Work Text:
Atsumu groans, rubbing his face with his palm in annoyance.
Seriously? Of all days, why did it have to be today? I had promised the twins to cook for them tonight but then… fucking hell. Ah, right, gotta call Omi about this too.
The blonde omega reaches for his phone that’s placed inside the pocket of his suit jacket. He goes through his contacts before pressing on the one that he’s been reaching out to the most. Atsumu’s fingers press on the keyboard for a few seconds before erasing the sentence and changing it to something else.
…Call me when yer free. It’s important…. And sent!
Atsumu didn’t even manage to leave his office for lunch when not even two minutes later, the phone in his hand vibrates and the familiar ringtone echoes in his office. He accepts the call as he makes his way to the company’s cafeteria with his lunch bag in hand.
The call connects. “Hey, what happened?” A deep voice asks, his tone smooth and calm. It was Kiyoomi. “Work.” Atsumu answers with a groan. He makes his way to the elevator, waving at the familiar people he walks past.
“Bokkun suddenly scheduled a last-minute meeting for the Mizuki House Project we are working on. I promised the twins to cook for them tonight and I was planning on shopping for some ingredients with them after I pick them up, but I don’t even think I’m able to pick them up on time tonight.” Atsumu lets out a deep sigh, rushing towards the drink station of the cafeteria. “Hi, Takahashi-san!” He briefly greets the lady in charge of the buffet. He hears a hum on the other end of the line.
The blonde omega then goes to refill his water bottle before grabbing a cup to fill it with juice. “I can take the twins to shop for ingredients.” Kiyoomi says, the sound of rustling papers obvious in the background. “Ya sure? Ya aren’t busy or anything? It’s my turn to have them for this month after all.” Atsumu asks to make sure as he makes his way towards an empty seat.
“Don’t worry about it. Do you still have time to cook for them? I can always have them for tonight if you’re busy.” The blonde shakes his head but then realizes that the alpha wouldn’t be able to see him. “Nah, I can cook for ‘em. Just wouldn’t be able to pick ‘em up and go grocery shopping.” Atsumu answers, taking out the lunchbox he had prepared earlier this morning from his bag.
Kiyoomi lets out another hum. “Okay, send me a list of what to buy and I’ll take care of it.” Atsumu takes a sip of the cold, sweet juice. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” He says into the phone.
After a few seconds of silence, the alpha asks a question. “Have you eaten yet?”
“I’m actually about to eat right now.” The omega answers. “How about ya?” Atsumu asks in return.
“I already ate.” Kiyoomi replies. The blonde omega lets out a hum.
“That’s good. Anyway, I gotta go now. Tell the twins that I’m sorry I couldn’t take ‘em shopping.” The alpha replies with an alright and enjoy your meal before hanging up the phone. With a quiet sigh, Atsumu turns his phone off and places it back in his suit jacket pocket.
“Was that your husband?”
The omega looks up and sees Nakamura Kaito who just got newly transferred from their company’s Okinawa branch. Atsumu loosens his tie a bit. “Ah, no… not exactly.” The omega awkwardly replies. Nakamura looks at him with an expression that’s half in shock and the other half in confusion. He looked like he had some questions but he opted to not ask anything. He probably didn’t want to offend his superior with any unnecessary questions.
“I see,” The alpha responds instead with a small nod as he sits down across Atsumu. The blonde omega doesn’t say anything and just gives him a tiny smile. The two of them then eat in a pretty awkward silence.
Atsumu doesn’t blame him for being curious, especially with him being new to the office, but Atsumu isn’t the type to share his personal life unless necessary. And Nakamura is bound to find out in the future anyway. Maybe it is from gossip or maybe if Atsumu feels like answering questions. (Only if he’s brave enough to ask them in the first place.)
But yes, Sakusa Kiyoomi is not Atsumu’s husband. Not his boyfriend, not his ex-husband either. Instead, Kiyoomi is his ex-boyfriend.
To be precise, he is his ex-boyfriend that he dated back in high school and broke up with after two years of being together in their third year of high school.
Atsumu had vowed to himself after their breakup that he would honor the reason for their separation and stop all contact with the alpha. And it was easy, especially since they both went to different schools. It was seriously easy, (sure, Atsumu cried and cried but, that’s not important here) well, that’s how it was at first.
And then, Atsumu found out that he was pregnant.
A third-year senior in high school who’s about to graduate in two months is pregnant with his ex’s baby. Atsumu was a mess.
He always felt sick, sick because of the morning sickness, sick because he can’t keep crying like this but can’t stop anyway, and sick because he knows that he can’t do this alone by himself.
Atsumu wanted to call up what was supposed to be his alpha, but the words he had confidently told Kiyoomi echoed in his head.
All that speech about how he felt trapped in their relationship because he was getting too dependent on the alpha. How he wanted to grow as a person and explore the world without being tied down. How he wanted to prove to himself first before he can truly commit to a relationship that Kiyoomi is looking for.
But underneath all that grandeur words about his future and his dreams is all but just a boy who was insecure in his own relationship.
Atsumu couldn’t stop comparing his achievements with Kiyoomi’s. He couldn’t stop comparing their lives, with how Kiyoomi had a complete family while he only had his twin brother with him. He felt insecure that Kiyoomi had a house so big and grand while he lives in a two-bedroom rundown apartment. He felt like he wasn’t and will never be enough for someone like Kiyoomi.
It drove him crazy, it made him feel sick. Sick of himself. He hated how he was feeling. He hated how he could think like that, think so negatively.
He hated how even though he loved Kiyoomi so much, he just couldn’t love himself in that relationship.
So, he broke free from the chains that held him back. It was only when he had escaped the cage that did he realize that, no , that wasn’t a cage. Kiyoomi wasn’t a cage because he had always been his anchor keeping him from drifting away.
And now that he’s gone in his life, nothing is there to stop him from straying aimlessly along with the tides and currents.
The universe yet continues to mock him as he now carries the embodiment of the love that was once shared between the two of them. A human being inside of him was growing. He was young, inexperienced but he found that he wasn’t as sad as he thought he was going to be. He didn’t think that this was a burden, instead, he was happy that a part of Kiyoomi was still with him.
But he didn’t think that Kiyoomi would think the same. He didn’t want to bother him. He was scared to tell him. So, he kept it a secret.
Osamu was there with him, supporting him, keeping his secret until they graduated.
Atsumu started doing jobs that weren’t too hard on his body while Osamu took on more shifts at the restaurant. It was hard but it was okay. They were managing it.
Four months into the pregnancy, Atsumu was showing now. He had also found out that he was carrying twins. The news was overwhelming. He had cried that day because he was carrying two bundles of joy instead of one. And sure, he got tired more easily. He was moodier and he was a mess, but he was happy.
Kiyoomi found out about his pregnancy during his sixth month. Motoya had seen Atsumu grocery shopping and immediately noticed the huge bump on his stomach. He quickly contacted his cousin and in turn, Kiyoomi contacted Atsumu.
Atsumu had never changed his number. He said that it was annoying to change it but secretly, he had hoped that if Kiyoomi wanted to contact him, it would be easier on the alpha to contact him that way. And because of that, Kiyoomi had managed to easily reconnect with him.
The omega knew that sooner or later, Kiyoomi would find out. They talked and Atsumu tried to tell him that it wasn’t his just because he didn’t want to be a burden. But Kiyoomi just told him you’ve always been bad at lying, Atsumu. And Atsumu couldn’t keep it in and told him the truth.
It took some convincing but they had both agreed to be a part of the babies’ lives. They were both going to be parents. Atsumu didn’t have to be alone.
In some way, he had managed to get back his anchor. Maybe not in the same way as before but he admits that he is happy to have him again in his life.
Now eight years later, they’re twenty-six-year-olds each with a stable job. Unmarried and unmated as they co-parent their eight-year-old sons. Living in denial that they are nothing but just co-parenting for the sake of the twins.
---
“Meeting adjourned!” The sounds of chairs scraping against the floor fills the room as everyone rises up from their seats.
The meeting had turned out longer than Atsumu had intended. He had wanted to at least catch up with Kiyoomi and the twins so he could grocery shop with them but that plan was thrown out the window as the meeting dragged on. Even so Atsumu hurried in tidying up his things before walking out of the meeting room in a flash.
He stops by his office first, packing his things neatly and then setting away the paper works and blueprints he needs to process tomorrow. He locks his office after making sure he didn’t leave any outlets on before rushing down towards the elevator.
As he was about to get on the elevator, Atsumu feels a vibration in his pocket then hears the ever so familiar ringtone. “Omi? Sorry, the meeting ran a bit later than expected. Are ya guys done shopping?” The omega answers the call, pressing on the elevator button to go down the basement level where the parking spaces are.
“Yeah, we just finished.” Kiyoomi replies. “But the twins wanted to pick you up, so we’re here in the lobby waiting for you.” He adds and before Atsumu could even reply, he had quickly ended the call. “Hey—but, I brought my car to work today…” Atsumu huffs as he shakes his head, his words met with silence as the alpha leaves him to deal with his problems by himself.
I’ll just ride the train to work tomorrow I guess?
The blonde quickly cancels the ride to the basement level and changes it to the ground floor instead. After a few minutes, he finally reaches the first floor where the lobby is situated. Immediately he is met with the sight of his two adorable twins sitting side by side on the lobby couch with their little legs dangling, Kiyoomi is standing next to them as he talks with someone.
Even from afar Atsumu could see that Kiyoomi really does stand out. With his long legs, clean pressed suit and his handsome stoic face. And maybe that’s why as Atsumu approaches them he could hear that the other person Kiyoomi was talking with was trying to flirt with him.
“My, how cute they are! Twins, right?” An employee that Atsumu doesn’t know the name of gushes, squealing over the twins. Atsumu sees Kiyoomi nod, a soft smile gracing his lips. Atsumu tries to ignore how his smile seemed to melt her heart, and maybe his too but he won’t admit that. “Are you three here to pick up your wife?” She asks with a small smile.
Her question makes Atsumu pause in his tracks. “I don’t have a wife,” Kiyoomi simply replies, no change in his face or tone whatsoever. “Ah, husband then?” She asks to which the alpha shakes his head slightly.
“Not my husband either,”
Atsumu feels a slight pang in his chest at the alpha’s words. But he quickly shakes it off because it’s true, they aren’t married. They aren’t together like that.
The blonde omega sees the woman’s eyes glint at his words. The same glint he has seen multiple people have in their eyes when they realize that Kiyoomi is a single dad. And every single time, Atsumu tries to act so that it never bothers him.
She tucks her hair behind her ear, batting his eyes up at Kiyoomi. “Well, one thing’s for sure is that the twins got their good looks from their dad.” She smiles sweetly, coyly giggling as she blatantly flirts with Kiyoomi. In front of his kids— their kids.
The alpha either didn’t understand her subtle advances or is simply feigning ignorance and just gives her a polite smile. “Thank you, they got their beautiful eyes from their baba.” Kiyoomi replies.
The woman looks at the twins, the boys blinking at her with their big beautiful brown eyes. “Ah, yeah, they are beautiful, but I was talking about their—” She couldn’t finish her sentence when the twins suddenly leapt up out of their seats.
“Baba!”
“Baba!”
The twins simultaneously exclaim as they run towards Atsumu after the two had seen the blonde approach. Kiyoomi turns toward him, slowly approaching him along with the twins.
“Hey, my babies!” Atsumu squats down to the kids’ level as he opens his arms in an open embrace. The two immediately jump in to hug their baba, giggling as Atsumu peppers them with kisses on their plump little faces.
Kiyoomi gives the two a pat on their head as he reaches them. “Hi, Atsu.” The alpha greets him with a small smile that was unlike the polite smiles he had given the other. Atsumu stands up from squatting. “Hey, Omi.” The blonde omega gives him a small grin.
Atsumu then turns toward the woman who was just talking to Kiyoomi who is now stunned in shock. “M-miya-san!” She stutters out, face pale and devoid of the coy look she had previously. The blonde omega normally would have greeted her with a smile but, after seeing her flirting with ( his ) Kiyoomi in front of their kids? He just gives her a small nod before turning away, not giving her any other attention.
“Baba is sorry to not have gone grocery shopping with ya two, will ya forgive yer baba?” Atsumu says, exaggerating a frown as he pleads with the boys. Chihiro, with his short curly hair and his cute mole near his lower mouth, pouts—cheeks protruding cutely. “We wanted to go with ya…” He mumbles quietly, clutching his brother’s hand.
Fumihiro nods rapidly, cheeks puffing out as he huffs. His longer curly hair swaying along his nods, squinting his eyes at his papa—his lovely mole under his left eye crinkling as he squints. “We were sad y’know, baba!” He exclaims, holding his twin’s hand.
Atsumu’s heart melts at their cute little actions. “I know, baba is really sorry, I’m super-duper, extra sad to not have gone shopping with my babies too!” The omega leans down, pouting as he puts his hands together as he begs for forgiveness. “Can my two babies forgive their baba?” Atsumu pleads.
The twins look at each other, silently communicating with their eyes. Then they turn to look at Atsumu, no longer pouting. “We forgive ya, papa! Please don’t be sad anymore!” The twins declare in unison, tugging both Atsumu’s hands. The blonde omega grins at the twins. “Thank ya, my darlings! Baba isn’t sad anymore because his babies are such cuties!” The three of them share a little hug, the two boys giggling happily.
Kiyoomi lets out a small chuckle. “Does dada not get a hug too?” He says, trying to sound sad. At his words the twins immediately run up to him. Kiyoomi squats down to accept their hugs with a huge grin on his face.
Atsumu looks at this scene, his heart about to burst out of his chest at how this makes him so, so, so happy.
“Anyway, shall we go home and eat yer baba’s world-famous curry?” The twin’s cheer loudly at his words, prompting the two of them to hurry up home.
The four of them make their way to Kiyoomi’s car and quickly set off to their shared house. They both had decided to live in the same house for the convenience as they also want the twins to live in an environment where both of them are as present as they can be. And so, Architect Sakusa Kiyoomi had designed the exterior of the house while Interior Designer Miya Atsumu had designed the interior of the house. Together they built a safe home for their children.
They may not be married, nor mates, nor are they together in that way—they are still a family, one way or another.
---
Atsumu doesn’t think that they are less than any other families out there, but there are just certain moments that remind him that they are indeed not like any other stereotypical families.
And today just so happened to be one of those days that serves as his painful reminder.
They are currently out in a park specially made for families with small children. Today was one of the rare days where their schedules aligned, having their day offs at the same time. So, the two of them took this chance to take the twins to the park. The boys have been pestering them about it as well, so it was the perfect timing.
Atsumu had prepared an amazing spread of the boys’ favorite food for their lunch. Kiyoomi brought the picnic necessities such as the table cloth, plates and the cutleries they needed. They got themselves comfy in one of the picnic tables that the park provided.
The two of them play with the twins alternately: one of them plays with the twins on the playground while the other one stays at the table to look out for their things. The twins were extra energetic, they ran around and chased each other. They even made friends with the other kinds in the playground.
After a while, the two of them soon got hungry from all the running around so they made their way towards the table.
It was Atsumu’s turn to play with the kids, so that leaves Kiyoomi alone at the table. The twins run to Kiyoomi hand in hand as Atsumu trails after them slowly. He had to admit that he was tired after all that action with the kids so he took his time walking to them as he caught his breath.
The boys reach the alpha first, screaming about how they were sooooooo hungry that they felt like they could eat a whole cow, a phrase they learned from none other than their Uncle Samu. Atsumu laughs to himself as he could practically hear the twins’ screams.
And apparently that means the other people on the tables next to them could hear it too. An old woman on the table next to them laughs out loud heartily, exclaiming about how cute the two boys are. She asks the twins their names and how old they were to which the two of them happily answer her.
“My name is Fumihiro! I’m in third grade which means I’m eight years old!” Fumihiro replies, posing with his hands on his hip and with his chest out as he grins proudly at his self-introduction. The old woman smiles warmly at him, chuckling at his small yet proud stature.
“How about you, son?” She asks, giving Chihiro a warm smile too. “Hello, I’m Chihiro… I’m eight years old as well.” He introduces himself, a little bit shyer than his other twin. “And oh, I’m in third grade too.” Chihiro adds with a huff, also proud of himself. The old woman lets out a hearty laugh. “I see, you two are so cute!” She gushes.
She then turns towards Kiyoomi. “The two of them look just like you, very handsome.” She says to the alpha with a laugh. Atsumu agrees with her words. The twins look 90% like Kiyoomi with their dark curly hair and moles, meanwhile Atsumu got the 10% which are the brown eyes the twins have.
Kiyoomi lets out a low chuckle at that, his own way of responding. The old woman then nudges the man next to him. “He looks exactly like your type, doesn’t he?” She teases him. And that’s when Atsumu finally notices the man, presumably an omega, next to her who’s looking at Kiyoomi with the ever so familiar glinting eyes.
His blue eyes widened at the old woman’s words. “Mom! Don’t just say that, what if his partner hears you?!” He whisper-shouts, red in the face in embarrassment. He then looks up at Kiyoomi, tucking the longer front pieces of his black hair behind his ear. “I’m so sorry about my mom, I hope I didn’t offend you and your partner…” He apologizes, but Atsumu can clearly see the faint blush on his cheeks.
“He seems like a single dad to me, it’s been a few minutes and I haven’t seen anyone with him…” The old woman whispers but it was still loud enough for them to hear.
Atsumu feels that ever so familiar pang in his chest again. He feels overwhelmed in this feeling, this feeling that he can’t quite pinpoint what is.
He makes his way closer to the table, finally reaching them.
The twins immediately come to him. “Baba! There ya are!” Chihiro cries out, tugging him forward as he grabs on to his right hand. “Ya walk too slow, baba!” Fumihiro exclaims as he also tugs Atsumu forward, clutching his left hand.
“I’m sorry, my darlings. Ya two rascals tired out yer baba with all that running!” Atsumu replies, making a show of huffing and puffing as if to show the twins that he was tired. The boys immediately make a fuss, making him sit down. Atsumu laughs at their reaction, pouts on their face as if regretting that they had caused their precious baba to be tired!
Kiyoomi offers him a cup filled with cold sweet tea. “Are you okay?” The alpha asks with concern. Atsumu lets out a chuckle. “Yeah, I was just exaggerating.” He says as he takes a sip of the juice.
“Are ya okay now, baba?” Chihiro asks, his big brown eyes looking at the omega in concern. He pats his baba on the back gently. “Drink more sweet tea, baba!” Fumihiro says, helping Kiyoomi refill Atsumu’s cup. “Thank ya, my babies. Yer baba is okay now, I mean, who wouldn’t be after ya two gave me so much care?” Atsumu responds, giving his boys each a kiss on their squishy cheeks.
The twins let out giggles, asking for more kisses which Atsumu is more than happy to oblige.
In the corner of his eye, he could see the old woman had an embarrassed look, trying to avoid eye contact with him. He meets the blue-eyed man’s envious gaze. Atsumu looks at him and slowly smirks before returning his attention back to his precious babies.
Yeah, we aren’t like your stereotypical family but, we still are family no matter what.
---
Atsumu isn’t by any means a people pleaser. In fact, you would say that he is the total opposite of that. But that doesn’t mean he would go out of his way to be rude. He’s not a people pleaser but that doesn’t mean he isn’t polite.
But there’s just something he absolutely hates about people who can’t seem to take the hint.
Like right now. This teacher just seems to not take the hint. Honestly, why is he even still a teacher here if he just keeps on flirting with Kiyoomi like this in front of his kids and the father who birthed said kids?
Okay, let’s backtrack a little.
Atsumu and Kiyoomi typically have schedules on who is assigned on bringing the kids to school and who picks up the kids from school. It’s one of the many chores the two of them have split to make their lives a little easier.
Parent-teacher meetings have always been easy for them, especially during the twin’s younger years, but now that the two of them are in elementary school and are in two different classes, Kiyoomi and Atsumu both had to be present.
Which is exactly the case for today. Usually the two of them would have to take the day off specifically just to attend these meetings, but today’s meeting was held during the international children’s day—which so happens to be the weekend.
Atsumu and Kiyoomi randomly decide on which twin’s class to go which ends up with Atsumu going with Chihiro while Kiyoomi is going with Fumihiro. The two of them took one car to make it easier which means Atsumu passed the responsibility of driving to the alpha.
And so, this is why Atsumu is faced with this current predicament.
Chihiro’s class meeting wrapped up faster than Fumihiro’s class so, Atsumu had made his way to the latter’s classroom. Even though the omega knew where his son’s classroom was, Chihiro made a show of guiding his baba to where his brother’s room is. Atsumu felt an arrow pierce through his chest at how cute his little baby is!
The blonde had expected the classroom to still be full of people, but was surprised to see that not many were there and were mostly just about to leave the room. Atsumu looks around in the classroom and sees Kiyoomi talking with Fumihiro’s homeroom teacher as their little baby is asleep in his dada’s arms.
Atsumu sneakily took a picture at the sight before entering the classroom. He makes his way towards the small podium in the classroom with Chihiro holding his hand as he trails beside him. But what he hears the homeroom teacher’s words make him pause.
“Why haven’t you replied to my texts, Sakusa-san? I was waiting, you know…” The teacher, Sato-san, says as he bats his eyelashes up at the alpha. Atsumu could see that Kiyoomi was getting impatient but still decided to be polite to his son’s teacher.
“I’m sorry, it seems like I didn’t see them.” Kiyoomi replies, his hand gently patting Fumihiro’s back. “Was it something important regarding Fumi?” He adds as a question, giving Sato-san a polite smile. Kiyoomi then turns towards Atsumu. “Oh, you guys are already here.”
The blonde omega gives him a smile, his smile looking a bit more forced than he intended it to be. Sato doesn’t even spare Atsumu a single glance, his sticky gaze never leaving the alpha’s face. “It wasn’t really about Fumihiro-kun… It was more so about you…” The beta says, shyly looking at the alpha, the blush on his cheeks very prominent.
Atsumu just stands there, baffled at his boldness. Kiyoomi doesn’t say anything, but his eyebrows start to furrow. Sato didn’t seem to take the hint or is purposely ignoring it as he leans in towards Kiyoomi. “Hey, so I was wondering… you’re single, right? If you don’t mind, I’d love to go on a date with you.” The redhead beta drawls out his question, biting his lips flirtatiously.
He didn’t care if they had an audience. He didn’t care if Kiyoomi’s kids were there and he sure as fuck doesn’t care that the man who birthed Kiyoomi’s said kids is in the room with them. Atsumu was fuming. He felt insulted, he wanted to tell this son of a bitch to stay in his lane.
But Atsumu doesn’t. Not because he’s scared or is too much of a coward to do so, but it’s because he knows that he has no right to be mad. Because yes, Kiyoomi is single. He’s a dad but he’s definitely single. And Atsumu can’t fight against him in that aspect because he’s merely co-parenting with him. That’s it.
So, he stands there. Atsumu stands there and pretends he doesn’t exist as he anxiously awaits Kiyoomi’s response. But before the alpha could even say anything, Chihiro suddenly breaks free from Atsumu’s hold on him and clings on Kiyoomi’s waist.
“No! Dada belongs to baba! No, no, no!” Chihiro cries out, face red as tears slide down his cheeks. Atsumu snaps out of his trance and hurriedly squats down to Chihiro’s level, trying to calm down his son. The blonde tries to pry him away but his hold on Kiyoomi’s suit was strong.
Chihiro shakes his head. “No! Don’t take dada away from baba and us! No! Ya can’t!” He screams as he cries and cries, the sound breaking Atsumu’s heart to pieces. Sato looks around in panic, the other parents and children look at the commotion, whispering to themselves. “No, I… I didn’t—I’m not…Uhm...” Sato meekly defends himself.
The sound of Chihiro’s cries wake Fumihiro up. He looks at his brother who’s crying and immediately starts crying too. “Fumi, hic, don’t let the bad man take dada away, hic , from baba and us!” Chihiro points at Sato as he tries his best to wipe his tears away. Fumihiro registers his twin’s words and cries even harder.
“Don’t do that! Don’t take dada away from us! No!” Fumihiro cries out, hugging Kiyoomi by the neck as tears fall down. The alpha squats down, taking the twins into his embrace. “Hey, it’s okay, don't cry anymore. No one is taking your dada away, okay?” Kiyoomi whispers to the two of them, hugging the boys tight.
The twins start to settle down. “Really? Ya won’t leave baba and us?” Chihiro asks, his eyes glassy with tears. Kiyoomi nods. Fumihiro wipes his tears. “Ya promise?” Kiyoomi gives them a nod once again.
“I solemnly swear to promise to never, ever , not in this lifetime, leave you two and your baba.”
Atsumu feels his heart clench, throbbing at the other’s words. He feels the slight prickle in his eyes as tears well up, but he blinks the tears away—not wanting to shed any of them today. Not now, maybe later on when he’s alone in his room.
He knows that Kiyoomi only said that to appease the kids. He knows that the alpha wouldn’t always be with them in the future. He knows that at some point, Kiyoomi is going to fall in love with someone else.
Atsumu is once again reminded that Kiyoomi isn’t his.
---
That night, the twins requested for the four of them to sleep in one bed. After the prior event, the two of them immediately agreed.
Kiyoomi offered for them to sleep in his room to which Atsumu agreed.
After the mandatory bedtime story, the twins quickly fell asleep snuggled between the two of them. Kiyoomi followed the boys soon after, but Atsumu lay down there deep in his thoughts.
It’s only after he had silently cried that he had managed to fall asleep.
---
“Baba, pleaseeeee !”
“Pretty please?”
Atsumu took one look at the puppy eyes the twins threw his way and he was convinced.
Today was Saturday and despite it being the weekend, Kiyoomi was unfortunate to be called into work due to an error that needed to be fixed as soon as possible. Because of that, the twins were super bummed out since they wanted to hang out with their dada.
Atsumu appeased the twins by taking them out to visit their Uncle Samu. The kids enjoyed going around Onigiri Miya and especially enjoyed getting the free food they get from their beloved uncle just by looking up at him cutely. But as they were eating, Fumihiro suddenly got a brilliant idea of wanting to bring his dada some lunch in his office.
It just so happened that Kiyoomi didn't have the time to prepare a lunchbox for himself nor had the time to wait for Atsumu to make it for him. The twins also knew that, meaning Atsumu couldn’t use the excuse that their dad has lunch with him against the two of them.
The omega couldn’t think of another excuse to use on the twins which led to the two of them pleading Atsumu with their best tactic: puppy eyes. The blonde was hit where he was the weakest and couldn’t resist the boys so, he ended up agreeing to their little surprise plan.
Atsumu ordered some to-go umeboshi onigiris, Kiyoomi’s favorite, and then set out with the twins to the alpha’s company.
And it was going to be a fun surprise. The twins get to see their dada’s office, get to deliver the meal and then leave. That was how it was to go… but now, Atsumu stands outside Kiyoomi’s office. The view in front of him slowly breaks his heart just like how he wants to break the glass window that separates them.
He sees Kiyoomi talking with a woman he doesn’t recognize. He knows Kiyoomi’s secretary and he knows that that’s not her. He doesn’t know who this woman could be to be able to make Kiyoomi give her a genuine smile.
He doesn’t know who this woman is to be able to make Kiyoomi laugh like that . He doesn’t know who she is and why she can casually touch Kiyoomi like that.
Atsumu doesn’t know what they’re happily talking about when he can’t hear their conversation that’s locked behind the closed door. But he can clearly see them. See how relaxed the alpha is around that person’s presence.
But somewhere at the back of Atsumu’s head is screaming that he knows. That he perfectly knows who that is. Maybe, just maybe it’s the woman Kiyoomi’s heart belongs to.
Atsumu sees them walking towards the door, still talking so happily. Atsumu feels that pang in his chest again. Of course, he does.
Kiyoomi opens the door for her, and they look so good together.
“It was so nice to be able to talk to you again. I would love to meet the kids if possible next time.” Atsumu hears her say, her voice mellow and pleasant.
Oh, they’re already at the stage where she wants to meet the kids already?
Kiyoomi gives her a small smile. “Of course, and don’t worry, I’ll tell mother about what you said.”
Ah, they’ve also met each other’s parents? So, they’re serious huh…
Atsumu sees them share a hug. He sees her lean in, maybe to give him a kiss?
But before she could continue with her actions, Atsumu couldn’t stop himself from loudly clearing his throat.
The two of them turn around at the sound. Kiyoomi’s expression turns to a surprised one before quickly changing back to normal. “Atsu? What are you guys doing here?” The alpha asks.
The twins look up at him expectantly. He had told the kids beforehand to not make any noise or run around the place or he would not let them see their dada’s office. The two of them had behaved so well that they didn’t run to Kiyoomi the moment they saw him. So, Atsumu nods at the twins, indicating that they were free to run up to him now.
The two of them immediately rush towards the alpha. “We went to Samu’s for lunch and the kids wanted to give ya a little surprise and bring ya some onigiris.” Atsumu replies, his voice being more stable than he thought it would be. “They’re yer favorite.
The blonde omega gives the woman a smile, hoping that it didn’t look fake. Kiyoomi happily accepts the food from the twins, thanking them profusely with kisses. He then turns towards Atsumu. “Thanks, it’s just the perfect timing since I haven’t eaten yet.”
Kiyoomi gives him a smile. “Oh right, let me introduce you. This is Suzuki Mina, she is…”
Yer girlfriend? Fiancée? The love of yer life?
“—my sister’s wife. They got married last month and just recently got back from their honeymoon trip. I was just talking to her about the company’s recent situations. She’s currently filing in for my sister because she’s on maternity leave.” Kiyoomi explains.
Atsumu was stupefied. He felt so stupid. And utterly embarrassed. He can’t believe that he was feeling jealous over Kiyoomi’s sister-in-law (his sister-in-law for goodness sake!) who also happens to be another alpha. Atsumu internally curses at himself for quickly jumping into conclusions and feeling sad and pathetic all by himself.
“Hi, nice to meet you! You’re Atsumu-san, right?” Mina offers her hand for a handshake to which Atsumu was quick to accept. “It’s nice to meet ya too! Congratulations on the baby! And please, just call me Atsumu!” The omega responds, smiles brighter and more genuine this time.
Mina gives her his thanks before promptly bidding them farewell saying that she can’t stay long to chat because she still has errands to run. Atsumu waves her goodbye with the twins copying him as they enthusiastically wave their little hands.
Behind his smile, Atsumu is silently apologizing to her in his head for mistakenly thinking of her as Kiyoomi’s special someone.
---
“Excuse me, Atsumu-san?”
Atsumu pauses in his tracks as he turns around to face the owner of the voice that just called him. “Yes?” He answers as he is face to face with a petite woman. She has long wavy brown hair, pretty green eyes and a face that would be described as beautiful.
It was Inoue Airi. Atsumu knows her. If he remembers correctly, she should be Kiko’s mother.
Kiko is in Fumihiro’s class and the blonde has heard his son mention her. Atsumu had officially met Kiko and Airi-san a few months ago during the sport’s festival. And his opinion on her has been nothing but good.
Airi opens her mouth before hastily closing it, she looks nervous. “Is everything okay?” Atsumu asks, concern prominent in his voice. The brunette looks around them, relief could be seen in her eyes as she registers that there aren't many people in the parking lot of the school.
She looks down at the twins who are looking at her curiously. “Um, would it be okay for us to speak where the kids aren’t there to listen? This will be brief, I promise.” Atsumu doesn’t think that she was up to something bad so he quickly agrees.
“Okay, let me get the kids situated in the car first.” The blonde omega then walks with the twins to where his car is parked, not too far from where Airi is waiting. He opens the car, turns on the engine so the air conditioner can be turned on.
The twins enter the car, sitting down on their assigned seats. “I’m just gonna talk to Kiko-chan’s mom for a little bit, okay? Ya two wait and sit here. Make sure to behave, I’ll be back soon.” The twins let out a chorus of okay, baba as they nod their heads.
Atsumu soon walks back to where Airi is waiting for him.
“Hey, sorry for the hold up. What is it that ya want to talk about?” The blonde says as he approaches her, giving her a small friendly smile—hoping that it can make her less anxious. Airi lets out a soft sigh before looking straight into Atsumu’s eyes.
“I’m here to ask for your permission.” She begins. “I am aware that your situation with Sakusa-san is similar to mine. In case you aren’t aware, I got divorced five years ago. Kiko’s father isn’t that involved in our lives and I have been wanting to remarry lately.” She says, softly explaining her case.
Atsumu feels a dread in his stomach. Her previous nervousness and tone give him a fairly clear idea on what her next words are going to be.
“I am interested in Sakusa-san.”
This was it. Her words are just like what Atsumu had feared to hear. He feels that pang in his chest again, but he tries to act normal in front of her.
“I want to pursue him. But before I make my move, I wanted to ask if… that would be okay with you?” Airi asks quietly. A small pause of silence settles between them.
Atsumu blinks. He gives her a smile.
“Of course! Why wouldn’t it be?” He replies to her, his voice strangely calm. HIs words earns a sigh of relief from the brunette.
No, of course not. It’s not okay.
Atsumu continues to smile. “I’m glad, although I've heard of the rumors that you guys aren’t in a relationship, I still wanted to be sure. And I also wanted to not make you feel disrespected if I ever make my move without acknowledging or talking to you beforehand.” Airi explains seriously. Her green eyes looking straight at Atsumu’s brown ones.
Atsumu hates how he can’t even force himself to hate her.
“You’re really kind, Inoue-san.” The blonde says, his words ring true and genuine. A faint blush could be seen on her cheeks. “No, no, I’m not.” She waves her hand in front of her, humbly denying his compliment.
“Ah, also, if you wouldn’t mind… is it okay if you pass this note along to Sakusa-san?” Airi takes out a piece of paper from her pocket before shyly handing it out to the blonde omega.
Atsumu takes the piece of paper from her. “I don’t mind at all,”
I mind. I do mind it very much.
Atsumu continues to smile. “I’ll make sure to give it to him at home,” He says as he carefully puts the notes in his pocket.
I don’t want to. I don’t want to give it to him.
Kiyoomi is mine, was mine —should be mine.
He isn’t mine.
So, I have to. Because I don’t have the right to take this away from Kiyoomi.
Even if it kills me to do this.
---
That night when the kids are tucked into their own beds, Atsumu hands the paper to Kiyoomi.
“Omi, Inoue-san, Kiko’s mother, made me pass this note to you.” Kiyoomi raises an eyebrow at the sight of the paper. “I think it’s her number,” Atsumu says. “Whew, Sakusa-sama has a lot of admirers, aye?” Atsumu teases him, using humor as a way to not let his emotions leak out.
Because he can’t let it leak out. Not when Kiyoomi has now a chance of becoming free of the burdened chain Atsumu has wrapped around him.
Kiyoomi snorts at him. “Shut up, Atsu.” The alpha mumbles under his breath as he rolls his eyes at him.
Atsumu grins at him as pretends that his heart isn’t breaking into a million pieces when he sees how Kiyoomi accepts the paper, putting it in his pockets carefully. Not rejecting it or throwing it out like he had selfishly hoped he would do.
I guess this is it, huh…
---
“Miya-san!”
Atsumu stops his scrolling on his phone and looks up at the voice. He sees Nakamura jog up to him. “Are, hah, you… hah, ” He breathes out heavily, panting as he catches his breath. Atsumu lets out a small laugh at that. “Please catch your breath first,” He says, a lighthearted gracing his lips.
After a while, Nakamura starts breathing more evenly, no longer panting like before. “Ya good now?” Atsumu asks with a laugh. Nakamura brushes through his slightly damp hair, pushing it upwards. “Yes… sorry about that. I was hoping to talk to you before you left your office, but when I got back from the restroom, you were already gone.” The alpha explains.
“I went down to the parking lot trying to catch you, but you weren’t there. Thankfully Watanabe-san told me that she saw you out here in the entrance of the company.” Nakamura sheepishly says, his eyes turning into crescents as he gives the omega a bright grin.
Atsumu lets out a laugh. “Ya could have just called me to make sure, ya know? Ya have my number after all.” The blonde says, his voice lilt in teasing. Nakamura flushes red as he registers his words. “Ah, that’s right… I guess I panicked too much and didn’t think of that…” He mumbles, scratching the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed.
“Hahaha, anyway, what is so urgent that ya had to run all that way to see me?” Atsumu inquires, already turning into business mode. He just hopes that it isn’t something he has to do right now because he already made plans to eat out with Kiyoomi and the kids.
Nakamura purses his lips. “Ah, well,” He stammers out, nervous and awkward. “Did ya make a mistake somewhere? Don’t be scared to tell me, I’m sure we can fix it—”
“It’s not about work,” The alpha interrupts him. Atsumu looks at him in confusion but nonetheless hears him out. “It’s about… something a little more personal.” He mumbles, eyes straying all over, seemingly too nervous to look straight into Atsumu’s eyes.
The blonde omega blinks once, twice. “Oh, uh, sure, go ahead?” He responds, a little confused as to what this could be about.
Nakamura finally looks straight at him. “I was hoping that we could talk about this over dinner?” The alpha asks, his hazel eyes looking deep into Atsumu’s eyes.
Atsumu was stunned. He… wasn’t expecting that at all. Is Nakamura asking him out to dinner to talk about his problems as a transferee? Or is he asking him out to dinner for other purposes…?
“Can I take you out for dinner? Tonight?” Nakamura asks once again, leaning in slightly.
Before Atsumu could even form any sort of reply, he felt an arm wrap around his waist. He feels his back lean against a sturdy chest. He then hears a deep voice, the voice that is constantly occupying his mind and heart.
“No, he isn’t going out to dinner with you.” It was Kiyoomi.
Nakamura looks at Kiyoomi in shock, not expecting for another person to suddenly interrupt their talk.
Atsumu turns back to look at the alpha. “Omi?” The latter looks down at him with a smile. “Sorry for being late, there was traffic. Shall we go now?” Kiyoomi simply says, softly holding Atsumu by the wrist.
“Hey! What? Who are you and where are you going?” Nakamura exclaims, walking closer to the two as he attempts to snatch Atsumu away. But Kiyoomi doesn’t let him even touch a single strand of Atsumu’s hair.
The alpha looks at the other alpha. Kiyoomi gives him a smirk. “Who am I? I’m the alpha who already has made plans with Atsumu tonight.” He says as he carefully drags Atsumu away to his car.
Nakamura’s mouth gapes open as he tries to call out to them, but he remains frozen there as he watches them drive away.
---
“Omi, what the heck was up with that, huh?” Atsumu angrily asks, arms crossed over his chest. “What do you mean?” Kiyoomi replies, looking straight ahead as he drives. The blonde lets out a frustrated sigh. “Stop the car,” He sharply says.
Kiyoomi briefly turns to him. “What?”
Atsumu repeats himself. “Stop the car and let’s talk.” At his words, Kiyoomi follows and parks at the side of the road.
Silence engulfs them for a few minutes as Atsumu tries to process what had happened back there. He lets out a sigh, he first starts with the most important question. “Where are the twins?” He quietly asks, looking at the empty back of the car where the kids would usually be seated. Kiyoomi sighs. “I dropped them off at Osamu’s.” The alpha answers.
“…Why? Didn’t we have plans to eat out tonight?” Kiyoomi lets out another sigh for the umpteenth time. “I had a plan,” He responds shortly, leaving out some important details. Atsumu decides to not dwell on that since he knows that the twins are safe.
So, he asks instead. “Was it part of your so-called plan to be rude to my coworker?” Atsumu asks him, his question piercing and sharp. “I know that ya can be a blunt asshole and a bastard sometimes, but that? Was not okay. We were still talking and ya interrupted us and whisked me away just like that.”
“He was asking you out to dinner. And we already had plans. So, I just answered for you.” Kiyoomi replies, fingers gripping the wheel tightly. Atsumu scoffs. “So, what? Ya think I’m some stupid omega who can’t answer for himself?”
Kiyoomi eyebrows furrow. “What? Of course not, Atsumu. You know that I don’t think of you as that.” Of course, Atsumu knows that. Kiyoomi is respectful and an amazing alpha, but just can’t think of any other plausible reasons as to why he did that.
“Then why? Yer perfectly aware that I can speak for myself so, why did ya think that was okay to do that?” Atsumu asks, looking, hoping for answers from the alpha. Kiyoomi closes his eyes with a sigh. He brings his arm over his head. “I… didn’t want you to agree to go to dinner with him. Not just for tonight, but for anytime.”
Atsumu pauses, “…Why?” His heart screams at him the answers he wants to hear while his brain screams at him for being stupid.
“He was clearly asking you out on a date. That’s why.” Kiyoomi replies.
Atsumu remembers all the times, the plethora of moments where he was reminded time and time again. When he saw Kiyoomi with someone, he was reminded that he had no right to do anything.
He bites his lips, a way to stop his voice from cracking as he feels tears start to well up in his eyes. “And what gives ya the right to refuse that for me?” Kiyoomi stills at his words. “When I have to see ya get asked out multiple times in my life and yet, I don’t say anything. Ya know why? It’s because I don’t have any right to say anything.
“I have no right to tell ya not go, to tell ya to stop talking to them. Kiyoomi, I have no right and neither do ya.”
Silence envelops them. After a while, Kiyoomi opens his mouth to speak. “Then maybe it’s time for that to change.”
“What?” Atsumu looks up at the other in shock, to find that the alpha is already looking at him. “I…” He mumbles out. “Tonight wasn’t supposed to go like this. I was supposed to pick you up from work, surprise you to a fancy dinner without the twins. I was planning on asking you if we could change how we are right now.” Kiyoomi explains, brushing up his hair, messing up his styled curls in the process. “What do ya mean?” Atsumu asks, gulping as he feels like he’s about to fall off the edge of the car seat.
“I love you, Atsumu.”
“Back then when we were immature brats in high school. Back when he broke up. To now, eight years later, I have always loved you. I never stopped loving you.” Kiyoomi declares. His voice is quiet but steady against the low hum of the car engine.
Atsumu feels that pang in his chest again. He feels himself go cold, he feels his heart beating out of his chest, like it’s about to leap out and run to Kiyoomi. He’s happy. He’s confused. He feels lost. “What…? But what about Inoue-san? Ya accepted the note. I thought that—”
“I only did so I could contact her to reject her. I wasn’t interested in her. It’s only been you, Atsumu. Only you.” The alpha whispers, reaching out to hold the other’s hand.
He feels the omega’s cold trembling hands. He holds it tight, to warm it up—to promise to not let go. Atsumu feels his tears slide down. “But… but why now? Why tell me now? And not eight years ago? Why now when we have our own stable lives? Why now when ya can be free from my burdens?” He stammers out, firing one question after another.
“I was waiting for you,” Kiyoomi simply answers.
“Don’t you remember what you said? That you weren’t ready to continue our relationship because you had big dreams you wanted to achieve? Atsumu, you have now achieved them.” He lets out a small but proud chuckle. “Tonight’s celebration was for you finishing that huge Mizuki House Project. Tonight was going to be the start of our new beginnings where we have achieved what we wanted to achieve.”
Kiyoomi lets out a soft sight. He softly caresses the back of Atsumu’s palm. He then looks at him, dark orbs looking at his brown ones.
“I was going to ask to marry you.” His voice is quiet in the night. A low whisper of declaration for the one who mattered to him the most.
Atsumu uses his other hand to wipe his tears. “Then do it,” He says, voice slightly cracking.
“What?” Kiyoomi eyebrows raise.
Atsumu gives him a smile. “Ask me,”
Kiyoomi lets out a tiny laugh at the realization. His shoulders droop down as he relaxes. He takes Atsumu’s other hand in his, gently caressing them before lifting them up to a place a soft kiss on the back of his palms.
“Miya Atsumu, will you marry me?”
They’re not in a fancy restaurant. They’re not in a dimmed room where a golden chandelier shines down on them. They’re not surrounded by the sound of classic music playing in the air. There is no sparkling champagne, no fancy feasts. There are no fireworks, no special grandeur spectacles.
There’s only them at this moment. Inside Kiyoomi’s car with no background music other than the sound of cars passing by them. There’s only the two of them at this moment. Holding each other’s hand.
“Took ya long enough, yes!”
There’s only them at this moment. As they share a kiss. There’s only them at this moment. As they share more kisses. Kisses that convey confessions and declarations—vows of a love that never left. There’s only them at this very moment.
Just the two of them and the love they will always share, and that’s more than enough.
---
Kiyoomi ended up cancelling their reservation that night and decided to celebrate at Onigiri Miya, together with the people most important to them. After that, Kiyoomi planned a proper surprise engagement party for Atsumu where all their friends and families were present to give them their blessings.
Their life continues on the same but the next month, during Atsumu’s heat, Kiyoomi spends it with him for the first time in so long and then there, the two of them officially became mates. A pair under the bonds of life and nature.
Their lives turn to a hectic spiral as the wedding planning begins. Countless amounts of appointments that stretch on for months. Finally, they get married under the rain of sakura blossoms, the twins as their ring bearers—the true bearers of their love. Now, they have also become pairs under the bonds of the Gods of the universe.
Their lives twist to an eventful spin when four months into the marriage brings them another blessing. Atsumu is pregnant for the second time. The twins make a huge fuss about being older brothers, training themselves to be the perfect brothers. Nine months later, a baby girl is brought into this world, into their lives.
Sugar, spice, and everything nice, these were the ingredients that created the story of Atsumu and Kiyoomi's life.
Then the universe decided to give them an extra splash of spice—jealousy into the mix. But that’s only because the universe continues to give them more sweetness that will last them forever for the rest of their lives.