Checking his phone with a small smile, Daichi opened the message from Suga with relatively clean hands. A picture flashed up on screen seconds later, his boys and Suga's little ones lined up on the sofa, eyes glued no doubt to the TV, juice boxes in hand.
I think they like this show
Laughing at the accompanying text, Daichi pocketed the phone. It had been a long week and seeing the small image of domestic bliss brought him strength. Kenma had been down and out for the count much of the week. Flu and cold keeping the young grease monkey in bed and away from the garage. It was nice to get extra work every now and again. But when it was just Ukai and Daichi working the helm, things became quite a bit harder. Which meant more time away from the kids and a greater reliance on Suga. Not that the smaller man seemed to mind at all. He was all too happy to pick the bundle of babes up every couple of days, even going so far as to have dinner ready when Daichi knocked off an extra hard, long shift.
It was almost like a dream. The perfect little family arrangement everyone kept trying to push on him. But it was better somehow. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but the whole situation just felt right. As if everything was falling into place and things were starting to look up.
Wiping his hands down before pressing the screen, the inevitable smudges worked their way across the touch pad as he text back.
Looks good, I'll pick up some dinner tonight. Got all this extra cash to blow. What do you feel like?
Glancing at the clock on the wall, he cringed at the time. It wouldn't be super late dinner tonight. But late enough to make him feel guilty.
"You can head off soon if you want, I'll finish up here." Looking beyond his bay and at a near black smudged Ukai, Daichi sighed with relief.
"You sure? I don't mind staying to make it the hour." Blowing him off, the faux blonde stuck his head deep in the respirator of a 86 Chevy.
"Just punch it in to the hour, it's the weekend. Head home to your brats and partner."
Partner had become Daichi's new favourite word. Not that he was too concerned about the logistics of what to call his relationship or his dramatic shift in sexuality. He'd been a little worried in the beginning, but comforted by Suga and his sense of certainty, he felt comfortable with himself. He still liked tits and lady bits and getting off to porn. But he also really liked Suga.
Leaving Ukai to finish the clean down and lock up, Daichi sent off a quick message saying he'd be home early and that dinner was on the way.
Letting himself into Suga's house, hands full of plastic noodle and curry containers, Daichi managed to catch the end of a one sided screaming match that was playing out.
"No I don't want to." Groaning as he immediately recognised Nishinoya's angry tone, Daichi opted to listen only and step in if needed.
"You're going to sick if you don't wash your hands. Everyone else has, it's just you now."
"My hands aren't dirty," the small boy said defiantly.
"Just to be sure, please wash them."
Passing the trouble playing out in the bathroom, Daichi made a beeline for the kitchen, intent on setting up the table before the argument finished. Unfortunately his eldest caught sight of him as he dashed passed the door.
"Daddy!" The youngster screamed, spotting an easy distraction, "dinner?"
"Hands first please Yuu, don't argue back." His voice dropped a tone, watching his son come skidding out of the bathroom, eyes shining in the hope that he'd been let off the hook. His face lost its gleeful shine in seconds replaced with a deep red frown.
"But my hands aren't dirty." Putting down his bags on the kitchen bench and turning with a dark glare, Daichi pointed at the bathroom.
"Hands, now Yuu." Taking a deep breath and puffing out his small chest, Nishinoya appeared to be taking the defensive stance. Throwing an apologetic look at Suga as the other man emerged from the bathroom, Daichi strode forward and stared his son down. "Hands, now please."
Stepping aside to let Suga and the trio pass, Daichi took Nishinoya by the arm, ignoring the boy's screams of protest as he tugged him to the bathroom.
"Keep this up you'll get no dinner or dessert." His struggles continuing, Nishinoya shook his head.
"See! Look my hands aren't dirty." Sighing as he went about his task, Daichi could barely manage any sort of embarrassment as he re-emerged, a squeaky clean Nishinoya trailing sadly behind him.
"Do you have something to say to Suga?" Shuffling his feet from side to side and looking down with red eyes, Nishinoya muttered something close to an apology. Nodding in response, Suga and Daichi shared a quick look before settling in for dinner.
"I'm really sorry about that." Spooning noodles into a bowl and pouring a thick sauce over the top, Daichi sighed. "He's probably just a little sleepy. We haven't been home much this week. He just needs some solo time."
Waving him off and digging into his curry, Suga picked through the rich, fiery sauce in search of some tofu.
"Probably, it's shame there isn't any practice tomorrow, he could probably do to burn off some of that steam." Agreeing as he slurped his noddles down, Daichi thought about the next day with interest. He'd been so busy at work all week, he hadn't really had any time to spend with the boys. Tomorrow they might go out somewhere nice together, if Ukai didn't call him in at the last minute.
"Do you want to stay over tonight?" Humming as he licked his lips clean, Daichi picked at his noddles.
"Probably not tonight, sorry." Offering him a bite of his noodles and grinning as Suga took the offering with a big smile, Daichi was pleased he wasn't offended.
"Fair enough." Watching the silver haired man lick his lips with eager eyes, Daichi felt a flush of warmth run through him.
"Soon though" he said added, happy to see a similar fire lighting Suga's soft brown eyes.
Not soon enough though he thought with a hunger. If he was applying the principle of acting as if Suga was a woman, he would have taken the next step ages ago, children or not. But it was as if time was working against them, whenever they had a spare moment to themselves something would come up or the kid's would be around. It wasn't such a bad thing, it felt a lot like the building anticipation for Christmas or a birthday. But now with the constant hints and flirting, it was driving him crazy.
Bidding Suga and the boys goodnight, Daichi lingered in a the doorway a little too long, stealing one or two extra kisses before packing the boys up into the car and heading off home. Hinata on one shoulder and Nishinoya bouncing ahead to wait at the door, the tall man almost tripped over the mail laying in the hall, calling for Nishinoya to collect it while he unpacked the car.
Settling Hinata in bed and Nishinoya in front of the TV, Daichi stocked up the pantry before checking his phone and sorting through the mail. The hard card and envelope of a letter caught his eye in seconds and the couple with the fact it was addressed to Nishinoya it had his immediate interest. Sitting down at the kitchen table and turning the envelop over in his hands, he searched for a return address and his heart sunk as he recognised the hand writing.
Kiyoko had always had perfect, neat little hand writing. Reminiscent of all her years spent as student council president and straight A student. The straight A student that got knocked up straight out of high school and shot gun married her way into depression. Rubbing the back of his neck as he thought over the best approach to handle the situation, he gave in and opened the letter seconds later. He just wanted to check over the contents before passing it along to Nishinoya, just in case. Not that Kiyoko would ever say anything untoward, but it had been nearly an entire year since she'd contacted them in any form and this was a bit out of nowhere.
Happy birthday Yuu,
I hope Daddy spoiled you and you're having fun and always smiling,
Love mummy.
The gaily designed card was small and almost sterile text made him frown. Nishinoya's birthday wasn't until next month, which raised a set of interesting questions. His ex wife was either somewhere far enough away that she didn't know how reliable the postage system was. And that and she had been in conversation with someone to know their new home address. Folding the envelop closed and pressed it down to reseal it, Daichi sighed. He'd hold on to this until Nishinoya's actual birthday and give it to him then.
It always hurt when Kiyoko made any contact. He hadn't seen it her almost two years and there was still an aching, raw part of him that hurt whenever he thought of her or her name was mentioned or when the boys asked about her. Especially when the boys asked, what could he even say to them? Sorry kids, mummy didn't love you enough to stick around, but don't worry it's not your fault. Instead he usually opted for the casual explanation that mummy was far away. And that was it. In discussion with Suga he'd asked what he told his boys when the same question arose. Suga had just sighed and shrugged. They'd never asked, and he was dreading when they would, because he honestly didn't know.
It was a hard topic and holding the card in hand, Daichi felt exhausted just at the thought.
"Daddy can I have an ice cream?" Standing in the doorway and rubbing his sleepy eyes, Nishinoya's hair was limp and deflated, indicating it was about time for bed. Hiding the envelop under a pile of bills, Daichi beckoned the small boy to him.
"You were naughty at Azzy's, remember?" Grumbling as he crossed the room, Nishinoya fell into his father's arms, content to be picked up and cuddled.
"Yes, but that was at Azzy's." Smiling at his logic, Daichi held his son close, giving him a tight hug as he pushed aside the ache the stupid letter caused.
"I love you. You know that right?" Humming as he snuggled against his father's chest, Nishinoya yawned.
"Volleyball tomorrow?" Shaking his head as he kissed the top of the boy's fluffy crown, Daichi smiled.
"Not tomorrow."
"Can I see Kenma tomorrow?" Getting off the chair with a grunt, Daichi yawned himself, the weight of the week suddenly hitting him.
"If he's feeling better, we'll see. Maybe we'll go on a picnic."
Putting the boy in his pyjamas and kissing him tonight, Daichi's heart all but melted as Nishinoya took his hand and refused to let it go until he'd nodded off. He used to do it all throughout his younger years, but had stopped when Hinata came along. Maybe he was more perspective then Daichi gave him credit for, children were amazing like that. Picking up on the smallest things, completely subconsciously and making the situation a hundred times better.
Falling back into bed, his head swimming, Daichi didn't even bother changing his clothes before struggling under the covers and burying his face into the pillow.
