At this hour, Yukiori would usually be asleep, but tonight he stood outside Sukuna's room.
He wondered why Sukuna summoned him so late.
Yukiori knocked softly, then pushed the door open.
Sukuna sat in a chair, eyes closed, breathing steady, seemingly asleep.
"… "
Yukiori stayed silent, not wanting to disturb him. He could tell Sukuna was exhausted upon returning, explaining his terse silence and retreat upstairs.
Drawing closer, Yukiori studied Sukuna's face for the first time.
Sukuna wasn't unattractive; the markings, like a second face, lent him a haunting, fierce mystique.
Yukiori settled beside him, his lovely eyes tracing Sukuna's sleeping features, sketching his brows and eyes in his mind.
"Two-Faced Sukuna…"
He reached out, touching Sukuna's face. Just like anyone else…
As Yukiori drifted off, Sukuna's eyes opened.
He'd been asleep but woke when Yukiori's hand brushed his face.
Sukuna kept his eyes shut, curious what Yukiori intended, only to find him asleep after a mere touch.
He'd meant to explain his late return wasn't deliberate, his fatigue causing him to doze off.
Rubbing his temple, Sukuna realized he'd let Yukiori approach without caution, prompting a closer look…
"… "
"Uraume."
"My lord."
Uraume entered, seeing Sukuna propped on one hand, then Yukiori asleep beside him, draped in an oversized coat—clearly not his own.
Uraume knew why he was called, stepping forward to lift Yukiori.
"My lord?"
Before Uraume's hand reached Yukiori, Sukuna stopped him.
Under Uraume's gaze, Sukuna rose, scooped Yukiori from his slumped position, and carried him out.
So why was Uraume summoned? To watch Sukuna carry Yukiori back?
A rare flicker of confusion crossed Uraume's face.
Sukuna himself didn't know why until he laid Yukiori on his bed, tucking him in. He stared at his hands.
The room was silent, moonlight softly bathing Yukiori, casting a pearlescent glow.
His silver-white hair veiled half his face, sinking into the bedding, barely discernible.
As if a touch might shatter him.
An inexplicable urge stirred Sukuna's irritation—he wanted to hold fast to this fleeting presence.
A hand clutched Sukuna's hem.
"Mother… don't go…"
Mother?
Sukuna froze, his attempt to pull away halted.
Was he mistaken for Yukiori's mother?
Sukuna stood silent, lost in thought.
Yukiori's grip whitened his knuckles. Sukuna sighed, relenting, sitting by the bed and patting Yukiori's head.
Asleep, Yukiori clutched Sukuna's hand to his chest, as if seeing through closed eyes.
Sukuna: "… "
Fine.
His own whim brought him here.
That night, Yukiori slept soundly. By morning, he woke to find someone by his bed, his arms holding something.
He looked down…
"Awake? Let go."
Sukuna's tone dripped with impatience. Yukiori released his hands, sitting up, guilt etched on his face.
Sukuna glanced at him, his gaze softening briefly.
Fresh from sleep, Yukiori's mind was hazy, his eyes dewy, as if he'd just wept.
"I'm sorry."
"… "
"You don't need to keep apologizing."
Sukuna stood, admitting he'd stayed by choice…
"I'll leave again in a few days. It'll be a while."
"Want anything?"
At the door, Sukuna turned to ask.
Yukiori hesitated, shaking his head. "Nothing… I want."
Was Sukuna not angry? Yukiori wondered.
Sukuna said no more, leaving.
Yukiori lingered on the bed, dazed, before washing and heading downstairs.
Uraume noticed, his expression odd.
Yukiori, oblivious, stuck to Uraume's side as usual.
"… "
Watching Yukiori water flowers, Uraume stood by, recalling Sukuna emerging from Yukiori's room at dawn—meaning he'd spent the night there.
Strange, but Uraume wouldn't ask Sukuna, nor Yukiori.
Yukiori seemed fine, suggesting he and Sukuna got along well. Uraume was glad Sukuna met Yukiori.
Only with Yukiori did Sukuna resist his bloodlust. With Yukiori, Sukuna would never take the darkest path, though Uraume was ready to follow him there.
Unspoken, they all saw this place as home.
No longer lone cursed sorcerers, someone waited for their return.
But lately, Uraume noticed Yukiori clung more to Sukuna, seeking him less.
Serving tea, Uraume caught Sukuna's gentle gazes at Yukiori…
Something had shifted, but Uraume couldn't name it.
Yet he genuinely rejoiced at their growing bond.