Chapter Text
Hakari starts typing and stops numerous times.
This will be fun. Exceedingly fun, extraordinarily fun. Well, Sukuna hopes so. He's been insufferably bored for weeks, months even, and then Mei Mei's creepy little brother strolls into his domain. It's like having a present dropped into his lap.
The car ride there has him grinning from ear to ear, glass of whiskey in hand all dressed nice for a lovely evening of amusement at others' expense.
Sukuna's typical night.
He's humming a tune, wondering if the drugged-out minor in the suitcase under his crossed ankles can hear him.
Ui Ui is still zonked and zooted. Unaware he's in a suitcase in a moving car.
Uraume’s been trying to temper their expectations for this exchange all night. They know Sukuna is excited for it, he’s been practically bouncing in the seat next to him. But they know this is going to be a shit show. They’ve tried to stress to him that this isn’t a confrontation, this is a negotiation, but they know he probably isn’t listening.
Hopefully Hakari made good and pulled that gin out for them.
“Please remember not to make too much of a scene, Sukuna. We need this place.”
“I'm not going to make a scene, just going to have some fun.” Sukuna rolls his eyes.
“That's what you said last month when we met with that Yakuza. And I ended up giving you stitches.”
“It's not my fault he sounds like a boar and his stupid blond twink yaps like a chihuahua. Voices got annoying.”
God, don’t they know. They didn’t like the blond any more than he did, but it was for business.
“Either way, Love Rendezvous is more important than that. We need the neutral space.”
“I'm not going to do anything, relax. I know it'll become an all out war if we hurt the kid.”
That doesn’t completely ease Uraume’s anxiety, but it’s better than nothing. They relax back into the seat, eyeing the glass of whiskey in Sukuna’s hand.
The drive through busy city streets onto the highway eventually breaks off into downtown, no skyscrapers but plenty of businesses lined up on twisting paved streets.
Love Rendezvous’ neon signs come into view and Sukuna smiles. He knows not to hope, but maybe they're still letting their boys dance tonight and he'll get lucky, find a toy.
Hmm... but maybe not. The pretty boys all seem to disappear whenever he comes to Love Rendezvous, the couple sure makes it obnoxiously boring just to spite him.
The car slows in front of the joint, then turns and goes around the long way, eventually pulling up to the back entrance with only a single light at the heavy metal door.
Sukuna casually kicks the suitcase as he takes his feet off it, not bothering to look for any danger. It is neutral ground, after all.
When they pull up, Uraume is immediately glancing around the outside. No one suspicious milling about, nothing out of the ordinary. They slide their door open, stepping out and straightening their suit jacket.
“Nothing flashy. Last warning.”
Sukuna’s ticked off by Uraume's insistence.
“Keep bitching, go ahead.” he stands straight, looking down at them, eyes going dark. “I mean it, Ura, remind me one more time.”
They narrow their eyes, arms crossed over their chest, staring up at Sukuna without flinching.
“You know, I won’t. I’ll just end up cleaning up your mess later.”
“Can't clean the mess if its your brains on the pavement,” Sukuna snarls, then he goes right up to the door, not originally intending to, but now he's annoyed, now his night is on the edge of being ruined and he's going to make it everyone else's problem. He kicks the door open.
Hakari hopes all the preparations he made for tonight will be enough. He reserved Sukuna's normal room just like Uraume had asked, and Kirara had made sure that there were no male dancers in the club that night. It was nearing midnight... and the anticipation was already killing him, and not in a good way.
He's taken to staying behind the bar, not wanting to take his eyes off the club while Sukuna was under his roof. He wants to trust that he'll keep it civil, but with Sukuna, he can never know for sure. Luckily, it isn't that busy tonight, but he still fears the worst. He spots Kirara inside the club doing her rounds, since he'd entrusted her to escort them to the room. He's trying to make it look like he's not on edge on the outside, but he most definitely is on the inside.
Kirara had been talking to their DJ about a mishap in songs when the door got kicked open, like they’re a punching bag or something. She takes a deep breath, looking for Hakari and finding him behind the bar. She crosses the club. Just gotta get through this with no issue, everything goes back to normal tomorrow.
She stops in front of Sukuna and doesn’t kick his shins for the door, so it’s a decent start.
“Good evening. Your room is ready. I’ll be the one escorting you.” Because she doesn’t trust him near any of the workers, and one of the neutral agreement clauses covers her and Hakari’s protection.
Sukuna grimaces at the sight of her.
“Couldn't have given me someone prettier?” his voice is mocking, a tinge of anger slipping into it.
Kirara smiles at him.
“Sure, when someone prettier walks in, we can bring out someone else to welcome them. However, given that it’s just you, I think little old me will do just fine.” It takes all her strength to not roll her eyes.
Uraume follows Sukuna in, trying to keep their face in check. It’s not the first time Sukuna has threatened them, it’s just the first time they’ve believed it. And the first time it’s made them furious. But someone has to keep a level head right now, and per usual, it has to be them.
“Thank you, Kirara.”
“God, hurry up before it speaks to me again.” Sukuna's walking in, vaguely remembering the direction and heading towards it, glancing at the dancers and not liking a single one. Ugh, of course, of course they hid them all away.
“Ah great, the walking STD has an opinion.” Kirara mumbles so Sukuna can’t hear her. “Please, come in, Uraume.”
It. Uraume cannot believe he called her it. It makes them want to scream, but he’s being awful enough for them both. They nod at Kirara, murmuring a very low ‘thank you’ as they do.
Hakari watches all of this go down from behind the bar, and it's making it incredibly difficult to focus on patrons while Sukuna's in his presence. He knows something's going to start whether he likes it or not.
He's already witnessed him berating Uraume (though to be frank, that's nothing new from the other times he's used his club as a common middle ground), but his head jolts in their direction once he calls Kirara "it". His jaw tenses, fighting back every urge to cross him and make him pay for saying that, but he doesn't. He can't afford to break his own rules.
Instead, he opts for crossing to a vacant space in the bar where no one is sitting and forcing his best smile as they walk through, despite how much he wants to punch the man in the throat.
“Welcome.”
“Can we get a move on? And can I get some whiskey? If I'm going to be bored I might as well have something to enjoy? Not a decent body in this place.” Sukuna is loud as he speaks, tracking through the place to the designated room, suitcase towed behind them by their own security.
They're led to a private room with no windows, no doors, no places to hide anything. In the center are two couches facing each other and a large flat table between them.
Sukuna plops onto one, looking at Hakari, barely glancing at Kirara, even tossing a look at Uraume. He holds a hand out for his drink like the obnoxious asshole that he is.
“Well?”
Inside the suitcase, Ui Ui starts to come back to consciousness. His brain is fuzzy and limbs still heavy, but he can tell he's in a small space and being moved. He can barely make sense of that information, let alone anything else that's going on outside the small space he occupies. His heart is racing and panic is starting to set in once again, but he remains as still and quiet as he was before, afraid to stir and cause a scene that could get him killed.
“Sure, I’ll get you a whiskey.” Kirara turns on her heel, going to the bar, glancing at Hakari with a look that says don’t do anything dumb. Once on the bar, she gets their bottle of most expensive whiskey, pours some in a clean glass, spits in it, and stirs to make sure it’s not visible. Then, she goes back and hands it to him. “There you go.”
Uraume sits on the completely opposite end of the couch from Sukuna, frustrated with his childish behavior. Perhaps they shouldn’t have said anything to him. All they’d done was piss him off more.
They glance over at Hakari, crossing their legs primly.
“Do you have the drink I requested? If so, I’d appreciate it. Thank you.”
Hakari smiles and gives them a nod. He turns around and pulls the bottle of gin from the lineup of bottles and pours some into a glass for Uraume. he brings it to them, as the entourage of Sukuna's security bring in a large suitcase. He squints at it, trying to figure out what it is. Money? Drugs? He couldn't tell. He gestures to it with his thumb and looks over at Sukuna.
“So, is that the exchange you're talking about?”
Sukuna grimaces again when it's Kirara who hands him the glass of whiskey, but he takes a drink anyway not knowing there's spit it in.
He notices Uraume speaking to Hakari all familiar-like and it does agitate him more.
When Hakari speaks to him he stares, dangling the cup between his fingers.
“Gee, did you figure that out all on your own? Use all of your brain to come to that conclusion? So clever.”
Damn, Kirara's at the perfect angle to sucker punch him, but she doesn’t, even though the way he speaks to Hakari makes her see red. Instead, she takes a few steps back and a deep breath.
“It’s our establishment, we have a right to know.”
Something has just agitated Sukuna more, and Uraume just takes a long drink of gin, trying to ignore how nasty he’s being. If they say what it is, he’ll throw a fit, and they’ll be punished later in some petty, or not so petty, way. But they don’t like the way he’s speaking to Kirara or Hakari right now. They run this place, they need to be on good terms with them.
Hakari puts a reassuring hand on Kirara's shoulder in an attempt to calm her down. He gives her a look in an attempt to reassure her further. He couldn't give less of a shit what he says to him, it's when he starts digging into Kirara that things get a little dicey.
He raises his hands and laughs softly.
“Alright, alright, it was just a question. We're not here to get hostile, remember?”
Sukuna clicks his tongue and sits back again, watching his security lift and plop the suitcase onto the table.
He chuckles and gives it another push with his foot.
“Careful, she'll want him back all in one piece, or we will have a war, and it won't be my fault.”
He's threatening his own security of course, who quickly apologizes and goes to the corner.
Him??? Alarms start to ring inside Kirara’s head. That suitcase is too big, and it looks considerably heavier than drugs. And why would Mei Mei be buying from him when she likes her stuff pure and he laces everything the sun touches??
“There’s a person in there?”
Uraume finishes off their drink, giving Hakari very exhausted, very done with everything eyes in the hope he’ll pour them more.
“Mei Mei’s younger brother somehow managed to sneak his way into the Shrine, and sold on our territory.”
Hakari can hardly believe his ears. There's a child. In that bag. In his bar.
What the fuck.
He gives Kirara a concerned look, but he knows Sukuna will only get more upset if he tries to pry any further. This is obviously a matter to be sorted between Sukuna and Mei Mei, so he stays quiet.
Ui Ui’s stomach churns as the small space he occupies is lifted up and set down somewhere higher. He can hear all sorts of voices, but he can't pick any of them out. None he could recognize by voice alone, especially when it feels like he has cotton stuffed in his ears. Ui Ui's skin feels clammy, and he wants out of this tiny space and into some proper air.
Sukuna bounces his foot on the table, probably hard enough that Ui Ui can feel it, but he doesn't care. He just swallows the last of the spit whiskey and grumbles.
“So fucking bored, is it midnight yet? How long until the hag gets here?”
Oh my god there’s a child in there. Kirara looks at Hakari and gets the message, she won’t interfere, but that doesn’t mean she likes this. For once in her life she agrees with the trash, though. Where the fuck is Mei Mei?
Uraume simply sits there, eyes cast to the floor, trying to keep their cool. It’s easier to be quiet in the moment, once Sukuna is like this. Maybe they’ll ply him with whiskey after this, maybe he’ll manage to find something to play with. Either way, they just have to keep a handle on it till then.
“…Hakari, may I get more to drink?”
The least Hakari can do is stall until Mei Mei gets here so that the kid can get out of there faster, then that's what he'll do. He nods at Uraume and takes their glass, then goes back to the bar with it to fill it up. He gives Kirara a side glance that hopefully hints that she'll follow him, since he doesn't want Sukuna to get more hostile with her.
Kirara follows him.
Sukuna's boredom and irritation bubble up like lava. He's half ready to go out and maybe get a dance from something pretty, even if they're not his type, but he knows it'll just turn into a bigger more obnoxious mess.
He takes out his phone, wondering if there's anyone he can harass, Yuuji? No, his number is blocked. He'll get to it on another line later... hmm. The time ticks ever closer and he lets out another sigh, lifting his feet high and resting them on the suitcase again.
“If it hits midnight and she doesn't come do you want to take the kid with us or sell him?”
Sell me? Ui Ui silently panics.
Uraume bites back on the very, very acidic response they want to give Sukuna, taking another long sip of the gin in their tight grip.
“We should take him with us. Selling him will start a war. Better to make Mei Mei come to us than that.” They don’t want to sell the boy. They will do a lot, but they draw the line on human trafficking. They still think of that boy Sukuna shipped off, and feel the guilt.
Kirara whispers to Hakari once they’re out of ear range.
“Did he just say they’re gonna sell a child in our bar?”
Hakari leans down and whispers back to her.
“I’m just praying to god that Mei Mei shows up… I will not let him sell off a kid in my bar. I can’t let that happen. I’ll have to step in if it does…” The dread of having to intervene with Sukuna and tell him “no” of all things sets in. He swallows hard. He can put up the aloof, tough guy act all he wants, but the truth is that this situation is getting scarier and scarier by the minute, and his stomach is already turning knowing that there’s a kid involved.
For Sukuna, shit’s getting boring. This is getting really fucking boring and he hasn't had a decent lay in a long while. So all the tension in his body is pent up, he seriously needs to find some new cute thing or he's gonna take it out on someone.
“Well maybe if it wasn't taking so damn long I wouldn't be considering it. You wanna call that bitch or should I?” He looks at Uraume.
Ui Ui wants to shout that his sister is not a bitch, but his mouth is still taped shut. Also, he's scared, in a suitcase, and coming down from the fentanyl, so he's in no place to be defending Mei Mei's honor.
Uraume bites down on a sigh, tapping their foot against the floor.
“Give her five more minutes, then I’ll reach out. It’s not even midnight.”
Elsewhere, Mei Mei thought she would be more stressed in a situation like this. She thought she would feel sick to her stomach, filled with dread and fear and panic. She's not though. No, instead she's filled with rage. Cold, burning rage and a desire to burn half of the city to the ground. No one lays a hand on her best dealer, her little brother, and gets away with it. She won't do anything stupid tonight, probably, but she won't forget this. The car slows as they approach Ino's and she opens the door for him.
“Ino, my dear, thank you so much for joining me this evening.” She pats the seat for him to slide in beside her.
Ino has no clue what Mei Mei has in store for him tonight, but she seemed adamant in her messages, and she'd been in a funk now for a while. He'd do anything for Mei Mei, not in a romantic sense, more of a "you-don't-seem-like-someone-to-be-fucked-with" intimidating kind of way. He sees her sleek car pull up from his window and hopes none of his neighbors start speculating anything.
He gives her an awkward wave as he approaches, sliding in when she invites him in.
“H- Hey! No problem, you... seemed like you needed the help!”
Mei Mei’s smile is tense, but she's doing her best not to let it show. Ino's only there in case of an emergency and she's adamant on keeping him safe as well.
“Sorry to ruin any of your plans for the evening.” She leans forward and gives the driver the address for Love Rendezvous before sinking back into her seat.
“Heh- Bold of you to think I have any better plans than this…” he sits awkwardly for a few seconds, then asks his burning questions and tries not to pry as much as he can. He notices the mysterious lack of Ui Ui in the car, but decides not to comment on it right now. “So... what's going on?”
Mei Mei lets the quiet sit for a moment, trying to think of the best way to word it.
“Ui Ui... got into some trouble. He was... hanging around some place he really shouldn't have been and I'm meeting the person who... picked him up. I hate to put you in the middle of it but I figured I could use an extra set of eyes in case anyone makes trouble.” They're making good time, traffic is light this evening.
“Trouble? Oh god... that's awful, I'm so sorry- Is he okay?” The situation's become much more dire now that he knows Ui Ui is wrapped up in it.
Mei Mei takes a deep breath.
“He will be, and if he's not then he won't be the only one.” Her jaw is so tense she's lucky she doesn't snap a tooth. “But Ino, my sweet, there's no need for you to get involved in any of the details. I would never ask that of you.”
That’s the problem. He wants to know the details. He wants to get involved with this, especially if there’s an innocent kid involved! He doesn’t like having to be left in the dark… but opts not to push her. She’s visibly tense and stressed, and him trying to ask more questions might only make her more upset. He lets out a sigh and shakes his head.
“Okay… well, you know I'm behind you every step of the way on this, so if you need me, I’ll be there.” He tries to make it sound confident, but his words feel empty. Not like he doesn’t mean them, but more that he’s worried about what all of this entails.
“Thank you, Ino, seriously.” Her muscles are taut as the car pulls up outside of the club and she slips out, leaving the door open for Ino. “I... won't stop you if you want to join me, but I'll also pay for your drink and any dances if you opt to stay at the bar.”
She doesn't say it but she won't take the money out of his next pay either, she actually means it.
Ino slides out of the car without a second thought.
“I- I'll go in, don't worry. It would make me feel a lot better than just sitting out here waiting for you. I won't pry into any of your business, Mei Mei- I promise... I just wanna help.”
Mei Mei shuts the car door behind them just a little too hard.
“I trust you, Ino. I wouldn't have asked you here if I didn't.” She checks her pocket for the cash one last time before walking to the door.
Ino follows her towards the entrance, noting the writing on signs around the door. the words "NEUTRAL GROUND" and "NO FIGHTING" are the most visible to him, amongst other rules about keeping things civil inside. he still wasn't entirely sure what he was getting himself into, but he follows close at Mei Mei's heels as she walks towards the entrance into the bar.
Mei Mei's so tense she might just snap when she walks through the door. For a moment she considers getting herself a drink but she wants to be sharp when she deals with Sukuna, so she turns to Ino.
“Would you like anything?”
Ino really doesn't want to make Mei Mei buy him a drink... but the way he sticks out like a sore thumb in the middle of this club makes him feel like some liquid confidence might be in order if he wants to make it through the night.
“Just... a rum and coke would be fine.”
Mei Mei nods and slides into the bar, all but demanding the bartender's attention. She flashes a bit more cash than she should, or intends to for that matter, but it gets her drink made quickly and she hands it to Ino.
“Well then, shall we?” She cocks her head to the staircase, taking a steadying breath.
Ino can tell she’s nervous… It's painfully obvious in the way her hand trembles when she hands him the glass. He's never seen Mei Mei nervous before, and he’s not sure if he ever wants to see it again. He gives her a nod, still staying near her side to make sure he doesn’t lose her.
Mei Mei hates the moment of weakness that she has when she reaches for Ino's hand, just wanting someone to moor her to moment. She doesn't weave their fingers together, just cups his palm as they descend the stairs.
Oh fuck, she grabbed his hand? This definitely goes deeper than he thought it did… Something’s very wrong and he’s starting to think that Ui Ui is in more trouble than she’s letting on. She’s never been this nervous around him before, let alone nervous enough to touch him. He swallows hard as they get down the stairs together.
Mei Mei’s heart is hammering as she descends the stairs, Ino's hand gripped in her own. She's afraid, sure, but more than that she's pissed. Pissed that someone thought it was okay to touch her brother, pissed that someone intruded on her time during peak business hours and made her lose money. She knows she's squeezing too hard on Ino's hand but she can't help it.
“Good evening.”
“Bout fucking time. Who's that, your new boyfriend? Thought you only ate carpet.” Sukuna chuckles and nudges the suitcase under his feet. “Let's get this done with so I can go find something cute to spend my night with.” Finally takes his feet off the suitcase and notices the boy that's with her. He'd be cute... if he knew what was between his legs. “Got a name?” Points at him.
“You know, I've licked actual carpets that taste better than any shit you serve in your club.” She's already endangered one person in her life tonight and she'll die before she lets Sukuna touch anyone else. He's probably addled with diseases and honestly? He deserves it. Ino, however, does not. And she's not going to give him his name either.
Turning to Ino.
“Go back upstairs, I'll be okay. Start a tab if you want and I'll clear it when we're done here.”
Ino swallows hard, trying to keep a brave face in front of the frankly terrifying man in front of him. If looks could kill, he’d be dead as soon as he walked in the room. He’s hesitant when he hears Mei Mei dismiss him, but he already doesn’t want to make more trouble than there already is. He gives her a nod and lets go of her hand, instead stuffing his into the pockets of his pants. He gives each person in the room an acknowledging nod as he slowly backs out of the room.
“You… you know where to find me if you need me, Mei Mei. Good luck.” Ino’s quick to make his leave, feeling awkward in a room of such cold stares in his direction.
Booooooring. God Sukuna can't even get a few minutes to flirt with a cute guy, even if he has a dick, he has an ass. He lets out a loud sigh and slumps on the couch.
“C’mon lets get this over with.”
Hakari bumps into a guy in the staircase on the way back to Sukuna’s room, but it was too dark to see his face, so he shrugs it off. He comes back to see that Mei Mei has finally arrived and that they can finally start getting this over with. He gives Uraume a nod and hands them the drink, and once it’s out of his hands, he addresses the rest of the group, giving Mei Mei an earnest smile first.
“Good to see you all tonight. Now that you’re all here, it seems it’s time for you lot to do your little deal. I’ll be taking my leave, then.” He gives them a bow and starts to leave, but stops short of the door, speaking over his shoulder. “You all know my rules. I trust this night will end as civilly as possible and that everyone can go on their merry ways tonight in one piece.” Pause. “You know where to find me if you need me.” With that, he leaves the room, shutting the door behind him and making his way up the stairs.
Sukuna’s already pissing off Mei Mei. Wonderful. Exactly how Uraume wanted this meeting to start. They take the drink from Hakari with a soft thank you, before turning to look at Mei Mei over the back of the couch.
“Mei Mei, long time no see. If you’d like to have a seat.”
Ui Ui hears the conversations going on, but some things are said a bit too far away from him to properly hear. Ui Ui calls out "Mei Mei!" from within the suitcase, but his voice is muffled and quiet.
It hits Mei Mei that Ui Ui isn't here slower than it should, and she can feel her patience running thin. She opens her mouth to say something when she hears the noise from the suitcase. Her eyes flick from Uraume to Sukuna, and she's sure the vein in her neck is throbbing.
“Actually, I'll stand, thanks. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt here, even though you don't deserve it. Where is my brother? And you better answer carefully.”
“He's safe. There's plenty of airflow.” Sukuna reaches over to the suitcase and pat pat. “How do you think we'd look walking into a strip club with a passed-out kid? We're doing you a favor here.” He's grinning, finally amused because he's always liked getting under Mei Mei's skin.
Uraume barely bites back on a sigh, leaning on the arm of the sofa, purposefully away from Sukuna. They try to shoot Mei Mei a look that says ‘it wasn’t my idea, I was not at the reigns here’, but they aren’t sure they got that across.
“He’s okay. I checked him before he was placed in.”
Ui Ui tries to call out Mei Mei’s name again, but it’s completely muffled.
“You know, there were at least a dozen different ways you could have made yourself look like the hero in this situation, helping a lost and injured kid, but no, either you're just too fucking dumb or you get a sick joy out of being an asshole, but I'm gonna go with both.”
Oh, Mei Mei's fucking pissed.
“If you don't let him out of that suitcase right fucking now I swear to god I'll come over there and kill you myself.”
“Geeze, you try to be nice for once-” Sukuna unceremoniously grabs a zipper and starts to pull. “Figures though, once a bitch always a bitch.” He unzips it partway then stops. “Ah I almost forgot, the money?”
Uraume finally does let themselves sigh, but try to cover it with their drink. This isn’t the moment to bring up money, but they’ve pissed Sukuna enough tonight to risk their actual life. And they’re not ready to be put down. That’s an eventuality they want to keep at bay as long as possible.
Light??? More muffled noises. Let Ui Ui out please!
Mei Mei slips her hand into her pocket, pulling the cash out just a touch. Just about as much as Sukuna moved the zipper.
“You think I'd flake? I'm not like you, you fucking dolt. I honor deals made, which is funny because I'm pretty sure I told you if you touched another hair on his head I'd end your lineage, and forgive me if I'm mistaken but I'm pretty sure you touched him putting him in the suitcase. Open. The. Fucking. Suitcase.”
Sukuna chuckles. He loves getting rises out of people and to finally get one out of the ice queen Mei Mei? Priceless. Sukuna unzips the suitcase then casually pushes it off the table, no decorum, straight up asshole behavior.
Uraume winces when the suitcase is pushed over, but they know damn well if they stand, they’re in trouble. That kid was selling on their turf, but he’s still a kid, and they’re properly worried about Mei Mei’s reaction.
The suitcase is still mostly zipped so Ui Ui doesn’t fall out of it. Just lands on the ground, still encased. He doesn’t understand what’s going on, he can barely follow the conversation. Tears begin to fall. He’s crying like a little baby, scared and waiting for Mei Mei.
Mei Mei doesn't bother with any words, just closes the space between them. Her hands are shaking and she fumbles over the zipper, tearing it open. Ui Ui is... at least he's alive. She pulls him close, helping him to his feet and wrapping her arms around him so tight it's painful. He reeks and he's still not all there but he's with her. She looses one hand and jams it into her pocket pulling the cash out and flinging it at Sukuna. The bills come loose in a storm but she doesn't give a flying fuck.
“Fucking asshole.”
“Oh,” Sukuna's all grins as the money rains down on him. “I'm flattered, really. But I'm not about to give you a lapdance sweetheart.” He never cared about the money anyway.
Uraume huffs, before standing up to start collecting the money back into a band. Once they do, they look to Mei Mei, mouthing an ‘I’m sorry’ where Sukuna can’t see. They genuinely are, honestly. They would have simply sent the kid home, after scaring him a bit. No need to drug him and all that.
If Mei Mei wasn't holding him so tight, Ui Ui isn't sure he'd be standing right now. He still feels funny from the drugged lollipop and he's been cramped inside that suitcase for who knows how long now. He buries his face against her shoulder, sobbing. His wrists are still taped behind his back and his mouth is still covered with tape, but he has his sister and that's all that matters right now.
Uraume's apologies mean little. They got themselves into this mess with Sukuna and they could get themselves out if they cared enough. (logically she knows it's probably deeper than that but she's pissed). She loosens her grip on Ui Ui to start to undo the tape and fuck this would be easier with warm water.
“Unless you have anything else to say, we're done here.”
“Mmhmm all wrapped up. You can leave first, I'm gonna stick around, find a cherry to top off this fun night.” Sukuna mocks her with a princess wave. “Pleasure doing business.”
Of course he is. Ugh. Which means Uraume will need to stick around for awhile as well, as much as they’d prefer not to. They’re ready to go home, work from there, try to get some sleep after this insane day.
Ui Ui's trying his best not to cry as Mei Mei tries to undo the tape.
“I hope you choke on the fucking pit you fucking cunt.” She wraps one arm around Ui Ui's shoulders and guides him toward the stairs, tape still adhered. They'll get it off in the bathroom, but for now she's just happy he's back with her.
Sukuna watches Mei Mei go, grinning the whole time. He stands idle, hands in his pockets, waiting for her to disappear out of the door before his smile starts to fade.
“That's it?”
Uraume stands when Mei Mei leaves, shooting back the rest of their drink. That could have gone worse, but it could have gone better.
“I suppose so.”