Chapter Text
Chapter 2: Call for Help
Atsumu stayed silent as the doctor explained the diagnosis to Kita, still trapped within his own mind between guilt and joy.
"At this stage in the pregnancy, an infection like the flu increases the risk for a miscarriage or birth defects. However, please note that the likelihood of that happening is still low and chances are that both your mate and the pup will be fine as long as they are monitored closely throughout the rest of the pregnancy."
Kita nodded, taking his words in carefully and making some notes on his phone.
"What about his head injury?"
"Regarding that, it doesn't seem like he has a concussion or something alike. Nonetheless, under these circumstances, I'd like to admit you, Miya-san, to our Omega department for the night. Just to make sure. They can also make a first examination of the baby."
"After that, do you have any recommendations for Omega-clinics in the vicinity we could go to for regular check-ups"
"Yes, I'll refer you to a colleague of mine. I'll instruct the attending nurse to give you their business card."
He smiled genuinely at them and Kita took it with gratitude.
"Thank you."
He gave a slight bow in his direction before turning to Atsumu again.
"Tsumu?"
He didn't look up his eyes fixated on the sheets. The words of the doctor barely rang through to him and he was more than grateful to have Kita by his side to catch what he missed.
"Atsumu, Love? It's gonna be alright. There is no reason to blame yourself."
He pulled the Omega into his arms effortlessly, knowing exactly that Atsumu craved physical touch and reassurance when he was feeling down or working through something.
It was so entirely opposite to Sakusa that he at first wondered how they dealt with it on their own. In the end, perhaps it was exactly because Sakusa struggled with touch that even the slightest connection weighed so much heavier.
Regardless he couldn't wait for their arrival and the support that'd come with it. Kita was still uncertain how to react to the news, thrilled about the baby but worried about his mate. Could Atsumu bear losing the child?
He hoped he'd never get to see the answer to that question.
"Shin... I'm sorry."
Atsumu hiccuped slightly and hid his face against Kita's neck, breathing in the calming vetiver scent deeply.
"None of that Tsumu. You heard the doctor, it's not your fault and it's gonna be fine. Our pup will be alright we'll make sure of it."
He softly caressed Atsumu's arm. Through their bond, the Omega's feelings hit him full force, a chaotic mess of emotions ranging from disbelief to guilt. He briefly wondered if it was already the pregnancy influencing his emotional stability or if it was the exhaustion paired with shock. Either way, he wished nothing more but to take his worries away.
Atsumu, his beloved Atsumu, didn't deserve to suffer like this. Kita lovingly kissed his temple and waited for the shivering to cease and the Omega to calm a little. He focused on releasing calming pheromones while keeping track of the influence of his other mates tugging at the back of his mind.
He knew there was a good chance Atsumu wouldn't cease to feel guilty after all three of them assured him that he wasn't to blame. Furthermore, Alpha pheromones were simply stronger. That fact was undeniable. In conclusion, they must also be better at soothing the Omega by providing pheromones. Therefore—
"Shinsuke?"
"Hm? What is it Atsumu? Do you need me to get the doctor again?"
He tried not to let his concern show in his answer. He had to stay calm for the two of them.
Atsumu shook his head.
"Thanks for being here." His voice was still thin but overall he seemed to have calmed down a little.
"Of course. I will always be there for you, Atsumu."
He felt the hands of the setter tightening their grip on him and immediately welcomed the tighter embrace. They could do this.
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Aran was in the middle of practicing his spikes with the rest of his team when one of his teammates, who had forgotten something in the changing rooms returned with not just his water bottle but Aran's phone as well.
"Yo Aran! I think someone is trying to reach you."
Surprised he looked up. He recognized the ringtone immediately as the one he saved for Kita. He glanced over to his coach who nodded at him to take the call. Aran bowed in thanks and apology as he jogged off the court and met his teammate halfway, who handed him the phone.
"Shinsuke? What is going on? I'm in the middle of practice."
But Kita knew that. Of course, Kita knew that. The Beta as thorough and responsible as he was had all of their schedules memorized. He also should be working at the game right now so why would he call?
Maybe there had been an emergency at the farm?
"Aran, I'm glad I managed to reach you."
"I'm sorry that it took so long. I don't have my phone with me during practice." He still couldn't help but wonder and searched their bond for any hints regarding the situation. His mates' influence was dulled by distance but despite that, he could swear to feel a sense of distress lying beneath. Before he could identify it further or who's it was, Kita continued.
"Can you come to the ******** hospital, please? I know it's on short notice but I think Atsumu needs your support."
The world stopped... It stopped and Aran had a hard time processing the meaning behind Kita's words. Maybe he simply didn't want to understand.
A million possibilities ran through his head one worse than the other and his heart clenched. The only solace was that Atsumu's influence was still clearly present through the mate mark at his neck. The bond to him hadn't snapped yet.
"I'm on my way. How... how bad is it?!"
He heard a breath of relief from the other end of the line and tried desperately to extract any information on the severity of the situation from Kita's voice.
"I don't know yet but he is awake and alert. He hit his head and fainted but doesn't seem to be in immediate danger. A doctor has already treated him. We're waiting for the results at the moment."
The relief in his chest was short-lived and small compared to his worry but it was there and he briefly nodded to himself.
"What about Kiyoomi? Does he—"
"I'll call him next and ask him to come here as well."
"Alright, I am on my way now. Take care of Atsumu until I arrive."
"I will."
With that, the conversation ended and after a second of processing the shock, Aran jumped into motion.
He ran up to his coach and after a brief explanation asked to be excused which was quickly granted. A few of his teammates who overheard offered him looks of sympathy.
He bowed to them in apology before quickly leaving for the changing rooms to get his stuff and leave. He didn't even bother changing into normal clothes again. Neither did Kiyoomi.
They met shortly before the hospital, MSBY's gym seemed to be a little closer, both still in their volleyball jerseys.
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After Atsumu had left practice proceeded as usual, aside from the missing presence of their usual setter. Sakusa could feel his influence through the bond weakening the more the distance grew between them and while that was normal today he found it unnerving.
It took him a bit to get into his rhythm and focus on practice but soon his thoughts were drowned out by Bokuto's boisterous laugh and Hinata's cheers of victory when he landed a particularly difficult attack. The familiar noise slowly but surely lulled him back into his routine, tho he remained aware of Atsumu's absence.
It rang in the sets he got that were different from his husband's. It echoed in the absence of a comment, lovingly teasing Bokuto in response to him daydreaming about Kenma as he excitedly told Shoyo that the gamer won a tournament the past weekend.
And he was reminded by the constant nagging in the back of his mind that something was off.
He briefly considered calling Kita again to acquire an update about the situation when the ringing of his phone already cut through the hall. Surprised he turned around. He gave a quick apologetic bow toward Coach Foster before rushing to accept it.
Considering the situation and the persistent bad feeling resonating in his bones he had put the device on the bench instead of keeping it in the locker rooms like usual. Just in case Atsumu needed something he wanted to be reachable.
It only fueled his confusion when it was Kita's name appeared on the screen.
Great minds think alike, he thought while moving to accept.
"Shinsuke? Is Atsumu alright?"
"Not entirely, that's why I called. Could you please come to ******** hospital? It is the one not far from your gym. I believe Meain was admitted here too when he twisted his ankle, remember?"
Kita explained, but his words morphed into the background. Sakusa was still thing up on the first part and he could feel an ice-cold feeling rushing over him as though his blood had been replaced by antarctic water.
"WHAT?!"
His throat tightened and he felt panic rising within him, his heart thrumming rapidly against his ribs. "What do you mean hospital?! What happened?! How bad—"
"Kiyoomi. It'll be alright. He is not in immediate danger. Can you take a deep breath for me, please?"
It took the ace another minute to understand and follow the instructions. He hadn't even noticed his breathing picking up as the panic for his mate began to settle in his stomach.
"He hit his head and passed out. Though he was already awake again when I arrived home. I brought him to the ER just to make sure."
Sakusa nodded slowly even though he knew Kita of course couldn't see him.
"How is he now?"
"A little disoriented but mostly stressed. I already called Aran and he is on his way so if you absolutely can't leave I think we can manage but... I don't know what the results will be yet so if it turns out to be worse I think he'd need all of us here."
Sakusa didn't even want to imagine "worse" but he nodded to himself once more, straightening his back, and walked back over to the team.
"I'm on my way, look out for him. I'll be with you in ten minutes."
Hinata's head perked up at his words and he could see their expressions shift as the light pheromones in the air were tainted by his own distress. Concern reflected in their eyes.
"Hey Omi-kun, what—" Bokuto started but Sakusa interrupted him.
"Coach, I'm sorry but I have to leave. It's an emergency."
The coach nodded and inspected him in concern.
"If it's about Atsumu keep me updated."
Sakusa agreed, bowed in thanks, and left for the changing rooms. He ignored Hinata's yelled questions and the spike in worry clouding the air. Just before the locker room door closed he heard Meain call for everyone to call down and Inunaki assuring the ginger.
He couldn't care anymore. He needed to see his mate.
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Sakusa usually never left the gym without a shower. It felt uncomfortable despite having trained for only a little before the call came in but it was still uncomfortable. On top of that, he was cold as he jogged down the street. The sweat still drying on his skin left him shivering and the cold breeze ghosting over his naked arms and legs didn't improve the situation.
He hadn't bothered to change and was still running around in his shorts and T-shirt, his baffling over his shoulder, and only with effort did he manage to put on his yellow jacket while he ran.
Kita had reassured him but upon hearing that Atsumu had been admitted to the hospital no reassurance other than seeing him alive and well could soothe his nerves.
He barely focused on the way ahead. Instead, his mind zeroed in on the sensation radiating from his neck. The slowly intensifying emotions trickling in through the bond were the opposite of reassuring. They were all stressed, even Kita, and worried.
He could feel Aran the strongest which surprised him at first until they met shortly before reaching the hospital. They didn't need words to understand. Kita had mentioned that he called Aran and feeling his concern trickling into him through their mark was enough to know that he knew.
For just a moment Sakusa allowed himself to be pulled into a reassuring hug by his mate and let it calm him.
"It's going to be okay, Shinsuke is with him."
Aran's voice was gentle and while he could clearly hear the worry for their Omega underlining his words it still didn't miss the mark in soothing him.
He nodded slowly as he pulled back and together they proceeded on their to Atsumu.
Please be okay...