Chapter Text
Aleksi was trying to make himself scarce.
He had first noticed the date a couple weeks prior on the calendar hanging on Joonas's wall, a big heart circling it the now upcoming Saturday. He hadn't understood what it was until he had seen Joel's calendar, no doubt a gift from Joonas to help Joel keep on track, a small heart on the same day with the word "anniversary" on it.
He was ashamed to admit it had taken him a second, as their anniversary was New Year's Eve, but of course they had all been together for years before he had found them, and even longer until he had let himself join in their relationship, so of course they had their own anniversary and celebration of the day.
He had heard them talking vaguely about plans that day, lucky that it had landed on a weekend this year and they all agreed to have it off, their recording for the next album not having started yet.
Aleksi wondered if there was any gigs he could take, it would provide an easy excuse as to why he couldn't join in any of their plans, as he was sure they were going to ask. Since starting a romantic relationship with his soulmates none of them had been particularly keen on letting him spend much time by himself.
He was just glad that the three coming from Oulu would be there a few days, so he could at least still see them.
They were coming in the night before, so they were all meeting up for drinks at Joonas's apartment and Aleksi relaxed, finally having all five parts of himself near by again. He had almost forgotten what the next day was when Niko casually asked if he had any plans.
"I have a new single to work on" he told them and it was true, he hadn't been as focused as he normally was with his music and felt slightly guilty. He had just been so happy lately, so content that he hadn't felt the need to dive into his music as an escape as much as he used to. But it was still his passion and he was looking forward to diving into the song the next day.
Joonas pouted, "you don't have to work on it tomorrow do you?"
Aleksi gave him a small smile, "I really need to."
"Surely not all day?" Olli asked, "we know you're a beast when you work, but that doesn't mean you can't take a break."
Aleksi shrugged, as suspected they didn't want him to be alone, but it was their day and he wanted them to enjoy it together.
They all frowned at him but he busied himself with his beer, not quite meeting any of their gazes until he heard a sigh and the conversation turned to a different topic.
The next day found him sitting on his couch with his laptop and working well into the afternoon, only stopping to take Rilla for a quick walk.
They had asked him a few times about coming over to Joonas's or taking a break and catching a meal with them, but he had refused, citing the need to work, earning a couple hours of silence.
He was vaguely aware of his phone buzzing every few minutes again but had been so wrapped up in his work he hadn't checked, sure it was more group chat shenanigans.
So he jumped when there was a rattling at his door, someone unlocking it.
There was exactly two people that had keys, Robin and Joonas, and he quickly checked his phone to make sure Robin hadn't been the one texting him.
But Joonas was the one that came through his door, followed by Olli.
"Hi?" Aleksi shook his head as Rilla jumped of the couch to get pets from her favorite person, Joonas crouching down to snuggle her.
"You're being kidnapped." Olli told him with a grin.
He held his laptop like a shield, "I'm working guys." He protested.
"You have been working all day and have been ignoring our messages." Joonas said as he let the little dog go. "So you're being kidnapped."
Aleksi squinted at them, wondering if it would be worth the struggle and decided probably not, as they would not leave without him. So with a sigh he saved his work and powered down the laptop, returning it to it's spot where Rilla couldn't reach it.
"Let me get dressed." He muttered.
Joonas threw his arms around him and kissed his cheek, "no need to dress up for us, you look fine."
He looked down at himself, an old baggy tshirt and sweatpants being his work wear that day, and back up at Joonas, raising an eyebrow and insisting he wanted to change.
Joonas let him go with the promise of coming in after him if he wasn't fast.
Olli took his hand when he appeared, skinny jeans and a hoodie on, "let's go."
He had assumed they were going to be going to Joonas's again, but instead they drove to the local park. It was surprisingly empty for a weekend, but it was only March, the air was still cool even if the day was sunny, and it was mostly comprised of hiking trails rather than playground equipment.
They parked and set off down a path, Joonas chatting excitedly as they went. After walking for about ten minutes they left the path and Aleksi knew exactly where they were heading.
He had shown this path to Joel and Joonas just a few weeks prior, wanting them to see one of his favorite spots.
They came to the small clearing, long grass warmed by the sun, leading up to a small lake surrounded by trees and privacy.
He had found it once while on a hike and had fallen in love with it, a peaceful spot not far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The others were waiting for them when they arrived, a picnic spread out on a couple large blankets.
"Finally!" Joel called, "I was about to send a search party!"
Aleksi laughed a little, touched by the romantic date spread in front of him.
Tommi pulled him down next to him and kept an arm slung around him, pressing kisses to the top of his head and temple every so often.
They ate and chatted happily, letting themselves lay back on the soft blankets in a pile when done, the sun and wine making them all relaxed.
Aleksi sighed.
"Ok," Niko said, propping himself up on his elbows to better look at Aleksi's face, "that is the fifth time you've sighed in the last ten minutes, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," he protested quickly, not wanting to ruin the cuddly mood they were all in.
Niko just held his gaze, making him squirm slightly. He buried his face in Tommi's side to avoid the look, only lifting his face when he felt a calloused hand stroking his cheek.
He looked over at Joonas, stretched out next to him with a look of mild concern.
Aleksi propped himself up and realized they were all looking at him, making his cheeks flush pink.
Tommi pulled him back down, shifting so he was spooning him, facing the others.
"You can talk to us," Tommi reminded him gently.
It was something he was still learning to do, but they never got impatient or snapped at him, letting him take his time.
"It's your anniversary." He mumbled.
"Yeah, it is." Joel confirmed, Aleksi could hear the confusion in his voice.
"I didn't want to intrude."
There was a brief moment of pause before Joonas scooted as close as he could and wrapped his arms around Aleksi, pressing their foreheads together.
"Allu," he sighed, "we have always known we had another soulmate, always hoped they would be someone as amazing as you and that we would love each other. This is a special day to us yes, but it doesn't feel right to celebrate anything without you."
"You're part of us." Olli agreed.
Aleksi closed his eyes, once again reminded of how much they loved and cared for him. He hugged Joonas back with one arm, his other hand resting on top of Tommi's on his waist.
"Sorry." He mumbled.
"Don't be," Niko told him, reaching over to run a hand through his hair, "we're still learning about each other, it's ok to ask if you're not sure about something."
Aleksi relaxed against the touch, a smile spreading across his face.
They spent the rest of the day relaxing there, lazily kissing and cuddling, letting the sun warm them.
When it finally started to set they packed up, Joel pulling Aleksi close.
"You'll ask next time you have a question right?" He confirmed.
Aleksi nodded.
Joel pressed a kiss to his hair, "good boy."
Aleksi felt his cheeks flame at that, the praise making him unexpectedly want to squirm.
As Joel pulled away he noticed Olli observing him, a small smirk on his face as if he had just figured something out.
They made their way back to their cars, Aleksi agreeing to return to Joonas's apartment instead of his own, not wanting to miss another moment.