"In my Shadow" - Miya Atsumu Angst (with happy end)

Alt. 01 Chapter 5: Golden Hour II

Chapter 5: Golden Hour II

Osamu seemed to shatter in his arms and while trying his best Atsumu had by no means the strength to hold them both upright. He barely managed to soften their fall as they suddenly found themselves on the ground.

They hadn't even managed it so far as to get inside, still lingering at the doorstep. Behind them, he was sure Hinata and Bokuto watched them unsure what to do themselves and Atsumu couldn't imagine anything better.

Yes, despite the warm weather the ground was cold. He was in pain from multiple bruises he had acquired during his imprisonment in the basement and he was exhausted beyond words but this was all he had hoped for.

He was too worn to express his sorrow and relief appropriately but he didn't have to. Osamu cried enough for the both of them. His entire body was shaken by sobs and with what little strength he had left Atsumu pulled him closer.

How long had he dreamt of this moment? Over six months apparently. For so long he had forgotten what it felt like to be held, for a touch to be loving and gentle without it being a means of manipulation, without the demand of getting something in return.
There was no demand in Osamu’s touch just a silent plea for Atsumu to stay close, which he gladly gave in to. As the tremors subsided even just a fraction there was strength, a promise to protect and hold him together when he threatened to fall apart.

Atsumu could barely breathe, too overwhelmed for even basic human functions. This was all he had yearned for. As he lay here in his brother's arms now he didn't think of Haru or all the things she had done to him anymore.

Only the noise of something falling to the ground with a low thud behind Osamu made him flinch violently. When he looked up over his shoulder he had to blink repeatedly before the tears had ceased enough to recognize Suna. 

Similarly to Osamu, the other was frozen in place completely. From inside voices swelled at the sudden commotion. The setter let out a small cry without even thinking about it as he recognized Aran's voice, then Kita's.
He tried to get up and failed because his shaking legs wouldn't let him or his brother was holding him so tightly he didn't know. He struggled weakly in his arms unable to voice his need.
Had he been somewhat lucid and put together when meeting Hinata and Bokuto again was he now a wreck, unstable, and reduced to a mess of bottled-up emotions and desires he had denied himself for too long.

"Tsumu- this… Tsumu how-" Osamu stammered.

His words were barely recognizable as such but Atsumu couldn't focus on that because Aran had joined Suna at the counter opposite the exit to check on them and all Atsumu wanted was to wipe the quickly appearing tears from his face and reassure him that he was okay.

As he tried and more or less failed with Osamu.

His twin seemed to slowly understand only now realizing that they had been joined by others as if he had momentarily forgotten their existence. With a deep breath, he got up and pulled his twin up alongside him, supporting the rest of the way, which was only a couple of steps but to Atsumu's exhausted body it felt like miles.

"This… this impossible…"

Atsumu shook his head violently, his throat too tight to speak, and for the first time in six months, he leaned forward to hug someone of his own volition.
"I- I didn't… it wasn't— "
He sobbed against Aran’s chest as he felt the two strong arms close around him. Immediately a feeling of safety washed over him. There was no safer place on earth than right here in Aran’s arms.
"I… I’m sorry… I'm so sorry. I-"

"Shhhh. I got you."
Instinctively Aran returned to what he had done best these past months: keeping his boyfriend from falling apart. Though he’d have never thought he’d get to hold Atsumu again. His absence was the sole reason so many tears had been shed and yet here he was.