Haikyuu x Reader

Miya Atsumu - The First Spring

This is the first part to a four part series entitled "Cherry Blossoms (and the other atrocities of spring)" following the development of your relationship with Miya Atsumu over four years (four springs).

There was something about the season that breathed a new life into Atsumu Miya. Maybe it was the gentle breeze that carried the faintest whiffs of the approaching summer. Perhaps it was grass that was finally regaining its color after being buried under a heavy layer of snow. Each year, each spring, was new and exciting and it brought a whole new set of opportunities and experiences.

He just didn't expect his new experience to be you.

But there you were, fingers laced with his, swinging his hand cutely between your bodies. Your eyes were trained on the path ahead, but there was a smile on your face, that same smile that made his heart do a little backflip in his chest the very first time he saw it. The same smile that still brought those nervous butterflies to his stomach.

At the start of the year, if someone had told him that he'd be hopelessly head over heels in love with some random girl from his brother's shop, he would've snorted and asked what game you were playing, but much to his dismay, that's exactly what happened. It was still new, still fresh, much like the season itself, but that's what made it as beautiful as it did.

It had been so long since he had entered a relationship, but something about this one, just felt different. There was a feeling surrounding it that had his breath catching in his throat every time you look at him. It had his heart beating a little faster every time he saw your name come across the phone of his screen, trying to conceal his small smile to avoid the teasing remarks from his brother. Each time Atsumu would get to relish in the feeling of his head spinning as he listened to you talk about all of the things you loved.

"Hey, 'mu?" You ask, gently squeezing his hand to bring his attention back towards you.

He hums softly, casting his gaze down towards you. "What's up, princess?"

Your free hand reaches up towards his hair, plucking something from the soft blonde strands. "You have cherry blossom petals in your hair."

He watches as you let the little petals flitter down towards the ground on their release, collecting amongst all of the others that had covered the edges of the path, steadily growing denser as the trees became more populated. Everywhere around you, there were people shaded beneath the branches, taking pictures, laughter carrying through the air as light as feathers. The two of you could've stopped long ago. There had been plenty of open spots away from the crowds, plenty of spots that would've been absolutely perfect for a picnic. But, none of them had the same feeling that this one spot in particular had. It was a longer walk and a bit of a hassle to get there, but it was worth it, every single time.

Atsumu tugs your hand gently, bringing your eyes back up to his face. "This way, princess." He starts leading you towards a thicket of trees, away from the rest of the park visitors.

"Why? Are you going to take me into the woods so you can kill me?" You joke.

Your boyfriend stops in his tracks and turns to look at you, confusion scrunching his brows. "I thought that was obvious." Your face must've reflected about a thousand different layers of shock, because he just laughed, patting the top of your head teasingly. "Come on, princess. What do you take me for? A serial killer? I just have someplace special that I want to show you. It's at the top of this hill. I promise that you won't regret it."

You nod slightly, letting Atsumu take the lead into the woods. The trek was anything but easy. The steep slope was only made more difficult by the damp soil that had your shoes covered in a thick layer of mud. Tree limbs had fallen and had never been cleared, leaving you to either find a way around or risk tearing a hole in your leggings. Logs or large rocks that blocked your path were combatted by Atsumu's hands on your waist to lift you up and over the obstacles.

But he had been right. The sight had left you stuck in your tracks before you even got there. At the top of the hill was another cherry blossom tree, not unlike all of the others in the park, but this one was older, a thicker trunk and fuller branches stretching towards the sky. The sun was lost behind all of the pink petals.

"Beautiful, yeah?"

"How did you find this place?"

"My parents would bring me and 'Samu here to take embarrassing family photos every year when we were little." He winced a little at all of the memories of the stiff khaki pants and the uncomfortable polo shirts, posing in awkward stances next to his brother.

You turn to look at him, a small smirk pulling at the corner of your lips. "Guess I'll have to ask Osamu about those next time I'm in the shop."

"You wouldn't dare."

"We'll see how this date goes," you say, patting his chest lightly before walking the last stretch up to the top of the hill. Atsumu has to jog to catch up with you, his long legs making it an easy task. He pulls you back to him by the tail of your shirt, holding you firmly against his chest.

"This will be the best date you've ever had, princess, and I promise that each one will be better than the last," he whispers, the gentle tenor of his voice tickling your ears, the warmth of his body filling you with a sense of comfort that you never thought you'd get to experience through another person.

"I'm going to hold you to that, 'mu."

His hands trace up your form until they're resting on your shoulders. He gives them a tender squeeze before letting his hand find its place back in yours. "By all means, princess, please do." Atsumu places his backpack down on the ground, laying out a blanket on the ground and pulling out the lunches that had been packed. He had gone and picked up your favorites from his Osamu's shop, so maybe the presentation of the neatly shaped onigiri would make up for the fact that he hadn't actually made lunch like he said he would.

As hours passed and lunches had been consumed, your back slowly found itself a home against his chest, your head leaning lazily against his shoulder, fingers twiddling with his own. The few rays of sun that managed to fight their way through the boughs bounced off your being, casting a gentle glow over your form that left Atsumu feeling like he had reached cloud nine.

Spring was a season full of new beginnings and new stories. Life flourished so beautifully in the soft sunlight that finally broke through the clouds of bleak winter days. Birds sang new melodies, trees were once again able to stretch their leaves towards the brilliant blue of the sky. Flowers were able to bloom and children were able to race through the grass, splashing in the puddles of the spring rains, covering their clothes in mud and stains of every shape and size. But, spring also let new romances come to light. Somewhere on a hill, underneath a cherry blossom tree that was hidden away from the eyes of onlookers, a young couple shared their beginning. A first kiss that would leave cheeks flushed and hearts pounding, breathless smiles as lips were reconnected for a second and maybe even a third.

It was hidden away under those branches that Miya Atsumu found a new fascination for spring and a new love for the feeling of your lips on his.