Archive of Our Own

When Kiyoomi first met Atsumu at the young age of fifteen, he saw an ambitious boy with horribly dyed hair that probably felt crunchy to the touch almost like dry autumn leaves. He also saw a boy that seemed to rival the sun.

Miya Atsumu was warm and bright. He had a smile that could light up entire rooms and people seemed to gather around him wherever he went, almost as if they were trying to bask in his light. When Kiyoomi first met Atsumu, he felt compelled to run away. To run away as far as he could from him because this boy that shone like the sun could very easily burn him to ashes with one touch, with one look even.

Kiyoomi felt like the complete opposite, if Atsumu was the light– sunshine boy himself –then Kiyoomi was like shadows, the lack of light, something only the bravest dared to delve into. And even though Kiyoomi feared getting burnt, he found himself gravitating towards the faux-blond every time they met, like a moth to a flame.

If only the bravest dared to delve into the shadows, then Atsumu was the bravest person Kiyoomi had ever met. He approached him at Kiyoomi’s first training camp with a genuine smile that made Kiyoomi feel all warm and tingly inside and an invitation to have dinner together —to which Kiyoomi said yes, not really knowing why. Maybe Atsumu’s smile was enough to make Kiyoomi decide that he’d follow this boy everywhere, the way sunflowers chase the sun.

With Atsumu though—with his smile, and his stupid hair and warm hands—came endless sleepless nights spent on google and taking stupid “Am I Gay?” quizzes, the answer– which wasn’t clear to 17-year-old Kiyoomi yet – was yes. At that age though, Kiyoomi didn’t worry, he was just happy to have met someone as bright as Atsumu. Someone who made him want to be better and also seemed to rival his love for volleyball. Even though they didn’t see each other much during high school, they still texted and hung out during training camps and all that stuff. They were friends, Kiyoomi decided one night as he thought about the boy with the golden smile. Maybe friends were supposed to set your heart on fire and make your palms sweaty and shaky. Kiyoomi wouldn’t know, after all, he had never felt this way before.

After graduation, Atsumu signed with MSBY and Kiyoomi went to college, and they lost touch a little bit, but Kiyoomi didn’t worry much and neither did Atsumu—for some reason, Kiyoomi felt like he was destined to meet Atsumu again in the future even though that might’ve just been wishful thinking at the time. He didn’t want to say goodbye to Atsumu.

When Kiyoomi reunited with Atsumu at twenty-two, the boy he had met at fifteen seemed like a distant memory— but at the same time, it felt like nothing had changed except for his hair, which now was properly toned and taken care of. It looked soft instead of crunchy, inviting to the touch, Kiyoomi wanted to run his hands through it. He seemed more confident, more sure of himself and Kiyoomi once again found himself craving his light, his warmth and maybe something else. Maybe he also craved his touch, especially at night when he found himself alone in his room thinking about what it would feel like to be held by the sun, maybe he’d burn or maybe he wouldn’t, maybe he’d become something beautiful, something like Atsumu.

Kiyoomi was twenty-four now and he was sure he’d follow Atsumu everywhere, he’d let him drag him through the desert and through the cold if that meant he could bask in his light for a while longer (or maybe forever). He was only a mortal after all. He couldn’t resist Atsumu’s warmth; it pulled him in like a magnet and for reasons unknown, Atsumu seemed to crave Kiyoomi’s company as well.

They were best friends and if Kiyoomi found himself wanting to be a little bit closer to Atsumu in a way that friends weren’t, he tried to ignore it. After all, he’d rather have Atsumu as his best friend than not having him at all. He locked those fuzzy, warm feelings away and threw the key as far as he could—if he was falling, he’d do everything in his power to try to delay the crash. After all, he knew it was pretty much inevitable. He’d become infatuated with Atsumu when they were fifteen and even after graduation, even in college, Atsumu never left his mind.

Kiyoomi dreamt of him sometimes, of those warm, honey eyes that not even his dreams seemed to be able to truly capture. He met people, kissed a few strangers but deep down, he always found himself wondering what Atsumu’s lips would taste like, how they would feel pressed against his own. He had kissed a few strangers but always found himself wishing those strangers were Atsumu instead. The word love resonated sometimes in his mind when he thought of Atsumu, but he didn’t know whether he was at that point of no return yet or not. Love seemed like a scary thing– no, the consequences were what seemed scary. Loving Atsumu could never be scary but not being loved back, that was terrifying.

Kiyoomi spent years bracing himself for the inevitable fall, trying to delay it as much as possible. 

Over the years of knowing him, Kiyoomi had learned that Miya Atsumu was full of surprises; he was insecure in a way that Kiyoomi didn’t expect considering the confident mask he always put on in front of people (which Kiyoomi learned to see right through), he had a sweet-tooth, he loved reading– fantasy novels were his favorite –and he was spontaneous in a way Kiyoomi could never be. It wasn’t unusual for him to come back to their shared apartment complex soaked to the bone at 2 am simply because, “running in the rain is one of the best feelings in the world, Omi-kun!” . It also wasn’t unusual for him to get a new tattoo over the weekend– the last one was a little onigiri he had gotten for his brother –it wasn’t unusual for Atsumu to start baking a cake at 3 in the morning just because he felt like doing it.

What was unusual was the way Atsumu made Kiyoomi want to do all of those things too. Kiyoomi was the complete opposite to Atsumu; he was meticulous with his plans and spontaneity made him anxious, he didn’t like not being in control. But Atsumu’s energy was contagious, it almost felt inevitable for Kiyoomi to be roped into those 2 am runs. And how could he not, when he got the chance to see Atsumu at his brightest, at his happiest? When he got to see him laughing with his head thrown back, with his cheeks red? When he got to see him at his freest, and oh it was a sight to behold.

This is why, when Atsumu knocked on his door at 1 am on a starless Friday, Kiyoomi was ready to say yes to whatever he proposed. “Hi, Omi!” he said smiling, and it was so bright Kiyoomi almost felt compelled to look away, scared to go blind or fall in love, something like that.

“Hi, Atsumu,” Kiyoomi answered as he stepped aside to let Atsumu in, but the guest stayed rooted in his spot “You don’t want to come in?” he asked.

“Uh no, it’s just a quick question,” he said, playing with the hem of his sweatshirt and wait, was he nervous? 

“What is it?” Kiyoomi said, trying to sound reassuring.

“Uh so, would you like to go with me on a little trip to the beach?” Okay, that wasn’t what Kiyoomi was expecting.

“What?” he said, because what else could he say?

“Yeah, so I know you’re staying here during the break, which is not only sad but boring as fuck too.” He was right, Kiyoomi was staying in Osaka instead of going home to visit his family as pretty much everyone did during their 2-week break.

He realized he hadn’t said anything when Atsumu spoke again. “It won’t be just the two of us though, Osamu’s coming too, we always go to Kotohiki beach, a family friend has a beach house there and he lends it to us for a week every year,” he was rambling, something he did when he was nervous.

“Atsumu, calm down,” Kiyoomi said.

“We’re leaving on Monday and staying there until Saturday morning, and Osamu drives so we’ll go by car!” 

Kiyoomi wanted to go. Contrary to popular belief, he actually liked going to the beach, and a week with Atsumu seemed like an offering he couldn’t turn down because staying alone at the MSBY apartment complex was pretty boring, Atsumu was also right about that. But Atsumu said this was his and his brother’s tradition, and he didn’t want to impose.

“I can see the gears turning in your head Omi, what do you think? Wanna come with us?”

“I’d follow you anywhere, Atsumu,” he thought to himself, but instead, he said, “Would Osamu-san be okay with it though?”

“Yeah, I already told him you were coming actually,” he said with a smug smirk.

“What?” he asked, trying to sound annoyed, emphasis on trying.

“I had a feeling you were going to say yes."

And Kiyoomi should hate the way Atsumu had him in the palm of his hand but he couldn't, he only had himself to blame for that and he actually found that he didn't mind it at all.

“I haven’t said anything yet,” he said, looking down as he tried to hide his smile.

“C’mon Omi, it’ll be fun! If you stay here I’ll feel guilty the whole week for leaving you alone, and you might even get a chance to tan a little bit! How long has it been since you last went to the beach?” It was cute how hard Atsumu was trying to convince him, unaware of the fact that Kiyoomi had made up his mind a long time ago.

“Okay, I’ll go.” At that, Atsumu literally lit up. His smile got bigger and Kiyoomi felt his cheeks warming up, call it the Atsumu effect.

“Yes!” Atsumu said, a little too loud, a little too quickly, and Kiyoomi pretended not to notice.

“'May, we leave at 7 am on Monday, I’ll come pick you up! This is going to be so much fun Omi-omi!” And then he was gone, leaving Kiyoomi alone with his thoughts.

Sakusa Kiyoomi wasn’t stupid, he knew what love was supposed to feel, and the way Atsumu made his heart want to beat out of his chest, the way he felt an immense sense of peace when he was with him, the way he didn’t seem to mind when Atsumu touched him, that felt pretty much like love.

They had met so many years ago, and yet Kiyoomi still found himself being excited over hanging out with Atsumu. He tried to hide it though and feigned annoyance was his defense mechanism of choice. He wondered, at times, if Atsumu had already seen through his façade. He tried hard to deny his feelings though, be it infatuation, adoration or simply, the scary, four-letter word, love, because Atsumu was his best friend and he also looked and felt like the sun and the sun wouldn’t fall for a mere sunflower like him, a follower if you will.

Kiyoomi felt so so much whenever he looked at Atsumu it actually scared him. He thought about his younger self, scared to burn for just as much as standing near someone as bright as Atsumu, imagine how scared that little boy would feel if he was told that, whenever he looked at Atsumu, all he would see was the word love. Kiyoomi was scared, he didn’t want to lose his best friend, but at the same time, he knew he needed him in his life, without Atsumu his life would just be really, really dull. He didn’t want to burn, but at the same time, he liked to wonder what if? What if nothing happened, what if he didn’t burn? What if Atsumu also saw the word love written all over Kiyoomi whenever he looked at him?

He had started falling for Atsumu a long time ago, he actually couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment, maybe it was love at first sight—after all, Atsumu was beautiful even with his piss-colored hair—or maybe it was slow, something that happened over the years? It honestly could’ve been both; sometimes, he felt like he wasn’t even done falling, there was still so much to discover about Atsumu, even after almost ten years of knowing each other.

Sometimes he wondered if maybe Atsumu felt the same way. He wondered if Atsumu knocked on Hinata’s or Bokuto’s door at 3 am just because he wanted to talk to them, just because “Look I saw this post and it reminded me of you,” he wondered if he would’ve invited one of them to go to the beach if they were the ones to stay in Osaka during the break. He wondered if the looks, the touches, meant something else or if it was all in his head. He wondered if Atsumu burned when their hands brushed against each other too but most of the time he pushed those thoughts away not wanting to get his hopes up, after all, they were best friends and that was more Kiyoomi could ever ask for, being friends with the sun was no small feat.

He went to sleep with his belly full of butterflies that night and dreamt of sunshine reflected in honey eyes. He also wondered if saying yes to Atsumu’s offering was the right thing to do, maybe he’d finally crash, maybe Atsumu would catch him.

Monday came by in a blur, he spent the whole weekend packing and buying stuff for the trip so he didn’t have time to actually think about what was happening. When his alarm clock went off on Monday at 5 am, Kiyoomi was nervous, but in a good way. He was actually excited for the trip, it’d be a good opportunity to relax and to read some books as the sun painted his back golden on the beach. It’d also be a good opportunity to spend time with Atsumu which was always a plus— he decided to ignore the way his tummy seemed to be full of butterflies because of this.

He put on some comfy clothes; an old, white hoodie and some black sweatshorts, and as he was grabbing his pillow someone– Atsumu –knocked on the door. He opened the door and yeah, Atsumu stood before him and he was wearing some black shorts that showcased his thighs in the most beautiful way.

“Hi, are you ready?” He asked with a big smile.

“Yeah, let me grab my stuff,” Kiyoomi answered while turning around to grab his travel bag and his backpack.

“Need help?”

“Uh, yeah, could you bring that pillow and the blanket please?” He said pointing to the stuff that was laying on his couch.

“We have blankets and pillows there, you don’t need to bring your own.”

“I can’t really sleep without them so…”

“Oh, okay don’t worry,” he said as he threw the blanket over his shoulder. “Ready?”

“Yeah, let’s go,” Kiyoomi said, leading Atsumu out of his apartment and shutting the door behind him.

It was a sunny, beautiful morning but still kind of chilly considering how early it was. Thankfully, the walk to Osamu’s car was short. The designated driver was standing outside of his car waiting for them and he waved as soon as he spotted them. 

“Osamu-san,” Kiyoomi said as a greeting once they were close enough for Osamu to hear them.

“Hi Sakusa, I can’t believe this asshole convinced you to come with us,” he said as he playfully elbowed Atsumu on the ribs which earned him an over-dramatic response from his brother.

It didn’t take much convincing, Kiyoomi wanted to say. Instead, he settled for a whispered, “I just really miss the beach,” making Osamu chuckle.

Atsumu threw an arm around his shoulders making Kiyoomi’s heart accelerate, get a grip Kiyoomi, you’re going to spend like six days with this man.

“ See, I toldja’ he doesn’t hate me that much,” Atsumu said between laughs.

“I don’t hate you,” Kiyoomi whispered, only for Atsumu to hear.

“Okay, get in the car, we’re wasting the day ‘Tsumu,” Osamu said as he climbed into the driver's seat.

Atsumu opened the door for Kiyoomi, taking his bags from him and shoving them into the trunk, “Omi, can I keep the blanket? It’s kinda cold,” he asked before climbing into the copilot's seat.

“Sure,” Kiyoomi answered and then they were off.

Atsumu connected his phone to the speakers and put on a playlist Kiyoomi recognized. It was full of Katy Perry and One Direction songs that made them both smile because it reminded them of high school. They had made that playlist together one night after a shitty loss when they both needed a little pick me up, the memory made Kiyoomi’s lips curl upward. ‘Since You’ve Been Gone,’ started playing and Kiyoomi zoned out, remembering the movie nights turned into karaoke nights at Kiyoomi’s or Atsumu’s apartment. They first heard the song when they watched Pitch Perfect one night together and now Atsumu couldn’t resist singing it at the top of his lungs whenever it started playing. He had a horrible singing voice, but it still made Kiyoomi smile as he mumbled the lyrics to the song under his breath like he was doing now. Osamu was sneaking annoyed glances at Atsumu who now was singing another song and Kiyoomi couldn’t help but chuckle.

Being trapped in a small car with the Miya twins who were now arguing over something Kiyoomi didn't catch should be the worst-case scenario, it should be nightmare-inducing for Kiyoomi, who liked his space and enjoyed peace. Instead, he felt oddly at peace. Call it the Atsumu effect, or something like that. He felt really sleepy though, after all, he wasn’t an early bird, so he brought his pillow close to his face, pressing it against the window so he could rest his head against it and soon enough he was lulled to sleep by the sound of Atsumu’s shitty singing voice.

He was lightly shaken awake a few minutes or hours later by a gentle hand. His neck hurt and he was cold and he really wanted to keep sleeping, so he just didn’t open his eyes. 

“Omi,” Atsumu whispered and he was close, Kiyoomi could feel that he was close and the hand he had on his shoulder was weirdly making his whole world spin, “we’re stopping to buy some snacks and drinks, do you want anything?” 

“Mmmm… no, ‘m sleepy,” Kiyoomi mumbled, trying to get comfortable again, curling like a cat in the backseat.

“‘Kay, we’ll be right back,” he heard before the hand on his shoulder went away.

He immediately missed the warmth but a few seconds later he was being enveloped in something warm that smelled like Atsumu, which was more than enough to lull him back to sleep. A couple of minutes later, he felt movement again, the music was back but he just kept sleeping, Atsumu’s smell completely overwhelming his senses.

“Omi? Wake up sleepyhead,” Atsumu said, waking him up for good this time.

“Hi,” Kiyoomi mumbled, rubbing his eyes and stretching like a cat.

“We’re here.”

Atsumu got out of the car. He then opened Kiyoomi’s door and then the trunk.

“Where’s Osamu-san?”

“Already In the house,” Atsumu said as he threw Kiyoomi’s bag over his shoulder, “we arrived like fifteen minutes ago, I just waited ‘cause you looked pretty comfy.”

For some reason that made Kiyoomi’s heart feel like a leaf caught in a storm. “Thank you,” he said as he got out of the car with his pillow under his arm and his blanket wrapped around him as if it were a cape.

The car was parked right in front of the beach house and Kiyoomi’s first thought was oh, they have some rich friends because it was a big house and it was literally on the beach.

“There are two bedrooms,” Atsumu explained as they walked towards the door, “you can take the master bedroom and I and Osamu can share the kids one since it has a bunk-bed.”

Kiyoomi thought about protesting, he could take the couch or something and then the twins could fight about who got the master bedroom, but he knew arguing with Atsumu was pointless, he was the most considerate man Kiyoomi had ever met and he knew Kiyoomi would feel more comfortable having a room all to himself, so he limited himself to just saying, “Thank you.”

Atsumu just gave him a smile in return, before he opened the front door, took off his shoes and led Kiyoomi inside, showing him around as they walked; there was a little kitchen with a dining table, a living room with a big, fluffy white sofa and a large TV hung above the fireplace. Everything was beautifully decorated in neutral tones, but the thing that caught Kiyoomi’s eye the most were the floor to ceiling windows that showcased the beach perfectly. Kiyoomi loved the beach, the gentle breeze, the water, the way the air smelt differently, the sunsets. The beach just gave him peace.

Once he snapped out of his daydream, he noticed Atsumu was staring at him with a smile on his face and it made Kiyoomi feel a little bit self-conscious so he cleared his throat and averted his gaze quickly.

“C’mon, I’ll show you to your room,” Atsumu said with a knowing smile, “you’re going to love it.”

It was a simple room with a king-size bed and an ensuite bathroom, but there was a sliding door that led to a little balcony and some stairs that led directly to the beach; it was amazing.

“Wow,” was all he could say.

“Right?” Atsumu said, dropping Kiyoomi’s bags on the floor, “I’ll let you get settled in, we’ll be in the living room.”

Kiyoomi just nodded and immediately opened the sliding door, stepping out into the balcony to feel the breeze. It felt almost magical but maybe that was just because he was here with Atsumu—he made everything feel even more special.

After unpacking, he went to the bathroom to relieve himself and freshen up a bit. His hair was a mess from sleeping in the car. Afterward he made his way to the main area where Osamu was cooking lunch and Atsumu was taking a nap.

“Lunch’s almost ready, could you wake 'Tsumu up?” Osamu asked him.

Kiyoomi just nodded and approached the blond who was laying on his back on the couch, an arm supporting his head and the other one resting on his belly, his shirt had ridden up a little bit and you could see a peek of his perfectly sculpted abs. Kiyoomi just averted his gaze quickly bringing one hand up to poke at his cheek.

“Atsumu,” he said, “lunch’s ready.”

“Mmm… coming.”

A few minutes later, the three of them sat around the table, eager to dig into whatever Osamu had made for lunch. A plate full of onigiri sat at the center of the table, but Kiyoomi’s dish was different.

Osamu, who must’ve noticed him staring at the food just said, “‘Tsumu told me you didn’t like onigiri because of the touching so I made you some Donburi.”

“Thank you,” Kiyoomi mumbled feeling like a pile of mush because god-fucking-dammit he was so gone for Atsumu.

“Of course,” said Osamu.

Kiyoomi turned towards Atsumu before digging in, only to find him already staring at him with a soft smile on his mouth, Kiyoomi smiled back. They ate in silence, only breaking it to compliment Osamu’s cooking. After they were all done Kiyoomi offered to wash the dishes and Osamu retired to their bedroom. Atsumu sat on the kitchen counter just watching Kiyoomi, by the time he was done washing, it was almost 3 pm.

Atsumu decided to break the comfortable silence that had settled, swinging his legs like a little kid, “we’re probably going to the beach, you comin’ with us?”

“Mmm… I don’t think so, not today”

“‘I figured,” Atsumu said, jumping off the counter and bumping purposefully into Kiyoomi, “need some time to settle in?”

“Mhm…” was all Kiyoomi said because he knew Atsumu understood.

They always roomed together during away games so Atsumu had picked up on Kiyoomi’s little rituals; whenever he was in a new place, he got a little bit overwhelmed so he needed to familiarize himself with it before feeling comfortable. It wasn’t that he didn’t feel comfortable with the twins, he just needed some time to himself.

“I’ll probably take a nap or something,” he added.

“More napping Kiyoomi?” Atsumu said mockingly, “you’re turning into an old man.”

“Yeah yeah…”

“‘Kay, we’ll be at the beach, if you need anything just come find me or something,” Atsumu said before going back to his room to grab his stuff.

Kiyoomi boiled some water to make himself some tea and then made his way over to the couch where he would spend most of the afternoon, wrapped in his fuzzy blanket that now smelled like Atsumu, with a good book in his hands.

And he tried to read, he really did, but he found his mind wandering to Atsumu, as it did most of the time because, well, for obvious reasons. When Kiyoomi realized he was pretty much in love with Atsumu, he didn’t panic the way people did in movies, he just felt calm because, how could he not fall for this beautiful boy? Loving him was the easiest thing ever. He probably realized he was in love one day as they lounged on the couch or something, no earth-shattering revelation, just a soft, simple “oh” because yeah, that felt right.

Atsumu was the first friend he ever made, he was the first person that approached him at the training camp where most people avoided him, and now, even five or more years later, he was still here with him. Kiyoomi sometimes allowed himself to daydream a little bit, not much though because getting his hopes up would be tragic, but sometimes, he found himself thinking maybe he feels the same way because Atsumu looked at him with... something in his eyes, and he invited him on 2 am runs and on impromptu road trips that felt so domestic Kiyoomi’s heart shook. Maybe he should confess, maybe he should just grab Atsumu’s face the minute he returns from the beach and kiss him senseless—but there still was something at the back of Kiyoomi’s mind that told him it could never be you, look at him, look at how he shines. Atsumu would just be held back by someone like Kiyoomi, and on the worst nights, a little voice at the back of Kiyoomi’s head told him you don’t deserve him.  

The sun was starting to set when Atsumu came back and he was Osamu-less. “Hi Omi,” he said and Kiyoomi just raised his hand and waved.

“Wanna go see the sunset?”

Ah right, two of his favorite things; sunsets and Atsumu, how could he say no to that?

“Sure,” he said, getting up from his little cocoon.

“It’s kinda chilly out so you should wear a jacket,” Atsumu said before sliding one of the windows open and stepping out into the sand.

Kiyoomi considered going to his room– which was literally, like, ten steps away from where he was standing –and grabbing a jacket, but he didn’t want to miss the sunset (and he was lazy).

As they walked down closer to the water Kiyoomi noticed Osamu was nowhere to be seen. “Where’s Osamu-san?” he asked.

“Why? Is my company not enough?” Atsumu asked dramatically, bringing a hand up to his chest.

Kiyoomi only stared at him in response.

“Nah… he said he was going on a walk,” Atsumu answered, “I think he’s dating someone and he doesn’t want me to know.”

“Hmm… I wonder why that might be…” Kiyoomi said under his breath as he sat down on Atsumu’s towel, burying his feet into the sand.

“What do you mean?!” Atsumu asked, acting all offended as he sat down next to Kiyoomi on the towel.

The towel wasn’t very big, so their thighs were pressed against each other and it was warm and comfortable and Kiyoomi was sure his heart was beating way too fast for it to be healthy.

“Atsumu, you literally told everyone Hinata was in love with Kageyama.”

“And look at them now, happily ever after.”

“You literally can’t keep secrets,” Kiyoomi mumbled, laying back and propping himself up on his elbows.

“I haven’t told anyone about your embarrassing obsession with glee.”

“I’d literally kill you.”

“Yeah you would…”

Not really though, Kiyoomi couldn’t really imagine a world without Atsumu on it.

The sky suddenly turned golden and both boys turned their heads towards the horizon. It was beautiful and Kiyoomi had always loved sunsets, he’d always been a romantic at heart and everything nice and pretty often came associated with sunsets– or the sun himself –but for some reason, now, the sunset seemed to pale in comparison to the man that was sitting next to him, so close Kiyoomi only had to move his fingers to touch him. He could feel heat radiating from him and he turned his head a little bit to watch him. Atsumu was looking at the sunset like it hid the answer to every question he’d ever had, he had a smile on his face too and from where he was sitting, Kiyoomi could see new freckles on his nose and cheeks, a testament to a day spent in the sun. He could just kiss him right there under the red and pink and orange skies. He didn’t though, not yet. A breeze came up and Kiyoomi shivered, making Atsumu divert his attention.

“I toldja’,” he said as he started taking his jacket off.

“Shut up…” was all Kiyoomi could say because is he going to give his jacket to me oh my god this is so cliché.

Atsumu wrapped his jacket around Kiyoomi’s shoulders, rubbing one of his hands up and down Kiyoomi’s arm, trying to warm him up and Kiyoomi did feel warmer but not because of the jacket. Everything about this felt like a date and his poor little heart ached, but maybe in a good way?

The sun had already set by the time Kiyoomi came back to his senses and he heard the sound of footsteps approaching, Osamu.

“Wooooo, lover boy!” Atsumu yelled, teasing his brother.

“Shut up dumbass,” Osamu said, turning his face away from the to try to hide his blush. “What are we doing tonight?” he asked, successfully changing the subject.

“Uno maybe?” Atsumu answered. Then, turning to Kiyoomi, he added, “We always have like, game nights, it’s tradition.”

Kiyoomi just nodded in understanding.

“Let’s go inside then, it’s starting to get cold,” Atsumu said, standing up and extending a hand for Kiyoomi to take.

Kiyoomi got up, lifted Atsumu’s beach towel from the ground and the three of them walked together back home. Osamu and Atsumu got dressed into warmer clothing and Kiyoomi uncorked a wine bottle that he had brought, plating some cheese for their game night too. He kept Atsumu’s jacket on.

It was a fun night, Osamu and Kiyoomi teamed up against Atsumu, showering him with +2 and +4 cards until he was begging for mercy. By the end of the night, they were all a little bit tipsy which prompted some sort of friendly banter between the twins. Kiyoomi just sat back and listened, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. He never had a relationship like that with his siblings, the age difference between them was just too big, but as he sat there listening to Atsumu and Osamu, he felt weirdly at home. 

They went to bed relatively early, all tired from the drive and all that stuff. Osamu left first. 

“He probably has to kiss the mystery person goodnight,” Atsumu teased and a few minutes later he went to bed too, not before whispering a little “goodnight” between yawns.

Kiyoomi retreated to his bedroom after Atsumu left but he felt restless, probably from all the Atsumu his day had had. He slid the balcony door open and wrapped Atsumu’s jacket tighter around his shoulders. The sky was adorned by thousands of stars—you could actually see them here, unlike in Tokyo, and Kiyoomi found himself getting lost in them. Eventually, he spotted a shooting star and his mind wished on his own. All he could think about was Atsumu, he hoped it became true, whatever it was, and with that thought in mind, he finally went to bed.

Kiyoomi’s second day of living with the Miyas started with the smell of freshly-brewed coffee. When he checked his phone, it was 8 am– way too early –but he was already awake so he threw on a hoodie and made his way to the kitchen, which might’ve been a mistake because Miya Atsumu was standing in said kitchen brewing coffee shirtless. Shirtless at 8 am, looking like a fucking model or a god or something like that, Kiyoomi’s poor little heart wasn’t going to get out of this trip alive.

“Mornin’,” Kiyoomi said, sitting on the kitchen counter and propping his head on his hand.

“Hi Omi, want some coffee?” Atsumu said, turning around.

And, oh no, Atsumu was wearing his glasses which made him look, like, 10 times cuter and hotter at the same time. Kiyoomi still remembered the first time he saw Atsumu with glasses; it was at training camp in their third year, they were lounging around in one of their rooms and Atsumu came out of the bathroom wearing dark-rimmed glasses. Kiyoomi’s sure his brain short-circuited for a good five minutes. He was pretty used to it now, Atsumu usually took his contacts off whenever they had movie nights and late-night plans like that, but that didn’t take away the fact that Atsumu looked absolutely breath-taking whenever he wore his glasses. He didn’t have a thing for glasses, he had a thing for Atsumu.

“Sure,” Kiyoomi answered, clearing his throat and praying to every god out there that the heat on his face was just his imagination, that he wasn’t actually blushing right now.

Atsumu was making drip coffee in the Chemex Kiyoomi bought him as a gift about a year ago and, for some reason, that felt so weirdly domestic that Kiyoomi had to avert his gaze, turning around to stare at the beach which looked peaceful and inviting.

“Can we have breakfast on the beach?” he found himself asking.

“I thought you’d never ask, Kiyoomi,” Atsumu answered, acting all over-dramatic once again. Kiyoomi just focused on how his name sounded coming out of Atsumu’s mouth instead.

He then jumped off the counter and started making some eggs. “Should I make some for Osamu-san?” he asked as he cracked the eggs in a bowl.

“Mmm… nah, he’ll probably sleep ‘till like 11 or something.”

Kiyoomi nodded and started beating the eggs along with some salt and pepper, he then added them to a buttered pan and scrambled them until they were just a little bit runny, the way he and Atsumu liked them.

Atsumu was done with the coffee so he grabbed a blanket and the two mugs and padded outside, setting up a little impromptu picnic spot. Kiyoomi plated the eggs and toasted some bread, setting everything up on a tray, and sitting next to Atsumu a few minutes later. It was a beautiful day, still a little bit cloudy, but the sun was slowly starting to appear. 

“What do you want to do today?” Atsumu asked as they ate their breakfast in comfortable silence.

“Mmm… beach I think.”

“You know, you liking the beach feels out of character somehow…” Atsumu teased.

“Ha ha,” Kiyoomi laughed sarcastically 

“No I’m serious, I thought you were gonna say no.”

“The beach’s relaxing. Besides, when have I ever said no to you Atsumu?” he said, regretting it the moment it came out of his mouth.

Atsumu just laughed. Maybe the tips of his ears tinted red, or maybe it was just Kiyoomi’s imagination. 

A few hours later, Kiyoomi found himself lying on a beach towel under a parasol reading a really good book and honestly, he was living the life. Atsumu’s towel was next to him, the faux-blond was lying face up basking in the sun and frying his skin off. 

“Put some sunscreen, Atsumu,” Kiyoomi had said a few minutes ago and Atsumu, thankfully, listened, slapping some SPF 50 all over his face. Osamu was lying on his belly next to Atsumu texting someone– mystery boyfriend/girlfriend –with his phone turned away from Atsumu so he wouldn’t snoop. 

They stayed at the beach for a long time, no one talked, but the silence was comfortable, everyone was just in their little bubble of peace; Osamu seemed to be taking a nap, Kiyoomi was really focused on his book and Atsumu was just… sunbathing, running to the water like a little kid every half hour or so to refresh because it was really hot out. Every time Atsumu came back from the water, Kiyoomi averted his gaze because the little water droplets falling from Atsumu’s hair and dripping all over his chest were calling his name for some reason, he wanted to lick them. Kiyoomi was a weak man when it came to Atsumu.

“‘Tsumu, your back’s all red, didja’ put on sunscreen?” he heard Osamu say a bit later.

“Fuck,” Atsumu answered, “I think I didn’t.”

“Dumbass…” 

“Shut up,” he said before turning to face Kiyoomi with a fake smile.

“Omi-kun, would you help me please?”

Kiyoomi just rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically, trying to act annoyed because yes Atsumu, I’d gladly rub sunscreen onto your pretty, toned back that’s probably full of freckles by now any day.

“Lay down,” he said instead, getting up from his own towel and kneeling next to Atsumu.

“Please? Where are your manners, Kiyoomi?” he teased, punctuating each syllable on Kiyoomi’s name.

Maybe he should just draw a dick on his back and let him burn, he probably would’ve done that a few years ago, but Atsumu was turning him soft. Fuck him. 

He grabbed the sunscreen, squeezing some onto Atsumu’s back which was already red as fuck. “Take care of yourself, dumbass,” Kiyoomi whispered as he rubbed the sunscreen all over Atsumu’s back slowly. He was right, some freckles had already shown up, he unconsciously traced them with his hands, mesmerized because how the fuck is he so pretty. He started applying some more pressure, properly giving Atsumu a massage now, feeling his muscles under his hands, taking his time with him, he could say he was making sure the sunscreen was applied properly as an excuse, he didn’t know if anyone would believe him though. A lifetime later, he heard Atsumu make a little noise of content under him, he was almost falling asleep, Osamu was also sleeping so Kiyoomi disobeyed the rational part in him and pressed his lips softly to the nape of Atsumu’s neck before retreating to his own towel, if Atsumu noticed, he decided to keep it to himself. God, what am I doing, keep it together Kiyoomi, he thought to himself before deciding to take a dip in the water to cool down.

They stayed on the beach until they got hungry so at like 5 pm they went back to the house. Osamu claimed the shower first so Atsumu just followed Kiyoomi to his bedroom and flopped face-first onto the bed, immediately getting comfortable.

“What are you doing?” Kiyoomi asked, panicking a little bit because he truly wasn’t in the right headspace to handle a half-naked Atsumu falling asleep on his bed.

“Mmm… getting comfy,” Atsumu mumbled, voice muffled against the sheets.

Kiyoomi just sighed and made his way to the bathroom where he took a quick shower to get rid of all the sand and sunscreen and to simply breathe because everything was screaming Atsumu right now and his head was spinning and maybe he was getting burnt from standing too close to the sun. He’d been harboring these feelings for at least five years– if they didn’t start right after he met Atsumu –and honestly, every day those feelings got deeper and deeper, maybe being here basically living with Atsumu, and Osamu too, right –would finally make him explode. And when things explode, people get harmed. He needed to keep it together.

He turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, rubbing his hair a little with the towel and then wrapping it around his hips. He opened the bathroom door and Atsumu was still lying on his bed, still half-naked and the worst part was, he seemed to have fallen asleep like... deeply. 

He gently shook his shoulder to try and wake him up, “Atsumu,” he whispered.

“Mmm…” Atsumu mumbled before turning around and opening his eyes.

And he was staring, like, his eyes were glued to Kiyoomi’s body and that’s when Kiyoomi realized he was only covering himself with a towel that hung very low on his hips. He instantly felt himself blushing and, was Atsumu blushing too? No, he was probably sunburnt. Atsumu’s gaze on him was starting to make him feel self-conscious, did he like what he was seeing?

“Uh…” was all he could manage to say before turning around desperately trying to find some clothes to put on.

“I… I’ll just go shower,” Atsumu said, getting up quickly and leaving Kiyoomi’s room in a hurry.

Fuck, thought Kiyoomi before shutting his door and sitting on the bed trying to make sense of what had just happened. It’s probably nothing, he was probably just uncomfortable he told himself, trying to force his heart to calm down because it was beating dangerously fast.

A while later, he exited his room– now fully clothed in grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt –only to find the twins waiting for him at the dining table, there was some leftover onigiri and someone– probably Osamu –had made some pasta, nothing too fancy.

“Oi, ‘Samu,” Atsumu asked between mouthfuls, earning the look from both Kiyoomi and his brother which he just decided to ignore, “is that ice-cream place we used to go when we were little still open?”

“Yeah, I think it is, wanna go?”

“Hell yes,” he said before turning to Kiyoomi, “me and ‘Samu used to go every time we came here and we always tried the weirdest flavor combinations.”

Kiyoomi just smiled because yeah, he could definitely see that happening.

“‘Tsumu, remember when you got that Redbull one just because it was like bright, neon yellow? That shit was disgusting,” Osamu said, laughing uncontrollably now.

“C’mon, mint chocolate chip’s your favorite, that’s like the worst flavor ever,” Atsumu said, raising his voice but laughing at the same time.

“IT’S GOOD.”

“NO, IT’S NOT.”

“Wait, wait, we have a tie-breaker now,” Osamu said, turning to face Kiyoomi, “Sakusa, do you like mint chocolate chip or not?”

Kiyoomi had just been silently laughing so he was a little breathless when he said, “No, I don’t, I’m sorry,” he completely lost his breath though when Atsumu enveloped him in a bear hug because he was too close and everything was just so, so Atsumu.

“I knew you wouldn’t fail me, Omi,” Atsumu said right by his ear, making Kiyoomi shiver, he only let go like a minute later.

“You both have no taste… anyways, let’s finish eating and then we can go get some ice cream, so it doesn’t get too late,” Osamu said, digging into his food.

Right, they were having lunch at, like, 5 pm but Kiyoomi loved that about being on vacation; not having to rush to be anywhere, getting to spend the day lazing around, this was Kiyoomi’s ideal holiday and apparently, it was the twins’ too.

At 6 pm they left the house in search of the famous ice-cream shop. According to Osamu, it was only a 15-minute walk from where they were. The sun had already gone down a bit so it wasn’t as hot as it was in the morning, the weather was perfect for a nice, chill walk. Kiyoomi and Atsumu walked side by side, shoulders almost brushing, Kiyoomi could just reach out and intertwine their pinkies, he didn’t though, he just settled for sneaking a few glances at Atsumu, only to find out he was already looking at him, he didn’t really know what to make of that. 

Osamu was ahead of them looking down at his phone every few minutes. “You textin’ Sunarin?” Atsumu teased and Kiyoomi noticed Osamu’s ears turned bright red.

“Mind your business asshole,” Osamu yelled.

They kept walking in silence and a few moments later, they were standing inside the ice cream shop. It seemed to be a family shop, like one of those businesses with a lot of history that everyone around the area seemed to know, one of those shops you go to when you’re a kid and then bring your kids to in the future. Kiyoomi could see a younger version of the twins here, fighting over ice-cream flavors and for some reason, being included in their little tradition made Kiyoomi’s legs feel a little bit like jelly.

“What flavor are you getting, Omi?” Atsumu asked, snapping him out of his thoughts, and once again, he was way too close, leaning over his shoulder with their bodies almost touching, Kiyoomi could go insane.

“Uh… mango I think.”

“Sakusa Kiyoomi, you just keep surprising me.”

“It’s just ice cream.” 

“Yeah but I thought you’d get something boring like vanilla,” Atsumu said, laughing and getting in line, Kiyoomi followed him.

“What are you getting?” Kiyoomi asked, “and please don’t say Redbull,” he added with a little smile.

That prompted Atsumu to laugh even harder. “Nah, my taste has matured, I’m getting coffee.”

“A few months ago you didn’t even like coffee, this is peak character development,” Kiyoomi said teasingly, it was fun, teasing Atsumu.

“Yeah, and who do we owe that development to?” Atsumu asked, inching closer to Kiyoomi.

“Me, I guess…”

“Exactly.”

Atsumu used to hate coffee, he always made fun of Kiyoomi for liking it but a few months ago Kiyoomi had shown him how to properly brew coffee, he even got him a Chemex pour-over coffee maker and some coffee beans from a really fancy place, and Atsumu fell in love with it too. Now it was something the two of them could share, something special, at least to Kiyoomi.

They bought their ice-creams and met Osamu– who had already ordered his signature mint chocolate chip –outside where there were some benches, and they took a seat. Atsumu, once again, was way too close to Kiyoomi, their thighs were touching and Kiyoomi could smell Atsumu’s shampoo– which smelled like peaches –from where he was sitting, he hoped Atsumu couldn’t hear his heartbeat or something like that.

“Wanna try?” said Atsumu a few minutes later, offering him some ice cream in a little spoon, Kiyoomi said nothing and just opened his mouth, accepting the offering.

Osamu gagged in the background and Kiyoomi decided to ignore whatever that gag implied. “It’s good,” he said, hoping his voice didn’t sound as shaky as he felt.

Atsumu just nodded and returned his attention to his ice cream, mumbling something about mint chocolate chip under his breath. Kiyoomi was thankful for the warm summer evening as it served as an excuse for his rosy cheeks. After finishing their ice cream, they went back home, exchanging a quick goodnight the moment it was finally time to go to bed. Kiyoomi felt like the day had lasted five minutes but at the same time five months, his heart felt like jelly and so did his legs and as he went to bed thinking about the taste of coffee ice-cream and with freckles in his mind, he wondered how long he could carry his feelings inside before they spilled.

Kiyoomi rose with the sun on Wednesday. It was barely 6 am and the skies were painted a shade of pinky-orange that seemed a little shy but looked very inviting so  Kiyoomi decided to go out for a stroll.

He put on a hoodie and some shorts, not even bothering with wearing shoes, he’d probably take them off either way, and quietly slides the door to the balcony. It’s a bit chilly out but Kiyoomi likes chilly, he likes the peaceful morning breeze, the quietness, the feeling of cold sand between his toes. It makes everything go away for a minute.

Only for a minute though because not long after, Kiyoomi finds himself thinking about Atsumu because god , everything here screams Atsumu . Every feeling Kiyoomi’s ever felt for the man seems amplified here and, for a moment, he feels stupid. He feels stupid and dumb and crazy because what was he thinking saying yes to Atsumu’s offering? It was obvious his feelings would be impossible to conceal here, with Atsumu by his side almost 24/7. He wouldn’t be surprised if Atsumu had figured it out already, figured out how fucking gone Kiyoomi was for him.

It felt like he was free-falling sometimes, he was free-falling and the crash was inevitable and for some reason, Kiyoomi felt like was falling faster than he ever did before, he could only hope the crash didn’t hurt so bad.

He forced himself to focus on the calm sway of the waves, on the birds chirping, trying to wake up the world. He focused on the colors of the sky that changed quickly, on the few clouds that were dispersing. He loved the beach because it smelled like childhood, it felt like childhood, like family road trips and melted ice cream that kind of made him panic a little bit. 

He used to come to the beach every summer with his family when he was little, his grandparents had a house on the beach and they’d all stay there for a few weeks, as long as his parents' jobs allowed them to. After all, they were both busy people. Kiyoomi loved those little trips because they meant acting like a family, something they didn’t do very often. Both his mom and dad were away most of the day at work and they often had to leave on business trips. His siblings, an older sister and brother were like 10 years older than him, so they didn’t have much in common. Kiyoomi grew up pretty lonely, but he found ways to cope, he had volleyball and also his cousin, Motoya. 

Eventually, he added Atsumu to that list too. They stopped going to the beach when his parents split up, Kiyoomi was 18 and he hadn’t gone to the beach ever since. It was kind of a bittersweet feeling, being back, like that happy-sad feeling, nostalgia maybe, but if he was being honest, even though they’ve only been at the beach for maybe three days, Kiyoomi felt the happiest he had been in a while. The sad feeling was completely overwritten by the happy feeling, and that was mostly because of Atsumu—he made him the happiest if Kiyoomi was being honest with himself. Also, he and Osamu made Kiyoomi feel weirdly at home and Kiyoomi was very grateful for that. 

He sat down for a bit, playing with the sand, letting it slip through his fingers as he stared at the horizon in front of him until he felt a little bit cold, which unleashed the memory of Atsumu giving him his jacket on their first night here, which prompted Kiyoomi to blush like crazy. He took that as a sign to go back inside, besides he was craving his morning coffee. He shook the sand off his feet on the balcony and stepped back inside, putting on some fuzzy socks and padding to the kitchen. He started boiling some water and weighed some coffee beans, 53 grams to be exact.

When they got here, Osamu told him to feel free to use anything in the kitchen and Kiyoomi was grateful for that, he didn’t want to wait until the twins woke up for his morning coffee and he didn’t want to disturb them either. He ground the beans and prepared the Chemex, putting a paper filter on top and pouring a bit of water on it once the water was done boiling, to get rid of the papery flavor. He discarded the water and poured the ground coffee on top of the filter, then added 100ml of water and let it bloom for a minute. This was his coffee ritual, the one he did every morning and the one he taught Atsumu, it calmed him down and comforted him too. Once the minute was over he started pouring over the rest of the water, 600ml, when he heard footsteps approaching.

“Mornin’,” Osamu said as he stretched his arms above his head.

“Good morning, I’m making coffee, want some?”

“Sure,” the gray haired man said before taking a seat in front of the kitchen counter.

Once the coffee was done, Kiyoomi poured it into two mugs, sliding one towards Osamu who nodded in return.

They sipped on their coffee in silence for a few minutes, until Osamu chuckled and said, “So I guess I have to thank you for teaching Tsumu how to actually drink coffee.”

That made Kiyoomi chuckle too, it also made his cheeks heat up. “Heh… yeah, I was tired of having to settle for shitty coffee whenever we hung out at his apartment,” he said in return.

“Oh… so you hang out a lot?” he inquired and Kiyoomi felt like Osamu already knew the answer to his question.

“Yeah, we live in the same apartment complex after all so it’s… convenient to have dinner and such together,” Kiyoomi said and it wasn’t a lie, it wasn’t the complete truth either.

The amount of time he spent lazing around in Atsumu’s apartment wasn’t because of convenience, he just simply enjoyed being with Atsumu, he enjoyed his company, his presence…

“Right…” was all Osamu said, sipping on his coffee.

Kiyoomi couldn’t help but feel a little bit flustered because of Osamu’s question, and just as he felt the heat on his cheeks start to subside Osamu asked, “So… what happened with the touching?”

Kiyoomi wanted the ground to open and swallow him whole. There were two options that justified Osamu’s weird questioning or interrogation; he was just teasing Kiyoomi in good old Miya fashion or– and the most frightening option –he knew something. Maybe he had picked up on Kiyoomi’s weird behavior around his twin, maybe he noticed his red cheeks or the way Kiyoomi just… acted differently around Atsumu.

Either way, it was a valid question, because right… what the hell had happened with the touching? It was no secret Kiyoomi wasn’t a very big fan of physical contact, he could stand it, his aversion wasn’t as severe as it was when he was younger but he didn’t like it. His teammates at first didn’t even pat him on the back whenever he scored a point, now they exchanged quick high-fives but that was it. Kiyoomi wasn’t a hug person at all, he wasn’t a touch person, period. There was one exception though, and that exception, as always, was Atsumu. 

Atsumu didn’t touch him at first either, he settled for something he liked to call “air-pats” and sixteen or seventeen-year-old Kiyoomi was grateful for that, for Atsumu respecting his boundaries and his personal space. After knowing him for a while though, things started to… change. Kiyoomi didn’t really know why or how, all he knew was that suddenly he started wondering what Atsumu’s hands would feel like intertwined with his, what his legs would feel like if they touched as they sat side by side. Kiyoomi didn’t know what happened, all he knew was that this was the first time in his life he found himself craving someone’s touch. Thinking back on it, Atsumu had that effect on him, he made him want, crave stuff he didn’t before, the Atsumu effect…

He was about to answer something like, “I honestly don’t know,” or, “I’m in love… I think?” when someone cleared his throat. Atsumu had just woken up and his hair was messy and once again he was shirtless, grey sweatpants hung low on his hips and Kiyoomi had to force himself to look away.

“Good morning,” he said looking between the two men that were already in the kitchen, “‘Samu, why does Omi look terrified of you?” he added and he sounded dead serious.

“We were just talking…” Osamu said and it was the truth.

“About what?” Atsumu asked as he poured himself a mug of coffee.

“Nothing important, don’t worry…” Kiyoomi intervened, “that coffee’s cold, I can just brew some more if you want.”

“Nah, it’s okay, it’s still good cold,” he said before taking a long swig.

“Imma make some breakfast,” Osamu said before getting up.

“‘Samu you should make some pancakes, Omi deserves it,” Atsumu suggested with a sly smirk on his face.

“What are you saying Atsumu,” Kiyoomi whispered.

Atsumu shushed him before turning to face Osamu. “Poor thing he’s terrified,” he said, dramatically.

“You’re a pain in the ass, ‘Tsumu,” Osamu complained but he was already gathering the ingredients to make pancakes.

“Osamu-san, you don’t have t—” Kiyoomi started saying before Atsumu interrupted him.

“Omi, let him. Besides, you love pancakes, right?”

Kiyoomi couldn’t argue with that so he just sat in front of the counter next to Atsumu, they scrolled in silence through their phones, occasionally showing the other a meme or a funny video. If Kiyoomi caught Osamu sneaking glances towards them, he chose to pretend like he didn’t notice. Twenty minutes later they were all sat on the dining table quietly munching on their pancakes which were delicious and he told Osamu that.

“What are we doing today?” Kiyoomi asked a bit later.

“I brought a ball, maybe we could play some beach volley?” Atsumu suggested.

“‘Tsumu, we’re three people…” Osamu said.

“And? You and me versus Omi,” he said and then he fucking winked at Kiyoomi, that fucker.

“Sounds unbalanced but okay,” Kiyoomi said, smirking at Atsumu, a challenge was a challenge and even though Kiyoomi knew he was going to lose, there was something addictive about competing against Atsumu.

They did end up playing volleyball under the scorching sun a bit later, though it wasn’t actually playing volleyball, it was just Kiyoomi desperately trying to defend himself against the twins’ attacks which was pretty much impossible. He also couldn’t really attack back because… well, he was only one person, he couldn’t receive, set and spike all by himself.

Either way, he found himself having the time of his life. The twins were relentless and Kiyoomi felt laughter bubbling in his chest because the situation was just exhilarating, he was running side to side trying to bump the ball and trying not to slip on the sand. Atsumu was playing as if he were playing in the Olympics, he always took things seriously even though he was playing against just one person. Poor Kiyoomi ended up on the floor with sand in his mouth more times than he’d like to admit, but Atsumu still cheered as if he had scored the final point in the most important match of his life, and that also made Kiyoomi laugh. They played for as long as they could, but the heat was too much so they all ended up collapsed on the sand under the shadows a tree casted, breathing heavily after only an hour of playing. 

After laying on the sand for what could’ve been hours, Atsumu opened his mouth. “Hey Omi, I’ll race you to the water,” he said before standing up and running away.

“Cheater!” Kiyoomi yelled as he quickly stood up and began running towards the sea.

Atsumu was laughing loudly and Kiyoomi felt his chest bubbling once again, he felt effervescent, more alive than he had felt in a long time, and it wasn’t that his life was boring or dull, it’s that right now, he felt the freest ever, like walking on clouds or something like that. He felt electrified as he caught Atsumu by the arm and pulled him back to gain an advantage, Atsumu cursed loudly and screamed at him and it was like everything disappeared, the sun, the beach; it was just him and Atsumu running in some liminal space, all he could hear was Atsumu’s laugh and all he could feel was his own heartbeat.

The cold water brought him back to real life. He jumped into the water and enjoyed the coolness of it, he had won. Atsumu jumped in a few seconds later,  submerging himself completely and resurfacing in front of Kiyoomi. 

“Congratulations, you won,” he said while extending his hand for Kiyoomi to shake, it was good sportsmanship.

“What do I win?” Kiyoomi asked after shaking Atsumu’s hand.

“Huh… I didn’t actually think of that,” Atsumu said, tapping his chin in a pensive manner.

“It’s okay, we can settle that later,” Kiyoomi said, and the way it sounded like he was flirting made his cheeks turn red, it was a good thing he was already a bit red because of the sun.

Thinking back on it, maybe he was, in fact, trying to flirt with Atsumu. After all, everything felt kind of unreal right now.

“Oh? Okay,” Atsumu said in a teasing tone before approaching Kiyoomi with a suspicious smirk.

“Atsumu, what are you doing?” Kiyoomi asked as he tried to get away from Atsumu.

In a matter of seconds Atsumu jumped above him and grabbed his head, submerging it underwater for a few seconds making Kiyoomi swallow some of that salty seawater. 

“ATSUMU,” he yelled once he resurfaced, “I fucking hate you,” he added in between coughs.

Atsumu, who was just laughing like a maniac, just said, “No you don’t,” before swimming away.

The worst part is that he was right…

They spent some time in the water, floating on their backs, splashing each other, and only got out when their fingers started to look like prunes. Atsumu got out first and Kiyoomi thanked the gods for the sight they had gifted him with; Atsumu’s back dripping with water and full of freckles, his hair was also messy and once he got out of the water, it started to curl a little bit at the tips, like it usually did when it got wet. Kiyoomi thought it was the hottest/cutest thing ever. Osamu had already left the beach by the time they got out of the water. 

“We should go shower immediately,” Kiyoomi suggested because the feeling of salty water drying on your skin was the worst thing ever.

Atsumu just nodded, picking up his towel and the volleyball. His cheeks were unusually red.

“Did you put sunscreen on your face?” Kiyoomi asked.

“Yes…” Atsumu answered but Kiyoomi knew he was lying.

“Stop lying and c’mere,” he said.

Atsumu approached him with his arms full of stuff as Kiyoomi squeezed some SPF50 onto his hands. He pushed Atsumu’s hair away from his forehead with one hand and Atsumu’s breath may or may have not hitched 

“What are you doing?” Atsumu asked and his voice may or may not have been a little bit shaky.

“Taking care of you,” Kiyoomi answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

That shut Atsumu up, he simply walked a little bit closer and closed his eyes, letting Kiyoomi drag his fingers all over his face, rubbing the sunscreen in with a featherlight touch. As he was applying the sunscreen Kiyoomi realized it made absolutely no sense to put on sunscreen right now—they were leaving the beach and they were going to shower He didn’t say anything though, and neither did Atsumu who looked almost angelic with his eyes closed, his hair a little bit curly and his mouth a little bit open. Kiyoomi swallowed, taking his eyes away from Atsumu’s lips. They were just a breath away, Kiyoomi just had to lean forward a little bit, maybe bend his neck too, Atsumu’s lips were right there and they looked so inviting and so soft and Kiyoomi wanted to jump off the precipice. He didn’t though, there was still a little rational voice in his mind screaming at him not to do it, not to fuck things up, and even though that voice was getting quieter and quieter with each passing day, Kiyoomi could still hear it. He pulled back a little bit, trying to recompose himself.

“Done…” he said, hating the way his voice sounded, so raw, so vulnerable.

“T-thank you,” Atsumu replied before quickly turning around and making his way back to the house, the tip of his ears were red from spending a day under the sun.

Kiyoomi felt dazed for some reason, he needed to get his shit together because he was letting more and more of his feelings spill and he was getting closer and closer to Atsumu by the hour. What happened to that little boy who was so afraid to burn? It seemed like he literally couldn’t keep his hands away from Atsumu now. He’d always been chasing that warmth, but now he was actually being bolder than ever and maybe he didn’t want to stop, maybe he just wanted to see what happened if he crossed those imaginary– and very unclear –lines he had traced. Maybe he just wanted to press the big red button with the huge “don’t press” sign hung above it, just to see what happened.

He snapped out of it and went back inside, itching for a shower now that the salt had started to dry on his body, making everything feel disgusting. What was also disgusting was the fact that he couldn’t stop thinking about Atsumu– he mentally scolded himself for that, once again telling himself to keep it together. 

He took a refreshing shower, a cold one, to try to dissipate any Atsumu thoughts that were still lingering in his head after the sunscreen incident. What the hell was he thinking– no, scratch that –he actually wasn’t thinking at all and he really, really had wanted to kiss Atsumu at that moment. He had made a fool of himself and also probably made Atsumu uncomfortable, with the way he ran back into the house after the incident. 

Kiyoomi stepped out of the shower feeling a little bit steadier, his heart a little bit calmer. He took his time with his skincare, maybe because he had been neglecting it since leaving his apartment, or maybe just because he was stalling, he didn’t want to face Atsumu just yet. He pushed his hair away from his forehead using his skincare headband, it was brown with little bear ears, Komori gifted it to him for his birthday as a gag gift, but Kiyoomi actually really liked it. He applied a face mask. Leave on for fifteen minutes, the instructions said. Fifteen minutes to steady his hands, to steady his breathing, to push every Atsumu thought to the back of his mind, Kiyoomi hoped fifteen minutes would be enough. 

They kind of were? After all, Atsumu was never completely out of Kiyoomi’s mind, but at least he wasn’t thinking about kissing him senseless right now. He rinsed the face mask off and applied the rest of his skincare before getting dressed in some comfy clothes: a black hoodie and grey sweatpants, he also put on some fuzzy socks before making his way to the living room where the twins were lounging on the couches. Atsumu was lying on his belly reading a book– a fantasy one, of course –and Osamu sat across in an armchair, his legs dangling off the edge and his fingers rapidly typing on his phone. 

“Hi,” he said and Osamu waved.

“We’re having a movie night,” Osamu said after Kiyoomi sat down on the floor next to the couch Atsumu was lying on.

Atsumu turned his attention away from the book and looked at Kiyoomi, almost as if he were greeting him with just a smile and Kiyoomi almost melted on the spot. Instead of saying something dumb or grabbing Atsumu’s face and peppering a million kisses on it, he just asked “What are we watching?”

“Uh… I don’t know? You and ‘Tsumu can pick,” Osamu said.

Atsumu and Kiyoomi shared a look and then at the same time they both said, “Star Wars,” before bursting into laughter. 

Osamu was looking at them with a funny look on his face, “Okay, that’s kinda terrifying but okay,” he said, making them both laugh even harder.

Star Wars was their go-to movie on movie nights and Kiyoomi tried very hard not to think about what that implied. Having a go-to movie night movie meant they had spent way too many evenings lazing around on their couches discussing whether Yoda was homophobic or an ally, way too many evenings trying (and failing) not to fall asleep after the second movie, way too many mornings waking up with sore necks and their legs, arms, heads, touching on the couch.

“I’ll make some popcorn,” Kiyoomi said while making his way to the kitchen, forcing the thoughts away.

“Omi, can I borrow your blanket?” Atsumu asked.

“Sure,” he answered, “ only if you share though,” he would’ve added if he were a little bit braver.

He busied himself with the popcorn while Osamu put on the movie and Atsumu made himself comfortable on the couch. Wrapped in Kiyoomi’s fuzzy, white blanket, he looked like a dream; with his glasses on and his hair messy and unstyled, this was Kiyoomi’s favorite Atsumu, one not many people were lucky enough to witness. The microwave beeped startling Kiyoomi, he took a deep breath and made his way back to the couch and that’s when he realized he was nervous even though they had done this a thousand times before, he was nervous because his feelings seemed restless, like they were about to burst out of every pore on his body, he was nervous because Atsumu looked cute as hell wrapped up in his blanket and Kiyoomi wanted to wrap that blanket around both of their shoulders and cuddle Atsumu until they were as close as physically possible. 

Instead, he sat cross-legged at the other end of the couch, leaving the popcorn bowl in the middle almost like a physical barrier between the two of them. Osamu stayed where he was, his own bowl of popcorn cradled between his arms.

“Do I press play?” Osamu asked when everyone was settled down.

He and Atsumu made an affirmative noise and the movie started playing, the familiar yellow letters appeared on the screen and Kiyoomi found himself relaxing a little bit more, Star Wars had always been a comfort movie of his and it apparently worked in these situations too. He got a little bit more comfortable, resting his elbow on the armrest and propping his head up on his hand. They were ten minutes in when Atsumu opened his mouth, shattering the little bubble of peace Kiyoomi had worked so hard on.

“Omi?” he said.

“Hmm?”

“Aren’t you cold?” Atsumu asked in a hushed voice as to not disturb Osamu.

“A little bit,” Kiyoomi answered, not taking his eyes off the screen.

“Here, take your blanket,” he said while freeing himself from the blanket burrito.

“No, it’s okay,” Kiyoomi mumbled, “you’ll get cold.”

“But you’re cold right now, besides it’s your blanket,” Atsumu said, raising his voice a little bit.

“Atsumu, keep it,” Kiyoomi answered feeling a little bit annoyed, he just wanted Atsumu to be comfortable and warm, besides he could always get up and grab a hoodie for himself.

“No, you take it.” 

This went on for a whole minute, which was nothing new to them. They were both stubborn bastards and their petty, little discussions usually lasted a long time, neither of them wanting to budge. Eventually Osamu got sick of hearing their back and forth bickering and decided to intervene, Kiyoomi almost wished he didn’t.

“Oh my fucking god, just shut up and share the damn blanket,” he said, raising his voice, clearly annoyed.

That was certainly a good solution but still, Kiyoomi’s pretty sure he stopped breathing for a full second there.

The thing is, skinship was a weird subject for him. He, for the most part, didn’t particularly enjoy it, it’s not that he was repulsed by it or stuff like that, but he just wasn't a touchy-feely person… There was one exception though, and as always that one exception was Miya-fucking-Atsumu.

Atsumu– beautiful, warm, golden Atsumu –who gave little seventeen-year-old Kiyoomi a fucking existential crisis because said little Kiyoomi realized that, for the first time in his whole life, he found himself craving someone else’s touch and that was really fucking scary. He couldn’t stop thinking about the shy brush of Atsumu’s arms against his, about how their thighs would feel squished together if they sat next to each other, about Atsumu’s hands caressing his hair, softly, because everything he did seemed to be soft even though those hands had the power to spike a volleyball though the wall.

And with the years Atsumu gave him those little touches, casual ones, like a hand at the small of his back or a pat on the shoulder whenever he did well after practice, with the years Kiyoomi grew accustomed to Atsumu just being there for him, physically and mentally too. With the years came those movie nights where they’d fall asleep all curled up around each other, a mess of limbs and messy hair and blankets and warmth, Kiyoomi loved those nights. 

There was a catch though, they never acknowledged those touches. They never talked about it, they just untangled themselves in the morning and went on with their days. It was something that just happened and that didn’t really need an explanation, or maybe they didn’t want to explain. Kiyoomi didn’t want to explain the way he seemed to drift towards Atsumu automatically whenever they sat next to each other, he didn’t want to explain the way he seemed to get restless whenever he wasn’t physically close to Atsumu, he didn’t want to explain the way he just… needed him.

Now though, Osamu was forcing them to acknowledge it and Kiyoomi felt nervous about getting closer to and touching Atsumu for the first time in a while.

Atsumu coughed and he seemed a little bit uncomfortable, a bit nervous, which was fine, Kiyoomi was too, he just hoped Atsumu was nervous for the same reasons. “Uh, yeah... that could work too,” he said, scooting to the right so his side was braced against the couch’s armrest.

“C’mere, Omi,” he whispered as to not bother Osamu any longer, lifting his left arm along with the blanket so Kiyoomi could nestle himself beneath his arm and Kiyoomi almost didn’t want to share the blanket any longer because, well… it felt really intimate for some reason. 

He still inched closer to Atsumu, until he was kind of resting his whole weight on Atsumu’s side, Atsumu’s arm coming down to wrap around Kiyoomi’s arm, properly wrapping them both in Kiyoomi’s big, fuzzy blanket. And of course, it was really comfortable and everything smelled overwhelmingly like Atsumu and he was so close Kiyoomi could feel his breathing and his heartbeat too if he really focused on it. Kiyoomi could rest his head on Atsumu's shoulder if he wanted, he could nuzzle his neck and pepper little kisses there; instead, he settled for bringing his legs up closer to his body and getting comfortable like that, it was certainly going to be a long night.

“See?” Osamu says with a completely blank look on his face, “the power of friendship!”

Except this, whatever they had going on right now, was anything but friendship. Friends don’t cuddle each other this way, anyone who caught a glimpse of them right now would think that they were dating and Kiyoomi didn’t know what to make of that. 

He was practically squishing Atsumu against the side of the couch so he whispered, “are you comfortable?” He craned his neck up to look at Atsumu, which was probably a mistake because he looked like an angel; messy hair, flushed cheeks and those glasses that made Kiyoomi want to scream into his pillow.

Atsumu just gave him a little smile, “I am,” he said and Kiyoomi could swear his eyes were shining a bit. He wanted to lift himself up and press his lips against Atsumu’s, he wanted to bring his hands up to his messy, post-shower hair, he wanted to forget about the movie and kiss Atsumu senseless. Instead, he forced himself to tear his eyes away from the man next to him, opting for pretending like he was actually interested in watching the movie.

At around an hour in– a very long hour –Kiyoomi felt Atsumu’s breath deepening, at around an hour and fifteen minutes in, Kiyoomi felt an added weight on top of his head, Atsumu’s head was resting against his. 

“Is this okay?” he Atsumu whispered, though he barely heard him because of how loud his heart was beating, but he heard him nonetheless and he answered with an affirmative noise. 

An hour and thirty minutes in and Atsumu had fallen asleep, he usually managed to stay awake for the first two movies but Kiyoomi assumed he was just tired because of the sun and the beach volley. He let him sleep soundly, Atsumu’s body was warm against his. He caught Osamu looking at them with a smile on his face and Kiyoomi felt himself blush for some reason, like a kid that’s been caught stealing cookies from the jar because what did Osamu think about all of this? Maybe he knew Atsumu was touchy-feely, maybe he was like this back in high school too, with his old teammates, with his captain who Kiyoomi always suspected Atsumu had a crush on… 

He ignored the pang of jealousy he felt on his chest, he had no right to be jealous, Atsumu wasn’t his which was hard to believe when they were pressed against each other like this, in a way that almost felt loving. He pushed those thoughts away though, he knew nothing good came with self-pity and he had to remind himself– as he always did when his mind started going in that direction –that he was the one Atsumu spent his lazy afternoons with, he was the one Atsumu woke up with tangled on the couch and he was the one Atsumu invited to the beach.

Darth Maul was about to kill Qui-gon when Kiyoomi finally managed to relax and focus on the movie, curling in a little bit closer to Atsumu. The first movie ended and Osamu immediately started playing the second one. 

Fifteen minutes in, Kiyoomi started drifting off to sleep and five minutes later he and Atsumu were fast asleep, breaths almost synchronized, peaceful, and the feel of Atsumu’s body against his took over Kiyoomi’s mind. 

That peace didn’t last long though, as he was woken up a few minutes– or maybe hours? –later by a violent shiver that came from Atsumu’s body. He sat a little bit straighter, stretching his now sore neck and stilling, maybe his sleep-addled brain was making things up. A few seconds later he felt it again, Atsumu was shivering like a little puppy abandoned in the rain. 

“Atsumu?” he said, his voice groggy with sleep. When Atsumu didn’t answer Kiyoomi shook him lightly, trying to wake him up, maybe he was having a nightmare.

He shook him a bit harder and Atsumu finally started stirring. He slowly opened his eyes which were glazed and unfocused. Kiyoomi instinctively brought his hand up to Atsumu’s forehead and yeah, he was burning up. Atsumu’s eyelids fluttered closed because of Kiyoomi’s touch, Kiyoomi supposed his cold hands felt good against Atsumu’s skin.

“Omi?” Atsumu mumbled almost as if he were questioning what was going on.

“You have a fever, Atsumu,” Kiyoomi said, pressing the back of his hands to Atsumu’s red cheeks.

“Heat exhaustion,” Osamu clarified from where he was sitting, “it happens every year because the dumbass forgets to drink water when he’s at the beach, he’ll be fine tomorrow.”

Kiyoomi nodded, relaxing a little bit but not taking his hands off Atsumu’s face. Atsumu’s eyes were closing again when Kiyoomi said, “He needs to rest, I’ll take him to bed,” as he got up and extended a hand for Atsumu to take, except he was already fast asleep again. Good thing Kiyoomi was a professional athlete; he picked Atsumu up from the couch with ease, one arm was placed under his knees and the other one supported his torso. He carried him bridal style to his bedroom ignoring the knowing look Osamu had on his face, he’d think about that later. 

“Omi?” Atsumu whispered as Kiyoomi entered his bedroom.

“Hi,” Kiyoomi said while putting him down on the side of the bed he had been sleeping on.

“You don’t have to give me your bed,” Atsumu said, a little bit out of it, pressing his face into the pillow– Kiyoomi’s pillow.

“It’s okay, it’s more comfortable,” he retorted. “I’ll bring you your pajamas and some paracetamol,” he added, before pushing Atsumu’s sweaty hair away from his forehead and leaving the bedroom.

“Osamu-san, where does Atsumu keep his pajamas?” he asked.

“Underneath his pillow, bottom bunk,” Osamu answered. “Hey, he’ll be fine tomorrow, you don’t need to baby him,” he added in a teasing manner.

“I’m not babying him,” Kiyoomi said, shamelessly lying.

“Sure...” Osamu mumbled as he pressed play again.

Kiyoomi gathered Atsumu’s stuff and considered taking his pillow too so he doesn’t drool all over Kiyoomi’s one. In the end he decided against it, for some reason the thought of Atsumu using his pillow doesn’t disgust him or anything, even though it really should. When he got back to the bedroom Atsumu was lying on his side, face smushed against the pillow in a way that made Kiyoomi’s heart do a thousand cartwheels, he’s so fucking gone…

“Atsumu, you should change into pajamas,” he said, lightly shaking him awake.

Atsumu mumbled something against his pillow, he looked visibly exhausted.

“Want me to help?” Kiyoomi offered without really thinking about it.

“Yeah…” Atsumu mumbled against the pillow.

“‘Kay, can you sit up for me?” Atsumu obeyed. He sat up with his eyes still closed and only then Kiyoomi realized what the hell he was doing.

His hands were shaking as he grabbed the hem of Atsumu’s now sweat-soaked shirt. Everything that was happening felt way too intimate and Kiyoomi had to force himself to stabilize his breathing so he didn't get dizzy. He was blushing too, he can feel the heat on his cheeks but he had expected that. Atsumu– he, he’s literally everything Kiyoomi’s ever wanted and a moment like this feels so tender it makes Kiyoomi’s fragile heart ache just a little bit. 

He lifted Atsumu’s shirt up, with shaky, unsure hands. After all, he’s never undressed anyone but himself before. He pulls through, for Atsumu. He’d do anything for Atsumu. 

He finally managed to take his shirt off, Atsumu helped by lifting his fever-heavy arms up and Kiyoomi immediately put his sleeping shirt on, not daring to wait a second and Atsumu didn’t seem able to wait either, the minute the shirt’s on his body he flops back against the pillow. Now though, now it was time for the pants which was the part Kiyoomi was dreading because god , how could he resist running his hands up those gorgeous thighs? 

“I’m going to take your pants off now, is that okay?” he asked because of course he had to ask.

“Yeah,” Atsumu said.

Kiyoomi kneeled in front of the bed taking off his socks first, fuzzy ones. Kiyoomi had gotten them for his birthday and for some reason it made him really happy to see that Atsumu was actually wearing them. He then moved up, up until his hands were resting on the waistband of Atsumu’s sweatpants, he slid his thumbs under them, careful not to take his underwear off too and pulled down until the sweatpants were bunched up around Atsumu’s ankles. He lifted one of his feet, then the other until he was finally free from his pants and then Kiyoomi just… took a minute to simply be in the moment, which seemed to be wrapped up in a hazy veil, almost like in dreams.

He grabbed Atsumu’s pajama pants and started sliding them on, unable to resist the urge to press an innocent kiss to his calf where the skin was warm because of the fever, then to the front of his thighs, making Atsumu chuckle in a way that made Kiyoomi’s heart squeeze on his chest. He was so fucking in love with this man that even this, undressing him in the most innocent way and getting him ready for bed felt like a declaration of love, of devotion maybe. His chest felt bubbly with affection and if he could, he would’ve stayed like this, kneeling on the floor between Atsumu’s thighs forever, but eventually he had to get up, and when he did he saw Atsumu looking at him with hazy unfocused eyes but still, eyes that were full of something Kiyoomi couldn’t exactly put his finger on and a little smile on his face.

“Thank you,” he whispered, voice full of sleep.

“Of course,” Kiyoomi said, feeling a little awkward now that he was standing in front of Atsumu after kissing his thighs, he didn’t really know where to put his hands or what to say after that.

“I’ll get you some water and paracetamol, you should lie back down,” was what he ended up saying. Atsumu just made an affirmative noise and got into bed, lying on his side in a way that made his glasses get all crooked on his face– Kiyoomi removed them carefully –and then nuzzled his face into the pillow– Kiyoomi’s pillow.

He blames Atsumu’s fucking cuteness for what he did next, every rational thought literally jumped out of his brain and he wasn’t thinking about anything when he bent down and pushed Atsumu’s messy and kinda sweaty hair away from his forehead so he could press a soft kiss against that exposed skin which was warm against his lips. If Kiyoomi hadn’t literally bolted out of the bedroom after that little moment of weakness, he might’ve heard Atsumu’s gasp of surprise and the shy “ Omi? ” that followed it. Instead, he decided to retreat to the kitchen where he thought he would be safe from his own feelings which were all over the place tonight.

He thought wrong though, because sitting at the kitchen counter was one Miya Osamu who had just witnessed basically everything that had happened in Kiyoomi’s bedroom. Through a gap in the door he could see Atsumu lying on his bed, snuggled against his pillow. Kiyoomi felt like a deer caught in the headlights and he decided not to say anything yet, he’d wait for Osamu’s new interrogation, so he made himself some tea in hopes it would help him steady his hands a little bit. Once his tea was ready, he knew it was time to turn around and face Osamu so that’s what he did, he leaned against the counter opposite to where Osamu was sitting– trying his best to seem casual and nonchalant –and braced himself for the worst.

“You like him dontcha?” Osamu said more than asked after what felt like hours.

Even though it was the truth, it didn't feel quite right: he didn't just like Atsumu, in fact, he was far beyond just liking . He was devoted to this man, and for some reason when Osamu asked– or pointed it out –he didn’t feel the dread or anxiety he thought he would feel because it was the truth, and if he loved Atsumu then he needed to be able to say it out loud, loving him wasn’t something to be scared of, in fact, loving Atsumu made him a better person or at least made him want to be better. So he took a deep breath, counted to ten and finally, finally he admitted it to someone other than himself. 

“I think I’m in love with him,” he said and the world didn’t burst into flames, his heart though, his heart was set ablaze.

Osamu made an affirmative noise. “Why haven’t you said anything?” he then asked, but he didn’t seem to be judging, he was actually curious.

The answer to that question came easily to Kiyoomi, “Because I’m scared,” he said, “he… he’s everything to me.”

Osamu nodded like he understood, which prompted Kiyoomi to spill all of his feelings, feelings that were kept inside, locked away in the most hidden part of Kiyoomi’s heart, feelings that started blooming over a decade ago. Once he started talking he couldn’t stop and Osamu didn’t make him stop either. 

“He’s my best friend, actually, he was my first friend ever,” he started saying, “before getting to know him I looked up to him for everything that he was, I thought he was everything I wasn’t, was I wanted to be…

“And then I realized we were more alike than I thought we were. He was kinda lonely back then, at training camps and everything… At times he was surrounded by people but by the end of the day he was left alone.

“People used to talk behind his back, his so-called friends used to tear him apart when he wasn’t listening, people usually became infatuated with Atsumu when they first met him but when they realized he was a person– literally a boy –and not a god, that he wasn’t perfect, they usually left him behind, I didn’t leave though…

“I knew he wasn’t perfect but he’s just… so good, so, so good. I just wanted to cover his ears whenever those people talked shit about him so he wouldn’t hear it because he didn’t deserve it,” he was rambling and he knew it, he really wasn’t making any sense, but his thoughts were all scrambled and his heart ached for young Atsumu because he knew how badly words could hurt someone, he had experienced that himself…

Osamu then budged in. “Yeah… people were shitty to ‘Tsumu and in some way I understand, he wasn’t what everyone thought he was…” he said and Kiyoomi agreed, “he… he’s really insecure about that, even now.”

Kiyoomi thought about Atsumu’s self-deprecating jokes, about the mask he put on in front of people, a mask he didn’t wear anymore around Kiyoomi. He thought about his do you really hate me that much? jokes that weren’t really jokes, Kiyoomi mentally scolded himself to do better.

“He’s stubborn and blunt and sometimes he can be an asshole,” Kiyoomi said and Osamu chuckled, “but he’s so good and he makes me so happy…” Kiyoomi trailed off for a moment. 

“I don’t deserve him, I’m not like him, I’m not warm or loving the way he is…” he added, suddenly feeling a little bit sad.

“Sakusa Kiyoomi,” Osamu said in a serious tone and Kiyoomi weirdly felt like a little kid getting scolded by his parents, “have you ever asked him what he thinks about you?” he asked and Kiyoomi shook his head. “You should. I can’t tell you anything more because that’s something between you and him but I think you both should have a deep, long conversation about feelings, you might be pleasantly surprised.”

Maybe he would, maybe it’s what Atsumu deserved, to be told how good and how loved he is, to be told how much he means to Kiyoomi.

“Yeah…” was all Kiyoomi said.

“Besides… I’m tired of listening to him talk about you all the time…” Osamu added with a smile on his face, suddenly dropping a fucking bomb out of nowhere leaving Kiyoomi kind of shocked.

“You should go back to him,” Osamu then said nodding towards Atsumu’s sleeping figure in Kiyoomi’s bed, “he behaves like a little baby when he’s sick…”

Kiyoomi found himself thinking he didn’t really mind babying Atsumu… he mentally slapped himself and turned around to fill up a glass of water for Atsumu, taking a few paracetamols from his bag too. 

“Hey,” Osamu said before Kiyoomi left, “I know it’s scary but when you meet people like that, you just need to go for it, the fall is scary but it really is worth it…” he added and Kiyoomi suddenly got the feeling that he was speaking from experience.

He said goodnight to Osamu feeling like a weight was lifted from his shoulders and went back to his bedroom where Atsumu was sleeping soundly. He lightly shook him awake again, as he had done earlier, the only difference was that this time his hands weren’t shaking as much anymore.

“Atsumu,” he whispered, “you need to take something for your fever before falling asleep.”

“Mmm…” he mumbled, burying himself deeper into the sheets, Osamu wasn’t kidding when he said he turned into a baby whenever he was sick…

“C’mon Atsu…” Kiyoomi tried again, threading his fingers through Atsumu’s soft hair.

“Mmmkay…” he said, sitting up sleepily, his cheeks were still flushed and his eyes were glazy. Kiyoomi knew it was nothing to be worried about, Osamu had said it happened every year, but still, he looked younger like this and it made Kiyoomi want to protect him.

“Here,” Kiyoomi said as he handed him the pills and a glass of water which Atsumu took immediately, he just wanted to go back to bed.

“Thank you, Omi,” Atsumu whispered after swallowing the pills, burying himself back in the sheets.

Kiyoomi once more couldn’t resist the urge to press his lips to Atsumu’s forehead and as he did he remembered his and Osamu’s conversation about Atsumu’s insecurities, he let his lips linger on Atsumu’s skin in hopes of expressing everything he couldn’t put into words yet through that soft touch. 

“Good night,” he whispered then, turning off the little nightstand lamp and turning away to leave, he was probably going to sleep in the living room tonight. Before he could go though, he felt something warm wrapping around his wrist: Atsumu’s hand.

“Stay here tonight,” Atsumu whispered, his eyes were closed and his voice sounded small and shy in a way that made Kiyoomi want to say yes to whatever he said.

“Atsu…”

“C’mere Kiyoomi,” he said, pulling back the covers and scooting over to the side, “please.”

And listen… Kiyoomi couldn’t say no to that, not when Atsumu said his name like that, not when he said please in a quiet, almost child-like way, not right after the talk he had with Osamu, not after finally admitting he loved him out loud. Kiyoomi was only a mortal and right now, all he wanted was to crawl next to Atsumu and to hold him– or to be held by him –until they fell asleep. 

“Okay,” he said because he was kind of done with keeping his feelings to himself, maybe he was finally ready to take that leap, maybe he didn’t want to pretend he didn’t dream about Atsumu’s golden eyes or about being pressed closely against his chest.

After changing into his own pajamas in record time, he crawled into bed– which was big enough for the two of them –and as soon as he felt the brush of Atsumu’s feet against his own, his heart threatened to jump out of his chest. He felt a little awkward, he’d never slept with anyone before, so he didn’t really know what to do with his legs or where to place his arms, Atsumu soon took care of that though. He inched closer to Kiyoomi– who was now lying on his side facing Atsumu –and fully intertwined their legs together. They were facing each other now and Kiyoomi couldn’t take his eyes off Atsumu.

“Is this okay?” Atsumu asked in a whisper, rubbing his cold feet against Kiyoomi’s legs, something that shouldn’t make Kiyoomi want to cry but love’s a funny thing. 

This time he took the initiative and moved closer to Atsumu, close, closer, until his foreheads were almost touching. “Yeah,” he said, “are you cold?” he then asked and Atsumu made an affirmative noise.

“C’mere then,” Kiyoomi said, feeling braver than he ever had before. He wrapped his arms around Atsumu’s middle pulling him closer and making Atsumu gasp in surprise, he then brought his hand up to Atsumu’s hair, threading his fingers through his faux-blond locks. Atsumu pushed his face into Kiyoomi’s chest so that his warm forehead was resting between Kiyoomi’s pecs.

“Good night, Kiyoomi,” he then said and he was so close Kiyoomi could actually feel his voice vibrate through his body.

“Good night, Atsumu,” Kiyoomi whispered, already knowing that he wasn’t going to get much sleep that night, because how could he sleep when Atsumu was almost melting into his arms, when he was nuzzling occasionally into his chest and rubbing his feet against Kiyoomi’s legs?

How could he sleep when he was holding between his arms the person he had been falling for over the past ten years? He thought holding Atsumu would be scarier, he thought he’d be panicking, maybe his hands would be sweating but all he felt was peace; Atsumu’s breathing seemed to steady his heart, to quell his fears, and his warm body against his was like a comforting blanket. He could’ve actually fallen asleep like that if he wanted, but he really didn’t want to miss a second of this because god , he had been dreaming about something like this for ages. 

Their bodies seemed to fit so well against each other it reminded Kiyoomi of all those romance books about soulmates he was so obsessed with reading when he was younger. He thought about what it would be like to fall asleep like that every night, with Atsumu curled around his body or Kiyoomi curled around Atsumu’s body, maybe in the summer they’d just hold hands, too warm to actually cuddle. He wondered what Atsumu would look like first thing in the morning, puffy eyes, messy hair and morning breath, but he’d probably still look beautiful. 

As his mind was wandering off somewhere else, he felt Atsumu’s body violently shiver and he had to remind himself not to enjoy this too much, Atsumu had a fever and as Osamu had said earlier, he behaved like a baby whenever he was sick. It’d be egotistical for Kiyoomi to enjoy this when he knew Atsumu wasn’t feeling his best, this moment wasn’t for him to enjoy but still, it made him think about the possibilities, about what could be … Kiyoomi wanted to memorize the way their bodies fit together, he wanted to memorize the smell of Atsumu’s peach scented shampoo, of course he wanted to memorize everything about tonight just in case it was a once in a lifetime experience, he hoped it wasn’t though...

He ended up falling asleep at around 3 am, but if he had just stayed up for a little bit longer he might’ve felt the tiny kisses Atsumu peppered on his chest– just above his heart –on his collarbones and on his neck.

The first thing he felt in the morning was the ghost of fingertips on his face followed by fingers carding through his hair. The first thing he saw in the morning was Atsumu lying on his side facing Kiyoomi. Atsumu, who was painted golden by the morning sunlight and had a shy smile on his face as if he had been caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to do. Atsumu, who, with a voice hoarse from sleep said, “Good morning Omi,” and Kiyoomi was completely sold, he wanted to wake up next to this man every single day.

“Good morning,” he said between yawns and stretches.

Once Kiyoomi was fully awake, Atsumu took his hand away from Kiyoomi’s hair and it took everything in Kiyoomi not to whine because of the loss. It was only then he noticed his arm was wrapped around Atsumu’s waist, one of his legs completely thrown over Atsumu’s body, and he felt himself blushing all over. 

“Did you sleep well?” Atsumu asked, unaware of Kiyoomi’s slight panic over waking up in such an intimate position. Said panic intensified once he remembered how they had fallen asleep last night, bodies almost fused together.

“Uh… yeah, yeah I did,” he said, slowly unwrapping his limbs from Atsumu’s body and immediately missing the warmth. Only then did he remember Atsumu’s fever and the fact that the sole reason that they had slept… together, was because of it. He was supposed to be taking care of Atsumu but instead he was panicking and only thinking about himself.

Kiyoomi flopped back on the bed, this time completely detaching from Atsumu’s body, and brought his hand up to Atsumu’s forehead which was now, although a bit sticky because of the sweat, a completely normal temperature. 

“Are you feeling better?” Kiyoomi asked, pushing Atsumu’s hair away from his forehead.

“Yeah I am,” he said with a smile, “it only usually lasts about a day or so, I just needed some rest,” he added and his eyes fluttered when Kiyoomi pushed some hair behind his ear.

“Mn…“I’m sorry I worried you, Omi.”

“I wasn’t worried,” that was a lie, he was worried but just a healthy amount.

“Still, you took care of me when you didn’t have to, thank you,” he said, and his eyes shone with something that Kiyoomi wished was akin to love.

“It’s okay,” Kiyoomi retorted because it truly was okay, he’d take care of Atsumu anytime the same way he knew Atsumu would take care of him. “What time is it?” he then asked.

Atsumu picked up his phone which Kiyoomi had plugged in for him on the nightstand last night. “Uhh… it’s almost 12pm,” he said.

He knew Atsumu was an early riser. “How long have you been up?” he asked.

“I woke up at like… 10:30 maybe?” he said.

“Why didn’t you just wake me up? Maybe you could’ve grabbed some breakfast…” 

“I didn’t wanna get up,” Atsumu said, “I was… enjoying the view,” he added and wait... was he blushing?

“What view?” Kiyoomi asked even though he knew what Atsumu was talking about, he just wanted to hear him say it.

“You, uh… you look good like this,” he said, “relaxed.”

Okay, maybe Kiyoomi’s shot had backfired. Maybe he was asking for his death– a slow painful one –when he tried to tease Atsumu because he was the one blushing now. He had to change the subject somehow so he cleared his throat and said, “Are you hungry?” That’s right, distracting him with food always worked.

“Mmm… not really? I could probably wait ‘till lunch,” he said, turning so he was lying on his back, arms spread to the side as if he were a starfish. His fingers were almost touching Kiyoomi’s arm and Kiyoomi didn’t know if he wanted to move closer or away. “I think I’m going to have a shower though.”

“‘Kay,” Kiyoomi said as he burrowed his face deeper into the pillow, not his pillow though, that one was currently under Atsumu’s head. Kiyoomi needed a moment for himself, a moment to think and to breathe because he was pretty sure he had been holding his breath ever since he crawled into bed next to Atsumu. 

Now, for some reason, Atsumu didn’t seem to want to leave his bed and Kiyoomi wasn’t verbally going to ask him to leave. He supposed it was a little bit awkward, getting out of bed after spending all night cuddling with your so-called “best friend” in a way that best friends weren’t supposed to cuddle. Besides, at this point, every invisible line they had traced between them was completely gone. Kiyoomi had kissed Atsumu’s forehead and held him tightly against his body as they rubbed his legs against each other all in the span of one night. Now he wasn’t really sure where they stood; would this be like, a one-time thing? He hoped not. Was this all completely platonic? Again, he hoped it wasn’t. Did Atsumu feel anything at all as he held onto Kiyoomi? Did his heart start beating faster, did his palms get sweaty, did he feel at home?

Kiyoomi’s head was full of questions and he needed to make up a proper strategy to answer them all, otherwise, he was pretty sure he was finally going to go insane. Maybe it was finally time to let go of all of his fears because after getting a taste of what being held and holding the sun felt like, he’d just start to crave it even more. 

“Omi?” Atsumu asked, bringing Kiyoomi back to reality.

“Mn?”

“Thank you,” he said, before brushing Kiyoomi’s hair back one more time and crawling out of bed, taking all of the warmth with him and leaving Kiyoomi in a weird haze. 

The moment Atsumu was out of the room, Kiyoomi turned so he was lying on his back and he honest to god felt like his heart was going to burst. He covered his face, which was now heating up, with both of his hands and he just… lay there for a bit, feeling like the protagonist of a very cheesy shojo manga after having talked to her crush. It was ridiculous how many emotions Kiyoomi was feeling right now, some of them contradictory. He was happy and felt giddy and warm, but at the same time, he was a little bit scared and confused because he had no idea what the hell this all meant. What he did know now though, was that right now, he was feeling braver than ever for some reason.

He got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom, stripping himself of his clothes and turning on the shower. He let the water run for a bit, until it was warm enough– or as Atsumu would say, boiling hot –for it to melt all of his thoughts away. And then, once he had finally managed to calm himself down, once he finally found a little safe haven where he could feel nothing but peace, he started thinking again. He thought about what Osamu had said, about how he should talk to Atsumu because he could be pleasantly surprised. He also thought about Atsumu asking him to stay, he thought about Atsumu giving him his jacket, about Atsumu covering him with his blanket when he fell asleep in the car. By the end of his shower, he was able to come to a few conclusions...

He made a decision and stepped out of the shower, his mind feeling clearer than it had in weeks.

He got dressed quickly into some comfy clothes, did his skincare and when he was about to leave his bedroom one Miya Atsumu appeared at his doorstep.

“Hi,” he said, flashing his signature smile.

“Hi?”

“Uh… I was wondering if I could borrow some of your fancy face creams,” Atsumu said, making his way into Kiyoomi’s bedroom and sitting on his unmade bed, “my face’s started peeling a bit because of the sunburn.”

Kiyoomi sighed and just motioned for Atsumu to follow him into the bathroom. “You need to take better care of yourself, Atsumu.”

“I knoooow… I just, didn't mean to fall asleep on the beach∫.”

Kiyoomi patted the bathroom counter, motioning for Atsumu to sit there.

“What?”

“Sit down,” Kiyoomi said while going through his skincare stuff.

“I can do it myself, I’m not a baby,” Atsumu retorted in feigned annoyance, still, he obeyed and sat down, leaving some space for Kiyoomi to stand in between his thighs.

“You’ve been behaving like one though,” Kiyoomi teased.

“Hmm… I think you’re the one that’s been behaving like a baby though.”

“No I’m not.”

“Yes you are.”

“Atsumu, I don’t act like a baby,” Kiyoomi said, coming to stand in between Atsumu’s legs.

As he did that, he suddenly remembered the way he had kissed Atsumu’s thighs the night before. He really hoped he wasn’t blushing.

“You don’t?” Atsumu asked teasingly and Kiyoomi just shook his head. “Hmm… you certainly were holding onto me like a baby last night…” 

And that, that was a low blow. Kiyoomi was surely blushing now. “Shut up,” he said because he really didn’t know what else to say and he was really flustered right now.

He grabbed his headband– the one with bear ears –and pushed Atsumu’s hair back with it, effectively shutting him up. “I have a hydrating mask that can help with the peeling,” he then said as he uncapped the mask, Atsumu made an affirmative noise. 

The mask came with a little spatula for easier application but Kiyoomi decided to ignore it, opting to apply the mask with his fingers instead. He scooped a little bit and applied it on Atsumu’s freckled nose.

Atsumu hissed. “Fuck that’s cold,” he said, moving back to avoid Kiyoomi’s touch.

“It’s supposed to be cold. Stop moving,” he said as he applied some more on his forehead.

Atsumu didn’t stop squirming though, but Kiyoomi quickly found a solution. He grabbed Atsumu’s waist with his clean hand and pulled him closer, keeping him rooted in place. That idea worked very well in Kiyoomi’s mind, in reality though, he wasn’t sure if it was a very smart solution because now they were way too close and he was blushing and his hands were shaking once again. Atsumu wasn't any better though, Kiyoomi could see the areas on his face which were not yet covered by the mask were also red and he was breathing heavily, which made Kiyoomi really happy for some reason.

“I’ll, uh... stop moving now,” he said and his voice sounded strained.

Kiyoomi nodded, not really trusting his voice right now, and kept on applying the mask until Atsumu’s face was covered in a turquoise gel. 

“We have to wait fifteen minutes now,” he said, stepping back from the space between Atsumu’s legs, resisting the urge to just hug Atsumu tightly by the waist and hide his face in the crook of his neck.

“‘Kay…” Atsumu said, jumping off the counter. “Wait, is your hair still wet?” he then asked.

“Uh, yeah?” Kiyoomi answered, making his way to the living room to lounge on the couch.

“Can I blow-dry it for you?” Atsumu asked.

“Why?”

“Because you’ll get sick if you leave it wet.”

“That’s actually not a thing, Atsumu…”

“C’mon, just let me fucking dry your hair Omi,” Atsumu said before storming off to grab his hair dryer.

Once he was back, he grabbed Kiyoomi’s wrist and pulled him back towards his bedroom. Atsumu plugged the blow dryer and then sat on Kiyoomi’s bed, staring expectantly at Kiyoomi. 

“Sit down Kiyoomi,” he said in an authoritative tone which, for some reason, made Kiyoomi get all flustered, “You’ve been doing way too much for me, let me pay it back,” he then added.

Kiyoomi eventually gave in, not because he felt Atsumu owed him anything, but because he was a weak man and could never say no to Atsumu. He sat cross legged in between Atsumu’s legs facing the windows which showcased the beach. The view always blew Kiyoomi’s mind.

Atsumu started working. He first brushed Kiyoomi’s hair with his fingers, getting rid of little tangles here and there and applying just the right pressure on his scalp for Kiyoomi’s eyes to flutter closed. Once he was done with that, he started actually blow drying Kiyoomi’s hair, the warm air and the feel of Atsumu’s hands on his scalp were enough for Kiyoomi to melt into a pile of mush, relaxing completely. Since his hair wasn’t long it didn’t take much time for it to be completely dry and Kiyoomi would be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed when Atsumu turned the blow dryer off. He was about to get up when he felt Atsumu’s hands back on his head though, and this time, he couldn’t suppress a sigh. Atsumu carded his fingers through his hair softly, sometimes applying gentle pressure with his fingers, and sometimes scratching a bit with his nails—every time he did that, Kiyoomi felt himself shiver in pleasure. Atsumu’s hands on his head felt like pure bliss and Kiyoomi found himself leaning into the touch, which made Atsumu chuckle over him. Eventually Kiyoomi’s eyes closed again, he bent his neck a little bit so he could pillow his head on Atsumu’s thigh, the perfect spot for a quick nap.

He wasn’t deeply asleep though, so he could still feel Atsumu’s gentle hands playing with his hair. He felt Atsumu tuck a wild lock of hair behind his ear, his hand lingering there. He felt fingertips tracing a line down his neck. This particular touch made him shiver and he couldn’t hold back the little noise of content that left his mouth. Eventually, everything faded to black and he was lulled to sleep by Atsumu’s big but gentle hands.

He woke up a few minutes later, startled by the alarm he had set on his phone. Only fifteen minutes had passed but he could’ve sworn time seemed to stretch while he sat between Atsumu’s legs. He looked up and saw Atsumu already looking at him, his chest felt warm.

“Good morning,” he said as he laughed.

“Mmm… morning,” Kiyoomi mumbled as he stretched. “C’mon, we need to rinse the mask off,” he added as he stood up, extending a hand for Atsumu to take it, which he did.

He led Atsumu to the bathroom, signaling for him to sit on the counter again. This time he seemed to fit better between Atsumu’s legs. Atsumu had his eyes closed, his chin tilted upwards as if he were presenting his face to Kiyoomi, trusting him completely. Kiyoomi grabbed his chin with one hand, and with the other he started to remove the mask using a lukewarm wet towel. Once the mask was completely off Kiyoomi applied a moisturizing cream to Atsumu’s face. He didn’t say anything when he was done, Atsumu still had his eyes closed and his chin was still tilted upwards and it was equal parts cute and amusing. He opened his eyes a few moments later, probably after realizing Kiyoomi wasn’t applying anything anymore.

“What?” he asked with a cute smile.

“Nothing,” Kiyoomi said, “you just… look good like this,” he added, mirroring what Atsumu had said earlier when they were still in bed.

“Like what?” Atsumu asked and he may or may have been blushing, a silly smile adorned his face.

Right… like what? With Kiyoomi between his legs? Wearing his headband? With his messy hair and red cheeks and that dopey smile that seemed to permanently be on his face whenever he looked at Kiyoomi? He couldn’t say that, at least not yet.

“I don’t know… just, here” he said. He tried to move a few steps backwards, they were done here in the bathroom so there was no reason anymore to keep standing between Atsumu’s legs in such an intimate position. He couldn’t move though, because the minute he finished speaking, arms wrapped around his waist. Atsumu pulled him closer than they already were and hid his face in the crook of Kiyoomi’s neck. This sudden act of affection caught Kiyoomi off guard and he found himself frozen.

“You can’t just say stuff like that, Omi,” Atsumu mumbled against his neck, sounding flustered.

Kiyoomi finally reacted. He brought his hands up, up until his arms were wrapped around Atsumu’s neck, one of his hands found Atsumu’s hair, his fingers threading through it.

There had been a shift. He felt it and he was sure Atsumu felt it too. Everything now seemed more intimate somehow, every touch seemed like it had an intent, they weren’t just casual touches anymore. Atsumu was hugging him because he wanted to hug him, Kiyoomi was pressing Atsumu’s head closer to the crook of his neck because he wanted him there, he was carding his fingers through his hair simply because he wanted to and because he could. He didn’t feel the need to explain and neither did Atsumu, they were fine for the time being. Atsumu’s hair smelled like peaches and it tickled Kiyoomi’s cheek. Atsumu was warm and he was wearing Kiyoomi’s bear headband and he was grabbing Kiyoomi’s waist tightly. Kiyoomi would’ve stayed there, in that spot between Atsumu’s arms, forever.

But… it was almost 3 pm and they hadn’t eaten anything yet and Kiyoomi’s tummy decided to interrupt the warm hug with a loud rumble which made Atsumu laugh. His laugh was warm against Kiyoomi’s neck, goosebumps rose all over his body, and when Atsumu detached himself from Kiyoomi, it felt like everything was over way too soon. Kiyoomi had to remind himself that they had enough time.

“C’mon, let’s see if Osamu made anything for lunch,” Atsumu said, jumping off the counter and making his way out of the bathroom.

Kiyoomi trailed behind him feeling a little dazed, as if he were walking on clouds. He wanted to reach out and intertwine his pinky with Atsumu’s, maybe pull him back towards his bedroom, maybe crawl back under the sheets with him, maybe finally, finally tell him how much he loved him. 

He didn’t though, instead, he followed him to the kitchen. Atsumu was still wearing Kiyoomi’s headband and maybe Kiyoomi should’ve said something because now Osamu was laughing at him and Atsumu was yelling but the tips of his ears were red and Kiyoomi loved the view. 

Once Osamu finally calmed down he said, “Good morning,” and Kiyoomi knew he was teasing them both. He kept glancing between the two of them, assuming something had happened, he was pretty sure Osamu could feel the shift too. 

“Did you already have lunch, Osamu-san?” Kiyoomi asked, ignoring everything else.

“No, not yet,” he answered, “Oi, ‘Tsumu, help me with the food,” he added.

“Do you want me to help too?” Kiyoomi asked.

“Nah, don’t worry, you already did way too much for this asshole so it’s his time to work.” 

Kiyoomi knew that was his sign to fuck off. Not in a bad way though, Osamu needed his time alone with Atsumu, he supposed he wanted to interrogate him the same way he had interrogated Kiyoomi the night before and Kiyoomi was okay with that. He grabbed his book from the living room table along with his beach towel and made his way outside. Before exiting Atsumu yelled a quick, “I’ll let you know when it’s ready!” and Kiyoomi nodded.

It was almost 3 pm now and the sky was cloudy, there was a slight breeze and the beach didn’t look too inviting. Today was going to be a lazy day and Kiyoomi was one hundred percent okay with that. He felt exhausted for some reason and he just wanted to curl up on the couch with his book and maybe Atsumu’s voice as background noise. 

When he thought about Atsumu now, he felt oddly at peace. It wasn’t that he didn’t feel butterflies in his stomach now every time he looked at him, or that his heart didn’t start beating faster every time their hands brushed, it was that, now, Kiyoomi felt at peace with his own feelings for Atsumu and he was trying to let them show through his actions a little bit more. He loved Atsumu, loved him more than he had ever loved anyone before and he wanted to tell Atsumu exactly that. He was past the point of thinking about being rejected, he knew there was a possibility that his heart could get torn into pieces– even though that possibility seemed slimmer and slimmer with each passing day –but he didn’t care anymore, he just wanted to let Atsumu know how loved he actually is. He needed to.

Still, thinking about actually saying “I love you” turned him into an actual bundle of nerves so he just pushed those thoughts back and opened his book. 

He managed to read quite a few pages before the food was ready. Atsumu appeared on the balcony and yelled, “Omiiiiii,” which shouldn’t have made him as happy as it did, but he was still wearing his headband and all Kiyoomi felt was warmth even though it was kind of chilly outside.

The three of them sat at the table and ate mostly in silence. Osamu had made teriyaki chicken, which was delicious, and Kiyoomi made sure to compliment him on his cooking once again. Atsumu interrupted their small exchange just to argue that he had helped too and therefore also deserved to be complimented and thanked which prompted yet another banter session between the twins. Even though Kiyoomi kept himself sidelined he oddly felt like he belonged there, like he was at the right place, sitting on the table with Atsumu by his side and Osamu in front of them.

Eventually, he also thanked Atsumu for his hard work which earned him a big smile that made his heart light afire.

“I’m going to take a nap,” Osamu announced while Kiyoomi was washing the dishes.

“A nap?” Atsumu asked, “what are you, an old man?” he added.

“Unlike some people, Atsumu, I didn’t sleep until 12 pm,” he said, before retreating to his bedroom.

“Damn, okay,” Atsumu mumbled under his breath and his ears were red.

“Pretty,” Kiyoomi thought to himself.

“I’m going to make some tea,” Kiyoomi announced, “do you want some?” 

“Yes please,” Atsumu said before flopping face first onto one of the couches, grabbing the TV remote from the table and turning on the TV.

Kiyoomi boiled the water, opened two packets of Earl Grey tea, and put the two little tea bags in their respective mugs. He let them steep for four minutes and then he took the tea bags out. He then added three teaspoons of sugar to his own cup and one to Atsumu’s. After everything was done, he took both of the mugs and sat down next to Atsumu, handing him his mug. 

“Thank you,” he said and Kiyoomi just made an affirmative noise.

“Can we watch Glee ?” Kiyoomi asked.

“Mn, sure,” Atsumu said before putting on a random episode.

This was usually how their afternoons went: they could just sit next to each other on the couch for hours scrolling through their phones or reading in silence and it wasn’t awkward, it was easy and comfortable and Kiyoomi loved it.

Now Glee was playing on the TV, Kiyoomi was humming the familiar songs under his breath, and Atsumu was scrolling through Instagram on his phone, moving his legs to the beat of whatever songs the characters on TV were singing. Whenever Atsumu found something on Instagram that he knew Kiyoomi would like, he showed him—dog pictures, memes, stuff like that. Atsumu’s feet were touching Kiyoomi’s legs and the closeness, the familiarity, was Kiyoomi’s favorite thing ever.

Suddenly, he remembered a memory that always made him laugh. They were sitting on the couch on a day like this watching Glee – or more like, Kiyoomi was watching and Atsumu was on his phone –and a scene with Demi Lovato came on. Kiyoomi’s mind had somehow made a weird association and that made him remember that there was something he needed to tell Atsumu.

“Hey, Atsumu?” he’d said without taking his eyes off the TV.

“Mn?”

“I’m demisexual.”

Atsumu had looked at him and smiled, “That’s cool, Osamu is too,” he’d said, “wait… why did you tell me now?”

“I had actually forgotten to tell you but Demi Lovato reminded me of it,” Kiyoomi had answered, “because of their name...” he’d added but Atsumu was already having a full on laughing fit.

“Oh my god, you’re fucking ridiculous,” he had said as he gasped for air.

Kiyoomi liked that about them, how they were able to have conversations that were supposed to be deep in the most casual of ways, almost as if they were talking about the weather.

Now, two of the main characters were kissing on TV after singing the sappiest song together, so Kiyoomi found it fitting to ask, “Atsumu, have you ever been in love?” And maybe it was only a coincidence that Kiyoomi was absentmindedly stroking the little bit of skin between Atsumu’s socks and his pants with his thumb when he asked.

And there was nothing casual about that question, Atsumu felt it too and Kiyoomi could almost see the wheels turning in his brain. 

After what could’ve been the loudest silence Kiyoomi had ever experienced, Atsumu opened his mouth to finally give him an answer. “Yeah, I’ve been… I am,” he said, and Kiyoomi wanted to grab his red cheeks and kiss him until he couldn’t breathe.

“What… what do you like about them?” he asked instead.

“Fuck, Omi… a lot of things actually, it’s hard to put them into words,” and Kiyoomi understood that feeling. “They’re caring and passionate and they… I don’t know, they make me feel like, at peace? Also they’re really fucking pretty…” he was smiling now and it was probably unconscious. 

Atsumu’s eyes shone and Kiyoomi found himself crossing his fingers behind his back because please let it be me. An ounce of hesitation still remained though, the person Atsumu was describing was way too good and relating to that description would be thinking way too highly of himself.

“What about you?” Atsumu asked and Kiyoomi knew it was coming.

“I… I think I’ve been falling for a long time,” he answered sincerely, “and it’s fucking terrifying,” he added not really knowing why, maybe because he felt he could tell anything to Atsumu, even his fears.

“Yeah, it’s scary I know…” Atsumu said, “I’m sure there’ll be someone there to catch you though,” he added and Kiyoomi felt warm.

“I hope that someone’s you though” he thought to himself. What he didn’t know was that Atsumu was actually thinking the same thing, “I hope that’s me.”

“What do you like about them?” Atsumu asked, trying to act nonchalant.

“They’re like the sun,” Kiyoomi said before turning his attention back to the TV, too scared that he was going to let everything spill right there because what didn’t he like about Atsumu.

That effectively ended the conversation and Atsumu went back to his phone as if nothing had happened. It wasn’t a coincidence that Kiyoomi caught him staring more than usual though.

At around 7 pm Kiyoomi had an idea. “Hey, wanna go get some ice-cream?” he asked, mainly because the air was a little bit… weird after the conversation they had and he didn’t want things to be weird between them.

Also, he really wanted some ice-cream.

“Yeah, sure,” Atsumu said as he paused the episode, “gimme like, ten minutes, to wake up,” he added because he had almost fallen asleep on the couch.

“Mn, ‘kay,” Kiyoomi answered as he stretched, “should we tell Osamu-san?”

“I’ll ask him if he wants to go.”

Kiyoomi made an affirmative noise and got up, he washed the mugs they had used and then threw a jacket on, a fuzzy, black zip up that was his absolute favorite thing ever. 

“Hey ‘Samu, me and Omi are going to get some ice-cream, wanna go with us?” he heard Atsumu ask.

“Not really,” Osamu answered, “have fun though,” he said and Kiyoomi knew he was teasing.

Atsumu met Kiyoomi in the living room, he had finally taken the headband off and it had left his hair all messy. “Your hair’s messy,” Kiyoomi commented because he literally couldn’t keep his mouth shut around Atsumu and he really, really wanted to run his hands through Atsumu’s hair.

“Mn, yeah I know,” Atsumu said, running his hands through it, trying to fix it a little bit.

It didn’t work though, “I brought a beanie, want it?” Kiyoomi offered.

“‘Kay,” Atsumu said, “thank you.”

Kiyoomi grabbed the beanie from his bedroom and helped Atsumu with it. Maybe it was just an excuse to touch him because his hair didn’t look that bad, but Kiyoomi pushed all of the hair back with his fingers and threw the beanie on top of Atsumu’s hair. As expected, he looked like a dream.

“Ready? Let’s go,” he said once he was done.

They walked in comfortable silence to the ice-cream place they had gone to some days ago. This time it was almost empty, maybe because it was cold outside, so they were quick with their orders, raspberry for Kiyoomi and cookies and cream for Atsumu. They sat on the same bench they had sat the other day, this time though, Osamu wasn’t there so they had no excuse to be sat closely to each other. Still, Atsumu’s thigh was pressed to his own.

“Have you ever stargazed on the beach?” Atsumu asked as they ate.

“Hmm… no, never,” Kiyoomi answered, “we used to come to the beach every year with my family when I was younger but I never stayed out late ‘cause I was scared of the dark.” 

“Not anymore?” Atsumu asked in a way that made Kiyoomi’s heart melt.

“No, not anymore,” Kiyoomi said, giggling.

“We should then, tonight,” Atsumu suggested, “stargaze, I mean.”

Kiyoomi thought about lying on the sand next to Atsumu under a blanket of stars and darkness, maybe he’d be braver in the dark. “Sure,” he said and his heart fluttered.

The sun was about to set when they finished their ice-cream and started their journey back home. They talked about everything and nothing as they walked. Kiyoomi thought about the sun shining like a beacon amongst a sea of darkness. He thought about Atsumu coming to life at night, maybe he’d come to life too, under the moonlight and with the sun lying by his side. For the first time in his life he craved the dark.

When they arrived back home, Osamu was lying on the couch watching some random cooking show. He lazily waved at them with a sly, knowing smirk on his face and Kiyoomi felt himself blushing all over. He had blushed so much over these past few days he was sure his face was now permanently red.

“What are we doing tonight?” Osamu asked.

“Uh… I don’t know,” Atsumu answered, “me and Omi are going stargazing later,” he adds and Kiyoomi knows it sounds like they’re going on a date, he knows Osamu must be smirking.

Kiyoomi stayed silent, mainly because he didn’t trust the things that could come out of his mouth if he opened it. He took off his jacket and hung it on the clothing hanger that was at the entrance of the house, then he tried to take his beanie off Atsumu’s head but Atsumu resisted so he just let him be.

“We could play UNO again maybe?” Kiyoomi suggested after a while.

“‘Kay, but no banding against me this time,” Atsumu said.

“I can’t promise that,” Kiyoomi said teasingly.

Fifteen minutes later, the three of them were sitting around the table with their cards in hand and munching on some edamame. Osamu had offered them beers but Kiyoomi had politely declined– he didn’t like beer –and Atsumu had… not so politely declined. “We’re professional athletes ‘Samu, we need to take care of ourselves,” unlike you was left unsaid but Osamu knew what he meant.

They played some games and this time Kiyoomi noticed the twins had banded against him, showering with +4 and +2 cards. He took this as a right of passage, losing at a game had never felt so good. 

After, like, five games Osamu announced he was retreating to the living room, he kept glancing at his phone and both Kiyoomi and Atsumu understood, he had more pressing matters to tend to at the moment and that pressing matter had a name: Suna Rintaro.

“Wanna go out now?” Atsumu asked.

“Yeah, let’s go,” Kiyoomi said, “let me grab some towels and my jacket,” he added and welcomed back the familiar butterflies.

Atsumu just followed him back to his room and went outside through the balcony door, Kiyoomi followed him once he had gathered his stuff. They walked together in silence a little bit closer to the water which seemed calmer now after a day full of wind and waves. They spread their towels next to each other and laid down and, yeah, Kiyoomi liked this.

Atsumu was silent next to him and he was close, their fingers almost touching as their hands laid by their sides, if Kiyoomi reached out he could intertwine his pinky with Atsumu’s. The night sky looked absolutely gorgeous tonight, no cloud in sight, everything was completely clear, the stars and the moon giving off a comforting glow that lit everything up in a way that seemed intimate. He thought about his fear of the dark and wondered why? when the night sky looked and felt like this. He had the moon and the stars above him and the sun right next to him, close enough to touch.

They laid there in silence for a while, with Atsumu occasionally pointing out the shooting stars that painted the sky for a second. And Kiyoomi tried his best to keep his eyes set on the sky. Shooting stars came and went quickly, you had to give the sky your undivided attention but Kiyoomi found himself struggling to take his eyes off the man that was lying next to him. And he felt it. He felt the feelings he had been ignoring and trying to hide for so many years start to crawl their way out and this time, he didn’t feel the need to push them back in. He didn’t feel the need because Atsumu was right there and looked gorgeous under the dark, night sky. He didn’t feel the need to push them back anymore because, every time he looked at Atsumu, his heart seemed to swell and he felt so much it hurt sometimes. He remembered Osamu asking, “Have you ever asked him what he thinks of you?” and that was the last push he needed. 

He meant to open his mouth but his mind reacted first and he reached out, intertwining his pinky with Atsumu the way he had wanted to earlier. He heard Atsumu suck in a breath next to him, a shaky “Omi?” came next and when he turned around to face the man next to him, he was already staring with something akin to hope in his eyes.

He meant to open his mouth but the moment his finger came in contact with Atsumu’s he found himself at a loss for words. He had so much he wanted to say, but for some reason, words weren’t working at the moment. 

And then he threw all caution to the wind.

He sat up, aware of how dumbfounded Atsumu looked, and took off his shirt. Then he stood up and Atsumu’s gaze followed him. “Omi?” he asked again.

Kiyoomi untied his sweatpants and pushed them down, “Omi, what are you doing?” Atsumu’s voice trembled as he asked.

“Going for a swim,” he answered as he stripped himself off his boxers. 

“Kiyoomi, have you lost your mind?” Atsumu asked, almost screaming.

“Maybe,” Kiyoomi said as he looked back at him. “C’mon,” he added as he started walking towards the water.

He was completely exposed, but he felt safe under the night sky and Atsumu’s gaze. There was nothing to be afraid of, not with him. He knew Atsumu would follow him into the water eventually, just as Kiyoomi would follow him to the edge of the world because that’s just how they worked. How they’d always been.

Just then, as his feet touched the water, he realized he had meant to bare his heart to Atsumu but instead he ended up baring his body. He just hoped this managed to convey everything he wanted to say but couldn’t yet. He hoped Atsumu understood. When words failed they usually turned to actions, to touches. Kiyoomi remembered all of the times Atsumu had squeezed his shoulder after a bad game, not saying anything, but at the same time saying everything . When words failed they both understood the touches, the looks.

And Atsumu understood, because as Kiyoomi was about to step into the water he heard him. 

“Wait!” Atsumu yelled, standing up quickly.

Kiyoomi turned around to face him with a smile on his face. He watched him strip himself off his shirt in a hurry, then came the pants, the briefs and, once again, Kiyoomi found himself unable to look away because god , he was beautiful. He was beautiful and he was walking towards him and Kiyoomi was reaching his hand out and Atsumu was taking it with a smile on his face and red high on his cheeks. 

Only then he noticed his hands were shaking. Atsumu’s were too though, Atsumu’s steady setter hands were shaking and Kiyoomi knew everything was going to be okay.

And he pulled and Atsumu followed until they were both waist deep in the water. The water was warm and Atsumu’s hand in his was too. They were now facing each other and Atsumu was staring at Kiyoomi like he couldn’t believe what he had done. He had a little smile on his face that was a bit shy, a bit not Atsumu or maybe it was very much Atsumu, just a side of him Kiyoomi had yet to see. And he understood Atsumu’s confusion because Kiyoomi wasn’t the spontaneous one out of the two, maybe Atsumu was just rubbing off on him.

And then it dawned on him.

Atsumu was actually here, waist deep in the water, completely naked and vulnerable in front of him. Kiyoomi looked at him, actually looked, and it oddly felt as if he were looking at him for the first time ever and of course, he was absolutely beautiful. He seemed to be glowing under the pale light the moon reflected on his skin, his hair was messy and his cheeks were flushed. If Kiyoomi could write poetry he’d most definitely write something inspired by this moment, if Kiyoomi could paint, Atsumu would be his muse. He couldn’t do any of those things though, but he was fine with just staring in awe.

And Atsumu was staring at him too, staring with stars in his eyes that seemed to rival the ones in the sky, staring as if he were looking at something beautiful. Kiyoomi felt himself blush under his gaze and then realized how silly this whole situation was. He wasn’t blushing because he was naked, he was blushing because he felt himself burn under Atsumu’s gaze.

He turned around and walked a bit further away, Atsumu stayed rooted on the spot and Kiyoomi could feel his eyes on his back as he submerged himself completely. The water felt good on his face, on his skin, like a light breeze on a too-hot beach day. He resurfaced a moment later, pushing his now wet hair out of his face and turning around, Atsumu was still staring and Kiyoomi was ready now.

He opened his mouth to speak, “Atsu–” he managed to say but coincidentally Atsumu had also chosen that moment to speak.

“Omi,” he said and he sounded full of emotion, his voice seemed to pull Kiyoomi closer again, like a magnet, and soon enough they were standing in front of each other again. 

“You first,” Atsumu said.

“I— Atsumu,” was all Kiyoomi could say because the butterflies were back and his hands were itching to touch Atsumu, “could you, like… close your eyes for me?” he then asked in a whisper.

Atsumu did as told, he closed his eyes and the amount of trust he had in Kiyoomi made him weirdly emotional.

Kiyoomi approached him slowly, trying his best to calm himself down as he walked. One, two, three steps were all it took for him to be right in front of Atsumu, so close all he had to do to press his forehead against Atsumu’s, was lean forward. And he did, this time he did not hesitate.

He heard Atsumu’s breath hitch when skin touched skin. He felt Atsumu’s breath hitch when he pressed his thumb lightly against Atsumu’s bottom lip. They were so close Kiyoomi could feel Atsumu’s breath on him, grazing his mouth like a ghost’s kiss. He was so close he noticed everything; the way Atsumu sucked in a breath when Kiyoomi placed his free hand on the side of his neck, cradling it softly, the way his lips parted slightly when Kiyoomi stroked his jaw with his thumb, the way he seemed to lean forward as if he were asking for more. Kiyoomi felt like he was seconds away from being burnt down to ashes. 

He counted, three, two, one and finally, finally pressed his lips against Atsumu’s.

And it was barely a peck, and it was innocent and short and Kiyoomi didn’t manage to feel much because he was just so overwhelmed by everything , but still, it felt… almost cathartic. Like the culmination of five or maybe even ten years of loving and longing .

When Kiyoomi pulled back, Atsumu was staring at him in a way that made Kiyoomi feel electrified. He realized his hand was still cradling Atsumu’s jaw and hesitantly pulled it back because what now?

“Atsumu,” he found himself whispering, “I’m sorry, I just–” he tried to say but before he could finish, Atsumu grabbed his face and– quite literally –threw himself at him, Kiyoomi’s hands wrapped around his waist instinctively to prevent him from falling into the water. They stumbled backwards a bit, almost slipping into the water but Kiyoomi managed to steady them both.

And then he was kissing him, Atsumu’s lips were on his and he was kissing him properly this time. And Kiyoomi found himself set ablaze. And Atsumu tasted like salt and mango chapstick and like Atsumu and it was all too much, but at the same time, not enough at all.

Atsumu’s lips trembled against his’ and god , he was kissing him with such tenderness it made Kiyoomi want to cry.

So he brought his hands up, threaded his fingers through Atsumu’s wet hair. Atsumu’s hands wandered around, one settling in the back of Kiyoomi’s head, the other one right on top of his heart. He opened his mouth and Kiyoomi did too, both unable to contain the sounds they were making, the gasps, the whimpers.

The kiss was messy and passionate and warm and it was filled with so much love. They only parted to breathe and Kiyoomi found himself chasing Atsumu’s lips almost unconsciously, leaning forward eagerly which made Atsumu chuckle. Their foreheads were still pressed against each other, Kiyoomi’s hands were still in Atsumu’s hair so he took advantage of his position and pushed his head forwards, lips meeting again in yet another kiss. And another, and another. Kiyoomi eventually wondered if it was actually possible to become addicted to the feeling of Atsumu’s lips against his.

At some point, Atsumu grabbed his cheeks again and took control of the situation, pressing messy, wet kisses all over Kiyoomi’s salty face until they were both laughing against each other’s mouths. And Kiyoomi was happy. His heart felt full and almost like it was going to burst because he was ridiculously happy. The stars shone over them, the moon was their witness.

“God, Kiyoomi,” Atsumu whispered against his jaw, pressing a soft kiss there, “you don’t know how crazy you make me.” 

“Atsumu,” Kiyoomi whispered. “Atsumu,” he repeated as he pressed a kiss against Atsumu’s forehead, “Atsumu,” he said as he kissed his nose, then his cheeks and then his mouth once again, the name of the man he loved slipping from his lips like a mantra.

And they kissed and laughed and fell into the water (multiple times). They kissed until their lips were sore and bruised, they laughed until tears pooled at the corner of their eyes, until their stomachs ached and they stayed in the water until they got cold. They walked out the same way as they had gone in, with their hands linked together.

Atsumu grabbed Kiyoomi’s towel and wrapped it around him, rubbing the sides of his arms up and down as to warm him up and then enveloping him in a warm hug, pressing a kiss to Kiyoomi’s forehead before parting. He then wrapped his own towel around himself and extended his hand for Kiyoomi to take.

They walked inside together, already feeling gross because of the sea salt clinging onto their skin. Kiyoomi started walking towards his bedroom, itching for a shower and then Atsumu let go of his hand.

“I’m going to shower,” he said and he sounded small for some reason.

Before he could turn around, Kiyoomi grabbed his hand, “Atsumu, I thought… maybe we could shower together?” he said, rubbing his thumb over the back of Atsumu’s hand.

“Oh,” was all Atsumu said and Kiyoomi visibly saw him light up, “I thought…” he didn’t finish his phrase because Kiyoomi shut him up with a kiss, a soft and tender one. A kiss that said I love you, please don’t leave.

Kiyoomi didn’t want Atsumu to misunderstand today’s events, he needed for Atsumu to know exactly how Kiyoomi felt and he knew they had to talk. It could wait though… first came the shower.

Kiyoomi let himself be led by Atsumu who seemed to have gotten rid of all hesitation. He let himself be stripped of his towel by Atsumu, who didn’t miss the chance to pepper a few kisses here and there, scrunching his nose because of the salty taste and making Kiyoomi laugh. Atsumu then let himself be stripped too and Kiyoomi did just that. He unwrapped him from his towel with shaky hands, returning a few of the kisses Atsumu had been so kind to give him.

When Atsumu noticed that his hands were shaking he just lifted his hands so Kiyoomi could see that they were also shaking and smiled at Kiyoomi, it was his way of saying, “Hey, it's okay, I’m nervous too.”

Then they stepped into the shower, standing closely together– it wasn’t big enough for two professional athletes –and just enjoying the warm water for a moment, letting it rinse all of the salt and nerves and everything really.

“Can I wash your hair?” Atsumu asked after a while, prompting Kiyoomi to open his eyes. 

Atsumu was staring at him with so much love it almost made him want to cry so he just nodded, not really trusting his voice.

They switched spots so Kiyoomi was standing below the shower head and Atsumu was standing behind him. He pressed a kiss between his shoulder blades and then to his nape before bringing his hands up to Kiyoomi’s hair.

He lathered his curls with shampoo, massaging it deeply into his roots and making Kiyoomi sigh and lean back into the touch. He then rinsed the shampoo. “Close your eyes,” he whispered and he was way too close. Kiyoomi could feel the vibrations from his voice because of the way his back pressed to Atsumu’s chest.

Then, once he was done washing his hair, Atsumu grabbed him by the shoulders so they were facing each other again. Kiyoomi hugged him by the shoulders and pulled him closer, pressing kisses all over his face. Atsumu nuzzled Kiyoomi's face as his hands wandered all over Kiyoomi's back, settling at the small of his back.

“Kiyoomi?” 

“Hmm?”

“You're gorgeous, has anyone told you that before?” Atsumu asked as he pressed a kiss to Kiyoomi’s jaw, making him blush like crazy.

“God, you… you can’t just say things like that,” Kiyoomi said as he pushed Atsumu’s hair away from his forehead. “Let me wash your hair too, turn around.”

Atsumu shook his head, “I want to keep looking at you,” he whispered, tightening his grip around Kiyoomi’s waist, pressing him closer.

“‘Kay, I’ll wash your hair like this then,” Kiyoomi mumbled as he grabbed the shampoo.

He repeated the same process as Atsumu, it took a bit longer this time though because Atsumu kept distracting him with kisses and pinches and bites. He rinsed the shampoo carefully and once he was done he grabbed Atsumu’s face and kissed him properly on the mouth.

And then on the jaw, and on the neck, and on his collarbones. He pressed his lips to the vast expanse of unexplored skin in front of him. When his lips weren’t enough he used his teeth and his tongue, marking Atsumu with pretty purple love-bruises. Eventually, he made his way down. He traced Atsumu’s abs with his tongue, eliciting the most delicious noises out of Atsumu. 

And he felt so alive right now, there was fire in his veins and butterflies in his stomach and he felt effervescent because Atsumu was right here with him, kissing him and letting himself be kissed, be claimed, be loved. 

Then he sank down to his knees, tracing Atsumu’s stomach with shaky fingers as he made his way down. He sank down to his knees and looked up at Atsumu, at the man that stood above him. Kiyoomi knelt before him in a position of pure, raw, devotion.

And Atsumu, beautiful, warm Atsumu, was looking at him with tears in his eyes and oh it was a sight to behold.

Kiyoomi pressed a kiss to his left hip bone, then his right one, sucking a few bruises in them. Then to both of his thighs, never breaking eye contact because he physically couldn't bring himself to look away. 

“Atsumu,” he whispered as he pressed his wet cheek against Atsumu’s thigh. “Atsumu, can I?” he asked, feeling almost feverish.

“Omi, you don't have to,” Atsumu said as he cradled his cheek, brushing his thumb over his cheekbone. 

“I know,” Kiyoomi whispered as he pressed yet another kiss to Atsumu’s thigh, to the inner part of it this time, “I know… I just want to, is that okay?” he asked.

“God... yeah, yeah it’s okay, Kiyoomi,” Atsumu said, pushing Kiyoomi’s wet hair back with one hand, the other still cradled his cheek.

And then Kiyoomi took Atsumu into his mouth and somehow managed to make him gasp and whimper and moan his name. 

Kiyoomi took him slowly, he moved by instinct because he didn't really know what to do, he was inexperienced. Still, he did his best to worship Atsumu, to make him feel good. He couldn’t take him into his mouth completely but Atsumu didn’t seem to mind because when Kiyoomi lifted his gaze up Atsumu seemed completely undone.

And that lit a fire in Kiyoomi’s belly. The muscles under his navel tensed, coiled up. His knees trembled against the hard, cold shower tiles. He was dripping onto the floor and not just because of the water that washed over them.

He ignored the ache between his legs because Atsumu deserved his full, undivided attention. And their gazes, their eyes were stuck on each other. Atsumu’s eyes were blown with pleasure and lust but also love and something akin to devotion too, maybe. He stroked Kiyoomi’s cheek and hair as Kiyoomi bobbed his head, he called out his name in whispers and wiped Kiyoomi’s tears as they started to fall. Kiyoomi’s jaw hurt, his knees hurt too, but Atsumu was whispering love praises and that made Kiyoomi want to try harder.

Atsumu tried to push Kiyoomi away when his release approached, but Kiyoomi stubbornly stayed put. He wanted to be good, good for Atsumu, only for Atsumu.

Still, that didn’t stop him from choking and gasping and spitting onto the floor. The unfamiliar taste almost made him gag.

Atsumu pulled him up to his feet and asked, “Are you okay?” with eyes full of concern and Kiyoomi nodded. Atsumu looked beautiful in the afterglow and Kiyoomi brought his thumb to his mouth when Atsumu tried to clean around his mouth, making Atsumu chuckle. Kiyoomi was a little bit out of it, he felt drunk because of the pleasure and he hadn’t even been touched yet.

Atsumu pulled him closer and kissed him deeply again. Kiyoomi thought about the fact that Atsumu could probably taste himself in Kiyoomi’s mouth and moaned. They panted into each other’s mouths once they parted. Atsumu then whispered into his ear, “can I touch you, Kiyoomi?” sucking and nibbling on his lobe for good measure.

Kiyoomi found himself nodding almost immediately, whining in anticipation. “Please,” he finally managed to say and he sounded raw, desperate almost.

Atsumu pressed one last kiss to his forehead before taking him into his hand.

And Kiyoomi could swear he saw stars.

He clung onto Atsumu’s shoulder for dear life because, if he didn’t, he was pretty sure his legs would’ve given out. His legs were shaking because of the pleasure, he hid his face in the crook of Atsumu’s neck, his moans and gasps and cries muffled because of it. Eventually he found himself arching into the touch as Atsumu whispered little sweet nothing in his ear.

He had felt pleasure before, he had touched himself, sometimes thinking about Atsumu, sometimes forcing his mind to stay as far away from him as possible. But nothing, nothing had ever felt as good as Atsumu’s hand wrapped around him, stroking him into completion.

“Atsu,” he tried to speak, to say something but he found himself unable to form any coherent thoughts.

“Good?” Atsumu asked because he understood.

Kiyoomi nodded and a few moments later he reached his peak, muffling a choked up sob in the crook of Atsumu’s neck.

His legs felt like jelly and his eyes fluttered closed when Atsumu cradled his face and kissed his cheeks, wiping the tears Kiyoomi hadn’t even noticed had started to fall. “Good?” Atsumu asked again.

“Yeah,” Kiyoomi answered breathlessly as he nuzzled Atsumu’s face. 

His heart felt full, so full it could’ve burst right there. Maybe this was the part where he should’ve said, “I love you,”— he decided to save it for later though, he wanted to be fully awake for that, fully conscious. Right now, he felt dazed and sleepy as Atsumu finished washing them up. As Atsumu handled him with so much care, with light touches and soft kisses.

Atsumu turned off the shower and grabbed Kiyoomi’s towel first, wrapping him up and kissing his shoulder, his forehead, his lips. Then he wrapped himself up and Kiyoomi found himself instinctively reaching back to him, instinctively looping his arms around Atsumu’s waist from behind, he found himself confessing something.

“I’ve never done that before,” he whispered, saying everything and nothing at the same time.

“Kiyoomi,” Atsumu said, his name sounded like a prayer coming from his mouth, “you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he whispered and Kiyoomi felt like crying, instead he just hugged him tighter.

They dried up, Kiyoomi did his skincare and then forced Atsumu to at least put on some moisturizer, and then Kiyoomi led Atsumu back to his bed. They put some pants on just because it got cold at night, otherwise they’d probably have slept naked. Nudity wasn’t a big deal to them. 

Kiyoomi crawled into bed and Atsumu followed, immediately pulling Kiyoomi closer by the waist so his head was resting on Atsumu’s chest. Kiyoomi wrapped his limbs around Atsumu with no hesitation this time—he threw a leg over his body, he wrapped his arms around his neck, one hand finding Atsumu’s hair with ease and caressing it softly. This was everything to Kiyoomi, the easiness, the comfort he got from being like this with Atsumu, this was love.

Atsumu stroked his shoulder softly as he started speaking in a hushed voice, “Y’know Omi, some days I can’t even stand myself. I get needy and insecure and I just… I’ve learnt to not really expect anything from people and I… I keep expecting you to just get tired of me one day but that hasn’t happened yet and I really, really hope it never happens,” he said and his voice was a little shaky.

Kiyoomi felt tears welling up in his eyes, he felt a knot forming on his throat because it was unfair. Unfair that Atsumu, who was everything to Kiyoomi, who was bright and warm and loving, had to feel like this. He sat up and pressed his forehead against Atsumu’s.

“Omi?” he asked, “why are you crying?”

“Because I love you,” he finally said and it felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, “I love you, Atsumu.”

“Kiyoomi,” Atsumu whispered as he wiped Kiyoomi’s tears, his own eyes were also full of them now.

“You make me the happiest person ever, you know? You're kind and good and passionate and god , you’d actually have to push me away if you wanted me to leave to be honest…”

“Omi, omi, omi omi omi,” his name slipping through his lips like a mantra as Atsumu  pulled Kiyoomi towards him, and rested his whole weight against him, “you make me the happiest too, you drive me fucking insane Kiyoomi,” he added as he hugged Kiyoomi tighter.

Kiyoomi was hiding his face in the crook of Atsumu’s neck now, arms looped behind his neck, hands buried deep in his soft hair. “You’re kind of an asshole,” he started saying before being interrupted by Atsumu.

“Hey!” he said with feigned offense.

“No but wait, you are kind of an asshole but I am too,” he said, followed by a breathy laugh, “but you honestly make my life ten times better y’know? When we met at training camp I was a little bit wary of you… you seemed like the kind of person to leave broken hearts behind but I was wrong, actually, we were more alike than I thought and I think that’s why we work so well together,” he finished before actually realizing how sappy it all had sounded. “God that was so sappy,” he sighs, burying his face deeper into the crook of Atsumu’s neck.

“It kinda was but… yeah, Kiyoomi?” 

“Hmm?”

“I love you too, you know? A whole lot,” he whispered as he pulled Kiyoomi tighter.

And Kiyoomi knew. Maybe he had known for a long time, it was in the way Atsumu looked at him, in the way he said his name and spent his days with him. Or maybe he had just realized it today, when Atsumu kissed him almost as if he were a starving man and needed Kiyoomi’s kiss to survive. Kiyoomi knew but that didn’t stop his eyes from watering again, that didn’t stop the wave of emotion that rushed through his body.

“I love you,” Atsumu said as he pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I love you,” he said as he wiped away his tears, as he pressed their foreheads together, as he kissed him, and kissed him and kissed him.

They ended up in a mess of limbs, curled up facing each other. Kiyoomi’s face was close to Atsumu’s belly and Atsumu’s hands stroked Kiyoomi’s hair softly, lovingly. They spoke in hushed voices.

“I almost had a heart attack when you started removing your clothes at the beach,” Atsumu confessed at some point making Kiyoomi laugh but also blush.

Kiyoomi’s life wasn't lacking in any aspect; he had his dream job, he had friends and people who supported him, he was happy, he really was. But as he laid there with Atsumu—legs completely intertwined and bodies so close it was hard to tell where one ended and the other started, he felt whole. 

He started to doze off as he pressed little kisses to Atsumu’s tummy. The last thing he heard before falling completely into Morpheous arms was a whispered “I love you” , the last thing he felt were arms hugging him closer and cold feet rubbing against his own.

Kiyoomi woke up in a completely different position than the one he had fallen asleep in. His back was pressed to Atsumu’s chest and Atsumu held him tightly by the waist. The other man seemed to be fast asleep so Kiyoomi decided it’d be a wise choice to just… continue sleeping. After all, he was so comfortable between Atsumu’s arms, so warm, he’d stay there forever if he could. He turned around in Atsumu’s embrace, careful not to wake him up, and hid his face in the crook of Atsumu’s neck. He cradled Atsumu’s cheek with one hand, lightly caressing his cheekbone with his thumb, the other hand coming up to sleepily play with his hair. Then he threw one of his legs over Atsumu’s body and that was it, he could stay all day like this. Eventually, he dozed off again, the world could wait a bit longer.

The next time he woke up sunlight had already started to filter in through the blinds and Atsumu was already awake, running his hand up and down the leg Kiyoomi had thrown over his body softly.

“Good morning,” Atsumu whispered as he pushed Kiyoomi’s hair back with his free hand.

“Mmmm,” Kiyoomi mumbled as he tried to bury himself deeper in Atsumu’s arms.

Atsumu chuckled, squeezing him tighter. “You’re like a cat, Kiyoomi,” he said.

“Mmmmmmm…” 

“Osamu’s gonna tease us again for sleeping in late,” Atsumu mused.

Kiyoomi pressed a sloppy kiss to Atsumu’s neck which was covered in purple bruises. Kiyoomi felt himself blush because of the memory. “You know… Osamu-san was kind of the reason I kissed you last night so you should be good to him from now on…” he said as he untangled himself from Atsumu and sat up.

“What do you mean?” Atsumu asked as he sat up too, hugging Kiyoomi’s waist and pressing little kisses to his nape.

“He just… he knew that I liked you and he basically gave me a little pep-talk,” Kiyoomi answered, lacing his fingers with Atsumu’s.

“Hmm… bastard starts dating Sunarin and now suddenly he’s a fucking love guru or something,” Atsumu said. “Want breakfast in bed Omi?” he then asked.

“Wow, you must really like me huh?” Kiyoomi teased, turning his head and kissing Atsumu.

“I do.” His answer was so candid and laced with honesty, it made Kiyoomi burn. “Stay here, I’ll be back,” he said before getting up and taking all of the warmth with him. “Wait,” he added before leaving the room, “did you just say you like me?” he questioned teasingly.

“Fuck off,” Kiyoomi answered, visibly flustered. He wrapped himself on the duvet and flopped back into the bed, hiding his red cheeks from the man that made them that way.

He heard footsteps approaching the bed. “You're cute,” Atsumu said before pressing a kiss to his forehead and leaving for good.

Kiyoomi closed his eyes as he tried to get his racing heart to calm down.

He got woken up for the third time in the day by the smell of coffee.

“Hi,” Atsumu whispered as he crawled next to him in bed once again, placing the tray with coffee and eggs between them.

“Hey,” Kiyoomi said, leaning over to kiss Atsumu’s shoulder, then his neck and his cheek.

They ate breakfast in comfortable silence and drank their coffee as they played with each other's fingers. Kiyoomi had always loved Atsumu’s hands; they were elegant, long fingers and neat fingernails, but they were also rough and callused. They were strong too, but they held and touched Kiyoomi with care, delicately.

Kiyoomi brought Atsumu’s knuckles to his mouth and peppered little kisses on them, then to the back of his hand and then to his palm. He had had a few dreams in which he brought those fingers to his mouth, maybe those wouldn't be just dreams now. Eventually he pushed that thought away because it wasn't the most appropriate thing to think about while having breakfast.

Once they finished breakfast they accepted their fate and finally, finally got out of bed. 

“Where's Osamu-san?” Kiyoomi asked as he stretched his arms over his head, the man in question was nowhere to be seen.

“He… he had to go into town,” Atsumu answered, sounding… suspicious?

Kiyoomi decided not to question it and instead grabbed Atsumu’s hand and pulled him into the bathroom. They showered together just as they had done last night except that this time their hands didn't shake. They let their hands wander freely, light, soft touches turned into more desperate, heated ones. Atsumu took his time with him, always asking “is this okay?” with that voice of his that made Kiyoomi want to hold him close forever. With his fingertips mapped constellations all over Kiyoomi’s body, and oh , Kiyoomi had never been touched like this before, with so much love, with touches that burned, that sparked.

Atsumu touched him as if he wanted to memorize every inch of him, Kiyoomi wanted to tell him that there was no need to memorize, he’d always be there for him to touch and to hold and to love.

Once they got out of the shower Kiyoomi did his skincare and then Atsumu’s. This time he didn't have to resist the urge of running his hands up and down those thighs, this time he pulled him closer by the waist with no hesitation.

He’d started to realize that doing things, doing anything , took way more time than before now that he was free to kiss Atsumu. He’d have to find a solution to that when they went back to practice, otherwise, they’d be late every morning. 

Kiyoomi mentally scolded himself for thinking about the future, maybe he was getting ahead of himself but he really, really wanted to wake up with Atsumu by his side each morning. He’d be willing to ignore his morning breath and everything.

After that they decided to go to the beach. It was partly cloudy so they decided against putting on their swim trunks. They lay there side by side in the sand, Atsumu with a book in his hands and Kiyoomi simply… enjoying the beach and the view. It was nice, having the freedom to just, unashamedly stare at Atsumu because oh what a nice view it was.

“You’re staring,” Atsumu said after a while.

“Yeah,” Kiyoomi answered, “you’re pretty nice to look at,” he added.

“Am I?” Atsumu asked teasingly, turning his face towards Kiyoomi to kiss him on the cheek.

“Nevermind, I take it back,” Kiyoomi said as he pushed Atsumu’s head away.

“Ooooomiiii, you love me,” Atsumu continued to tease with a dopey grin on his face.

“Yeah, I do,” Kiyoomi answered honestly, ignoring how fast his heart was beating.

“God fucking… Kiyoomi, you’re going to be the death of me someday,” Atsumu said as he threw himself on top of Kiyoomi, suffocating him but in the best way possible.

“You started it,” Kiyoomi mumbled, running his hands through Atsumu’s hair.

They lay like that for a while. Atsumu had his whole weight on top of Kiyoomi, his arms were looped around his waist and his head was tucked into the crook of Kiyoomi’s neck where he’d occasionally press little kisses. And Kiyoomi... Kiyoomi had never felt so held in his life. Atsumu’s arms made everything go away for a minute, they transported Kiyoomi to a liminal space filled with warmth and sunshine. He could’ve stayed like that forever. Being held by the sun himself, what else could he need?

“Oi, ‘Tsumu!” Osamu yelled from the balcony a lifetime later.

“Mmmm…” Atsumu mumbled against Kiyoomi’s neck, tightening his arms around his body.

“C’mon asshole, I got what you needed,” Osamu said.

“Mmm… comin’,” he answered before peeling himself away from Kiyoomi and kneeling right next to him, stretching like a cat.

Before he could go though Kiyoomi circled his wrist just so he could pull him in for one more kiss. Atsumu towered over him as their lips moved slowly against each other, Kiyoomi didn’t want to stop kissing him, not now, not ever. He had had a taste of Atsumu’s lips and now he truly felt like he would never be satisfied. Kiyoomi tried to deepen the kiss but Atsumu pushed his shoulders back, chuckling when Kiyoomi tried to chase his lips again.

Atsumu stood up and ruffled Kiyoomi’s hair affectionately before walking back into the house. Kiyoomi was left there on the beach feeling dazed and cold, Atsumu always took all of the warmth with him. Fuck him.

He stayed there for a while, lying on his back and feeling the soft breeze’s caress on his skin. Maybe he could kidnap Atsumu and stay here forever, maybe he wouldn’t even have to kidnap him, maybe he’d be willing to stay with him. They could buy a little house on the beach, they could adopt a dog too, dogs love the beach. It was dangerous to daydream of such things, of a future together, but Atsumu loved him and Kiyoomi loved Atsumu so maybe he should just allow himself to daydream.

He heard Atsumu’s voice calling for him a couple of minutes later so he went back inside. Maybe it was already lunchtime, Kiyoomi wouldn’t know, time seemed to work differently here.

The twins were in the kitchen working on something and Kiyoomi waved at them as he shed his jacket.

“Hi Omi!” Atsumu greeted him with a smile. God, he was like a golden retriever.

“Sleep well?” Osamu asked teasingly.

“Mmm… Need help with something? Kiyoomi asked, deciding to ignore Osamu’s question. 

He sat in front of the counter resting his chin on his hand.

“I think it’s time for me to go…” Osamu said, making his way back to his room.

“What?” Kiyoomi asked, visibly confused.

“Uh, yeah, actually…” Atsumu started and he seemed nervous, it had been a while since Kiyoomi had seen him in such a state. “I have a surprise for you, Omi,” he added.

“What?” Kiyoomi asked again, he had no idea what was going on but Atsumu had a surprise for him and he was nervous and Kiyoomi just wanted to grab his face and kiss him senseless. He didn’t though, he waited for Atsumu to speak again.

“Yeah, can you wait here?” he asked and Kiyoomi found himself nodding, “okay, close your eyes, I’ll be right back,” Atsumu added and Kiyoomi did as he was told.

He could hear Atsumu padding around the house, looking for something maybe. He felt him tuck his hair behind his ears as he whispered “okay, open.”

Kiyoomi could’ve melted right there, Atsumu’s voice made him weak on the knees but he forced himself to stay calm. He then opened his eyes.

Miya Atsumu was standing in front of him holding the biggest bouquet of white and pink peonies Kiyoomi had ever seen in his life. He was also smiling in a way that was making Kiyoomi’s heart do cartwheels, a small, fond smile that Kiyoomi was getting to see more and more each day, he always saw it as a little treat, something that only he got to see.

“Atsu?”

“Hi Kiyoomi,” he said and the way he said his name, Kiyoomi could never get tired of it. “These are for you,” he added, handing him the bouquet and then extending a hand to help him up.

“Thank you, these are beautiful,” Kiyoomi said and his cheeks hurt from smiling.

He took Atsumu’s hand and let himself be led by him. Wherever Atsumu wanted to go Kiyoomi would always follow. 

This time his destination was, once again, the beach. Kiyoomi’s eyes immediately gravitated towards the picnic blanket that laid on the sand. On top of it sat a picnic basket with some lit candles around it. Kiyoomi wanted to cry. 

Instead he sucked in a breath and Atsumu must’ve noticed because he squeezed his hand a little bit harder.

They sat down facing each other with their feet buried in the sand. “Atsumu, you didn’t have to–” Kiyoomi started saying.

“Hey, it’s what you deserve Omi,” Atsumu interrupted and he sounded so sure of himself Kiyoomi almost found himself agreeing. “I realized we kinda did things backwards?” Atsumu started explaining, “I haven’t even confessed properly yet, we haven’t had a first date but you deserve all of this Kiyoomi… the dates and cliches and flowers and everything, and I want to give you all of that.”

“God Atsumu, this is perfect,” Kiyoomi said and it really was perfect, “no one had ever gotten me flowers before… peonies are my favorite.”

“I know, you told me once,” Atsumu answered.

“You drive me fucking insane you know?” Kiyoomi added.

“I’m glad because you drive me fucking insane too,” Atsumu said and then he started to unpack the food.

“When did you do all of this?” Kiyoomi asked as he eyed all of the food.

“Let’s just say I owe Osamu a lot of favors…” He placed the food between them in the blanket and then inched a bit closer to Kiyoomi, taking his hand and kissing his knuckles. 

“Okay so before we eat I need to say some stuff,” he started saying and just as he was about to open his mouth a gust of wind blew, making sand fly all over the place and ruining their cute little picnic. 

And then Atsumu started to panic. “Fuck,” he said as he frantically tried to get rid of all the sand and light the candles back up, “fucking hell.”

That was something not a lot of people knew about Atsumu, he was a perfectionist and became easily frustrated when things didn’t go his way. “Fuck, I’m so sorry Omi, everything’s ruined now…”

“Hey, hey, look at me,” Kiyoomi said, hooking his finger under Atsumu’s chin and making him look up. “I don’t care about the food or the candles or the sand, all I need is you, to be completely honest.”

“I just… fuck, I wanted everything to be perfect and pretty and I was going to give this whole ass speech because fuck Kiyoomi, I’ve been in love with you for almost five years?”

Kiyoomi couldn’t take it anymore, he just launched himself into Atsumu’s arms, into that space in which he fit so perfectly in. Atsumu fell backwards into the sand and he wrapped his arms instinctively around Kiyoomi’s waist.

“Atsu,” Kiyoomi whispered in his ear. “This is already perfect, you took the time to make all of this stuff and gave me flowers and… you are here with me, that’s more than I’d ever need,” he started saying, “and you love me.”

“I do,” Atsumu said as he sat up, bringing Kiyoomi with him so he was straddling him, “god, I do Kiyoomi,” he said before kissing Kiyoomi on the mouth, “I do, I do, I love you so much Kiyoomi,” he added between frantic kisses.

Atsumu’s hands were dipping under Kiyoomi’s shirt, fingers trailing upwards, making Kiyoomi’s veins catch on fire. “I’ve loved you for so long, god, you make me ridiculously happy Kiyoomi,” his hands were resting on Kiyoomi’s shoulder blades now, he pulled him closer so he could kiss his neck.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Kiyoomi asked as he threaded his fingers through Atsumu’s hair. His voice was soft and gentle, not even the slightest hint of accusation, the two of them were idiots who loved way too much but were too afraid or too dumb to actually say anything.

Maybe they actually were more alike than Kiyoomi thought.

“It’s going to sound pretty dumb… probably,” Atsumu started, his fingertips touched Kiyoomi’s waist, “but I didn’t feel like it was necessary? I was happy with the way things were, I honestly could’ve loved you like that my whole life… of course I’m happy now, with the kisses and everything, but I used to think maybe kisses and relationships weren’t really your thing?”

“Oh, they are though,” Kiyoomi interrupted.

“Heh, yeah, I see that now,” Atsumu said as he kissed him again, “no but honestly, I think I unconsciously decided to let you take the lead? I saw the way you looked at me Kiyoomi, I knew what we had was different so I guess I was just… willing to wait for you?”

“God, you know… I tried to make myself hate you when I realized how fucking in love with you I was,” Kiyoomi said as he hugged Atsumu tightly. “I told myself I should hate you for making me love you, for making me feel so much… because I don’t think I’ll ever be able to love someone as much as I love you Atsumu.”

“Kiyoomi…”

“And that’s scary, y’know? I can’t imagine a life without you by my side and that scares the shit out of me,” he added in a whisper, grabbing Atsumu’s face with shaky hands. “Even though you annoy the hell out of me sometimes and we fight over the stupidest things, you are my favorite person.”

“I can’t promise you forever and I would if I could,” Atsumu said, kissing Kiyoomi’s forehead, “but I can promise you that I’ll try my best, I’ll stay by your side for as long as you want me to, Kiyoomi.”

“Are you proposing to me, Miya Atsumu?” Kiyoomi said teasingly, “that sounded a lot like a proposal.”

“Not yet,” Atsumu said, his gaze and tone were true and steady.

God, Kiyoomi loved this man so much it was fucking ridiculous. 

“Forever seems easy enough for two stubborn bastards like ourselves,” Kiyoomi said after a while, still holding tightly to Atsumu. 

“I love you, Sakusa Kiyoomi,” Atsumu said, hands coming to rest on Kiyoomi’s lower back.

And Kiyoomi kissed him deeply. Kiyoomi kissed him as if he needed it to breathe, as if he were a suffocating man and Atsumu was the oxygen he so desperately needed. His hands instinctively found the hem of Atsumu’s shirt, sliding under it and coming to rest on his stomach. Kissing Atsumu felt like the drop on a rollercoaster, it was a little bit nerve-wracking yet exhilarating and oh so addicting .

They kissed and kissed until their lips hurt and everything was full of sand. They kissed until they were gasping for air against each other’s mouths, they kissed until they couldn’t anymore because both of their smiles were too big. 

“You know I could never hate you right?” Kiyoomi asked later, as he laid on top of Atsumu, legs intertwined and feet buried in the sand. “I know you get in your head sometimes but just… please know that loving you could never be a bad thing even though it scared the shit out of me back then.”

Atsumu nodded and pressed a kiss to the crown of Kiyoomi’s head. “I know baby,” he said, the pet name slipping from his lips with ease.

“Oh my god,” Kiyoomi said, hiding his reddening face in the crook of Atsumu’s neck.

“You don’t like it?”

I like it way too much

“It’s okay, I guess…” he said but Atsumu saw right through him, he let it go for now though.

They stayed like that, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Talking about the past and the future and volleyball and dogs and memes as they always did.

“When did you realize you were in love with me?” Kiyoomi asked half teasingly and half-seriously as he rested his chin on Atsumu's chest.

“God… probably when I moved out?” Atsumu answered, pushing Kiyoomi’s hair back and threading his fingers through it. “I went out a lot in my first year with the team… the guys dragged me out every weekend as some sort of weird initiation? They wanted to show me the best clubs and bars and everything and I… god Kiyoomi, I kissed a lot of people wishing they were you.”

That made Kiyoomi feel all warm inside. “There’s no need for that now,” he said, kissing Atsumu’s chest through his shirt.

Atsumu nodded and pulled him impossibly closer, fingertips resting under Kiyoomi’s waistline.

“Y’know… I still can’t believe you fucking took off your clothes and decided to go for a swim,” Atsumu said after a while, chuckling.

The memory made Kiyoomi blush. “I still can’t believe it either,” he laughed. “You make me want to do stuff like that I guess… spontaneous shit.”

“Is it because you have a crush on me?” Atsumu said teasingly.

“Maybe, I don’t know how long it’ll last if you keep teasing me though…”

“Omi!” Atsumu protested, grabbing him tightly by the waist and flipping them over so he was the one lying on top of Kiyoomi now.

He bit right under his jaw, then his neck, his collarbones. He pressed kisses behind Kiyoomi’s ear, tugging the lobe with his mouth. He loved torturing Kiyoomi like this, slowly, until he was a writhing mess under him.

Kiyoomi tickled Atsumu’s waist, successfully making him stop whatever he was doing with Kiyoomi’s neck. 

“You know how I pretended to hate the nickname you gave me?” Kiyoomi asked and Atsumu nodded. “Well, it actually made me ridiculously happy… no one had ever given me a nickname before.”

“Omi, my baby... Omi, darlin', sweetheart, my beloved, my sunshine,” he started, and if Kiyoomi hadn’t stopped him he’d have probably listed every single nickname and pet name known to man.

“No, that's you,” Kiyoomi whispered.

“Huh?” Atsumu said and Kiyoomi decided to just ignore him. He didn’t want to explain the way Atsumu felt like the sun to him. Or maybe he couldn’t have explained it even if he tried.

Once it started getting colder and darker out they decided to go back inside. They walked into the house with their hands intertwined.

Osamu, who was lying on one of the couches, spared them one look and then turned his attention back to his phone where he, presumably, was talking with Suna Rintaro. “Congrats on getting your shit together,” he said. “Now, all I ask of you is to please keep the PDA down to the minimum while we’re in the same room.”

Atsumu stuck his tongue out at him in a childish manner and Osamu showed him his middle finger in return. Kiyoomi found himself laughing at the exchange.

“We should keep watching Star Wars tonight,” Kiyoomi suggested as he ignored the twins' banter. Everyone agreed so they started with the preparations; popcorn, beer and blankets.

As they were getting ready to watch the movie Atsumu pulled Kiyoomi towards the kitchen, grabbing his waist and pressing him closer, shamelessly ignoring his brother’s “no PDA” request.

“When we get back I’ll take you out on a proper date,” he whispered, kissing that spot behind his ear that made Kiyoomi squirm in his grip. “I’ll get you flowers and pick you up from your apartment, then I’ll open the restaurant’s door for you and I’ll let you choose dessert, to end the night I’ll walk you home and kiss you goodbye at your door only for you to grab my tie and pull me inside,” he added, still kissing Kiyoomi’s neck and making him laugh and twist in his arms.

“Hmm… that’s a big plan, have you been thinking about it for long?” Kiyoomi teased. “Did you plan our dates in your head before falling asleep?” He cooed, circling his arms around Atsumu’s shoulders.

“I fucking hate you,” Atsumu said before pressing their foreheads together. His fingers slipped under Kiyoomi’s waistband, resting on his lower back right where his back dimples were.

Kiyoomi bit Atsumu’s lower lip before going in for the kiss. He’d never get tired of this, of feeling Atsumu’s lips against his, of drinking Atsumu’s sighs and little noises he made as he let himself get lost in pleasure. It was addictive.

Atsumu was about to slip his knee between Kiyoomi’s thighs when Osamu returned to the living room. “God fucking dammit, no making out in the kitchen PLEASE,” he said and he sounded exasperated. “I asked for one thing, one!”

“You’re just jealous Sunarin isn’t here with you ‘Samu,” Atsumu said, grabbing Kiyoomi’s ass and making him yelp.

“Yeah yeah... now hurry up ‘cause I really want to see this movie,” he answered before flopping onto the couch.

“Why isn’t he here anyways?” Atsumu asked as he led Kiyoomi by the hand to the free couch.

“His sister had a skating competition,” he mumbled and Atsumu nodded, letting it be.

Out of habit Kiyoomi sat on his end of the couch. Legs folded below him and elbow resting over the armrest so he could support his head with his hand.

He waited for Osamu to start the movie but he never did.

And then he noticed Atsumu was staring at him with puppy eyes. “What?” Kiyoomi asked, confused.

“Why are you all the way over there?” Atsumu asked as if he were asking about the weather.

“Oh, force of habit I guess,” Kiyoomi answered truthfully.

“C’mere,” Atsumu said, lifting his arm so Kiyoomi could scoot under it.

And Kiyoomi did. He pressed himself closer to Atsumu, right where he fit best. He’d have to get used to this, to being able to touch Atsumu freely but he guessed it wouldn’t take him very long. 

Kiyoomi pressed a kiss to Atsumu’s jaw and then to his cheek. “Sorry,” he said as he kissed his neck.

“Good, now that ‘Tsumu’s stopped staring at you like a wounded puppy we can begin,” Osamu said before pressing play.

And then Kiyoomi realized not much had changed and nothing much would change. They were still doing the same stuff they did before, still watching Star Wars and dozing off around the middle of the second movie. They had been friends for so long that everything they did came with ease stemmed from years of movie nights and lunches and training camps and midnight runs. And love too, because they had always loved each other except that now said love had… evolved or transformed maybe.

The kisses and touches and hugs and cuddles were an added bonus that Kiyoomi enjoyed very much but besides that they were still the same two stubborn idiots.

Kiyoomi was already dozing off when Atsumu– violently –sat up straight, making Kiyoomi jump on his seat. 

“Wait! I just realized something…” he said way too loudly.

“What the fuck ‘Tsumu.”

“I fucked up my confession,” he added, with proper, inside voice this time.

“How?” Kiyoomi asked, turning around and cuddling closer to him. Hiding his face in the crook of Atsumu’s neck and just… inhaling .

“I didn’t ask you to be my boyfriend.”

Right… he hadn’t.

“Oh my god,” he heard Osamu say, sounding exasperated.

“Will you be my boyfriend, Kiyoomi?” he whispered, only for Kiyoomi to hear.

Kiyoomi just hugged him tighter by the waist and pressed a kiss to his neck before answering. “Yes, Atsumu, I will be your boyfriend.”

Atsumu grabbed his face and peppered little kisses all over it. His eyelids, his moles, his nose, his mouth. “I love you,” he whispered once he was done and Kiyoomi felt happy, so so happy.

“I love you too.”

They finished the second movie and then went to bed. Atsumu stripped Kiyoomi off his clothes and made it his mission to kiss every single mole on his back. He traced constellations with his fingertips, with his lips. He made Kiyoomi feel like the most special person in the whole world. Maybe the way he made him feel so loved and precious was inherent to being someone akin to the sun.

They fell asleep completely naked and curled around each other, between Atsumu’s arms Kiyoomi felt at home.

When Kiyoomi woke up the next day the bed was empty and cold. He blinked and rubbed his eyes. And then he saw him.

Atsumu was leaning over the balcony admiring the peaceful, morning view. He was completely naked and Kiyoomi’s heart did a flip. He looked like a god, body painted soft gold by the shy morning sunshine. He straightened up and stretched his arms above his head, a few love bruises adorned his neck and Kiyoomi wanted to remember this moment forever, wanted to remember this view.

He reached for his phone. His lock screen informed that it was 8 am, way too early but they had to leave today. He opened his camera app and snapped a picture, hoping it would do justice to the real view. The picture showcased Atsumu in all his naked glory, he’d delete it later if Atsumu asked him to but for now he just locked his phone again and got up, wrapping himself in the duvet and making his way towards his boyfriend.

“Mornin’,” he said as he circled his arms around Atsumu’s waist, wrapping the duvet around the both of them.

“Hi baby,” Atsumu whispered as he intertwined his hands with Kiyoomi’s that now rested over his stomach.

Kiyoomi pressed soft kisses to his nape. “Aren’t you cold?” he then asked.

“Not really.”

“Mmm… what time are we leaving?”

“‘Samu said at around 12 pm,” Atsumu answered, turning around in Kiyoomi’s arms and pressing himself closer.

Atsumu let Kiyoomi wrap him up completely in the duvet. He hid his face in the crook of Kiyoomi’s neck and pressed little kisses over the love bites that adorned that spot. They were hidden in their little bubble of warmth and Kiyoomi felt himself go weak in the knees.

"You're gorgeous Atsu," Kiyoomi whispered, looking down at Atsumu with a soft smile on his face. "You're a fucking dream."

His heart swelled every time he thought about Atsumu. He never knew he was capable of loving someone as much as he loved his darling sunshine boy. Maybe that was Atsumu’s effect too, after all, he was the boy who loved too much and expected too little in return, if anything at all.

“I love you,” Atsumu said for the millionth time.

“I love you too.”

They stayed like that for a while, holding each other, basking in each other’s warmth and admiring the view. Atsumu– and Osamu too –made Kiyoomi love the beach again and he would be forever grateful for that.

“Atsu?” he asked later, Atsumu still held him tightly.

“Hmm?”

“Did you invite me to the beach so you could seduce me?” Kiyoomi asked teasingly, pulling back a little so he could look at Atsumu’s face.

This close he could see every new freckle that painted Atsumu’s face, a testament of a week spent in the sun. He could also see the way Atsumu’s eyebrows furrowed when Kiyoomi asked his question, the way the corners of his mouth turned upwards.

“Maybe? Did it work?” Atsumu asked as he stretched his neck so he could kiss Kiyoomi.

“Mmm… I think so,” he answered, giving Atsumu’s temple little butterfly kisses. “Y’know, I think I’d follow you anywhere, even the shitty ramen place near our apartments but yeah… the beach was a good tactic.”

“God, baby…” Atsumu said before grabbing his waist tightly, before nibbling on his jaw. “I actually didn’t know you liked the beach.”

“Mn… I came to the beach a lot when I was younger but then my family got… messy and we stopped coming. I actually associated it with bad memories but you managed to change that in just one week.”

“Why did you agree to come then?” 

“Because I’m in love with you? And like I told you, I’d follow you anywhere.”

“Fuck… fucking hell Kiyoomi, I fucking adore you.”

“God you’re so sappy… I adore you too,” Kiyoomi said before kissing Atsumu softly, tenderly.

“I’m glad you had a good time, Omi,” Atsumu mumbled against Kiyoomi’s skin after a while.

“Mn… shower then breakfast?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Kiyoomi loved how he didn’t need to say anything, it was a given that they were going to be showering together. They wouldn’t have it any other way.

They did their morning routines– which took them a lot longer than usual because they couldn’t keep their hands off each other –and then ate breakfast with Osamu. After that they packed their stuff and then they were ready to go back home.

And it was bittersweet, leaving the beach that witnessed their love bloom behind. “We’ll be back,” Atsumu said, as they walked out of the house hand in hand. “Maybe I can take you to Cancún, or Bali… somewhere with nice beaches,” he added, grabbing Kiyoomi’s waist. It was almost as if he could hear Kiyoomi’s thoughts.

They loaded the car and then climbed in. Atsumu got into the backseat right next to Kiyoomi, earning a few weird looks from his brother.

And then they drove off.

Atsumu was still in charge of the aux, he still played shitty 2000’s music and sang along– Kiyoomi did too. Osamu and Atsumu still fought over god-knows-what and Kiyoomi fell asleep in the backseat. Nothing had changed except for the fact that he fell asleep holding Atsumu’s hand and Kiyoomi was grateful for that. He was a creature of habit after all.

He woke up when they were like 10 minutes away from their apartments. Atsumu pushed his hair back and kissed his forehead for the nth time, not that Kiyoomi was complaining.

They got out of the car once they were there, grabbed their bags and said goodbye to Osamu.

“Osamu-san?” Kiyoomi said before walking into the apartment complex. “Thank you,” he added because he really was thankful, without Osamu maybe nothing would’ve happened.

Osamu laughed before patting him lightly on the shoulder, Kiyoomi didn’t flinch. “Just… don’t break his heart.”

“I wouldn’t.”

“I know,” Osamu said before climbing into the driver’s seat.

“Omiiiiii, hurry up,” Atsumu yelled from where he was standing.

Osamu waved at them and then drove off.

Kiyoomi followed Atsumu into the apartment complex, they rode the elevator together and they both got off on the 14th floor. Atsumu walked Kiyoomi to his door and kissed him goodbye on the cheek just as he had been daydreaming about.

Kiyoomi unpacked and no less than 30 minutes later someone knocked on his door.

He opened it to reveal one Miya Atsumu dressed in comfy clothes and wearing glasses. “I finished unpacking, wanna have lunch?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Kiyoomi said before pulling him into his apartment and kissing him with rehearsed ease. They both sighed into the kiss.

An hour later the two of them sat at Kiyoomi’s dinner table eating some noodles. Nothing really had changed except that now their intertwined hands laid over the table.

After lunch, they moved to the couch where they spent most of the afternoon. Kissing, watching shitty movies, kissing some more, and just… enjoying each other’s company as they always did.

At around 8 pm their phones started blowing up with texts, Instagram comments, tweets and such. The reason? The pictures they had posted a few minutes ago.

Kiyoomi’s Instagram feed now showcased a picture of what was unmistakable Miya Atsumu’s back profile. The subject seemed to be painted golden by the morning sunlight and even though the picture cut off right at his hips one could see that he was completely naked. A couple of purple marks adorned his neck and shoulders but the picture itself had an aura of elegance. Through the picture, one could almost feel the love the person who took it felt for Miya Atsumu.

The caption of the picture read “my sunshine” .

Atsumu, on the other hand, had posted a photo set. The first picture and the one that probably took everyone’s breaths away was a picture taken on the night they went skinny dipping; it showed Kiyoomi’s naked back profile bathed in the moon’s pale glow. It was, without a doubt, breathtaking.

It contrasted somehow with the picture Kiyoomi had posted of Atsumu.

“When did you take that one?” Kiyoomi had asked when Atsumu was showing him the pictures he wanted to post.

“When I was too busy panicking to actually get up and follow you,” he had said with a breathy laugh. “I had half the mind to take a picture because, god Kiyoomi, it was something I want to remember forever.”

The second picture showcased Kiyoomi sleeping in the car, his face squished against his pillow and Atsumu’s jacket covering his body, keeping him warm. The subject of the pictures was always Kiyoomi; his smile, his hands, Kiyoomi curled up against his body. The photoset was basically a love letter and the caption read “i think i’ll love you forever” .

Kiyoomi felt the same way.

“Should we answer their texts?” Atsumu asked, his chin resting in Kiyoomi’s chest.

“Hmm… no,” Kiyoomi answered, pushing Atsumu’s hair away from his forehead. “We’re still on break, we’ll worry about them later.”

They spent their days with each other, as they always did, and when break was over they walked into the gym with their hands intertwined.

Sunshine boy was now his’ to hold.

(They both decided to ignore all of the “finallies” their teammates threw around. Apparently everyone had been waiting for them to get together for a long time.)

As the years went by they found out that forever was indeed pretty easy for two stubborn bastards like them.