It was early morning in their small Tokyo apartment, sunlight leaking through the curtains in soft golden strips. Hinata was sprawled across the bed like a starfish—one leg over Atsumu’s waist, one arm practically smacking him in the face. His hair was messy, bright, and ridiculous, but Atsumu just lay there, staring, smiling like he always did when Hinata was asleep.

Because sleeping Hinata was peaceful Hinata. Soft Hinata. The Hinata that didn’t bounce off walls at 6 a.m. chanting “morning practice” like it was a religion. Atsumu reached up and gently brushed a few orange strands away from his face. Hinata made a sleepy noise and—because it was Hinata—instinctively scooted closer, nose pressing into Atsumu’s chest.

Atsumu melted instantly.

He wrapped an arm around him, letting his fingertips trace lazy circles on his back. “Morning, sunshine,” he whispered, though he knew Hinata wasn’t awake. Not yet.

Hinata blinked slowly, eyes barely open, voice raspy and small. “Mmm… ‘tsumu?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

Hinata smiled drowsily, eyes closing again. He didn’t move, just… smiled. The kind that always made Atsumu feel like his heart was too big for his chest.

Most mornings were like this—Hinata waking up slowly, Atsumu pretending to be annoyed but secretly soaking up every second. They didn’t get moments like these often, not with training, traveling, and cameras always around. But here, in their little apartment, it was quiet. It belonged to them.

Hinata’s hand fumbled weakly, searching for Atsumu’s, finding it clumsily under the sheets. He squeezed lightly.

“Practice?” Hinata mumbled.

“In an hour,” Atsumu said. “We got time.”

Hinata nodded, then did something he always did when he was half-asleep—he burrowed into Atsumu’s chest completely, wrapping himself around him like a koala. Atsumu chuckled softly. “You’re like a heater in human form, y’know that?”

Hinata didn’t answer. He was already drifting off again, breath warm, heartbeat calm.

And maybe Atsumu should’ve gotten up. Made breakfast. Stretched. Anything productive. But instead, he pressed a soft kiss to Hinata’s forehead, smiling into his hair.

They had time.