Desert Rose Chapter 38: The Fluff The Bonding The Love (Patreon)

Shoko smiled as she walked her patient to the front. “Just take it easy on your leg okay Granny?”

“Ooh~ I will~.”

“That means no more Kung fu.”

“Ah!” The woman gasped, “How will I teach the youngins respect if I don’t body them?”

Shoko laughed, “Granny first off never say that again and second let me know and I’ll come body them.”

The two enjoyed a good chuckle. Opening the door to the front Shoko let the woman out.

“Kiyotaka could you reschedule Granny?”

“Yes, ma’am~.” Kiyotaka began to type on the computer as the older woman waddled over with her cane.

“Take care.” Shoko said her goodbyes as she closed the door and walked down the hall passing one of the exam rooms. Peaking in she watched as Nobara spun you around on the swivel chair, the two of you giggling. Shoko felt herself pout a little. She already showed you X-rays, her equipment, and anything else she could think of but she had nothing else fun!

~Flashback to this morning~

“Are you ready Rose?” Shoko questioned excitedly.

“Yes.” You nodded getting up from the table, dish in hand.

Sukuna scoffed looking up from his phone, “Why are you taking her to have a boring day at the office?”

“Yeah! Rose, you should come with me to my photo shoot again!”

“Shut it you two!”

“Yeah!” Nobara piped up, “It couldn’t be as boring as whatever Nanami does!”

“Rose and I had a lot of fun actually.” Nanami popped his head in from the kitchen to defend himself.

“Doing what?” Shoko put her hand on her hips.

“N-none of your business.” Nanami retreated quickly.

“You want another tattoo rose?” Getou grinned trying to get you to come with him.

“Getou!” Shoko pointed at him, her voice touched with betrayal.

“Sorry sweetie, but remember when I got stuck there?”

Gojo let out a loud chuckle remembering the exact situation. “He-he was so bored he fucking walked home!”

“Oh yeah-“ Sukuna laughed, “I forgot about that, a whole hour walk in the cold.”

“The cold wasn’t the worst of it, to be honest.”

“He’d rather freeze to death than boredom! Hahaha!”

Nobara and Shoko were now adoring an annoyed expression as everyone laughed.

“It’s okay.” You smiled grabbing their hands. “I want to go with you! Nobara and Shoko fun!”

*Memory fading away*

Shoko knew they were going to ask what fun you had. She didn’t want your best memory being spun around in a damn swivel chair! The guys will tease her to no end!

“Hey Shoko-“

“Utahime!” Shoko looked at the woman who was talking to her.

“Ai- wh-what?” The black-haired doctor looked a bit frightened by Shoko’s sudden outburst.

“Can you take the rest of my patients for the day?”

“Yeah sure, is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything is fine.” Shoko then shouted into the room, “GET YOUR THINGS LET’S GO!”

~

“Ah~ w-why does it tickle so much!” Shoko squirmed in her seat as the woman scrubbed her feet.

“Just relax~.” Nobara hummed while getting her feet massaged.

You giggled, looking mighty comfortable in your massage chair. Was it just her being tormented?

While Shoko was busy having a hard time getting her feet done Nobara leaned over to you, “What color are you getting?”

You scanned the colors with a slight bite of your lips, “Oo~.” Pointing at one of the colors you showed her your pick.

Nobara clicked her tongue, “That would look so nice~ here look at what design you want.” She handed you her phone showing you the different nail designs in the color you had chosen. Nobara could see how excited you were getting. This girl's day is just what you needed. She turned to tell Shoko how great all of this was when her face dropped.

“OW OW OW!” Shoko was busy kicking the poor person doing her feet. “Alright enough enough! Just do everything else!”

“Oh Shoko…” Nobara sighed under her breath.

~

*click click click*

You and Nobara were giggling, clicking your fresh fake nails as you walked through the mall.

“How the hell do you guys even function with these?” Though she got her nails super short, she still felt she couldn’t grab anything.

“You must find your inner girlie.” Shoko put her hands up with her fingers pressed into her palms.

“Model!” You bent your hands and walked with a sassy sway making them both laugh.

“Ok ok I’ll try…” Shoko put one hand on her hip with the other one popped out.

“Yes girl slaaaay!” You both cheered her on.”

“Hair!” You demonstrated flicking your hand as she copied you.

“Like that?”

“Beautiful.” You blew her many kisses.

Nobara stopped abruptly and gasped, “Oh, we should go all out! Nails done hair done everything done! Let’s go!”

“Oh hell no-“

“COME ON GIRLS DAY LETS GO!”

“Girls day~!” You cheered.

That’s how all of this started.

From nails to hair to clothes and makeup.

Shoko would be lying if she said she didn’t feel like she was glowing. Maybe it was fun to get girlie every now and again. You still wore a mask but they purchased a sparkly mask to go with your cutesy outfit. They could see it in your eyes, how happy you were. Hear it in your laugh. Hell, your walk was even different. More confident and bouncy. Feeling good in and out. They let you pay for some of the things but for the most part, they took care of you- despite you trying your best to hurry up and grab your money. Truthfully the only thing they allowed you to buy was your gift for Megumi and Gojo.

The three of you walked like nothing could knock off your crowns. Bags hanging from your wrists while sipping boba tea.

“Oh," Shoko perked up, "Someone's calling me." she shifted her things around to grab her phone. She attempted to answer... “FUCKING DAMIT!” ...but her nails kept getting in the way.

“I got it.” You came to her rescue, taking the phone from her. “Hello?” You answer the phone trying to not laugh while watching Nobara wrestle Shoko from biting her nails.

“Hey, baby! I bet you are having tons of fun~.”

"Yes~!"

Gojo paused surprised you were having a good time at the doctor's office. "Oh- well, I -I got something better! Tell the girls to get you a bathing suit on the way home-ack" Gojo made a noise as if someone hit him.

"Only if she's comfortable wearing one idiot." You heard Megumi's voice.

"My bad-yeah only if you want to!"

"Hm? Sorry, don't understand."

"Uh, panties... for water?"

"Oh~ (Swimsuit), in Japanese?"

"Swimsuit, bathing suit, bikini, whatever is easier for you to say."

"Kay~...Shoko?"

"LET ME RIP MY NAILS OFF- eh...hey Rose what's up?" Your interjection stopped the two from their back and forth fight.

"My poor Shoko~ She must have run out of alcohol."

You released a light chuckle, "Gojo said I need a sw-...swim..."

"Swimsuit"

"Swimsuit."

"You got it~"

Shoko raised her brow, "A swimsuit? For...oh my god no he didn't." She was already reaching for her phone as you handed it over. "Gojo?"

"Hey, sweetie~"

"Did you steal your dad's yacht again?"

"Woah woah woah...I did it for Megumi!"

"How is this for me?"

"I GOT YOU A BOAT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY!"

"A stolen one."

"A better question is how do you steal a boat?" Toji questioned while munching on his food.

"Well, I have a very particular set of skills."

"Impressive."

"Thank you~ See Megumi at least someone loves me!"

Shoko shook her head waiting for the back-and-forth to cease. She whispered to you and Nobara, "Looks like we aren't done shopping." Nobara and you shared excited clicks of your nails.

"Is the boat for me or you?"

"So ungrateful! Where's Sukuna!?"

"WHAT THE HELL DOES SUKUNA HAVE TO DO WITH THIS?!"

"Oi!" *Snap snap snap* "TOJI GET YOUR SON."

"Huh? That's Sukuna's problem."

"TOJI WHAT THE FUCK?!"

"YOU PROBABLY CALL HIM DADDY MORE THAN HIM! AI- MEGUMI WAIT- IT WAS A JOKE! AH- WHEN DID YOU BECOME SO AGGRESSIVE?!"

~**~

"Where the hell are they?" Gojo lifted his shades to stare out at the deck. He was pouting sitting on the grey couch resting his chin on the back of it. The sun was already going down, dipping into the blue water.

"They should be here soon."

"This is stolen property! Time is of the essence!"

"I know I know, here have a drink." Getou didn't take his eyes away from his phone as he offered his boyfriend a sip of his fancy drink with an umbrella in it, courtesy of Toji.

Gojo took a slow slip and then- "Blegh... it's fucking sour."

"Give me my drink back."

"No."

"Oi!" Sukuna shouted while stepping out of the main cabin.

Gojo and Getou looked toward the male as he pointed at Yuuji who was swimming back and forth in the pool. "Keep that energy for tomorrow's fight!"

Yuuji stopped swimming grabbing on to the edge, "I'll be fine!"

"No, today you take a break, also no alcohol tonight, drink this."

"Can I skip the drink this time it's so gross!"

"Do you want to win?"

"Yes..." Yuuji pouted getting out of the pool and grabbing the drink from his brother. He looked down at it with disdain.

"Down the hatch Yuuji."

Sukuna always got like this with Yuuji when he had an upcoming fight. Like he said before. No one can beat his brother up except him. The last time Yuuji got really hurt the others had to stop him from fighting the guy outside of the ring. Instead, he tried to taunt the dude into fighting him, but no one was dumb enough to get into a no-rules-free fight zone with the sadistic Sukuna. Only ego-driven idiots who came out of town, and Angel's stupid boyfriend who wanted to impress her. Clearly, that ended well.

"Eugh..." Gojo made a face watching poor Yuuji drink the nasty cococossion. "Maybe this drink isn't so bad."

"Aye- I said have some not all of it!"

~

"And... you finish it with a nice umbrella." Toji sat an umbrella into the drink he had just shown Megumi how to make. "Try it." Pushing the drink toward him he rests his arms on the bar counter.

Megumi slid it closer as he leaned in to take a sip. "Hm~" He nodded his head, "It's pretty good."

Toji nodded, "Gojo likes his drink sweet sweet?"

"As sweet as can be."

Toji chuckled making Gojo's drink while doing a few tricks.

Megumi was rather impressed. "Where did you learn how to do all of this?"

Toji put down the cup, finishing with making it as his smile slowly faded. "You know...um... I used to hate drinking. I still do actually..." He pressed his lips together as his eyes lowered a bit. "I..."

Megumi leaned forward with furrowed brows. "What happened?"

"..." Toji looked to be in great pain as he swallowed his saliva. "...At the time, after your mother... had passed away. I didn't care about anything. Nothing. Absolutely nothing mattered. I truly wanted to die. It felt like something inside me was taken away, and left me hollow. Not even a couple of months after... there was a night... where I took..." Toji halted for a moment, his hands gripping as he flexed them, almost as if he could see the exact thing he took. Megumi was silent as he listened. Patient. He gave him time to speak.

"I... thought I took enough...more than enough... to kill me." He looked at him with the most sorrowful eyes. "But I woke up. And I just remember laughing. I thought this was her way of telling me I needed to keep my promise. She told me... to take care of you... so I did. The best I could. I couldn't be there for you mentally... not then. I was checked out. Going through the motions. I had a job, one that was a bit weird but it was such a huge pay. it was a girl... she was... only fourteen...but all I saw was the money. I felt nothing when I killed her...it was the aftermath... she was... loved by so many people... an upcoming idol that some other rich bitch wanted dead. It was the pain of watching her family cry...her fans...it was like the whole world was crying. That's...when I took a break and worked as a bartender. Gambled and spent the money like crazy, drowned myself in booze. I hate it but I felt I deserved it. Deserved the pain. The mornings waking up throwing up, the dizzying feeling, or the pounding headaches, all of it was deserved. I kept up with the shitty lifestyle. Met that damn stripper- I mean... your... lovely stepmom. She took half my money and left me with her daughter. I didn't plan for Tsumiki but you loved her so much. So when she got sick I dished out all I could to keep her around for you. Then your friends came along, and you had your perfect little village. I thought I would for sure die someday but nope, I would still wake up the next morning. Each time I took another breath... I thought... it was because I hadn't saved enough money for you." Toji chuckled to himself, "Even though it's a lot, I would just think, he's probably going to be a gabbler just like his father. That's why I need to make more."

Megumi was left nearly speechless as his father started to make himself a drink.

"Fuck dude...and they call me the emo one."

Toji released a snort, "Maybe it runs in the family huh?"

Megumi nodded slowly, "Maybe... have you..." Megumi adjusted himself upon his seat. "Have you ever thought...maybe it's not the money that is the answer..."

Toji took a swig of his whiskey, "Like what?" He questioned with a raised brow.

"Like... your presence. Like this. I've talked and hung out with you more within this month than I ever had in my entire life."

Toji made a painful expression, realizing that to be true. "Yeah..."

"I would..." Megumi sighed, "...rather have you than all the money in the world."

"Why? You have all of them? I'm just some deadbeat you don't know."

"No, you're the deadbeat that I want to know. I don't care if your life is fucked up or sad, I'm not a kid anymore. It's life."

Toji shook his head, "How did you turn out so..."

"Unfucked?"

The two released a chuckle.

"I guess that's one way of putting it...I just, I was never there. If I could go back in time...I would be there for everything... teach you how to ride a bike... or fly a kite... whatever shit normal dads do."

"That's the thing...we aren't a normal family. We are on a boat that my senile best friend stole from his rich dad. And we are both in love with the same woman. I don't want you to teach me how to ride a bike like a normal dad, teach me how to shoot a gun, teach me how to hunt and kill so I can protect my crazy-ass family."

Toji was blown away. He could do nothing but nod his head with a shit-eating smile, "How the hell did I get so lucky to have a son like you?"

"How did I get so lucky to have a father like you?"

Toji gasped. "D-did you just call me..."

Megumi snorted. "Not necessarily."

"I'll take what i can get."

Megumi lifted his cup the two of them clinking their glasses together, "Happy birthday son."

"Hey~ Hey~!" Nobara's voice called from outside.

Megumi craned his head to see Gojo jumping up on the couch.

"THEY ARE HERE!" Gojo was waving excitedly like a puppy wagging his tail. "HI GUYS~ ROSE WHAT DO YOU THINK?!"

"It looks like they are here...oh...wow..." Megumi drifted as he watched the three of you walk up the deck.

"What?" Toji leaned over.

The two took in your appearance. You were wearing a black bikini with butterflies on the crisscrossing strings, a cute woven hat, and sunglasses.

"Oh..."

"Is it just me or does she get cuter and cuter each time I see her?"

"She's becoming comfortable." The way you walked and talked showed how much you have healed. "Hey... can I ask you a...uh weird question."

“Shoot.”

"Do...do you do anything...special to make her.. you know ...cum?"

"Son this is a very weird question."

"I need to know!"

"I mean... she..." Toji hummed watching the black brows on is son's face twitch. Oh.... now he understands. "Megumi... it's all about the motion in the ocean not the size of the ship."

"Why couldn't you pass on your cock size and physique to me!?"

"I-wait what are you angry?!"

"I DON'T WANT YOUR MONEY I WANT YOUR BODY!"

"Megumi? What in the incest is going on in here?" Shoko questioned with you right next to her.

Megumi blushed hoping you didn't understand what he just said, "FUCK- THAT CAME OUT WRONG!"

"Yeah he just wanted to know how I-"

"Nothing!"

Shoko was busy eyeing the booze behind the bar as Megumi tried to defend himself.

"Two shots of vodka please~" Shoko tapped on the counter as you sat next to her.

"Coming right up~"

“A little pre game never hurt anyone.” Shoko snatched up Gojo’s drink for her own taking.

Megumi drank his drink with rosy cheeks, while Toji was entertaining both of you with his bar tricks. The only thing Megumi would curse Toji about till the day he dies is the fact he didn't pass his damn genes to him. If he had such a physique he would make sure you and Sukuna couldn't walk out of his room. A boy could dream.

"Here ya go~" Toji sat the drinks for the two of you.

"Thank you~" You grabbed the drink making Toji raise a brow, "baby girl? did you get your nails done?"

You giggled giving him your hand so the older Fushiguro could inspect them.

"Like?" You questioned with a cute lean to your head.

"Yeah, they're cute princess." Toji kissed your hand.

Megumi angled his head seeing Shoko's nails chipped and cracked. "What the hell happened to your nails?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

*HOOOONK-HOOOONNNNNK*

"FUCK!"

"HOLY-"

"EEk-!"

Toji made a face sticking a finger in his ear, "That shit was loud."

The speakers crackled as Gojo's voice began to speak in a deep high-pitched voice, "Helloo lovlies~ this is your seeeexy~ captain speaking! I hope you are all ready to enjoy your time on the Satoru is the best express~~!

"DO THAT SHIT AGAIN AND ILL BE COMING UP THERE!" Nobara shouted from outside.

*HOOONK*

"GAAAH~"

"Please don't threaten your cpatain."

Nobara was on the run.

"SHE'S COMING AH- SUGURU LOCK THE DOORS!"

Megumi shook his head as they listened to the speaker cut out. The boat was finally moving meaning Getou was probably steering while Nobara gave Gojo a piece of her mind.

Sukuna walked in resting his arms around you and Megumi. "Aye, bartender give me the strongest shit you got."

"Vodka?" Shoko wiggled her glass.

"Nah, something to put hair on my chest."

"I got you." Toji nodded digging around under the cabinet.

You released a flutter of giggles as Sukuna peppered kisses along your neck, "Who told you you could look so cute?"

"Can you keep it in your pants at least until we get out to sea?" Megumi snorted as Sukuna turned and grinned at him.

"I don't necessarily need to take it out pretty boy."

"Ugh~" Megumi rolled his eyes as Sukuna chuckled.

"GUYS!" Yuuji ran in a panic.

"What?"

"WE LEFT NANAMI!"

"..."

"WHAT?!"

***

Nanami released a deep sigh watching the boat drift away, suit jacket in his arm and briefcase in hand. I’m so unloved. 

Just then he saw a bunch of little shadows run to the front of the boat, waving around.

"NANAMI STAY RIGHT THERE!"

"NANAMI!"

"NANAMI WE ARE TURNING THE BOAT AROUND!"

"THIS IS ALL GOJO'S FAULT!"

"I'M SO SORRY NANAMI I LOVE YOU!"

"WE LOVE YOU NANAMI WE DON'T DESERVE YOU!"

Nanami snorted with a soft smile, okay maybe he was loved.