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The stadium exploded as the referee blew his whistle. The Jackals won again against the EPJ Rajin. Once again, Atsumu bet his beloved brother-in-law Rin, he couldn’t wait to shave it to his face at the next family dinner. Atsumu high-fived his teammates and couldn’t stop smiling after Omi for once accepted to do one.
Omi didn’t like physical touch but he was slowly warming up to the team.
Coach Foster smiled, “I’m proud of you boys, now go celebrate, it’s not every day you win six games in a row, you deserve it.”
The team exclaimed their joy, it was rare Coach Foster allowed them to go out during the season. Coach Foster all of their hairs and even Omi let him do it without dodging. On their way to the locker room, Atsumu threw his arm around Meian’s shoulder. “Josies’s Cap?”
Meain smiled, “If you can behave, why not?”
Atsumu beamed, “Me? Ofa course, I behave, I’m not the one who danced half naked on a table last time we wentta right Bokkun?”
Bokuto grabbed his water bottle, “It was one time Tsum-tsum.”
Hinata bounced between them, “Should we invite the other team?”
Bokuto frantically nodded, “Yeah, it’s been so long since I talked to Washio.”
Meian nodded, “Of course, we can, but only if everyone promises to behave.”
Atsumu pushed the locker room door and frowned, “Why are ya looking at me, Cap?”
“Because last time we spent an evening with the EPJ’s team, your brother was also there and you two fought so hard we were all kicked out.”
Atsumu shrugged, “Well, duh, it was ‘Samu’s fault.”
“Tsumu,” Meain rested his fists on his hips and the setter knew he was doomed, “I saw you throw a fish at your brother’s face.”
Atsumu looked away, “He deserved it.” Of course ‘Samu deserved that fucking fish in the face, he had made fun of him and his crush so Atsumu had to fight back.
But he couldn’t tell that to Meian, not when the said crush was undressing right next to him to go to the showers.
Omi took off his shirt, “I thought we all knew our resident latecomer didn’t know how to behave.”
Atsumu smirked, “Oh Omi, if ya wanted ta teach me somethin’ and spend time with me ya could have say so.”
Kiyoomi looked at him and rolled his eyes, “You’re an idiot Miya, and sometimes I do wonder if being on time could kill you.”
“I’m never late fer important thing Omi-omi dontcha worry, I’ll be even in advance fer our first date.”
Kiyoomi slammed his locker’s door, “In your dreams Miya.” and walked in direction of the shower.
Atsumu shouted, “Yer always in my dream Omi!” he looked back at Meian, and his captain had a weird look in his eyes. “What?”
Meian sighed, “Nothing, I’m inviting the Rajins, so please behave. And be on time.”
Atsumu pouted. Why did his captain have so little faith in him?
— — —
Shit, shit, and shit.
Atsumu checked his phone, he was going to be late. He opened his wardrobe and looked at the different outfits. Meian texted in the group chat to be at 9:00 pm at the bar and it was 8:45 and Atsumu was still only wearing a towel around his hips and his hair wet.
The bar was twenty minutes away by bus. There was no way he would be on time.
Shit.
Fuck.
He grabbed the different shirts and started to put on the purple shirt Osamu gifted him on his last birthday. He started to button it up when he saw the black shirt.
The famous black shirt.
The one he had made custom measured by the most famous tailor-made in Tokyo simply because he heard Omi recommended it to Ushijima. The next day Atsumu went to the shop and almost fainted when he saw the price but nothing will stop him from getting Omi’s attention.
Tonight will be the night. Atsumu will finally ask Omi out.
He threw away the purple shirt and grabbed the black one. He buttoned up and grabbed the first black jeans he saw. Five minutes later he had his keys in hand and locked his door.
He stopped in his tracks when he saw Omi, wearing a jackal hoodie, gray sweatpants, and a hairband holding snacks.
“Omi? What yer doing here?”
Kiyoomi raised an eyebrow, “I’m the one who should be asking that Miya, you’re going to be late again. How surprising.”
“Haha, I’m dying of laughter Omi-omi but not seriously, yer not coming?”
Kiyoomi held tighter the bags of snacks he probably stole in the common kitchen. Atsumu recognized Inunaki’s snacks and wondered if he should throw his favorite spiker under the bus and tell everything to the libero but since Wan-san took great pleasure in eating the last piece of chocolate cake at his birthday party, Atsumu guessed he could forget to mention it.
“No, I’m not coming. I have other plans.”
“Oh.”
Well, Atsumu guessed he would spend another night drinking and moping around. He really thought Omi would finally accept to come this time.
Then slowly he saw Omi’s cheeks turning red. “Yer okay Omi? Yer face is red.”
“Fine.” Kiyoomi swallowed, “For once you dressed well Miya.”
“Oh thank ya.”
“You did something to your hair too.”
Atsumu widened his eyes, he didn’t think Omi would notice. “Yeah I use a new product for my hair, it makes them fluffy and curly.”
Kiyoomi hummed and quickly opened his door, “Well have a good night Miya.”
“”Kay have a good night-” Kiyoomi closed his door and Atsumu sighed, alone in the hallway, “To ya too Omi.”
Atsumu advanced but stopped again. Weird. There was another pair of shoes in front of Kiyoomi’s door, well maybe Motoya decided to stay with his cousin.
Before he could think more, his phone started to ring. He picked up the call without looking. “Yeah?”
“Hey scrub guess who is late? Ya ofa course!”
Atsumu sighed and hung up on his brother. This was going to be a long night.
He arrived twenty minutes later and everyone cheered and clapped him. “Sorry guys, models like me take time to be pretty!”
“And yet ya face still ugly!”
“We have the same face dipshit!”
Atsumu heard his dear captain sigh but if ‘Samu got a fish in the again, it would be his own fault.
Barnes shouted, “Since our little latecomer has finally arrived, picture time!”
— — —
"Surprin' seeing ya here." Atsumu sat in front of Motoya and put his glass on the table.
"Really? Why?"
"Thought ya wouldja be with Omi."
“Oh. He loves you, you know?”
Atsumu almost spits his drink on Motoya.
“Hah?”
Motoyo returned his glass to his lips as if the libero hadn’t turned Atsumu’s world upside down.
“Osamu is so hot. Rin too.”
“Hold the fuck on, what didja say about Omi-omi?”
“Huh?”
Motoya dares to raise an eyebrow as if he didn’t remember what he just said. Truth be told, he probably didn’t.
The two teams were at the Josie’s, a famous bar in Osaka reputed for their discretion and Omi-omi was the only missing person.
As usual, Atsumu complained to anyone who had the patience to listen. Tonight’s victim was Motoya, but for once, Atsumu thought he had found a rival in his favorite competition, the won he had been winning for the past five years mopping over a forbidden love.
It was weird for Atsumu to listen to the love of his life’s cousin listing all the things he wanted to do to his twin and brother-in-law but Atsumu had weirder nights.
“Toya!” Atsumu snapped his finger in front of the poor wasted libero. “Focus back on Omi!”
Motoya blinked and looked back above Atsumu’s shoulder probably watching ‘Samu and Rin talk, flirting, or making out. Unfortunately, Samu and Rin were an insufferable couple who loved each other so much they had to show the world how happy they were.
How dare they?
Motoya had started drinking glass after glass and moping around and Atsumu, the kind gentleman and wonderful person he is, decided to spend the evening with him to support him and not to extract precious pieces of information that would make Omi fall in love with him. No.
Okay, perhaps when Atsumu saw Motoya drinking his eight glasses of vodka he thought that maybe he could use that advantage to finally accomplish his destiny and prove to Omi he would be the best husband and finally marry the love of his life.
Omi was his future husband, the spiker simply didn’t realize yet.
Unfortunately for Omi, Atsumu had realized that the first moment he saw him. The setter immediately knew they were meant for each other and destined to grow old together and have a family with kids, dogs, and cats.
Motoya sniffed, “Do you think I could still be their friend if they knew how much I love them? I just feel like my heart is going to explode.”
“I know that feelin’ Toya, believe ma, so can we go back to Omi?”
“I just, I love them so much, they’re so kind, gentle and so so hot-”
“Toya, please stop callin’ ma stupid brother and Rin hot or I swea’ I jump from the closest bridge.”
“No.” Motoya pouted, “Kiyo will be sad. He loves you so much.”
“Yes, finally!” Atsumu grabbed Motoya’s shoulder, “What do ya mean Omi like ma?”
“Yeah, he does. He kept complaining because he didn’t know how to ask for your number during he first time we went to the youth training camp without looking weird.” Motoya grabbed the shot and drank it in one go. “And when he learned you want to MBSY he worked so hard to get it too so he could play with you.”
“So ya mean, Omi like me?”
Motoya nodded.
“He likes like me?”
Motoya nodded again.
“Ya sure? Hundred percent?”
Motoya blinked. “When you did your first Calvin Klein photoshoot he panicked and bought twenty copies of the magazine.”
“Hah?”
“He also turned on your notification for every social media. He has an Instagram account only because you post thirst traps on yours. And because of it, I know I can never see my cousin on Tuesday.”
“Why?”
“Because you the said thirst traps on Tuesday dummy.”
“That’s fuckin’ mean!”
“Osamu and Rin aren’t dating me, I have the right to be mean.” Motoya crossed his arms and pouted again. “I need a drink.”
“Ya had enough. Omi will kill me if somethin’ happenta ya.”
“I never understood why Kiyo found your accent sexy until Osamu spoke to me and asked if I was hungry.”
“I’m gettin’ ya another drink.”
Atsumu stood up and went to the bar. He asked the server for two shots of vodka and a water bottle. He sat back in front of Motoya and put the two shots in front of the libero. “You’re my life savior.”
“Yer welcome. So Omi.”
“Is in love with you.”
“Yer sure?”
“I’m sure as Osamu has his tongue in Rin’s mouth right now.”
Atsumu grabbed one of the shots and drank it in one go. “Fuck I need bleach thankya.”
Motoya giggled. Atsumu almost felt bad for the future hangover Motoya would have in the morning. Almost.
“So Omi-”
“Go.” Motoya smiled. “Go get him. He loves you I promise. Go be happy.” He pushed the second shot toward Atsumu. “For courage?”
Atsumu took it and drank it. “For courage.”
He stood up and quickly left the bar but stopped at his brother’s level.
Osamu raised an eyebrow while Rin started to kiss his throat. “Already leavin’ scrub?”
“Yeah, I have to talk to the love of my life, watch over Motoya fer me srub!”
Atsumu left and before passing the bar’s door he heard his brother mentioning how Motoya was cute and briefly thought maybe Motoya’s helpless crush wasn’t that helpless.
He started to run in Osaka’s streets with one address in mind.
Atsumu had always been late. Always. He didn’t have a reputation as a latecomer for nothing.
He was late to go to classes, he was late to go home, he was late to give his homework. The only place he wasn’t late was on the court. He was late in classes because he wanted to play more. He was late to go home because he didn’t want to stop playing. He gave his homework late because practicing was better.
He was never late for practice. Always the first to arrive, always the last to leave.
After Omi joined them, he wasn’t alone anymore. Omi walked with him to the gym and they stopped at the café next to the complex to take their coffees together. They stretch together, trained together. Atsumu didn’t even realize he started to play favorite until Bokkun and SHoyou started complaining they got fewer balls than Omi.
Even Coach Foster said favoritism was bad and forbade them to play in the same for two weeks and it was the longest two weeks in Atsumu’s life.
Atsumu ran. He ran under the rain hoping he wouldn’t be late again.
He arrived at the MBSY complex the players shared, he ran up the stairs to the fourth floor, and ran to the left door, Omi’s apartment. He banged the door like a madman he needed to talk to Omi.
He needed to know he wasn’t late.
Kiyoomi opened the door, and he looked surprised. “Miya?”
Atsumu tried to catch his breath. “I love ya. I love ya so much Omi. I wantta marry ya, small wedding ‘cause I know ya dontcha like the crowd. I wantta buy a house with ya, let ya decorate ‘cause you have better taste than me, I wantta kids with ya, I wantta dogs and cats or even a fish anything. I wantta anything ya will give me ‘cause I love ya so much my heart feels like it’s going to explode.”
Omi doesn’t respond and suddenly Atsumu feels his guts twisting. What if he was too late? What if Motoya was so drunk he mixed his feelings with Omi’s feelings?
What if he just ruined everything?
Atsumu swallowed the lump in his throat. “Omi say somethin’ please.”
Kiyoomi opened his mouth but someone spoke before he could.
“Kiyoomi? Everything is fine?”
Atsumu’s gaze drifted from Kiyoomi and saw Ushijima shirtless behind him, in Kiyoomi’s appartement.
Oh.
Oh.
Well, guess Atsumu was late. Again.
— — —
“I’m ashamed that someone like you could love someone like me, I mean, look at you Miya, you’re a jerk.”
Atsumu was twelve at the time and now at twenty-seven, he still remembers each of Chikara’s words. Atsumu had fallen in love with the soccer team captain at eleven years old and for a year his love had only grown. ‘Samu had called him an idiot, and that Chikara was an ass and didn’t deserve Atsumu’s time but ‘Samu didn’t know Chikara like Atsumu did.
Chikara had remembered his name. He had called him Atsumu. He could tell the twins apart and it was before they bleached their hair. Chikara was cool and great.
Until Chikara asked him to meet him in front of the whole class at the soccer team’s field. For the rest of the day, Atsumu had heard whispers about him and Chikara, an upperclassman and the soccer team captain, going on a date, and Atsumu couldn’t wait to tell them he was his boyfriend.
Atsumu had spent the whole day on a little cloud until after classes, Atsumu ran to the soccer field. He didn’t even listen to his bother asking him to be careful.
The thing was, Chikara wasn’t alone on the field. The whole soccer team was there, and they watched and laughed as Chikara tore Atsumu apart. Chikara explained to Atsumu how ashamed he was that someone like Atsumu could love him and that no one would love him simply because Atsumu was unlovable.
He remembers nodding and apologizing for his feelings before leaving the field. At home, he put on a brave face, brushing away Samu’s concern. He waited to be alone in the dark to cry and try to mend his broken heart.
He thought he had learned his lesson. He really did. Love quietly, never confessed, kept his love for himself but once again he had been an idiot and he had been late.
Again.
After his stupid confession and seeing Ushijima shirtless behind Omi, Atsumu ran to his apartment to lick his wounds. Or more cry in his pillow.
Thankfully, his apartment was close, right next to Omi’s.
He had heard Omi calling him and for once he even said his first name. Atsumu. It sounded beautiful with his voice.
Atsumu had slammed his door, locked it, and even put a chair behind it to block it.
Omi had his apartment's key since the incident. Atsumu sick thanks to the flu had passed out making Barnes, Meian, and Bokuto break his door. Omi had asked (or more ordered) to have a spare key to prevent the situation from happening again as he said. Inunaki said it was more because Omi had a panic attack seeing him unconscious and unresponding but Atsumu doubted of the libero’s words.
He thinks he heard Omi calling his name through the door and banging the door after trying to open it but Atsumu isn’t sure. Since he put his pillow on his face trying to suffocate himself and of his cries, he’s not sure if what he hears is real or his stupid mind hallucinating his prince charming coming to declare his love.
Kiyoomi was Atsumu’s love of his life but Atsumu wasn’t his and he needed to accept that.
Chikara was right. He was unlovable.
Atsumu cries and cries. He was an ugly crier. Everyone knew it. The team knew not to pick movies where a dog died because Atsumu, Bokuto, and Hinata wouldn’t stop crying. Atsumu cried when Barnes ate the last pudding that Atsumu kept hiding in the fridge as a reward after training. He cried after Osamu told him he didn’t want to become a pro athlete. He cried when their Ma told them their dad wouldn’t come home and was now in the stars.
He cried when Chikara rejected him. He cried when he lost the spring tournament. He cried during the first night he spent after he arrived at the MBSY and couldn’t call Samu since his brother was pursuing his own dream, away from him.
Atsumu cries and cries. His pillowcase is soaked with his tears but he doesn’t care.
He was late. Again. He missed his chance. He had been so dumb.
Of course, someone like Kiyoomi wouldn’t love him. Too loud, too much, unperfect. Unlovable.
Atsumu cries and cries but suddenly he hears a loud noise on his balcony. Maybe it’s a bird again. He still remembers when two months ago Tomas started screaming because a bird entered his apartment and he couldn’t get it out.
But Atsumu started hearing a voice and now he’s definitely sure he’s insane.
“Atsumu?”
Why Omi would be in his apartment calling him? Most importantly how?
Atsumu is sure he’s hallucinating again but the door opens letting the spiker’s form appear in the doorframe.
“Atsumu?”
Omi is breathless, his hair curly hair messy still wearing his oversize hoodie and grey sweatpants.
Atsumu blinked and rubbed his eyes so hard he saw stars but Kiyoomi was still in his bedroom’s door frame.
“What the fuck? How didja come in?”
Atsumu saw a blush growing on Omi’s cheek and now he was sure he was hallucinating because there was no way Omi blushed because of him. Nah.
“I jumped on your balcony.”
Atsumu blinked. “Ya did what?”
“I jumped on your balcony. You blocked your door and didn’t respond to my calls or texts. So I jumped.”
Atsumu grabbed his phone and saw 28 missed calls and 56 texts from Omi. He whispered. “Ya fuckin’ jumped on my balcony.”
Kiyoomi nodded.
“We are at the fuckin’ fourth floor Omi!”
“You blocked your door and you weren’t answering me. You.” Kiyoomi blushed even more. “You confessed and ran away Miya.”
Atsumu felt his face burn with humiliation. He threw his pillow in Kiyoomi’s direction but the spiker easily dodged.
“Get the fuck out of ma apartment.”
“No.”
“Omi-”
“No. I’m not leaving.”
Atsumu felt cornered in his own bedroom, in his own apartment and what was the best defense? Attack.
“I dontcha wantta see yer face Sakusa so get out.”
Omi flinched but didn’t move. “No. We need to talk.”
“And I dontcha wantta talk to ya so get out Sakusa and go back to Ushijima.”
“No, I’m not leaving. Not until I tell you how much I love you.”
Atsumu sees red. How dare he? How dare Omi mock his feelings?
“Fuck ya! How dare ya!” He grabbed his second pillow and threw it as hard as he could in Omi’s face but the spiker dodged it again. “Dontcha dare pity me or lie ta me!”
“When was the last time I pitied you or lied to you?”
“Get out!”
“No.” Omi advanced, slowly as if Atsumu was a scared animal, “I’m not leaving.”
Atsumu looked away frantically trying to find something to throw at Omi’s face but Omi gently took his hands.
“I love you Atsu.”
“Shuddap.”
Omi cupped his face with his right hand wiping his tears away and with his left hand brought Atsumu’s hands against his torso. “Do you feel it? How fast and strong my heart beats for you? I love you Atsu. I want that small wedding and we will wear matching suits. I want that house we will pick together and turn into our home with you. I want our children to have your eyes, the same one I fell in love with when I was sixteen. I want dogs and cats that you will name after your favorite Pokemon.”
Atsumu sniffed “Entei and Mudkip.”
Kiyoomi smiled. “Entei and Mudkip.” He wiped his tears again. “I love you. So much.”
Atsumu knows he should accept it. He knows but he can’t. Omi deserves better.
He sobbed again. “Dontcha. Dontcha pick me. Dontcha choose me. Choose Ushijima, go back to him.”
Omi slightly frowned. “You keep talking about Ushijima, but I only want you Atsu.”
Atsumu rolled his eyes. “He was shirtless in yer apartment Omi. I’m not stupid.”
“We have known each other for years, he asked if we could see each other because he need help to confess his feelings toward Tendou. And he was shirtless because,” Omi’s face turned bright red and he looked away. “Barnes posted a picture of the team at Josie’s and tagged you and I saw you wearing the black shirt with two open buttons and I saw your collarbone so I dropped my mug of tea on Ushijima.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.” He looked back at Atsumu. “I choose you, I pick you, I want you. In all timelines, in all possibilities, only you. I love you Atsu. More than anything.” He slowly approached and briefly looked at his lips before meeting Atsumu’s eyes again making the setter blush hard. “I love you Miya Atsumu.”
Atsumu whispered back against Kiyoomi’s lips. “I love ya ta Omi.”
Atsumu doesn’t who closed the gap between them but he doesn’t care. Omi kissed him softly, sweetly, lovingly. His lips were soft and Atsumu could taste green tea, Omi’s favorite tea. Atsumu felt warmth bloom in his chest as they continued kissing. They parted to breathe but Omi immediately started brushing his lips with his own.
“I can’t wait to grow old with you.”
Atsumu looked at Kiyoomi and fuck he was so beautiful.
“Me ta Omi.”
— — —
Atsumu woke up and grabbed his phone from the nightstand to check his time.
6:30
He turned off his phone and lay down in his bed again. He cracked an eye and smiled. Omi was still sleeping and between them, their two children were asleep as well. Akio their baby boy was starfishing in the middle of the bed while Mio their baby girl was curled up against her dad. The five-year-old twins had both Atsumu’s eyes and Kiyoomi’s smile, the same one Atsumu fell in love with when he was sixteen. They also had moles like their dad.
Entei their golden retriever was sleeping at the foot of the bed with Midkip, their ragdoll, stretching and leaving the bedroom probably hungry.
Atsumu looked back at his husband and Omi cracked an eye. “What time is it?”
“Early.”
Omi rubbed his nose against Mio’s black hair, “Go back to sleep then.”
“‘Kay.”
Omi closed his eyes again and his breathing slowed down. Atsumu smiled. “I love ya Omi. So much.”
Kiyoomi smiled, “I love you too Atsu.”
Mio whispered, “I love Papa and dada ta.”
“Me ta.” said Akio and turned on his side to curl up against his papa.
Atsumu smiled wider. He curled his arms around Akio’s small body and buried his nose into his son’s hair. He smiled seeing his husband and daughter asleep. A couple of years ago, he thought he had been late, that he had missed his chance to live with the love of his life but for once in his life, he might have been right on time.