Day 7: "Hands Off"
Whumptober 2024 Prompt: Dermatillomania / Self-Harm / Compulsion
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Yuji Itadori had always been good at hiding his struggles behind a smile, behind his overwhelming need to help others, to keep moving forward. But when the world slowed down, when there was no one around to save, the cracks began to show.
Sitting alone on his bed, Yuji's hands moved unconsciously over his arms, his fingers picking at the small imperfections on his skin. He had been doing it for hours now—absentmindedly, his mind consumed by the events of the past weeks. The battles, the deaths, the overwhelming responsibility that weighed on his shoulders. It was too much, and without even realizing it, Yuji had fallen into an old habit: picking at his skin, trying to smooth over the imperfections, as if somehow that would fix everything else in his life.
Blood dotted his arms where his nails had broken the surface, and yet, he couldn't stop. It was a compulsion, something his body did to distract his mind from the pain he couldn't handle. But the sting of his nails digging into his flesh wasn't enough to ground him this time. He was spiraling, and deep down, he knew it.
Suddenly, the familiar, ominous presence of Sukuna stirred inside him. A low, disapproving growl echoed in Yuji's mind, but he didn't stop. Not even when he felt the shift—the pull—dragging him into Sukuna's domain.
The world around him blurred, the dingy room vanishing, replaced by the eerie crimson light and looming presence of Sukuna's throne. Yuji's vision cleared, and he found himself standing in the heart of Sukuna's domain, his hands still instinctively reaching for his arms.
"Enough." Sukuna's voice, usually harsh and mocking, was uncharacteristically gentle—almost concerned.
Before Yuji could even respond, Sukuna appeared in front of him, grabbing his wrists with surprising softness. Yuji blinked, his breath hitching as Sukuna's fingers gently pried his hands away from his torn skin.
"Look at you, baby," Sukuna muttered, pulling Yuji closer, his tone a far cry from the cruel amusement he usually displayed. His crimson eyes softened as they traced the angry red marks on Yuji's arms. "What have you done to yourself?"
Yuji's throat tightened. "I didn't— I wasn't trying to—" He couldn't find the words. He hadn't meant to make it worse. He hadn't meant for Sukuna to notice.
Sukuna sighed, releasing Yuji's wrists but keeping his hands hovering close to him, ready to stop him again if necessary. "You're always like this. Always hurting yourself, pushing yourself too far." His voice lowered, almost a whisper. "It's not just your job to carry everything, sweetheart."
Yuji swallowed hard, the shame bubbling up inside him. He opened his mouth to apologize, but Sukuna cut him off, pulling Yuji into his chest, his arms wrapping around him protectively.
"Shh, don't." Sukuna's voice was softer than Yuji had ever heard it, his lips brushing against Yuji's temple as he held him close. "You're not alone, Yuji. You don't have to handle everything by yourself."
Yuji tensed in Sukuna's arms, still not used to the idea that the King of Curses could ever be this gentle, this concerned. But he couldn't deny the comfort it brought him, the way Sukuna's warmth seemed to settle the storm in his mind, at least for a moment.
Sukuna's hands moved carefully to Yuji's own, gently clasping them in his. "No more," he murmured, his thumbs brushing over Yuji's knuckles. "You don't need to hurt yourself anymore, baby. I won't let you."
Yuji's heart pounded in his chest. He didn't deserve this, didn't deserve Sukuna's tenderness. But the curse was having none of it. Sukuna guided Yuji's hands away from his skin, keeping a firm but gentle hold on him.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Sukuna asked softly, his tone shifting from concern to something deeper—something almost wounded. "You think I wouldn't notice when you're in pain?"
Yuji's lips trembled. "I didn't want to bother you. You've got enough to deal with."
Sukuna huffed, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. "Idiot. You're mine, Yuji. What happens to you happens to me."
Yuji blinked, tears stinging the corners of his eyes. He wasn't used to this, wasn't used to someone caring this much. Especially not Sukuna. But the way Sukuna held him, the way his voice softened and his hands refused to let go, it broke down the walls Yuji had tried so hard to build.
"You're more important than any curse or battle," Sukuna murmured, pulling Yuji even closer, his lips ghosting over Yuji's forehead. "I'll handle everything else. Just… take care of yourself, for me."
Yuji felt something inside him crack, the weight of Sukuna's words sinking deep into his chest. He nodded slowly, leaning into Sukuna's embrace, letting himself fall into the warmth and safety the curse offered him.
"I'll try," Yuji whispered, his voice barely audible.
Sukuna smiled, a rare, genuine smile, his thumb brushing over Yuji's cheek as he looked into his eyes. "That's all I ask, sweetheart."
He pressed a kiss to Yuji's forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment before pulling away. "Now rest," Sukuna commanded, though his voice was more a soothing lull than an order. "I'll keep your hands busy."
Yuji nodded again, his body finally relaxing as Sukuna led him over to a soft space in the domain, gently guiding him to lie down. Sukuna stayed beside him, cradling Yuji's hands in his own, ensuring that he couldn't pick at his skin anymore.
For the first time in what felt like days, Yuji allowed himself to close his eyes, knowing that Sukuna would keep watch over him. The ever-present anxiety began to fade, and the compulsion to pick at his skin slowly slipped away as he drifted into sleep.
And as Yuji's breathing evened out, Sukuna leaned down, brushing a final kiss to his temple, whispering, "You'll never be alone again, Yuji. I'll make sure of it."