Chapter Text
— illusive reflections —
PROLOGUE
Everything started a couple months ago…
He didn’t know why, but he couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that had crept over him that night. There was this inexplicable urge that drove him to visit his boyfriend. Maybe it was on instinct— or perhaps it was the strange, distant way his boyfriend had been acting earlier that made him worried. And so, with the anxiety tightening in his chest, he used his spare key to quietly enter the apartment and made his way to the bedroom.
“...Atsumu?”
Kiyoomi's heart thumped loudly, until it dropped. Eyes locked on the figure lying on the bed. He traced the pills scattered on the floor; and the vomit that was soaked in sheets. It was filthy, he should feel disgusted— but no.
“Atsumu..!” Feeling breathless and mind in disarray, his words died down in his throat. He cannot describe how much he feels; He could only pray for all the gods out there for the man to still be alive as his feet dragged towards the bed.
Atsumu looked so peaceful lying down despite the mess around him. He bit his quivering lips and slowly reached out. Hands trembling as he tried to shake the blonde awake.
“Are you still here..? Don’t die on me please—” his eyes welled up with tears. His lips wobbled as his hands reached up to his lover's face, cupping it in his hands despite the vomit. His chest heaved heavily as he gently tapped Atsumu on his cheek; His body was cold, abnormally cold. His heart felt so heavy that he couldn't breathe properly.
“No...no, Atsumu, love, please…” he whispered, voice breaking as he carefully cradled his lover in his arms.
Kiyoomi paused, eyes widening as hope lights up on his face. The raven noticed the shallow rise and fall of his chest. It was so delicate, like a flame flickering, but he was breathing. Atsumu— he’s still alive.
It's not too late.
— illusive reflections —
CHAPTER 1 - Serene Haze
“It’s late,” Kiyoomi replied as he packed his things in his duffle bag. “So I'll have to pass.” he continued.
Atsumu likes to hang out at his place after practice. It has always been like that for years— even before they started dating. To Kiyoomi, staying late means Atsumu will have to wait— and he doesn't like that. It has always been his priority to make sure that his lover doesn’t have to wait anymore. He had learned his lesson from the rocky start of their relationship.
There was this time, when they were just starting out the relationship and frequently chatting, where he forgot to tell Atsumu that he'd be turning off his phone while he visited his parents and the blonde waited til 2 in the morning for him— because Atsumu wanted to know if he arrived safely and Kiyoomi only got to reply after he went to bed. So now, whenever he knew Atsumu would be waiting, he'd always prioritize (or at least message) the blonde first— and Shouyo’s pleading face and insistence right now would not change his mind at all.
“C’mon, it'll be fun!” Shouyo leaned his hand on the bench and jumped on his feet. “Kou and Adriah will come too!”
“Hinata, leave him alone,” Meian said as he passed by the two. “But seriously, Sakusa, join the team dinner tomorrow, alright? The season will start soon and we'd be happy to have the whole team before that happens.” their captain continued and sat next to them.
“I will,” Kiyoomi answered as he gave a glance to Meian who was tying his shoes.
“I know it's been much harder on you but don't keep it to yourself, yeah?” Meian tugs his shoelace tight. Later sitting up straight before turning to his younger teammate. Kiyoomi ignored it for a moment and didn't reply, only minding his business as he zipped his duffle bag before pulling the straps up to his shoulder.
“Thanks for the concern but I’m fine.” he finally replied and turned around. Kiyoomi put his facemask on. He grabbed his phone on the bench and opened it to check the time before he continued, “I have to go now, he's probably waiting for me.”
“...Okay? Take care.” Meian replied. He nodded and continued walking out of the lockers, ignoring the chatters of the two behind him.
“ —But we've never hung out with Sakusa for over a month now! What if he's—”
“Hinata.”
“...Fine, but—”
— illusive reflections —
“I'm home.” Kiyoomi said out of habit as he closed the door behind him. The soft sizzle coming from the kitchen and the aroma of the food made him smile.
'Atsumu's here!' Excited, He quickly toed his shoes off and slipped into his indoor slippers. He placed the duffle bag down on the couch and tread carefully toward the kitchen. When he saw his lover's figure with his back facing him, his lips curled up to a smile.
“I’m home, Atsumu.” his hands wrapped around the man's waist, gently pulling him closer before resting his chin on the blonde’s shoulder.
“Welcome home, Omi!” Atsumu said in much enthusiasm, just like before, like it had always been. It made Kiyoomi’s heart flutter and squeeze. He turned his face to Atsumu– lips pressing into a thin line as the man focused on flipping the food quietly. Kiyoomi got curious. He turned his attention to the pan to see why he's so focused on cooking it.
“Omelettes?” he asked, turning back to Atsumu who hummed a reply.
“Mhm. There's no more onigiri left in the shop so I decided to make this instead.” Atsumu replied before closing the stove. Osamu-san sold out all his onigiri again, huh?The twins are doing a good job with their work, as expected of them.
“It’s fine,” Kiyoomi mumbled with a smile and peppers light kisses on his lover's shoulder and neck. “I love what you make more.” he continued.
Atsumu stiffened in his embrace, “Kiyoomi.”
A strange feeling went to him so he paused, the sensation fleeting, although persistent. He called him by his first name again, did it… tickle him that much again? Kiyoomi chuckled then loosened his hold on Atsumu. A faint smile plastered on his face. “What..? Did that tickle you?” he asked, playfulness evident in his tone to tease the his partner.
Atsumu only chuckled. He paused once again, eyes locked on the other— who, now, turned around with a plate of omelette in his hands.
“Your neck’s always too ticklish.” he complained absentmindedly and pouted. Atsumu doesn't like it when he's tickled and it doesn't help that he's sensitive— especially around the neck but Kiyoomi likes kissing him. He likes spoiling his lover with affection.
“Isn't it?” Atsumu replied. He looks at Kiyoomi, wearing a small smile. Silence lingered in the air as they started moving through the kitchen to prepare for a small dinner.
"By the way," Kiyoomi shrugged the thoughts off to another topic, "You're not answering your phone. I was going to ask if you wanted something but I didn't know if you were going here so..."
Atsumu looked at him and stopped, "What— really?" he asked them stood straight. "I didn't know..." The man feel for his phone in his pocket then looked around. "Shit..."
"Is it not with you?"
"Yeah, forgot it on the shop." Atsumu sighed, "Sorry."
"What?" Kiyoomi let out a huff, "Don't be sorry. It's nothing."
They ate in comfortable silence, with the raven telling him his day— how the practice went, how dumb Hinata looked, and how the team was acting weirdly attentive around him, especially Meian.
“—They're overacting.” Kiyoomi ended before taking the last bite of his meal, chewing and swallowing it before continuing, “It's not like I've been active at team gatherings, and besides…” He smiled and glanced at Atsumu who was picking up his omelette with the chopsticks. He looks so cute with puffed cheeks when eating. He'd never get tired of the sight.
Atsumu noticed the raven going silent. When he looked up, he saw Kiyoomi looking with eyes fondly gazing at him. He halted, chewing his food slowly before swallowing. “...Besides?” the blonde asked, urging the raven to continue.
Kiyoomi smiled and propped his elbows to rest his chin on his palm. “You're here with me.” he said. Atsumu's eyes widened for a moment before it softened.
Kiyoomi noticed the moist gathering in Atsumu's eyes. ‘What a crybaby.’ he thought with a smile and reached out for his hand, holding onto it.
“Come on, let’s eat.” he encouraged and rubbed his thumb over the blonde’s knuckles. Atsumu nodded his head and started eating the food he made.
“Yummy?” Kiyoomi asked, making the man huff a smile.
“Mhm, it’s delicious.”
— illusive reflections —
Onigiri Miya
sorry, we’re closed!
Soft chattering from two employees, who were cleaning, came to a stop as the sound of the door being opened and the clinking of the bells echoes in the small shop.
“Hi, we’re closed for the night—“ when the pair saw the black-haired owner enter the shop, their faces brightened up. “Miya-san! We’re about to finish cleaning.”
“Mhm, good.” Osamu replied, in a flat tone, and glanced at the wall clock, sighing as the hand points exactly at 11:00 P.M.
One girl employee offered a glass of water as Osamu sat on a barstool. “How’s the delivery, Sir?” she asked with a smile.
“Tiring,” he said and thanked the girl before drinking his glass. The girl employee moved on and went back to wiping the kitchen counter with the other employee. Osamu slowly stood up from his seat after a minute and dragged his feet to inspect the kitchen. His finger wiped the nook and crannies, thankfully not finding any dust. It was neat, like how he wanted it.
Just then, a maroon-covered phone entered his view. It reminded him of the few times that Atsumu forgot his things in the shop. He halted on his steps, standing still for a few seconds, before he walked again to pick it up. “Ah, we kept the phone there while you were gone, Sir! We figured it’s from someone you know since you were using a different phone.”
His hands tightly hold onto it. It was Atsumu’s phone— he forgot about it again. “Yeah, thanks.” he answered, eyes locked onto the gadget as he thought, ’I should visit Atsumu soon.’ His mind wandered off as he thought of things he needed to work on for the next coming days, trying to find himself a schedule to see his twin.
Sighing, Osamu massaged his temples. It was so hard to find time to go see his twin. The guilt gnawed on his conscience the more it happens. He wanted to talk to Tsumu, tell him he's sorry— try to make it up to him. He wondered... when will he ever have the time?