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There's a shriek, then silence and then a long sigh. The curly-haired witch pinches the bridge of his nose, his eyes screwed shut in frustration. His fingers move up to his temple, rubbing it gently in hopes of assuaging the oncoming migraine. A whimper sounds and he reluctantly opens his eyes. Large, pleading eyes stare up at him. He can feel his will breaking bit by bit and he lets out another sigh, this one sounding less frustrated and more tired.
Another whimper causes him to step forward and crouch down, coming eye to eye with the small fox. He reaches his hand out slowly, because even after all their years spent together, sudden movements still startle the fox. There's only a small flinch before Kiyoomi's fingers land on the fox's head and he runs his fingers through the soft fur in a comforting motion.
"How in the world did you get stuck in there this time?" he asks softly. He receives a whine in response. "Alright, I'll help you out. But this is the last time." It's a lie and they both know it; Kiyoomi can't stand the sight of Atsumu upset. Carefully, Kiyoomi's nimble fingers pull back the thorny branches, making sure that Atsumu doesn't get any more scratched up than he inevitably already has. The fox hops out of the bush and into Kiyoomi's lap, immediately curling up against his stomach.
Kiyoomi looks over him, careful not to touch any of the scratches so he doesn't startle him. They don't look deep, but he does a few spots of blood matting his fur. "I'm going to pick you up so we can go home, okay?" he says gently. There's a soft noise of protest but thankfully Atsumu doesn't hop out of his arms as he lifts him up and stands. They walk the short distance home in silence, save for the occasional whine from the fox.
Once home, Kiyoomi makes quick work of patching up the worst of the scratches. "What am I going to do with you?" he murmurs as he works. Atsumu looks up at him, hazel eyes wide and still slightly wet. Kiyoomi can't help the smile that tugs at his lips. He murmurs soft praise at the fox as he finishes wrapping on of his paws. After he's done, they curl up together on the couch, Atsumu's head resting on his sternum. Kiyoomi runs a hand through the soft fur, eyes slowly slipping shut.
I suppose I can take a quick nap , he thinks just before he slips into unconsciousness.
Kiyoomi wakes up a couple of hours later to sounds in the kitchen and no weight resting on him. The only light in the room comes from the small fire burning in the hearth. He shuffles into a sitting position, peeking into the other room. There's soft humming, a tune he vaguely recognizes only because Atsumu sings it so much. Footsteps approach and the humming gets louder until it stops altogether. He tilts his head back, looking up at Atsumu's upside down face. There's a soft grin on the blonde's face as he gazes down at Kiyoomi.
"Hey there, Sleepin' Beauty," he says. Kiyoomi grumbles up at him and he laughs, the gentle bell-like around sending a shiver down Kiyoomi's spine. He reaches out, making grabby hands at the blonde. "Okay, okay, jus' gimme a second." Atsumu walks around the couch, setting down a cup of tea before gently pushing Kiyoomi back down into the cushions and laying down on top of him. Kiyoomi's arms wrap around him automatically, fingers dipping into the divet near the end of his spine. Atsumu lets out a content sigh and smiles into the witch's neck.
"D'you make me tea?" Kiyoomi mumbles into blonde waves.
Atsumu gives a nod. "Yep. Chamomile an' lavender, brewed jus' the way ya like."
"Hm, thanks."
"Yer welcome, Omi." He snuggles impossibly closer and if Kiyoomi didn't know any better, he would think that the fox were trying to crawl into his body. His arms tighten around him, giving him the pressure that he's more than likely craving right now. Silence falls over them and it's comfortable, just laying together, the fire crackling nearby and the crickets chirping outside. Atsumu shifts again and hums, a sure sign that's he's about to speak so Kiyoomi waits patiently until he does. He waves a finger and his cup floats over to him, landing softly in his hand. Atsumu lets out another hum as he takes a sip.
"Thanks fer gettin' me outta tha' bush earlier," the fox finally says, sounding almost bashful.
"Well I couldn't just let you stay stuck in there. What kind of witch would I be if I let my companion be trapped in a bush for the rest of his life?" he teases lightly.
"Omi," Atsumu whines, looking up at him with large hazel eyes.
Kiyoomi lets out a soft laugh. "Okay, you're welcome, Atsu."
Atsumu smiles at him again and the sigh causes Kiyoomi's heart to thump in his chest. "Ya'll always help me when 'm stuck, right?" he asks as he pushes his face back into Kiyoomi's neck.
The witch runs a gentle hand down his spine, sending a shiver through Atsumu's body. "Of course I will."
Atsumu trills, the vibrations going straight into Kiyoomi's throat. "Good," he mutters, "'Cause I sure as hell ain't lettin' ya leave. The gods'll hafta pry me offa ya."
Kiyoomi laughs at the vision his mind conjures of that. "I would actually pay to see that."
"That would be interestin' ta see," Atsumu muses. He yawns. "I know we jus' took a nap, but 'm gonna take 'nother one."
"And you say I'm sleepy all the time." Atsumu lifts his head to stick his tongue but doesn't respond with words. "Take a nap, Atsu. I'll wake you up once supper is done."
Atsumu yawns once and buries his face back in Kiyoomi's neck. "Thanks, Omi."
Kiyoomi chuckles softly and places a kiss into blonde locks. “You’re welcome, Atsumu.”