ʲᵘʲᵘᵗˢᵘ ᵏᵃⁱˢᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃᵈᶜᵃⁿᵒⁿˢ

sukuna.

This is the fifth doctor.

His fingers are cold as he feels the sides of your jaw, holding your tongue under his finger to look down your throat, and though you hate having the doctors fussing over you, you're too wilted to even protest. His fingers probe at your skin, so transparent and marbled with veins, and then to the purpling bruises, which adorn your skin like the most hideous jewelry. When he's done, you make what might be a noise of distress and bury your face into Sukuna's lap. The coolness of his arms encircles you, his fingers stroking up and down your spine, the notches painfully evident through the wisp of your nightgown.

"Out." His voice doesn't waver with anger, but contains a clear menace – there's swift movement, and then silence.

You savor the complete darkness behind your eyelids, knowing that it's only a matter of time before the tears start to fall. One of the warnings you've grown accustomed to, passed down from sister wife to sister wife – no one ever leaves the estate, not once Sukuna takes an interest in you. And yet, it looks as though you'll soon be the exception to the rule. You'll be leaving first.

Your breath catches, and your chest feels as though it's collapsing.

Sukuna withdraws a little, his hands dropping away from your body, and briefly, you can feel his pain. You raise your head with an effort, your thick eyelashes fluttering up to meet his gaze. Sukuna coaxes mouthfuls of water into you; you think he knows that you're only doing it to appease him, playing the role of the obedient wife until the very end.

Sukuna rests his forehead against your shoulder, and you brush your fingers through his hair. Your fingers, deft and gentle, run through his hair, linger on the hard edges and plains of his face. You're sitting calmly in your bed, but your heart is pounding, your stomach is sick as you try and wonder how many days you possibly have left. "It's okay," You say. "It's fine. I'm – "

"Don't." Sukuna snaps, in a tone harsher than intended. "I didn't nurse you all those weeks for nothing."

You smile. It's an easy, beautiful smile. "Alright."

Sukuna kisses you then,unusually gentle. It feels like a kiss of acceptance for him, as well as you,and when he pulls away, his lips are slick with your blood.