Takes And Heartaches | Sukuna x Reader |

Chapter 21

The night air was crisp and refreshing as Y/N settled into the plush seat of Satoru's car. The interior was calm and soothing, the soft hum of the engine a gentle reminder of the serenity that came with the late hours. Satoru, ever the gentleman, opened the door for Y/N and assisted her with the seatbelt. His touch was light, almost ceremonial, and as he adjusted the belt with a practised ease, Y/N felt a twinge of nostalgia. The gesture was considerate, but it seemed almost foreign compared to the passionate care she had known before.

As they drove through the quiet streets, the windows were down, allowing the cool air to flow through the car. The city lights flickered in the distance, their glow casting a gentle hue over the road. The tranquillity of the night seemed to ease the tension that had built up over the past few days. The car's interior was illuminated only by the dashboard lights, creating an intimate and calm atmosphere.

Satoru's voice broke the silence, filled with a light-hearted tone. "You know, this one time on set, I accidentally set off the fire alarms while trying to make a dramatic entrance. We had to evacuate the entire building. It was chaotic, but everyone ended up laughing about it."

Y/N chuckled, her mood lifting. "That sounds like something straight out of a sitcom. I once tripped on a prop during a live interview and knocked over a table full of coffee cups. The look on my co-star's face was priceless."

Their conversation flowed easily, a natural ebb and flow of stories and laughter. Satoru's anecdotes were entertaining, and Y/N found herself genuinely enjoying the moment. The initial awkwardness of their meeting was gradually melting away, replaced by a warm camaraderie.

As they talked, the topic shifted unexpectedly to Y/N's past relationship with Sukuna. It wasn't an abrupt transition but a natural progression of their discussion on personal experiences.

"So," Satoru began casually, "I'm curious about your past relationship with Sukuna. You've mentioned it before, but you haven't really gone into detail."

Y/N hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her seat. The mention of Sukuna's name brought back a flood of memories, most of them tinged with pain. "It's a bit complicated. We were together for a while, but things were... rough. We had a lot of arguments and misunderstandings."

Satoru listened intently, his gaze focused on the road ahead. "It sounds like it was pretty tumultuous. What happened? Why did it end so suddenly?"

Y/N took a deep breath, her emotions swirling inside her. "It was sudden. One day, everything seemed fine, and the next, he just... ended it. No explanations, no discussions—just over. It was like a storm blew through, and I was left trying to pick up the pieces."

The weight of her words hung in the air, and Satoru's expression softened. "I'm sorry to hear that, Y/N. It sounds like it was really hard on you."

Y/N nodded, feeling the sting of old wounds. "It was. We fought a lot, and it felt like we were always on different pages. In the end, I guess we were just too different."

Satoru's tone was gentle, but there was an underlying firmness in his voice. "You deserve someone who appreciates you and makes you feel valued. Someone who's not going to leave you hanging like that. Someone like me."

The comment came out with a playful lilt, but Y/N couldn't tell if it was genuine or just another part of Satoru's charm. The smile on his face was warm, yet it had a hint of mischief that left her uncertain. The air in the car grew heavier with the weight of unspoken emotions, and Y/N struggled to read his true intentions.

An awkward silence followed, broken only by the sound of the tires on the asphalt. The cityscape outside seemed to blur as the car continued its journey, and Y/N's thoughts raced. The idea that Satoru might be genuinely interested in her was both flattering and confusing.

When they arrived at Y/N's penthouse building, the car came to a stop. Satoru parked the vehicle with a practised precision, and the soft glow of the building's entrance illuminated the night. Y/N turned to him, her heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

"Thank you for the ride, Satoru," Y/N said, her voice soft.

Satoru gave her a reassuring smile. "Anytime. But before you go, I meant what I said earlier. I know we don't know each other very well yet, but what I've seen is enough for me to be interested. I'd like to take you out sometime, get to know you better."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat, her emotions in turmoil. She had just started to come to terms with her feelings, and the prospect of dating someone new was both exciting and overwhelming. "I appreciate that, Satoru. It's just... I need some time to think about it."

Satoru's expression remained warm and understanding. "I get it. Take all the time you need. I'm here whenever you're ready."

With that, Y/N stepped out of the car, feeling a rush of cold air as she walked towards the building's entrance. She glanced back at Satoru, who gave her a reassuring wave before driving off into the night.

As she entered her penthouse, the quiet of her flat enveloped her. The stark contrast between the lively café and the serene solitude of her home was striking. Y/N felt a wave of exhaustion but knew she wouldn't be able to sleep easily tonight. Her mind was too occupied with the events of the evening.

She sank into her plush sofa, her thoughts drifting back to the night's conversations. Satoru's charm and flirtatious remarks had been a refreshing change, but the genuine interest he had shown left her with a myriad of conflicting emotions. The way he had spoken about Sukuna, the offer to take her out—it all felt like a whirlwind.

Y/N pulled out her phone, scrolling through her messages and reflecting on her interactions with Satoru. His kindness and attentiveness were undeniably appealing, yet they paled in comparison to the deep emotional connection she had once shared with Sukuna.

The memories of her past relationship surged back, a bittersweet reminder of the love and pain she had experienced. Sukuna's abrupt departure had left a void, and despite their tumultuous relationship, there was a part of Y/N that still longed for the closure she never got.

Satoru's offer had stirred something within her—a longing for a fresh start and the possibility of moving on. Yet, the decision to pursue a new relationship was complicated by the unresolved feelings she harboured for Sukuna.

The silence of her flat was broken only by the soft ticking of the clock, and Y/N found herself lost in contemplation. The night seemed to stretch on endlessly as she pondered her feelings, the prospect of a new romance, and the lingering shadows of her past.

Satoru's proposal was tempting, a chance for a new beginning, but it came at a time when Y/N was still grappling with her emotions. She needed to reconcile her past with her present, to find clarity amid the confusion.

As the hours ticked by, Y/N remained on the sofa, her thoughts a swirling mix of hope, doubt, and unresolved pain. The night offered no answers, only the promise of a new day when she would have to make choices that would shape her future.

With a deep breath, Y/N closed her eyes, seeking solace in the darkness. The path ahead was uncertain, and the decision she faced was both daunting and exhilarating. As the night gave way to the first light of dawn, she knew that the journey to find her heart's true direction was only just beginning.