Elska tried turning her body in order to reassure Naoya on their way out of the window but Toji is too large of a man for her to see around. Instead, cool evening air rushes past her as she sinks into her turned's arms and considers how much she must have hurt Toji with her recent actions. The very least she could do is leave with him and hear what he has to say.
Although she knows she deserves to dwell her mind is currently distracted by the sensation of being flown. Toji looks so imperial with his massive dark wings, like some kind of fantastical figure that plagues her with déjà vu. She wonders for the next few seconds while her feet dangle in the air how this cluster fuck of a situation will end; what it will take to appease everyone involved. Despite Toji's sure hold, she feels as if she might fall out of the sky from the splintering outcomes that weigh her down.
A moment later, they're landing. Toji releases his wings and sets Elska down, giving her time to take in their location. Frayed ends of his shirt tickle his back so he makes a joke while tearing the remainder of the cloth away.
"I may have to start going topless, this is getting expensive."
When Toji looks up again though, Elska is silently staring at the crushed A/C units located a few feet away that once pinned his mangled body.
"Toji…this where I turned you…"
He only flew her to the roof of the neighboring building.
"Yes, doll, it is."
The setting sun reflects beautiful colors on the once heart wrenching scenery giving the distorted illusion that it belongs as it is.
"Elska…"
Toji now turns to her wanting to reach out and hold her hand but stops himself mid motion. Her eyes meet his but with not knowing where to begin he decides to start where the most hostility for everyone resides.
"You are a grown woman with freedom of choice, I will not tell you how to live your life."
Dusk rays highlight Elska's features in the softest way that makes her exquisiteness nearly intolerable. Her eyes flinch though as she must be gathering the topic and seems to be preparing herself for the blunt conversation.
"But I'm really worried about where your heart is leading you lately. Things seem like they're spiraling out of control..."
Toji relaxes his brow in a sympathetic manner since he understands that her being caught between the three of them wasn't all exactly her organic choice but it unfortunately is where they are now.
"Just...what was all that back there? What happened between you and Naoya to make you so close?"
She's wanting to advert her eyes out of shame but chooses to remain locked onto him.
What did happen though?
Does she even fully understand it?
Unable to process everything at once, Elska allows intuition to lead her voice.
"I wish I could accurately explain Toji but I'm still figuring it out myself."
His eyes rest on her, patiently waiting for her to be ready to continue.
"Naoya…the first time I knew there was something about him that allied our fate was that night at the old apartment."
Toji looks confused by that answer and opens his mouth as if to question that statement but ultimately refrains.
"I know that sounds strange because of how I pretended otherwise but I was really just fearful of who he was and why I was drawn to him…not to mention Satoru had been missing."
Elska sighs and gulps air.
What a tormenting situation.
"I don't know how to say this to you Toji..."
Her eyes begin to tear up but how can they not when she's about to confess something so selfish?
"But I need Naoya and I believe it's reciprocated. He's supposed to be with me. I can't prove this tangibly but I know it's true. It's really weird..."
Toji now sits on the ground and leans back on both of his arms as he releases a defeated breath.
"I guess Gojo tried to warn me of this but I didn't comprehend."
She looks to him curiously now so he tightens his lips and nods.
"Yeah, he already saw this coming but that makes it even more strange that he's so into Naoya. Fuckers a creep."
Toji frowns now as he thinks about the weird ideas he can only guess flow through Gojo's mind but this reminds him to warn.
"I don't know what his plans are there but please be aware that there's something wrong with Gojo right now. I know it sounds intense but be careful around him for a while..."
"I can tell something changed in him but I also believe I'm to blame for that, Toji…"
Her eyes now take to the floor as she sits by Toji's feet and mirrors his position.
"No, doll, understand that he's always been fucked up but it's almost as if he's relapsing into old patterns and that shit's concerning. That reminds me, why were you so cold to him earlier?"
Elska says nothing initially as she's not sure this is the best time to spill the truth about the deal with Sukuna. The giant was already so protective of her before she turned him so he might try to hurt Gojo now if he knew everything.
"I am upset with him for a few reasons. One being that night before we were abducted…he hurt me Toji. If I hadn't fed from you, I would've had injuries from the way he… behaved."
Her eyes now water again while recalling Satoru's decadence that was unleashed onto her for his self-indulgence.
Toji huddles forward as he no longer feels comfortable with the mention of this. Rubbing his temples with sand paper would feel better than having to admit his failure to intervene.
"I should've done more to stop him, I knew he was acting fucking crazy…"
He remorsefully brings his hand onto her shin while looking down at her legs.
"Elska, I'm sorry we did that. It should never have been. I don't know what we were thinking."
He squeezes her leg as he loathes himself for being apart of that, her words circulating through him with the proof that she was indeed in pain when the three of them got together.
"Toji, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have experienced any highs then. You really showed your true colors that night and I believe we grew closer because of it. It's so strange though, you two were like yin and yang."
She places her hand on his as she tries to demonstrate that the issue was not with him.
"Please, do not blame yourself. I promise you that you didn't do anything to make me uncomfortable."
She's grazing her thumb over his sprawled out, large dry knuckles, contemplating heavily on some much needed questions.
"Why do I still love him though…and so deeply? After everything?"
Toji smirks to her light touch across his hand, the gesture lifting him ever so slightly.
"That I simply cannot answer and I will never get what you see in him. I don't mean to sound so harsh but I really never will."
Toji expands his grin into an innocent smile, further expressing that he's not intentionally being rude.
"Maybe it's you I don't understand though, doll…because Naoya? Seriously? Naoya?! He'd be more like having a girlfriend than anything else!"
Elska wipes her eyes with a sobbing laugh in response which is when he layers it on. An unexpected cackle belts from Toji as his own joke tickles him to pieces.
"I can totally get why me though. I mean I'm the hot older man; full of experience and mystery."
Unable to deny these facts, Elska nods but then sighs as she drinks in the vision of him under the orange and pink hues from the sky.
"Yes, you are indeed all of those things..."
The colors complement the contrast of Toji's black hair and palish green eyes while the scars that decorate his muscular chest even seem highlighted under the setting sun; such an attractive sight. Things would be so much easier if she had the heart to lie or even misinform but the respect she holds for him obliges integrity.
"But...doesn't it bother you Toji? The way I am with Sati and Naoya? I feel so hopeless and selfishly divided…"
Her knuckles scrape the concrete when she instinctively clenches her fists, afraid to actually hear his take.
Toji, armed with an opinion, inhales deeply before sharing it.
"Of course it bothers me, Elska. What you three were doing in that room?! My blood was boiling after seeing that shit a few minutes ago. I just...I don't understand what's going on with you lately..."
Never would he intentionally be so abrasive to her but right as Toji began second guessing his honesty, their eyes meet and hers appear appreciative.
"I'm sorry you saw it, Toji. I wish I wasn't like this. What happened? I used to only be with Sati…a one-man woman but now I'm kind of like a slut."
"Doll I don't ever want to hear that shit again do you hear me?"
Irritated by her self depreciating remark, the giant squeezes her shin but directs attention to his face.
"Your…our nature is just different; that I can attest to now."
"Yeah, well, I don't see you going out and screwing a bunch of girls Toji, don't play nice with me. You know exactly what I mean and how its not the same."
She was so quick to expose her own culpability but its because the feeling is hard to manage aside from deflection.
"Well, doll, that's probably because you're my…master now."
He's never spoken the words out loud so no one other than them can truly perceive the depths of their connection now. Toji frowns after saying it though, not liking the subordination under anyone despite if its his new reality or not. Even to her.
"I didn't want it to be like that. I swear that I was just trying to save you. I had to try something, Toji. I couldn't let you die!"
Toji shrugs and gifts her with the sweetest eyes which is not what she was expecting.
"Meh, master or not..."
Watching Elska feel bad over something he's extremely gratified by causes Toji muddle; he can't stand to see this.
"I probably still wouldn't be sleeping with other women regardless. Believe it or not, doll, you've been the only one to catch my eye since...her. I have no other interests."
Elska's eyes soften as she takes in the veracity of his emotions when they bleed past the surface. His wonderful sentiment aside, she fully comprehends Toji's view of her being high enough to mention his late wife in the same breath. Inadvertently though, it hurts her more.
"You really shouldn't give me so much credit, Toji but I do wish to be worthy of it. I cannot fathom why you'd want to but you are more than welcome to stay with me if you so choose."
Elska giggles and momentarily widens her eyes as a list of all of her flaws flood her psyche at once. Reasons like these are why she emphasizes one last time.
"Your master wants you to have free will."
Toji gives a kind smile but the conversation drags his mind back to that night at the apartment, all of his intentions and the pain she endured because of his greed.
"Elska…there's something I need to tell you."
She feels her entire expression morph into uncertainty. The giant's daunting tone whispers to her that whatever is coming will be hard to hear.
"The night you were attacked in the apartment…I was on my way to you do some horrible things Elska. Things that make me retch upon remembering."
"W-what do you mean, Toji?"
She tenses up; her assumptions were unfortunately correct.
Toji's eyes fill with disgrace so he glances around their surroundings in hopes of shedding some off.
"I knew you were alone because I helped seal Gojo. I also knew you hadn't fed and needed too…so I purposefully ignored your calls. I needed you weak and out of sorts and therefore was manipulating your situation so you couldn't refuse me even if you wanted to. When I drove to your apartment Elska...it was because I was going to claim you for myself.
Her eyes widen in surprise as his narrow and slant remorsefully. Wanting to keep his steam, he proceeds to confess.
"I've wanted you for quite some time and dealing with Gojo's smug ass only seemed to dilute me further from reality."
He exhales heavily.
"I planned it all along. To somehow be rid of him and get to you while working for both sides. Reasons like these are why I am not angry with you for being divided as you say. How could I rightfully feel like it's your fault?"
Toji chuckles nervously once he remembers Kento's harsh words, turning to her with sincerity.
"Nanami once said that we never gave you a choice before so we shouldn't expect you to choose now."
Elska is slightly taken back by this information but more than anything, it hurts her to know how dark Toji's mind used to be; the man she never suspected. A lot could be said though for how far he's come though and in only months which is what Elska harnesses.
"Toji…"
"But doll, with Naoya...its different with him somehow. He is of your choosing, isn't he?"
Prepared for the answer that may chip at his heart Toji braces himself now that he's beginning to understand the seriousness of their developing love. Elska appears startled by that question and retracts into her thoughts as if that reminded her of something.
Naoya did give her a choice.
He'd almost be proud of his cousin if he could be but Toji's regrets haunt him as the answer becomes obvious.
Toji's phone begins to ring and upon seeing that it's Nanami, answers it.
"Don't freak out we're only on the other roof! I'll pay for Gojo's damn wall too."
"Toji, we were going over some facts of what happened with Getou and it's been unanimously decided that we should all remain together. It's not safe out in the open like that. And you're damn right you're paying for that wall!"
"We'll come down in a minute, we're just talking…I'm not Gojo for fuck sake."
Toji smiles to Elska after saying it, the little joke lightening their moods. There's a "Motherfucker I can hear you!" from Gojo as Toji gathers that he's on speaker and switches to that as well and then laughs wildly at enjoying the silver shaman's reaction.
There seems to be a struggle over the other end as they hear grunts and Nanami saying, "You don't need to hold the phone Toji is on speaker!", but Naoya must have picked up the phone anyways.
"Bring her back you old fart! I can't believe you fucking flew away with her!"
Toji is cackling deeply over the strange union that's forming on the other end, despite all of the differences that exist between them. He looks to Elska.
"Do you hear that little shit? He has the gall to say something about you being swept away!"
He watches Elska smile and face redden from surely a flush of emotions but she leans into the phone.
"Naoya, you guys, we'll be right back I promise! We're fine!"
"ELSKA! Baby are you alright?!"
Naoya seems to be somewhat frantic still but Elska can only giggle to his dramatics until her Sweet Sati is overheard.
"She's not your baby, Zenin!"
Now it sounds like Gojo is fighting with Naoya but the Zenin man soon yelps an "OW WHAT THE FUCK GOJO? DID YOU JUST PINCH MY ASS?" and Toji and Elska can only laugh in unison as they imagine what's going on at the other end of the line.
"Naoya I am okay don't worry! We're not far at all! And Sati, stop harassing him!"
Nanami is now trying to get to the phone as more muffled sounds can be heard, probably from the processing of multiple voices and the shifting device.
"Okay you two, five minutes or we're coming up there."
Kento's voice can be heard reprimanding everyone's behavior all the way to the point of him hanging up.
"Jesus…so much commotion!"
Toji has a tear in his eye from laughing and leans to his left arm so he can use his right hand to wipe it away.
"I needed that laugh though…"
His chest expands and coils.
"We are certainly a hopeless bunch, aren't we?"
Elska is recovering from her sides hurting as she too begins to recompose herself. "Even Sati seems to be back to his usual goofy self…"
She smiles to this in hopes that's a good sign for the interactions to come.
Toji wants to keep being lighthearted but stops so that he can reiterate.
"Doll, Gojo is all over the place, just be weary of him for the time being. I will do my best to keep him off of you but although we've become somewhat…friends..."
Toji's face automatically scrunches after realizing what he's saying.
"...there's something there that's still very off."
She hesitantly nods in forced agreement.
"Also, maybe try to stay off of Naoya until you know what you want, that may be best for him too. There's a whole lot of room for people to get hurt here."
He notices Elska depress to that and wonders if it's really that hard for her to establish boundaries between his cousin.
"You don't have to worry about me though, I'm with you regardless, doll. I am still your…beloved, right?"
She sees the rare occurrence of insecurity wash over Toji's face and her heart sinks as she understands he was left to question his place with her. She brings herself to her knees and reaches her right hand out to his cheek.
"Toji…of course you're still my beloved. Nothing and I mean nothing can ever change that."
He raises his hand apologetically to hers as he smirks to her words; his eyes changing from their usual emerald to a light glowing red.
"And as far as everything you've told me tonight, I want you to know that without a doubt, I forgive you. You've come such a long way in such a short time, I'm proud of you and you should be proud of yourself!"
She winks to him and kisses his forehead through his hair. When she pulls back she continues.
"You we're fighting so much by yourself, you didn't have the support system you have now. You didn't even trust yourself around your own son but you look at how much has changed!"
She understands that he was different then, that they've all been considered different from what they currently are at some point in time.
"We're all a little messed up, myself included…never forget that."
She pulls away and stares into him as the beautiful hues from the sky darken.
"Thank you for being the man that you are today."
"Doll…"
They're staring into each other and he wants to kiss her but resists as he knows that would negate everything he spoke about with her current situation.
"Just know that I am here for you, whenever."
Toji decides to kiss her hand instead and is met with her adoration radiating through him; the comfort she took in his consideration of her heart's confusion. When he brought her up there to the roof, it was more so to help her explain what he is to her, why she saved him to begin with. He now understands that he should no longer doubt his role in her life as the authenticity of her feelings still exist.
They truly are unique.
"I guess we should be heading back but, Toji?"
She brushes her fingertips across his neck while smiling, snickering as he shivers in response.
"This was nice and very necessary, thank you."
He smiles back to her as they raise up to their feet. She feels his arms wrap around her as she holds him back, feeling extremely lucky that she has the unconditional support of such a solid man.
"Anytime…"
Toji feels good about their talk, he needed to be honest with her.
'Their own truths…'
He exhales in relief and although he would prefer to remain there holding her, duty pushes him.
"Let's get you back before those two shit themselves."
He cracks himself up again as he pulls away and leads her to the stairwell door by her hand.
"Not gonna lie, doll, it's so weird going back through here!"
Last time he was somewhat running through it for his life.
They end up taking the long way, walking leisurely together down to the 9th floor where the closest of the three bridging halls connects the two buildings. They're following the gathered presences of everyone back into Toji's room to which seemed decently quiet until they appear in the doorway.
Naoya sensed them coming and was waiting right by the door whereas Satoru was sitting on the bed with Nanami, Megumi and Nobura who were all anxiously waiting for Itadori to regain consciousness. Choso stands at the foot of the bed overseeing his little brother patiently as well. When Elska and Toij enter Naoya immediately lets out a "Tch" as he sees his cousins large arm draped over her and finds himself to be thwarted by their comfort.
"Baby! I was so fucking worried!"
She hugs Naoya instantly but quietly explains.
"Toji will never harm me, the same as you."
Naoya looks to Toji now who lifts his chin.
"That's right my boy, this old fart is has learned some new tricks."
Toji glides his hand across her lower back as he walks past them and towards the others.
"Dad! He still hasn't woken up, is he really going to be alright?"
Megumi is all but completely unnerved with how long Itadori has been out.
Toji points to Choso.
"This guy knows what he's doing, he has years on us son so I wouldn't worry too much at all."
Choso smiles innocently and nods in affirmation.
"He should be coming to here soon, the sleep cycle will be about over."
Choso now walks over to Naoya and Elska. He's sighting their embrace and it warms his heart knowing that his friend is so elated with her and is happy to see everything turning out alright.
She's fine, Itadori's okay, Naoya didn't have to kill Gojo and Toji demonstrated quite the leadership through the turmoil. He's so overrun that he goes to join their hug, wrapping himself around the back side of Elska and placing his arms on Naoya.
"I'm glad this is working out…"
Choso whispers to them without freaking out about being so close to a woman since Elska has helped him find comfort in them.
Naoya initially was jolted by Choso's actions but knows that he's doing so inoffensively. If there is one man he truly trusts around Elska, it would be Choso first.
"You're so fucking weird Cho."
He laughingly states it under his breath and listens to Elska giggle into his chest as she's accepting the oddness that is Choso but doesn't fight it either.
Their embrace ends when they hear Nobara scream.
"Itadori!!!!!"
She squeals in excitement as the young man stirs and in all her emotions leans down to kiss him. Megumi, Gojo and Itadori himself are very taken back by this choice of action as they've always known, just never thought Nobara would actually set her pride aside to do so.
"Hehe well perhaps I should get kidnapped more often!"
Itadori says as he smiles widely and shifts his weight to slowly sit up, face reddened with welcomed embarrassment.
"I could get used to that!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself numbskull, just don't ever do that again!"
Nobara's eyes are tearing but she quickly regains her composure. While turning her nose up, she playfully punches Itadori in his stomach.
"That's for making me worry!"
Itadori laughs exhaustively but doesn't see how such an awful situation could have ended any better as far as he's concerned. He likes Nobara too, always has but dutifully kept his emotional distance because of Sukuna with her safety in mind. His face drops shortly afterwards though as the King of Curses strikes his brain and looks to Elska across the room.
"El…oh my god…I had no idea that was going to happen, I'm so sorry!"
Yuuji then views Gojo with a peculiar expression, one that Gojo seems to lightly grasp. Something tells Satoru that he actually might have an idea as to why Elska was so reluctant to see him.
Gojo looks to Choso.
"Exactly why did you knock Itadori out? I know because of Sukuna but I need specifics."
Choso walks back over to them with a alarming aura, his sharp dark eyes never leaving Satoru until he reaches Itadori.
"That's probably best saved for later."
"Gojo sensei…why would you do that? I don't understand at all…"
Itadori's tone is full of heartache as he recalls having to live through Sukuna hurting Elska. It sends a terrible wave of discomfort through his body.
"He was going to bleed El until she'd have to feed…"
His voice is now lowered in anger. Nobara grabs his hand to support him as she's in the dark but can tell Itadori is uncomfortable.
Naoya takes Elska's wrist to walk over to that side of the room as well before looking to her with worried eyes as this will likely cause shit to hit the fan again but sighs and addresses Itadori.
"We were going to save the conversation until after the fight. It would be best to."
Gojo now stands after understanding what's going on. His eyes dart to Elska.
"Love, would this have anything to do with the deal I made with Sukuna?"
She freezes in place as Satoru casually admits his part in front of everyone. She looks to Naoya and then to Toji. Toji seems to be on edge as he knew there was something else she wasn't telling him.
"What the fuck do you mean, Gojo?"
Toji walks around the bed to where Gojo stands.
"What fucking deal did you make with him?!"
"Toji, wait…"
Elska feels like there's something off here, there's has to be a reason as to why Satoru would be so casual about such a damning thing.
"Let him explain first, please."
Everyone looks to Gojo waiting for clarification.
Satoru sighs and leans his upper back against the wall.
"When he came out and attacked us that morning, he was dead set on impregnating you Love. I told him there was something better…I then explained your bite…"
"YOU FUCKING OFFERED HER UP TO SUKUNA?!!!!"
Toji eyes are glowing in rage as they find his doll.
"Did Sukuna fucking attack you too?!!"
Elska sheepishly nods to him.
"That explains everything! GOJO, WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?"
Toji's voice bellows through the room as his fangs form and energy begins traveling over his body.
Gojo warps next to Elska.
"Love…it's true that I made that deal with him but I planned to discuss with both you and Itadori. You two were taken from us before I could."
Gojo's eyes dart to Naoya and narrow.
"I never had the chance! We had missions and had to eliminate the curse outburst."
Satoru desperately takes up both of her hands.
"I swear I never planned on him actually getting to experience it, I was trying to distract him from wanting to sexually consume you, which I'm sorry but that would've been a way worse situation. If I hadn't struck the deal, then you would've been left to go on the mission alone too… and I couldn't allow that…"
"Sati…"
Her eyes lose the anguish she previously felt.
Choso is furious and confused as he's still not okay with it but is starting to understand possibly where Gojo is coming from.
"Well, that little deal almost got them both killed. You weren't there to see what they did to her though so you wouldn't understand how serious of a situation that was."
"Sukuna made my body do things to hurt El…and I couldn't do SHIT to stop it."
Itadori is looking to his legs and Nobara's hands wrapping around his own tighter.
"It was so frustrating and I couldn't understand why I had no control…"
Choso looks to Itadori with softened eyes.
"It's because the pact is binding. Sukuna was just waiting for the right time to act."
Choso huffs in anger.
"And Because he didn't collect on his end, he can still try that again as well."
Choso's heated eyes take to Gojo and he seethes.
"You claim to love her but I've not seen one single action to support those words."
Naoya sighs as the room has become turbulent yet again. He enjoys Gojo taking punishment for his decision but can't help but feel this is also terrible timing. He goes to speak up but Elska beats him to it.
Elska uses her body to separate Satoru from everyone else in the room now.
"We shouldn't be focusing on this right now."
Her view finds Toji who is exuding complete indignation and pleads with her eyes for him to calm down. She then hastily turns around to Satoru.
"I assumed it was another one of your little sexual experiments Sati, I was just really scared…really hurt by it. I didn't know your side though…"
"FUCK THAT Doll I told you something is wrong with him!"
Toji stomps over to Gojo, leaving inches between them.
"I've stuck up for you, put up with you, have even watched over you…and you do this?!"
Toji's energy continues to increase rapidly while pointing to Elska.
"I am fucking SICK OF IT GOJO! Look at her…"
Gojo keeps his emotional eyes on Toji instead.
"I SAID LOOK AT HER!"
Toji's voice fills the room as everyone seems to stiffen.
"You don't fucking love her, Choso is right."
"If Sati's telling the truth then the kidnapping events would have kept him from explaining it to us Toji! He's right in the fact that the alternative that Sukuna wanted would've have been worse for me…I'd rather drink from the curse than be at his physical mercy."
She runs a few steps and hugs Toji.
"Please…PLEASE…just let this go for now…we don't have the time for it and I really think he's being honest Toji."
"Love, I am being honest…I would never want to give you to Sukuna. I was limited on options at the time, I swear."
When it feels like the walls are closing in around him, Satoru runs his hands through his hair and practically whimpers.
"It seems like no matter what I do though, I always make things worse for you…"
His growing depression could be understood as each word progressed from his lips.
"I do love you though. More than anything in this world."
"God damn it. We'll never have more than five fucking minutes of peace at this rate."
Naoya is desperately trying to figure out a way to make this temporarily blow over, not having much luck.
"Gojo, just know that Getou was able to fuck her up so badly only because Sukuna came out and trapped her prior. This will not go without retribution but GOD DAMNIT PEOPLE we have GETOU to worry about now…FUCK."
He throws his hands up and begins to pace.
Toji still wants to go after Gojo but is unable to as Elska refuses to let him go.
"Fuck Sukuna...I'll give you a bite Gojo, might just tear your fucking throat out though."
"Toji...please...no…"
Elska beings to cry as hopelessness is all that seems to ever be available.
"We have to work together…please you guys…you shouldn't fight like this!"
She now drops to her knees as she feels this is getting beyond the point of repair.
"Why is everything so fucked up now?!"
'I am the problem here…'
Her sobs fall from her unintentionally, cascading the room in an uncomfortable silence while her choked breaths are all to be heard.
Naoya now kneels beside her and holds her while she cries. He glares to everyone around the room as he comforts her, feeling her trembling from being so upset.
"Baby, do you want to take another walk with me?"
Through her sorrows, Elska discovers an unprecedented rage.
"NO. I want everyone to fucking stop this!"
She motions to Naoya that she's wants to stand so he helps her up.
"IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO GET ALONG, I WILL GO FACE GETOU MYSELF GODDAMN SELF AND SOLVE ALL OF THE ISSUES."
Her eyes are glowing an exceptionally deep red.
"Doll, no that's not what we want…"
Toji scrutinizes but is concerned as her natural scent begins to change.
"Sati fucked up ok? He didn't mean it this time, that counts for something!"
Frantically emotive, Elska turns to view Satoru.
"I believe that you didn't mean for any of that to happen, Sati."
She then snaps over to Toji.
"I'm the one who lived the shit so if I can forgive him then you can forgive him too Toji! Please…"
Elska's hands vice around her own shoulders as she recalls Getou stabbing her through them.
"We're going to fucking suffer if we don't think to the bigger picture…"
Nanami has remained silent as he gauges the room in its ever-shifting atmosphere.
"I wish we could have a drink."
He didn't mean to say it out loud though.
Elska instantly glares at the manager as it could be assumed that his comment is undermining her message but once she catches the regret on Nanami's face, she takes a moment to analyze her own agitation.
"Maybe we should fucking drink then."
Her tone is unusually rancorous, more than she means it to be.
"Where's the god damn bottle Nanami? I'm going to fucking explode otherwise."
"I uhh…just give me a minute…"
Nanami clears his throat and hastily walks out of the room.
"Love, is that such a good idea right now?"
Satoru is worried about them being inebriated while under the possibility of being attacked. He's perplexed as she was just clearly apprehensive about Getou only seconds before.
"YES IT FUCKING IS."
Elska is fired up and feels a side of her brimming to the surface that she's unsure about and is trying to quell whatever it is. It's almost as if she's unable to smother the aggression billowing within and has to release it in order to not self destruct.
"Baby, what if Getou shows up?"
Naoya is reaching out for her arm, expecting her to buck away but she yet again doesn't but is also troubled by her sudden desire to drink.
'Why now?'
"THEN I'LL POUR HIM A SHOT TOO BEFORE I RIP HIS FUCKING FLESH APART."
Her eyes glow an even deeper red as she's being questioned. She orients away from Naoya as she doesn't understand her growing ferocious attitude and doesn't want to take it out on him.
"You can't be serious…"
Naoya turns Elska to face him but looses his breath upon noticing some obvious differences.
"Baby…your eyes…they're changing."
The Zenin releases his grip on her and cautiously brushes her hair out of her face. His hands tremble when he sees her forming fangs and their pairing with something ominous leaking from her pores.
'Huh? What is going on with her? She feels...evil.'
Toji quickly rushes to Elska's side and swiftly lifts her chin to get a better look.
"Doll, it's just like that night…my green is in there too."
He's worriedly looking over her as her breathing quickens and her presence continues to rise all while darkening.
"Doll, what's happening right now?!"
But Elska doesn't respond.
Toji pushes Naoya away from her not knowing what to expect. The last time he saw this she'd unleashed a new side of herself to him; the one he assumes to be the master within her.
A familiar cackle fills the air as Sukuna's eye and mouth appear on the side of Itadori's cheek.
"There it is. You peasants have no idea what she is…."
The King of Curses laughs maniacally as the projected tongue runs along the teeth.
"I can make use of that however…"
Choso rushes towards Itadori while glaring into the small portion of Sukuna. After meeting eyes with Choso, Sukuna scoffs and retreats. Itadori lays in complete stillness during the accord, fearing the being's expression more than Sukuna.
"Love, you have to calm down!"
Gojo eyes widen in panic as he's only felt her presence like this once and it was back on her own planet.
The day he took her.
He grabs her by the shoulders and shakes her.
"ELSKA YOU HAVE TO STOP THIS!"
Satoru scans the room realizes he can't evacuate everyone in time if history repeats itself.
"What the fuck is going on with her Gojo, what is it that you know?!"
Naoya feels the demonic like aura surrounding her but can't get any closer while Toji holds him back.
"Toji, let me go something IS WRONG!"
"Boy we don't know what that is though but I'm telling you, I can feel something's fucked. This is not good."
Toji tightens his hold on the struggling Naoya, knowing that she's somehow internally morphing before them.
"ELSKA!"
Gojo is screaming at her now as she huffs through her fangs. Her breathing has only become more erratic as her body temperature rises.
"LOVE."
Her tearing eyes angrily narrow to him as he can tell she's desperately trying to fight it but that's not nearly good enough so he looks to everyone in the room.
"I have to get her away from everyone NOW."
Gojo knows that the last time Elska was in this state she slaughtered the entire council from her own world.
"Els-"
She sends a sonic like wave into Satoru, throwing him with such force that he flies into the wall by the door. Toji watches with a slacked jaw.
"Oh shit!"
The giant, moved by alarm, shoves Naoya's body in front of him so he can call on his wings and show her his turned form.
"DOLL! LOOK!"
Naoya falls backwards from the loss of footing but witnesses his delicate princess attacking Toji too. His eyes widen as the weird wave of energy pummels the giant over the bed and partially into the nightstand. He can only wheeze with abhorrence as all the reason around them disintegrates.
Megumi jumps over the bed to near Elska. He's not even sure if he can contain her but he deeply cares for her and wishes to stop this from escalating any further. He clasps his hands together in front of him.
"Domain expansion…"
But Choso hurriedly grabs him and throws him into the corner near Itadori and Nobara before flipping the entire mattress. Nobara and Itadori crash into the floor as Choso barricades the three of them with the bed's entirety.
Choso only understands one thing currently and it's that if this is not controlled, she will obviously lose hers. The hybrid's feet start running towards Elska, planning to put her to sleep but she turns to him and releases a sonic-like wave that makes the whole room shake.
Naoya recognizes this wave from the night in the park and it postulates him with haste.
"Ch-Cho! Fucking run!!"
Naoya notices how she's wickedly grinning at the confused Choso as it seems she's going to attack him next but she keeps backing him up until there's only the wall behind him.
"You would be a great addition, hybrid...your choice though. I recall your taste."
Elska licks her lips, slowly stalking in his direction. Choso throws up his hands to save personal space but this new Elska intertwines their fingers and leans feverishly close to his ear.
"We will dream our reality until it comes to be. I will teach you everything."
Choso feels his entire chest flutter with an unusual influx of this exciting sensation. He has no idea what she is talking about but something within is telling him to listen. He almost falls into this calming trance as her eyes hypnotize his will until Gojo asserts himself back into the equation.
"LOVE DON'T! THIS ISN'T YOU!"
Satoru screams out as he tries to near her but without turning to acknowledge him Elska sends another wave that slams him back into the wall. Ears ringing, Gojo dazedly searches the room but quickly realizes that he's bleeding from the head; his vision blurring to a red haze.
Naoya is beside himself with what he's seeing.
"What the fuck is this? What is going on?!"
She's taking them out one by one and is still slowly cornering Choso. Startled, Naoya gets to his feet and uses his projection technique to near her as she places her palm flush to her chest again, the finger tips pointing upwards.
"BABY STOP!"
He sees Choso's eyes; the being isn't posing offensively but rather is trying to figure this scenario out even through his obvious confusion. Naoya darts between them and calls out to Elska, her emotionless eyes finally taking to him instead of Choso. The Zenin is completely out of answers as he doesn't know what to do but something motivates him to tackle her down.
When they hit the floor, Elska roars something inhuman and her wings unleash into the wood beneath her. She cries out in pain but doesn't bout against Naoya so he grabs her wrist and pins them next to her head against the floor.
"BABY PLEASE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH YOU?! TALK TO ME!"
He's watching her eyes hone into him and beam a bright violet light, one he's feels he recognizes but doesn't remember why.
"You…Zenin..."
She quietly speaks to Naoya as if she's able to drown out his crying out to her.
"…Naoya."
She closes her eyes but the brilliant violet hue leaks from the corners.
"LOVE!! STOP!"
'TURN HIM'
She darts them opens again and the violet light fills that portion of the room.
"LOVE NO! NAOYA DON'T LET HER BITE YOU!"
Gojo is wiping the blood from his eye but is unable to further coordinate his body at first.
'What the fuck was that attack? Is it new? Is she...changing?'
But his thoughts cease when Elska tries to rabidly lunge her fangs into the Zenin's neck.
"BABY STOP!"
Naoya slams her wrists into the ground again while she continuously stares into him obsessively.
Toji is standing up now and roars a similar chaotic noise to hers that finally catches her attention.
As her eyes take in her beloved turned, she smiles and then moans in response to Toji's form.
"MY BELOVED, my first."
Her presence gears back up again, having the opposite effect than hoped for.
"SHIT!"
Toji stumbles as he makes his way to Elska, putting together that those waves she sends out do more than physical damage. He's unable to see straight and his equilibrium has been shot to shit.
Nanami is now back in the doorway and is pulling Satoru up to his feet with wide eyes.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS SATORU?!"
The manager feels Elska's complete change and furrows his brow while contemplating if he's going to actually have to fight her. He puts the requested bottles down and reaches for his wrapped short blade, regretting that he's having to even think about subduing her.
'Can I?'
Nanami's eyes graze the room again from Satoru to Toji and he takes in how completely disoriented they are.
'Fuck…'
How would he hit her and not the Zenin?
Elska's now turned her face back to Naoya and her eyes beam brighter.
"YOU. I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE YOU."
Her voice is lowly and demanding, not like it is when she usually requests for Naoya.
'How do I stop whatever this is?!'
The same random thought process that brought them to the floor floods the Zenin again with a solution.
Elska begins to jerk underneath though, screaming in pain from her wings being anchored into the floor but thrashes enough to begin to separate them from her own shoulders.
"Baby please don't do that, oh my god…you have to calm down!"
Naoya's own eyes are tearing up as he perceives blood trickling around her.
"STOP! BEFORE IT GETS WORSE!
Toji seems to smell it and roars in rage as he's obviously unable to reach her himself which tacks Naoya with responsibility of doing whatever he can. The same clarifying thought process invades him once more and Naoya, in sudden but complete serenity, dips his head down and places his lips to Elska's.
Choso is standing against the wall speechless while the demonic casing of Elska's energy fades instantaneously. Naoya remains pressed against her, Elska's wings release and the violet glow fades from her eyes along with the green dashes; bringing the usual red hues back. The being witnesses the tension in her body fade as she relaxes underneath Naoya and whimpers to his passionate kiss in her normal tone. Their heavy breathing can be heard as all else is quiet.
When Naoya pulls his lips away from hers the tears flowing from her eyes strike him with sorrow.
"It's going to be okay baby…just breathe…"
He has no idea what the fuck just went down nor why he was able to bring her back but finds himself grateful nonetheless. She shakily says his name so he releases her wrists and sits up above her.
The room is completely silent for a minute until Toji drops down next to them and runs his hand across her head.
"Doll…are you…are you okay?"
She nods wearily but Toji then suspiciously glances to Naoya while thinking about what she said to him on the roof.
"...he's supposed to be with me..."
The giant didn't really believe it before but after seeing her react to Naoya this way, he reluctantly understands that the Zenin too has a place by her side. He's now looking around the room and gets up to help the junior shaman out of their makeshift bed barrier.
"Megs, kids…are y'all good?"
She's still bleeding from her shoulders and hisses to the pain as she wobbly stands up; soon looking around the room in horror as she was actually aware of everything she did this time. Flashes of memories violently erupt in her mind as she glimpses of the council being slain from her perspective but she doesn't know what to make of it all.
Elska grabs her head and whines as the less blaring migraine sensation rushes over her again; it just didn't hurt as much or perhaps she was just already in too much pain to completely feel it. Hands harshly befall her shoulders but words of distract her mind from some of the stinging.
"Love you had me so fucking worried there for a minute…"
Satoru is already applying pressure to her wounds as she hazily looks up to Naoya who's already unbuttoning his collar.
"Naoya, maybe you shouldn't feed her just yet…"
Gojo wears an expression of concern after he shakes the blood from his silver hair and accidentally flings it around.
"That purple light…she was going to do it again. She was trying to turn you."
"If that's what my fate is, Gojo, then so be it."
Naoya hoists Elska up as she weakly wraps her legs around him and cries quietly into his neck.
"It's okay, just feed baby."
When she pierces him though his legs threaten to give but Gojo helps support his stance.
Satoru is seeing how quickly she heals from Naoya's blood and finds himself amazed with the whole process. His own blood heals her with haste but not like this. He listens to them both moan as he continues to support Naoya, hoping his love is feeling better with every passing second.
Nanami sits down a few feet in front of the doorway and opens a bottle.
"Yeah…I'm going to double on the fact that this is very much so needed."
He's staring into Elska as he gulps some down, unsettled by that fierceness she displayed.
"Maybe we're better off in this fight than we thought because that was fucking terrifying…"
He looks over to the shaken junior shaman and waves them over.
"Mandatory swig everyone."
Choso is also staring at Elska, watching her drink from Naoya.
"How did all of that come from her?"
He whispers to himself underneath his breath.
"What did she mean by an addition?"
Choso now understands that there is far more to her than he originally thought. He's drawn to her darkness as it resembles his own in some ways.
'Sukuna seems to have an idea about her but then that would mean whatever she is, she's likely related to this world. So, how could Sukuna have knowledge about her?'
She's done feeding and has closed Naoya's wounds but he lets her still bury her face into him.
"Thank you, my prince."
Her voice has softened in comparison to before but her heart feels incredibly sunken as she's ashamed to face everyone after that. She looks up though and sees Choso studying her so she softens her eyes further in repentance as he has yet to leave the area she backed him into.
"My frightening little princess…"
Naoya laughs in relief to the knowledge that's she's fully back, completely embracing her with everything he has to offer.
Gojo swirls a bottle next to Elska's ear, nervously chuckling.
"Here's that drink, love."