The Underworld's Sunshine (SakuAtsu Godly AU)

A God Falling

Kiyoomi waited for Atsumu to sit up properly, ignoring the way Atsumu was now straddling his lap, before he sat up as well.

He gripped onto Atsumu's bare shoulders with his gloved hands, "What were you thinking?" He asked quickly, "Do you not know what would have happened if you touched that water??"

Kiyoomi stared into Atsumu's eyes, and he watched as they glossed over with tears before Atsumu came crashing down on him, wrapping his arms around him in a hug. Kiyoomi froze and slowly returned the hug. It wasn't long before he realised that Atsumu had started crying again.

Kiyoomi hesitantly raised a hand to rub gentle comforting circles on Atsumu's back. They stayed like that for a while before Atsumu finally calmed down enough that his sobs turned to soft sniffles.

Slowly, Atsumu sat up, though his gaze stayed directed at the dark purple grass beneath them. He wiped his eyes with a bejeweled hand and sniffled one last time before he spoke up.

"Sorry 'bout that, Kiyoomi..." Atsumu whispered, "I know ya don't like physical contact with anyone, but it's jus' been so long since I've seen or spoken to another god," he explained.

His voice was soft and sweet, and it reminded Kiyoomi of the quiet moments before the sun broke over the horizon and enveloped the land in warm light.

Kiyoomi was at a loss for words for a moment before he regained his composure and wiped Atsumu's tears away for him with the pads of his thumbs, "It's okay," he assured, surprising himself with how gentle his voice was, "You've been alone for two centuries, it's only natural you'd react like that," he explained, "And if you need a hug, I'm here," he promised quietly before his gaze drifted to the river, "Now, what were you doing trying to touch the Lethe? Do you not know the consequences?"

Atsumu shook his head, "I-I know... I know what woulda happened..."

Kiyoomi furrowed his brows, "Then why would you...?" His voice trailed off.

Atsumu's lower lip trembled as he gripped Kiyoomi's shirt with shaking hands, "Kiyoomi..." He whispered, "Ya don't know how it feels... Bein' away from everythin' ya've ever known an' worked for... Knowin' that ya can't answer their cries for help 'cause yer trapped in a realm that has nothin' to do with yer mantle at all," he broke into sobs.

Kiyoomi pulled him into a hug, and gently ran his fingers through Atsumu's hair to comfort him. Atsumu buried his face in Kiyoomi's neck and sobbed while Kiyoomi made sure that he didn't accidentally stab Atsumu with his ebony and ivory jackal mask.

Kiyoomi gulped, not really sure how to handle the situation since he wasn't too experienced in socializing with others. Kiyoomi took a deep breath to calm his nerves, and noticed Atsumu's feint scent that could only be described as that of summer – an ocean breeze with soft floral undertones, sweetened with the smell of peaches and honey.

Suddenly, there was a low rumble from behind them as Cerberus stood up. He moved over to them and his middle head nudged Atsumu with its nose. Atsumu pulled away from Kiyoomi and giggled slightly, and Kiyoomi spotted the warmth in his eyes as he reached a hand out to pat Cerberus' snout and scratch him along his jaw.

Atsumu smiled softly, "I guess I wasn't all alone, was I, Cerberus?" He asked rhetorically, giggling quietly.

Kiyoomi's eyes were trained on Atsumu, widened in awe as he witnessed the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Atsumu's smile alone was enough to bring a feint pinkish-red color to Kiyoomi's pale face, but his laugh made the lord of the Underworld's heart trip over its own quickened beat.

Kiyoomi snapped out of his stupor, "So this is where he's been everyday..." He thought aloud.

Atsumu nodded, "He found me maybe two years back, an' he's been keepin' me company ever since," he said with a small smile.

Kiyoomi gulped, and before he could stop himself he asked, "If you'd like, you can come live with me in my palace?" He realized what he said and quickly added, "So you're not lonely, you know? You... You could come with me to do my morning rounds, and... I can see what I can do about getting you a garden down here..."

Kiyoomi looked away, the heat of his cheeks rivaling that of the River Phlegethon and Shoyo's sun chariot combined. He was glad that his jackal mask covered the lower half of his face up to just below his eyes.

Suddenly, Atsumu crashed into him again for another hug. This time, he wrapped his arms around Kiyoomi's neck, and leaned forward so he was kneeling with his knees on either side of Kiyoomi's hips. Kiyoomi's eyes widened and he blushed even more as he returned the hug.

Atsumu pulled away after a few seconds, "Thank ya so much, Kiyoomi," he said with a smile, "I'd love that," he added and Kiyoomi glimpsed that warmth shining in his eyes again.

Kiyoomi silently vowed that he would be the one to make Atsumu smile as bright as the sun again.

Kiyoomi nodded and offered Atsumu a hand, "So, if you'd like to go now, you can pick a room in the palace?"

Atsumu nodded excitedly and immediately took Kiyoomi's hand in both of his, which Kiyoomi quickly realized were quite a bit smaller than his own.

Ignoring that for now, Kiyoomi let out a sharp whistle to tell Cerberus to follow right before he sunk back into the shadows, pulling Atsumu along with him. Falling backwards into the cold void of darkness, Kiyoomi pulled Atsumu into his chest and wrapped his arms around the blonde's waist. He did not want to accidentally let go and have the god of summer fade into darkness.

They stepped out of the shadows standing upright just outside the gates of Kiyoomi's obsidian palace. Atsumu stumbled a bit and fell forward with his hands braced against Kiyoomi's chest, but the lord of the Underworld just helped him correct his balance before he let go. Kiyoomi pretended that he didn't notice the way Atsumu fit perfectly under his chin.

Kiyoomi then turned to the gates and waved his hand to the side. The gates swung wide open to make way for Atsumu and Kiyoomi to walk through. Kiyoomi smiled softly at the sight of Atsumu gazing up in awe at the obsidian spires and parapets.

Atsumu suddenly yelped and grabbed onto Kiyoomi's hand as the Furies circled around the parapets overhead and Kiyoomi let out a low chuckle.

Kiyoomi squeezed Atsumu's hand lightly, "It's okay. They're not going to hurt you," he assured.

Atsumu nodded, though his eyes didn't leave the Furies until they entered the palace, and Kiyoomi wondered if he'd only imagined the red flush of Atsumu's cheeks when he'd glanced at him. He realised with great surprise that he hoped he hadn't just imagined it.

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Kiyoomi is a simp and he doesn't even know it yet 🤪✋

Anygays, bye!
-CrackshotReaper

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