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anonymousewrites · 2 years

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Of Pawns and Players Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen: King, Queen, and Bishop Together

Sukuna dedicated himself to keeping Uraume and Ren apart. With no battles or enemies to vanquish for the time being, he had all the time in the world to devote himself to his, well, jealousy. He kept Uraume busy with administrative work among the servants and Ren busy with researching his old victories and (occasional) losses to improve future war tactics.

Ren and Uraume never had a moment to spare to each other, even in secret. And it was frustrating them both. Ren had stopped her banter with Sukuna since without Uraume, something just felt off. Uraume was even more stoic and colder than usual as well. They remained focused on their work, doing the chores Sukuna assigned with machine-like precision, never any real passion in it.

In turn, Sukuna was frustrated by their reactions. He thought he’d be satisfied and everything would return to how it was, but it hadn’t. It had made everything worse, in fact. Sukuna’s jealousy and frustration over Ren and Uraume being “Ren and Uraume” persisted with the knowledge that even though he had separated them; they still felt something.

And, of course, the sinking feeling of knowing they didn’t feel that way about him did nothing to make him feel better either.

Still, Sukuna pushed his feelings aside and tried to convince himself that it would all work out in the end. The pair just had some pesky emotions that would fade in time. He just had to wait.

However, one of the three was sick and tired of waiting and decided to act so that their proud companions would get the kick in the ass they needed to maybe…work all this out, seeing as they were the only one who seemed to have figured out what was going on.

Poor Uraume. They had Ren the genius and Sukuna the king as companions, but somehow, they had to solve all the problems.

“Ren,” said Uraume, walking into the library.

Ren looked up from her table. She had heard them coming with Mastermind; she knew their footsteps by heart. “Uraume.” She had no smile underneath her mask, but her eyes softened as she saw them. “What are you doing here? Sukuna could get upset.”

While Ren was planning to each Sukuna a lesson (maybe let him have a humiliating defeat or two), she didn’t want Uraume to get hurt due to Sukuna’s temper. She knew she was willing to take a hit or two, but she knew Uraume deeply respected Sukuna and had served him for a long time out of their own volition, so they may not be as willing to displease him.

Uraume sighed and crossed their arms. “This is for his good, too.” They sat down across from Ren. “This is for all of our good.”

Ren cocked her head, interested. “You’ve got me interested.”

“We’re both attracted to Sukuna, right?” said Uraume, already knowing the answer.

Ren blinked. “What?”

Uraume sighed. “I am. That’s why I didn’t like you when you first arrived. I thought you’d replace me.”

“Well, obviously you warmed up to me,” said Ren with a smirk.

Uraume gave her a deadpan look. “I also knew you were attracted to Sukuna.”

Ren furrowed her brow. “It was that obvious?”

“You and Sukuna are alike. You both act tough, strong, unconcerned. Sometimes condescending,” sighed Uraume. “But I’ve learned how to read your true moods. I’ve seen the way you look at him. Like I do.”

“And you aren’t…upset?” asked Ren hesitantly.

Uraume smiled. “I cannot be upset for something I feel as well.”

Ren nodded, respecting the logic. “So, we are both interested in him. It doesn’t help us, does it? Sukuna loves his power; he has no room for anything else. We’ve spoken about this before—we’re just his subordinates.”

Uraume folded their hands in front of them. “Have you ever used Mastermind to see how he feels?” Ren looked away, trying to save face. “Ah.” Uraume understood and reached out to hold Ren’s hand. “You were afraid of the disinterest you could find.”

Ren sighed. “Must we really discuss this? Can we not simply enjoy what the two of us have?”

“No,” said Uraume sternly. “Because the truth is that Sukuna is jealous.”

“…” Ren stared at them. “What?”

Uraume rolled their eyes. “Idiots. I’m surrounded by idiots. Why do you think he separated us? Because it’s ‘unprofessional?’ ” Uraume scoffed. “If Sukuna cared about being professional, you would be dead a dozen times over.” Ren glared at them for the dig. “He’s jealous. I figured it out by watching him this past week. I thought he’d eventually do the mature thing and talk to us, but as usual, I must attend to everything. Just look back, see at his actions through Mastermind.”

Ren, in a rare moment of vulnerability, looked at Uraume with slight nerves. “Are you sure?”

Uraume smiled. “Yes.”

Ren closed her eyes, Uraume’s hand still on hers, as she recalled moments with Sukuna. Normally, Mastermind could not perfectly determine how someone felt, but after becoming so familiar with Sukuna and his habits and patterns, it could see more about Sukuna than it could a stranger.

And see it did. Highlighting each little movement of Sukuna’s that was towards her and Uraume. The glances when he thought Ren and Uraume weren’t looking, the frustration when he intruded on them together even before they were together, the way Sukuna looked at her on her fateful wedding day.

She blinked and looked at Uraume. “He is. He is jealous. Of…both of us.” Uraume nodded. “Alright, then. Let’s go talk with our lord.”

“I thought I gave you both work,” said Sukuna hotly as Urume and Ren walked into the throne room.

“We need to talk,” said Ren.

“The only thing to talk about is that you two are disobeying my orders,” said Sukuna.

“Sukuna,” said Uraume harshly.

Sukuna blinked in surprise at Uraume not adding the “-sama” at the end. That meant they were serious. “Fine. I can spare a few minutes.”

“Would you like the start, Uraume?” asked Ren. “You are the one who figured it out.”

Sukuna rose from his throne. “Is this going to take long? You are both supposed to be working.”

“As you’ve said.” Ren glanced at him as he stood and said sharply, “Sit back down.”

Sukuna blinked at the edge in her voice and sat back down. He had to admit he was quite unnerved at the bite they both had today. Uraume and Ren were usually deferential, but now they were bold. Ren’s banter had turned to sharp orders—Uraume’s respect to brazen words.

Uraume cleared their throat and continued. “Sukuna-sama—” they endeavored to remain polite so Sukuna would hear them out “—we…we know why you’re ordering Ren and I apart.”

“Because it was unprofessional to have such a relationship,” said Sukuna stubbornly. “It distracts from our endeavors.”

“Sukuna…” said Uraume softly, stepping closer. “We know that’s not the truth.”

Sukuna narrowed his eyes. “We already had this discussion. Enough.”

“You’re jealous,” said Uraume.

Sukuna scowled. “What would I have to be jealous of?”

“Us,” said Ren. She took Uraume’s hand.

Sukuna, whose eyes had been focused on Uraume, looked up at Ren and started at how her mask had been removed. After seeing it on for so long and only off for Uraume, the person she was close with, it felt strangely intimate.

“I—no,” said Sukuna.

Uraume sighed. “Sukuna, please. It will be better for all of us if you’re honest.”

Sukuna stood angrily. “You want me to be honest? For what? So you can have something I covet? For you to have the knowledge you hold something I wish for? For you to have power over me?” He glared at them. “Fine. Have at it. Know that I want the intimacy and affection you show each other, but you have given those affections to one another and I hate it. Go on. Know the truth and laugh at your lord for it. Go on—"

Uraume pulled on Sukuna’s yukata, causing him to lean down, and kissed him. Pulling back, they sighed and crossed their arms. “The dramatics are unnecessary. I have warned you before that hysterics distract from proper facts.”

Ordinarily, Sukuna would scowl at his actions being equated to “hysterics,” but at that moment, he was standing still with an unusually shocked face. He looked at Ren in confusion at the fact that she didn’t seem to care.

Seeing his face, Ren smirked in amusement. “We both have affection for you, Sukuna.” She gestured between them all. “In fact, it seems we all feel the same way about each other.”

“Both of you do?” asked Sukuna, half-hopeful, half-fearful of the answer.

“Yes,” said Uraume.

It was Ren’s turn to kiss Sukuna. “Have we not convinced you?”

Sukuna grinned, his inward happiness manifesting in his usual cockiness. “I think you need to make up for the time you two spent together without me.”

Uraume shook their head in affectionate exasperation, and Ren rolled her eyes. “Well, I suppose we should become more…acquainted with this dynamic.”

“So we are going to do this? A relationship between all of us?” confirmed Sukuna. He was cruel and power-hungry, but he wasn’t a monster that would force people into being a relationship with him.

“I’m fine with it,” said Uraume.

“As am I,” said Ren.

“Good.” Sukuna stepped forward and effortlessly lifted Ren and Uraume off their feet with his cursed strength. “Because I’m not letting you two go for a long time.”

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anonymousewrites · 2 years

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Of Pawns and Players Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen: King vs Bishop and Queen

“How did the battles go?” asked Ren as she cut her food.

“Orochi’s forces are decimated,” responded Sukuna. “They are destroyed.” He smirked. “Even if they manage to return in another form, I will be present to stop them.”

As Uraume recovered, Ren had finished the plans for Sukuna’s attacks against Orochi. After weeks of planning and working, the various counters against Orochi’s encroachment had been enacted. Sukuna had been gone from the palace for an unprecedented amount of time.

It had created a strange paradox of feelings in Uraume and Ren. On the one hand, they were able to explore their new relationship without the awkwardness of having to avoid Sukuna. They did not know if he would approve or even allow their little affair, so they dared not mention it to him.

On the other hand, Ren and Uraume were perfectly aware of how awkward it would be once Sukuna returned. Not to mention, although they had not spoken the words aloud, both were attracted to him as well as the other. All in all, they were in quite the tricky position due to the mess of emotions the trio had created.

And that brought them to this dinner, the first meal together since Sukuna had returned. The first test to see if all three could handle the emotions in their mind had begun.

Uraume nodded in satisfaction, keeping their usual emotionless expression. “They will no longer endanger your lands or your plans. You are thorough as always, Sukuna-sama.”

Sukuna suppressed a bitter frown from slipping onto his face. Lately, he had found himself wanting to lash out at both of them. They did not know he knew about their relationship, and yes, he should not have been upset at it, but he could not help it. Sukuna disliked the way they so easily fit together, even without him.

As he fought on the battlefield, he felt even more isolated. He carried out Ren’s plans with Uraume’s perfect organization. In the past, he had felt in sync with them even miles away since they worked together to perfect strategies and win victories. Now, he felt farther away than ever. He wondered if they even noticed his absence.

At night, Sukuna felt colder than usual. He had seen the way Ren easily touched Uraume, how Uraume pulled her in, and he longed for the same. He felt weak for wanting that softness, that care.

Worst of all, though, Sukuna couldn’t figure out whether he wanted Ren or Uraume in that way. They both attracted him, and honestly, that intimidated him. It was too many weaknesses for him. And then, of course, there was the issue of them obviously being attracted to each other. There was no room for him.

Sukuna hated that. He hated that they were happy and that he couldn’t be happy that they were. He hated that he wanted that happiness.

Unable to continue watching them even sit beside on another, separate, apart from him, Sukuna stood up suddenly. “I’ve finished. I must go and rest from my battles.” He turned and began to walk away.

“Sukuna-sama,” called Uraume softly.

Sukuna stopped and turned back. There was something in that voice he could not resist. But of course, he couldn’t resist either of them, much to his dismay. “Yes?” he questioned, forcing his bitterness into imperiousness.

“…Rest well,” said Uraume simply, though more was on their tongue. “Call for me if you are in need of anything.”

“If you’d like, the next morning we can review the efficacy of my strategies, so I may make adjustments for more complete victory,” said Ren.

Sukuna recognized both their words as their offers of help and servitude. He despised the lack of affection in them, so different from how they had spoken to each other. “Right,” he said coldly, walking away.

He hated his feelings and theirs.

In his room, Sukuna threw a table against the wall. He thought after the heat of battle and his cathartic release of emotions he’d be able to withstand his pesky jealousy. But he couldn’t. Just seeing them sitting side-by-side fueled him with a desire to both tear them apart and pull them closer. It drove him mad.

And so, in his anger and inability to be humble, Sukuna decided to put an end to it, supposing (wrongly, as anyone could tell him) that his emotions would subside then. Such personal relationships were inappropriate and would harm their work for him, he reasoned. Sukuna would just have to wait until he happened to catch them in a more-than-friendly act and then would make his decree. Yes, that would solve all of this, he decided.

Unfortunately, Sukuna did not have Ren’s intelligence. If he did, he would know that this would just complicate things more.

Under Sukuna’s watchful eye, and indeed because of his ability to focus and be cunning when needed, it did not take him long to find a moment where Uraume and Ren would have time alone since he was not around. So he went to the kitchen where Uraume worked and Ren joined them to read or study.

He was silent as when he moved in the shadows to kill as he moved towards the door. Sukuna hoped Ren would be distracted enough that she wouldn’t notice his coming with Mastermind. He let the door open a crack as he peered in to make sure he was catching them at the right moment.

Ren was standing by Uraume’s side as they explained the proper motion for cutting meat, different from that of wielding a blade on the battlefield. She was smiling, maskless, alongside them as they guided her movements. It was so domestic that it made Sukuna’s stomach clench painfully. And he wanted to throw up when Uraume, with a soft smile they never shed their icy exterior to share with him, leaned towards Ren and kissed her.

That sent him over the edge, and he opened the door dramatically, letting it smack into the wall. Ren and Uraume jumped apart as they saw him appear, their eyes wide.

“Sukuna!” breathed Uraume, trying to collect themselves.

Ren shifted uncomfortably, and her hand curled into a fist as she stared down Sukuna, refusing to act afraid. “Sukuna,” she said evenly as she fixed her mask.

“Ren. Uraume,” said Sukuna coldly. “What is going on here?”

“We were cooking dinner,” said Uraume. They remained polite and deferential as always, but they would not lie. They cared about Ren, after all.

“Looked like more than just that,” remarked Sukuna.

“And if it was?” asked Ren challengingly.

“Then I order it to end,” commanded Sukuna.

“Excuse me?” Ren narrowed her eyes.

“What?” questioned Uraume.

“I will not have such unprofessional behavior among those who are supposed to devote their work to me,” said Sukuna, standing tall. “I will not tolerate this affair.” He looked at Uraume. “Finish your work. Ren, take your books to the library. Now.”

The danger in his voice was not to be trifled with. Uraume nodded silently, and with a last look at Ren, they turned back to their work. However, a light frost dusted the ground beneath them, evidence of their dissatisfaction. Ren gathered her books, but she glared at Sukuna as she passed him. He raised an eyebrow challengingly, trying to remain cold and cruel against their unhappiness that he detested that he disliked. He had gotten what he wanted, right? Their time would be devoted to him, not each other.

But none of them were happy. None of them had what they wanted.

“This discussion isn’t over. We have given you all our minds can give, advice, knowledge, strategy, opinion. You cannot force us to surrender our hearts as well,” said Ren with finality.

I’m not going to give up Uraume.

I’m not going to give up Ren.

I’m not going to give them up.

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