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The suspense from the boys and Naomi were so evident through their expressions when Tooru announced his departure, especially from Naomi who just gave encouraging smiles and pointing two thumbs up your way.

"Leaving?! You barely stuck around long enough!" Kindaichi complained but Akaashi was the one who propped an elbow to his ribcage.

"Yeah, and when are we playing against each other? Don't tell me you're already feeling like an old geezer. You gunna crack your back or something, bro?" challenged Kuroo almost knowingly, trying to entice the brunette in his riling words.

And it worked as a prominent vein surged on his head, but laughed when Tooru placed his hands lazily over his hips.

"I just don't want to ruin that good-looking face of yours. Trips to the hospital are expensive these days." Ignoring Kuroo's firing glare, he then turned to Hinata with a calming smile and a rub on his head. "See ya later, Shoyo-chan. We gotta play beach volleyball in Brazil again."

"I won't lose, Great King!" He grinned.

"Great King?" you spurted a laugh with puffed cheeks, resisting yourself to bellow over. Tooru felt his embarrassment rising to his cheeks by the given nickname. You don't want to know.

"[Name]! Good luck!" hugged Naomi but you still gave an uncertain look her way when she let go of your shoulders.

"You sure you're okay here? You know I don't have to leave. I can walk back with you," you asked with worried eyes.

But your silvered haired friend fanned her hand to decline your offer. She even put up a flat hand at her cheek to make a whisper. "Nu-uh... I'm going to let Ushidaddy do that for you."

Your mouth gaped at the idea. "You're actually getting with him?"

A shrug formed on her shoulders, giving a wicked smile. "What can I say? Silent types are pretty hot."

Baffled, her news put you in shock. Normally, Naomi doesn't let any man walk her home nor alone invited. But with a bit of alcohol and her infatuation with Ushijima, she was starting unravel for him. In a comedic way, she reminded you of yourself.

"Ushi-wushi, if I don't hear anything back from her in the morning, I'll chop your dick off and use it as reference to make chocolate molds and sell it at my bakery for a cheap price." Everyone turned at your bold threat after you pointed a dangerous finger at his stoic face. Not only you said you were going to amputate his penis, he was more stunned at the fact that you called him 'Ushi-wushi' than your humiliation tactic.

Like a silent-type would, he gave a low hum and a nod. It was enough for you feel a bit more secure with him.

"I don't know if I'll buy dick chocolates but since it's Ushiwaka's, I think I would," mumbled Bokuto as both Hinata and Akaashi nodded in agreement, not helping the tall green haired male.

"Bye-bye. Til next time," then Tooru's arm hooked around your neck to get you to start walking with him eagerly outside the bar.

Stumbling, you glanced back at the group - some who are waving and some looking at you with suspenseful stares, you caught Kindaichi's words before you can longer hear them.

"The old Oikawa is back."

And it never occurred to you if he meant it in a meaningful way or not.

>>>

Home wasn't on your mind when walking with Tooru through the chilly night. He didn't even make it awkward, not in the slightest when being alone with him once again. He seemed to be more relaxed and energetic when he's not in a room full of intoxicated people and his dumb colleagues. Because now, he has you all to himself and he showed it by sneaking a few touches at your lower back and his arm dangling through your shoulders at each stop light, circling you so you're not walking on the edge of the street.

Tooru is such a natural at skinship. Shoulders bumping, you were entranced while he talked about his high school memories and his trip to Argentina - some entertaining than others but you were more than happy to hear a bit of his background. A goof he is, you saw a more childish side underneath that Olympic hot body of his.

The second he barged through his penthouse, which took some time to climb a few levels in the elevator, Tooru's voice immediately cheered when he pushed the door open, "Where's my little boy?!"

"Finally, you piece of shi-... cra-... poop!" Hajime's words stuttered, trying to find the correct PG words in front of a crying Tetsu in his arms, bouncing him against his shoulder. "I'm surprised you stayed out for four hours- oh."

Then his dark eyes landed on your form who eased through the entryway and slipped off your boots by the door. Almost instantly, his voice changed in a more calming tone and his brows snapped to normal.

"[Name], it's good to see you again."

"Weren't you just yelling at me?" Tooru narrowed his eyes at his friend, noticing the change of demeanor the minute you entered.

"Hey," you greeted him but your attention aimed at the small child who is still wailing over his shoulder and unbothered by you and Tooru's arrival. "What happened?"

Hajime sighed, rocking the kid with a hand patting his back. "Ah, he's been like this for an hour. He refuses to sleep."

"Tetsu, Daddy is here now," the brunette hurried to his son who paid no heed of his return and continued to sob uncontrollably. Tooru picked him off from his best friend's arms and began to hush him attentively for him to calm down. "It's okay. Look! [Name] is here to play."

But the small Oikawa kept crying as balls of tears continuously streamed down his swollen face, it only made your brows wrinkle at his saddened state. His cries are getting overbearingly louder when he is being spoken to.

Then Tooru shot a daring glare at Hajime. "What did you do, Iwa-chan? Isn't he supposed to be sleeping? Did you give him sweets before bed? Did you hit him like you always hit me?"

"Hey! I treat that kid better than I treat you," he reminded angrily which made the brunette puzzle if he wants to argue with that or not.

Realization filled your head before your hands started to fumble the insides of your purse. You almost forgotten about it and pulled the miniature plush toy from your bag, waving it in front of Tetsu's bubbly face.

You began to chime gently for him, "Hey, hey! Look what I have, Tetsu. It's your best friend."

The moment he peeked his eyes open, the head of the alien plush doll was the first thing he witnessed as his cries soon become whimpers. He took several seconds to register the image of the doll toy, then his brown eyes grew big as a relieved gasp released his lips. He grabbed onto the alien from your hand and hugged it for dear life.

"You found him! My martian!" Although he stopped his crying, there were tears of happiness welling at the corner of his eyes while he embraced the pillow of cotton in his small arms. Strangely, when you watched Tetsu stream his tears onto the old thing, you couldn't help but feel warmth in your chest. You almost wanted to cry for him.

You never understood why kids hold on to old toys, but seeing the relief on Tetsu's face made you think otherwise. It's their treasure.

"See? I told you he'll come back," Tooru continued to sooth the boy in his arms, now stress-free from his son's cries. You swear you thought his eyes trembled at Tetsu and you felt empathetic for him. He must've been worried about him for quite a while.

"Sorry, Oikawa. I tried my best," said Hajime who felt guilty to keep the little Oikawa up more than he should. But Tooru shook his head.

"It's okay. He's been like this since yesterday," when he put Tetsu down, the little boy ran to your legs and clung onto your calves while Tooru dug for his wallet in his pocket. "How much do I owe you?"

The other male put his hand up to stop him from pulling out his cash. "Nothing. You need it more than me."

While they bickered about their transaction, Tetsu raised his arms at you to be picked up. Without hesitance, you reluctantly did and lifted him off the floor so you can hold him against your chest. Once he met eyes with you, he immediately curled in your arms and laid his head at the crook of your neck. You stiffened at the action.

This is the first time you ever held him, surprised at how light and warm he is than you expected. But you were mostly shocked at how comfortable he is in your arms like he was meant to be held by you.

"Well, I should get going then," Hajime declared while he put his shoes at the entrance. "I'm pretty beat."

"Oh, so soon? We just got here," you said but his expression didn't change at your retort.

He looked like he wanted to say something else but when he glanced back at Tooru, the brown headed male gave him a certain look that you didn't understand. His pair of brown eyes looked calm but soon clouded with insistence.

He blew a long sigh. "I shouldn't. I have work early tomorrow anyways."

"Yeah, don't want to keep you here for long," added the brunette while holding the door open for him. A delighted smile painted over his lips as he did so.

"I get it, I get it," trailed Hajime, causing you to raise your brows at him curiously while he walked out the door. "Take care you guys."

"Bye-bye, Iwa," called the little Tetsu in his baby voice, receiving a nod from him and threw a peace sign above his head before leaving the penthouse.

Tooru closed the door behind him and turned to the two of you who lingered in the middle of the living room. You didn't get a chance to cherish the wide open space and the beautiful decoration in his house, now staring wide eyed at the bright yet cold theme of the place with interest. Clean but specs of Tetsu's toys scattered across the penthouse - as expected.

"Is it sleepy time, Tetsu?" asked the older Oikawa to his son when he neared you.

"But I'm not sleepy," he argued but the yawn he emitted gave it away.

A simple chuckle came from Tooru as he took him from your arms. "Okay, sleepy head. We'll play some more tomorrow."

"Is [Name] staying over?" when the little man questioned, a pregnant pause hindered in the air before Tooru aimed his eyes at your direction - as if he was waiting for you to answer for him.

You shouldn't.

"I want her to stay," but it was Tetsu who demanded for your presence, making you and Tooru raise astounded expressions. Then his big brown eyes gawked at you in a plea. "Can you please sleep over, [Name]? Can you?"

Not this again.

Just like last time, it was no question that he was making a sobbing face with pursed lips. If he cries, it would be an endless night for Tooru to put him to sleep again and you don't want to trouble the man any more than you should.

"Yeah, can you, [Name]?" joined the older male as he mimicked his son's face.

Your jaw dropped. How are you cornered by these two boys? Now it isn't a surprise to see Tooru acting so childish not after his high school stories he told you about. You knew you were going to see more of this act from this point on the more you see them.

Resisting yourself from showing an annoyed face, the corners of your lips tweaked into an uncomfortable smile. "Sure, why not."

"Yay!" screeched Tetsu as a gleeful laugh sang from his lips. By hearing that familiar sound, the regret on your face was completely washed as a new smile formed on you - a genuine one. He knows how to get to you.

You followed the two to a room through a short hallway, revealing a toddler bed in a decorated blue room. The rotating night light glowed so dimly as stars protruded from the ball of light, decorating the walls once you entered after Tooru put the boy in his bed.

Watching from a far, Tetsu helped himself to dive into the green blanket to be tucked by his father who sat at the edge with the alien beside him. But when he is fully in bed, his eyes wondered back to you.

"[Name]," he called and you walked to his laying form.

You bent down to him with hands over your knees. "What is it, little guy?"

His tiny hand grabbed at the head of his alien plush toy and waved it to you. By this, you only caught Tooru's eyes filled with amazement when he did this. You didn't know what this means as you held the stuffed toy in your hand.

"You can sleep with my martian. He'll scare off the monsters under your bed," advised Tetsu. "He'll protect you."

Unable to say something to him, Tooru cut in. "But you always sleep with him, Tetsu! You never sleep without him."

The little Oikawa hesitated by his dad's reminder with a squiggled mouth but he blinked his tears away and urged for you to take his favorite toy.

"I'm okay, Daddy," he told Tooru with a whimper. "He wants to say 'thank you' to [Name] for finding him. I want her to keep him because... I want her safe from the monsters."

Touched by his innocent words, you only clutched onto the doll tighter in your hand. Even Tooru was shocked at this grown attitude of his, then he realized; kids will never stay kids. They will learn with or without their most precious treasure and he is sure that Tetsu will continue to grow up.

Realizing his son's intention, the thought made him want to tear apart but his large hand patted at the top of Tetsu's head. "That's my boy. You're so brave."

You even smiled at the two and hugged the alien doll - as if it was Tetsu in your arms. "Thank you, Tetsu. I feel safe already."

The little boy nodded and slid himself deeper in his blanket in ease. His smile never left his lips like he did something good for the world - your world in fact. At first, you thought it would be difficult for him fall asleep without his toy but from the looks of his satisfied expression, he'll sleep easily.

"Goodnight, son. I love you," Tooru sang with his hand at the doorknob of his room and you followed after him, giving the boy his peace.

Tetsu grinned underneath the covers and waved at the two. His voice peeped against his alien printed pillow so low and quiet. "Goodnight, Daddy. Goodnight, [Name]."

You nodded at him and held the small doll in your hand to lift the stuffed doll's hand and wave. "Goodnight."

Just when you thought his smile couldn't get any wider, they did as his eyes closed in a delighted manner at your playful gesture with his alien. Eventually, Tooru began to close the door but not all the way, just enough to leave a crack open in case the child needed something from him.

A second later, he let go of the doorknob and lifted a finger to his lips at you, signaling you to stay quiet and pointing down the hallway where the living room was.

"Come on," he whispered under his breath, his look held so much joy despite the tired lines that formed underneath his eyes. "I want to show you something."

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Posted: 04-20-21