Chapter Text
June 1st
For two months, they’d done nothing but worry about their son. For two months, Kenma hadn’t worked on a single game. For two months, Kuroo hadn’t left Japan for an overseas game.
Their day would start like usually. Kuroo would get up at six and shower. Normally Kenma would still be asleep, but he started to get up when his husband did, so he could call the hospital to check up on Taiga. The blond would update the middle blocker on how their son had been doing during the night while they ate breakfast; then they would feed the cats and head off for the day. Kuroo had returned to training just a few weeks after Taiga had been born and it pained him to to do so. He wanted to be there for his son as much as possible, but he couldn’t. Thankfully Kenma was there to keep him updated. He’d usually send pictures of what Taiga was doing, which involved mainly sleeping. Sometimes he also sent videos. Those and the pictures helped Kuroo a lot to get through the day less worried.
As for Kenma, his days were spent staying at Taiga’s side in the NICU. The blond rocked their son every chance he had and would talk about everyone, who were eager to meet him. About his grandparents, who couldn’t wait to spoil him. All his uncles, who were eager to teach him about volleyball. His godfather, who was over the moon about him already. His cousin, who couldn’t wait to meet his self proclaimed best friend. How so many people couldn’t wait to spoil him; Yaku was one of them already. Taiga had been moved to another incubator just a few weeks into his life. Now closer to the window, Kenma would sometimes show him what he could see outside and talk about it.
In the late afternoon, Kuroo would leave training and head home to check up on Minko and Minto, before heading to the hospital. For the last few hours of visiting time, Kuroo would rock his son to give Kenma a small break. The middle blocker would always ask about how the little one’s day went and what he and mommy had been doing, before going on about his day. What he did at training and any funny stories that happened during that day; which usually involved Bokuto somehow.
But one of the hardest things to do was when they had to leave Taiga for the night. How much they hated leaving their baby behind; the first time they had to leave their son was the day Kenma had been discharged and neither of them had wanted to leave. The husbands would give their son a goodnight kiss each and say how much he meant to them. To have sweet dreams and to grow stronger fast, so they could take him home soon.
For sixty-one days, this was their life.
When June 1st arrived, Kuroo and Kenma walked up to the NICU hand-in-hand. Kenma held a tote bag that was filled with clothes for their son, while Kuroo carried a carseat with black and gray designs. It was an exciting day for the both of them, because after sixty-one days, Taiga had been finally given the okay to be released from the hospital. They were more than excited about finally being able to bring their son home! But of course, they were nervous like any other new parents bringing their baby home for the first time.
They walked into the NICU, greeting the nurses and some families they had befriended, and headed over to Taiga’s incubator. The husbands saw Yaku already standing beside it and looked to be talking with Taiga.
“Are you working here today, Yaku?” Kenma asked as they came up. The nurse shook his head.
“No, I’m on break. I just came to see the little guy, before he goes home.” Yaku responded as he looked down at the baby. Kuroo and Kenma smiled as they looked at their son, who smiled the moment he saw his parents.
“Hey there, kiddo. You ready to go home?” Kuroo asked as Taiga smiled up at them. Now over two months old, Taiga’s was much bigger than he was at the moment of birth. His hair had grown out a bit and he had the one thing Kuroo had hoped for. Kenma’s golden eyes.
“He’s ready as much as you two are.” The nurse chuckled.
“Has he been weighed today?” Kenma asked as he poked his son’s nose, getting a giggle in response.
“Yup, this little guy now weighs nine pounds. They weighed him about an hour ago.”
“To think he was three pounds when he was born,” Kuroo commented. “Now he’s nine.”
“They grow up fast. Next thing you know, he’ll be running around and playing.” Yaku commented as he handed a bag to Kenma, all the tiger related things in the bag that had been decorations for the incubator.
“What are you talking about? Taiga isn’t allowed to grow up.” Kuroo said as he gave the nurse a funny look. Kenma couldn’t help but shake his head.
A nurse showed Kuroo how to buckle Taiga into his car seat. While another nurse talked to Kenma and giving him Taiga’s discharge papers, Kuroo was working on the car seat.
“To think something so simple can be so complicated.” The middle blocker groaned as he finally had buckled the baby in. “But you’re worth taking fifteen minutes figuring it out.”
Taiga just blinked up at his Father. “Yeah me too, kiddo. I don’t get it either. Kitten, are you ready?”
Kenma nodded, but with hesitation. He was glad to finally be going home, but at the same time, he was nervous. Taiga was a premie and the blond was worried about what the future would contain. If there would be complications. How serious they would be and how it would affect his life. He looked at his son, smiling as Kuroo talked to him while he took the baby’s picture. Kenma felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Yaku.
“Don’t worry. You two got this. If you’re unsure about something, call me. You also have Daichi and Suga’s numbers so especially call them if I can’t answer something.” Yaku reminded him as he gave the blond a pat on his back. “You two are going to do great.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Kenma smiled as Kuroo stood up and picked the car seat up.
“We ready to head home? Because I sure am!”
“Welcome home, Taiga!” Kuroo announced as they walked into their home. Finally, the family of three had arrived at their house and were ready to take on the future! Or at least the afternoon for the moment.
“Tetsu, I think he fell asleep.” Kenma looked as he noticed their son being fast asleep. The middle blocker looked to check.
“I swear this kid is going to sleep as much as Eita does.” Kuroo chuckled as he placed the car seat on the coffee table. Minko and Minto on the stairs looked at the strange thing their humans placed on the coffee table. What in the world was that?!
“Well he is a baby, all he’s going to do is sleep, eat and poop.” Kenma reminded as he sat down on the couch.
“Eh, true.” Kuroo agreed as he sat down. As he did, Minko and Minto cautiously made their way over to them. “Oh look, here they come.”
Neither of the two husbands moved as their cats jumped onto the coffee table and looked at the car seat, sniffing the new object. Minto climbed over and stopped when he saw Taiga inside. Slowly, Minto stuck his head in and sniffed the sleeping baby. Minko noticed as well and also sniffed the baby before both cats let out a soft meow.
“Cat approved, I guess.” The middle blocker chuckled as the cats nuzzled their heads against Taiga’s foot, the baby sightly moving at the feeling but not waking up.
“Well that’s at least good.” Kenma chuckled as Kuroo took a picture and sent it to everyone.
[Received from Kuroo Tetsurou]: We haven’t even been home for five minutes and Minko and Minto are all over Taiga already! But thankfully, they approve of him!! Now all Taiga needs to do is wake up so he can meet his pets.
Night arrived a lot quicker than they expected. The afternoon seemed to have gone by in the blink of an eye and the next thing they knew, Kenma was ordering dinner for them. Kuroo made Taiga’s first bottle and well, let’s just say he had to do it a few times to get it right. Thank goodness they had the internet! But there was one thing they weren’t prepared for, Taiga’s loud burp. While the middle blocker picked up their dishes, the blond burped their son and boy did he let out a loud burp! So loud that Kuroo heard it from the kitchen. The middle blocker came in and saw Kenma giggle as he moved their son back into his arms.
“You are just like your Father. Letting out loud burps after you eat.” Kenma cooed as Taiga smiled at him. Kuroo smiled as he watched those two interact. Seeing the love in Kenma’s eyes just made him love his husband so much more.
Their first night with their son was an exciting thing to happen, but being honest with themselves, they were also scared. They were scared about not knowing what Taiga needed, because he couldn’t tell them. Was he hot or was he cold? Did he need a bottle or a diaper change? Or did he just need to be rocked back to sleep?
While Kuroo changed Taiga into a new outfit, Kenma made a quick call to Suga; who was just finishing up bathing the twins.
“ Daichi and I were the same way when we brought Toru and Akira home- Toru dear hold your arms up. ”
“But how did you two know what to do?”
“ We didn’t. I was checking everything, like: Do they have a full diaper? Okay, no. I put my pinkie in their mouth to see if they were hungry. By the time they were about two months old, Daichi and I could tell by their cry what they need. You see with Toru, when he was hungry, his cry could be higher compared to when he needed a diaper change. It was the same with Akira, her pitch for her hunger was different than the one for a diaper change. ” Suga explained as Kenma looked out of the bathroom and into their room, Kuroo leaning against the bed while Taiga let out a yawn.
“So we just have to check? But what if it’s neither of those things?”
“Then you just rock him. Maybe have a thin blanket on him for now, but don’t cover him all the way up. I’d say about up to his waist, but no more than that.”
“I think we have one, I need to check.” Kenma thought as he headed toward Taiga’s nursery.
“ If not then I can send one with Daichi when Kuroo returns to training. We have far too many and my kids end up picking a favorite. ” Suga chuckled as he let out a small groan, sounds like he was picking up Toru.
“Then again you have three kids, Suga.”
“ True. Very true. We’re already thinking about number four. ”
“...How old is Maemi?”
“ Nine months, but we’re thinking about it. It won’t happen right away. ”
“ I’m a big help with Mimi! ” Kenma heard Toru say.
“ Yes, you are a big help with Mimi while Daddy is at work. ” Suga agreed as the blond heard the child giggle. He couldn’t help but smile.
“Thank you for the advice, Suga. That helps me a little.” The former setter thanked.
“ It’s no problem, Kenma. Call if you need any other advice, Daichi and I will be happy to give you as much as you need! ”
“Thank you, I will.”
“ Bye Uncle Kenma! ”
“Bye Toru. Have a good night.”
“ I will! ” Kenma hung up and sighed softly as he looked for a thin blanket for Taiga. Suga’s advice made him feel a little better, but he was still nervous. Even if the former Karasuno setter had reassured him that nothing was going to happen, he probably would still feel nervous.
‘ It’s only the first night. Things will get better. Like Suga said, we’ll learn what’s wrong. ’ He told himself as he returned to the bedroom, where he stopped in the door to smile at the picture in front of him. Kuroo had Taiga in his arms and was swaying from side to side. The middle blocker wasn’t paying attention to anything around him, just looking down at the sleeping baby in his arms. Quickly pulling out his phone, Kenma snapped a picture before walking back into the room.
“Is he asleep?” Kenma whispered as Kuroo looked up and nodded.
“Yeah. He just went to sleep a few minutes ago.” The middle blocker responded in a soft voice. The two looked at their sleeping son, who seemed so peaceful as he slept in his Father’s arm and held onto the middle blocker’s finger. “He’s got a grip too.”
“He doesn’t want you to go anywhere.”
“Well, I have to go to bed too, so sorry, kiddo.” Kuroo chuckled as he kissed Taiga’s forehead. “He’s going to be pissed when I put him down.”
That wasn’t the case as Taiga stayed asleep as he was placed into his bassinet. Kuroo and Kenma didn’t find that much sleep though. They tried to sleep, but just stared at the bassinet right next to their bed. Watching for any movements Taiga made or any sounds. Minko and Minto on the other hand, were fast asleep and in Kuroo’s spot. But he didn’t mind, he actually didn’t realize his cats were there, because he was too focused on Taiga. How strange their humans were acting, because of this tiny human.
But sleep somehow won them over, because the next thing the two husbands knew, they were jerked awake from their sleep because of Taiga’s cry. Kenma, the closest to the bassinet, sat up and picked the baby up.
“Oh it’s alright, Taiga. It’s alright.” Kenma shushed as Taiga slowly began to calm down, but still let out a small whimper type cry.
“Alright kiddo, what’s up?” Kuroo asked as he turned on one of the lamps, while the blonde began to check his diaper.
“No diaper change.” The mumbled as he stuck his pinkie in Taiga’s mouth. Kuroo blinked at that. “He needs a bottle, Tetsu.”
“...Okay. Uh where did you learn that? The pinkie?”
“Suga.”
“Gotcha. Alright be back in a flash.” Kuroo nodded as he got out of bed and headed downstairs. Minko and Minto woke up, because of Taiga and crawled over to check on the tiny human. Minko stared at him, while Minto sniffed Taiga’s head.
“I know you’re hungry, Taiga. Daddy is getting you something eat, don’t cry. Look, Minko and Minto don’t want you to cry.” Kenma cooed as Minko rubbed his head against Taiga’s foot to calm him down, while Minto meowed softly.
“Alright, kiddo. I’m back, I’m back.” Kuroo announced just a few minutes later as he returned with the bottles. “Here, Kitten.”
“Okay, Taiga. Daddy’s back.”
“Enjoy your midnight snack.” Kuroo grabbed his phone and texted Daichi, saying they’re officially up for the first night. (Daichi chuckled. He knew those nights oh too well.)
“There we go.” Kenma smiled as Taiga took the head of the bottle into his mouth and started to eat.
“Now let’s see if he burps as loud as he did earlier.” The middle blocker chuckled.
“I wouldn’t be surprised.”
The cats agreed too.
Taiga finished eating and he let out a loud burp like before. After that he went right back to sleep. The moment Kenma brought him back down from his shoulder and into his arms, they saw he had already fallen asleep. They couldn’t help but chuckle, Kuroo making the comment how he would hopefully be an easy baby. Kenma looked at him with a very unimpressed look.
June 10th
“Are you ready to meet Uncle Bo and Uncle Keiji and cousin Eita, Taiga?” The baby smiled up at Kenma as the former setter dressed the little boy. It was a big day as Taiga would be meeting his godfather, that being Bokuto, Akaashi and Eita for the first time. It had just been over a little two weeks since Taiga had come home from the hospital and in those two weeks, he’d had some visitors.
The first being his grandparents, who had brought two bags full of clothes, toys and blankets. Both his grandmothers had cried, when they had held him for the first time, repeating over and over how much they loved him and had been very eager to see him. His grandfathers had been overjoyed to meet him and had been calmer compared to their wives. But the moment Kuroo’s mother had seen her grandson, she was reminded of how it had been to hold her own son as a baby. Saying how much Taiga looked like Kuroo, but making the note of Kenma’s eyes.
Other visitors had been Yaku and Lev, who had stopped by to check on the family and for Lev to meet his nephew. At first, Kenma had been a little nervous about Lev holding his son, but was surprised by how much Taiga really loved Lev! All he did was smile at the white haired man and even let out a few small coos. Lev had been surprised too, because he’d thought Taiga wouldn’t like him, but was surprised to see his new nephew already loving him.
“Alright, there and ready to meet them.” Kenma announced as he finished. Taiga smiled again; everyone noting how he was such a smiley baby, while Kenma picked him up. “I know cousin Eita has been very eager to meet you. He’s going to be so happy when he sees you.”
“I facetimed with bro last night and he said Eita has done nothing but ask when they were coming to see us.” Kuroo spoke as Kenma came down the stairs.
“Well Eita has said that Taiga is going to be his best friend so I can image how excited he is.” The blond chuckled as he stepped off the last step and smiled at Kuroo. Without word, the middle blocker kissed his husband on the lips and their son’s forehead.
“I love you two so much. You’re truly amazing, Kitten.” Kuroo spoke. At first, Kenma blinked, but then blushed and looked away. “I’m being serious. You’re amazing. You went through so many changes and then Taiga coming early. You stopped your life to be by his side. You stopped doing what you loved to the most to care for our son. Kenma, you’re so much stronger than you give yourself credit.”
Kenma stood there, not knowing what to say but he looked up at Kuroo and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Tetsu. But you need some credit too.”
“Yeah, but not as much as you.” Kuroo chuckled as they heard the door open.
“HEY, HEY, HEY!”