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Everyone was aware of Atsumu’s knitting obsession - the omega learned the craft during his second year of high school when life grew to be a little more overwhelming and he needed some way to calm his mind. Like everything in his life, Atsumu had been talented at it, to no one’s surprise.
During the team’s free time or on the bus back home from away games, Atsumu could be seen with knitting needles and a ball of yarn on his lap; those dexterous fingers moving in a continuous motion, looping a strand of yarn over one another slowly creating impressive fabrications.
Sakusa, in particular, enjoyed watching the omega in his element - many would assume it would be volleyball, which is true to an extent but really, it was when Atsumu was head first into his newest project that he was in his rightful medium.
The way those honey brown eyes would focus intently on the yarn and the complex stitches he was fabricating, the serene set of his face that Kiyoomi couldn’t never truly look away from, and on occasion when a particular project is difficult his tongue would peek out in the most adorable way.
He always looked ethereal in Sakusa’s eyes, so soft and at peace, different from his usual cocky, loud, and abrasive personality (though Kiyoomi loves that side of him too) - he wanted to see that sight every day.
His teammates never teased Atsumu for his hobby, primarily because the first time he gifted them with MSBY themed beanies most of them, save for Sakusa, cried after receiving those black, white, and gold knitted presents.
After that, they were all presented with knitted gifts every so often - jumpers, beanies, stuffed animals (usually to Meian and Inunaki for their adopted daughter), anything that the omega was capable of creating, the Jackals got as a free gift. Kiyoomi could only imagine how many handmade goodies the Miyas received from Atsumu.
So no, they never made fun of their teammate for his hobby. Most of the time half of them loved to sit in watch the omega expertly stitch together his newest project even if he was usually in his own world, ears plugged by headphones no doubt playing classical music through them - Atsumu claimed it helped keep him focus.
No one made fun of him for that either.
With everyone used to Atsumu’s hobby, it wasn’t unusual for him to be seen knitting on the bus ride after an away game - he’s even admitted that it’s his favorite place to work on his projects.
Today was no different.
It had been half an hour since the jackals had descended from the Red Falcon’s stadium, there were still several hours until they reached their destination, so Atsumu decided to continue one of his projects, the omega growing silent as he worked.
It was Bokuto who noticed what the rest of the team had easily missed.
“Tsum-Tsum, those socks look a little small don’t you think? I’m not sure anyone’s foot could fit in them!” The snowy haired man exclaimed loudly, gaining everyone’s attention, reaching over and lifting the sage green knitted socks for the rest of the bus to see.
Hinata turned around in his seat to peer at what Bokuto was holding and let out a soft aww, the other omega’s heart strings being tugged at something so tiny and adorable.
Atsumu chuckled lightly looking away from the other item he had been knitting - it was the same color as the socks, the yarn looked particularly soft with a rich wool texture. “That’s because it’s for a baby Bok-kun.” He took the socks back from a stunned Bokuto.
The rest of the bus grew silent, staring at Atsumu strangely. Kiyoomi's attention snapped towards the omega - his dark eyes flickering between the socks and Atsumu, a deep frown on his face.
“So…you’re knitting baby stuff?” Hinata asked cautiously, trying so hard not to assume anything right off the bat.
Atsumu nodded eagerly, eyes sparkling in excitement. “I am! I have a huge collection I’m going to make and only have just a few more months to finish it! This here is a baby blanket, it’s so fuckin soft I’m almost jealous I don’t get to use it!” He joked, stroking the sage green blanket gently.
“It looks great Tsum-Tsum!” Bokuto smiled tightly, his gaze moving to their teammates who had yet to speak a word.
The ever obvious Atsumu said his thanks and popped his headphones back into his ear to resume his project.
“Holy shit.” Inunaki whispered fiercely knowing Atsumu wouldn’t be able to hear him. “You know what this means right?!” The beta shook his mate’s arm with wide eyes. “Atsumu is pregnant!”
The rest of the team gasps at the assumption - whispers and murmurs filled the air as they began conspiring amongst each other, all wondering how far along Atsumu was, when he’d officially tell the team, and who his mate was.
All the noise turned to buzzing in Sakusa’s ears as he sat looking incredulously at those damn baby socks in Atsumu’s lap. Shock and disappointment filled his body at the news.
Atsumu was pregnant?
His inner alpha cried in anguish at the thought of the omega they had been working up the courage to court was suddenly unavailable. He hadn’t even been aware that Atsumu was even seeing anyone, the omega tended to be homebody when he wasn’t playing volleyball or visiting his brother and his mate Keiji, he couldn’t think of when Atsumu would have the time to meet with someone.
He could firmly say he knew the omega’s schedule by heart due the both of them spending a lot of their free time together. It had been part of Kiyoomi’s plan to slowly warm the omega up to the idea of them courting.
It was a plan that he had been conjuring up since they were both sixteen when Sakusa had gotten a whiff of Atsumu’s mouth watering peach and citrus scent at the All Youth Training Camp and experienced what a sharp tongue the omega possessed. From that day on, Sakusa had desired to make Atsumu his - no matter how much time it took or the distance between them, he’d make it happen, if so the omega desires.
After they had begun to spend more time together, Sakusa assumed that it was safe to say that the blond wanted him as his Alpha - after all, they did a lot of courting things already; the subtle scenting, the meals Atsumu would make him for lunch or dinner, the way the omega never strayed too far from the alpha keeping some part of their body touching in one form or another. Like they were magnetized to one another, unable to stay apart for too long.
Hell, there were even times that they spent the night at each other's apartments tangled up in each other, where Kiyoomi would have the utter privilege to witness the way Atsumu woke in the morning with mused hair and sleepy eyes or how he tended to wrap his limbs around Kiyoomi like an adorable octopus.
All of those precious moments together only for it to go down the drain at the sight of those knitted socks.
Several hours later the bus parked in front of the Jackal’s training facility. The team stood from their seats with tired groans, Meian helping his sleepy mate off the bus followed by Barnes, Thomas, Hinata, and Bokuto.
Kiyoomi took his time gathering his things, still trying to get his bearings after the news about Atsumu. He tried to think back on what kind of alcohol he had stashed in his pantry - sue him, he was in mourning over the man he was head over heels in love with.
“Omi-kun?” He looked up from his backpack to see Atsumu waiting for him from the aisle with a small smile on his face
“Are ya comin?” Atsumu questioned with a tilt of his head.
Fuck.
He was stunning.
Damn the fucker that had the privilege of his being his mate.
Sakusa nodded and rose to his feet following behind the omega keeping his eyes on the bus’s floor and not the back of his head like he’d usually do.
Then the familiar scent of peaches and citrus hit his nose causing him to pause abruptly. It was Atsumu’s scent, his brain was informing him, just Atsumu’s scent. There wasn’t the odor of another alpha intertwined in, tainting (at least to Sakusa) the pure smell of summer. Maybe it was a hint sweeter, he assumed it was due to the pup inside of him but he could only smell the omega.
Hope swelled in the Alpha. Maybe Atsumu hadn’t mated with another alpha (or beta), maybe it had just been a one night stand gone wrong. That’s still not ideal in his head but fuck if he couldn’t work with that.
There was still a chance that he could make Atsumu his omega and show him what a real father, a real mate could be like. He would take in the omega and the unborn pup with open arms, raising the child as his own. His inner Alpha was preening at the idea.
Mate, Claim, Mine.
Yeah, maybe he’d still have a chance, he would just have to prove it to Atsumu.
Atsumu immediately took notice that something was off about his teammates come their next practice. Of course he’d take notice, he wasn’t known to be the most prospective person on the team for no reason.
It started with Bokuto, as most weird things among MSBY do. The alpha startled him as he walked through the Jackals training facility causing him to grip the strap of his workout bag with a gasp. “Bokkun, ya can’t be jumping out of nowhere like that!”
Bokuto had the decency to look sheepish before the grin returned to his face, it didn’t take much for the bulky man to return to his go happy attitude these days. “Sorry about that Tsum-Tsum, just wanted to help you out with your bag this morning! It’s probably super heavy!”
Atsumu raised a brow at him but slowly handed him the bag without a word, it must be another one of the alpha’s strange ways of being a thoughtful pack member or something like that. He had been known to want to help anyone in their small pack with minor things. This wasn’t too unusual.
Shrugging, Atsumu followed Bokuto into the locker room where the rest of the team greeted them cheerily, a little too cheerily. He gave his teammates a strange look but proceeded to get dressed for practice.
Feeling eyes on him as he swapped his t-shirt for a long sleeve dry fit, he turned to see Sakusa watching him intently. “Omi?” He asked, feeling his cheek heat up at such an intense look on the Alpha’s face. He still wasn’t used to the way Omi tended to look at him these days.
After they began to spend more time together, the omega couldn’t help but want to be courted by the Alpha. Everything about Omi was perfect in his and his omega’s eyes, from his delicious black currant scent to how utterly safe Atsumu felt wrapped in his arms during those unintentional sleepovers (that tended to happen more often than not)
Though how could anyone blame him when an alpha like Sakusa Kiyoomi was willingly choosing to spend most of his time with someone like Atsumu? A pathetic omega who’s been in love with him since they were in high school.
He just wished that Omi would just make a move.
This waiting game was slowly killing him.
Sakusa seemed to shake out of his thoughts and trailed his eyes up and down Atsumu’s body causing pleasant shivers to wrack down his spine. The way those dark eyes scanned over him so protectively, so hungrily threw Atsumu off kilter, it was as if the alpha wanted to steal him away and have his way with him (which Atsumu most definitely wouldn’t complain about).
Still, it was strange to see that look so openly, especially in front of the team.
“Did you have a nice weekend?” Sakusa asked, leaning in closer towards Atsumu, almost caging his body towards the locker.
It had been a sad, Sakusa free weekend for the omega which he found abnormal. Usually they’d both agree with meet up in the afternoon, maybe run some errands together, go out to the park or museum then return to one of their apartments to have dinner together and if Atsumu is lucky, he is most of the time, a cuddle session on the couch with a movie thrown on the background.
He’d been dejected when Kiyoomi had told him he’d be busy for the weekend and couldn’t see Atsumu. He did his best to hide his disappointment that day from the alpha.
In an attempt to ignore the isolation he felt, Atsumu spent his time alone knitting and watching movies that his brother in law had suggested.
It was lonely and he hoped he wouldn’t have to experience another weekend without Omi again.
“I did, Omi! I got a lot of baby gear knitted this weekend, I almost died from cuteness if I’m being honest.” He chuckled breathlessly, watching an unknown emotion flash through the alpha’s eyes before it was gone.
“Good. I’m sorry about ditching you this weekend, I had some…things I needed to get done.” He apologizes, lifting a hand to run his thumb along Atsumu’s cheek. “But how about we get together tonight? I’ll order us some take out then maybe we can watch a movie?”
Atsumu hummed happily leaning into Sakusa’s hand “Ya had me at take out, Omi-kun. Fine, we can hang out tonight.”
And well that small subtle smile was worth saying yes.
Leaving the rest of his teammates to get ready for practice, Atsumu exited the locker room to begin his warm up for the day. He went into the storage room to pull out the large heavy cart of volleyballs that they’d use for today’s practice and proceeded to push it towards the gym.
“Atsumu-san!”
Atsunmu halted in his steps to see Hinata running towards him and gently pushed him away from the cart. “I got it! This cart is way too heavy for you to be pushing anyways! Can’t have our setter straining himself!”
Okay now he was a little put out. Did he miss something? Was he suddenly too weak in the eyes of his team?
He eyed Hinata with wariness then nodded his head slowly. “Yeah, okay, thanks Shou-chan.” He followed his fellow omega into the gym where the team was waiting.
His confusion was gone once Sakusa saddled up next to him, his broad shoulder pressed against Atsumu’s. Immediately his sour mood was soothed by the alpha. He reigned in the urge to purr aloud.
Now that would be mortifying to do in front of their teammates.
Judging by the knowing smirk on Sakusa’s face, he was well aware of his predicament.
That cute jerk.
Coach Foster whistled for them to circle up where he proceeded to go over what their day was going to look like, starting with their warm ups and ending with a mock practice game “Alright boys, get to warm ups.” He blew the whistle again signaling the beginning of practice.
The day carried on as usual though it was weird to see Omi hovering near him constantly, it was so out of the ordinary to see the normally distant Alpha constantly so close to him during practice. Normally he wouldn’t complain but it was so bizarre.
Then it came time for receiving drills, something Atsumu was looking forward to after failing to dig Aran’s wicked serve during their last game. He desperately wanted to improve.
Sakusa was up to spike when Atsumu squatted down ready to receive, his thighs tightening up at the motion. He noticed Omi’s eyes flicker down to them momentarily then jumped up and served the ball directly at Atsumu.
Immediately he could tell it was going to drop before it reached him and dived harshly to the ground, successfully digging the ball while landing on his stomach. With a grin he stood to his feet proudly.
Ha, take that Aran.
He turned his gaze to Sakusa who looked unusually concerned, causing his proud grin to drop.
“What the hell were you thinking Atsumu!” Inunaki came barreling out of nowhere, anger and relief expressed on his face.
Atsumu jerked backwards not expecting their libero to be so upset with him. He didn’t think it was that bad of a receive in fact he was really impressed with it.
“Er, I’m sorry?” Though he wasn’t entirely sure why he should be apologizing.
“You should be! You have to be more careful than that Atsumu. Gods!” Inunaki nearly shook the setter trying to push some sense into him.
Atsumu could only stare at the beta in total and utter confusion.
The sound of Coach Foster blowing the whistle gained their attention. “Inunaki, get over here!”
The beta let go of Atsumu with a pointed look before jogging over to the coach with Meian following close behind. He watched as his two teammates whispered something to Foster causing the older man to look completely surprised and for his eyes to flicker quickly to Atsumu.
Black currant filled his nostrils and he turned to see Sakusa standing next to him inspecting his body protectively.
“That was weird right?” Atsumu questioned looking up at the alpha who seemed to ignore him.
“Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?” The other man nearly demanded, never looking away from Atsumu.
Atsumu took a step back with furrowed brows, annoyance evident on his face. “I’m fine, Omi-kun. Geez what’s with everyone today?”
Coach Foster’s shrill whistle blew through the air again indicating they should resume their drills. Practice continued on without any other weird interactions although he could tell that everyone was being extra cautious around him.
He could feel his nerves grate the longer the day went on.
Lunch time was a spectacle of its own, according to his team, the onigiri from his brother’s restaurant wasn’t nearly enough to eat during lunch and all placed different pieces of their own meals onto his plate. They all watched until he finished every last bite.
What the hell was up with his teammates?
Atsumu’s dumbfoundment only increased at the end of practice when Coach Foster called him into his office. Joined at his desk was one of the Jackal’s PR managers, the woman held a binder in her hand watching Atsumu intently.
Okay now he was freaking out.
Was he losing his position on the team?
Was there some kind of scandal he was a part of without knowing? He was really trying to be better on social media after the whole Oikawa fiasco.
He could feel anxiety rise within him, making his omega pace back and forth.
“Uh Coach? Why am I here?” He asks after the older man gestures for him to sit on one of the chairs.
Coach Foster offered him a comforting smile, intertwining his fingers and resting them on his cherry wood desk. “Relax Miya, you’re not in any kind of trouble. We just want to cover all of our bases. Though I am upset that it took your Captain and teammate to come to me with this news instead of you.” He begins with a look of disappointment.
“Um-”
“Anyway, Hino and I thought it would be best if we get things taken care of today. The main issues would be handling the media considering you’re an unmated omega and then there’s when you’re planning on taking your mandatory maternity leave from the team until you’re well enough to come back.”
What actual the fuck was this man talking about?
Wait, did he say maternity leave?!
“Coach Foster, I’m a little confused. What are ya talking about?” Atsumu said, looking between the man and Hino who gazed at him in confusion.
“Well it’s common for most omegas to take leave when they’re pregnant. It would be taxing on the body to be playing a professional sport while carrying after a certain point.” Foster explains.
Atsumu’s mouth dropped in shock before he was waving his hands, halting his coach’s next words “Wait, wait, wait, did ya just say pregnant ?!”
Hino and Foster exchanged a look of confusion. Yeah join the fucking club because Atsumu was just as perplexed.
“Are you…not pregnant?” Hino questions slowly.
“Fuck no, I’m not pregnant!” Atsumu exclaims “Where the hell did ya even get that idea from?!”
Coach Foster had the gall to look embarrassed. As he should. “I was informed by several of your teammates earlier during practice. It appears that they were mistaken.”
Atsumu could feel his eye twitch at the explanation. Oh he couldn’t wait to give those morons a piece of his mind. Suddenly their behavior made total sense, all the protectiveness, the hovering, the way they coddled him.
He was itching to stick his foot so far up their asses they would be able to taste it.
Rising to his feet he gave the two a wide strained smile “If you will excuse me, I have some teammates to speak with.” He says through gritted teeth.
Foster grimaced and nodded his head allowing the omega to leave his office. At least he didn’t have to worry about his star setter having a baby any time soon.
Although he did have worry about the state of his team after Atsumu was through with them.
Filled with fury, he stomped through the jackal’s training facility with a fire burning in his eyes. The other employees in the building wisely steered clear of him not wanting to face the omega’s wrath.
Luckily for him the rest of the Jackals were waiting for him in the locker room, all pretending like they hadn't been dallying around wanting to know why Foster had called him into his office.
They grew on high alert when Atsumu’s well deserved angry pheromones filled the locker room. Sakusa’s head snapped to the omega only for his eyes to widen and take a self preserving step backwards. The other members of the team seemed to catch onto his anger and do the same thing.
“Want to explain to me why the hell Coach Foster asked me why I was pregnant?!” He demanded, looking between all of his teammates who were watching him warily. “Well?! Why the hell did ya think I was pregnant?!”
No one said a word and Meian was pushed forward by his mate, as pack Alpha and team captain, he was a worthy sacrifice for the sake of their pack’s safety.
The taller Alpha cleared his throat avoiding eye contact with the fuming omega who glared at him with his arms crossed. “We noticed that you were…knitting baby items on the bus and sort of assumed they were for your pup?” He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head “We might have jumped the gun a bit on that.”
Atsumu stared at him blankly for several seconds before the blond burst into uncontrollable laughter. The rest of the team looked between each other in bewilderment at the sudden change in attitude from the omega.
After minutes of laughing so hard that he cried, Atsumu wiped his eyes and finally managed to speak. “You’re all idiots. Those baby items weren’t for me, Samu and Keiji-kun are havin’ a baby, I’ve been knitting them gifts!”
Atsumu was met with stunned silence followed by his team swarming him with hugs and apologies.
“We’re sorry Tsum-Tsum!”
“Yeah we’ll never assume something like that again!”
“Sorry Atsumu-kun!”
The blond sniffed and crossed his arms “Ya should all be sorry, I’m a little offended ya all would think I’d let myself get pregnant by some rando!”
He was met with more apologies and promises that they’d make it up to the omega one way or another.
Oh he was definitely going to milk this out.
Later that night when he was cuddled up next to Sakusa, his belly full and his eyes heavy with sleep, he heard the alpha speak up. “Hey Atsu?”
“Mmm?” He hums sleepily against the alpha’s chest.
“How would you feel about courting?” He asks, pressing his face into soft blond hair.
Atsumu sat up abruptly, nearly knocking his head with the other man, looking over at Sakusa with wide eyes. “Really Omi?” His voice was so small and unsure. As if Sakusa would really joke around with something like this.
Kiyoomi smiled and cupped his face gently. “Yes really. When I first thought you were…pregnant,” He winced at Atsumu’s deadpan look, “my alpha and I nearly lost it at the thought of not being able to make you ours. Then when I noticed you didn’t smell like another alpha or beta, I got hopeful again and decided that I would try to court you even if you had another person’s child growing in you.” His thumb stroked across Atsumu’s cheek bone, affectionately. “I would have chosen you and the pup without a second thought but hearing that you weren’t pregnant, I knew I had to finally say something. I’m sorry for assuming and I’m sorry for taking so long to officially court you.”
Atsumu’s eyes filled with tears at his confession “Ya would have chosen me and a pup that wasn’t yours?” He questioned softly.
“In a heartbeat.” Kiyoomi confirmed with a smile leaning his forehead against Atsumu’s. “I’d always choose you Atsu.”
Without warning Atsumu leaned forward and claimed Sakusa’s lips with his own before pulling back with a bright smile that made the alpha’s heart skip a beat. “Yes, I’d love for ya to court me, Omi.”
10 Months Later
Sakusa walked into his apartment that was filled with the sound of classical music flowing delicately through the air. He smiled to himself knowing exactly what the love of his life had been up to for the past few hours he was gone.
Removing his shoes and setting his things down, he stepped further into the apartment to see his lovely mate resting against the couch, twin needles and a ball of yarn in his hand. A tiny pastel yellow bootie was held between his needles as Atsumu intently knitted, not noticing his Alpha enter the room.
Atsumu jumped when he felt Kiyoomi kiss the crown of his head and peer over his shoulder at the sock. “Don’t you think that Akihito has enough gifts from you?” He asked, trailing his lips over the bonding mark on his mate's neck, inhaling the smell of peaches and black currant.
Osamu and Keiji’s pup had joined the world merely 4 months ago and the child was incredibly spoiled by the entire Miya family, but no one spoiled the infant more than Atsumu.
He took it upon himself to gift the child with an immense collection of hats, socks, blankets, even cute little outfits. Keiji ate it all up, constantly sending his brother-in-law pictures of the curly haired, blue eyed baby in the knitted gifts, which only spurred Atsumu to make even more things.
Atsumu clutched the socks to his chest shyly, avoiding eye contact with his mate. His reaction intrigued Kiyoomi, clearly his omega was hiding something.
“Atsu?”
The blond bit his lip, fiddling with the yarn in his lap. “This isn’t fer Akihito.” He replied, still looking away.
“Who’s it for then?” The alpha questions in confusion.
Instead of answering, Atsumu stood from the couch and grabbed Kiyoomi’s hand, leading them to their spare bedroom where the omega kept his knitting supplies. Kiyoomi watched as his mate pulled out a tub full of knitted items and gestured for the alpha to look.
Curious, Kiyoomi peered into the tub and noticed it was full of an impressive collection of knitted baby items from hats, to blankets, bibs, burp cloths, sweaters and pants, everything under the sun. There was an array of colors and patterns mixed in, he even spotted a MSBY jackals knitted sweater.
He looked up at his mate who was blushed profusely, kicking his toe against the wooden floor of the room. “I erm- I’ve been knitting things for my future pups since I turned twenty. It’s sort of been my little secret project.”
As he stared down at the tub of baby items Kiyoomi and his alpha had several thoughts running through his head.
Mate provides. Mate is a good mother. Give mate pups.
Atsumu gulped at the wicked gleam in his love’s eyes as he rose from the floor and stalked towards him. “Why don’t we put these things to use then? It would be a shame to keep them stored away for another six years.”
And when the omega discovers that he’s pregnant with Kiyoomi’s pup three months later, well, they’ll both pretend to be surprised.