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Kiyoomi sees the exact moment Atsumu starts to want a pup. The omega doesn’t realise it himself yet – and probably won’t for quite a while, mind preoccupied with volleyball and life in general. But Kiyoomi knows his mate is a goner the moment his eyes light up as Atsumu looks at the phone screen in his hands. His mouth has fallen open into a small ‘o’ and his cheeks are tad rosy, his pupils a little wider than before. He looks positively starstruck and it makes Kiyoomi’s chest filled with warmth.
The team has been passing Bokuto’s phone around for a while now. It all started as a joke when Atsumu said that Meian and Bokuto would make really tall and broad pups if they could. Somehow, that lead to Bokuto proudly opening some app on his phone.
“It’ll show you what your future pups could look like,” he had explained. “You just add a selfie of yourself and whoever you want to have the pup with, press the button at the bottom and voilá; out pops a pup.” Kiyoomi had only cringed a little at Bokuto’s word choice, but as everyone started jokingly mashing their faces together and yielding questionable results, he had started to become intrigued.
Especially when the supposed pup Bokuto and Inunaki would have looked somewhat cute. Atsumu had watched, just like Kiyoomi, until Hinata insisted they switched to actual mates. Which is how Atsumu ended up with Bokuto’s phone in his hands. It only takes a few taps on the screen until a result appears on the screen and Kiyoomi watches in near slow motion as Atsumu falls in love with another.
“Oh,” his omega breathes, tracing over the screen softly with his index finger. Kiyoomi is certain Atsumu isn’t even aware he’s let out the sound. For a minute, his mate only stares with wonder in his eyes, until he snaps back into reality. With stars in his eyes, he flips the phone around to show Kiyoomi. Atsumu doesn’t say anything, only patiently holding the phone for Kiyoomi to see.
The face that stares back at the alpha is a little wonky, but it’s easy to see why Atsumu had such a strong reaction to it. The pup is a near perfect blend of the two of them. Black, curled hair and soft, golden eyes. Their slim and dainty nose is eerily similar to Kiyoomi’s, while the luscious and full lips remind him of Atsumu. The pup also has Atsumu’s full cheekbones and dimple, while the eyebrows form Kiyoomi’s signature scowl. It’s the most beautiful face Kiyoomi has ever seen, second only to Atsumu’s.
He, too, falls in love instantly.
Atsumu cannot stop staring at the photo for the rest of the night, even gluing his eyes to the screen of his own phone on the drive home. Bokuto had easily allowed Atsumu to take a screenshot and send the photo to himself. Kiyoomi is only a little surprised it isn’t Atsumu’s home screen wallpaper yet. While he is very much enraptured by the pup, Kiyoomi feels a strange sense of nervousness every time he stares at the image, feeling his inner alpha get restless with the need to do… something.
Once they are back at home they collapse into their nest, the day’s exhaustion weighing down on them. Atsumu immediately nestles into the crook of Kiyoomi’s neck, bathing in his eucalyptus scent that finally flows between them unrestrained. His inner alpha is still restless, wanting to provide and take care for a reason he isn’t entirely sure of, but he forces himself to only pull Atsumu closer and relax.
“Would you ever want pups,” Atsumu asks just before Kiyoomi drifts of too sleep, almost too quietly to catch over the mumble of their dishwasher. He does hear it, however, and instantly feels more awake. “Not now,” his mate adds a moment later, taking Kiyoomi’s persisting silence as an answer. “Just… Maybe one day?”
They’ve spoken about pups in the past, back when they were barely tipping over the line keeping them from courting, as well after their bonding. But never in full seriousness, never anything more than just a passing thought or a short conversation. The truth is that Kiyoomi would gladly have pups today if possible, even if they are entirely unprepared as it stands. He doesn’t say so, even if he probably would reassure Atsumu this way. Instead, he gently caresses Atsumu’s back as he considers his words carefully.
“If it’s with you, my answer will always be yes. Because I love you, and I would love to father your pups.” He smiles at Atsumu’s sharp intake of breath, at the spike of his scent and how he presses closer to Kiyoomi.
“But,” Atsumu whispers, “I can sense there is a but.” Kiyoomi nods, burying his nose in Atsumu’s hair before he speaks.
“But I want to be prepared. I want to offer our pups the best start possible.” His omega huffs a laugh against his throat, a satisfied purr bubbling in his chest.
“So you want to have multiple?”
Of course that’s what Atsumu focusses on, making Kiyoomi smile even wider.
“I’m not saying no to that, I know you’d make a good mother.” Atsumu hums, content seeping into his scent as he clings to Kiyoomi.
“I’m sure you’d make a good father too,” he sighs, sounding seconds away from falling asleep. “One day I’ll give you pups, make you happy alpha.” It’s a gentle promise, one that Kiyoomi doesn’t expect Atsumu to remember. But it starts a train of thought that Kiyoomi explores over the following months, carefully researching and learning as much as he can.
Atsumu might have forgotten about their conversation in the morning, but with the image on Atsumu’s home screen reminding Kiyoomi nearly every day, he finds himself longing. From time to time, he finds himself thinking about the pup’s nose, their bright eyes and it makes him wonder what they would look like shining with joy, crinkled at the corners in a happy smile. Would they be boisterous like Atsumu, would they be calmer like Kiyoomi?
Over the next few weeks, Kiyoomi daydreams about it, imagines a little pup running around their apartment. Sometimes it’s a boy, loud and excitable like Atsumu. Other times it’s a pouty girl like Kiyoomi, who hides behind her mother’s legs as she stares at the playground. Every single time, warmth floods his chest and cheeks and it takes everything in him to not let Atsumu in on his fantasies.
He also spends most of his alone time on his laptop, scouring the internet for crumbs of information. Atsumu either doesn’t notice or doesn’t mind, letting Kiyoomi read article after article in silence. Sometimes he asks Kiyoomi what he’s looking at, but so far he’s been able to keep his answers vague.
“Nutrition,” he tells Atsumu when he’s comparing different brands of baby formula. “Furniture,” he says when he’s looking at cribs and changing tables.
Today’s research topic is housing, because Kiyoomi somehow failed to realise they only have one bedroom. While he wants their pup to sleep close to them to make nightly feeding easier and they get used to their parents’ scents, with all the other things a pup would need their apartment definitely won’t be big enough. Another thing is the lack of good hospitals close by, as well as paediatricians and day cares for when the pup grows up.
There are two neighbourhoods that have caught Kiyoomi’s interest, both tick off most of his wishes. He’s a little stuck at the moment, because the one that is closer to Osamu and his mother-in-law doesn’t have a day care within walking distance of the apartments that he’s interested in, however the other neighbourhood is much further away from Osamu’s shop. It’s very tempting to ask Atsumu for his opinion, but Kiyoomi tries to remind himself that this is all hypothetical at this point, even if he’s letting himself be sucked into mindless research.
A few months and many late nights researching later, Kiyoomi feels a little less unprepared. So when Atsumu and him end up babysitting for Meian and the omega watches Kiyoomi with a similar starstruck look when he holds the pup in his arms, he prepares himself mentally.
Later, when they’re lying together in bed and Atsumu’s arms wrap around Kiyoomi a little tighter than usual, the conversation starts.
“That was a good look on you,” Atsumu says, and he sounds tentative. As if he isn’t sure what Kiyoomi would think, as if he thinks Kiyoomi doesn’t want to have this conversation. “A pup on your arm, I mean.”
And Kiyoomi wants to scream, because how can he tell Atsumu that there is nothing more he would love, nothing more that he craves than for them to have their own little family? But there are so many things to keep in mind, so many things that they need to prepare and do and worry about. Both of them are professional athletes, which doesn’t exactly form an ideal base. Kiyoomi would drop volleyball in a heartbeat for their pup, he knows that. But he also knows that playing together with Atsumu is one of the most important things in his life, and letting that go won’t be easy. Not mentioning the fact that Atsumu probably won’t let him.
Knowing Atsumu, he wouldn’t want to stop playing just yet, and Kiyoomi doesn’t expect him to. So once again he resigns himself to daydreaming with Atsumu.
“It would suit you too,” he tells his omega, who hums in thought but otherwise doesn’t speak. After a few minutes, Kiyoomi honestly thinks Atsumu fell asleep, only to be surprised by a hushed question.
“What if I wanted that?” Time seems to stand still as Kiyoomi feels his heartbeat quickening, can smell both of their scents spiking and his entire body warming.
“Then I’d do anything to make it come true,” he promises quietly. Atsumu sits up immediately.
“Just like that,” he asks Kiyoomi, eyes wide in the dim of their bedroom.
“Why wouldn’t I,” Kiyoomi counters, not understanding Atsumu’s surprise. It’s not like he’s ever mentioned not wanting pups.
Atsumu fiddles around with his fingers, seemingly gathering his words and courage.
“I just thought… I just thought you wouldn’t really want pups. They’re loud and snotty and poop their pants.” Kiyoomi huffs out a laugh. Atsumu isn’t wrong, children are everything that Kiyoomi dislikes. Yet somehow, he could not imagine a greater joy than starting a family with Atsumu, especially after their years together and getting to know the omega through and through.
So he cups Atsumu’s cheek, stroking the skin carefully with his thumb.
“You’re right about that,” he murmurs, and Atsumu’s face falls slightly. “Everything about them is outside of my comfort zone.” Readying himself, Kiyoomi takes a shaky breath. “But I meant it every time when I said I would want pups. Or when I said we’d have the prettiest. Every single time, even before we were courting, I was telling the truth.”
He’s not prepared for the soft sniffles as Atsumu tears up, not prepared for the fierce kiss that gets pressed to his lips nor the love Atsumu showers him with that night. In the morning, while their coffees slowly cool off, Kiyoomi shows Atsumu article after article, clicking through webpage after webpage as he proudly shows off his research. Atsumu only tears up three times.
After hours of searching, arguing and fawning over everything, there is only one decision that they actually need to make. Which shade the curtains for the nursery will be can wait after all.
“So… are we going to do this?” It’s Atsumu who eventually asks the question, making Kiyoomi’s heart leap into his throat. “Are we going to start a family?” This time Kiyoomi doesn’t hold back anymore, finally allowing himself to show his enthusiasm. He squeezes Atsumu’s hand tightly, a smile budding on his face.
“Nothing could make me happier,” he confesses, “I’ve thought and dreamt about this for far longer than I care to admit, wanting to share forever with you, and everything that entailed.” Kiyoomi presses a reverent kiss to Atsumu’s hand as the omega sucks in a wet breath. “So if you really want this, then my answer can be nothing but ‘yes’ My only wish is to make you happy whether that be with or without pups.” Kiyoomi thinks he deserves the hug. Atsumu almost crushes him with happiness, burning both of theirs scents mild.
Unfortunately, things do not magically move from there. Their life isn’t a novel after all. Kiyoomi was right to think that Atsumu didn’t want either of them to retire.
“We’re at the height of our youths, no way I’m letting that go to waste.” And Kiyoomi secretly agrees.
But the decision to not stop their careers did mean they had to offer mother nature a bit of a helping hand. If Atsumu was to conceive during his yearly heat in the spring, it would put him out of commission for the entire season next year. And while it meant he would be able to play the entire season this year, it felt a bit too risky. Starting in the season right after having a pup would be anything but ideal.
So after a lot of thinking and even more maths, they settled on late August, which would give Atsumu the opportunity to play for as long as possible, given things would progress normally. With everything important finally settled, their last order of business was making the appointment at the fertility clinic.
Sitting in that wait room feels like one of the scariest things Kiyoomi has ever done. Scarier than going home with Atsumu to be formally introduced to his mother and Osamu. Scarier than facing Osamu after they got mated without letting anyone know. There is a young male omega with a young sassy pup in his arm, only a few weeks old at most and a tired looking female beta in the wait room with them. Kiyoomi once again is good for scent patches, because he knows he would upset everyone with his agitated scent. The only thing helping him grounded at the moment is the warm press of Atsumu’s hand on his thigh.
When a beta in the door opening to one of the offices and calls for Sakusa Atsumu, Kiyoomi almost jumps to his feet, much to his mate’s amusement.
“I can’t imagine what you’ll be like once I’m actually pregnant,” he whispers to Kiyoomi before greeting the doctor with a smile.
Not even forty-five minutes later, they’re standing outside again, with another appointment to start treatment in a few weeks. Kiyoomi feels a little dazed.
Atsumu is over the moon in the following weeks, mind finally realising what is going to be happening. Multiple times Kiyoomi has been dragged to the store to look at baby clothing, cribs, strollers, and god knows what else. While he can’t help feeling a little lost among all of the products and the smiling employees that keep asking about Atsumu’s due date, but he takes it all in stride and mostly with excitement. July arrives all too soon, and with it comes one of their most trying times.
Through a rigorous treatment plan – Kiyoomi really cannot call it anything else with the amount of pills and needles that Atsumu gets prescribed – they start the process of triggering the omega’s heat. The first few weeks, there isn't much of a change even though Atsumu’s hormones are thrown for a loop.
It isn’t until the first week of August that the first changes make themselves known. Atsumu becomes sensitive all over, his skin suddenly almost delicate as he complains about his clothes. Every morning a giant pile ends up on their bed while Atsumu steadily grows more and more frustrated with every article of clothing he pulls on, only to immediately pull it off again.
His mood is sour and he pouts and snaps at Kiyoomi all the time, and it takes everything from him not to snap right back. Blessedly this stage only lasts a little over a week until it gets replaced by Atsumu’s preheat symptoms. Only this time, they are much stronger.
Kiyoomi counts himself lucky they are still in the early stages of the new Volleyball season, with less intense practice they have during. He’s not sure he’d be able to keep up with Atsumu otherwise. Every day without fail, the omega is wet and desperate by the time they get home. Most of the time they don’t even reach the bedroom, Kiyoomi forcing an orgasm out of Atsumu in the hallway first.
“Hurry alpha, hurts.” Atsumu begs as Kiyoomi sinks to his knees to lap at Atsumu’s hole yet attain. He’s not complaining, not at all, but he would prefer to have some stamina left when Atsumu’s heat actually hits.
Between evenings spent in their bed with Atsumu throbbing and hot all around his knot and mornings reorganizing the pile of clothes, Kiyoomi somehow finds time to prepare food, drinks, and heat sheets for Atsumu.
When Atsumu takes the final pill, Kiyoomi can already tell it won’t be long now. Atsumu smells amazing, even sweeter than usual and Kiyoomi wonders if perhaps the treatment does more than just trigger Atsumu’s heat.
How they made it through that morning’s gym session, Kiyoomi doesn’t know and he’s grateful their teammates don’t ask questions. Only Coach Foster knew at this point and he had wished them good luck with lazy eyes when they informed him.. It made Kiyoomi’s heart squeeze. “He’s never been more glad for his slightly anxious tendency to prepare days in advance because of course Atsumu’s body doesn’t entirely stick to the script. Instead of the expected three days between the formal pill and the start of Atsumu’s heat, there are barely eight hours, the first wave hitting as Kiyoomi is cleaning their kitchen.
Usually Atsumu doesn’t suffer too much during his heats. Kiyoomi’s presence easing the worst of the pains these days. But the artificial hormones mess with Atsumu’s body, making it ache and run hotter than before.
He’s desperate, close to despair as he pants and begs in their nest, his scent cloyingly sweet and filling their den.
It would drive Kiyoomi nearly insane in any other instance, but the anxiety stemming from the unexpected start and the nerves of knowing the stakes of this heat leave Kiyoomi feeling too on edge to enjoy it thoroughly for the first few waves.
Every time Atsumu makes a sound of distress of pain. Kiyoomi’s inner alpha is instantly on high alert, pumping out soothing pheromones, crooning at the omega and slowing his thrusts until Atsumu grows impatient and starts thrashing.
It takes nearly a full day and a very desperate Atsumu for Kiyoomi to finally get over himself and take care of him the way the omega has been begging for all this time. At the end of the five days, Kiyoomi’s body hurts all over, muscles sore, nose tired and jaw raw from the harsh bites he left all over Atsumu in his possessive flares. They stumble through their routine, Kiyoomi taking care of the brunt of it while Atsumu soaks in the bath.
After both of them are fed, cleaned up and feeling marginally more human, they collapse into their freshly made bed. Atsumu is almost too sleepy to scent everything, but that means he doesn’t scold Kiyoomi for being sloppy with it either. Their scents will mingle as they sleep anyway. As they slowly drift to sleep Kiyoomi feels the nerves return as Atsumu’s slightly different scent annoys his inner alpha. But the exhaustion tugs heavily at his eyelids and he manages to fall asleep soon after.
Anything Kiyoomi had imagined about the weeks that follow doesn’t come true. Atsumu doesn’t bolt out of bed the next morning to throw up – which he should have expected anyway. But as the days pass by not very differently form any other past heat weeks, Kiyoomi is confused by the lack of morning sickness, bitching, snapping and cravings. It’s almost as if Atsumu forgot about why he had his heat in the first place, because he doesn’t even take a test. Kiyoomi only knows because the three they bought remain untouched and unopened next to their spare toothbrushes beneath the sink.
It doesn’t seem like Atsumu is nervous, doesn’t seem like he’s having second either. Kiyoomi doesn’t know what to do with it, but eventually caves after three weeks. He addresses it as they’re sitting on the sofa one night, snacks and drinks in front of them.
Just to be safe Kiyoomi had made them tea instead of indulging in a glass of wine or two. Atsumu is nestled at his side, purring contently as they watch a show about street food.
Kiyoomi hasn’t really been paying attention, not with the question weighing heavy on his mind and when Atsumu mutes the TV as commercials start to play, Kiyoomi finally takes his chance. “Tsumu?”
Golden eyes meet his and once again Kiyoomi finds himself a little tongue-tied. Every so often, his mate will do or say something and Kiyoomi reverts back to his 16-year-old self, smitten with an omega that seems entirely out of his league.
Atsumu hums in question, encouraging his alpha to continue speaking. After swallowing thickly, Kiyoomi speaks again. “Why haven't you taken a test yet?”
Beside him, Atsumu stiffens and Kiyoomi holds his breath, not knowing what to expect. Silence stretches between them as Atsumu fiddles with a loose thread in the seam of Kiyoomi’s jeans. Finally he speaks with a hushed voice, “I don’t think I’m pregnant, and I don’t want to confirm it.”
It’s only because Kiyoomi was waiting for a response that he hears him; and when he does, his heart breaks.
“Darling…” He keeps his voice soft, something akin to pity seeping between the words. Atsumu is avoiding Kiyoomi’s eyes when the alpha turns to face him. Kiyoomi doesn’t force Atsumu to look up, not yet, but his chest clenches painfully when he notices tears glistening in the corners of Atsumu’s eyes.
“Ya probably noticed yourself; I don’t have any symptoms. I’m not puking my guts out –,” Kiyoomi cringes at the crude words, “I don’t pee all the time, I’m not sore… nothing. Just a tad tired, but that apparently is a side effect of the hormone treatment.”
Sadness tinges Atsumu’s scent and Kiyoomi pulls the omega onto his lap to soothe.
“I know you probably want me to test soon, just to make sure. But every time I’m in the bathroom I get anxious and I don’t do it.” Sniffles reach Kiyoomi’s ears and he immediately moves Atsumu so his nose is close to Kiyoomi’s scent gland. “I just feel like I failed you, failed at the one thing I was made for and it makes me feel so shitty…” Again Kiyoomi’s heart breaks.
“Oh angel,” he murmurs softly, tightening his hold on Atsumu’s waist. “I could never think that way, could never think you failed me. Whatever the outcome would have been I would never think it was because of you.” Pressing a gentle kiss to Atsumu’s temple, he continues, “I wont lie and say I’m not curious, because I am. But you know your body best and if you don’t feel okay taking the test, then I won’t make you.”
The omega finally relaxes against him, breathing out a sigh as he rests his forehead against Kiyoomi’s shoulder. “Thank you,” he murmurs. “I’m sorry for being like this.” Kiyoomi gently pinches Atsumu at that.
“Don’t apologise,” he scolds the omega gently, “I can’t even imagine how much fear and pressure you must be feeling because of this. We’re in this together, but your comfort is my priority, always. So if you don’t want to take a test because it makes you feel uncomfortable then of course I will not force you to do so.” Kiyoomi keeps his voice calm and mostly soothing as he speaks, only wanting to reassure Atsumu. Whatever the omega decides to do, Kiyoomi will be there to support him.
“Maybe later,” Atsumu starts a few hours later as they get ready for bed in the bathroom together. “Maybe if I get symptoms after all later… I can take a test.” He looks unsure biting his lower lip as he stares at the cupboard under the sink. Kiyoomi is quick to put his arm around Atsumu as he pulls him against him.
“Whether you decide to do, know that I love you.” Kiyoomi says softly. Atsumu kisses him then, a chase touch that has Kiyoomi relaxing. They hold each other close as they lie in bed, drifting off easily soon after.
Neither of them touch the subject again after that, and apart from an increase in afternoon naps, nothing about Atsumu changes. He is still his cheeky self, though sometimes Kiyoomi can sense a lingering sadness from his mate. On those days, the alpha makes sure to hold Atsumu a bit closer, a bit tighter at night.
Six weeks after Atsumu’s induced heat, Rin and Motoya stay over for dinner after a friendly practice match meant to get both teams back into shape. Normally the four of them enjoy these easy-going get togethers, but for some reason Kiyoomi has been feeling on edge. Every time Atsumu gets up to refill their drinks, Kiyoomi cannot help but let his eyes follow his mate, much to Motoya and Rin’s amusement. His cousin had raised an inquisitive eyebrow when Kiyoomi immediately pulled Atsumu close when he sat down again after returning from the kitchen, making the omega yelp in surprise. He settled against Kiyoomi’s side with an amused huff moments later, but the damage had already been done.
Kiyoomi can barely bring himself to get up to prepare dinner a little later, feeling his inner alpha claw at him in protest. Slicing the vegetables and stirring them around in the pans only manages to keep his inner alpha distracted for so long, his frustration surfacing again when Atsumu joins him in the kitchen to get the plates and bowls. Shielded from the two nosy alphas in their living room, Atsumu dares to wrap his arms around Kiyoomi and press a light kiss to his cheek. Kiyoomi allows himself to relax momentarily, lowering the gas on the stove and turning so he faces Atsumu, returning the hug.
“What’s gotten into you today,” the omega asks with a chuckle when Kiyoomi tries to scent him even though they’re both wearing patches and Atsumu pulls him closer with a soft coo. “You’ve been glued to my side since Toya and Rin arrived.”
“When will they leave our den, Atsu,” the alpha grumbles after he gives up trying to scent Atsumu.
“Soon, I promise it will be soon.” Kiyoomi huffs, pressing his nose against Atsumu’s temple. “Silly alpha, is that why you’ve been so touchy and why you’re glaring at the vegetables while you cook? Did you want to keep me to yourself today, keep me away from the other alphas,” he asks Kiyoomi with a laugh. He tries to pull away, but immediately stops when Kiyoomi’s nails dig into his skin through his shirt.
“Mine,” the alpha growls, tightening his hold further. “Keep omega safe.”
It’s then that something clicks for them, Atsumu’s mouth falls open and Kiyoomi’s head shoots up.
“Omi,” he breathes out, “do you think…?” Kiyoomi only stares at him with comically large eyes, before leaning down again to try and catch a whiff of Atsumu’s scent. The patches, however, are still doing their job and no scent reaches his nose.
It takes all of their effort to continue as usual and be patient. They serve and eat dinner, try to joke around with their guests while Kiyoomi keeps his legs intertwined with Atsumu’s under the table. When Motoya and Rin eventually leave, a nervous silence settles over the apartment, grabbing Kiyoomi’s heart and squeezing it tightly.
Atsumu is the first one to speak, to move, slowly pulling off his scent patches before reaching out to do the same for Kiyoomi. He can’t take his eyes off Atsumu, off the bond mark over his scent gland. Can’t look away from his abdomen or his flushed cheeks. Kiyoomi wants nothing more than to touch, to inhale Atsumu’s scent and to search for confirmation in it. But he waits, lets Atsumu take the lead in this. He’s always done that, letting the omega set the pace at which they move. Kiyoomi has learned that he can be patient, especially if it’s for Atsumu.
That doesn’t mean he isn’t dying for answers, and he almost sighs in relief when Atsumu takes his hand and leads them to the bathroom. The omega nearly drops the test with how much his hands are trembling and it takes everything for Kiyoomi to stop himself from grabbing the little stick and handing it to Atsumu again.
Somehow it feels really awkward to wait for Atsumu to finish taking the test, even though Kiyoomi has to wait for his mate almost every single morning after waking up. The experience of waiting for Atsumu pales in comparison to the awkward, nerve wrecking tension that they feel while they wait for the three minutes for the result.
Atsumu nearly squeezes Kiyoomi’s hand to mush as they sit in silence, anxiety tainting his scent. The alpha would soothe him with his own if it weren’t for his stomach churning so much that he thinks he’ll throw up soon. Kiyoomi gets startled when Atsumu’s phone blares loudly, signalling the timer that was set has run out. Both look at each other with wide eyes, Atsumu finally stepping towards the sink to pick up the test after Kiyoomi nods to him. Only to drop it not even three seconds later, staring at the plastic stick on the tiles.
Neither of them move for what feels like an eternity but most likely is only a few seconds. It takes another felt eternity for Kiyoomi to gather his wits, every ounce of his courage to take the two steps needed to reach Atsumu and bend down, grabbing the test that holds what feels like the answers to all of their worries.
He can feel his heartbeat everywhere in his body, from his head all the way to his toes. It vibrates and shakes every cell in him, making him feel like electricity is running through his veins. Kiyoomi closes his eyes when his fingers wrap around the plastic. Atsumu is still standing frozen behind him, and at this point Kiyoomi really fears the result.
When he finally flips over the stick and opens his eyes, Kiyoomi swears time stops. He doesn’t hear anything, not even the rush of his own blood or his breathing. Two lines. There are two lines in the little window on the test and Kiyoomi is almost certain he must be hallucinating, because there is no way this thing is positive after one try. There is no way Atsumu is knocked up after one try. But even after blinking once, twice, three times the result stays the same.
At his lack of response Atsumu grows worried and unfreezes to whine softly, probably not even meaning to but it grabs Kiyoomi’s attention all the same. Neither of them dare to speak, even when Kiyoomi turns around and his vision becomes blurry as tears gather in his eyes.
“It’s positive,” he finally croaks out, voice hoarse with emotion. “It’s really positive.” Warmth floods his chest, his arms, his legs as he stares at his mate.
“Yes,” Atsumu answers and he sounds almost in disbelief of the result himself. “Yes it is. Are you happy?” And oh, Kiyoomi could never hope to explain the storm of emotions that currently rages inside of him, could never begin to show the depth of them. So he doesn’t, instead closing the distance between them and scooping Atsumu into his arms for a tight hug, the test still in his hand.
“Of course, yes of course I am,” he breathes, looking at the two lines once more and still barely trusting his eyes. His heart feels so full of love and he cannot fathom what he did to be so lucky. Next to his ear Atsumu tries to bury his own tears into the fabric of Kiyoomi’s shirt, his body shaking every time he breathes. It feels surreal, knowing that it will be only the two of them for a few more months now. “I love you,” Kiyoomi whispers as he presses kisses to Atsumu’s nose, his cheeks and his forehead. “I love you, I love you, I adore you.”
His omega laughs wetly, squeezing him tightly. Words keep flowing together with his tears as Kiyoomi marvels at the test.
“You did it, Atsumu. You actually did it.” A snorts stops Kiyoomi’s rambling, making the alpha pull back a bit to look at Atsumu.
“I think it was a bit of a team effort Omi,” he teases, tears still wet on his cheeks.
“We’re going to be parents,” Kiyoomi says softly, ignoring Atsumu’s remark. He still cannot believe it, and it probably will take a while to truly sink in, even if the situation seems to catch up with them.
Golden eyes soften as they break apart.
“We’re going to be parents,” Atsumu echoes just as softly. Giddy excitement takes over, bright giggles and wide smiles and rosy cheeks. They can’t stand still, Kiyoomi picking up Atsumu to spin him around while he looks up at the omega with wonder.
After Atsumu shuts up his still rambling alpha with a kiss and distracts him with taking a photo of the test to email to the clinic, they lie down in their bed.
“We’re going to have a pup,” Kiyoomi says to the ceiling and Atsumu laughs softly. “You’re going to be a mother.” He squeezes Kiyoomi’s hand.
“Sixteen-year-old me would have never believed you if anyone ever old him one day he would be mated to Sakusa Kiyoomi, let alone be pupped by him. Or anyone, for that matter.”
Kiyoomi scoffs in amusement, turning to look at Atsumu in the dim light of their bedroom. He can easily picture younger Atsumu’s reaction.
“Did 16-year-old Kiyoomi think we’d ever start a family together," Atsumu wants to know a moment later. Kiyoomi already knows the answer to that.
“He might not admit to it, but for him, there is no question which omega he wants, no question who he wants to spend the rest of his life with. And yes, eventually start a family with.”
“And now it’s happening, starting our own family and watch our pup grow up.”
“Only one pup Tsumu,” Kiyoomi asks teasingly. They haven’t discussed this seriously, and honestly this isn’t the time for it either. But Kiyoomi feels high on joy and wants to daydream with Atsumu about their future together. The omega turns to him with mischief shining in his eyes.
“Why alpha, do you want more than one? Two pups, or three? Or do you want a whole litter of them?” He growls playfully, wrapping his arm around Atsumu’s waist and hoisting him into his lap.
It isn’t something Kiyoomi really wants, because even though his inner alpha is interested, four pups is entirely too much. But there is no harm in entertaining the thought.
“Would you want that omega? A whole litter of pups to take care of, that run around the garden and play volleyball together?” Atsumu laughs, his scent spiking in interest at the thought. He leans down to kiss Kiyoomi, taking his time until they’re both slightly breathless.
When they break apart moments later, Atsumu smiles softly.
“As nice as it sounds, I think we will have our hands full with just one or two pups. But who knows how things will go?” And even though it’s just a hypothetical situation, Kiyoomi finds himself agreeing, because there is no way of knowing what the future holds.
The weeks that follow are a flurry of doctor’s appointments, late night cravings and eventually mornings spent hunched over the toilet as Atsumu dry heaves and Kiyoomi rubs his back soothingly. One cupboard in their kitchen is filled entirely with dried mango slices while a shelf in their fridge only holds mustard, forming the base for Atsumu’s most frequent craving: Mustard dipped dried mango with bonito flakes. Kiyoomi has no idea what it tastes like, and he really does not want to find out.
And even though the weeks are busy and seem to pass quicker than anticipated, there are a few emotional moments. Seeing their pup – the size of a grape at that point – for the first time is one of those, Kiyoomi’s eyes filling with tears as he squeezes Atsumu’s hand so tightly he almost crushes it.
Then there is the day they tell their families, letting them know they are expecting with pieces of a matching outfit for a new born. Kiyoomi never thought he would see his father cry, but the sight is now forever engraved into his mind.
Telling the team is a whole different ordeal, loud shouts and wild cheers filling the gym when Atsumu walks into the locker room without scent patches and the team picks up on the shift in his scent soon enough. Coach foster squeezes Kiyoomi’s shoulder in a reassuring gesture that has the alpha feeling emotional, almost as emotional when his own father told him he was proud of the little family he was starting.
But Kiyoomi’s favourite moment so far is the morning when Atsumu wakes him up with quiet excitement, hushed voice so full of joy that Kiyoomi is instantly wide awake.
“Omi! You can see it. I can see it!” Kiyoomi had been confused at first, until he spotted Atsumu’s hand covering his abdomen. Most of that morning was spent in front of the mirror, both of them staring at the small bump that was barely big enough to be noticed.
It rivals with the day Kiyoomi felt their pup kick for the first time, a tiny limb connecting right to where his palm rested on Atsumu’s stomach. His heart had squeezed so tightly he feared it was going to stop beating for a second as he froze, not even daring to breathe as he wated for the pup to kick again. Atsumu had stared at Kiyoomi with stars in his eyes, so much love glimmering in them. All the alpha could do was press Kisses to every inch of Atsumu’s skin.
Now though, at nearly seven months and at the end of the season, both of them are thoroughly tired of the pregnancy. Atsumu had managed to keep playing until now, closely monitored by their doctor. The pup’s development has been normal so far, seeming strong and healthy. But they’ve been causing a lot of trouble for their mother, keeping Atsumu up with harsh kick to his organs, his bones, making him feel even more nauseous while craving even stranger combinations of food in the middle of the night. And while Kiyoomi adores his omega, he can only handle so much lack of sleep without losing his mind.
The clock currently reads 4:27 in the morning and once again Kiyoomi is pulling on a thick pair of joggers as he gets ready for yet another nightly konbini run. Atsumu has been pouting at him for fifteen minutes, saying that Kiyoomi’s pup is demanding vanilla ice cream with ketchup and they’ve run out of both. But Kiyoomi is nothing if not a diligent alpha, so he’s getting ready to brave the chilly night air even though he’d much rather stay in the comfort of their nest.
“Do you and the little bean want anything else while I’m going anyway,” he asks with a yawn as he tugs on his coat, Atsumu standing next to him wrapped in a blanket.
“Those senbei I like maybe. They help with the new bouts of nausea in the middle of the day,” Atsumu says after a moment. Kiyoomi nods, yawning again and reaching for his key.
“Alright, I’ll be back soon then.”
Their new place is closer to a konbini, thank the heavens for that. Kiyoomi also wants to thank whoever decided that this specific konbini would be open 24/7, because with a mate that gets cravings round the clock with no disregard for their alpha, it truly is a godsent.
By now, he knows the store by heart and he thinks that if he had, he could navigate the aisles blindly while still grabbing what he had to. The employees know him by now and after Atsumu had joined him on one of Kiyoomi’s cravings runs, it seems that the news had spread among the staff, because they usually add a little sample of whatever snack they are promoting as a gift. Tonight, a young alpha college student mans the till, quickly scanning the items Kiyoomi has grabbed without making small talk.
He's out the door again in seconds.
Back at home, Atsumu has taken up all the space in their bed, wrapping his maternity noodle as Kiyoomi likes to call it all around himself to stay comfortable. His stomach is heavy, Kiyoomi knows after offering to hold it a few times, and lying down with it in a position that doesn’t cause any discomfort is nearly impossible. Kiyoomi quickly puts away the few groceries he bought, shifting from one leg to the other as he tries to keep the cold from seeping into his bare feet.
Slipping into bed, he sighs happily, ready to steal some of Atsumu’s warmth. As carefully as possibly he wraps his arms around his mate and pup-heavy belly, drifting off to sleep to Atsumu’s soft purrs. Unfortunately for Kiyoomi, peace was never meant to last long. His awakening the next morning is a rude one, Atsumu’s voice loud and frustrated as he calls for his alpha.
“Omi, what on earth is this,” the omega almost shouts from the kitchen and Kiyoomi flinches awake. He can barely open his eyes on time to see a very disgruntled and pouty Atsumu standing at the edge of the bed, holding up the senbei Kiyoomi bought last night.
“Those are senbei?” From the way Atsumu starts to frown, that apparently is the wrong answer.
“I can see that, ya knothead. They’re the wrong ones.” Now it’s Kiyoomi’s turn to frown, because he’s sure he’s bought the senbei that they always get. Looking at the packaging, he can see nothing out of the ordinary and he tilts his head in confusion.
“Tsumu, what do you mean with ‘the wrong ones’? Aren’t these the ones that we always have?” Again he seems to give the wrong answer, because his mate sighs in exasperation while rolling his eyes.
“Yes, those are the ones we always have. But those are not the ones I have been eating for the last two weeks while your spawn inside of me wreaks havoc.” Ah, so that’s what this is about. Kiyoomi knows that Atsumu has been eating the really cheap, no brand crackers since he started getting new bouts of nausea over the last two weeks, but sleepy Kiyoomi had not remembered that. Still, he’s not going to admit to that so easily.
“But I thought you liked these ones better,” he tries, even though he’s almost certain that it won’t have any effect.
He’s right, Atsumu’s eyebrows furrowing more as he plops down onto the bed ungracefully.
“I do like these better, but – ,” Kiyoomi’s mouth pulls into a satisfied smirk and Atsumu glares at him, “But I wanted the ones that I always ate at home, those in the green box with the little fish in the logo.” Defeated, the alpha lets out a sigh as he leans onto Atsumu’s shoulder with his forehead.
“Sorry my love,” he offers, not sure what else to say. “Shall I get you the other ones then?” If he’s honest, he knows the answer to that without even thinking about it, but he doesn’t mind asking regardless. Something about the way Atsumu’s eyes light up whenever Kiyoomi offers to do something nice for him has him growing weak in the knees every single time.
“Will you,” Atsumu asks, his smile bright as he waits for Kiyoomi to nod. “You’re the best,” the omega then declares with a kiss to Kiyoomi’s nose. “So happy you’re my alpha.” It’s pure flattery, but it gets Kiyoomi feeling important and capable regardless.
As he’s pulling on his shoes and coat once again, Atsumu watches him with a near smug smile, probably happy that he got his way yet again. Kiyoomi really needs to work on his ability to say ‘no’ to his pregnant mate…
“Thank you alpha,” Atsumu calls when Kiyoomi closes his coat up further at a cold gust of wind. “See you in a bit.” Honestly, the meagre kiss that he gets every time he comes home with whatever Atsumu has requested this time shouldn’t be enough for him as a reward, but for some reason his alpha has been fussier for the last few days as well, restless with the need to provide, to prepare.
Everything is mostly ready, from the nursery to the car seats and the toys for the pup. All of it is in order, the only thing missing is the pup themselves. They don’t know their gender, don’t know much apart from their supposed weight and size. Sometimes Kiyoomi allows himself the joy of imagining what their child might look like, whose eyes or hair or features they would inherit or what their personality was going to be like. But for the majority of the past weeks, Kiyoomi has been busy trying his best to keep Atsumu happy.
Fifteen minutes and 28 seconds later Kiyoomi is back at the apartment, toeing off his shoes and handing Atsumu the right senbei.
“These ones right,” Kiyoomi says as he makes his way to the kitchen to prepare a drink for the two of them. Atsumu hums happily, immediately opening the box to take a few out. Scolding Atsumu for snacking at strange times during the day or just before a meal is no use, because the moments when Atsumu feels nauseous are so unpredictable, leaving Kiyoomi to give up soon enough.
Yet again his only payment is a kiss to his cheek, but Kiyoomi really cannot mind too much when he catches a whiff of his omega’s scent. Atsumu smells good, scent sweet like ripe fruit that Kiyoomi just wants to lick, nibble and taste at this point. But Atsumu has been moody, has been snappy and Kiyoomi would very much like to keep all of his extremities – fingers, toes and other parts of his body included.
While Atsumu snacks on the crackers, Kiyoomi gets a reminder in his phone.
“Darling, did you start packing your hospital bag yet?” Atsumu stops chewing mid bite, part of the cracker still in his hand.
“No… not yet,” he answers after chewing and swallowing. “We can do that soon?” It’s an offer, an option, but Kiyoomi would rather be overprepared than underprepared.
“How about we do that together later this afternoon?”
Atsumu pouts, shoving yet another cracker into his mouth as he seems to think it over.
“Alright fine, but you’re the one getting and packing everything.” Kiyoomi shrugs, it’s nothing he isn’t used to already and he makes his way to their storage room to get the bag they had bought for this. It might be a bit early, with about two months left to go. But Kiyoomi still wants to be prepared for anything just in case, just like he had been with everything regarding Atsumu’s pregnancy.
So the rest of their day is spent with Atsumu perched on their bed, vanilla ice cream ketchup concoction in his hand while Kiyoomi runs around the room, collecting everything and anything that seems handy for them.
“Did you pack the onesie we bought?”
“Yes Atsumu.”
“And the socks? They say the air conditioning can get really cold, we don’t want their little toes to freeze off.”
“Yes Atsumu.”
“What about the small blanket? The one that we still have to scent? Oh and the little toy Osamu bought. And the tiny mittens, the blue ones?”
“Yes Atsumu, all of that too.”
Kiyoomi feels like his vocabulary consists only of ‘Yes Atsumu’ at this point, but he doesn’t mind. His mate is just as careful, just as thorough with this and it helps him feel calmer about it all. Even if they bicker about it, because “I really don’t think our pup will need eighteen onesies for the hospital love,” and “You never know, what if they puke and poop on the other seventeen?” (They pack twenty in the end, much to the amusement of the nurses who end up taking care of Atsumu and their pup.)
Where the pregnancy barely let itself be known at first, Atsumu’s first trimester so uneventful they doubted the pregnancy tests Atsumu took, labour is a different beast entirely. Towards the beginning of Atsumu’s last month, Braxton hicks are becoming a common occurrence to the point that Atsumu doesn’t catch much sleep anymore. The season is luckily over, so he can stay in their nest or on the sofa all day and doze between bathroom runs, Braxton hicks and dropkicks to his organs, but by the time his due date is in sight Atsumu looks like he hasn’t slept in a month. Which he technically hasn’t.
But between the two of them, Kiyoomi is yet again the one with the nerves, again is the one overthinking everything. He’s checked their hospital bag three times in the last two days, showing every item to his sleepy omega for inspection and approval. The little blanket that they bought for their pup positively reeks of them, Atsumu’s sweet scent and Kiyoomi’s eucalyptus almost dripping from the fabric. He scents it again just in case.
Of course Atsumu’s water breaks when Kiyoomi isn’t home. He’s once again in the konbini where they now know his name and their address after a period where Atsumu didn’t let Kiyoomi leave the house two weeks ago in fear of labour starting. Kiyoomi wishes that had lasted a little longer, because he hates that he isn’t with Atsumu right now and instead is stuck on the other end of their phone call.
“Omi? Don’t freak out, but I think my water broke.” They should have seen it coming, should have known when Atsumu’s faux contractions became more frequent to the point that the omega started to time them. Should have known to not go out to buy one last thing for the trip to the hospital, an eye mask in case the curtains would be flimsy and Atsumu lost the other two he packed. Should have realised things were different today when Atsumu’s scent changed a little, when his abdomen felt different, when their pup didn’t move as much.
All of that runs through his mind as he drops all he’s holding (literally) and catches the eyes of one of the employees. She smiles, almost encouraging.
“It’s starting?” Kiyoomi doesn’t know why she knows, though later he’ll think it probably was because of his panic, but he’s thankful she said something because it startles him into action.
“It’s starting,” he confirms, and then almost runs out of the store. His panic later seems ridiculous to him, because not even ten minutes later he’s at home again, in their den again, Atsumu already on the phone to the hospital.
He waits impatiently while Atsumu listens and speaks to the person on the other end of the line, holds his hand and tries to soothe his omega, who isn’t all that panicked yet. The contractions are visible, Atsumu’s swollen stomach tensing every few minutes, making the omega sigh and breathe in slowly.
“They want us to come in soon,” Atsumu says after hanging up. “We don’t have to hurry unless the contractions speed up again, but they want us there before six at night.” One glance at the clock tells Kiyoomi it’s now a little over two in the afternoon.
“Do you want to go now,” he asks, because he isn’t entirely sure what to do. Collecting their belongings that they want to bring won’t take long, and the hospital is close enough that they could walk. They won’t, obviously, but Kiyoomi knows that taking their car will take even less long.
“We can get the last things packed, like my charger and toothbrush and such. Then I want to change into something else, trousers seem less ideal to me even if they are maternity and stretchy, and then we can call ma and Osamu. I don’t know if your family can make it down so soon without prior notice, but we should call them regardless.” Kiyoomi’s shoulders lose their tension now that there is a reasonable plan in front of him. He gives a kiss to Atsumu’s hands, feeling so shaky and weak with nerves. “It’s going to be fine,” Atsumu reassures him with a soft smile, “I’m not the first omega to have a pup.”
Kiyoomi does as Atsumu suggested, first preparing the final things for the hospital bag and then calling everyone they deem important. Osamu insists on leaving his store immediately, wanting to be there for his brother. Yachi is stuck in a meeting with a client, but she promises to be there as soon as work allows. Mama Miya cries instantly when the words leave Kiyoomi’s mouth, excitement mingling with tears as if the pup were already there, and she promises to join Osamu in the wait room. His own parents, much to Kiyoomi’s surprise, also want to be there and they argue with Kiyoomi about leaving work for a few minutes until the alpha gives in, too focussed on other things to argue much more.
“I’ll text you the room number and everything,” he says with a sigh when he finally agrees to letting them get into a car as soon as possible. “I can’t promise it won’t take long, we might be there all night. So maybe find a place to stay in case it does take longer.” Kiyoomi is so tense and anxious that he cannot think about much else than his omega who is currently rifling through their kitchen in search for yet another snack. The alpha has given up on trying to persuade him from doing so, because apparently “Hospital food tastes the worst Omi, I thought you knew that.”
By four p.m. they are prepared and ready to go, and barely twenty minutes later they are being shown to a private room. Osamu and Ma meet them soon after, the twin’s mother yet again shedding tears.
“Don’t worry about it too much dear,” she tells Atsumu between sniffles. “Your body is made for this, and I’m sure it will go well.”
When Kiyoomi’s parents arrive, it’s a flurry of all different things suddenly colliding. Atsumu’s contractions have been frequent and strong, leaving Kiyoomi’s hand feeling sore from the many times the omega nearly squeezed it into a pulp. The nurse that has been monitoring the omega suddenly lets them know that they’re going to get ready to push and everyone but Kiyoomi is ushered out of the room, much to Osamu’s and Atsumu’s panic. The alpha never managed to completely lose his protective streak.
It's hazy after that to Kiyoomi, he doesn’t remember how they managed to get everyone out without a fight breaking out, he doesn’t remember how he ended up in a chair right next to Atsumu’s bed. He does remember the intense pain in his hands and later his shoulder where Atsumu had bitten down when Kiyoomi held him through a particularly intense contraction. And he remembers the moment shrill, incredibly grating cries reached his ears and both him and Atsumu burst into tears.
The smallest human Kiyoomi has ever seen gets placed onto Atsumu’s chest, red face and disgustingly wet skin with smushed cheeks. It’s the most beautiful face Kiyoomi has ever seen and he finds himself already entirely in love with the little pup that they can call their daughter.
“Welcome to the world, Sakusa Hiyori.”