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It was a tight fit in the narrow bathtub, whose function was only thought to accommodate the length of their bodies. Tobio was practically pressed up against one of the bathtub walls, and over his head was Atsumu’s arm enclosing him in between his body and the wall behind him.
Displaying themselves and their six-foot-long bodies in the white quartz bathtub was a challenge, but they barely managed it.
“Hey, come closer,” Atsumu murmured.
Tobio’s back rested on his chest, only a minimal gap remained between them, only a mere curve slightly leaking its distance, bodies limited as though afraid proximity might lead into temptation, but it wasn’t enough for Atsumu.
He secured his arms strongly on each of Tobio’s sides, bringing him infinitely closer to his frame. He wanted to hear Tobio’s soft breath beside his ear, to feel his long and curled eyelashes kissing his cheeks with every blink, to feel his long dark fringe grazing his neck, to feel the rhythmic pounding of Tobio’s heart dancing on his own ribs, to feel him real close but never getting enough of him.
The closed distance of their bodies spread warmth all over Atsumu’s core until his very bones. For the longest time, he searched non-stop for this kind of commodity and security in every last relationship. But heartbreak after heartbreak only taught him letdowns and betrayals; showing him the bitter and harsh truth of selfishness. People say that one needs to love with both open arms. To give it and to let it go. Always.
After so many failed relationships, closing off his heart to the whole world so as not to get hurt again stands as the safe option, creeping loneliness as a close friend and confidant. Over time, Atsumu comprehends it. Some people will only come into one’s life to teach you what love is not. He realized that one doesn’t need to feel butterflies, you just need to feel right in your own skin, calm, and confident, complete.
After that realization, the outcome was pretty simple.
Only one soft-spoken and reassuring voice placated and soothed his roaring heart, his wildest thoughts, his deepest worries all this time. The answers were given by only one prayer. The only constant, a sole comfort.
Tobio.
Kageyama — I-don’t-get-a-joke— Tobio.
He was the answer the universe gave to Atsumu and screamed: ‘He is the one, don’t fucked it up!’ Atsumu had to travel through bad relationships, around city to city, to different volleyball teams after team, country after country, to finally understand it. To get the answers to all his questions, to accept the calmness it brings to his heart by only being around Tobio’s side.
Atsumu’s whole chest ricochets among his overpowering feelings, trying with every heartbeat to give and give and give, relishing the certainty that this time, Tobio would respond in kind, and he could take and take and take at most as he gives.
The subtle but distinctive fragrance of wild berries and lavender of Tobio’s shampoo smears his senses back, putting a pause to the cacophony of his emotions. The rich perfume spread fast into his heart. As not to scatter the scent, Atsumu buries his nose deep in Tobio’s long blueish black hair. Even with his eyes closed, Atsumu could portray Tobio’s pleased smile blooming on his face and, as on cue, with his followed by a retort, Atsumu could hear the smile on his mirthful voice.
“What? Are you a dog now? Stop sniffing me.”
“You just had to open your pretty mouth and ruin the moment, didn’t ya?” He whined while detaching himself a bit from him.
“Oh? Sorry,” Tobio deadpanned with zero regret in his tone, “I didn’t get the memo of our particular ‘moment’, my bad.”
“Tobio-kun!!” Atsumu reproached him heavily, “Geez, you’re such a jerk sometimes. Where did my sweetie little goody-two shoes go?” He groaned.
Even with him facing the other way, Atsumu could feel the way the younger rolled his eyes at his infamous line. Tobio didn’t humor him with an answer, he just leaned back again on Atsumu without a word.
The conversation lulled and brought with it a comforting silence. Occasionally, he could hear the faint movement of Tobio’s feet crashing against the crumpled bathtub and forming tiny waves with its impulse. Where before the water was at the ideal temperature, little by little and without haste, it began to decrease in temperature.
From scalding hot, to hot, to lukewarm.
“Y’know, you should make it up to me somehow. You wounded me badly, Tobio. I demand full compensation for my wounds.” Atsumu started breaking through the quiet silence and nuzzling his face in Tobio’s neck again.
“Should I? That sounds like a you-problem from here.” This time Tobio did humor him with an answer. He didn’t say anything further than that, but Atsumu thought there was warmth in his eyes.
“A kiss,” Atsumu tried to catch Tobio’s eyes, but it proved difficult with the angle.
“Mmm?” Tobio’s eyes had flitted to Atsumu so quickly while asking, but he immediately looked away as he met Atsumu’s hungry amber eyes.
A blush threatened to give away the fact that Tobio had heard Atsumu’s request and reacted way too enthusiastically to the demand even.
“I want a consolation kiss.”
Atsumu’s grin widened as he watched the blush dusting pink Tobio’s squishy cheeks. He had craved the ability to crack a reaction off of Tobio for so long, causing a rushing delight to pass through his veins and the sight of it always got him. His boyfriend is so pretty.
At Tobio’s little nod, Atsumu leaned down to press a fluting kiss to the corner of his lips, lingering there for a moment too long before pulling out.
“You missed,” Tobio fully turned to meet Atsumu’s eyes, his thin brows furrowed deep at his poor aim. Atsumu threw his head back in a laugh louder than their location should permit. His laughter echoed on the walls of the room and a contented breath escaped from his mouth, Tobio’s quips were so cute.
He was really, really beautiful. Every single feature and trace of his face. The curves of his lips and nose and the shadows around his eyes were gorgeous, and Atsumu couldn’t resist tracing them all with soft kisses. Up a cheekbone, across his eyebrow, the corners of his eyes, the high point of his nose and, lastly, a light kiss to his handsome forehead.
Tobio’s eyes flitted open, and automatically a deep frown showed up, and Atsumu couldn’t stop his smirk growing. He loved to tease him, but before he could say anything, Tobio cut him off by pulling him in until their lips touched. And Tobio’s lips were so soft, and he was so warm. Atsumu wrapped his arms around his waist and kept him near, very close, as to prevent losing any of his warmth.
“Thank you,” Atsumu whispered in the gap between their lips when they stopped for air, and Tobio just laughed into his lips as he leaned back in for more.
Atsumu felt confident enough to exchange this intimate detail and, like a prayer, he thanked and praised around Tobio’s crimson lips. He hopes Tobio knows he’s not just talking about the kiss. With those two words, Atsumu kept thanking Tobio for his chance.
This almost miraculous opportunity to love him and be loved equally by him.
He was so grateful that he was enough. That they, as a couple, were enough. That every morning, every sunrise, every day and every night together was more than enough.
Atsumu didn’t need to look out the window for stars anymore, because he had already found more than he could ever deserve right in his arms.