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Kei knew that Tobio would be in and out of the country the moment he became an international volleyball player. That means less time to be together, not being there for every small milestone of their baby and missing each other.
It's a sacrifice Tobio has to make to fulfill his dreams, Kei understands that and he doesn't want him and his baby to be the hindrance in those dreams. Same as for him, he is still in the V.league.
When it's off season he is in full hands taking care of Keito, and when he needs to train he can always count on his brother or Tobio's sister to take care of the baby. Their parents are always there too as well as their friends.
So to say the least he doesn't miss anything big in Keito's growing up phase. Sadly he can't say the same to his husband.
Kei vowed that he will make sure Tobio won't be left out, no matter how far he is, what time of the day or night he's in or whether he's in a grueling match or if they just earned a victory or loses. Kei will call, and he expects his husband to answer promptly, if not then he should call back as soon as he can.
That's why he's calling Tobio right now, which is probably 3 AM in Italy as of the moment but small details right? What Kei has to tell is important, gravely.
"Pick up, pick up, pick up." Kei whispers as he watches his baby attempt the impossible.
He's so adorable how can Kei take his eyes off of him, look at his wobbly legs and hands trying real hard to accomplish his tasks.
The call ends up not being answered.
"Oh my god, get off dreamland." He says in voicemail before calling him again.
Keito the baby looks at his papa with his big majestic blue eyes.
"You're seriously missing so much, King." He says to the phone that is still currently ringing.
On the ninth ring–not that Kei was counting it–Tobio finally picked up.
With a groggy voice he says, "do you know what time it is here?"
Tobio's face is too close to the screen, Kei can only see his fringes but the blond is sure his husband's eyes are still close.
"I'm not sure it's probably crack ass at dawn but enough of that it's Keito time." Kei says, failing to hide the enthusiasm in his voice.
That perks Tobio's sleep-idled mind, when Kei says it's Keito time it only means something big is happening, a milestone Tobio failed to see yet again in person. It never fails to make a gap in his heart when he thinks about how many things he has missed already and will continue to miss.
"Just look," Kei says gently. Tobio opens his eyes and sees the understanding look Kei gives him before he switches the camera back and views Keito.
It was the perfect moment, timed in the best way possible.
The baby crawls near the couch and looks up, making grabby hands in the air as if he was measuring something, next he looks at Kei and on the phone. It's the baby's way of communicating,
Watch me
Keito held onto the couch beside him and pushed himself up, his hands are tiny and his arms barely support him but Kei knows he can do this. His legs are short and chubby but is able to support him and if not then there's a lot of cushions and padding on the floor that can catch him. Besides, Kei's ridiculously long limbs can reach him whenever he falls.
With a small umph from the baby he finally succeeded in his task.
Kei let out a sigh of relief, he didn't know he was holding his breath while seeing his baby stand up on his own.
"He stood up." Kei hears Tobio say wetly, he's crying for sure.
"Hey don't cry, we don't want your teammates to know you're a crybaby." Kei teases lightheartedly.
Tobio glares at him with no heat.
"Please we both know Keito inherited your crying, Akiteru-nii told me you cried a lot when you were small."
"Akiteru, who's that? He's dead to me." He fakes a frown but couldn't really keep it for long since Tobio started to laugh, and his laughter is so contagious.
Soon the apartment is bathed with Kei's and Tobio's laugh and chuckles, of course the small giggles from Keito can't be ignored.
They're making a symphony with their unrivaled happiness.
Nothing can make this moment even prettier than this.
"Oh m-my look!" Tobio says when he looks at his phone screen.
Kei peered curiously, thinking Tobio wanted to show him something on his phone but he was mistaken.
He saw in the small upper corner of his screen, how Keito is slowly and gingerly taking his first steps.
"It's too early." Kei says breath taken.
Keito took one step at a time, first step and his holding onto the couch.
Then he makes the second step, eyes still on the ground on his sock feet.
Then on the third step he faltered a little and Kei came to his aid, ready to catch him but Keito didn't fall down.
The fourth one he did while looking straight ahead into his parents.
The last one, the fifth step he held his hands out letting go of the couch.
Kei reaches for the tiny small hands with his sturdy ones, and smiled when his baby nodded to him.
The baby then plunges himself to Kei and along the way bumps the phone in between them, the phone settles in the middle of the impromptu hug that Kei was always ready to have with his baby.
"You did it, bud." He says and kisses the baby's head.
Tobio on the other side of the world could only see black in his screen and his reflection of utter adoration, he smiled to himself.
"I wish I was there." He lets his desires spill out.
"Soon we'll all be together again. Besides, it doesn't feel like we're that far apart right?" Kei answers.
Tobio agrees, he was able to see his baby to stand up on his own and walk to them, he may not be physically with them but his mind and heart would always stay where his home is. For Tobio, Kei and Keito is his home.
So no matter the time, place and what he is doing, he'll be grateful to receive a call from his husband. Even if it means he'll be woken up at dawn and ruin his sleep. It's all worth it in the end.
"C'mon I want to see you guys, stop hugging without me." He says just to lighten up, he's gonna get drunk because of his feelings if he keeps on dawdling with it. He might even book the next flight home if prompted.
He hears Kei's chuckle before the screen finally lights up and the camera switches in front, now Kei is cradling Keito in his arms. The angle of the camera barely gets the both of them in frame.
"Say hi to daddy, sweetheart." Kei says to Keito and kisses his cheeks.
The baby giggles and Tobio softens more.
"Unfair, how about my kisses and giggles?"
Kei rolled his eyes at him but the smile didn't leave his lips.
"Keito mwamwa daddy, c'mon just like how I taught you."
Keito kisses his palm before opening it and blowing it to Tobio.
"There you go!" Kei says proudly.
Tobio snorts and gestures of catching the flying kiss with his hands, then kissing his palm too while looking at the two of them.
"Can't wait to kiss you both soon." He says.
Kei nods and gives him a flying kiss too.