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It was weird knowing the year was ending. The amount of memories made and achievements completed naturally made a lot of his wishes come true. So Atsumu found himself in a predicament, not feeling right sitting at this party. Sure, this is a gathering among friends and family but it’s the meaning behind it.
The bōnenkai was being hosted at Onigiri Miya, a go-to location considering it’s where his and Suna’s team come to celebrate. At first thought, there was nothing he should need to forget. Atsumu came to learn that everything happens for a reason. The sorrows wouldn’t automatically make the year a bad one.
However, his teammates along with EJP and the Adler’s players seem to think otherwise. Decorating the tables were opened bottles of beer, empty shot glasses and half-empty glasses of wine.
It doesn’t freak him out too much since not everyone is participating in drinking. Atsumu thought it was better to come into the new year sober.
He observed the many toasts that took place as well as games he chose to sit out on.
“Are you sure? Don’t you want to play at least one round?” Hinata asked, ramped up for what they were about to play.
“Yeah! I promise we’ll make it enjoyable,” Bokuto pitched in.
“I would but, ‘m not really feelin’ it,” Atsumu says.
They both groaned at the news, but they knew not to be offended by it. Atsumu saw both Suna and Komori holding hands as they joined the crowd.
“He’ll come around,” Suna told them. He wasn’t usually at his aid but he’d thank him later.
Atsumu walked away from the crowd with a silent promise to be back soon. He found a table with the least amount of junk littered on it, claiming it for the time being.
He wondered then what everyone would forget about. Some of the players partied hard, others not at all. Whatever the case was, it made him happy to see this many people together.
“You’re unusually quiet tonight,” a muffled voice casually said. Atsumu turned his head, being met with his teammate and long-time crush. Sakusa had two shot glasses stacked together in one hand and a half-empty bottle of Shochu.
“I didn’t think ya’d bother t’ find me. But since yer wonderin’, I’m fine.”
Sakusa hummed at his response, setting both of the glasses in front of Atsumu. It just clicked in Atsumu’s mind Sakusa isn’t leaving him in his thoughts. Instead he’s pouring the shot glasses full of Shochu for both of them.
Normally, Atsumu is mingling with Hinata and Bokuto. Drinking or not, they were seen together. And Sakusa would stick with Komori or Osamu.
Why did Sakusa bother to find him?
Atsumu didn’t want to think about it. Not when the year was ending and definitely not when he could be observing everyone lose themselves in the feeling of forgetting.
Maybe that’s what he needs to do. It’s been too long since Atsumu came to terms with his feelings for Sakusa and nothing changed. This party had a purpose after all. Forget the subtle rejection and what he couldn’t have. It sounded perfect.
Atsumu picked up one of the glasses at the same time Sakusa did. Sakusa offered to toast with his glass. Atsumu now noticed the mask on his face was hanging off his right ear. He hated the way Sakusa had the most perfect face. And it would be very wrong to say he didn’t want to kiss him. Silently, Atsumu clicked their glasses together and took the shot to the head.
He squeezed his eyes shut as the alcohol burned in his throat. He and Osamu know his alcohol tolerance better than anyone else. With just one shot, Atsumu knew he was done touching alcohol for the night.
He could slightly see Sakusa completely remove his mask, stuffing it neatly in his pocket.
“Want to go outside?”
Atsumu is beyond confused but right now what is there to lose? “Yeah, sure.”
He stood up, pushing the chair in. Sakusa led the way to the front door and grabbed both their coats.
They stood right outside the shop, waiting for something to happen. The wind from earlier picked up as it was much later into the night. Atsumu couldn’t remember but the last time he checked the time it was almost eleven. Whatever would happen out here, he was determined to forget because even if it’s a moment together, that’s what they weren’t.
Sakusa’s sigh took him right out of his head. Atsumu was able to see his breath from how cold it was.
“This is probably terrible timing, considering what kind of party we’re at,” Sakusa whispered but at a pitch Atsumu could hear. “I think… Okay— I spoke to your brother a while ago and not too long ago he encouraged me to talk to you.”
So Osamu was the reason he found him.
“Why do ya need t’ talk t’ me?” Atsumu asked, very skeptical of what was happening.
“Because,” he began to respond but he didn’t finish. A few seconds had passed and Atsumu still didn’t have his answer. He wouldn’t rush him but the anticipation was killing him.
“Omi, it’s okay if—”
“I think I’m in love with you.”
Atsumu’s heart shot right to his throat, where the alcohol had passed. He couldn’t believe he heard such a sentence come from Sakusa Kiyoomi of all people.
“What? Yer in love with me?” he whispered the question to himself.
“If that’s the reason why I can’t be around you for so long because of how nervous you make me, I guess so.”
“I make ya nervous?”
“Most of the times. I had to keep a distance from you and that backfired since Osamu caught me staring at you after one of our games.”
There was a lot Sakusa was revealing and Atsumu was currently trying to process it all.
“Oh gosh, that’s a lot,” he breathed out. So much for trying to forget about his feelings. “Omi, I’ve been in love with ya and I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance t’ tell ya.”
“Well then, is it okay for me to ask you to be mine for the new year?”
“Just fer the new year?”
Sakusa scoffed, “Atsumu, will you be my boyfriend?”
“Yes, I will,” he answered, giving him a toothy grin. It feels like a miracle and another wish of Atsumu’s that came true this year.
He felt Sakusa grab his hand, pulling him closer to his body. Atsumu was able to study all the features present on his face, that’s how close they were. His heart was thumping even faster in his body, throat closing up on him. Sakusa’s other rested right on his cheek closing the gap between them.
Imagining a kiss from Sakusa was normally what went through Atsumu’s head. The actual feeling was out of this world. Soft lips pressed to his made him almost dizzy, lost in a pleasure that wasn’t alcohol.
Atsumu was the first to release himself from the kiss. Usually there was a blissful feeling that came after a kiss but that’s not what he felt. The dizziness he felt a few seconds prior wasn’t the same. He pushed himself from Sakusa, shocking the both of them.
“Atsumu, what’s wrong?”
He lifted his pointer finger in his direction. Give me a moment, he tried to convey since he couldn’t even speak. And the next thing Atsumu knew, bile came up and out of him. It hurt his body in a way he didn’t realize was possible. He should’ve never taken that shot earlier.
“Atsumu?!” Sakusa gasped. Fuck, he completely forgot his now boyfriend was there. Whatever came out of his system was now on the ground.
Tears welled in his eyes, “‘m sorry, I—“
“Don’t apologize, let’s get you inside,” Sakusa assured.
Atsumu felt safe in Sakusa’s arms as he carefully brought him back inside. How embarrassing. At least there’s an actual moment to forget in 2024.