WARNING: sexual content

Cosmological redshift - an effect observed caused by the expansion of the universe.

July 2018 - Wedding Night

Eros had been a daring god but one who couldn't be denied or turned away. He demanded passion and lustful sinning; even the strongest of man falling to his arrow. To those with connected hearts, the connected bodies sent tidal waves quacking, the clouds applauding and the sun shivering in delight. Purity was debatable in these closed chambers, but the pure ecstasy that lined every nerve within the human body was undeniable.

Flesh demanded more flesh, the rippling effect of each new touch, of each new stimulus, devoured the requited passion that filled them whole and toppled over. Lips explored every exposed part, the entanglement of bodies forming a basket weave. Every pant and every moan would restart the process of trying to hold back, wishing to draw this night out until it was day and more. Immortal figures toppled into one another, the simultaneity of their actions foreshadowing their everlasting unity.

In this room, on this bed, in this home they built themselves, in this home they got together: they were boundless. Reality was a foreign concept, the outside world a myth. The passage of time was merely human construct and every movement took a lifetime: relativity evading the space surrounding them. They were untouchable by the world, indistinguishable from one another as they connected at the most miniscule and intimate level.

Every thrust was met with a fulfilled sigh, but satisfaction was a high bar and there was every intention to surpass it. Every new angle brought a different feeling until the apex direction had been identified, each new action like a snake pouncing at its target. Their vocal cords chimed as the intensity doubled, the mind beginning to fog over to handle the unbounded levels of pleasure. Four voices rung together and merged into a sweet melody, the ecstasy slipping from their bodies and entering the world. They unravelled into colourful threads, nails drawing blood from the already mutilated bodies. Scarlet lines covered the once clear skin, the animalistic implications dawning as they slipped into the madness.

They were spent, fingers trembling as they held onto each other and disembarked from the flight, crashing down to earth and into a heap of bodies. They were dazed, no words exiting from their swollen lips as their toes began to uncurl, tension slipping from their forms. There was no start nor end to explain what they had just experienced.

"I'm fucked out," was perhaps one way to explain it.

"I'm not going to walk for days," a hand gently smacked into another's face. Who they were individually, was hard to tell at this point. "You better carry me everywhere,"

"Happily,"

"I'm kind of hungry now,"

"Seriously?"

"Do we still have cake left?"

"I can go for some cake too," silence hung in the air for a moment as they considered.

"Our bathtub is pretty huge," one decided to note.

"Cake and a bubble bath. I'm down for that,"

"I'll go draw the bath,"

"I'll get the cake,"

"...I'm just going to lay here until I regain feeling in my legs,"

"I'll get a rag so long,"

The four cosied up in their large tub, consuming cake and making bubble beards and new hairdo's. Water splashed over the sides from their silly antics, the bathroom tiles littered with soap water as the walls rung with their laughter and pleasantries. They remained there until their skin began to plum and moved to their balcony to watch the sunrise. This sunrise would be the first to welcome in this new stage of life for them, the first to bathe them in this married life and their loving home.

Later times

Osamu still had a key to his brother's apartment, but he had never wanted to dispose of the thing as much before now. He had gone over to deliver Atsumu a package from home after he had visited their parents in the Hyōgo prefecture. He knocked at the door, rang the doorbell and even phoned his brother before finally giving up and just entering the apartment. He placed the package down on the dining table and sighed at the organised chaos his brother seemed to live in. It wasn't unhygienic or looked bad, it was just a lot of things at places he didn't think they should be at.

"I have no idea how you'll possibly make it through this time. The charges were pretty intense..." words rung from down the hall and Osamu stopped from exiting, listening closely.

"You think I'll be convicted?" fear began to settle in when he heard Atsumu's trembling voice.

"Your crime was pretty severe... you'll have to do a lot of favours to be allowed bail, never mind a free pass," that was Hinata's voice, he recognised. He began to head to the bedroom they were discussing Atsumu's newfound predicament as a criminal in.

"Luckily I have connections in the police force,"

"You'll have to work for your freedom," Osamu rounded into the room with a look of intense worry. He froze instantly, drinking in the scene like it was poison as his worry faded into agitated disgust.

Atsumu was laying on the bed half-naked, one arm tied to the bedframe by metal handcuffs, his eyes instantly going wide at the sight of his twin. Hinata was standing next to the bed wearing a police uniform costume, the police cap sitting snuggly on his ginger locks as his hand was busy swinging another set of handcuffs around.

"Fuck me," Atsumu breathed.

"That's kind of where we were leading up to, 'Tsumu," Hinata said innocently, tilting his head at him.

"I know that," Atsumu shot him a look. Osamu groaned, covering his face with his hands as he tried to purify himself and rid this image from his mind.

"There's a package for you on the dining table. It isn't urgent. I'm just going to leave now and go pray at eleven different shrines in hope that this day gets erased from existence,"

"It could've be worse," Hinata said so matter-of-factly, Osamu peering through his fingers at him with a questioning frown. "We could've already been doing it,"

"Fuck off," Osamu walked out, Hinata's sweet and pure voice ringing 'goodbye~' to him as he left. He exited the apartment and locked the door, instantly tossing the key underneath the door.

Never again.

"Is he gone?" Atsumu questioned Hinata who was standing at the window, peering through the blinds to see Osamu's car pull off.

"Yeah," he confirmed, heading back over the bed and his immobilised boyfriend. Atsumu sighed.

"I'm kind of out of the mood now," he admitted.

"Really?" Hinata placed one finger on his lips, tilting his head with doe eyes. Atsumu was drawn in by those eyes, not even comprehending Hinata's other hand's movement until he felt a weight on his groin. He groaned. "I don't think prisoners should talk back to their warden," Atsumu panted.

"I'm sorry," the pressure on his groin intensified, Atsumu sucking in a deep breath at the pulsating warmth.

"Hmm?" Hinata looked down with a puckered lip. "What did you just say?"

"I'm sorry, sir," Atsumu grinned, throwing his head back when Hinata's hand began to cup his growth and rub at it through the cloth.

"Wanna continue?" Atsumu nodded in confirmation. "Remember the safe word?" he nodded again. Hinata smirked and moved away from his body, Atsumu immediately groaned with displeasure, his free hand reaching out to pull him back. Hinata rounded the bed and took this free hand into his, placing a loving kiss into Atsumu's palm before forcing it down onto the cushions and cuff it to the bedframe. Hinata climbed onto the bed, swinging his leg across Atsumu's to strangle his hips. He pulled the police cap off his head and placed it over Atsumu's head in such a way that his eyes were covered.

"This is just cruel,"

"Ah-ah," Hinata placed his finger against his lip, shushing him. "No complaints," he leaned down and hovered his lips over Atsumu's, the setter trying to push himself upwards to catch those lips but Hinata's hands pushed his shoulders into the beds. "You need to learn patience~," he leaned down, connecting their lips in a kiss that was painstakingly slow to Atsumu. He whined into the kiss, Hinata merely smirking in response.

Hinata was open to try anything once and make his own judgement about it, and when Atsumu brought up that they could try a few different things in the bedroom, Hinata was thrilled. Toys felt too artificial for him but roleplaying was something he never thought to do and so far, he was enjoying it. Here, with Atsumu, he could be anything he wanted to be with his play pretend and experience all sorts of things. He didn't have to be fixed to one single thing.

For tonight, he was a warden and Atsumu was his desperate prisoner willing to give out favours for his freedom.

"Sir, what could I trade you to get my eyesight back?" Atsumu asked, having experienced all the joys of Hinata's pleasure without being able to see anything of it.

"What is there you could possibly trade?" and before Atsumu could answer, fingers wrapped around his member and began pumping. Unknowing to the sightless Atsumu, Hinata's free hand was reaching back and preparing himself open. Hinata kept his sounds bottled up, waiting for the big reveal.

"Hmngh anything you want, Warden~," Atsumu groaned later as skilled hands kept his senses busy, time passing so fast when he was being teased like this.

"Oh? Well then..." Hinata silenced, moving his body to hover over Atsumu's dick. "Let's just see how good you are," he lowered himself onto Atsumu who instantly mewled, throwing his head back as he felt Hinata's walls sink in around him.

"Fuck, Shōyō," he couldn't keep back. Hinata let out a huff as he sat on Atsumu's stomach, experimentally rolling his hips which caused a desirable response. Atsumu struggled against his bonds, desperately wanting to take a hold of Hinata and bounce him on his dick. Hinata's hands moved to press on the chest below him before he swiftly sat up and promptly sank back down. Both of their minds began to gloss over with pleasure at the rhythmic tune of Hinata's hips, picking up speed when he found the perfect angle to sink in on.

Before he began to lose his senses entirely, he reached the cuffs' key he placed on the bedside table, leaning over and unlocking both hands swiftly. As soon as Atsumu had both hands free, he threw off the hat and threw Hinata onto his back, pounding into him like no tomorrow. Hinata's leg was thrown over his shoulder allowing the maximum spread available as he reached all lengths inside him.

Hinata was the first to come, spilling over the uniform jacket that still clutched to his sweaty body as he yelped Atsumu's name. Atsumu delved deeper into Hinata as he unravelled, riding out the orgasm until he collapsed into a heap. They both panted for air, the space between them filled with their breaths.

They rated the convict-warden pretty high on their list while anything to do with long skirts or dresses were at the bottom of the list. There was just too much material to work with and not enough skin availability.

Hinata lived for Atsumu's aftercare. He cleaned them both up and cuddled up to Hinata as the big spoon, blowing raspberries into his neck that him giggled and shiver. He would run his fingers through the ginger lock until Hinata either had to get up or dozed off, never once leaving his side.

November 2018

Kaede had never expected to find such a good friend –

Uh, boyfrie-

He didn't know what they were but regardless, they met at a wedding: an event where the union of four people were celebrated and new bonds had been formed. The wedding night, Kaede had gone over to Kenma's place where they commenced in 1v1 battles on the large monitor until their eyes burned at any variant pixel brightness. To think, he had gone to witness his ex-roommate proclaim his gay love to three others in a public setting and it ended up with him gaming with a professional – like, a pro-pro gamer - until the morning came. He felt so honoured, he felt the need to make him breakfast the next morning.

Since then, Kaede came and went from Kenma's mini-mansion and even made guest appearances on his videos and streams where he needed a multiplayer. They became good friends and along with that, he had gotten to know Hinata – the roommate – quite well. Hinata wasn't always in the house, of course, spending nights at his boyfriend's place or on training camps or on competitive trips with his team.

As the months passed, Kaede and Kenma had built up a strange familiarity between the two, which involved resting their head's on each other's shoulders, cuddling when they were gaming and wearing each other's clothes. When in public and Kenma was on his phone or gaming pad, he would hook his arm through Kaede's in order for him to lead him. No words had ever been placed on what they were, nor did it matter. They just were.

"Why are you sitting under the kotatsu and watching on your phone? You have an entire huge screen in the other room," Kaede peered into the living room, Kenma happily right where he was.

"It's warm here," he said simply, eyes still trained on his phone as he tuned into the livestream.

"I could fetch some blankets?" Kaede offered but Kenma stood his ground.

"It's comfortable here. Come 'ere," Kenma waved him over without looking, Kaede sighing and gave up the endeavour. He headed over and dove in under the kotatsu, head popping up next to Kenma's as they peered at the screen.

"Can we use the tablet though?" Kenma nodded and reached onto the table to get his tablet instead. They set it up in front of them and from there they watched the game, arms folded with their heads resting on their hands. The cold days was being bested by the heater in the kotatsu, the blanket that covered their backs and their body heats that mingled from their close proximity.

Ukai and Takeda brought their current team to come watch their old students play each other for the first time. Kageyama was of course...Kageyama. Number one setter in the country, had been a force at the Olympics and quite the public's key interest. Hinata was...Hinata. They had no idea how the game would go.

Kiyoko was the one to spot them and pulled Tanaka over with her, sharing banter with their old coaches who also wished them congratulations on their marriage. By that time, the news of the four-way marriage had been spread through the volleyball community. Big star Bokuto Kōtarō was no longer just Bokuto Kōtarō. Although the four decided to continue using their original family names for simplicity's sake in a social setting, Akaashi-Bokuto-Kuroo-Tsukishima was legally their surnames. It's easy to see why that may be a bit redundant and they'll informally use ABKT as an acronym.

"Seeing my students get married makes me sad," Takeda wailed. "They're going further in life than even I have!"

"I just think you're just bad with woman, sensei," Ukai mumbled.

"No~,"

"What about out dynamic duo? Are they still together?" Kiyoko and Tanaka shared a brief look of consideration.

"Kageyama and Hinata broke up before Brazil happened. Hinata's with one of the Miya twins now," Tanaka updated them. That had certainly surprised them.

"What about Daichi and Suga?" Ukai wondered. Tanaka shrugged.

"We're all waiting for the engagement announcement like you, Coach," Daichi and Sugawara were at a point in their lives where their jobs took up a lot of focus and time and they wanted a couple of years to settle in before they start making other big life choices.

Alumni gathered in the audience, excited for the destined match approaching. The crows seemed to flock together, nesting like true birds. Akaashi and Tenma joined them – well, they were both birds too – with Akaashi joining his husband's side with intertwined hands. Kuroo was down with the rest of the administration crew and of course, Bokuto would be on the court.

When Kageyama had spotted those familiar bright ginger locks pass his team's dressing room, he had to take a moment and breathe. This was finally the day they could challenge their strongest weapons against each other and see who would come out on the top. This would also be the first official game where Hinata would be in the starting line-up so in Hinata's career path, this would be a big moment for him. He had to guess Atsumu was excited as well and he thought back to the fox's promise in first year.

I'll toss to you one of these days.

"Do you still have stomach problems?" Kageyama smirked, entertained as the ginger turned around with surprise. His face quickly settled into a confident grin.

"Definitely not. I'm not that guy anymore," Hinata nodded.

"Better not, you runt,"

"...you've grown, Kageyama!" Kageyama struck at him, Hinata skilfully dodging. "In fact, I could win at an arm wrestling contest now,"

"Wanna try me?" Kageyama lifted up his arm.

"Whoa, hold on. Tobio, wouldya mind not picking a fight with my wing spiker, hmm?" Atsumu sauntered out of the Jackals' dressing room, lacing his arm around Hinata's shoulders.

"He picked one with me," Kageyama emphasised. It got all the more extreme thereafter when Bokuto, Ushijima, Hoshiumi and Sakusa made their appearances. They all bantered and throughout, his eyes were stuck on Hinata.

He had once told Hoshiumi about a dream he had where he was flying after Hinata as if he were Icarus, crashing into the ground after Hinata revealed he didn't love him. Hinata was able to live up in the sky as if he were a sun deity while all Kageyama was, was a clay human with an inhuman dream. In that way, Atsumu had to be a deity as well. After all, how was he able to live on the same heights as Hinata? He was able not only to touch the sun, but love him as well.

Hoshiumi promptly informed him of his idiocy – not all people were made the same, nor are allpeople compatible on every single level. He and Hoshiumi were maybe great onthe volleyball scene, but if they were to work together as desk-working co-workersthen they would certainly strangle each other. Kageyama shouldn't reduce himself to clay and dust so easily, as he was a deity himself but of a different type. Fish cannot walk on land but are prosperous in the water. Birds suffer in the desert but the forest was their expertise. In the same way, Kageyama wasn't meant to touch the sun but would excel somewhere else.

And somehow, that made all the difference.

He hadn't exactly been looking for Hinata when they fell into each other's arms and in the same way, he wasn't looking for anyone at this moment. If he found that person on his journey to the top, then that would be an added bonus.

Kageyama looked at Hinata and Atsumu without anything bubbling up except excitement for their match. Finally, he was okay. Finally, he was able to have a stable heart and focus on what was important. He could build himself up, and so could his teammates. Even more, his enemies. Hinata and Atsumu were just two more people who could build him up and push him further to fly even higher. Finally, Kageyama was free.

Kageyama was happy.

It turned out to be one of the best matches Kageyama had ever played and losing to the Black Jackals only made sense. With Hinata on the team, they were stronger. They were the stronger team. With the score 3-1, they hadn't even pushed a single set past 30 nor did they push it to a five set game. The Schweiden Adlers had met their match.

Seeing Atsumu set to Hinata had been a beautifully elegant thing that had Kageyama tremble with excitement. They were so good together, on and off the court. Itmake Kageyama wonder how strong this next Olympics team would be, how far theywould go together.

Hinata was able to bump so many of his serves, his libero abilities on clear display. His jumping made him soar, his speed was incredible and his balance was beyond stable. Serves, blocking, receiving, setting, play left-handed and even be his own decoy... Hinata did them all.

This match would follow them for years to come and in 2021, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the new Nationals team had all types of weapons and unspeakable forces that brewed from these two teams. Hinata, Kageyama, Atsumu, Bokuto, Ushijima, Hoshiumi, Sakusa, others... They took on Argentina and Oikawa and showed the entire world their worth, demanding to be acknowledged, to be seen, to be experienced. Having Hinata back on Kageyama's side fuelled him just as well as if they were across from the net, because there's a very important fact he had taken so long to learn – all of them, in fact.

When you're in it for the long game like them, when all you're left with are players who genuinely fell in love with the sport then you'll start to share a heart. Whether on the same side of the net or not, the court was vast and both your enemies and teammates built you up.

It was as if you were connected.

It was like a unity.

October 2019

Kei woke up after a cold breeze washed over him, which was peculiar in itself. When sleeping in bed with three others, he wasn't used to not having at least one of them cozied up to his sides. They were missing one, he realised, as he did a headcount. He sneakily climbed out from underneath the covers and managed to not wake up the other two, exiting the room to search for the missing member.

He found Akaashi in his study, diligently typing away on his laptop. The light washed over him, the screen reflecting in his glasses that hid his fatigued eyes. When he heard someone approach from behind, an easy feat because of the deadly silent house, he instantly shut his laptop with tense fingers with eyes wide as he looked back to see Kei.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Kei soothingly cooed into Akaashi's ear, wrapping his arms around him from behind. Akaashi sighed and threw his head back to look at him, Kei leaning down to kiss his cheek lovingly. "Why are you up so late?"

"I was doing research," Akaashi mumbled, his voice trembling with the desire for much needed sleep.

"About?" he got no answer, merely a throaty groan. "Is it work?" Akaashi considered his options for a moment before he shook his head. He wanted to bring this up with the others eventually but didn't know how, and now he realised he might be able to get some reassurance before he made it a big thing.

"No..." he said slowly, still debating if now was the best time.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Kei made Akaashi look at him, a comforting look on his face. Akaashi sighed as he looked into those eyes, nodding gently and kissing him quickly. He grabbed at his laptop and hesitantly pulled it open, the screen flickering to life. Kei leaned forward to be able to make out the words without his glasses, reading what he had typed in the search bar. "Adoption agencies?" his head shot to Akaashi with question, his eyes wide. Akaashi wasn't looking at him, nervous eyes cast away with a reddish tint on his cheeks. Kei let his eyes drift out of the room to the door across the study, a room they hadn't touched since they moved in almost two years ago. "So you felt it too..."

"Hm?" Akaashi looked up with question. Kei shot him a sweet smile, his gaze ever so lovingly.

"That we may need a fifth," his eyes moved back to the door and Akaashi followed the look. The implications dawned on the ex-setter and he threw himself around Kei, swiftly standing up to meet his height. They stood there in an embrace, possibilities of a new future swirling within their minds.

"I mean, we all have stable jobs now..." Akaashi began.

"And we don't have any debt anymore. We are beyond stable financially," Kei added.

"We've been together for more than six to eight years..." Akaashi huffed into Kei's chest.

"We bought this house with this in mind," Kei reminded him.

"...I'm getting a bit excited now," Akaashi admitted. Kei smiled and leaned down to kiss him sweetly.

"Let's talk about it with the others tomorrow, yeah?" Akaashi nodded and the two headed back to fall into bed. The next day, as soon as they brought it up with the others, Kuroo had gotten a bit emotional and hugged them all closely without much words attached to his actions. Bokuto, hailing from his huge family, always had big dreams of more, more, more.

"Seven kids!" he exclaimed happily. "All of them of the male sex! We can form our own volleyball team!"

"Kō, no," Kuroo muttered.

"Girls then. Actually, no. It doesn't matter. Mixed-gender volleyball is starting to become a thing, right? We'll have the ultimate team," Bokuto slumped over, the three catching him as he dazed off into his dream for the future.

"What if the kids don't want to play volleyball?" Akaashi brought up, Kuroo shooting him a look of don't feed the fire.

"Then we'll keep having more until we end up with seven who want to do it out of their own!" Bokuto spoke as if it were the most obvious solution in the world.

"We're not running a day-care here," Kuroo hissed.

"We're four parents. If anyone can handle twenty kids then it'll be us more than any normal parents," Kuroo was not happy with Kei's comment. "Doesn't mean we should have twenty kids, of course,"

"Let's just start with one," Akaashi giggled. "Adoption isn't easy, guys," and they only truly realised that when they started the process.

They type of adoption they ended up with was one where a mother and father, for whatever her personal reasons may be, gives up her new-born for adoption as soon as they're born. The unit have no idea about the biological mother or father, but they were given anonymous medical details portraying to both sides of the gene pool should the baby get sick. Days led up to end of the nine months pregnancy and one day, the house phone rung and Akaashi - who began to work his editing job from home closer to the due date – was immediately there to answer it.

"Sir, the mother has been admitted. She is in labour," those words rung within Akaashi and immediately the rush began. A bag with some things they deemed necessary were in Akaashi's car, but most of it would probably be useless as the real determining factor was how healthy the baby was. Because of that, they had no rough timeframe of how long they would have to stick around the hospital.

Also, Bokuto had packed sunscreen into the bag. That was quite useless.

Currently, Kuroo was working at the JVA's headquarters and Kei was working at the Sendai Museum. He managed to get them both on the phone and informed them of the news. They immediately spoke with their bosses and made preparations to head over the hospital.

Getting a hold of Bokuto was a tad more difficult since he was in practice with his phone in his locker. Akaashi eventually had to call the receptionist of the training gym and tell her to inform him.

She sauntered up into the gym, a bit intimidated by all the massive guys and their training.

"Is something amiss, Miss?" the coach of the Jackals, Samson Foster, recognised the receptionist who hung like a satellite around the entrance doors.

"I have a message for one Kōtarō?" she read off the note in her hand she had taken.

"That's me!" Bokuto excitedly waved at himself, the team stopping their practice to view this interaction.

"Right. Your husband called – said you had to get to the hospital. Your baby is being born," and immediately, it was as if time had gone still. Bokuto's mind began to race with thoughts of excitement and panic and his teammate around him were giving him congratulations, which he thought odd – he hadn't even done anything.

"Coach!" he looked towards Samson, a fire burning in his eyes.

"Why are you looking at me? Go!" immediately Bokuto was off, Hinata's good luck wishes and Atsumu's whistling drowning out. Even Sakusa had wished him well.

They met up at the hospital, each of them on their own level of frenzy as they were being told that the actual birth hadn't started yet. They had been just a bit too hasty but it was okay because now they could wait in reception together and calm themselves.

"It's happening now. It's actually happening," Kuroo just kept shaking his head to himself in disbelief. It had been ten months since they started their adoption journey, and now they were here.

"We're going to be fathers," Kei took a hold of the two hands closest to him, the four sitting tightly together on a two-man couch.

"This is insane," a few hours later, they were ushered into a room and told to take off their shirts. They were in the room right next to where the birth was taking place. They sat anxiously in wait and when that door finally opened to reveal a doctor, new-born in arms, relativity started to evade them. The baby was crying, their voice bringing forth the revelation of: I'm here. I'm alive. Hello, dads. Entranced, Kei found himself to be the first one on his feet and closest, almost not registering the doctor's words of advice as he handed the baby over.

"It's a girl," the doctor's words rung, Kei's eyes completely focused on the wet new-born against his chest. The other three were on their feet as well, hovering around to burn this image into their minds.

"A girl..." Kuroo repeated, tears beginning to well up and the others weren't far behind. They had agreed to keep the gender a secret and the prospect of this being their daughter was just too much to keep them on solid ground.

She was transferred into Kuroo's arms, her wailing starting to die down as the atmosphere shifted from her difficult birth to her loving parents. She was held against her fathers' hearts, the rhythmic beating lulling her. Her fathers' brought her close to their faces, new-born vision being quite limited. Akaashi cooed to her when she was in his arms, bubbling noises rising out of her. One would expect Bokuto to be the worst when it came to babies but on the contrary, he came from a large family that occasionally had a new infant. In Bokuto's arms, her blue eyes really seemed to shine.

Then they were separated again, the baby being weighted, be assigned an APGAR score and given the necessary shots. They would ask them to given written consent to administrate the shots, but this was only after the adoption agency's worked passed by and had them do the official hand-over. The biological mother's signature was already on the document when it was handed to them. Just like that, it was official.

They were parents.

When it came time of the birth certificate to be issued, they had already been ready with a name. In August of 2020, ABKT Shizuka had been born and officially joined the family. They were five in the house now and if Bokuto's whining had been the bar, then Shizuka broke that bar with amazing leaps. They all took some time off from work or switched to part-time homeworking and with four, it had been easier to tag team the late nights and the caretaking. They had a bit of an open weekend when their families and friends came to visit and meet Shizuka and everyone immediately fell in love with the little bundle of joy. They could already tell she would be a little daredevil when she was older.

"Just put it in,"

"What if I break it?"

"For the love of – let me do it," Akaashi took the metal pole from Bokuto and slotted it into its place, inserting a screw to keep them connected. "There. It's sturdy," he tested the strength of the new structure.

"Still think we should get a professional to do it," Bokuto mumbled.

"What, a professional trampoline assembler?" Akaashi frowned.

"Yeah, like those places where there's trampolines on the walls and the entire floor as well – certainly they hired a professional," Bokuto insisted.

"We managed to assemble that godawful crib. I think we can manage this," Akaashi shook his head.

"But will Shizuka be safe on it?"

"You'll test it for us, won't you?" Bokuto grumbled. Kuroo exited the house, bringing the two refreshments and to assist the building endeavour of the trampoline and it's safety net. Inside, Kei was monitoring his baby with a hawk eyes over the kitchen island while preparing lunch.

"Her motor skills are very impressive," Kaede commented from his spot at the dining table where he was setting up plates and cutlery. Shizuka, the one-year-old toddler, was sitting in Kenma's lap on the floor, her fingers tapping away at his tablet on a baby game.

"I think she's going to get a high score. Think I can sponsor her in e-sports?" Kenma's arm was wrapped around her waist; the other making sure his tablet didn't tumble.

"You don't even pay me and I'm on your e-sports team," Kaede shook his head. "Meanwhile, you're still being Hinata's willing sugar daddy,"

"He moved to Brazil! Who knows the dangers of having inadequate funds there?" Kenma just shook his head, worry etched into his brows. "And I do pay you, stop lying. You don't pay rent and you use my credit card all the time,"

"Meh,"

"Hinata was completely fine when he did it alone the first time and now he has Atsumu with him. I think he'll just be fine," Kei commented.

"Still, Asas São Paulo... the Super League. Good on them both," Kaede mumbled.

"And Kageyama's in Italy. He's the one you should be worried about,"

"Their teams will both be in the World Championships next year, yeah?" Kenma wondered.

"Yeah,"

"Wonder if I can fly out to see it," Kenma mumbled.

"It's in Rome, though," Kaede pointed out.

"So?" Kaede just rolled his eyes. "You'll also be there, right?" Kenma turned his head to look upon Kaede's expression. He sighed.

"Yeah," Kenma grinned. "Along with Bokuto on Japan's team,"

"Tetsu's going with. We haven't decided if Keiji and I will go with yet, since it'll be Shizuka's first time on a plane," Kei shrugged.

"She'll be a bit older by then," Kaede pointed out.

"Yeah but I don't know what all this 'terrible twos' thing is about so we'll have to see," he answered.

"Hey we got the trampoline up and running!" Kuroo announced as he walked in. "I suggest we toss Kenma on top of it to see if the structure will hold," Kenma's head snapped upward to him with a scorn.

"For what?"

"You were the one obsessed with trampolines all these years," Kuroo said proudly, arms crossed over his chest.

"No. I said I named your daughter in-game Trampoline and you assholes decided to ignore my wish and give your baby a proper and beautiful name instead. I am hurt, Kuroo. Aren't I supposed to be the godfather or whatever? To not even name your child Trampoline is the biggest betrayal I have ever experienced," Kuroo just rolled his eyes.

"You can name the trampoline if you want to?"

"...that's not the same and you know it,"

"BLAGHA!" they looked over to Shizuka who threw her hands up in the air with a scorn on her face, her game having ended as she accidentally exited the app.

"Oh sorry dear," Kenma re-entered for her.

Their Saturday lunch had been incredibly pleasant, the topic of conversation mostly about the World Championships approaching, Daichi and Sugawara's upcoming wedding, Kageyama's Italian love-interest of sorts and whatever the hell Yaku and Lev were up to in Russia. Kuroo was excited to see Yaku at the World Championships as well.

"Have you ever thought about emigrating to play for another country?" Kaede brought up, directed at Bokuto.

"Hmm no not really. I love playing right here, and here's where the family is!" Bokuto gleamed.

"Good answer," Akaashi mumbled under his breath.

"And you, Kaede?"

"Hmm I don't know. This is the first time I'll be on Japan's national team, and let's be real, the only reason there were openings in the team is because all the star players emigrated. I would love to prove my worthwhile I have the opportunity on this team," he answered.

"Good answer," Kenma chuckled.

"Speaking of liberos, apparently Asahi is on some world trip with Nishinoya," Kei mentioned.

"That's an idea. I can visit some countries and vlog about them," Kenma hummed. "Kaede, come with me,"

"Sure,"

"What about me? Don't you love me anymore? To not even consider me..." Kuroo wailed.

"You have a baby. Priorities, Kuroo," Kuroo rolled his eyes.

"I know man," he shrugged.

"Maybe we can steal Hinata along the way," Kenma hummed.

"Atsumu won't be too happy if you take his translator,"

"He has a phone, doesn't he?"

"...Atsumu won't be too happy if you take his boyfriend,"

"He has a hand, doesn't he?" Kuroo groaned, Kenma sticking his tongue out his tongue in response.

"Real mature," Kuroo said but stuck out his tongue at him anyway, his ball piercing sitting snugly on the flesh.

And yes – the blowjobs did end up being much more interesting.

"Speaking of mature, can I have an iguana?"

"Bo, we talked about this-,"

"Yes but I'm a big boy now! I'm wonderful with our baby so can I have a pet?" he had big doe eyes.

"And what? Are you going to take it with to Rome?"

"I mean, I could-,"

"No," Bokuto sulked.

How many years would it be before he got his fucking iguana?

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Next chapter will be the last. Thank you to all my dedicated readers who are here for each new chapter and vote on all of them and a special thanks to my commenters ♥ you are the reason this story has come so far and I didn't give up.