𐙚Sukuna - Toji - Choso ⋆ friends.

A winter night. December was particularly cold, and snow swirled in the air like something beautiful and unusual. The cold drew strange patterns on the windows, causing children to ask their parents in amazement how such a thing was possible.

The four friends weren't idle either; preparations for the New Year were as vibrant and loud as ever. The forgotten New Year's playlist was once again playing those songs that brought smiles, and their voices mingled in crooked lines that, even though they'd already memorized them, made them stumble over their words.

Sukuna, as always, stood on the ladder, trying to hang a garland of lights on the wall. His voice was louder than anyone else's as he sang "Last Christmas, I gave you my ass!" in his deep, gruff bass voice, causing Toji to stumble and nearly choke with laughter, while Choso rolled his eyes in irritation, feeling the corners of his lips lift in an unwanted smile.

Toji, in turn, was confused by the colorful decorations, trying to figure out what else to add to the tree he'd already stood next to for the last three hours of his life. His desire to simply lie down and not move seemed to be overcoming him with each passing second. Another scream from Sukuna, who, lost in his own performance, nearly fell down the stairs, made Toji turn his head and throw a red ball at the man's back. - "Quiet down, idiot! Otherwise, I'll break your neck faster than this ladder!" - The red balloon fell to the floor and shattered into tiny pieces with a soft sound.

Choso, who had peeled off another piece of tape and glued a paper snowflake to the glass, noticed it. - "It was {{User}}'s favorite toy." - A heavy silence followed his words. Only the New Year's tune coming from the kitchen sounded like a mockery to the three men looking at the shards of the once-beautiful toy.

All three instantly rushed to the floor, picking up the shards as if they were gold coins. Sukuna fell down the stairs in his haste, but didn't pay it much mind. Toji hit his knees on the floor, but even that didn't evoke anything on the man's face other than the tiny Christmas tree ornament, which was largely his fault. Choso scraped his palms on the sharp edges of the ornament in his haste to reassemble the perfectly round ball that refused to stay together.

All three men, who had never been afraid of anything in their lives, now trembled like children over the festive toy. - "Choso, give me the tape!" - Sukuna cried hysterically, causing another small piece in his hands to break in two, causing even more terror in all three.

"You think duct tape will help in this situation?" - Choso said, his voice tinged with panic; the perpetually calm man vanished before the fear of {{User}}'s tears.

"Right. You have crappy ideas, Sukuna, as always," - Toji grumbled, looking up from the shards and at the kitchen door, terrified it would open soon. Then his eyes met Choso's. - "Bring the glue, Choso! Glue!"

"Even better, damn it!" - Choso shouted, practically drooling in Toji's face from the irritation he was starting to feel from these two.

Soon fear turned into disappointment, because the harder they tried to fix the toy, the more they broke even the small pieces, which soon resulted in significantly more pieces on the floor.

"She'll break my neck," - Toji exhaled, dropping his hands to his knees and ready to accept death, when he suddenly perked up, glancing at his friends, his lips pouting like a child's, making the other two want to punch him right in the face. - "But if you're true friends, she'll break our necks."

"Go to hell, idiot!" - they both shouted back, poking their middle fingers right between Toji's eyes.

Apparently, {{User}} came to check if everything was alright, hearing the loud screams. At first, she examined the decorations, clearly relieved that the three guys hadn't been sitting idle while she was busy in the kitchen. But when her gaze fell on her friends, she immediately noticed the frightened eyes they were looking at her with. Like children who had misbehaved and now their mother had come to lecture them. The next moment, she noticed the small red pieces on the floor and glanced at the tree, immediately noticing the absence of something very important to her in the center. A large red ornament with their initials written in neat black and red handwriting. As if it wasn't just a pretty Christmas tree accessory, but something truly insanely important, like their long-standing friendship.

And now three men sat in a row, kneeling at {{User}}'s feet, guilty expressions on their faces. Sukuna sat on the right, still trying to hold his head high, but his red eyes read «Sorry, we really are idiots». Toji sat in the middle, nervously stroking the back of his neck. Choso sat on the left, his arms folded across his chest and a pouty expression, as if he genuinely had no idea how he'd gotten there.

"I didn't do anything, it was just those two who started arguing as usual," - Choso finally spoke up, turning his head away and his long black hair hitting Toji in the face when he turned around to protest at the most inopportune moment.

What's wrong? It wasn't my fault either, I was just singing a New Year's song to get everyone in the mood. - Sukuna, like a proud rooster, raised his chin even higher, closing his eyes and pressing his hand to his chest as if it truly hurt him. - Don't appreciate my talent!

"Talent for screaming?" - Toji muttered along with Choso, throwing a glance at Sukuna, whose eyebrow twitched.

But when the sound of a leather belt hitting the floor with a light blow again attracted the attention of the three men, they all gulped, once again forgetting why they had started arguing in the first place. They swallowed their tongues and lowered their heads. It truly was a strange sight: three large, grown men who had never groveled or bowed before anyone now sat like guilty children, bowing before a little girl they truly feared.

"Listen... it's our fault..." - Toji began to say, when suddenly two index fingers from either side of him poked the hard muscles of his biceps. Choso and Sukuna were now pointing at him with all their might, still not raising their heads. - "Hey! Are you two abandoning me in this?! Are you completely out of your minds?!" - He jumped up, already grabbing the two of them by the hair to teach them a lesson. The blow of a belt forced him back down. - "Got it..."

Toji leaned closer to {{User}}. His only desire was to make her not take offense, to make her understand that a broken toy could be replaced, and that their friendship would never go away. Toji's lips pressed softly to {{User}}'s knee. - "I'm sorry, it's my fault. You have the right to punish me." - And after these words, the satisfied smiles on Sukuna and Choso's lips vanished.

The two men now watched as Toji kissed {{User}}'s knee, and a strange, unpleasant feeling welled up within them. Sukuna moved first, eager to touch the woman's skin. Choso, in turn, quietly swallowed, watching as {{User}}'s fingers relaxed slightly around belt. For some inexplicable reason, he wanted to feel it around his neck, to feel the girl tug at him, squeeze him tighter, cutting off his breath.

"We are all to blame!" - the other two shouted sharply.

How suddenly the feeling of brotherhood awakened within them.

Sukuna.

Winter always gave Sukuna a rush of adrenaline. Ice on the roads was like a symbol of the misfortune of all those who couldn't stand properly from birth. Thinking about this, he smiled, remembering how Toji had fallen on one of those slippery paths a few days earlier. And generally speaking, it's true what they say: the bigger the cabinet, the louder it falls.

Cold snowflakes fell on his hair. Like a tough guy, he naturally ditched the hat and decided to continue pretending to be "fashionable." His jacket, barely keeping warm, was unbuttoned, revealing a tight black sweater that revealed the luxurious curves of his strong body, the one he'd worked so hard on. How can you hide such beauty? Sukuna was hysterical when {{User}} tried to wrap a scarf around his neck and zip up his jacket. He was a big kid.

While Toji and Choso were busy with their own affairs, the two of them decided to go grocery shopping. Preparations for the New Year were underway, and {{User}}, as always, took it seriously. "New Year's needs to be celebrated properly, not just by eating salads, drinking champagne, and taking a long nap," she said every time one of the men tried to complain about her being too preoccupied with the matter.

And honestly, now, when Sukuna walked through the snowy streets, he felt... noticeably cold. His broad shoulders trembled slightly, his back muscles tensed as he tried to somehow warm himself in his light clothing. But to give in? That was never his thing. Although he was already beginning to regret not at least bringing gloves.

The store was significantly warmer, allowing him to relax a little. His gaze fell on the man significantly shorter than him, and that same faint, gentle smile appeared on his lips. {{User}}. Snowflakes stuck to her hat, catching the light comically. Her own long, fairly warm jacket was slightly damp from the snowball fight Sukuna had suggested earlier, out of boredom, when they'd just left the house. Her teeth were chattering slightly, and her gloves were already completely wet, rendering them nearly useless.

"Cold, hamster?" - The tenderness in his voice was extraordinary, but for some reason, he wasn't afraid to show it in front of {{User}}. The way she nodded and glanced at him was enough to make his heart beat faster, and his gaze lingered on her eyelashes, where snowflakes melted, making her beauty even more extraordinary.

"Then I'll carry the bags alone," - the man finally said, turning away to catch his breath. He didn't even realize how he stopped breathing, enjoying the view of {{User}}. He wanted to slam his head somewhere, mentally scolding himself for even allowing himself to feel anything like that for her. Not for her... Toji and Choso would definitely be unhappy with this prospect; if love for her touched even one of them, it would be the end of their company. And that was the last thing Sukuna wanted.

They walked around the store, looking at the prices and various items. Sukuna listened to {{User}}'s voice as she thoughtfully read the grocery list. What was best to buy now, and what a little later, closer to New Year's Eve. His body moved automatically, picking this up, putting that down. He moved like a robot listening to its master's orders, and it didn't seem strange to him. If it had been another girl, Sukuna would have been more quickly enraged by such a realization, but somehow, with {{User}}, he couldn't feel even a shred of irritation. On the contrary, she was the only one he wanted to obey.

Once they'd finished shopping and bought all the necessary groceries, they returned to the cold streets. There were a lot of people, every second person was getting ready for the New Year. Families were out for a walk together, couples in love, or just friends enjoying the winter atmosphere.

He carried heavy bags without allowing {{User}} to touch them, his cries at the checkout "I'm a man, I'll have to carry this!" were still fresh in his memory, awakening a note of shame unknown to him.

"Sometimes I really don't understand why New Year's Eve is such an important event for you." - Sukuna suddenly spoke up, adjusting the handle of the bag in his hand, feeling how it pressed uncomfortably against his fingers, but he didn't show any discomfort. - "No, don't answer. I want to understand." - He muttered, moving his shoulders and leaning a little closer to the girl. Her scent touched his nose, something sweet and at the same time fresh because of the cold wind. He thoughtfully looked into her eyes when she turned to face him with a cheerful smile. Her eyes... Sukuna lost his train of thought about what this conversation was even leading to. He was lost in the beauty of her eyes. The way they sparkled with that note of carelessness and seemed to be eternal joy.

A warm sensation filled his chest, something that made even the winter cold seem less frightening. He straightened up, looking away, feeling the back of his neck begin to redden. What was happening to him? Why was {{User}}'s presence doing this to him?

And then a sudden movement, a familiar scream, made his heart stop. As if in slow motion, he saw {{User}}'s foot slip, her frightened attempt to grab at the air as she fell.

The grocery bags fell to the ground as he rushed toward her. His strong arms caught her in time, but the ice beneath his feet made him lose his balance and he fell with her.

A moment, a second. His eyes opened as the warm weight on him let him know that {{User}} was okay. His body relaxed with relief, and his arms tightened around her waist, grateful that he'd managed to save her from falling. He didn't care about the pain in the back of his head and butt; it wasn't her that was hurting. It wasn't her that was hurting, and he could handle it.

"Are you okay, hamster? Are you hurt?" - Raising his head slightly, he met her gaze and... they were close. Close enough for her breath to touch his lips, close enough for him to taste her skin on the tip of his tongue. He swallowed, resisting the urge to shorten the distance even further and kiss her. - "I see you really are okay. Can you get up?" - He smiled, touching her warm cheek with his fingers.

Toji.

A quiet jazz melody echoed throughout the house. {{User}}'s favorite track, which Toji had completely accidentally added to his New Year's playlist.

Multicolored garlands already adorned the tree and some sections of the walls. Two bodies lay on a soft sofa, enjoying the momentary rest they'd allowed themselves. Sukuna and Choso had said twenty minutes ago they'd be back later. {{User}} didn't know why. But Toji knew perfectly well. While he and the girl were busy decorating the house, the other two had been driving all over Tokyo to find the perfect New Year's gift for {{User}}.

It all started when, one quiet evening, a group of friends gathered in the living room around the TV watching "Home Alone," {{User}}, between the film and their conversation, mentioned that she never received many gifts for New Year's. They were just small things her parents could afford, like a sweet gift, a children's toy, or some clothes. From that moment on, the three men were eager to throw her a real celebration, knowing how special the girl is on New Year's Eve.

And so Toji stayed with her to distract her. Whenever {{User}} wanted to call Choso or Sukuna, Toji would rush off, already thinking up some problem in his head where he needed her help. «The garland fell over there, the Christmas tree is hanging unevenly. You know, I don't like the tree, let's decorate it again.»

And now that they were finally resting, Toji allowed himself to exhale for a second. - "It's so hot," - he grumbled in his rough voice, the fabric of his T-shirt clinging to his body, a bead of sweat trickling down his neck as if trying to attract attention. Distracting the girl while running around the house, obediently obeying her orders like a puppy, had truly exhausted a man who generally didn't like to exert himself.

"You don't mind if I..." - He didn't wait for an answer. He was too lazy to even finish his sentence. The fabric of his T-shirt rose up, catching lightly on his elbows. Then, with a flick of his wrist, Toji pushed the unwanted material aside, revealing his upper body perfectly. His bare skin, slightly sticky with sweat, glistened in the dim light of the living room, red, green, and yellow lights seeming to reflect off his very muscles as he relaxed.

His thighs were spread, his gray sweatpants slung low on his hips, revealing the black stripe of his boxers with the crisp white lettering "Calvin Klein." His chest rose with his quiet breathing, the prominent veins on his arms pulsing slightly as one hand rested on his stomach. But something caught your eye: a fresh tattoo on his chest. A letter right next to his heart. You hadn't seen this tattoo before in all your years of friendship, and it piqued your interest.

Toji shuddered when a warmer, gentler finger touched his skin. Opening his eyes, he noticed {{User}} tracing the fine lines of the tattoo. The first letter of her name seemed to stand out, and she tensed. He'd forgotten about this tattoo at some point. He'd gotten it on some other impulse, inexplicable to him. The first letter of her name, beautiful, graceful against his skin, right over his heart.

"What are you doing?" - Toji whispered with a chuckle. In the silence that had previously been between them, it sounded somehow intimate. She merely nodded her head, pressing her finger harder on the tattoo. «What does this letter mean?» came the question, her quiet voice reassuring the man, evoking that gentle smirk he rarely showed.

Toji thought for a moment. He wanted to tell the truth, but then he imagined what it would look like: «You know, I got the first letter of your name tattooed right over my heart. But don't get me wrong, it's nothing.» He grimaced, turning his head slightly and nervously biting his lower lip. But the answer he came up with was even more stupid. - "Gambling, you know how much I love it, right?"

He noticed her eyebrow rise. Her gaze fell on the tattoo and back to his face, as if already imagining how much of an idiot he was. «What's the of gambling, idiot?» she asked.

The silence between them was filled with a hint of tension. Toji looked at her, feeling his cheeks flush, his heart beating faster in his chest. And then, like a crying child, he squeaked. - "God, I don't know!"

Choso.

Cold weather had always attracted Choso. He loved winter because it had its own special magic. The cold, the snow-white swirls that danced mysteriously through the streets.

At moments like these, Choso found it hard to tear his gaze away from the window; he loved the quiet, calm atmosphere. The house felt especially warm at such moments. The smell of cocoa and cookies, the multicolored lights in the windows twinkling like a New Year's miracle. Old movies playing on almost every channel. The red caps that {{User}} placed on everyone's heads, even the irritating Sukuna, who always grumbled but leaned over.

Choso loved this atmosphere, something homey and cozy. What these three gave him. Something he'd never had before. Toji, Sukuna, and {{User}}—with each passing day, Choso appreciated each of them more and more.

A knock on the door made the boy look away from the cold glass. The ponytails he'd made while drawing trembled with the movement. Suddenly, he was brought back to reality. The pencil between his fingers had long since fallen to the floor, and the thin lines on the paper had stopped on the familiar curve of a soft cheek.

Finding his voice, he shouted, - "Come in!" - and when the door opened, he immediately caught the multicolored lights of the garland shining into his darker room, illuminated only by a table lamp. And then he saw the soft curve of her hair, the sparkling feminine eyes as she glanced into the room with that pleasant smile Choso loved so much.

"{{User}}" - Choso whispered with a calm note in his voice, although his heart leapt into his throat with joy at seeing her. Their eyes met, and he shifted in his soft chair, turning to face the girl. - "Is something wrong? Do you need my help cooking?"

He watched as she waved her hand and entered the room. A soft click made Choso cringe. Being alone with the girl still felt difficult. He felt his palms sweat, and a blush appeared on his usually pale face, which Choso didn't know how to hide. The choker around his neck seemed to tighten, cutting off his breathing.

{{User}} came closer, her scent wafting through the air, causing Choso to nervously look away. Pull yourself together, wimp, you're a man. He repeated nervously in his head, clenching his jaw. He didn't know why {{User}} evoked such a reaction within him, why his stomach felt like it was doing a triple backflip every time.

He heard her voice, calm and quiet. As if she herself didn't entirely want to disturb the silence in his room. «What are you drawing?» And only then did he remember the drawing, still unfinished, lying on his desk as he lost himself in his thoughts.

He quickly covered the drawing, afraid that {{User}} would recognize herself on the crisp white paper. Choso was drawing her portrait; he wanted to finish it by New Year's Eve, so he could give her something of himself. Something he'd created with his own hands. - "It's a secret!" - But apparently, that answer only further evoked the girl's response.

She leaned closer to the table. But he felt the warmth of her skin, the way the softness of her hair brushed against his shoulder as she tried to discern the design hidden between his fingers. Fine gray lines, the familiar curves of her face, her hair. Choso inhaled deeply, feeling himself freeze for a moment; even this closeness to her always left him flustered, confused.

With an uncertain movement, he moved the drawing slightly to the side, covering it. He picked up the sheet and turned the drawing face down, making sure the mean girl couldn't see anything. - "I said it was a secret. Stop it, or I'll change my mind and you'll never see this drawing again." - He tried to sound rude, irritated. But looking into {{User}}'s eyes...he couldn't.