The alarm did not need to ring.
Kei was already awake before the first hint of sunlight slipped through the curtains. His golden eyes adjusted to the room, calm and sharp as ever but softer than anyone at the Sendai Frogs had ever seen Kei Tsukishima.
Beside Kei the woman slept peacefully.
For a moment Kei did not move. He simply watched the woman.
"You always look more at ease like this " he murmured under his breath voice low and rough from sleep.
Carefully so he would not wake the woman Kei leaned down. Pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, then another to her cheek.
"Still warm " Kei added quietly like an observation.
He pulled the blanket higher around her shoulders tucking it in with a gentleness that contrasted his usual blunt demeanor.
"Don't catch a baka " Kei muttered, though there was no bite in his tone.
With that Kei slipped out of bed.
The apartment was quiet.
Kei moved through his routine with precision. His work uniform for the Sendai City Museum was neatly pressed, hanging where he had left it the night. Beside it his volleyball gear. Jersey, kneepads and shoes. Waited for Kei.
He picked up his jersey glancing at the number briefly.
"Practice after work " Kei reminded himself.
Balancing both was not easy. Museum staff by day blocker by night. But Kei never complained. Not out loud, at least.
Inside the bathroom the soft hum of a hairdryer soon filled the space.
Kei stood in front of the mirror glasses slightly slipping down his nose as he ran his fingers through his blond hair.
"It won't sit right " Kei muttered, lifting a section and directing air at it.
His expression was focused, almost serious. As if styling his hair required the level of concentration as blocking a spike.
Click.
The faint sound of a door opening made Kei pause.
Kei's eyes flicked toward the reflection in the mirror.
Small. Unsteady. Barely taller than the doorknob.
"Oi " Kei said, turning his head slightly.
There standing in the hallway was a figure rubbing his eyes.
"Papa " the little boy said.
Kei turned off the hairdryer.
"Yuto " Kei said, voice quieter now.
The little boy waddled forward his steps uneven but determined. His hair was messy from sleep. He clutched a small blanket in one hand.
"Papa up early " Yuto mumbled, blinking slowly.
"Yes " Kei replied, crouching down slightly to meet him at eye level. "You're up too."
Yuto tilted his head.
"Mama sleepin' " he whispered, as if sharing a secret.
"I know " Kei said.
The toddler stepped closer looking up at Kei with eyes.
"Papa go work?" Yuto asked.
"Yes. Museum first " Kei answered, adjusting his glasses. "Then practice."
Yuto frowned slightly processing.
"Papa ball?" he asked, making a spiking motion with his hand.
"Yes. Volleyball " Kei said.
Yuto seemed satisfied with that nodding.
Then without warning he lifted his arms.
"Up."
Kei stared at him for a second.
"You're getting heavy you know that?" Kei said, though he still reached down and picked him up with ease.
Yuto immediately rested his head against Kei's shoulder.
"Papa warm."
"You're the one who came out without slippers " Kei replied, though he shifted his grip slightly to hold him securely.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
The morning light grew brighter spilling into the hallway.
"Papa " Yuto said.
"What?" Kei asked.
Yuto pulled back slightly looking at Kei's face.
"Papa kisses Mama?"
Kei froze.
"You saw that?"
Yuto nodded proudly. "Yuto see."
"You weren't supposed to " Kei muttered.
Yuto giggled.
"Papa shy."
"I'm not " Kei stopped himself exhaling quietly. "Never mind."
Yuto poked his cheek.
"Papa loves Mama."
Kei looked away slightly ears faintly pink.
"Yes " he admitted.
“Papa love Yuto too?” the toddler asked, voice softer now.
Kei’s expression shifted. “…Of course I do.”
Yuto smiled, satisfied again. “Yuto love Papa. An’ Mama.”
“…Good,” Kei said.
After a moment, Kei adjusted his hold and started walking back toward Yuto’s room.
"Nooo…” Yuto whined softly.
“Come on. Back to bed, You’ll be cranky later.” Kei said.