Bokuto shushed Akaashi quietly, both giggling under their breaths. "Don't wake him! Shhhh!"

Akaashi stomped his feet, his wings fluttering. "Shhhh!"

"You two do realize he's out cold, right?"

Both startled and looked over, seeing Daichi sat on Bokuto's couch with Yuuma in his arms. Yuuma was sleeping and lightly sucking on the paw of a stuffed bear Bokuto had gotten him.

Akaashi smiled. "Oh how sweet."

"Yeah but I've gotta wash that thing now."

"If I smell alcohol he's not leaving my arms," Daichi warned.

"Oh! No, it's okay we didn't drink. Okay Akaashi had a drink but only one and it was some fruity thing that was basically just juice." Bokuto leaned down and took Yuuma into his arms. "My sweet boy..."

Akaashi plopped on Bokuto's bed and started to change, exhausted. "Thank you for watching him, Daichi."

"No problem." Daichi stood and stretched. "No bath tonight as promised. He got good food. No lettuce."

"No meat?" Bokuto questioned.

"No meat."

"Thank you." Bokuto reached into his pocket for his wallet.

"No need. Akaashi already paid me."

Bokuto put his wallet on the table. "Noted."

Yuuma whined softly. Bokuto went to his bed and handed him to Akaashi. Daichi said his goodbyes and Bokuto changed into some more comfortable clothes.

"Whew... he's getting a bath tomorrow." Akaashi laid down and Bokuto laid behind him, huddling into his back. "Night."

"Goodnight. I really enjoyed tonight."

"I did too."

Bokuto kissed Akaashi's shoulder. Yuuma squirmed in Akaashi's arms and both sighed, realizing he was waking up. "Kashi?"

"Hush moonlight, go to sleep."

"Mm thirsty."

Bokuto got up slowly. "I've got it." Akaashi nodded. Bokuto picked up Yuuma and got him a glass of water, sitting him on the counter. "You have a good time with Daichi?"

"We did a puzzle."

"Oh yeah?"

"A bee." Yuuma yawned and leaned into Bokuto. "Gave me my bedtime drink too."

"That's good. It helps you grow."

Yuuma whined. "Mm sleepy."

"I know buddy, I know." Bokuto lifted him back up. "All done with your water?"

"Mhmm."

"Great." Bokuto rubbed his back slowly and walked around the kitchen to get him to sleep. Yuuma took a while, his little tail still flicking upwards as he struggled to stay awake.

"Talked today..."

"You talked? What did you talk about?"

"Mr. Bo."

"That should've been interesting," Bokuto whispered. He rubbed behind Yuuma's ears and tried to get him to calm back into sleep.

"Mm happy."

"I'm glad buddy."

"I get a daddy," Yuuma mumbled. "A daddy just for me."

Bokuto's heart swelled. "You're happy I'm gonna be your daddy Yuuma?"

"Super happy." Yuuma yawned. "No more pops."

"Never."

"Never ever."

Bokuto leaned into the counter. "You know I love you very much, right?"

"Love my daddy." Yuuma's tail curled up into himself and he sighed. "I go sleep now."

"Okay buddy. You go to sleep now." Bokuto held him for a while longer, cherishing his warmth. Anna had grown little by little and always said sweet things like this. She was sassy with Bokuto too. And playful. Like Yuuma was.

Maybe this is what he needed.

He'd been in the dark for a long time on any love in his life and he was so lonely for so long. Rehab had been awful and he had spent the past few years driven by work instead of passion. Yuuma reignited that for him. He had made a little boy's life better when he hadn't been able to do so to Anna so long ago.

Akaashi was leading him into a more open life. A secure one too. He had taught Bokuto how he was able to change a person. After so many years he had the courage to be able to hold any negative feelings and turn them positive. He had been nothing but supportive since they had gotten close.

There were two little flames in the dark for him now. Two little flames he would be drawn to and feel safe being around.

"Kotarou?"

Bokuto looked up and smiled. "Hey, hey, hey."

"Did you get him back to sleep?"

"Sure did." Bokuto stood fully and walked downstairs with Akaashi.

"I was waiting for you to come back down. I was worried he'd had an accident."

"Nothing like that. I was just holding him. Do you mind if I hold him tonight?"

"Go ahead. Less rib kicks for me." Akaashi laid down. Bokuto laid down next to him and Akaashi put his hand against one of Bokuto's wings. "You okay?"

"I want to start on his room tomorrow."

"Got it. Sleep first."

"Sleep first." Bokuto closed his eyes. "Goodnight Keiji."

"Goodnight Kotarou."

****

All had been quiet as Akaashi had been writing when he woke up. He'd gotten up and Yuuma was still fast asleep in Bokuto's arms, both absolutely content with where they were.

Akaashi took this opportunity to write and cuddle up on the couch. He'd been so focused that he hadn't noticed Yuuma get up and sneak to the other end of the couch. He was curled up, watching the fire.

"Kashi?"

Akaashi nearly jumped out of his skin but looked up. "Hello there sweetheart."

"I'm hungryyy."

Akaashi chuckled. "Go wake up Bokuto."

"But daddy's sleepin."

"What?"

"Daddy's sleepin," Yuuma repeated. He yawned and crawled into Akaashi's lap.

Akaashi smiled and rubbed Yuuma's back. "Are we calling him daddy now?"

Yuuma sat up and nodded frantically. "He's my dad!"

"Not officially yet. But yes."

Yuuma's tail wiggled behind him hurriedly as he smiled. "I wanna make daddy coffee."

"We can do that." Akaashi picked him up and took him to the kitchen. He set him on the counter and got everything set out. "You ready?"

"Mhmm!"

"Okay great. Four scoops of this," Akaashi held up the bin of coffee grounds. He pointed to the clean coffee filter. "Into there. You got it?"

Yuuma scooped what he needed into the filter and Akaashi handled the rest. He got Yuuma some applesauce and toast and let him stay on the counter as he ate, a hand next to him as the coffee brewed.

"Yuuma! How is my little dude?" Kuroo walked into the kitchen and gave Yuuma fist bump. "You sleep good?"

"Yeah!"

"Wonderful." Kuroo ruffled his hair and grabbed an apple. "Kenma is actually here today so I'll be upstairs."

"Good to hear." Akaashi grabbed Bokuto's mug and filled it. "Yuuma I'm almost done. You want down?"

Yuuma wiggled until he was close enough to the edge to jump and Akaashi grabbed him.

"No sir. You know better."

"Wanted to jump."

"I understand that but your back will hurt from it." Akaashi stirred Bokuto's coffee up and handed it to Yuuma. "You got it?"

"Got it! I got it!"

Akaashi nodded and led him downstairs, watching closely. He took the mug at the end of the stairs. "Go get daddy."

Yuuma ran over to Bokuto and climbed on the bed. He paused. "He's upset."

"Hm?" Akaashi walked over and set aside the coffee. He leaned down and realized there were tears from sleeping with cold air coming from the window. "He's okay. Be gentle."

Yuuma crawled back up to where he had been and poked Bokuto's cheek. "Daddy?" He poked his forehead. "Made you coffee daddy."

Bokuto groaned, leaning away. Yuuma peered at him, confused. He tapped his forehead harder.

"Daddy! Wake up!"

"Woah, gentle," Akaashi warned.

Bokuto opened his eyes. He smiled and wrapped his arms around Yuuma. "Hush. Hush."

Yuuma giggled. "Made daddy coffee."

Bokuto rubbed Yuuma's back. "Thank you."

"We snuggle?"

"We can snuggle." Bokuto sat up and held Yuuma. Akaashi handed him his coffee and wiped away his tears.

"So since when has he called you that?"

"Last night."

"That's sweet." Akaashi rubbed Yuuma's hair. "You're so sweet little moonlight."

"Tickles!"

"It tickles?!" Bokuto set down his coffee and tickled Yuuma's sides. "You're ticklish?!"

"Daddy stop!" Yuuma giggled, kicking. Bokuto tapped his forehead and Yuuma giggled.

Bokuto moved back Yuuma's bangs and smiled. "Did you eat?"

"Kashi gave me food."

Bokuto looked up at Akaashi and smiled. "Thank you."

"No problem." Akaashi touched Bokuto's wings and hummed. "Today will be interesting."

"It will be fun." Bokuto picked up Yuuma. "Hey!"

"What?!"

"Brush your teeth."

Yuuma whined.

"I'm gonna brush mine with you. So you have a little time till then."

Yuuma nodded and put his arms up for Akaashi. "Up."

"Ah, ah. Say please."

"Please."

Akaashi lifted him and kissed all over his face. "You are so sweet."

Bokuto sipped at his coffee. He stood and unclipped the top of his shirt, letting it drop. He grabbed another one and put it on before going upstairs and grabbed two bowls of cereal. He sat on his bed with them and relaxed into the headboard. "I really need to change around this room."

"Why?"

"Corner of the room beds feel childish." He yawned. "I'm a dad now, you know?"

Yuuma looked up. He smiled.

"What're you smiling about? Hm?"

"Is my daddy now!"

"That's right. Soon." Bokuto leaned over.

Yuuma peaked in his cup. "Can I try that?"

Akaashi chuckled. "It's bitter, moonlight."

Yuuma backed up worriedly. "Bitter?"

Bokuto chuckled. He sipped from his mug and set it back down. "Coffee isn't good for little kids. Stunts their growth. That means you'll stay itty bitty forever."

"Oh no!"

Akaashi laughed. "Yuuma you're gonna stay the day with Oikawa today, sound good?"

Yuuma nodded. Bokuto walked off to brush his teeth with Yuuma before dressing him. His hair was brushed and his inside coat was put on. "Go upstairs. Go chill with Oikawa. Oikawa knows where I'm going to be so just ask him to see me if you need anything at all."

Yuuma nodded.

Bokuto kissed his cheek. "Behave for me please. Go on, run upstairs."

Yuuma bolted up the stairs and Akaashi looked up from writing. "Let me finish this paragraph and we'll get started on this."

Bokuto nodded and grabbed a sheet, opening his closet. He pulled out a large box. "I got his mattress."

Akaashi looked up and was immediately intrigued. That whole closet was full of kids toys and clothes and all sorts of things. "When did you find time to get all of that?"

Bokuto started taking things out of his closet. "A man with a child is a dad. I'm gonna be a dad. If I want to do this, I'm doing it correctly. He's gonna get every toy, every sweet, every hug or kiss, and as much attention as he wants." Bokuto grinned. "I'm gonna be what he deserves as his role model."

Akaashi put down his pencil and lifted the other side of the mattress. "Here, let me help you."

Bokuto nodded. "This kid is gonna love me."