Chapter Text
It won't be any long now before Yuuji can finally allow his body to have its well-deserved rest.
The past nine months haven't been a walk in the park, to say the least. If being the esteemed bride of the King of Curses wasn't already a heavy responsibility to bear, then imagine carrying his offspring in the womb.
From the shortness of breath, whimsical appetite, irritable bladder, to the rhythmical contractions — Yuuji is easily fatigued from nourishing his unborn baby. Not to mention, the terrible mood swings.
For the most part, Yuuji is commonly known for his cheerful and easy-going personality. Unlike his significant other, Yuuji is regarded as a gentle and fair figurehead to humans and even curses in their domain. Despite his status, and much to the frustration of his curse husband, the esteemed bride still went out of his way to directly help people whenever he can.
But alas, the burden of carrying the King of Curses' child has left Yuuji in a whirlwind of emotions day by day. The late stages of pregnancy have taken its toll on Yuuji, rendering him incapable of traveling without risking his and the baby's health. As much as it saddened Yuuji that he couldn't see to the other villagers for a while, Sukuna wouldn’t think twice of razing the very earth to the ground if any harm befell even a hair on Yuuji’s head.
Better to be safe than sorry, Yuuji thought in exasperation.
Left to his own devices, the esteemed bride now spends most of his time in his private zen garden, occupying himself with whatever he can get his hands on. If enduring this pregnancy won’t test his wit’s end, then boredom will probably do. It also doesn’t help that Sukuna is away on a three-day excursion.
“Honestly, you’d think it’s rational for him to stick around more if he wouldn’t even allow me to venture out by myself,” Yuuji muses to his big belly. The esteemed bride would often talk to his unborn child if no one else was within earshot. “Your papa is such a worrywart, Little Kuna. Try not to be like him too much when you grow older, hm?”
It took a while for Sukuna to yield to the ‘Little Kuna’ moniker that Yuuji unilaterally decided for their unborn child. The King of Curses didn’t appreciate being referred to as ‘little’, albeit indirectly. In Yuuji’s defense though, he found the nickname cute (and he stands by it), and since the couple has yet to agree on an official name – imagining a miniature version of Sukuna growing in his big belly would do the trick for Yuuji. The King of Curses was not amused, but he gave in to his esteemed bride anyway.
Smiling to himself while caressing his baby bump, Yuuji went back to tending to his favorite collection of bonsai. His eyes drift to the open space, appreciating how his garden has progressed all these months. Lush plant life is balanced with the asymmetrical pond full of water and stones. Mini lanterns adorn the arching bridge leading into the quaint pavilion. It was a good day to bask in the tranquility. Yuuji hums to himself, he began to mull over whether to set up a picnic when his husband returns home. Sukuna always favored their outdoor activities, especially when Yuuji’s cooking is involved.
As Yuuji was focused on watering the bonsai, he didn’t mind the small ache that began to swell in the pit of his belly. Believing it was the usual fetal movement, Yuuji carried on with his gardening routine. He tries to soothe the curve of his baby bump in the hopes that it would appease whatever mood his little one might be sporting.
The aching sensation, however, soon turned into a full-blown searing pain that gripped Yuuji’s insides—leaving him gasping for breath.
“Aghh!” The esteemed bride grimaces in pain. Reaching in haste for the bridge’s railing to keep himself upright, Yuuji lets out a distressed whine. He struggles to not fall on his knees from the sheer pressure of his pregnant body. One hand clutches his womb as he tries to make sense of the sudden indescribable pain afflicting him.
It’s not yet time, isn’t it? This feels too different!
“Little Kuna, are you alright? What’s goin—aghhh…!” Yuuji had no time to check in on his offspring as another shot of pain racks his body, causing him to let out a prolonged wail. Yuuji’s vision blurs for a moment, he could feel the tremors in his belly spread throughout his body.
“Baby, please…please be okay.” Tears prickle at Yuuji’s eyes as he stares at his trembling form. He can barely take another step without feeling as if a thousand needles are bristling against his skin. If this goes on any longer, he fears for the worst.
Taking deep breaths, Yuuji balls up his hands into tightened fists. He gradually straightens himself from where he was crouched down at the arched bridge. The esteemed bride steadies himself and steels his resolve. His one and only child was at risk here. He’d sooner damn everything to hell before allowing anything to happen to his Little Kuna.
Mustering what limited strength he has left, Yuuji tries to not stagger his way towards the main shrine of their estate. The esteemed bride almost regrets sending Uraume to the village now of all times. The loyal servant wouldn’t be back until they made sure that every resident was safe in their dwelling, as a personal request from Yuuji. Even in his limited state, the esteemed bride was persistent in looking out for others. Sukuna did mention that his little bride was too kind for his own good. That big oaf, Yuuji mutters to himself.
At this point, Yuuji could only hope that none of the anguish he’s currently enduring is affecting his unborn child. “Just…just a few more steps, little one,” Yuuji heaves as he wraps his arms around his baby bump. He can feel his legs slowly giving out on him with every staggering step. It’s as if there’s a much greater pressure holding him down, enveloping him in such a chilling aura. An ominous presence but not quite a curse.
“We’re almost there, baby. Stay with me alright? We – nnghh – we’re gonna be alright. I got you…Mama’s got you.”
A blood-curling screech suddenly rang through the air, forcing Yuuji to halt in his hurried steps. This isn’t good.
Not too far from where the pinkette stood was a gathering of grotesque humanoid creatures with crimson tinted wings, their white eyes devoid of emotion and elongated claws that seem sharp enough to cut through steel.
This is definitely not good.
Yuuji could feel his fight or flight senses go on overdrive. One hand hanging on to the slaughter knife in his robes while the other is shielding his baby bump, the esteemed bride tried to assess the intruders. These were curses – and sinister ones at that. How the said curses managed to enter their estate, let alone their shrine, without being eradicated on the spot is beyond Yuuji’s comprehension right now.
The esteemed bride tried to put some distance between himself and the cursed creatures by taking a step back, but this only served to agitate one of the creatures to descend upon him in quick succession — its form trying to reach for Yuuji’s midriff rather than slicing him. On instinct, the esteemed bride side-stepped the cursed creature and then dealt it with an instant slash across its throat — blood splattering Yuuji's yukata. The esteemed bride frowns in displeasure at the mess before him. The winged creature could only utter a tortured screech as it was reduced to exorcised ashes.
The cursed creatures howl for their fallen companion. Baring their fangs coated in dark ink, the grotesque humanoids' white eyes zero in on the pinkette’s form.
“Ah, shit,” Yuuji pants, trying to gather his bearings after that swift attack. “I should have – haghh – I should have held back more.” This was definitely not on his agenda when he chose to spend some time alone for today. He chances a look at his baby bump and notices just then how the hump seems to throb on its own.
“Sorry about that, little one. Did I startle you? Mama is a bit busy at the moment, so you’ll have to forgive the ruckus.” Yuuji scowls at the group of cursed creatures advancing from afar. The esteemed bride sheathes the slaughter knife back into his robe and collects himself. He feels numb from the adrenaline. The cursed creatures are already near enough that he could feel the screeches of terror reverberate in his ear.
With only one thought in mind, he soothes his baby bump. “I will look after you, Little Kuna, no matter what,” Yuuji promises his unborn child, tears now free falling on his pale cheeks. The esteemed bride positions his hands together to form a familiar sign. He mentally offers an apology to Sukuna before uttering the next few words,
Domain Expansion Malevolent Shrine
“Goddamn brat.”
Before he could complete the invocation, Yuuji was engulfed in the purest warmth.