Desert Rose Chapter 45: Broken but Whole (Patreon)

It was dark. Barely a sliver of the moon peeked from the shadows of the clouds. Snow fell from the sky, in lazy zigzagging patterns. Painting the earth in a fresh coat of white. Everything seemed to be still. Like time had frozen in place.

The cabin on the hill…was silent.

There was a grandfather clock in the hallway that ticked, filling the space with each second. It felt like they were in the twilight zone. The rhythmic noise hauntingly peaceful. It reminded them that time would move on no matter what… with or without them.

Nobara was sitting at the table, her arm bandage up. It wasn't broken but it was pretty bruised and hurt to move. Yuuji was hugging her from behind, his arms wrapped around her shoulders, cheek laid against hers.

Megumi sat from across them, hands clasped on the table as he stared at nothing in particular.

Nanami was next to him, more quiet than his usual quiet. He had his arms crossed, a few patches on his cheek from his not-accident car crash.

Shoko was resting while Toji tended to you upstairs. They thought it best that they didn't overcrowd you right now. The four of them got rid of all the bodies from the house and cleaned up the mess, finally taking a seat. Not a word was uttered.

Megumi made a mental note of all of the assholes. Mahito- dead. You had sliced his neck open with the very pink knife he had advised his father not to give you- boy was he glad he didn't listen to him. Dagon-dead. Shoko blasted him with a shotgun. Reggie Star is also dead. You had made sure of that. Haruta-alive. Nanami and Yuuji had captured him. Naoya... Unknown. Gojo, Getou, and Sukuna were out looking for Naoya. He was the only one they didn't have. Four out of the five.

Despite having more than half of them the raven-haired was still tense. He wanted them all. Megumi looked toward the clock, it was getting late and the snow starting to fall rapidly. He spoke his thoughts out loud, keeping his tone hushed as if to not disturb the silence too much. “It's getting worse out there…”

Nanami shifted his gaze toward the window, taking a moment to answer, “Shall I call them back?”

Megumi nodded slowly, “You call Gojo and Getou, I'll call Sukuna.” He knew if Sukuna didn't find the man he'd keep pushing until he did find him. As he called his boyfriend he stood up to lean against the window. Eyes searching in the darkness for anything out of the ordinary.

“-What?”

“It's getting dark, come back.”

“I haven't found that bastard yet!”

“Sukuna, it’s getting worse out there.”

“He’s out here somewhere, I'll fucking find him Megumi-nh.”

Megumi could hear the howl of the wind starting to pick up through the phone. “It’s so cold out there he may die anyway.”

“Then I want to piss on his body.”

“Sukuna…” Megumi clenched the phone in his hand knowing that his boyfriend was probably thinking the same thing he was thinking. They should have been here. They should have been here to protect you guys. “…I know you want to get this bastard as much as I do but I don't want us to have to come find you frozen somewhere. Come back.”

“…”

Megumi rolled his eyes. “…If something happens to you then I will have to find someone else to warm my king-size bed.”

“You- the hell you will!”

“Then bring your dumbass home.”

“Who the fuck would take my spot?”

“It was just a hypothetical-”

“Who the hell were you referring to?”

Megumi smiled slightly, taking a relieved breath, hearing that Sukuna was now on his way back, angry but… returning home. “Well if you come back we won't have to find out now will we.”

He got a grumble in response that made him chuckle softly.

The three arrived back around the same time, Gojo making obnoxious noises of discomfort while shaking off the snow and removing his thick coat. “Fuck it's so cold out there.”

After they removed their outerwear they came into the dining room to sit with a tiring sigh. Once again settled into the awkward quietness. Gojo sitting by Nobara, and Getou is next to him. Sukuna grabbed a bottle of alcohol and no cups. Popping it open he sat down and began to drink. He took a big gulp before resting the bottle in his lap, leg bouncing in annoyance. They were all out of whack. Gojo didn't say anything for five minutes. That was terrifying in itself.

Yuuji placed a kiss on Nobara’s cheek, whispering to her, “Do you need anything?”

“M-m.”

The two didn't have a very affectionate relationship. Yuuji was a very affectionate person but Nobara was typically not. Their interactions consisted of mainly teasing and competition. The most he's seen from the two was high-fiving each other. To see Yuuji hugging Nobara and kissing her cheek without the woman puking or joking on him, showed just how troubled she was.

“How’s… the arm?” Megumi questioned.

“Fine.” Nobara’s lips barely moved, only using enough muscle to speak the word.

It was awful to see such a spitfire be reduced to such a small flame. Megumi wish he could have tortured them all over and over again. Death was too sparing for them.

Nanami slid his arms on the table, “Are you hungry?”

Nobara shook her head ‘no’.

When they were cleaning up the bodies she insisted on helping despite them telling her to sit down. She had said something along the lines of, ‘I want to do something’.

A light bulb went off in Megumi’s head. Did she perhaps feel…just like them? “Nobara…” He started walking toward the table. “It’s okay, you did what you could.”

The woman lifted her head with furrowed brows, “No- no I didn't! I was helpless! I did nothing! I was weak-!” The woman choked putting her head down, hair cascading over her face, trying to hide her tears. That monster had blindsided her, hitting her down, and then stomped on her arm with a wicked laugh. The next thing she knew he was on top of her and all she could do was fight with one hand. She was so scared, so afraid as she looked up at evil eyes. She felt powerless. Her life flashed before her. She was always a headstrong woman. Yet within a split second, all her fight was gone and fear settled in. That was until you came In like a fierce bat out of hell. Stabbing the man over and over again as she just sat and watched, gasping for air.

You had a gun, but no you wanted to stab him- you wanted to truly hurt him.

Watching you made her feel so puny. You looked so strong. So wild. Everything within your body telling you to fight. Destroy. Kill. Did she fight like that? Within just a few seconds she was already useless.

“I did nothing.” Nobara repeated with a sorrowful shudder. You and Shoko were the bad bitches in this story, not her. She didn't deserve to be treated nicely.

Yuuji popped up gripping the woman's shoulders with a firm grasp trying to show her he was there for her and meant what he was about to say, “Don’t say that! If he didn't surprise you I know you would have kicked his ass!”

Getou snorted, “Yeah I've seen you fight Nobara, especially if money is involved. That jackass played you dirty. Didn't even give you a fair chance.”

“I-I know but-“

Gojo sat up slamming his fist on the table, “No buts! You beat me up too! I'm scared of you!”

“Dunno if you should openly admit that.” Megumi joked as everyone let out a light laugh.

“It’s the truth! Nobara is wicked strong!”

Sukuna nodded his head, “Why do you think I've been trying to get you in the ring? You would beat half of them just because they are stupid and think being a man makes them better.”

Nobara gave everyone a sad smile, “I know you guys are just saying that…but I can't help to think what if… what if Rose didn't save me? I vowed to protect her but…”

“But you did… if you think about it.” Megumi started looking at everyone as he gathered what he was trying to say. “I feel like…We did… if you think about it. When she first came to us she was afraid of everything. Everything that reminded her of… them… made her run. Yet today she stood her ground and fought back. We should… be happy. We should be proud! They made this shit easy for us! Yeah, it didn't go as smoothly but we got four out of the five!" Megumi grabbed the bottle from Sukuna, "We should be celebrating!" With that, he chugged the bottle but then started coughing nearly spitting it all over himself.

A moment of awkward silence went by before everyone exploded with laughter.

"Real Smoooth Megumi!"

"WHY DOES IT BURN?" Megumi growled with embarrassment.

"That's a grown man's drink." Sukuna chuckled grabbing Megumi as he pulled him into his lap. "Where's Shoko I need someone who can handle a little burn."

Nanami got up with a light laugh, "I'll get us something a little lighter."

"Sorry, I'm not an alcoholic!" Megumi mumbled but he was happy he got everyone laughing- not in the way he wanted but he wasn't complaining.

“It’s not even that bad~!” Nobara and everyone teased Megumi into a blushing mess.

When they got their drinks they clinked them together and took a shot, celebrating this small victory. The happy chatter quieted down a bit.

"I wonder... how Rose is doing..." Nobara speaks lightly while looking into her glass.

Yuuji scratched his head in thought, "She didn't have any marks on her."

"No... not like that. Like mentally how she is doing."

Everyone seemed to nod in understanding. They hoped that this wouldn't break you.

Gojo shrugged, "I mean worse case scenario we got us a little psycho princess."

Sukuna snorted, "That doesn't even sound bad."

Megumi rolled his eyes, "Why does it sound like you actually want that?"

Nanami looked at the situation a bit more logically. "Hm~ What if this does snap something within her? She did kill two people. That can have a lasting effect on her mentally. What if she starts killing random people?"

Nobara scoffed, "Rose would have morals, she'd kill the bad people, the ones that deserve it."

"So what." Getou raised a brow, "Sounds to me she fits right in with the rest of the misfits."

"That is so true."

"Our cute little killer."

Something hit the wall, everyone turned around to see Shoko leaning on the archway panting, "I-i-heard-my babies-clinking around-"

"SHOKO GET YOUR ALCOHOLIC ASS BACK IN BED!"

~

Toji wasn't sure what state your mentality was in. When he returned he saw you hugging Megumi while crying. Sukuna let him know what happened and then Megumi asked him to take you upstairs while they cleaned up. He carried you upstairs while rubbing your back, your face tucked into his neck. He held you tight, walking over the dead body to get to the bathroom. Once he was inside he shut the door and turned on the shower. He helped you out of your dirtied clothes, tossing them to the corner with his own.

You kept your head down most of the time, not saying a word.

Sticking his hand in the shower he made sure it was a nice temperature. “How does that feel?” He questioned lifting your arm so you could test the water.

You gave him a soft nod.

With your approval, he helped you into the shower. The water ran red as soon as it hit your body. First, he washed your hair and then worked his way down. He was gentle with you, “Let me know if I’m being too rough.” He had murmured to you. Yet you didn’t say anything, your eyes glued to the bloody river, so he looked for any discomfort.

When he was finished with you he gave himself a quick wash and then turned off the shower. He stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist, and then he wrapped you in a towel. “Give me a sec.” Opening the door he peeked out to see if the monster was still there. The body was gone but there was still a bloody stain on the floor and pieces from the broken lamp. Megumi looked at him and made a chopping motion at his neck. They weren’t ready for you to come out yet. Toji gave him a thumbs-up before closing the door. He lifted you out of the tub and then patted the toilet seat.

“Sit down, let me put lotion on you.”

He took his time, giving the others this moment to clean up the room before bringing you out. He rubbed the lotion into your skin, looking at your face as he worked over your muscles. You were emotionless. Staring blankly. You had stopped crying but you had seemed to switch your brain off. Much like how you were the first time he met you. It’ll probably take time for you to process what happened and what you had done. He didn’t know if he should speak about it or wait for you to bring it up. He wasn’t good with stuff like this. He kept battling with himself on what to say. That was until his phone vibrated, checking the text his son sent him.

Megs: Room is clean but we couldn’t get all the blood out of the carpet, we put a rug over it for now.

Toji: Thanks

“Come on, let’s get you ready for bed.” Toji picked you up and opened the bathroom door. He took you to the other side of the bed, away from the spiral rug that covered the evidence of your kill. Would it be better to take you to a different room to sleep? Maybe it would give you ptsd to be in here. He will get you dressed and then ask. Sitting you on the bed he went to your suitcase to grab a nightgown for you to wear, “You want the purple one or pink?” He questioned looking over his shoulder.

His eyes widen for a second, you weren’t where he put you. Turning the other direction he barely saw your head over the bed. You were on the floor. Getting up he walked over to see you were kneeling by the bloodstain, rug pulled back like a peeled bandaid. Your hands sat in your lap as you stared at the light red spot, it was clear they tried to clean it up but weren’t able to get it out completely. The evidence still there.

“Baby girl?” Toji spoke carefully, trying to not startle you. “You okay?”

“I… use knife. Here.” You tapped on your neck with two fingers.

Toji smiled softly, sitting on the side of the bed. “You did baby… I’m so proud of you. We all are.”

“I kill… but not sad. Happy.”

Toji slowly nodded his head, clarifying what you were saying, “You're happy you killed them?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I’m happy you killed them too. They deserve it. That and more.”

“Mmm…” you tilt your head a bit as you look at him. “…when… Toji kill… happy?”

The man clicked his tongue, mouth opening as he looked up searching for the answer to such a question. “…Uhm… no. It doesn’t make me happy. I just feel… nothing. I usually did it for money. But…” he looked down at you, you were listening to every word he said. “When I found out I killed someone that hurt you… that made me happy.”

“Why?”

“Because… I…uh…(Me luhv yo.).”

You snorted into a light giggle, “(I-Love-you). You say so so wrong.”

Toji blushed scratching the back of his head, “I think that’s what I said.”

“Try again. (L-o-v-e… loooove).”

“(L-loovvve).”

You clapped once for him, “Yes. (I..love…you…)”

“(I)” he pointed at himself, “(love)” he then pointed at you, “(you)”.

Your lips pulled up into a smile, “Nanami teach?”

“Yes~ Nanami taught me how to say that.” Toji pouted a little as you crawled in between his legs. You place your hands on his knees, sitting up enough to get close to his face, “(I love you too Toji).”

Toji grinned, “You sound so pretty when you speak in your language.”

You giggle as you press your lips to his. He moaned softly, deepening the kiss. His hand slid down your neck to hold you in place. Your hands move across his thighs but before you could touch him he laid his arm over your hands, gripping your left hand in place. Your brows furrow as he pulls away from you. His thumb runs over your cheek as he looks at you with conflicted emotions.

You blinked up at him wondering why he stopped you.

“Rose…” he felt a heavy pit in his stomach as he spoke. The first time you pleased him he didn’t think much about your situation, but now you mattered to him more than anything. Did he take advantage of your situation? “…You don’t have to do anything with us if you don’t want to you know that right?”

“Hm?”

“We don’t like you for sex. We like you for you. If you don’t want to do any of this, we don’t have to. I know our relationship is… quite sexual.”

You smirk, “Hentai mafia daddy.”

Toji’s lip quirked up at your nickname for him. “Yes… but you are part of this family. Even if you don’t want to have sex with anyone. Or be in a relationship with them. You are your own person.”

“I… date someone else?”

Toji’s neck tightened but he refused to deny you, “Yeah… if you wanted to date outside of our weird family that’s fine. You establish what kind of relationship you want. I’ll still love you. We all would.”

Your eyes dropped for a moment, “Sukuna?”

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything.”

“Mm~.” You thought to yourself making Toji hold his breath. “No~ I love the hentai family.” You smile at him making him sigh in relief.

He wasn’t sure how he would have handled seeing you with someone else but he would have bit that bullet.

You laugh at his obvious relief. “Toji bad, says love then break up.”

“No-wait that’s not what I meant!”

You point into his chest with each word, “Bad hentai mafia daddy!”

He grabbed your hand giving it a kiss, “Fine! I’m sorry!” pulling you close so he could silence your laughter with a kiss. You giggled as did he between each smack of your lips. Towels were pulled off and discarded as Toji picked you up into his lap. One hand cupped your breast while the other slipped in between your legs. You bucked into his hand, releasing a moan against his lips.

He moved from your lips to your neck. “Fuck, you’re so wet…I barely touched you, such a needy princess.”

“Oh~ yes~.” You scratched your manicured nails down his chest until you got to his cock, circling your hand around it, giving it a needy squeeze.

Toji bit into his lip with a tight groan. You were already so wet. He barely touched you. “Get on the bed baby, show me how you want it.” He let go of you as you climbed on all fours.

Toji smacked your ass, making you mewl, pressing back toward him. “Toji~ please~.”

“I’m coming baby…” he slid his fingers inside you while slowly pumping himself. You were wet but he was quite a large man. “…I need you wetter, I don’t want to hurt you.” You let out a little whine as he slid his hand over your pelvis, to rest on your stomach. “I know I know~” he cooed as he leaned down to swirl his tongue around your pussy.

Your hips jerked as you let out a deep moan into the blanket. He could feel the way you quivered and tensed with each flick of his tongue. You sounded so beautiful, crying in delight. He pulled back with a lick of his lips, sliding two fingers in so he could stretch you a bit more. You push back into his fingers making him chuckle at your eagerness.

“Hurry~.” You pouted.

“Be patient baby.” You were so spoiled- Was this his doing? Naw can’t be, but no matter the answer he would spoil you every single day of his life. Toji spit on his cock while running his slick fingers over his length. It wasn’t much but he’d take it slow for you. Grabbing your hips he angled his cock against your pussy and pushed in gently as you gripped the sheets under you.

Toji hissed, “Damn- you’re so tight, sweetheart.” He was barely able to get the tip in. He’d have to do something about that. Reaching under you he rolled your clit around with his middle finger making you flinch into him.

“Oh~T-toji-“

“Come on baby your much too tight for me, wet my cock. Can you do that for me my good girl?” You groaned, your pussy fluttering around him in delight. Toji smirked as he continued to praise and tease you. “Yeah? Are you going to cum for me?”

“Y-yes~!” Your body trembled, getting closer to your breaking point. You were trying to rock into him but he was much too big.

“Come on cum for me.”

You shivered delightfully, crying into the bed as you came. You gushed upon him allowing him to sink in more. He moaned while fucking his way in. Your tightness made it hard but your wetness helped him feed his cock into you. You began to mumble in your language panting and twitching with each inch you took. “Good girl you are doing so-mm well.”

You mewled with slight discomfort but you never pushed him away or asked him to stop. Megumi had told him your safeword so if you utter it he’d pull out real quick. Yet he wanted to make sure you were still good, he didn’t like to hurt you.

“Are you okay baby? “

You nodded your head with a heated groan. He kissed you on your back and praised you until finally, he got himself fully inside, your walls constricted around him beautifully. Giving his cock a nice and warm place.

“There you go~.” Toji’s breath was a bit hoarse as he leaned over your frame, fist pressed into the bed with his other hand gripping the plump of your ass.

“Hm~ Toji…” you looked over your shoulder with glossy eyes and lips.

“I got you baby.” He bent down to kiss you, rolling his hip into you as your tongues tangled together. He was gentle but rough. Just how you liked it. He slid out slowly but thrust back harshly, causing your ass to smack off his hips.

Your back jolted into an arch and you squeaked with each snap of his hips. You were so cute. Whimpering and panting while kissing him, eyes rolling as you got lost in the pleasure. He loved seeing that look on your face. With a couple more thrusts you had pulled away from his lips cumming undone again. He had to stop for a moment as you tightened around him again, the feeling like heaven. He breathed deeply kissing your shoulder, and once you came back from your high you were wiggling your hips begging for more.

Apparently, his slow thrusting wasn’t enough for you now. “M-more Toji- please~ ah~!”

“More? You want me to fuck you?”

You nodded quickly, “Pleasah~”

“Such a spoiled girl.” Toji grinned as he sat back grabbing your hips, he used it as leverage as he yanked you with each hard thrust.

You let out another round of pretty cries, “Y-yes Toji spoil~.”

“Yeah, I do-nh.” He began to build up speed, jerking you on his cock. “You’re my spoiled little girl.”

“Mm~!” You were being so fucked out of your mind you could barely give him any words only hums and moans. You reached back to lay your hand upon his. “Around- around-“ you could barely speak but he got the idea.

He pulled out and flipped you onto your back, and then he was back inside you within a flash, making you scream. He slapped a hand over your mouth not wanting to disturb the others. “Shoko’s sleeping baby girl.” He chuckled in your ear not at all stopping his movements- knowing damn well he was causing you to make so much noise. “I’m-mm fuck baby -bout to cum-n.” He panted as he felt his orgasm getting dangerously close. “Are you-mm going to take it for me huh?” He moved his hand so you could speak.

“Yes~ All- give all Toji cum~Hm~.”

He grabbed under your thigh, pushing your legs apart so he could drill in deeper. He was fucking you pretty hard, he wouldn’t be surprised if you had trouble walking after this but you asked for this! How could he say no? He couldn’t! Not to you.

“Fuck- baby…” he hissed with stuttering hips. You threw your arms around him, biting into his shoulder as you muffled your scream. He filled you up, making you cum for the third or fourth time. He lost count. He groaned, your pussy milking him for all he’s worth.

As the orgasmic high began to descend Toji pulled out of you and flopped to your side, pulling you close, “If you can’t walk it’s not my fault.”

You gasp looking up at him, “You done it.”

“You asked for it!” The two of you share a calming laugh. That is until you yawned. “Tired?”

You quickly shook your head, making Toji click his tongue. “Don’t try to fight it, go to sleep.”

Your eyes could barely stay open as you said, “Not sleepy.”

“You are a damn lie. Go to sleep, sweetheart. I’ll be right here.”

You curled into his arm, throwing a hand over his chest. “Don’t… leave.”

Toji kissed your forehead, “I won’t baby.”

~

The two of you had fallen asleep together, holding each other peacefully. Only to be woken up by…

"SHOKO GET YOUR ALCOHOLIC ASS BACK IN BED!"

“I NEED MY MEDICINE!”

“ALCOHOL IS NOT MEDICINE!”

You yawned as you looked toward Toji who was also roused from his slumber. “Good grief they are loud, how do you sleep?”

You release a snort climbing out of bed, “Like baby.” You pick up your pink gown and pull it over your head. “Coming?” You ask him.

“Yeah yeah~.” He was going to wait for you to feel comfortable going downstairs, he expected maybe tomorrow you’d feel up to it but it seemed you were ready to go after a quick nap. Maybe your mental wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be. He pulled on some sweats and then followed you downstairs where half of the family were fighting Shoko away from the alcohol bottle while the other half watched the fiasco with chuckles. Once you appeared everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at you.

“H-hey Rose…” Megumi began looking you up and down, he was trying to find anything out of the ordinary.

You walked into the kitchen eyes going to the spot you were in earlier, the blood and body gone, like it had never happened before.

They were silent watching you, waiting to see how you’d react. Most of them had a foot ready to run after you if you decided to go somewhere and hide.

Megumi was secretly checking his phone to see if your heartbeat escalated. It did show some activity earlier but he was more than aware of what you were doing. Was he going to use it to compare with your time with him? Absolutely. If your heart isn’t racing then what is he even doing?! He snapped his thoughts from silly things, focusing on you.

“Hey their killer whatcha thinkin about?” Sukuna questioned making every gasp in shock.

“Su-“ before anyone could scold the man you began to laugh.

“Princess killer?” You questioned with a laugh.

“No killer princess!” Gojo spoke excitedly.

“Our killer princess Rose. They should do a movie about that!” Nobara joked as you and Toji joined the table.

“Would it be a horror or a thriller?” Getou questioned.

“It would be a romance! Duh!” Yuuji spoke excitedly.

“I won’t watch anything you deem as romance.” The group laughed at Nobara’s statement.

“Aw come on~” Yuuji attempted to defend himself, “…it would for sure be a totally drama-filled action-packed princess movie thriller WITH romance!”

“Is she saving the prince or something like is it the other way around?”

“EXACTLY-“

“H-heeeelp Help! HELP ME!”

All chatter ceased when Haruka’s voice echoed in the cellar.

Sukuna grinned, “Look’s like someone is up.”