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Atsumu Miya, known amongst his fans for his killer volleyball skills, charming smile, and charismatic personality, found himself in an unexpected situation. Volleyball practice was canceled for that day, meaning he had more free time. Although he would have preferred spending his time practicing the skill he prioritized most, the people around him convinced him enough to do otherwise for that day.
As he walks through the bustling hallways of Inarizaki High School, he is approached by several student groups wanting to invite him out for the afternoon once school was over. It was somewhat overwhelming, even for Atsumu. Sure, he gets why he’s so popular, but even for him, all this attention feels like a stretch. Don’t these students have better things to do with their free time?
On the other hand, this attention only reinforced the fact that his skill is what got him to this current position. It may have annoyed him from time to time, but it sure as hell boosted his ego, if even a little bit. He was one of the most popular and sought-after second-year students in the school.Despite the unneeded attention he was receiving, there was one that caught his eye immediately.
It was from Aran Ojiro, his ace and dependable third-year boyfriend.
Outside of the members of the team, their relationship by that point was not made “public” just yet. That was to change eventually, of course. For now, they’re just deciding to take things one step at a time.Aran was known for his calm and composed demeanor, a prominent contrast to Atsumu’s boisterous nature. They have known each other since elementary school and have yet to leave each other’s side—although Aran has jokingly questioned (many times) why he hasn’t done so already. They’re your typical “childhood friends to lovers” pair.
Aran sends a text to Atsumu around the time first period ends.
𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗻: Hey, Tsumu. Looks like I caught a cold. Luckily it was on a cancelled practice day. Anyway, don’t go lookin’ for me ‘cause I’m home today.
A small frown replaces Atsumu’s otherwise relaxed expression as he immediately types out a response.
𝗔𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗺𝘂: Dude, seriously? Ya shoulda told me sooner! I’m passing by after school and there’s nothin’ ya can do about it.
𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗻: C’mon, don’t be that way. It’s just a small cold, nothin’ for you to worry about. I woulda went to school today had it not been for my ma.
𝗔𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗺𝘂: Not hearin’ it. I’ll be at ya house right after school whether ya like it or not. Now take care. Love ya.
𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗻: Whatever ya say, Tsumu. Love ya more.
Atsumu’s fingers linger on the screen, his face breaking into a small smile.
Atsumu’s always had a big heart, even though it has always been hidden by his determination to succeed or his high expectations for his friends and teammates. However, ever since he started dating Aran, his priorities had shifted. Don’t get him wrong, his passion for volleyball is still there, and he acts accordingly to it. However, Aran’s unspoken strength and unwavering support have also captured his heart in a way he could never have anticipated. Although their differences, they have been in support of one another since forever. None of them, though, could have predicted their shared interest in volleyball and their connection would change their views of each other into a more romantic aspect.
They’re in love—and definitely did not see it coming.
As the school day comes to an end, Atsumu has to unfortunately decline the team’s invitation to go out for the evening. He hates having to turn down an opportunity to eat out with his friends, but he has a promise to fulfill. His friends were bummed but knew immediately what the reason was.
“Don’t overdo it now. He’s still sick, y’know,” Osamu says, blatantly taunting his twin brother.
Atsumu only grumbles back as he rolls his eyes.
“The hell d’ya mean by that?! I’m obviously only visitin’ him, dumbass.”
“If our ace ends up missing another day though, it’ll clearly be yer fault,” Suna speaks up.
“Shut yer trap, will ya?!!”
**
With his bag slung over his shoulder, Atsumu heads for Aran’s apartment. He knocks softly on the door once reaching it, patiently waiting for the door to open. His heart starts to pound as the door takes a while to open. He then starts to panic slightly, questioning if he should’ve passed by the store and got him a gift or a “get well soon” snack. Before he could make a change of plans though, the door swings open to reveal Aran, his usually composed expression replaced with a drained, pale visage. He mentioned to Atsumu that it wasn’t anything serious, but his facial expression signaled otherwise.
Atsumu’s concern increases as he steps inside, closing the door behind him.
“Hey, Aran. Ya look like yer in rough shape,” Atsumu says in an attempt to lower the tense atmosphere in the air.
Aran manages a weak smile.
“Oh really, I wonder how ya figured that much out?” he responds sarcastically, chuckling quite softly for a mere few seconds before releasing a cough.
Atsumu scoffs lightly as he snorts before bringing up the back of his hand to Aran’s forehead. His eyebrows raise in shock due to the temperature.
“Oi, didn’t ya say it was a small cold? Yer burnin’ up!”
Aran winces from the sudden change in volume.
“It was just a cold. I didn’t think it would turn into a fever,” he mutters softly as he slowly trudges his way back up to his room.
“Don’t worry though, it’ll go away—I’m sure.”
“I’m still gonna worry, y’know,” Atsumu responds while rushing past the male to open up the door for him.
Seeing his boyfriend in such a state really broke him, even if it was something as common as a fever. He watches Aran then walk into the room and silently drop himself onto the bed.
The room goes quiet for a moment, the only sound being Atsumu’s steps as he walks over and sits on the edge of Aran’s bed.
“Yer important to me, got it?”
“I’m not dying, y’know,” Aran says, his eyes softening at the sight of the younger male.
As much as he’d hate to admit it, this was one of the many reasons he fell in love with the setter. Despite his words, Atsumu made it very clear that he has a big heart. He cares deeply for his family, friends—everyone that meant something important to him.
Even when he hides it behind his seriousness, the love is still there.
“And yer important to me too, even if ya act like a goofball most of the time.”
“Hey! Ya don’t mean that.”
“Do I?”
Atsumu snorts.
Even in Aran’s current state, he still has the energy to tease him. It was one of the many things that kept their relationship fun and alive. Even as a couple, they still treat each other like childhood friends.
According to their teammates though, they have been more—touchy—whatever that was supposed to mean. Atsumu doesn’t believe he’s all that physical with Aran in public besides the occasional slaps and pats on the back.
Well, actually… the often pats, slaps, and high fives here and there.
It seems the more Atsumu truly thinks about it, the more he realizes how often he’s always touching Aran. Not in a weird way, of course, but he can somewhat understand why his teammates would believe them to be very touchy. But it’s hard not to be. He’s already used to being around Aran a lot of the time—since their elementary years. It’s only natural they became even closer now that they’re a couple.
On the other hand, Aran’s been softer.
He’ll still slap his shoulder from time to time when he starts getting rowdy (particularly with Samu), but then he’ll pat his head or give his shoulder a quick rub to get him back in his groove.
It was small, but it still left shivers down Atsumu’s back just about every time.
The setter shifts his focus back to the ace, who was silent and had his eyes shut. Wanting to help his boyfriend in any way he can, he gets up and steps out the room for a moment. He barely steps out the door before Aran asks in a whisper,
“Yer leavin’?”
To this, Atsumu replies with a quick, “No,” as he looks into the closet and finds a small, clean rag to use.
Aran didn’t have much energy to question his lover more, so he simply sinks more into his bed and keeps his eyes shut. He wasn’t one to get sick often, but when he does, he hates it every single time. He hates feeling sick, and he’s not at all fond of being seen in such a state—especially by his boyfriend. It isn’t because of embarrassment; rather, he doesn’t want Atsumu to feel some sort of responsibility over him. Aran knows him well, and he knows he’d take it upon himself to be sure he was cured.
He’d hate to admit it, but he deeply enjoyed that sense of being important in Atsumu’s eyes.
At the same time, he knows this is just a small sickness that he can easily get over with some sleep and lots of fluids.
The room was silent, and Aran attempts to fall asleep so he didn’t have to listen to his loud thoughts echo in a quiet space. However, his senses are heightened when he feels something cold come into contact with his forehead. He groans as he slowly opens his eyes to the sight of Atsumu fixing up a damp cloth against his head. His eyes soften despite the uncomfortable feeling, but he wasn’t surprised. If anything, he expected it someway, somehow.
“Don’t give me that look,” Atsumu starts before breaking into a smile—a smile Aran loved to see.
“The team left it up to me to be sure yer in top shape by tomorrow.”
Aran stares up at him before smiling slightly.
“Well if that’s the case, then it looks like I’ll be stuck here till next week.”
Atsumu gawks at the male, then stifles a brief laugh in amusement before responding.
“Kidding. I’m completely in your care, Tsumu.”
The soft and mellow tone of Aran’s voice left Atsumu’s face suddenly red and heated. It definitely caught him off guard—and of course, Aran notices this.
“Something wrong—?”
“Nothing! Just relax, and no talking!!”
Atsumu then chuckles, his worries momentarily erased by Aran’s familiar teasing.
They spend the evening talking softly, with Atsumu occasionally breaking into one of his signature playful grins, eliciting a chuckle from Aran. As the night wore on, Atsumu felt more than happy to be at Aran’s side. Although there was only so much the latter could do, the setter was still content. Sure, he would’ve felt happier to be able to cuddle him as they watched and critiqued yet another sports movie or binge-watched sport matches.
Even so, he was exactly where he wanted to be—by Aran’s side.
His heart swells with affection as he looks at the person who had become his anchor, his source of comfort and strength. Overwhelmed by these thoughts, he attempts to lean in close to Aran for a kiss while the spiker’s eyes were closed. Of course, at the last second, he is stopped with a hand against his chest. He pouts as he makes eye contact with his sick boyfriend.
“Nuh uh, Tsumu. I’m not lettin’ ya catch what I got, ya hear me?”
“I won’t get sick! Promise!!”
“How ya know?”
Pause.
“I don’t get sick!!”
“Yeah, right. Just wait till tomorrow, okay? Then you can kiss me as much as ya like.”