myth au, smut, dubcon/noncon elements due to power imbalance, loneliness, rejection, devotion, abuse, worship, violence, mean!sukuna, piv, attempted cucking, fingering, biting, rough sex, hurt/comfort, sukuna is bad with feelings and satoru is a little shit
a/n: in honour of this blog's one year anniversary I wanted to pay homage to one of the first fics I wrote on here: this blindness I'm condemned to! so here's another god!sukuna fic with a florence and the machine title hehe
also i want to give a big shoutout to @liahcharms for reigniting my passion for myth fics with all her brilliant works! please go and read everything she's written asap
Sukuna always smelt of blood, drenched in that metallic scent that would infest your nostrils, sticking around long after heโd departed your side. Heโd always appear in the dead of night, whenever the temple would fall silent, looking more like a beast than a god. Heโd take up the whole doorway with his mighty stature, four arms hanging loose at his side, his twisted face laden with mania.ย
It was you that heโd come to see - his sweet, devoted priestess. Heโd waste no time with niceties, for you both knew what it was that he wanted, appearing before you to ensure that you honored your oath of service in whichever manner he deemed appropriate.ย
Things always played out the same way, with his crimson soaked hands wrapped firmly around your slender neck, sharp fingernails drawing blood while his fingers left pretty little bruises against your skin. Heโd grunt as he bent you over his altar, guttural sounds of pleasure leaving his lips as he pressed his mouth against your ear.ย
Youโd sob and shake beneath him, hands raking desperately against the marble beneath you, tears dripping down your cheeks as you let him sink deeper into you than youโd ever allowed any man to go.ย
Heโd give you a taste of divinity, of real purpose. He was your god and you served him well, offering yourself fully for his own pleasure and entertainment, and he ate it up every time, filling you up with his seed and leaving you there once he was satisfied, with no regard for your own gratification.ย
And there youโd remain in the oppressive silence, shivering at the foot of your shrine to him, awaiting his next visit with rapt enthusiasm. That was your role in this world, your only genuine purpose - you were to give yourself to him and in the times between you were to yearn for his return.ย
You were to tend to his temple, greet his worshippers, and provide him with offerings. You were to sleep on the cold marble every night just in case he required your services, you were to have no family, lay with no man, for you were his in every sense of the word.ย
Even if he would never be yours.ย
Maintaining your oath had never caused you much trouble, for it was the only life youโd grown to know. You had been raised to be a priestess, had tended to the temple since you were eighteen - Sukuna, and your devotion to him, was the only thing that existed in your narrow worldview.ย
That was how it was supposed to always be.ย
Until one morning a different deity appeared at your door.ย
It was a pleasant spring day, and the forest beyond the templeโs walls was brushed with rays of gold, so filled with life in stark contrast to the confines of your shrine. It was always cold in there, tainted with the vague scent of blood and death that followed Sukuna wherever he went.ย
Even though you had never seen another of his temples, nor met another of his priestesses, you were certain that the uneasy darkness lingered in any place where he was worshipped.ย
And yet, that darkness, which usually extended to your patch of woodland, seemed woefully absent on that temperate morning. On the contrary, the forest seemed more alive than youโd ever seen it, teeming with colour and life - a beauty that felt utterly foreign to your eyes.ย
The cause of the change appeared without warning, manifesting between the trees, blue eyes alight with mischief as he strolled towards your humble temple. He had an otherworldly glow about him, a power akin to that of your own god, but rather different in nature. The air around him felt light and airy, like his mere presence could strip away any sense of despair.ย
You didnโt know him. You didnโt know any god but your own. You werenโt supposed to.ย
Nervously, youโd flinched back, stepping over the threshold back into your temple, peering past the open doors at the figure who came to a halt on your doorstep, a pleasant smile lighting up his handsome face.ย
โGood morning,โ he hummed, his tone chipper. โI hadnโt expected to find any humans out here - especially not a beautiful woman.โย
โAre- are you here to make an offering?โ You asked, struggling to find your voice. Youโd found yourself captivated by his ethereal beauty, your eyes skimming over his toned body and the beautiful white toga that adorned it. There was nothing monstrous about him like your own master, he was gorgeous in the most conventional of ways.ย
โAn offering? To him?โ The god snorted as he gestured to the carvings littering the outer walls of the temple. โAbsoultely not.โย
Fear fluttered in your heart as you took yet another step back into the comfortable darkness of your home. It felt like Sukuna was draping himself over you, keeping you safe from the stranger before you. For him to so casually put down your god was the gravest insult in this setting, and you wondered if Sukuna might strike him down where he stood.ย
Perhaps heโd strike you down too, for even allowing yourself to bear witness to such heresy.ย
โI donโt think you should be here.โ You tried to sound as confident as you could, to turn this god away before he could cause any issue. You didnโt want any trouble, didnโt want to find yourself breaking any of Sukunaโs rules.ย
โYou donโt need to sound so afraid, I mean you no harm.โ He took another step forward, his toes brushing against the threshold, peering into the darkness at you. โCome and step into the light, so that we can talk properly.โย
Even though you knew it was wrong, you found your legs obeying his command. There was something about the way that he spoke which commanded the same authority that Sukuna did, filling you with a terrifying desire to do as you were told no matter what your brain truly wanted. This god didnโt wield his authority with the darkness that your own master did, but the underlying implication was still there.ย
He would have what he wished, and would employ any method to get it.ย
Your legs carried you back outside, eyes wide as you observed the man before you. His blue eyes dragged over your form and you caught the way that they seemed to light up with glee. โYouโre a gorgeous creature, arenโt you? Typical of Sukuna to keep such secrets to himself. What do you call yourself?โย
You told him meekly, averting your gaze down to the floor. Now that you were standing before him you found your heart racing unfathomably quick, oddly taken by his immense beauty. Youโd allowed your mind to wander, to wonder what it would be like to have his delicate hands hold you.ย
It was a thought that you were quick to chase away, for fear that Sukuna could hear every one of your deepest desires and punish you for the slightest deviation away from him.ย
โHow lovely. You can call me Satoru.โ The name meant nothing to you. Youโd been raised largely in isolation, taught by your parents your role at the temple and abandoned to silence at eighteen. If Satoru was some well-known god, it meant nothing to you.ย
He didnโt seem offended by your lack of knowledge. Perhaps heโd expected it.ย
โAre you out here all alone?โย
You were, the people in the closest town would bring supplies to you once a fortnight, and beyond that you were left purely to your own devices. It probably wasnโt wise to tell a strange man such a thing, but you got the sense that heโd know if you were lying.ย
โI am.โย
โOh, how I abhor the cruelty of your master, always keeping his poor worshippers in the worst of conditions. If you were my priestess youโd get to live in the most lavish quarters in some lovely city, surrounded by like-minded folk. No woman should have to linger alone in some dark forest.โย
โIt suits me here,โ you whispered. โIโve always been here.โย
Satoru scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. โThen you simply donโt know any better than what your master has taught you.โย
You were certain that you didnโt need to know. With Sukuna the rules for your life were clear, what more could there be? It was an honor to serve him in the way that you did, it was what you were made for. You didn't need pity from some stranger.ย
โLook at you, all confused by my words.โ A hand reached out for you, your body shaking as a finger tapped the centre of your furrowed brow before withdrawing. โYou canโt even begin to comprehend the unfairness of your life.โย
โIt's not unfair,โ you bit back, quietly. You mostly believed your words, but youโd be lying if you were wholly satisfied. You had no qualms about living in this place, or about serving your lord, but in the times between Sukunaโs visits you were hollow, desperate for him, caught up in wondering what he was doing, wondering how many other priestesses he treated just like you.ย
You wanted him to be yours just as you were his, wanted his devotion to you.ย
An impossible ask.ย
โIt is, but you canโt allow yourself to see it,โ he said with a sigh, fingers dragging through his soft white hair. โYouโre a great prize of his, you know. One of his favourites. He always likes to brag about your beauty but never wishes to share - he isnโt a man who likes others playing with what belongs to him, even when he has so much.โ
โOh,โ you mumbled, not sure what to make of that. You wanted to be flattered but your joy was unraveled by the use of the phrase โone of his favouritesโ. For now he treasured you, saw you as something valuable amongst all he had. One day youโd slide down that list, once your looks started to fail you.ย
โIโm here because I had to gaze upon the one that even a monster would desire so deeply.โ Your eyes widened in surprise, studying the look on his face. You could sense no trace of dishonesty, his expression open and welcoming, his thoughts written across his face.ย
The complete opposite to Sukunaโs perpetually guarded frown.ย
โYou were certainly worth the journey,โ he continued, when you offered him nothing but silence. You shouldโve told him to stop when he reached for you once more, but you remained frozen, completely dumbfounded as his hand traced along your soft cheek. It was a caress gentler than any that Sukuna had given you.ย
โYou shouldnโt be doing this,โ you murmured, terrified of what the consequences for his actions would be. You were surprised to find that you didnโt want him to stop, your heart battering against your ribcage at being shown such careful attention for once in your lonely life.ย
It was a dangerous feeling.
โI would provide you so much more than he ever could,โ he whispered, leaning forward. โIโd give you a place in the light, a place at my side. Beauty like yours doesnโt deserve to be hidden away, it should be celebrated.โย
Your breath hitched as he closed the gap between you. His nose brushed against yours, lips inching closer, and for a second you almost gave in, almost allowed temptation to win out over the oath that youโd bound yourself to. But you had lived a life of discipline, and when you pushed him back with all of your strength, it was your body acting on instinct.ย
Kissing him wasnโt right. It would be a betrayal of everything that you lived for. Besides, your parents had warned you about schemes of other gods, warning that if you were to ever encounter one, you would find that they took great enjoyment in playing with humans.ย
That was what this was. This man didnโt know you, didnโt care for you. You could feel the dislike for your master rolling off him in waves. He was here to humiliate his opponent, to claim something of his.ย
You would be no pawn in his game.ย
โI wish for you to leave,โ you said as firmly as you could, your heart still fluttering in your chest. โMy master would not want you here."ย
There was a flicker of hurt in Satoruโs eyes, but he dropped his hands to his sides all the same, stepping back with a somber nod. โHe wouldnโt, youโre right. But you should not wish to be here either, for you deserve more than the darkness he shrouds you in.โย
โIt- it is what I have chosen.โย
โIt is what has been forced upon you,โ he countered, offering you a sad smile. โBut when you one day choose to free yourself of it, I will be waiting.โย
And just like that, Satoru disappeared, taking the brilliant light of the morning away with him. For some reason you felt cold, an empty emotion not unlike that which would plague you whenever Sukuna would leave you broken and naked on the temple floor. It had been nice to talk to someone, nice to feel the sun on your skin.ย
Even if it was all just trickery from some malicious man hellbent on separating you from your duty.ย
It was a week after that encounter that Sukuna darkened your door again, in the manner he always would.
Your encounter went much as usual, speaking no words of greeting as he approached, his hands tearing at your clothes, fingers holding you with a bruising grip as he took you beneath him. He was as rough as ever and you enjoyed it all the same, soft whimpers echoing around the temple as you chanted his name like a prayer.ย
But when he was done, he didnโt leave in silence as he usually would. Instead, he drew himself up to his full height, towering over your frail body which heโd discarded so carelessly on the cold floor. His red eyes were fixed on you with an unusual intensity, two of his hands resting on his hips while the other two crossed firmly over his chest.ย
โYou had a visitor this week. Didnโt you?โ The question came out as a deep rumble, sending fear coursing through your vulnerable form.ย
โYes.โ You kept your eyes down. You werenโt supposed to look up at him without his permission, he was too divine for your eyes to gaze upon openly.ย
โAnd what did you think of him, this visitor?โย
You werenโt quite sure what to say. If you were to tell him the truth, to suggest that you found Satoru captivating in any way, you feared the punishment that may follow. On the other hand, if you tried lying only for him to realise that you were attempting to deceive him, that could land you in even deeper trouble.ย
The last thing you wanted was to disappoint him.ย
โHe wasโฆstrange. He was like you but not.โ You chose your words carefully, omitting your feelings on the matter.ย
Sukuna let out an amused huff. โThere is no one like me, little priestess. But to your untrained eye I can understand what youโre trying to say - he held a power beyond your comprehension, and by extension you find us to be similar.โย
Disagreeing with him would be foolish so you simply nodded in agreement, your gaze still trained upon the ground, even as you heard him shifting before you. He crouched, one of his lower hands pressing against your chin and raising your face to look at him.
โWhat of your opinion on him? Did you enjoy his visit? Do you yearn for him to return with all his foolish light and greenery?โ
โNo.โ The lie slipped out before you could stop it, before you had the chance to truly consider your answer.ย
He blinked, a slow grin spreading across his tanned face, his canines pointed and sharp, still dripping with blood heโd withdrawn from your neck minutes prior. โNo? Such a well trained little thing,โ he hummed, a hand coming down to your hair and stroking it with something akin to affection, like an owner praising their pet. โThough, I thought youโd know better than to lie to me.โย
The grip in your hair tightened, strands pulling at your scalp. A soft yelp left your lips, eyes welling with tears, your gaze still fixed on him as heโd commanded.
โI can hear your heart fluttering, your blood rushing through those delicate veins of yours. I think you wish to see him again, perhaps you yearn for him to visit you in the way I do.โย
You shook your head as best as you could while still confined within his firm grip. Even if you were curious about your visitor, infatuated by the light which he seemed to bathe himself in, you had no desire for his visits to be even remotely similar to Sukunaโs. The humiliation of being taken and abandoned by one god was enough, your heart would not cope with a second.ย
โIโm loyal to you, master. Only to you.โย
There was a soft tremble to your voice, your skin prickling with fear. The look on Sukunaโs face was manic, like it always was when heโd fuck you, or when heโd dump a corpse on the templeโs doorstep. There was an electricity to him that told you he had little tolerance where Satoru was concerned, and as his hand twisted in your hair, you felt certain heโd tear your head from your shoulders.ย
โIs that so?โ He asked, his booming voice echoing around the temple. For a moment, a look which seemed almost conflicted flickered in his red eyes, but it was gone before you could truly verify its existence, replaced by his usual hardened gaze.ย
โYes. I take joy in nothing but serving you.โย
You were starting to grow cold, the chill of the templeโs marble seeping into your exposed skin. Heโd seen you in this state time and time again, but to kneel naked before him and talk was different to being fucked by him, it felt too vulnerable, building an urge within you to cover yourself from his gaze.ย
Fortunately, your mind stopped you from attempting to draw your arms across your breasts. You were his property and he could gaze upon you as he pleased, you had no right to obscure what had always been his.ย
Releasing his grip on your hair, he let you crumple down before him. He then brushed the strands tenderly over your bare shoulders, gentle enough for you to mistake it for the touch of a lover. The coolness of his tone dispelled any such illusion as he whispered in your ear.ย
โMake sure to remember it. Lie to me again or find comfort in that fool, and Iโll make sure you regret it for the rest of your pathetic little life.โ ย
And just like that, he was gone, the warmth of his breath still hot against your ear, your stomach churning with guilt beneath the weight of his bitter disappointment.
Satoru visited again the following day.
He was already waiting for you outside as you threw open the doors to the temple at dawn, leaning against a tree, skin glistening beneath the sunโs gorgeous rays. Doves were flittering around him, whistling away with some merry tune that seemed so out of place within the shadow of your temple.ย
Once more, you found yourself faltering, glancing back towards the safety of your temple and wondering if you should barricade yourself inside, your masterโs threat hanging heavy in your mind.ย
But the warmth and comfort that the god before you exuded was attractive, pulling your feet towards him just like the first time, a moth to his brightly burning flame. He seemed overjoyed at the sight of your nervous figure before him, shuffling about and avoiding his gaze, jumping at every shadow in the forest behind him, as if Sukuna would emerge from the trees.ย
โSo nervous.โ Satoru commented, blue eyes skimming over your form. โYou have nothing to fear from me, lovely priestess.โย
โIt is not you who I fear.โย
โAh, of course not.โ Pushing the subject no further, the god offered you a soft smile before lowering himself down onto the grass before you, sitting cross-legged on the ground. A flicker of confusion registered within you, for service to Sukuna had taught you that he was never to be beneath you, it would always be him towering over you.ย
Satoru seemed to hold no such views, looking up at you easily.ย
โSit with me.โย
Glancing around once more, you shook your head. โI cannot. I told you before, you should not be here.โย
Satoru scoffed, a playful glint in his cerulean eyes. โHe doesnโt know Iโm here. Weโre not all-knowing, and heโs off dealing with some war right about now, his attention couldnโt be further from you.โย
โHe knew you were here before.โ You pointed out, shuffling your bare feet awkwardly in the grass, pretending to find interest in the way your toes wrapped around the blades to avoid meeting the gaze of the being before you.ย
โThat was my error. I had been callous in my approach here the first time, unbothered by the idea of him knowing that Iโd gone to look at what was his. For that I apologise. I had not realised the way in which it would impact you.โ Satoru seemed genuinely sorry for his actions, worry creasing on his otherwise perfect face.ย
Part of you wondered if it was an act, but you didnโt linger on the thought for too long. You hadnโt experienced kindness in a very long time, and that alone had your resolve wavering.ย
โPlease sit. I brought you an offering.โ He patted the grass beside him, and you hesitated for just a moment before doing as he asked, intrigued at the thought of a god bringing you an offering. Sukuna had never given you anything, why should he? And yet, Satoru snapped his fingers and a whole spread of food appeared on the ground before you.ย
It was a feast for Kings, an exorbitant amount, the likes of which youโd never witnessed in your lifetime.ย
Stale bread and the odd bit of cheese had become the staple of your diet over the years, that was all the people from the nearby village were willing to spare for a priestess of a war god, especially when your region had been experiencing peaceful times for as long as youโd lived.ย
โThis is too much for you to offer me,โ you said politely, trying to decline. You were concerned that indulging in wines and meats would be apparent to Sukuna on your breath, perhaps even on your body, for it might stop your skin from stretching uncomfortably over your bones like it did currently.ย
Satoru shook his head, beaming at you. โThis is nothing. Eat. Youโre such a frail little thing, he clearly doesn't feed you enough, so let me help you.โย
You knew it was wrong, knew that you should turn down his offering just like Sukuna would want you to. After all, if your master believed your diet should be so limited, you were in no position to question his judgement. But your piety did little to override the desires of your body, and humiliatingly you could feel yourself starting to salivate.ย
He didnโt have to know. Youโd eat just enough to sate your hunger and that would be that. You didnโt need to overindulge.ย
Hastily stuffing some grapes into your mouth, the pleased look on Satoruโs face emboldened you to continue. Even if he wasnโt the god you were supposed to serve, there was something about him that led you to desire his approval in the same way you desired Sukunaโs. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he could kill you just as easily as your own master could, if he so wished.ย
โThatโs it,โ he chirped. โEnjoy it.โ You grew so preoccupied with your feast, luxuriating in a range of flavours that youโd never known, that it came as a surprise to you when a warm hand brushed your neck, long fingers trailing delicately down your nape.ย
You withdrew quickly, jumping like some frightened stray cat, eyes wide and worried, unsure of the godโs intentions. He remained unfettered, dropping his hand and studying you like you were a matter of greater interest than some common priestess.ย
โAre you sure youโre no nymph? Perhaps some forgotten daughter of another god, cast out into the fringes of our minds?โ The honeyed words had your pulse racing, unsure what to make of the compliment. It felt pleasant to be praised, but he was not the man you should be seeking praise from. โYouโre so fair, it makes me want to hide you away from Sukuna.โย
He spat out your masterโs name like a curse, something dark and unbefitting of his light and lovely voice. You said nothing, peering back at him as you remained crouched in silence. There wasnโt a chance that youโd even acknowledge such a statement, for you knew acknowledgement tended to count as consent amongst gods.ย
Satoru shuffled closer once more, โthis mark on the back of your neck, he left it on you?โ His fingers were back on your skin now, pressing down on what you assumed must be a bruise. You hadnโt kept track of the marks on your body in a long time, aware that Sukuna would often leave them in his wake. They had never really bothered you.ย
And yet, Satoru looked concerned.
โI suppose so,โ you mumbled.ย
Scoffing, he shook his head. โWhat a barbarian.โย
Again, you found yourself glancing into the darkness of the trees, despising the idea that Sukuna might potentially be listening in on the exchange, waiting for you to slip up. If he was, you wanted him to be certain that you werenโt going along with Satoruโs complaints towards him.ย
โHeโs notโฆa barbarian,โ you whispered. Despite Sukunaโs treatment of you, it wasnโt so easy for you to cast aside your master. You loved him, youโd always loved him, it was practically built into your body. If he wanted to use you, he was free to do so, if he wanted to kill you, that was up to him.ย
Satoru looked sad, carefully withdrawing his hand and dropping it into his lap. It was evident that heโd thought this conversation would go a different way. โDo you enjoy my company?โ He asked.ย
โI do.โ There was no point in being dishonest. The green, airy atmosphere that he brought along with his presence was pleasant, and the opportunity to speak aloud to someone for once in your lonely life felt freeing, even if you knew it to be wrong. But that was where your rule-breaking would stop. You could dip your toes in the pools of possibility, but there were lines you would never cross.ย
โI was here last night, you know.โ He spoke.ย
A chill ran through you at his words.ย
โIs that how your visits from him always play out? Letting him have his way with you without so much as a hello? Receiving everything he could possibly want and then leaving you cold and shivering on the floor, praying for a sliver of his affection?โย
You wondered if Sukuna had known that Satoru was watching, if heโd revelled in the idea of an audience. Perhaps he simply didnโt care at all, why should it bother him if there was someone watching him lay claim to what was his?ย
โThatโs my role,โ you said mechanically, upon the realisation that Satoru was waiting for an answer.ย
โAnd again I must ask, youโre happy with that role?โย
โYes.โย
โHappy for him to leave you in solitude? To take you with such violence and then berate you for talking to another, all while heโs free to do as he pleases?โย
โYes.โ You lied, more than happy to pretend that you didnโt spend your nights dreaming of more, fantasising about a life in which you could stay in Sukunaโs embrace, rather than wrapped in the cool emptiness of his temple.ย
โAnd when you grow older? When your looks start to fail you and he ceases his visits, how do you think you'll feel about your role then?โย
The anxiety gripped your heart like a vice. The thought of Sukuna discarding you entirely was something youโd often considered, seeping into the cracks of your mind on your loneliest nights. There was nothing you could do to stop it, for time would march on and you would age, and he would find some new beautiful priestess to have as his favourite.ย
โYouโll miss him.โ Satoru said, answering the question for you. โYouโll lament and suffer and wish that heโd given you something to keep. Youโll realise that all your faith and devotion meant nothing to him, while he meant everything to you.โย
Tears began to stream down your cheeks before you could stop them, and you found yourself recoiling away from Satoru, feeling suddenly cold.ย
โThere will be no worth to your life, no honor given to you for your devotion and service. Heโll discard you, just as he discards everything that no longer qualifies as interesting to him. If your loneliness is strong now, it is nothing to what it will be when heโs gone for good, fascinated wholly with another while you wither into obscurity.โ
A whimper escaped you, tears dripping onto the grass below as the god before you laid out the future that youโd never wished to consider. Perhaps he was the god of prophecy, witnessing your fate even before it could play out, but he didnโt need to be for your path to stand clear - it had always been obvious to you that things could only end one way.ย
Sukuna would cast you out, and that would be that.ย
โI donโt- I canโt-โย
โShhh.โ Satoru moved closer, curling around you in a gentle embrace. โNot all is lost.โ
Shoulders shaking, you let him hold you, overwhelmed by such a lovely show of warmth and affection that youโd lacked your whole life. He was cooing quietly, stroking your hair with one hand and wiping your tears with the other. It was like heโd ripped your broken heart from your chest just so he could prove to you that it was in pieces, and you werenโt quite sure what to do with that.ย
You shouldnโt have huddled up against him, shouldnโt have allowed his comfort, but what was a mere human supposed to do? Whether you obeyed Sukuna or not, the outcome of him casting you aside one day wouldnโt change.ย
At least for now, if you disobeyed him, you could experience comfort for once.ย
The two of you stayed there for a long time, long enough that by the time Satoru was pulling away, you felt like youโd almost melded into his slender form. โI can make you my priestess, I can make you my world. Beauty like yours is rare, and would never cast it aside like he does, not in old age. I would leave you not in solitude, but keep you in the warmth of my arms for eternity if youโd allow me.โย
โI canโt, Iโm his, I want to be his, I-โย
โHeโll never be yours.โ His blue eyes were sparkling as he regarded you with a serious look, one filled with desire. โBut I can be. I have gazed upon you for longer than I should admit, have stalked about in these woods and watched Sukuna mishandle beauty that deserves more. Let me give you more.โย
Your stomach was churning with anxiety, not sure what to do. Your mind and heart were screaming away about your loyalty to the only master youโd ever known, to the god that you loved, reminding you of the consequences for even hearing Satoruโs offer to completion.ย
But there was no denying the desire in your body.ย
You felt warm for the first time in eternity, and you didnโt want the softness of Satoruโs touch to leave you. If you couldnโt be held by the one you loved, then it was better to be held by another than abandoned to loneliness when Sukuna grew tired of you.
Satoruโs fingers were grazing your cheeks with the utmost care, so gentle compared to your masterโs rough hands. You mewled softly under his touch, pathetic in the way you leaned up against him, letting him pet you affectionately like you were some treasured cat.ย
Youโd never had much of your own autonomy, always reliant on gods to tell you what you needed to be. You supposed whether that god was Sukuna or Satoru made no real difference. But if oneโs light would stay, allowing you to bask in its warmth for a time, that was preferable to one who would leave you to starve in the dark.ย
As Satoru pulled you up from the floor, you allowed yourself to be cradled within his strong arms, too distraught over the matter of your master to register the peril involved as the god crossed the threshold into the temple, a domain where he was surely not welcome.ย
Seemingly unphased, he took a seat on one of the marble benches just before the altar, holding you carefully in his lap and drying away the last of your tears. โThere, there,โ he soothed. โLet me look after you.โย
Allowing yourself to melt into his arms, you did nothing to prevent the slow brush of his pink lips against yours, mouth parting for his tongue as if it was the most natural thing in the world. You supposed that in a way, it was, Sukuna had taught you nothing but obedience, so with Satoruโs grip so firm and welcoming, what were you supposed to do if not obey?ย
Satoruโs lips tasted surprisingly sweet, the faintest taste of cherry lingering upon them. One of hands moved to the back of your neck, pulling you in closer, allowing his tongue to explore your mouth in a manner that was more curious than domineering. Your fingers gripped at the fabric of his clothes, anchoring yourself to him, like you might lose yourself in his kiss.ย
There was no attempt made to prevent his other hand from wandering to the shoulders of your dress, slipping the loose fabric down your arms and allowing it to pool at your waist. Your nipples were perked, whether from arousal or the cool air of the temple, you werenโt quite sure; any thoughts on the matter fled your mind as Satoru broke the kiss and hoisted you up a little, letting his lips find one of your nipples, his tongue flicking against it before taking that sensitive bud into his mouth.ย
It pulled a pathetic little whine from you as you clung desperately to his shoulders. This wasnโt something that Sukuna had ever done. His focus had never been on your pleasure, but on meeting his own needs - to experience such devoted touch felt strange, but not unpleasant by any means.ย
One of Satoruโs hands moved up your leg, pushing beneath the remaining fabric of your dress and finding itself in the space between your thighs. His long fingers navigated carefully over your pussy, with a gentleness that your master had never possessed, moving slick through your folds and circling a spot which had you whimpering.ย
For a few minutes, you were lost in it all. You were off somewhere else in your mind, in some lovely field that befitted Satoruโs pleasant atmosphere, where the two of you could lay beneath the sun and make love amongst the flowers for all eternity.ย
It was an illusion that shattered quickly.ย
Satoru was just in the process of repositioning you. Heโd discarded your white dress entirely, carrying you over to the altar and lifting you to sit atop something that youโd previously only ever been bent over. Heโd spread your legs and knelt down before you, peering up from his place beneath you with an expression laden with desire.ย
His breath had fanned over your exposed core, your body trembling at his proximity, in desperate anticipation of what it might feel like to have his tongue pressed up against you.ย
But the moment he leaned in to give you what youโd been awaiting with bated breath, a large hand found its way into your hair and dragged you violently to the ground. You yelped desperately, struggling beneath an unwavering grip, your shoulder aching where it had bashed against the marble.ย
โStay still.โ The voice was cold and bone-chillingly familiar.ย
Sukuna wasnโt looking at you, his eyes were fixed evenly on Satoru, who was carefully picking himself up off the floor. His neck and chest was stained with a gold liquid, flowing from a cut which was swiftly closing itself up on his pale neck.ย
Blinking, panic began to rise up in your chest. You wanted to fidget, to beg Sukuna for mercy and forgiveness, but such an action would be foolish, so you stayed deathly still in his grip, a rabbit accepting its fate within the jaws of a wolf.ย
โI suppose you find this amusing, an attempt to defile whatโs mine within my own temple. Did you think I wouldnโt know?โ Sukunaโs voice was calm, with a dangerous edge to it. He was addressing Satoru alone, still not bothering to spare a glance at you.ย
Satoru shrugged, an impish grin spreading across his face. โI thought you were busy.โย
Sukuna scoffed. โIf I broke into one of your frivolous brothels that you refer to as temples, youโd know the second I took a step over the threshold. So what was this? An attempt to upset me?โย
โWhy would you be upset?โ Satoru asked, pleasantly.ย
โYou know I donโt like to share,โ he said, his grip on you tightening.ย
โYou have any number of lovely priestesses, whereโs the harm in letting me have one?โ Sukunaโs red eyes flickered with annoyance, and for the first time he looked at you, a mix of fury and disappointment present on his terrifyingly beautiful face.ย
โAnd you. How dare you?โ He asked, dismissing Satoruโs question entirely, his full attention fixed on your quivering form. โSpeak.โ He barked when you failed to answer swiftly.ย
โHe- I- Iโm sorry-โย
There was no explanation for your lack of loyalty, nothing beyond admitting that you were afraid to be alone, that you loved Sukuna so deeply that you could no longer bear the nature of your relationship. But telling him that would make him just as angry as telling him nothing.ย
You werenโt supposed to want anything. You were nothing more than a servant to him with no will of her own.ย
You yelped as he slapped you hard across the face, ears ringing at the force of the blow. โI should kill you for this, rip you apart for offering yourself to another. To receive what I give you is an honour, and youโre too much of a whore to be thankful.โ He spat.
โI am, I am thankful.โ You were mumbling as you tried to sit up, stumbling over your words as one of Sukunaโs hands came to press down on your delicate neck. โIโm sorry, it was a mistake, I didnโt mean to- I was scared-โย
โScared?โ Sukunaโs tone was mocking, his eyes alight with fury. โScared of him?โ He asked, jerking his thumb in the direction of Satoru, who was watching on with detached curiosity. The sight made your stomach churn, because that manโs honeyed words had moved and confused you and now he seemed unbothered by the whole matter.ย
Such was the way of gods, as your parents used to say. Mortals were little more than ants to them.ย
โNot scared of h-him.โ Your answer was honest, because you didnโt truly believe Satoru to be a threat to you. Had you turned him down outside you were certain that he wouldโve left you be, the issue was that heโd understood exactly what to say to get you to give in.
You were a fool, falling for nothing more than a silver tongue.
โThen what? Because there is nothing you should fear more than my wrath, little priestess, I thought you were smart enough to understand at least that.โย
His grip was tightening as he leant more of his weight atop you, keeping you helplessly still. Your lungs started to burn, fingers reaching up to grapple at his wrist to no avail.
You could hardly fend off a human man, let alone the god of war himself.ย
โI fear- I fear your absence.โ You confessed honestly, humiliation filling you at the sheer patheticness of your words. It was an insult to voice such things, to expect that youโd be worthy of his time or attention in any capacity.ย
Sukunaโs red eyes flew wide at your words and his grip faltered ever so slightly. โMyโฆabsence?โย
โYes,โ you whispered. โOne day youโll leave me alone in the dark for good and Iโll h-have nothing.โย
For a moment he was silent, brow furrowed as if in thought, before seemingly regaining his composure, his expression hardening.
โSo you thought to whore yourself out to this fool instead?โ He spat. โForsake everything Iโve taught you, the very vow that you should live by, because youโre afraid of being lonely?โ
You nodded as best as you could beneath his grip. โIโm sorry-โ
โPathetic. Iโd thought of you as one of my best. I suppose I misjudged you.โ
The disappointment in his tone had tears prickling at your eyes, filled to the brim with guilt. In the heat of the moment, Satoruโs points had made sense, had tugged at all your deepest fears. But now, with Sukunaโs weight pressing down upon you, all you could think about was how much of a fraud you were.
How spectacularly youโd failed at the one thing that gave your life meaning.ย
โAre- are you going to kill me?โ Your voice was tiny, for beneath the judgement of your cherished master you were nothing more than a scared girl who understood little of gods and their whims.ย
Again, there was a flicker of something uncertain on Sukunaโs face, like he hadnโt anticipated those words to fall from your lips. You barely tensed as his fingers tightened around your throat once more, leaving you certain that he was moments from squeezing the life from your fragile body.
Part of you hoped Satoru would step in, but it was clear that he wouldnโt, simply lounging on one of the marble benches, watching the exchange with rapt attention. It was becoming apparent that he hadnโt had your best intentions in mind, no more of a friend to you than Sukuna was.
Perhaps all heโd wanted was to have some fun with some poor, hapless mortal.
Letting your eyes flutter closed, you sank back against the marble, accepting the fate Sukuna had deemed befitting of your crime. But before the sweet release of death could find you, the grip on your neck disappeared along with the weight of his body above you.
โYouโre not even worth that,โ Sukuna hissed, leaving you crumpled and gasping for breath, utterly confused and broken by his decision. โDrown in your sorrow, for Iโll give you nothing.โย
It was the perfect humiliation, a suggestion that you werenโt even worth attention in the form of death, and before you could stop yourself you were sobbing openly, your cries bouncing around the marble walls.
Sukuna paid you no mind, heavy feet slamming across the floor in the direction of the doorway, only to freeze at the sound of Satoruโs calm voice from behind him.ย
โLike youโve ever given her anything.โ
โWhat?โ Sukuna hissed, peering over his shoulder.ย
โYou heard me. She told you what she feared, why she did this, and you still donโt understand. Youโve always been a fool,โ Satoru chirped.ย
Sukuna remained frozen to the spot as the white-haired god approached you, crouching down behind you and pulling you carefully into his grip.ย
โHow many times have you visited this temple, Sukuna?โ Satoruโs fingers were toying with your body, running across your soft skin. His fingers brushed over your nipples and you flinched ever so slightly, your breathing picking up as his hand moved between your legs. Despite the situation you could feel your arousal growing, the sensation only heightened by the crimson eyes fixed fiercely onto your figure.ย
โWhat does it matter?โย
โDo you remember?โ Satoru purred against your ears.ย
You nodded, struggling to find your voice. โEighty-three times.โ You whispered, meekly. You could remember each visit with staggering clarity, no matter how similar each one may have been.ย
Satoru whistled. โThatโs a lot. How often do you visit your other temples, Sukuna? Once? Twice? Never?โย
The fingers dancing over your skin didnโt stop, and you felt that familiar pleasure building beneath Satoruโs touch, a pleasant comfort buzzing through your veins and chasing away the desperate fear which had plagued you moments ago. You saw Sukunaโs throat bob, a flicker of something deeply unhappy in his eyes as Satoru slipped a finger into you once more, all for him to see.ย
โI donโt see why it's any of your concern,โ he said, finally.
โNo? I suppose you donโt mind then, that Iโm doing this to your favourite priestess. I suppose you wouldnโt mind if I made her one of mine, fucked her over my altar just like you used to.โย
โI suppose not. Sheโs nothing. Just some pretty mortal who canโt even follow rules.โ Sukunaโs tone was even, but still he didnโt move. His eyes were watching Satoru carefully, as if assessing his next steps.ย
โGreat.โ Satoru picked you up, and sat you down on the altar once more, back in the position that heโd put you in so carefully before Sukunaโs arrival. โI wonโt waste any time then.โ Discarding his own clothes, he dropped them down onto the marble. Your eyes scanned his form nervously - you were accustomed to being with Sukuna, familiar with his size, and found yourself glad to see that Satoru was smaller.ย
Not that you meant that in any sort of disparaging way.ย
He had a pretty cock, still thick and girthy, but the type that would bring you pleasure rather than stretch you out to the point of pain. Satoru smiled as he gazed down at you, a reassuring look that had your heart fluttering. Carefully he cupped your face, running his thumb over the purple bruise blossoming over your cheek.ย
Fingers clinging to his shoulders, you sucked in a breath as he ran the tip of his cock through your folds. And yet, you couldnโt keep your attention fixed on the man before you, your gaze instinctively drifting to the hulking god standing in the doorway. His red gaze met yours, and there was a moment of terror in which you wondered if heโd kill you for looking at him without permission.ย
Instead, he held your stare, your heart beating harder as Satoru started to push into you, imagining that it was Sukuna holding you so tenderly, pushing into you with care and desire beyond animalistic need.ย
โStop.โ Sukuna uttered the word in such a low tone that you werenโt quite sure youโd caught it, figuring it was a hallucination born from your own need for the god. When he repeated it a second time, there was no mistaking its reality, for it came out as a bellow, a new deep cut appearing across Satoruโs back.ย
And then another.
And another.ย
Until the white-haired god was covered in a litany of slashes, pulling back from you swiftly, leaving you cold in your propped up position upon the altar. Your body began to tremble, hardly noticing the way Satoru was cursing off to the side of you, desperately trying to heal the damage Sukuna had caused to him.ย
You were too transfixed by your master storming towards you, wondering if Satoruโs slight had led Sukuna to change his mind about killing you.ย
With your breath picking up desperately, you were sure that you looked utterly terrified as he came to a stop before you, towering over you just as he always did. His shadow completely eclipsed you, and the hairs on your arm were standing on end, the desire to run overcoming you. But youโd seen what had happened to Satoru, a being who couldnโt be killed - one singular slash would spell your end.ย
โTell me,โ Sukuna said calmly. โWhat is it that you want? Do you despise me? Do you long for him and his temples of light?โย
โNo.โย
โNo?โย
You shook your head again.ย
โThen what?โย
โI told you already.โ Your voice was soft and small. โI love you, and I want- I want you to love me.โ It felt pathetic to say out loud, to give voice to a request so selfish and impossible. What were you to your master?ย
Nothing more than a mortal priestess.ย
And yet, after a moment of thought, he answered your question seriously. โI am no god of love. It is not something I could give to you even if I wanted to.โย
Before he could say anything further, he was interrupted by the sound of Satoruโs laughter. The sound came out a little odd, making a gargling noise like he was choking on his own blood as he desperately tried to heal his wounds. โYouโre such a fool, Sukuna.โย
Glaring at him, Sukunaโs brows furrowed and another slash appeared across Satoruโs chest. It didnโt seem to phase him - in the time that youโd spent with him, youโd come to realise that few things did.ย
โWhy do you visit her so frequently? Why indulge in her flesh when you have countless others? What reason can you give?โ Satoru pushed. โI have seen you murder for matters most frivolous, but when you find her, your most devoted little thing, in the arms of another you let her go free? Cause her no more injury than a mere strike?โ
โI do as I please, I need to offer you no explanation for my actions.โ Sukuna hissed, still pinning you beneath his gaze as he dismissed his peer.ย
โNo, but maybe you should try offering yourself one.โย
Sukuna was frozen, his expression unchanging as he stared down at you. You werenโt sure what to make of the glimmer in your eye, feeling completely exposed beneath his gaze. You wanted to sink into the floor, didnโt want to endure any further humiliation or dismissal. You understood your place with great clarity, you needed no further confirmation.ย
โIโm sorry, please, thereโs nothing wrong with our arrangement. Iโm wrong to be upset. It's my role to serve whatever you desire. Iโm sorry.โ You chanted out apologies like a prayer, unsure as to what was going through Sukunaโs mind. You were shifting about awkwardly on the altar, feeling too vulnerable beneath his gaze.ย
โOh stop, you. Thatโs not what you really think.โ Satoru cut in. โIโve been watching you long enough to know your mind, and Iโve always known his. Iโd appreciate it if you both stop wasting my time.โย
โStop wastingโฆ?โ You faltered, falling silent, struggling to understand Satoruโs words. He ran a hand carefully through his hair, gaze flickering between you and Sukuna.ย
Sukuna's brow furrowed further, finally pulling his gaze from you to look at his fellow god. โI knew you were playing some kind of game.โย
โOh please, you constantly go off to some poxy little temple on an island forgotten by all of us and expect me not to notice something odd? I had to take a look at what had captured your attention, and to see how you were handling it made me feel embarrassed. I figured Iโd give you a push in the right direction. Now go on. Stop lying to yourself.โย
For a moment, it seemed like Sukuna might make a move to attack Satoru, clear rage smouldering in the crimson of his eyes. But by some miracle, his attention turned back to you, and that anger dissipated, giving way to an expression which you were unfamiliar with.ย
Shaking, your breath hitched as his fingers trailed beneath your chin. You couldnโt follow what was happening, struggling to piece together the role that Satoru had played here, unclear on whether Sukuna had forgiven you, half convinced that heโd behead you for the annoyance that Satoru had caused him.ย
Instead, he leant forward, breath fanning against your face.ย
โDo you even know how to kiss?โ Satoru interrupted. โShe likes that, you know, seemed desperate for it when I-โ
โSilence.โย
Sukunaโs thumb stroked along your jaw, and you blinked nervously, eyes darting anywhere but his face. This was uncharted territory, unaccustomed to facing him like this at all, let alone being treated with such tenderness. Anxiety swirled in your stomach, conscious that this act of warmth might be something final.
โLook at me,โ he commanded, and you did, staring directly into the deep crimson of his eyes.ย
The kiss that followed was slow, stealing the breath from your lungs as his lips pressed against yours, almost tentatively. It was in stark contrast to his usual vigor and aggression, the contact careful in nature.
His tongue pressed into your mouth, dominating you as was always his way, but not devouring you completely as he usually would. The exploration was more like a dance, his tongue flicking curiously against yours as one of his hands found your waist, pulling you closer to him.ย
The warmth of his body was new to you, accustomed solely to the weight of him taking you from behind, completely detached from heat and affection. To feel his chest against yours, radiating heat against your smaller form, had your heart racing.ย
โNot so hard, is it?โ Satoru quipped, only for Sukuna to pull away for a moment and fix him with a glare.
โI will chop you into pieces.โย
โPretend Iโm not here.โ Satoru raised his hands defensively, and that seemed to be good enough for Sukuna, his attention turned back to you. Your lashes were fluttering, legs pressing against his waist, the sweat forcing your skin to stick against his.ย
โWhat-โ
โYou should stay quiet too.โ He spoke, albeit more softly than the sharp tone directed to Satoru. โLest I change my mind.โย
You took his order as gospel, clamping your mouth shut and deciding that you didnโt need an explanation at that moment, despite your confusion. If he was going to treat you with reverence, youโd rather experience such a thing firsthand than force an explanation out of him.
There was no way youโd take the risk of disrupting whatever was currently taking place.ย
Leaning in once more, you instinctively closed your eyes at his approach, a little surprised as he stalled just before contact, the skin of his lips ghosting against yours. A hand went to your cheek, brushing over the flowering purple bruise. Wincing, you found yourself watching him carefully, like a deer assessing a new being in the forest, one whose level of threat remained unclear.ย
Caressing the bruise, he let out a heavy sigh before a lovely sense of warmth spread through your face, emitting from his hand. Moments later it was gone, along with the throbbing pain in your cheek, like heโd undone the damage heโd caused.
Before you could question it or thank him, his lips were on yours once again, soft and enticing, pulling you against him in an embrace that felt reserved for lovers, rather than one of a god getting his fill of a servant.ย
His four hands started to roam over your body, brushing your breasts, squeezing your thighs, feeling you as if it were the first time his hands had touched your flesh. One of his hands moved between your legs, experimentally moving the slick through your folds, a thick finger dipping into you.ย
Such attention had you whining against him, a sound that was swiftly swallowed by his lips. His finger was thicker than Satoruโs had been, working you open carefully, an action he had never thought to take in the past. You couldnโt understand the effect that Satoru had created within him, unsure as to how heโd gone from hitting and rejecting you, to offering you affection heโd never allowed before.ย
He slid another finger into you, stretching you out until he was satisfied, his lips locked against yours until he was pulling his fingers back. โSuck.โ He ordered gruffly, a trace of his old self present in the way his fingers pressed against your lips, forcing their way into your mouth.ย
Satoru made a sound of disapproval in the background, reminding you of his presence, but if Sukuna heard, he paid the man no mind. He seemed too focused on your body spread out before him, your wide eyes looking up at him nervously.ย
He shed his clothes in a single action, letting the fabric pool on the floor beside yours. Your eyes instinctively moved down to where his cock hung heavy between his legs, the monstrous size never failing to steal your breath away. You could hardly believe the number of times heโd sheathed the thing within you without any effort of preparation, your body adapting because it was what he required.ย
This time was different.ย
Mirroring the treatment that Satoru had given you earlier, Sukuna carefully ran the tip of his cock through your folds, red eyes fixed on your face. You felt shy, eager to turn your face away. It was easier to do this in the manner he usually would, with you bent over while he took you from behind. Gazing upon him so openly felt too vulnerable for your liking, even if the lust in his eyes had your heart racing.ย
โYou are my favoured one.โ Sukunaโs voice was deep, โunderstand that, because I do not wish to speak more on the matter.โย
Lips parting, the question of what that meant dangled on your tongue. To you it suggested the situation was the same as before - for now he favoured you, in a few years time the matter would be different.ย
He seemed to understand your concern before you could voice it.ย
โI will not toss you aside for something as trivial as old age. To attract my attention is something significant, not a matter of simple youthful looks.โ A yelp fell from your throat as he pushed himself into you, easily filling you to the brim, just like he always would.ย
You had a million questions running through your mind, wondering where his true feelings towards you lay. It was clear that Satoru understood him better than you did, pushing him to some sort of conclusion that he wouldnโt have stumbled upon on his own.ย
โDo not betray me again.โ He huffed in your ear, breath warm against your skin. โDo so and I will not forgive you, youโll receive no more mercy than my enemies would. But cling to your loyalty and I will give you what you seek. Youโll have my attention, my affection, for as long as you deserve it.โย
โIโll offer you everything.โ The words came out breathy, your body twitching as he withdrew himself from you only to fill you up once more, rewarding you with long deep strokes that held far more affection than the frenzied fucking that youโd usually receive from him.ย
You found your nails digging into the skin of his shoulders, drawing blood and marring his perfect form with each brutal thrust, simply trying to cling onto him. Your cries were loud, echoing within the marble just as they always had, but the nature this time was different, for your cries were ones of pleasure rather than desire for more.ย
Sukunaโs breaths were heavy, rasping hard against your ear with each smooth movement of his hips. The passion had your eyes rolling back in your skull, babbling out his name pathetically, demonstrating your loyalty to him in your ecstatic reaction to his actions.ย
This was all youโd ever wanted.ย
An opportunity that had once seemed impossible.ย
His fingers were bruising your thighs, pulling you closer with each stroke, and as your thighs tightened around his hips, one of his hands slipped down between the two of you, rubbing that sensitive nub that heโd never deigned to touch before, always too focussed on chasing his own gratification.ย
Lights danced in your eyes at the contact, a desperate cry of his name ripping from your throat as you squeezed around him, cumming on his cock. It felt almost humiliating to find pleasure before him like that, something that heโd never been interested in witnessing in past visits.ย
If you ever came with him inside of you before, it was an accident rather than intention.ย
This time, he seemed to have driven you to it, nipping at your neck and circling your clit carefully, even after youโd gushed all over him.ย
Of course, his hips still didnโt let up, fucking you fast and deep until he reached his own release, his arms wrapped tight around your smaller form, pulling you as close as humanely possible as he poured his own seed into you, finding satisfaction in the way that it dripped down your sweaty thighs and onto the altar below.ย
Past experience led you to believe that heโd pull away immediately, dropping you down unceremoniously onto the ground, with little regard to the damage it might cause your fragile body.ย
But this time he did no such thing.ย
He lifted you carefully, cradling you within his muscular arms and sitting down upon the cool floor, keeping you warm within the confines of his lap. Your heart was speeding at one hundred miles a minute, your fingers pressing against his chest, clinging to him as if heโd disappear if you let go for even a moment.ย
A hand was brushing your hair, another stroking your thigh, while two were wrapped firmly around your midsection. All four of his eyes were fixed on you too, no distractions in the manner youโd come to expect from him, his focus was on you alone.ย
You were his, and at least to some extent, he was yours.ย
โHow sweet.โ Satoruโs saccharine voice sounded from across the room. The god was leaning his face on his hand, blue eyes sparkling as he watched the exchange. Sukuna straightened up ever so slightly, fixing him with a glare.ย
โLeave,โ he commanded.ย
โAw, not even a thank you? Youโre so ungrateful.โ The white-haired god stood up, a pout fixed on his pink lips.ย
โA thank you for doing your job? No one thanks me for starting wars, so why would I thank you for orchestrating a union? Love is nothing special.โย
โI couldโve sabotaged your love. Kept that pretty little thing all to myself.โ He pointed in your direction, offering Sukuna a toothy grin. โIn fact, if you cross me I still might. I can make people fall out of love too if I so wish, irritate me and Iโll put a curse on your favoured mortal.โย
Sukunaโs face was stormy, his grip tightening on you in a manner that felt almost protective. โMeddle in matters of my heart ever again and Iโll cut you to pieces and spread them across the corners of the globe. Iโm sure no one would miss a few centuries without you.โย
โSo prickly.โ Satoru rolled his eyes. โI hope youโre kinder to her. How she could ever fall for you is beyond my reckoning.โย
Sukuna peered down at you, and through the centuries of malice lining his ancient, war-scarred face, you could see it - the soft twinkle in his eyes as he met your gaze. The sharp edges of a god of massacre, tempered only for you.ย
He would keep his promise.ย
His affection would not be altered by lines of age on your face. Despite all his shortcomings, he was loyal to his word, and he had offered you a piece of his heart no matter how shrivelled and blackened it may be.ย
And you would cherish that gift for as long as you drew breath.ย
a/n: NEED HIM BAD <3
anyway to any crazy in love readers I'm currently working on the next chapter and am planning to have it up in the next week or so
thanks for reading! reblogs and comments are appreciated as always <3
permatags (send me an ask to be added): @calicatzz @suzunu @winkii @sukubusss @bobis-notmylover @tetsuski @torupilled @brattyxackerman @r0vena @chaos-4baby @moonlitreveri3 @feyrinnn @strawberryrosey @creamofsneky-blog @zeeseekay @p1nkfl0wers @apricityn @keiiiluv @dogggggggblog-kaye @duckie3801 @lav4mpira @seellove @cutesytwt @gojodickbig @yuujispinkhair @somos-things @yeagersss @paradisestarfishh @jennilynn63 @tthhaattgguuyy27 @bexxli @being-blue-is-better @tisuruxx @juliarchiv3s @dishs0pe @plutoxxxworld @5kkalara @serenadesvt @00frenchfries00 @warriorofenlightenment @scarlet-issilly @himbosexual @pousivuitton @ksjtozaki @certainfanpoetry @gojoscumslut @ynishalee @nakiich
ยฉ sukunahs
Hello itafushi nation...here is a silly comic for u
Put some clothes on, handsome!
saw this and immediately knew who to tag @t1track
Shower thoughtsโฆ๐ฟ๐งผ
Thihihiโจ
Wherever You Are
John Price x female!reader OC
Summary: A suspicion of cheating turns into a much deeper reconciliation.
Warnings: swearing, talk of infidelity, sexual themes, domestic argument
โโโโโโโโ
โJohn?โ
Walking out of the living room of your flat, you found your boyfriend exactly where youโd left him nearly an hour ago.
The flat was unmistakably yours. Every inch of it.
The burnt orange velvet sofa you found at a charity shop sat beneath overflowing shelves of paintings and books. In the opposing corner was the walnut record cabinet youโd spent an entire summer restoring. Plants crowded nearly every available surface while shelves were stuffed with books, records, and little trinkets collected over the years gave the place a warm, lived-in feeling.
It was an odd blend of classic Britain and seventies Americana. Floral wallpaper, dark wood furniture, brass lamps, and enough vinyl records to make your father proud.
Though recently there had been signs of John everywhere. A pair of worn boots by the door, accompanied by tattered grey trainers. His jacket draped over the back of a kitchen chair. The green duffle bag heโd yet to fully unpack tucked beside the bookshelf.
Little reminders that he lived here now too. Or at least he was supposed to.
John sat at the small circular dining table near the kitchen window that was ajar, cigar snubbed out in the crystal green ash trey, completely focused on his laptop.
โHmm?โ he hummed absently, not seeming to notice you looking over his shoulder.
You blinked.
Once. Twice.
A very beautiful blonde woman stared back at you from the screen.
John scrolled by the photo. Paused on the next of this stranger. Looked, for a little too long. Then scrolled some more.
โWhoโs that?โ you asked.
โClassified, darling.โ Without missing a beat, John shut the laptop. He immediately busied himself making notes in the margins of a document sitting inside an open Manila folder as though the conversation was already over.
โWho was that?โ you pressed, feeling insecurity begin to creep into your chest.
โI canโt say.โ The answer came absentmindedly. His attention never truly left the paperwork in front of him.
โYeahโฆ some hot blonde?โ It was meant to sound teasing. Instead it came out sounding suspicious. Accusatory, even. Damn, your insecurity getting the better of you.
โHot?โ That finally got Johnโs attention.
He glanced up from his paperwork, genuinely perplexed.
โJohn, cโmon.โ You gave him a look. One that screamed โjust be honest.โ
โHer looks mean nothing to me.โ His tone was dry, but at least now he was looking at you instead of his work.
โSo youโve got pictures of some hot blonde woman on your laptop and Iโm supposed to just go on with my day?โ Your eyebrows rose.
You hated how ridiculous you sounded. You hated even more that you couldnโt seem to stop yourself. Insecurity wasnโt attractive, you knew that. But you couldnโt help yourself.
โYeah, that would be lovely.โ John replied.
His deflection immediately irritated you. You hated when he did this. Any time something bothered you, John tried to use humor as a way around it. Usually heโd make some ridiculous comment and youโd find yourself laughing before you remembered why you were annoyed in the first place.
Not today.
โJohn.โ The warning in your voice finally made him stop writing and instead twirl his pen in between his fingers.
โYes?โ The single word was patient. Far more patient than you probably deserved.
โSo youโre not cheating on me?โ You decided it was better to just say it.
No dancing around it. No pretending that wasnโt where your thoughts had gone.
Johnโs pen stopped moving. Slowly he looked up. Almost in disbelief at the question.
โWhen have I ever given you the impression Iโm the type to cheat?โ Throwing the pen onto the table, he leaned back in his chair and fixed you with a disapproving look.
โYouโre avoiding the question.โ That earned you another look. The kind that silently asked if you were being serious.
โNo,โ John said flatly. โIโm not cheating on you.โ
โThen who is she?โ
โSomeone connected to work. Now can we drop it?โ The answer did absolutely nothing to satisfy you.
โThatโs not an answer.โ
โItโs the only one youโre getting.โ John waved his hand in effect dismissing the conversation outright. This only made things worse for you. You wanted comfort not dismissal.
โWhatever.โ You turned away before your frustration became something worse.
โDarlingโโ
โLeave me alone.โ The words came out sharper than you intended.
Crossing through the kitchen, you disappeared into the bedroom. The door shut behind you with a little more force than necessary.
Silence settled over the flat. For a moment John simply sat there. Then he dragged both hands down his face stopping to scratch his beard as if that might solve something. No part of him wanted to argue with you.
He much preferred your laughter to your silence. Preferred your teasing to your sulking. Preferred almost anything to a closed bedroom door between the two of you. He liked it better when you were just behind him giggling over your book on the couch, only a wall separating the two of you while your records played.
With a heavy sigh, he pushed back his chair and followed. The old floorboards creaked beneath his weight as he crossed the flat. Reaching the bedroom door, he knocked softly.
Nothing.
He tried the handle.
Locked.
John closed his eyes.
โOf course.โ He whispered, pinching the bridge of his nose.
โOpen the door.โ He knocked again.
โCโmon. Itโs my room too.โ Still nothing but silence.
He knocked again, a little louder this time.
โIโm not cheating on you. You know Iโm daft, but Iโm not stupid.โ He tried humor again. It usually worked, but not today.
Silence.
โOr suicidal,โ he muttered under his breath.
Normally that wouldโve earned at least an eye roll. Maybe a reluctant laugh. Instead he was left staring at a locked door.
With another sigh, John leaned against the wall and stared at the ceiling.
The truth was he couldnโt tell you what was happening. Not really. He couldnโt explain that the woman in those photographs was a potential informant. He couldnโt explain that she might possess information capable of preventing a biological weapons disaster. And he definitely couldnโt explain that within a few weeks he might be sent halfway across the world chasing that information.
Most of his life existed behind walls he wasnโt allowed to lower.
Still.
Maybe he could tell you some of it. The harmless parts. Like the fact that Tessa was clearly interested in him. Or the fact that heโd ignored every advance sheโd made.
Then againโฆ
That somehow felt like an even faster route to sleeping on the couch. John let out a groan and dropped the back of his head against the wall.
Yeah.
Probably best to keep that one to himself.
โโโโโโ
โWell donโt you look divine.โ Johnโs voice drifted from somewhere behind you.
Looking up from your dresser, you caught sight of your boyfriend standing in the bedroom doorway.
You couldnโt help but smile. The man looked unfairly handsome.
He wore dark dress pants and a crisp white button-up with the sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows. The top two buttons were undone, exposing the slightest glimpse of the wiry hair on his chest. His beard had been freshly trimmed and judging by the sharp edges around his ears, heโd managed to squeeze in a haircut too.
โLook whoโs talking.โ You smiled at him through the mirror.
Johnโs eyes didnโt even bother reaching your face at first. They lingered shamelessly on your figure, appreciating the fitted black dress hugging your curves. Especially your plump ass that he loved especially on nights like tonight when you got home tipsy and dragged him to bed.
The bastard.
You watched the corner of his mouth twitch upward.
You were dressed simply enough. A black velvet cocktail dress paired with a pair of heels youโd owned for years. Your hair was pinned into a curly bun while your bangs framed your face.
It wasnโt anything particularly extravagant. Though judging by the look John was giving you, one wouldโve thought you were royalty.
After yesterdayโs argument, John had decided to take you out for dinner and drinks. It was his version of an apology.
He wasnโt a man particularly in touch with his emotions. At least not in the way you were. John tended to keep things locked away until they absolutely demanded to be dealt with. He was quieter with his feelings, slower to speak about them, and more likely to retreat into himself than openly discuss whatever was bothering him.
It was part of what gave him that strong, silent quality you found so attractive.
You, on the other hand, were practically his opposite. John called you a spitfire for a reason. You were quick-witted, outgoing, and the sort of person who could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. John swore youโd never met a stranger in your life.
He blamed it on you being American. You blamed it on him being British. Somewhere between the two of you, it worked.
You pulled him out of his shell. He kept you from setting the world on fire.
It made conflicts like yesterday difficult, though. When something hurt your feelings, you wanted to talk about it. You wanted to understand it, dissect it, and work through it until the discomfort finally loosened its grip.
John preferred to wait. To retreat. To pretend everything was fine until enough time had passed for it to stop being a problem. At least thatโs how it often felt from your side of things.
Still.
The two of you had called a truce. John had looked you in the eye and promised there were no other women. No secrets involving affairs. No hidden relationships. Only aspects of his job he couldnโt talk about.
Heโd admitted that wasnโt always fair to you. That he understood how difficult it could be to trust someone whose life occasionally disappeared behind a wall of classified information.
But he needed you to trust him anyway. And after thinking about it, youโd agreed.
You trusted him.
John had thanked you for it. Sincerely. Then heโd called himself a prick and asked if he could take you out to make up for it.
Which was how youโd somehow ended up eating dinner at a restaurant neither of you could comfortably afford. And afterward, John had insisted on taking you to a cocktail bar that felt entirely too fancy for someone like you.
You might have been dressed to the nines tonight, but deep down youโd always be the same girl who preferred drinking wine around a bonfire in somebodyโs backyard.
The kind of girl perfectly happy sitting in a folding chair with dirt on her shoes. The kind of girl whoโd choose a fishing trip and a tent over a five-star hotel every single time.
Fortunately for you, John seemed to like that sort of thing. In fact, you suspected it was one of the reasons he loved you.
You and John were just leaving the bar, your arm wrapped around his strong bicep as he helped you down the stone steps in your heels and onto the brick sidewalk.
โJohn?โ A womanโs voice called from somewhere just behind you.
You froze. There she was. The same blonde woman youโd seen on Johnโs laptop.
She was stunning. Like unfairly gorgeous. The type you and your friends would gawk over.
A silver sequined dress hugged her figure perfectly while ruby-red lipstick made her smile impossible to ignore. Standing in a pair of red-bottom heels, she towered a few inches over you.
Instinctively, your eyes dropped to your own shoes. Old black heels, with a scuff near the toe.
This woman looked like she belonged somewhere like this. You suddenly felt like you didnโt.
โTessa, hello.โ The woman barely acknowledged your existence before stepping forward with her arms open.
She was going in for a hug. Your stomach immediately tightened. John wasnโt a hugger. You knew that.
Which meant this would tell you everything.
Either John had been downplaying his relationship with this woman. Or your insecurities had gotten the better of you.
In one smooth motion, John stepped sideways. His arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you effortlessly against his side.
The movement stopped Tessaโs hug before it ever happened and gave John the perfect opportunity to make introductions.
โThis is my girlfriend, Dr. Y/L/N.โ John barely spared Tessa a glance. His attention remained fixed on you that charming smile directed right at you.
โDarling, this is Tessa.โ You met Johnโs eyes. There was nothing there but sincerity. No guilt. No awkwardness. No crack in his usual confidence.
Just your boyfriend.
โOh, a doctor?โ Tessa smiled. โHow impressive. You must be an expert at patching this one up.โ Her hand landed on Johnโs forearm.
The gesture immediately irritated you. The entire interaction felt like emotional whiplash. Only ten minutes ago youโd been wrapped around Johnโs arm after one of the most romantic nights youโd shared together.
Now this woman had appeared out of nowhere.
โNot a medical doctor,โ you corrected politely. โIโm an archaeologist. But yes, I do have to patch him up more often than Iโd like.โ
Tessa laughed. Fuck, even her laugh was cute.
โOh well, if you ever get tired of patching him up, I suppose I could take a shift, darling.โ Another touch. Another smile. Another reminder that this woman was absolutely flirting.
The darling at the end felt particularly deliberate. As though sheโd borrowed Johnโs favorite term of endearment just to see how it looked on her.
โIโm not too good at sharing.โ You smiled sweetly. Hopefully sweetly enough.
โNever a need to share, darling.โ John finally spoke.
โTessaโs got things to attend to.โ His eyebrow lifted slightly as he looked down at you.
Then his attention shifted to the blonde woman who was beginning to look noticeably less amused. For the first time all evening, Tessa seemed to realize she wasnโt getting anywhere.
โIโll see you at work, John.โ She stepped back and offered you a polite smile.
โIt was nice meeting you.โ Then she disappeared into the bar and you watched her go.
โThat was the same woman from your laptop.โ The words came out dry.
โIt certainly was.โ John didnโt even attempt to deny it.
โSo you work together. I donโt see whyโโ
โWork together for now. Sheโs not military.โ John shoved his hands into his pockets as the two of you started down the sidewalk.
โIn fact, her even meeting you is probably going to get me into a fair bit of trouble.โ He tried to joke about it.
Truthfully, he wasnโt looking forward to whatever conversation awaited him on Monday morning.
โOh, whyโs that?โ you asked, the sarcasm obvious.
John reached for your hand and began leading you down the main road toward where heโd parked a few blocks away. You were already going to get yourself lost not even a block away from the bar.
โItโs classified. Iโm not supposed to talk aboutโโ
โAh.โ You stopped walking.
John took two more steps before realizing youโd planted your feet firmly on the pavement.
โItโs because you werenโt supposed to break the illusion that youโre single, isnโt it?โ You asked making John blink at you dumbly for a beat.
โWhat? Were you planning to seduce information out of her? Who are you, fucking James Bond now?โ The question made John close his eyes.
โNow, cโmon. Thatโs a bit far-fetched, even for you.โ With a heavy sigh, he glanced down the empty side street rather than looking directly at you.
โIs it?โ
โYes.โ
โI just watched that woman flirt with you right in front of me.โ
โAnd I introduced you as my girlfriend.โ
โAfter she tried to hug you.โ John blinked.
โIโm sorry, what exactly was I supposed to do there?โ The question only irritated you more.
โDonโt.โ You warned, finger raising.
โDonโt what?โ
โDonโt do that thing where you act like Iโm crazy. Youโve explained to me for the better half of a year that I need to stop hugging people because itโs not the โBritishโ thing to do.โ You used air quotes to emphasize your point.
John stared at you.
โI introduced you to her when I wasnโt supposed to. I shut down the hug. I didnโt flirt back. How are you still angry at me?โ John was utterly flabbergasted.
โBecause she was comfortable enough to flirt with you right in front of me.โ You crossed your arms. โAm I supposed to think itโs somehow better when Iโm not around?โ
โHer flirting is out of my control.โ There was that tone of finality again. Like he could just end a conversation once he was uncomfortable enough. As if you took orders from him and you damn sure didnโt, this wasnโt the military. This was your relationship.
โFair point.โ You nodded. โAnd me going home without you is also out of your control.โ The challenge earned a flat look.
โWe live together.โ
โGo stay somewhere else then.โ You hissed.
Johnโs eyebrows knit together. Slowly, he rubbed a hand over his beard.
โYeah?โ he asked. โWhere exactly do you suggest?โ
โTessaโs.โ It came out bratty, almost like you regretted it as soon as you said it.
A humorless laugh escaped him.
โYou have to see youโre being unreasonable.โ The calmness in his voice only irritated you further.
โYouโre telling me that if we werenโt together, you wouldnโt sleep with her?โ
John actually scoffed.
โThat is wildly unfair.โ
โSo what?โ The words came out sharp.
โIf some guy from work came up to me and openly flirted and I didnโt shut it down immediately, youโre telling me youโd be completely fine with that?โ Your question seemed to hit a nerve as John had to visibly take a step back.
โThatโs different.โ
โHow?โ
โIt just is.โ
โHow, John?โ Your voice rose.
โHow is it different?โ
John rolled his eyes.
โIf a man is interested in you, thatโs a problem.โ
โWhat does that even mean?โ You swore you were starting to sound crazy from how frustrated youโd become. Having a meaningful emotional conversation with him was like running into a brick wall over and over.
โMen are idiots.โ He said it as though that somehow explained everything or had some meaning to you.
โYou canโt even handle men checking me out.โ With nostrils flared you felt yourself at your breaking point.
โNow cโmon.โ John pinched the bridge of his nose. โThis is getting out of hand.โ
โOh, now the argument isnโt fair because I finally have a point you canโt argue your way out of?โ The persistence was beginning to wear on him.
โJesus Christ,โ John snapped. โWhat do you want from me? Youโve made your point. Happy?โ Across the street, a few strangers slowed their pace at the sound of a man shouting in the direction of a woman. You immediately noticed but John didnโt.
โNo.โ Your voice lowered. โYouโre being a hypocrite. And you still havenโt denied youโd sleep with her if we werenโt together.โ
โWe are together.โ His voice remained loud.
โThat question is a trap and itโs fucking unfair.โ Anger unwavering.
โUnfair?โ You laughed bitterly.
โIf you even got an inkling I was letting some man flirt with me when you werenโt around, and he didnโt know I was taken because it somehow made my job easier, youโd lose your mind.โ The words hung between you.
For a moment, John said nothing. Not because he agreed. Because he knew exactly how badly that comparison made him look.
โSo are you sleeping with her?โ The question finally snapped him out of it.
โNo.โ The answer came instantly. Firmly.
โIโm not fucking cheating on you. Get that through your head. And itโs ridiculous that youโd even accuse me of it.โ There was venom to his words, like you should be ashamed but you werenโt in the slightest.
โItโs not ridiculous.โ You took a step closer.
โNot when youโre clearly hiding things.โ You spoke earnestly, desperately trying to make him get your point.
โItโs work!โ John threw his hands into the air, his voice ringing out.
โI canโt talk about it. Christโs sake. I love you. I fucking adore you. And one misunderstanding later youโve gone straight for the jugular.โ The confession only made you angrier.
Not because you didnโt believe him. Because it felt like he was missing the point. John turned away and dragged a hand through his hair. This wasnโt him. Standing in the street. Shouting. Fighting with his girlfriend while strangers watched.
โShowโs over,โ he called toward the small audience gathering across the road. โFuck off.โ A few people quickly looked away.
โWhatever.โ You turned on your heel.โIโm going home.โ Youโd barely made it a few steps before hearing Johnโs footsteps behind you.
He moved in front of you, not blocking your path, just slowing you down. Your heels scraped lightly against the pavement as you stopped.
โAt least let me take you home.โ The anger had faded noticeably from his voice.
โIโm good.โ You tried to dismiss the olive branch.
โIโll sleep on the couch. Just let me make sure you get there safely. And youโre heading in the wrong bloody direction.โ You stared at him for a long moment.
โFine.โ The word still carried plenty of bite.
โFine.โ John stepped aside. Then motioned towards where the car was parked. You brushed past him.
โYou shouldnโt be mad at me.โ That finally earned a laugh, a tired one.
โYeah,โ John muttered. โWhatever you say, darling.โ
โโโโโ-
It was the following day, a cold and dreary one like most British mornings. You sat in bed listening to the pitter patter of rain and watching it dribble onto the windowsill of your open window.
Looking around the room to try and get your mind off John, you took in the sight of your dress from the previous night left forgotten on the floor alongside your tattered heels. Normally you were neat and wouldโve hung your dress up so you didnโt have to eat the dry cleaning fee youโd now have. Or John could iron it for you, which wasnโt really an option since the two of you werenโt speaking at the moment.
Your eyes drifted to the open closet where you could have so easily hung up your dress. Some feeling you couldnโt quite place clanged in your chest as you looked at all your clothes pushed to one side, leaving half the space open for John to hang up his own belongings.
Yet it remained empty.
His clothes were still neatly packed in the two duffel bags sitting on the closet floor. Youโd offered to organize his things and put them away, but John had insisted he had a system and to let him do it when he found the time.
It had been over a month since he moved in.
His clothes still sat there.
And the box of records heโd brought with him was still collecting dust on the top shelf.
Sliding out of bed, you pulled on a pair of leggings and kept the grey tank top youโd slept in as your shirt. You wanted to avoid John. You knew how he could be when he was angry.
Cold.
Colder than the breeze drifting through your open window.
Finally stepping out of your bedroom, you felt an odd stillness hanging over the flat. That was until you spotted John sitting at the kitchen table at the far end of the tiny rectangular room that served as both your kitchen and makeshift dining room.
He was dressed for the day in blue jeans, a green crewneck sweatshirt with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows, his worn watch, and a pair of chestnut-brown house slippers.
It made your heart leap slightly. The man was like a ghost when he got into moods like this.
When John was happy and content, he made noise. Comfortable noise. The creaking of floorboards and cupboards opening and closing meant he was making coffee or looking for a snack. Heโd hum along to whatever record you had thrown on because he knew you hated silence.
Actually, now that you thought about it, you didnโt even put your records on anymore.
John did. Without asking.
Because he knew you liked it. But this morning you hadnโt heard a peep.
Yet there he was, sitting at the round kitchen table with a steaming mug, his laptop open in front of him, and a hard look he hadnโt yet cast in your direction.
Deciding the cold shoulder would still be your move going forward, you turned right and disappeared into the bathroom to wash up. There was no good morning from either of you like usual. No smirk from your lover. No fleeting wink as he silently flirted with you.
It was distant. Uncomfortable.
Especially when you were being forced to share such a small space.
While brushing your teeth, you couldnโt help but look at the green toiletry bag sitting on the counter taking up space. It was all of Johnโs things jammed into it while your belongings sat neatly organized on the spinning tray tucked into the corner.
Taking the toothbrush from your mouth, you stared at it a little longer. Youโd cleared the cabinet and made space for all his things. Yet they still sat there exactly like they had when heโd come over to spend the night before moving in.
โFuck it. I love him.โ You spoke to yourself in the mirror, searching your own reflection for what you truly felt beneath all the hurt.
Then you finally rinsed your mouth, braided your hair, and washed off the remnants of last nightโs makeup.
Walking out of the bathroom, you saw John had barely moved and was still focused on whatever work he busied himself with. Leaning against the old bathroom doorframe with its chipped paint, you found yourself staring at him.
โSo, back home, when I was a kid, we cleaned on Sundays. Even if we pretended like we hated each other, we still had to clean. That was the rule.โ You felt awkward as you broke the silence. You hoped you didnโt sound angry because you were trying to bridge the gap in your own way. A way that wouldnโt chase John off like trying to make him talk about his feelings would.
John seemed caught off guard. Mug halfway to his lips, he turned to look at you, blue eyes settling on your face. There was no hard look like youโd expected. If anything, he looked curious.
โA rule?โ he asked, testing the waters.
โWell, it doesnโt have to be a rule if you donโt want it to be. But even if we donโt like each other right now, would you help me clean?โ That weightless feeling of vulnerability settled in your chest as you waited to be shot down or accepted.
โYeah. Of course Iโll help you, darling.โ John gave you one of those small smiles he usually reserved for early mornings when the two of you lay in bed talking while the sun came up.
โThanks. Could you bring up those last few boxes from your car?โ You didnโt wait for an answer, simply hoping heโd do as you asked.
He did.
While John was trekking down three flights of stairs with no elevator to reach his car parked on the street below, you grabbed a step stool and pulled his box of records down from the closet shelf. You had to stop and catch your breath after carrying it into the living room. The thing was far heavier than youโd expected.
Leafing through the records, a smile broke across your face when you found an old Pink Floyd album. Opening the sleeve, a photograph slipped free and fluttered onto the floor. So you bent down and picked it up.
It was a Polaroid of John.
Only he was much younger. Twelve or thirteen, maybe.
He was sitting somewhere in a garden, holding a guitar and smiling. Not the crooked smirk he wore now. A proper smile. Boyish and carefree in a way youโd never seen before.
Setting the photograph aside, you placed the record on the player and skipped ahead to your favorite song.
Wish You Were Here
Then you took the Polaroid and hung it on the fridge beside the faded photograph of you as a little girl eating an ice cream cone on a park bench with your late mother.
With a content sigh, you felt like youโd done the right thing.
Making your way back into the living room, you began organizing Johnโs records onto the shelf beneath the record player alongside your own. Instead of keeping them separated, one section his and one section yours, you wove them together using the alphabetical system John had once praised during one of his first visits.
Thatโs when you heard the front door open. The footsteps paused. You continued with your task.
John stood frozen for a moment, his eyes immediately finding you sitting on the floor with your back to him.
You looked like a picture.
Hair braided back. Skin glowing in the pale morning light pouring through the windows. One of his favorite records spinning softly in the background.
The song felt like it was speaking for you.
His pulse picked up unexpectedly as he heard you quietly singing along. It tugged at something deep inside him. He never wouldโve guessed you knew this song. Let alone that it was one of his favorites.
Thatโs when he noticed the Polaroid.
The one his little sister had taken on his twelfth birthday after heโd gotten his first guitar. Back when he thought home was the British countryside in Herefordshire. Not the woman sitting on the floor humming his favorite record.
Johnโs jaw tightened as he stared at his younger face. At the boy who had no idea what life was going to throw at him.
The deployments. The barracks. The endless duffel bags. The years spent never staying anywhere long enough to call it home.
Setting the box down on the table, John glanced around at his belongings for a moment.
โYou mind if I reorganize the cupboards? Iโve got some mugs.โ He already knew the answer. Ever since heโd arrived, youโd been making space for him.
โYeah. You can toss the old chipped ones. Just leave the Boston one and the rooster.โ You smiled over your shoulder.
โYeah.โ John nodded, watching you return to your records.
โDarling?โ Leaving the mugs on the table, John decided to betray himself for a moment.
โYeah?โ You looked up at him.
โI love you.โ A small smile softened his features.
โI love you too.โ You matched his gaze.
โYou know, Pink Floyd was some of the first music I learned to play on the guitar.โ
โWas it really?โ
โYeah. My brother got me into them.โ
โWhereโs your guitar?โ
John couldnโt help the way his heart skipped.
You looked perfect like this.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor of your flat, surrounded by records, smiling up at him as though heโd hung the moon.
โUnder our bed. Iโll go grab it.โ
โOooooo, are you going to serenade me?โ Your giggles had John smiling to himself as he disappeared toward your shared bedroom.
No one else could do this to him. Have him smiling like a fool. Leaving the comfort of silence behind. Trading it for music, laughter, and a home filled with noise.
โDonโt push your luck,โ John called back.
~~~~~tag list~~~~~
@exhaustedpotat0 @glitterypirateduck @ivymarquis @crazymela @what-0-life @boredfairy4 @hihhasotherfixations @stephanswhxre @shanjisan @k4es @luvleywrites @kita03-0 @midwesternwitchery @aleynaleia @suckerforbassist @misshoneypaper @theaonlax @blackstar9005 @tooterbutt @havoc973 @maladaptivedaydreamingbum @freshlemontea @cosmoscoffee @sae1kie @ohworm-writes @ghostslittlegf @fanficwriterlover @arminarlertssword @faceache111 @azu21 @thirstyb-ches @nini-11-08 @sgtgarricks @kiki-is-hyperfixating @mayflysdie
๐
My child
I've finally lost access to so many great accounts and brillant pieces of work. Age verification has caught up to me in UK and it now requires either a face scan or ID. Yeah that ain't happening!
What's the real shit show is that tumblr cannot identify what is mature content!! So its okay to see what is essentially porn just interspersed in the feed but art of a child and a mother is now mature content. Make it make sense!
Also using a VPN can lead to your account being suspended!?
Literally just posted this and this ad pops up
Really you can't make this up ! The video had the women bouncing her breasts while advertising a game streaming site.
this british age verification thing is so ridiculous
i canโt even read some fan fiction because itโs considered mature
likeeee thereโs bigger problems in england right now than people reading fan fic ๐ญ
Spring
Cheese!!!!
Another ObiShiSaku shenanigans feat.Darui [refs from GOTG]
EXTRA~~~
ask and you shall receive.
Babykuna but now Iโm painting
Kawanabe Kyลsai, Jigoku dayลซ (Hell Courtesan), 1874
Even though he would never trade your relationship for anything, the day Rugby!Simon proposed was not his proudest moment.
Put him in front of a thousand flashing cameras that will have his face plastered on every global sports news outlet and the most intense thing he'll feel is a simmering irritation. But the feeling of that little black box sitting in his hand makes his vision start to vignette if he thinks about it too much.
(It's so small, sitting in his hand, the ring inside even smaller. Yet the weight of it, the image of it on your hand, is immeasurable.)
The day he finally decides to ask you was the product of months of agonizing over it. Should he just hand the box to you? Just ask, not even include the ring? Fuck if he knows. He never thought he'd get this far, never thought he'd find you in any lifetime let alone this one.
He's not sure he actually makes a decision, but he finds himself picking a random day on one of the morning walks you take together when the weather allows.
Simon has been so caught up in his head that he doesn't realize how weird he's been acting all day, weirder than usual at least. He especially doesn't notice the worried looks you've been shooting him.
He's spoken maybe one complete sentence all morning and has maybe blinked twice, his mind fully anchored on the black box shoved in the recesses of his pocket.
He walks beside you rigid as an ironing board, marching like he's going to war. Eventually, you hover your hand over his arm, slowing to a stop.
"Si, are you oka--"
"I don't want to be your boyfriend anymore."
Silence.
"W-what?" He can barely hear you over his pulse thundering in his ears. It's the tone of your voice that truly reaches him. Small, a little scared. It churns his gut even more and there is a moment when he's genuinely concerned he might actually hurl.
"No. I mean--" He curses so low under his breath all you hear is him growling like a dog at himself.
He turns his back to you, hands fumbling in his jacket pocket. The box gets stuck and he's there flailing around, nearly ripping his jacket trying to get the bastard thing out.
And when he turns back around, sees your precious face, sees the woman whose side he never wants to leave, he drops to his knees.
Not the one. Both of them.
He doesn't realize.
Simon opens the box so fast he nearly tears the lid clean off. The ring that has been haunting him for months glinting from the cushion inside. He looks up at you with his huge brown eyes, more anxiety in them than you've ever seen. His dry throat clicks when he swallows. His mouth opens and all he can get out is:
"Please?"
Looking back on it, Simon has absolutely no idea why you agreed to marry him after that display. But every day he sees that ring on your finger, sees the one tattooed on his, he is overcome with the certainty that he'd go through every pain and misery in his life all over again if it meant that he could call you his wife.






