Chapter 2: Space

It's been almost four days. Four days…and Kenma had bearly left the room to eat or drink. He didn't really talk to any one of them and even though that was at least partially normal - not considering the amount of time; it had never been this long - one thing was different.

Usually, Kenma would still seek out their touch, search for comfort in their hugs and company, and let himself be grounded by their presence. This time, however, he avoided them, hid away, and rejected any attempt from their side to get closer or talk to him.

The longer this was going on the more tension accumulated in the air like fragile threads cladding around them invisible but bothersome. And slowly but surely it felt like they were wrapping themselves around their throats making it harder to breathe.

Each day the net grew, taking their sight and breath.

"Is it something about us? Did we do something?"

It came to everyone's surprise when Akaashi was the one to speak up. He was known to be an overthinker but usually, that was internal. Usually, he was the most patient out of the four of them; the calmest and most level-headed.
Yet it were his words breaking the silence one morning, on one of the rare occasions Kenma would force himself out of bed and into the kitchen.

After the initial surprise faded three pairs of eyes found Kenma's, searching for an answer in the amber gold. The air was thick with pheromones and they could sense the slight change, as the already sour scent from the small Omega soured further.

A hint of spicy anger mixed with it as well, but it was faint compared to the overwhelming distress, that had all of them on edge these past days.
" It's just that you avoid us and any try of us to get closer or comfort you. It would be much easier if you could tell us what we are supposed to do."

Kenma lowered his head, deliberately letting his hair fall between them and his face.

Kuroo placed his mug on the kitchen table with a sigh.
"Kenma, Keiji is right. If you need space we will respect that but you'll have to communicate with us." He paused and furrowed his brows. "I know that's not easy sometimes but we were doing so good lately… I mean with everything that was going on, Keiji and us trying for a baby - Akaashi could have sworn Kenma tensed further at that and maybe even flinched. - that was also something we talked about and we managed just fine."

But that was the whole point. Their communication has gotten so much better over the years that even when they approached the difficult topic of expanding their family they managed to talk openly. It made Kenma's sudden silence all the more nerve-wracking.

"Kenken…"
Bokuto approached him from the side and reached out a hand, offering comfort but stopped mid-movement, when Kenma backed away.

It was as if some had pulled at the strings, effectively tightening them around their necks.

"We are worried Kenma. Although I wished we could just talk it through, it's okay if you are not ready just please tells us what you need."
Akaashi tried again.

"And if you are not sure yet that's also fine. We can work it out together."

"I want to go to Shoyo's for a few days."

His words weighed almost heavier than the quickly souring pheromones in the air. The strings snapped.

"But Kenken…"
Bokuto looked at him incredulously. A whine build up at the back of his throat and he could feel his instincts taking over. His Omega was hurt. He was hurt and Bokuto was supposed to just let him go?

It came as a shock to all three of them, in short, this wasn't what they had in mind when they said they would give him space.

He rejected them. Their mate rejected them.

It was hard not to fall for wild emotions, invoked by instincts that lingered and boiled right under the surface.

"Is that okay?... Please."
He still didn't dare to look up at them eyes glued to the ground.

"K-Kenma… Why? Is it really that bad? Is it us?!"
Kuroo looked at him with pleading eyes, praying for an answer but nothing.

"Kenma, if there is something we did wrong you need to tell us."

"No… you didn't."
A few tears fell from his eyes. He took a deep yet shaky breath in an attempt to calm himself.
"I just… please let me go. Just for a few days…"

Bokuto tried again to reach for him again and gently took his hand. Kenma bit his lip but didn't pull away again. His fingers trembled but slowly subsided under his touch.
"Kenma if you need space… We won't stop you. If that's what you want we never would. Just please promise me that it's not because of us. You would talk to us if it was, right?

The gamer looked at him with wide eyes but nodded slowly.

"Can I hug you? Please?"
He hesitated. It was never-wrecking, the idea his Omega would reject him scared Bokuto to no end. Kenma let go of Bokuto's hand. For a moment Bokuto's heart clenched in pain but it was quickly replaced by short-lived relief as the smaller tugged at his arm, signaling him that it was okay. Immediately the Alpha wrapped his arms around his Omega. It felt good to finally hold him close again, to feel his warmth and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
The distress seeping into his scent was stronger the closer he got to the scent gland at his neck. He brought his hands up to scent him, in the hope it might calm the other.

"Please be careful." He slowly backed away again. For a moment Kenma's hands clenched around the fabric of his shirt tighter before releasing it. Bokuto held him by the shoulders and smiled brightly
" It's okay. You will be okay."

He placed a tender kiss on the Omega's hair.
"We will always be here for you. And if you need space then that's okay. We are worried but we can wait until you are ready to tell us, whatever it is that made you so upset."

"He is right. I don't want to see you leave but if that's what you need I'll support you."
Akaashi reached for Kuroo's hand, which began to shiver at his words. He looked at him and squeezed his hand reassuringly. It was hard for the Alphas since their instinct to protect was naturally stronger.
"We all will."

Kenma's breathing hitched.
"Thank you… I promise I love you and I trust you."
He lowered his head, biting his teeth together.

"We know."
Akaashi got up and rubbed his hands hóver his sweatshirt while he walked over to Kenma.
"Here take this with you. Bokuto will give you Apple pie* and Kuroo his jacket. Then you have something with each of our scents."
He smiled and kissed Kenma's temple.
"We'll get through this."

Kenma leaned into his touch before his eyes landed on Kuroo again.
"Tetsu?"

"We'll bring you there. Should I call them?"

Kenma looked down guiltily. He worried his bottom lip between his teeth and avoided eye contact.
"I already did."

Kuroo gulped.
"Okay… Just promise me that you will come back."
His eyes widened and with staggering steps, he rushed over to his mate. He hugged him from the side and hid his face against his neck.
"Of course."

Kuroo smiled sadly and put his arms around the smaller. He pulled him on his lap and, just like Bokuto, scented him to calm the Omega and drown out the smell of distress.
"I know but I had to hear it."
He breathed in Kenma's scent. Under all the sour stress he still recognized the calming scent of Petrichor** mixing with Bokto's earthy scent with a hint of oak wood and his own that closely resembled the scent of pine trees.
"You'll come home, as soon as you are ready, yes?"
"Yes"

Kuroo nodded slowly and released the Omega from his arms.
"Take care and maybe call us. Just so that we know you are okay."
He took his face in his hands and tenderly caressed his cheeks, placing his forehead against his.
"I love you."
"I love you too"

The honesty of his words, confirmed by his feelings transferred through the bond, reassured them. Though it didn't make letting go anything easier.

*The cat plushie Bokuto gave to Kenma
**The smell after or before it rains

Another chapter. Yay!
Sorry that it's so short but I hope you liked it!

As I said before I sadly can't promise regular uploads but I'll try my best 〒▽〒

Have a great day!
o(〃＾▽＾〃)o