Work Text:
Autumn -- Almost (Sweet Music) by Hozier
The cool, rainy autumn days in Osaka were the best types of days to bake brioche bread and dance in the kitchen with an oversized hoodie, socks, Atsumu’s head to Kiyoomi’s chest. The skies were grey and the vibrant leaves stood out against the monochromatic tones of the sky they contrasted with. The somber tones, however, did not dampen the feelings of affection that were interspersed throughout their kitchen, with soft words and giggle-fits that would lead to a flour war in the kitchen, the cabinets covered in the white of baking materials.
Hozier’s soothing voice over the speaker had Atsumu dozing against Kiyoomi’s chest as they rocked back and forth in the kitchen, socks sliding against the tile of their kitchen floor. It was a common scene, to finish their baking, waiting for it to be ready, with Atsumu’s head to Kiyoomi’s chest. It was soothing, his weight against Kiyoomi and Kiyoomi tightened his grip around Atsumu’s waist ever so slightly, drawing him closer in. “Is he singing about love? Romance?” Kiyoomi asked quietly, lips against the top of Atsumu’s head. The smell of melting butter wafted from the oven where a loaf of bread was baking to golden brown glory, nestled in a ceramic loaf pan and braided to perfection.
Atsumu simply hummed his response and shook his head no, keeping his eyes closed. He curled his fingers a bit tighter into the flannel of Kiyoomi’s shirt, rubbing soothing designs against the middle of Kiyoomi’s back. “No. Hozier is super big into jazz? Like, classic jazz. So the lyrics are an ode to jazz music; they're all references to various jazz artists and songs. Like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald. But, it’s how jazz music brings him back into himself, makes him feel like himself again. Which, I guess is sorta a romantic notion, if you think about it.”
There was nothing for Kiyoomi to respond to, his own eyes closing as Atsumu mouthed the words of the song against the warm skin of Kiyoomi’s neck. “What song makes you think of us?” Kiyoomi asked softly. He brought a hand up, carefully carding it through Atsumu’s recently touched up blonde hair. It was unkempt today, unlike his usually perfectly styled locks that he showed to the world. But right now, they were at home and there was no need to keep up appearances and no one was here for Atsumu to impress, least of all Kiyoomi. He’d already won him over, heart and soul. It didn’t matter how he looked, or so Kiyoomi thought.
Atsumu hummed quietly, hazel eyes cracking open before wandering over the room as he thought, mouthing a soft kiss against the skin of Kiyoomi’s neck, squeezing him tighter against his frame. “You can’t just spring that sort of question on me, you know. You know how broad and eclectic my music taste is.” He laughed softly, moving to step on Kiyoomi’s feet to give himself some height while they swayed and danced in the kitchen. The bread would be done soon; he wished he could pause this moment with Kiyoomi and sway together forever.
Or could they? If Atsumu could manage to separate himself away for a few moments to rescue the bread so it wouldn’t burn and then he could easily come back and nestle himself back into Kiyoomi’s warm hold.
Slowly and reluctantly, Atsumu peeled himself away from Kiyoomi, drawing a whine from the other as Atsumu padded over to the oven, pulling their masterpiece out of the oven. He tilted the loaf pan to Kiyoomi, eyes bright behind his glasses, bangs falling messily across his forehead. An unkempt Atsumu, solely for Kiyoomi’s eyes only; not one ounce of media would ever get their cameras on this version of Atsumu. “Whaddya think? Did we do well? Would Paul Hollywood give me a handshake?” Atsumu laughed. His laugh never ceased to make Kiyoomi’s heart clench with unbridled affection.
Of course the British baker would find his name uttered in their kitchen. Kiyoomi rolled his eyes fondly as he bent down to pull out the cooling rack for Atsumu to settle the loaf pan on before the heat burnt his hands through the oven mits. “Maybe.” He joked. “I dunno, Atsumu. Maybe not, this looks a little dark to me.”
Atsumu gasped, clutching a hand to his chest, and using the other to gently smack Kiyoomi’s arm with his pot holder, a small pout on his face. “You take that back right now, Mister. My baking is perfect and you know it.” He placed the loaf pan on top of the wire rack and smiled ruefully at it before making grabbing gestures at Kiyoomi until he was once again engulfed into Kiyoomi’s warm hold.
Once again, Atsumu’s feet found themselves on top of Kiyoomi’s, his head resting on his boyfriend’s chest. Hazel eyes fluttered as low thunder rumbled outside, Atsumu’s shoulders tensing at the noise. He’d never been partial to storms and even if autumn’s thunder wasn’t as voracious as summer’s, it still pressed a tension into his muscles that Kiyoomi would have to massage out later.
The music in the kitchen was turned up wordlessly.
As the brioche cooled on it’s home on the wire rack, Kiyoomi guided them to the couch, pulling them from their wordless dance so they could cuddle and hide from the world around them. Kiyoomi plopped Atsumu down, the other bouncing slightly on the cushions before he was and immediately swaddled him in a chunky arm knit blanket that someone gifted them for one reason or another some time ago. The notes of music were soundless as Kiyoomi settled beside Atsumu, drawing him into his arms, their attention solely on one another and nothing else that was happening-- in the room or out of it.
The room was dim with only the light from a side table that frankly didn’t do its job well illuminating the room. TV off, only unheard soundless notes and the patter of rain against the glass panes of windows filling the space with sound.
This was often how their autumnal afternoons wound up if there was no practise and no game. A long morning walking the streets of Osaka bouncing from market to market with the fiery colours of changed leaves overhead that would lead to spontaneous hikes to crystalline waterfalls in which the spray of the water would leave them colder than when they had initially left their apartment that morning. They’d laugh as they tried to warm one another up in the car, the heat blasting before staggering into the shower together, wet kisses pressed against any expanse of skin that became visible to them.
Thunder once again rumbled outside and Atsumu squished himself a little closer to Kiyoomi. He tugged the blanket further up his body so only his eyes were visible, the tiniest of trembles to his shoulders.
“I’ll distract you.” Kiyoomi mumbled, leaning down as he tipped Atsumu’s chin up. Their lips met in a chaste kiss and Kiyoomi brushed his thumb from Atsumu’s chin, up his jawline until he cupped his face, thumbing at his cheek bone. “What do you want to name this loaf of bread?” Kiyoomi asked, voice smooth and low.
In his arms, Atsumu scrunched his face up in that sweet little way of his that made Kiyoomi’s heart melt. He smoothed his index finger in between Atsumu’s eyebrows to ease the wrinkled furrow from his skin, smiling as Atsumu wriggled his nose in response, hazel eyes peering up over the tortoiseshell coloured rim of his glasses.
“Hitomi.” He finally replied, resting his head back comfortably on Kiyoomi’s shoulder, eyes fluttering shut as he allowed the thrum of Kiyoomi’s heartbeat to wash over him with a sense of calm. They both ignored the vibrations of one of their phones ringing on the stone countertops in their kitchen. Not many people were important enough to draw Kiyoomi and Atsumu away from one another. ”She had a sort of Hitomi vibe. Also, it reminds me of my cousin who went to Fukuoka to ‘become one with the fish’ or some shit.” Atsumu’s voice had a sleepy lit to it and he broke into a small yawn as Kiyoomi continued to silently fawn over him, fingers rubbing firm and loving circles into his back, his shoulders, the nape of his neck. They were cuddled together like two cats curled in a ball and Atsumu would have it no other way.
“Doesn’t she work at a museum there?” Kiyoomi asked, trying not to snicker as he pushed Atsumu’s messy bangs from his face to try and free his eyes from the mop of blonde that undoubtedly obstructed his vision. The rain’s increased tempo drew soft sighs from them both, their solace being broken as thunder cracked against the sky again, Atsumu flinching against Kiyoomi, opting not to respond to Kiyoomi.
“Iron Chef?” Kiyoomi asked quietly instead of waiting for a response. He dragged his fingers through messy blonde locks, getting them situated, comfy cosy, on the couch. With the tv muted and the low whisper of Hozier’s sweet music playing in the dark background of their kitchen, they could hide away from the world together, hearts as warm as the vibrant leaves that decorated the maple trees swaying in the crisp autumn wind outside their rain-painted window panes. Kiyoomi pressed a kiss to the top of Atsumu’s head and hummed, eyes glancing outside at the weather they were bundling up against.
Autumn moonlight would bleed into winter under piled up snow.
Winter -- Lighthouse Keeper by Sam Smith/ White Winter Hymnal by Fleetfoxes
The crisp and vibrant autumn leaves had fallen and decorated the streets of Osaka just before the first snow blew in, blanketing everything in a powdery dusting of pristine white snow.
Cold-kissed cheeks and necks bundled in warm hand-knit scarves -- winter had come in a rush of squalls and blowing snow, quicker than anyone had imagined. Glittering white lights laced through the trees refracted off the crystalline snow hugging the branches.
Osaka’s Festival of Lights had brought Kiyoomi and Atsumu out of the cosy warmth of their apartment, their feet stuffed in boots with extra warm and thick socks, hands guarded from biting wind in gloves, and necks swaddled in warm cashmere scarves.
It was one of their last days together before they had to separate for three days for their respective families; Kiyoomi would come to Hyōgo post his winter holiday with his parents to finish the season out with Atsumu, heading into the northern portion of the prefecture to go skiing for a week at Hachi Kogen. It was tradition, but, despite all that, it didn’t mean that they wouldn’t miss one another.
The snow crunched under their feet as they wandered Midōsuji Avenue, taking in the strings of illumination that were laced throughout the trees and along the avenue. “Are ya gonna actually try skiing with me this year?” Atsumu hummed, glancing over to Kiyoomi and squeezing his gloved hand tightly.
Kiyoomi scrunched his nose up as a snowflake decided to make its final resting place on the tip of his nose.
“No. You go down the black diamond slopes and I’m barely good enough to get off of the bunny slopes.” Kiyoomi sighed. While he had more than fond memories of skiing with Atsumu and his family (it was incredible that Atsumu’s nearly 90 year old grandmother still went skiing with them), he had never done it until he had visited Hyōgo for the first time with Atsumu to meet his family and spend the winter holiday season with them.
He was still getting his feet wet, it seemed.
Atsumu shushed Kiyoomi quietly. His fingers touched Kiyoomi’s arm gently as he gestured in front of them at the magnificent display of lights, twinkling and illuminating the dark Osaka sky. “I swear they get more and more extravagant every year.” Atsumu breathed, leaning a red, wind-kissed cheek against Kiyoomi’s shoulder.
“I’m pretty sure it’s fairly equal to last year.” Kiyoomi laughed quietly, pressing his lips to the top of Atsumu’s head, even if his hair was covered in a dark grey beanie. “They don’t change the light programming all that much, year-to-year.”
Kiyoomi was shushed by Atsumu again, this time by a gloved-finger to his lips. Atsumu’s hazel eyes glittered behind the glasses he oh-so-rarely wore, the glass fogging with warm breaths against the cold night air and his expression spoke of mischief. “Ah, but what if some upstanding, concerned citizen who may or may not play for the MSBY Black Jackals posted a concern to the city board about how it never changes?”
“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” Kiyoomi sighed, rolling his eyes as he gently pushed Atsumu away from him. The other stumbled away from Kiyoomi’s side, squeaking when he tripped over what was likely nothing and plopped on his butt in the middle of the snow-covered street.
It was cute, even if Atsumu was glaring at him. His glare couldn’t be any less threatening if he tried, and Kiyoomi reached a hand out to him to help him up and out of the snow. “Sir, lettin’ me fall in the snow and get my ass wet is frowned upon in most establishments.” Atsumu grumbled, brushing the wet snow off of the back of his jeans. “I swear, s’already soaked through! I’m soaking wet,” Atsumu whined, voice muffled by the way he had buried his face in his scarf.
Kiyoomi stared at Atsumu for a moment, revelling in the way that he buried himself in his scarf, trying to hide himself from the cold. He adored the way Atsumu tugged his beanie further over his ears, so only small tufts of blonde hair poked out, dusted by light snowflakes that continued to fall from the sky.
He was so incredibly fond.
As Atsumu righted himself, pout evident on his face, Kiyoomi wrapped his arms around Atsumu, kissing the underside of his jaw as he bent down. “Let’s go get you warmed up, then,” he murmured, breath hot against Atsumu’s ear.
If Atsumu shuddered, Kiyoomi didn’t dare mention it. Instead, he spun Atsumu around by his shoulders and began steering him back to their apartment to go and warm up with the promise of peppermint hot cocoa, warm kisses, and snuggling under their favourite chunky knit throw. They’d been out long enough: viewed the winter wonderland that was Osaka illuminated by glittering lights enough. Home was calling to them.
Within the coming snow-covered days, the pair said their teary good-byes to one another, exchanging soft, hot cocoa-sweet kisses before parting ways for the next four days. It was something they had done since the inception of their dating, neither quite yet willing to figure out the dynamics of splitting family time during the holidays. While Kiyoomi’s family wasn’t as big on the imported traditions as Atsumu’s family was, the winter season was one of the few times that he could more easily see his parents, and Kiyoomi wasn’t going to pass that opportunity up.
Snow dusted their quiet travels back to their hometowns, all the while texting each other as if the other were sitting next to them. There was never a beat of silence between them when apart, and even when together, their silence was companionable. It spoke volumes when their voices didn’t need to.
While Atsumu looked out the train window, chin pillowed on his hand, watching the snow blow past, Kiyoomi had taken their car to drive back to Tokyo. It was only a few days. They could do it, it’s not like it was that long.
As soon as Atsumu stepped off the train half an hour later in Amagasaki, he was enveloped in a hug by his brother and Rintarou, laughing along as they slung their arms around him, laughing and chattering as he was dragged through the snow to Rintarou’s car that was parked at the station. It was so good to see them, truly, but Atsumu was already missing Kiyoomi.
He looked behind him as the train began to peel out of the station and continue to head north of Amagasaki, the softest of sighs leaving his lips. Atsumu, instead, leaned more heavily on his brother, nuzzling against Osamu’s neck. His brother squeezed him just that little bit tighter, a little more securely, and Atsumu felt at home. He was home.
The snow dusted roads and trees had Atsumu blinking out the window and squinting at the wind that blew even more snow onto the road. “‘Samu, drive carefully, ‘kay? M’too young and vibrant to die.” He mumbled, resting his head against the passenger backseat window and staring out at the world that passed them by. Thirty minutes by train, another forty minutes by car (precarious or otherwise) to his family’s home just outside the city.
Osamu simply huffed in reply, turning his hand on the gear shift so Rintarou could carefully place his hand in Osamu’s slightly bigger one. “Maybe we should keep the PDA to a bit of a minimum until Sakusa gets here?” Osamu whispered, having leaned over to whisper in Rintarou’s ear at a stoplight. “He already looks like a lost puppy and it’s barely been three hours since they parted.”
Behind Osamu, Atsumu sat, curled up as tightly as he could in the back seat, blanking staring out the window as if the winter wonderland outside held all the answers to the universe.
Rintarou grimaced, having glanced over his shoulder and nodded his agreement. They didn’t need Atsumu to feel more lonely than he likely already was. “Yeah. It’s like he’s lost a limb or something.” Rintarou whispered back, knowing full well that Atsumu was paying absolutely no attention to the two of them in the front of Rintarou’s car that definitely should not have been on the road when it was snowing outside. Osamu was silently praying that the tyres on the vehicle were good enough that they wouldn’t slide into a ditch. He didn’t want to explain that to his mother, Rintarou’s little sister, and worst of all, Sakusa.
He winced at the idea and glanced behind him again at his younger twin, who heaved a miserable sounding little sigh. “Hey, ‘Tsumu. What say you to some fatty tuna onigiri? With spring onion and mayo? And maybe some persimmons?”
That got Atsumu to perk up a little and he lifted his head off of the window, glancing over to Osamu and nodding his head slowly. “I haven’t eaten since this morning...that’d be good. Thanks, ‘Samu.”
Osamu nodded at his brother, using the rear view mirror to catch Atsumu’s gaze and offer a faint smile to his twin. He gave Rintarou’s hand a little squeeze of celebration. “Sure thing, ‘Tsumu.”
-----------------------------------------
The winter holidays at the Miya residence were loud. And that was almost an understatement to the state of affairs in the home. But it was warm and full of love, even if the voices and the sheer excitement of everything that was happening could almost be too much.
And Kiyoomi craved it.
He craved the loudness, the unspoken, loving meanings behind gentle ribbing that all came from a place of love. The headpats and arms haphazardly thrown around his shoulders. It was warm, it was full, it was loving. And it filled a gap that Kiyoomi hadn’t realised he had had in his life.
The past four days without Atsumu had been near torture, and when he had pulled their car up in front of the Miya family residence, Kiyoomi felt himself let out a sigh of relief, pressing a hand to his chest as he slid further into the driver’s seat. He needed to take a moment, to simply exist, to realise that he was somewhere warm and loving-- where hugs were the norm and soft, sweet kisses to the top of his head were to be expected every night as Atsumu’s mother and Granny said good night to them all.
Before Kiyoomi could even get out of the car, the front door of the house was thrown open with a clatter, and Atsumu, sweet, excitable Atsumu, was dashing out the door, hopping the steps and rushing to the car as if he hadn’t seen Kiyoomi in years, not days.
Kiyoomi met him half way, getting out of the car just in time to meet Atsumu, who threw his arms around Kiyoomi’s neck, legs hiking up to wrap around his boyfriend’s waist, clinging to Kiyoomi like a koala would a eucalyptus tree.
“I missed you,” Atsumu rasped quietly, burying his face against Kiyoomi’s neck. He sucked in a tight breath, nuzzling against him briefly before leaning back and smacking their lips together in a rushed kiss. It was sloppy and a little painful from the way their teeth accidentally clacked together, but it was perfect. Absolutely perfect.
A soft breath left Kiyoomi and he leaned back slightly, brushing Atsumu’s bangs from his face. With all the care in the world, he tucked them underneath Atsumu’s beanie and smiled warmly at him, pressing another kiss to his lips. “I’m here.”
“You’re here.” Atsumu parrotted. He hugged Kiyoomi tighter, face hidden back against his neck. “You’re home safely,” He mumbled, deflating into Kiyoomi’s strong arms, trusting Kiyoomi to hold him tightly and securely.
Kiyoomi breathed a quiet laugh, resting his temple against Atsumu’s head as he rocked the two of them together in the driveway. He didn’t necessarily care that they looked ridiculous standing out there, snow starting to gather on their clothes. He was home. And they had a skiing adventure to go on later that week. But before all that? Cuddles.
The snow scented clouds would be driven away as Spring came to call.
Spring -- I Know Places by Taylor Swift
Skiing adventures made way for cherry blossoms beginning their blooming season and warmer weather. Kiyoomi and Atsumu had a chance to thaw out now that winter was behind them. March always blew in a few errant snow storms that had Atsumu grumbling about snow and how much he hated it (Kiyoomi knew this was a lie; Atsumu was like a child when it came to snow). With the V-League season dwindling down and soon behind them, they had more time to themselves to catch up on time spent together that they may have missed during the autumn and winter months.
“So what if we go camping?” Atsumu asked one day, wandering into their apartment after running some errands for them. He toed off his Birkenstocks (socks included) and stepped up from the genkan into the main living space. Kiyoomi made a face at Atsumu’s choice of footwear.
“Camping?” Kiyoomi asked slowly, trepidation in his voice. Motoya had been trying to convince him to go camping since they were teenagers, and somehow, Kiyoomi had always found a way out of it. It wasn’t necessarily his idea of a good time, but Atsumu seemed excited at the idea.
“I know places,” Atsumu waved his hand, as if that would assuage Kiyoomi’s fear of the wilderness. “Rin and EJP apparently go all the time on cute little camping trips in Hyōgo. They apparently went to Fukiagehama last time. Which is right on the coast and absolutely lovely and--” Atsumu was cut off his tangent by Kiyoomi pressing his lips to his. “Omi?”
Slowly, they parted and Kiyoomi brushed his fingers gently across Atsumu’s forehead, his own brow furrowed somewhat. “Just, hush for a second.” Atsumu easily complied, pressing his lips together as he eyed his boyfriend. “You’re asking me of all people to go hiking and camping?” Atsumu nodded. Kiyoomi only squinted at him further. “I’m not sure you quite know what you’re asking of me, Atsumu.”
“I think you’ll surprise yourself, Omi,” Atsumu said with a wry smile. He pulled Kiyoomi’s hand off his face and carefully laced their fingers together, giving a warm squeeze to Kiyoomi’s hand to try and reassure him. “Promise I won’t push you too far, okay?”
“I trust you.” Kiyoomi brought Atsumu’s hand up to his lips and kissed the top of his hand gently, as if to reassure Atsumu that he truly did trust him.
Kiyoomi had no idea how Atsumu had managed to convince him to go camping when it was an activity that he had done once and swore he would never do again. Alas, it seemed as if his boyfriend’s pouting face was best suited to getting Kiyoomi to comply with something.
Atsumu had made sure to show Kiyoomi their entire itinerary and get his stamp of approval before actually booking any camp sites or going out to get the materials and gear that they needed. While he had managed to coerce Kiyoomi into this, he didn’t necessarily want to scare him off, either. And, the caveat to this entire trip was if Kiyoomi hated it after half a day, then they would go home. Or to a resort. Whichever Kiyoomi was feeling.
It was a decent arrangement, and it wasn’t as if Atsumu asked all that much of Kiyoomi. He could do this one little thing for him, give him this one thing.
As they drove along the coastline, cherry blossom trees lining their path, Kiyoomi frowned slightly. “This is nowhere near the campground, Atsumu. Where are we going?”
Beside him in the driver’s seat, Atsumu sucked in a sharp breath, glancing away momentarily before concentrating back on the road. His hands tightened somewhat on the steering wheel and he gave a small shrug. “It’s… well, the park was closed.”
“Huh?”
Atsumu kept steamrolling, talking quickly and animatedly, waving his hand around, the other kept on the steering wheel. “So I’m taking us to Himeji Castle instead-- to see the cherry blossoms there. They’re supposedly in peak bloom right about now and I figured that could be a safe bet. And then I booked us a three night stay at Nishimuraya Honkan instead. So...it’s not camping. But it’s a bit of a drive from Himeji Castle. Like, we’re literally driving from the bottom of the prefecture up to the top. But I think it’s worth it?” Atsumu grimaced. “But we can still hike around and see the cherry blossoms, work up a good sweat and then go relax our muscles in the onsen.” He explained quickly. “Apparently they’re known for their crab this time of year?” Atsumu squeaked, chancing a glance over at Kiyoomi and smiling slightly. “And you love crab.”
“I do love my crab,” Kiyoomi confirmed, smiling slightly as Atsumu continued to ramble on about what they were going to do, what they would see and just how relaxing the whole endeavour was going to be for them.
The smile on Kiyoomi’s face was impossibly fond-- Atsumu continuing his rambling, hand gestures, wild expression, and all. The way his boyfriend’s hazel eyes seemed to sparkle as he explained what his thought process had been in cancelling the camping trip and instead booking them for a nice and relaxing weekend at the onsen right near Himeji Castle.
The cherry blossom petals fluttered down from their up on high perches in the trees, covering the ground in a blanket of pink and white, only stirred by the movement of wind and tyres driving over them. “Plus,” Atsumu spoke up quietly, glancing over at Kiyoomi as he continued to drive them to their destination. “It’ll just be us. Only ‘Samu will know where we are out of an abundance of caution, y’know, in case something bad happens. I don’t want him to not know and his twin senses to lose their marbles.” Atsumu laughed quietly and rubbed the back of his head.
Gently, Kiyoomi rested a hand overtop of Atsumu’s on the gear shift, giving a reassuring smile. “No matter what, Atsumu, it’s going to be lovely. Especially because it will be with you. So stop overthinking it so much, okay?”
“Okay,” Atsumu breathed.
When Kiyoomi opened the car door once Atsumu had announced that they had arrived at their destination, he was immediately imbued with the aromas of cooking oden, sweet cherry blossoms, and fresh mountain water. It was all he could have ever asked for, and apparently Atsumu was feeling similarly as he stepped out of the car and stretched.
Kiyoomi found himself smiling slightly, wandering around the front of the car to cup Atsumu’s soft cheeks, stealing sweet kisses from his chapstick-covered lips. “This is going to be perfect, Atsumu. Exactly what we needed after a long V-League season.”
While Kiyoomi would’ve tolerated camping just for Atsumu’s sake, he was glad that they were in the comfort of an actual inn. With an onsen. In civilisation. He’d read too many horror stories that Motoya had sent him with regard to people getting lost in the woods and never coming back.
...And that ill-fated captains’ trip that he’d heard about from Iizuna all those years ago…
Kiyoomi shuddered at the thought, only to be moved forward when he felt Atsumu’s hand at the small of his back.
“C’mon,” Atsumu chirped, a warm smile resting on his cheeks. “Get outta yer head. I know what you’re thinkin’ about. Let’s go get checked in and go to the onsen. My shoulder’s been bothering me a bit and the warm water should help.”
A weekend relaxing in the onsen was exactly what they needed. They were alone, no one was looking for them-- they could simply exist together in harmony, soaking together in the onsen amongst cherry blossoms and fresh mountain air.
A dream in spring, there and gone with March winds sweeping in the warmth of Summer and the cry of cicadas.
Summer -- Wild by John Legend
Cicadas decried the heat of summer from their hidden perches on the trees, a sticky humidity having descended down onto the entirety of Hyōgo prefecture. The softest of breezes had the windchime Atsumu’s Granny had hanging from the door frame clink musically and Kiyoomi breathed out softly before turning back to head back into his and Atsumu’s shared room. His cool hand gently brushed against Atsumu’s sweaty forehead and Kiyoomi clicked his tongue in displeasure.
“Omi…?”
“Shh. Your granny said to continue to rest. You know the hottest part of the day is around now, don’t you?” Kiyoomi asked softly. “Baby, you have no tolerance for the heat. You should’ve been drinking more water or Potari Sweat or something-- you know it’s not good for your hypotension.” He breathed, bending down to press a soft kiss to the slightly damp skin of Atsumu’s forehead.
“M’sorry for worryin’ ya.” Atsumu mumbled, hazel eyes only cracked open a slit. “S’the reason I like autumn so much. S’much cooler.”
“Just rest.” Kiyoomi said gently. He adjusted the light quilt Granny had draped over his boyfriend and stood slowly. His pocket felt a little heavy and Kiyoomi pressed a hand to the right side pocket of his shorts, glad Atsumu didn’t seem to notice the box Kiyoomi had been housing there since they’d arrived in Hyōgo for their small summer holiday at Atsumu’s Granny’s home.
The home overlooked beautiful and expansive rice fields with the grains dancing in the warm summer breeze that braced through the fields without abandon. It was peaceful, and it felt like home away from home. Kiyoomi let his gaze drift back to Atsumu who had drifted back off to a light sleep. How his boyfriend managed to sleep with a pillow smooshed into his cheek like he did and not suffocate would never cease to amaze Kiyoomi.
Quietly, he stepped out of the room and carefully slid the door shut, letting out a soft breath.
“He alive?” Osamu asked, looking up from where he was sitting at the low table in the tatami room, munching on an ice pop that he had clearly split in half to share with Rintarou.
Kiyoomi nodded and moved to sit beside the pair of them, flopping onto the table with his arms outstretched. Contrary to the Miyas’ parents’ house and his and Atsumu’s own apartment, Granny’s house had no aircon. All the doors and windows were wide open, a few fans placed here and there to try and mitigate the oppressive heat of a midsummer in Hyōgo. “Yeah. Just tired. Heat took it out of him, I guess. Dummy.”
“He seems to forget he’s human sometimes,” Osamu laughed quietly, pouring Kiyoomi a glass of water and sliding it across the table to him. “Were you still planning on taking him out later tonight?” There was a mischievous twinkle to his eyes and Kiyoomi felt his cheeks heat up with a warm, but not unpleasant, flush.
“Yeah.” He mumbled. “If he’s feeling up to it, at least. Heat exhaustion always does him in.”
“It’s because he lets himself get stupidly dehydrated.” Rintarou sighed knowingly. “But seriously, Sakusa. You’ve nothing to worry about. He’s not going to say no. You know that, right?”
Osamu and Rintarou were right-- Kiyoomi had absolutely nothing to worry about. But that little box that he housed in his front pocket of his shorts was heavier than lead, it felt like. It was indicative of the next steps of his and Atsumu’s lives: that they were ready to move forward and continue to form and live their lives in tandem.
Kiyoomi wouldn’t want to spend his life with anyone else other than Atsumu, and while he was absolutely assured by everyone the person in question was even relatively close to that it would be fine, that there was no way that Atsumu would say no, Kiyoomi still had that nagging presence in the back of his mind.
Atsumu could always say no.
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The oppressive heat had certainly taken its toll on him and Atsumu let out a small groan as he rolled over onto his tummy, bleary hazel eyes staring out at the garden that his and Kiyoomi’s room overlooked.
Kiyoomi had been dodgy that day and while Atsumu was somewhat used to Kiyoomi hiding things that he thought would bother Atsumu, he could usually read Kiyoomi like a book and coax whatever was ailing Kiyoomi out of him. But not this time, not that Atsumu had tried all that hard thus far. Something was definitely going on, and despite his heat-exhausted addled brain, Atsumu would get to the bottom of it.
Slowly, he slipped out from under the light blankets of the futon and stood with a wobbly stretch, eyebrows furrowing and expression pinched as the world tilted on its axis for a moment. Once he found equilibrium, Atsumu slowly stepped out into the garden, making sure to bring his water bottle with him to prevent a repeat from that morning. “Granny?”
Small in stature but fierce in personality, Atsumu’s Granny looked up from her stool where she sat, tending to her garden. She’d taken over from where Atsumu had tapped out earlier that afternoon and was clearly unbothered by the sweltering Hyōgo heat. “There you are, dear. And how are you doing, my little fox?” She patted the stool beside hers and Atsumu moved to sit down slowly so as to not make his head spin. “Better than before?”
“Uh-huh. Still a bit tilty, but I’m okay.” Atsumu affirmed, tipping himself to the side so his head rested gently on his Granny’s shoulder.
“You need to take better care of yourself, my little fox.” Chastised Granny. “You’ll worry that poor sweet boy of yours. He does care quite a lot, you know?” Atsumu simply hummed in response, hazel eyes fluttering shut briefly to block out the splendour of the sun. He’d left his sunglasses inside and squinting was going to give him a headache if he kept it up too much longer.
Companionable silence settled over the two and Granny went back to her diligent work in the garden, plucking weeds and carefully harvesting flowers, fruits, and vegetables to be used in dinner that night. Cold sōmen salad seemed to be on the menu that evening. If they were lucky, Osamu would’ve run to the fishmonger in the small town adjacent to the home to get some fresh fish for their supper that night.
Atsumu fidgeted somewhat before he peered up at his Granny, a small yet serene smile on her face as she continued her work. “Granny?” He asked quietly. Granny hummed her acknowledgement of Atsumu and he continued on. “Kiyoomi’s been acting...strange. Right? I’m not just imagining it?”
A soft laugh left Granny and she took off her gardening gloves, drying her slightly sweaty hands on the little apron she wore. Gentle work-worn hands carded through Atsumu’s hair and Granny simply hummed. “I do wonder about that,” she mused.
“Come again?” Atsumu’s brows furrowed and he looked up at Granny with a questioning gaze. “How do you mean?”
A clever, fox-like smile crossed Granny’s face and she gently tweaked Atsumu’s nose before poking his forehead lovingly. “My little fox, for one so clever and smart you’re awfully dense, aren’t you?”
“Hey!”
Granny simply laughed slightly and leaned down to press a soft kiss to the top of Atsumu’s head before running her fingers through Atsumu’s blonde locks again. “My dear, you’ve nothing to worry about. Trust this old woman on that.”
It was hard to argue with Granny and her logic as well as her eternal wisdom, so Atsumu simply took her words at face value and nodded his head. He nestled against her again, letting his eyes close as he took a minute to simply breathe in the fresh summer air. “So you think everything is okay, then?”
“Absolutely,” Granny affirmed, giving Atsumu’s hair one last pass through before donning her gloves again and getting back to work. “My little fox, if you’re going to sit out here with me in this heat, you’d better put yourself to work or I’m going to make you go lay down again so we don’t have a repeat of you passing out like you did this morning.”
“Yes ma’am!”
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Dinner was a quieter affair, with Granny, Osamu, and Rintarou quickly taking their leave once food had been finished. There were sly and knowing looks in their gaze and Atsumu’s brows furrowed.
They were all up to something and with the way Kiyoomi was fidgeting, it involved him. “Omi--” He began, only to be interrupted by Kiyoomi standing up abruptly and snagging Atsumu’s hand.
“You feel better than this morning?” Kiyoomi asked quickly, eyes a little wild.
Slowly, Atsumu nodded at his boyfriend, confusion etched onto his face. “Yes…? Omi, I slept half the day away; I would hope I was feeling okay.”
“You’re the one who passed out in the garden from the heat,” Kiyoomi was quick to quip, and Atsumu couldn’t help the little pout that made a home on his face. “Okay, okay, don’t make that face at me.” Kiyoomi sucked in a tight breath and carefully took Atsumu’s hand in his own.
It was just them.
He laced their fingers together and led Atsumu outside, pulling keys that were not his out of his pocket. “Granny lent me the keys to her Datsun Roadster-- the red one that you swear you’re going to break if you breathe on it?” Kiyoomi glanced at Atsumu, whose eyes had gone wide as saucers. “C’mon-- I want to take you somewhere.”
Swallowing heavily at the fact that Granny had lent her keys to her beloved Datsun to Kiyoomi , Atsumu followed. He had no idea what Kiyoomi had up his sleeve, but it seemed as if they were going on a small adventure.
Both clamoured into the car, Atsumu looking as if he didn’t want to touch a thing, lest he accidentally break Granny’s pride and joy. “Grandpa took Granny out in this sucker to propose,” Atsumu said fondly, running his hand over the top of the door.
Kiyoomi had the top down on the car and carefully peeled out onto the quiet back country roads of Hyōgo prefecture. “I know,” he whispered. “She was telling me all about it when I asked to borrow the car. I know it holds a special place in your heart-- and I thought…” Kiyoomi trailed off slowly. He swallowed, keeping his gaze on the road as he continued down dark roads.
“Where are we going?” Atsumu asked quietly and Kiyoomi laughed.
“You’ll see when we get there.”
Silence settled over the pair and Atsumu folded his arms on the top of the door of the convertible, his cheek on his criss-crossed arms, resting comfortably while Kiyoomi drove them to wherever their destination may be. There was no music playing which was unusual for the pair when driving, but somehow Atsumu found it suitable to whatever Kiyoomi was up to.
He let out a soft breath, eyes fluttering shut for a moment. That moment turned into thirty minutes when he felt a gentle hand to his shoulder and Kiyoomi’s lips to his temple. “Mmmm, Kiyoomi?” Atsumu breathed, sitting up and stretching. “Are we there…?” He mumbled, voice rough with the throes of sleep.
“Mhm. C’mon, sleepyhead. You’ve slept all day, there’s no way you’re tired.” Kiyoomi got out of the car and opened Atsumu’s door, helping him out onto the sand Kiyoomi had parked right next to. “C’mon--” He encouraged, leading Atsumu around to the back of the car that was facing out to the ocean, the list of the waves crashing onto the shore enough to relax anybody.
Kiyoomi helped his still half-asleep boyfriend up onto the trunk of the car before climbing up after him, draping a light blanket he’d managed to pilfer from the house across both their laps.
“Are we stargazin’?” Atsumu asked, voice full of wonder as he tipped his head back and stared up at the blazingly clear night sky. He sucked in a breath and allowed himself to flop back against the strong hold of Kiyoomi’s arm that had wrapped itself around his shoulders.
“We are,” Kiyoomi said softly, pressing another soft kiss to Atsumu’s temple. “I wanted to escape for a bit, have you all to myself. I, uh, brought some snacks, too.”
That box was starting to feel even heavier in Kiyoomi’s pocket.
Atsumu simply hummed contently and snuggled into Kiyoomi’s arms, head against his chest, arm draped over his boyfriend’s waist. “This is perfect,” he rasped, pressing his free hand against Kiyoomi’s sternum. “And romantic. Who knew ya had it in ya,” Atsumu teased, turning a sweet little smile up to Kiyoomi.
“Shut up,” Kiyoomi laughed, gently shoving Atsumu. “Of course I have it in me. Remember that romantic bath I drew for you for Valentine’s Day?”
Atsumu couldn’t help but bark a laugh, tossing his head back against Kiyoomi’s shoulder as his own shoulders shook with the force of his timbre. “How could I forget? I slipped and fell and nearly concussed myself on the edge of the tub on the rose petals you’d scattered all over the place.”
Cheeks hot with embarrassment, Kiyoomi gently shoved at Atsumu again, sticking his tongue out at him in mock retaliation. “It’s the thought that counts! And you weren’t even hurt, sans that stupid bruise to your tailbone.”
“Sure, sure.” Atsumu laughed, having calmed down marginally. “It’s the thought that counts.” He smiled back up at Kiyoomi before jerking an arm up and pointing up to the night sky. “Lookie! Vulpecula! Also known as ‘The Little Fox’, it’s in the summer triangle of constellations, Omi!” Atsumu's voice was as excited as a kid in a candy store, chattering away about the different constellations. He snagged Kiyoomi’s hand, forcing his index finger out so he could help point out different constellations to Kiyoomi. “And there’s Pegasus; surely you know all about Pegasus, right, Kiyoomi?” Atsumu glanced over at Kiyoomi, fingers gentle against his wrist.
“I do,” Kiyoomi laughed, allowing Atsumu to direct his hand wherever he needed it to go to show him the different constellations of Hyōgo’s summer night sky.
“Vulpecula kinda looks like a little fox jumpin’, huh? Kinda wild that we're able to see it tonight. It’s the perfect night for stargazin’’. Good job, Omi.” Atsumu hummed, having allowed Kiyoomi’s hand to drop so they could simply enjoy the constellations without getting their arms tired.
“You drive me wild,” Kiyoomi sighed out, eyes closed.
“Huh?”
Immediately, Kiyoomi flushed and sat up, carefully settling Atsumu against the back headrests of the car. “I have a really important thing to ask you. Okay? Can you just...bear with me?”
“Yeah…” Atsumu sat himself up, one arm propped up behind him, fingers curled against the back headrests to keep himself supported. His eyebrows had furrowed slightly in concern, but he trusted Kiyoomi. He wouldn’t just drag him out to the ocean and stargaze with him to drop a bomb of bad news on him.
Beside him, Kiyoomi sucked in a sharp breath, hands reaching forward to rest gently on Atsumu’s knees. He smiled slightly when Atsumu adjusted himself so that he could rest his own hands overtop Kiyoomi’s. “You drive me wild.”
“You’ve said that,” Atsumu laughed and Kiyoomi’s swatted at his shoulder to shut him up. “Sorry, sorry-- go on. I won’t interrupt.” Atsumu smiled slightly, squeezing the hand caged underneath his own.
“You...Atsumu, you’re the only one I think I could ever willingly nurse back to health after a bout with the flu.” Atsumu laughed again and Kiyoomi found himself getting lost in its melodic quality. “Truly. I...I want to spend the rest of this life with you-- and even when we’re done on this hunk of rock, I still want to be with you. You know, through sickness and health. That sort of thing.”
The box in Kiyoomi’s pocket pressed against Kiyoomi’s thigh and he wiggled a hand out from under Atsumu’s, shakily reaching into his pocket to bring the box out.
Atsumu gasped and Kiyoomi kept his flow of words going, voice trembling.
“You’re-- God, Atsumu, you’re everything to me. My motivation to get up in the morning so I can see your sleep slack expression. My happiness and solace after I’ve had a bad day. My encouragement to constantly do my best, to become a better person. And if you drive me wild? Then I want to drive you wild, too. I...I treasure you. You’re my everything and...I’m hoping you’ll become my husband, too?”
Shaky fingers cracked open the little navy velvet box, exposing a simple white gold band with rose gold edging. “If you’ll have me,” Kiyoomi squeaked out, slowly lifting his head to meet Atsumu’s warm hazel gaze. “We can take as it as slow as you want, we don’t need to ru--”
Kiyoomi was cut off by Atsumu launching himself at Kiyoomi, his arms wrapping tightly around his neck as he buried his face against Kiyoomi’s collarbone. “A-Atsu…?”
“Yes,” Atsumu warbled against Kiyoomi’s slightly damp skin. “Yes. A thousand, million, gazillion, trillion, bazillion, googleplex times over-- yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I could be a zombie and still say yes, a-and you could be a serial killer and I’d still say yes,” Atsumu choked out, finally lifting his head so he could crush his and Kiyoomi’s together in a kiss that was nothing but desperate love.
Kiyoomi easily returned the kiss, his fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of Atsumu’s neck, tugging gently before he broke them apart, resting their foreheads together. “So that’s a yes?” He chuckled wetly and Atusmu squinted at him, his eyes misty.
“Shut the fuck up, of course it’s a yes, you dummy. I just said ‘googleplex’ just for you! God-- you and your stupid-- are you gonna put that ring on my finger or not?!” Atsumu leaned back, pout on his lips, cheeks tearstained as he expectantly held his hand out, giving his left ring finger a little wiggle.
“Christ,” Kiyoomi laughed, pulling the ring from the box and shakily slipping it onto Atsumu’s outstretched finger. “Demanding, aren’t you?”
“Comes with being a twin.”
Atsumu glanced down at his hand and held it up in front of his face, smiling as the faint light from the stars and moon glinted off of pristinely clean metal. “I love it,” he murmured, bringing his hand into his chest and hugging it. “I love you .”
There were no words that Kiyoomi could utter that could convey the deep feelings of adoration that ran through him about Atsumu. So instead, he leaned forward and captured his fiancé’s lips in another soft, loving kiss. “And I you,” he murmured, butting their foreheads together once again. “So much, Atsumu. So, so much.”
As they nestled back together on the back of the car, Atsumu’s head once again to Kiyoomi’s chest, their legs a tangled mess of limbs under the light blanket, neither could think of anywhere better or anything better than this.
With soft waves crashing in the distance and the sparkle of doting stars above their heads, they wrote the closing of their second chapter, only to begin another one immediately thereafter. They had more words and stories to bestow to the world, and this was simply the beginning of their everafter.
In the short summer night, where dreams and reality were the same, that would slowly lead to the change of red of the light crimson maple of autumn.