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It was known to everyone that the Miya's were inseparable. No one could separate those two, Atsumu joked about it, saying 'Literally shared a womb with 'tha pig. How are 'yer gonna separate us after 'tha?' and in return Osamu spiked a ball towards his head. They both received a scolding from Kita after that.
There was a time when Atsumu was sick, really sick. Osamu, having to share a room with him, had no choice but to stay in the living room as his brother was coughing too much and their mother was afraid that it'd affect Osamu even though he reasoned out that he had a very strong immune system. Unlike his twin. So for the very first time as a freshman, there was no Atsumu beside Osamu. And there was no 'Look, the Miya Twins' because how could Osamu be called that when his twin wasn't even around? Thinking about that made him feel sick. Maybe Atsumu did infect him with his stupid sickness after all.
After school ended, Osamu knew he had to practice— but what was volleyball without his twin then? No way he was practicing without Atsumu. So he sneaked out, making sure none of the seniors saw him, and rushed home. By the time he was home, Atsumu was feeling slightly better.
"Ha? What are 'yer doin' here 'ya scum?" Atsumu asked from the couch, the couch that Osamu had to sleep on because his stupid brother got sick. He misses his bed, now his brother gets to claim the couch too? "Oi, Samu. Did 'ya just skip practice?"
"yeah" Osamu answered as he sat on the other end of the couch, not even bothering to change his uniform.
"Wh—"
"Did 'ya eat?" Osamu asked cutting off his piss looking haired brother who just looked at him in disbelief. "What? I ain't gonna practice without 'ya, who's gon' set for me?"
Rolling his eyes, he flipped his brother, "Want onigiri?"
"K, 'yer a bitch by the way."
"Fuck 'ya Samu!"
That was the legendary sick Atsumu, and god Osamu doesn't want that to happen ever again. He lost his bed, and skipped practice for the first time, and he would never admit it but he missed his brother. None of the seniors told Osamu that they saw him sneaking away until this day.
There were too many stories of the Miya Twins stuck hip to hip with each other. No matter where, when, or what they were doing, they made sure to always include the other.
Because if there was Atsumu, there was Osamu. If you need to find Atsumu, you'll see him beside Osamu. That's just how twins are— maybe not all, but that's how the Miya Twins are. They had their ups and downs, but they were always together.
Not until today, the boys were screaming. Their mothers' pleas appeared to be useless, their father's efforts to separate them worse made everything worse. It was supposed to be a fun graduation, a fun 'finally leavin' tha place!' as Atsumu would say it, fun hearing of plans or which universities to go to, it was supposed to be a fun time.
"Fuck it if i can't have 'ya Samu!" Atsumu yelled, his hands in a tight fist. Their parents were watching from the kitchen as the twins were fighting, and it wasn't their normal banter. Far from it.
" 'Ya gotta understand me, Tsumu!" Osamu yelled back, frustrated as he sighed, his hands on his hips
" Yeah, but 'ya promised me! " Atsumu reasoned out. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes before looking at his brother again, his eyes cold and hurt. " 'Ya know what, Samu? Fine, leave me like yer leavin' volleyball. Forget that 'im 'yer brotha then."
Osamu paused after hearing those words from his (two minutes) older brother. Staring at him dead in the eye, searching for a hint of joke, but there was none. One thing about Atsumu is that his eyes never lie. His eyes show the most transparent emotions Atsumu could never get out of his mouth, and Osamu knew that better than anyone else.
"Tsumu..." Their ma called out, reaching his hand out for Atsumu, but the boy turned his head. "Tsumu.. darlin', this isn't 'tha answer"
Between Atsumu and Osamu, Atsumu was much more stubborn, while Osamu was a lot more prideful. Because of those two natures, they never learned to back down. No one said sorry when they first had their fist fight, no one said sorry when Osamu yelled at Atsumu when he found his secret stash empty, and so many other reasons. Pissed with brother, Osamu laughed, making Atsumu a lot more pissed than he already was.
" 'Ya want that? Fine! Be 'yer way then." Osamu laughed at him and smiled, his smile not reaching his eyes. His smile was tempting, provoking a fox— " Had enough of 'ya anyway. 'Bout time 'yer leavin' me"
"Osamu!" Their Pa warned. Atsumu, without warning, grabbed his packed bags and left (He didn't forget to kiss his Ma goodbye, a habit he's never gotten rid of) "Samu, what was that?"
"He wanted it, Pa!" Osamu defended, it was true. How come he was getting scolded for something his idiot of a brother did? Atsumu said he should just forget about Osamu being his brother, and Osamu did him a favour. How is it that he's in the wrong?
"Still, 'Samu! 'tha wasn't 'tha answer!" His Pa frustratedly crossed his arms as Osamu looked at him, disbelief written all over his stoic face.
"It's always Tsumu, pa! He didn't want any brotha'! 'Ya heard him, didn't 'ya?!" Osamu, like a kid throwing tantrums, rushed towards his and Atsumu's shared room. It has always been like that, his Pa favoured Atsumu a little more than him. When he was a child, he didn't seem to mind that when it came to their birthday, Atsumu would get an extra gift from their Pa, but Osamu didn't mind because Atsumu would always tell him, 'Let's play with this, Samu! 'Tis lookin' like it's fun," and so they will play that stupid extra gift together.
Growing up, Osamu knew his twin was the favoured one. Not just by his parents but everyone else— they wouldn't know "Osamu" without "Atsumu", and Osamu didn't mind that before because Atsumu would always assure him that 'So what? 'Ya have me anyway. 'Ya only need me, not them. Stop bein' a jerk and thinkin' bout those, it's makin' 'yer stupid." and he did finish those three years without thinking about it, even if Atsumu got invitations of training camps he wanted to got to, but he loved his brother dearly and decided not to tell him he was jealous but instead packed him his lunch.
But it was so unfair for him right now. So, so unfair. It wasn't his fault he felt himself drifting away from volleyball, not his fault that cooking made him happier when he was on his awful days, not his fault that his twin brother (?) told him that he'd gladly accept that Osamu never existed as his brother if he leaves volleyball. How come his Pa couldn't understand that, for once, it wasn't all about Atsumu. Behind Atsumu, there was Osamu.
Atsumu was dumb, stupid, idiot, scum, asshole, bitch, whatever names his brother would call him. He was that. He sat on the train, watching the trees pass him as he leaned his head on the window, rethinking his life choices. Did he tell his twin brother(?) that he wasn't his brother anymore if he was leaving volleyball? Ha. He sure did. He was supposed to be strong, he knows he is. But how come he feels like crying?
There was no longer Atsumu with Osamu, he thinks. There was only Atsumu now. And Atsumu knows he'd never get used to that. Without Osamu he knows he has to study a little better to save his grades, practice a little harder because there was no Osamu to cover for his tosses, eat a little more knowing no one would steal his food, maybe, just maybe, Atsumu pleads to whatever deity was listening to him right now, that maybe this was the right decision.
It's been months, was it four or six? (It was actually 8 months and 4 weeks, yes, they both counted) without Atsumu talking to Osamu, and Osamu not talking to Atsumu. If Suna found out about this, he'd probably celebrate because this was the longest the twins hadn't talked with each other. Ma checks on Atsumu a lot, calling him at least thrice in a week, asking if he was eating well. Ma and Pa visited him last week too, and despite seeing his parents, he felt sad because maybe he was expecting someone else.
Osamu was busy taking culinary lessons, something he knows no one's gonna take away from him. Sometimes, as he studies, his mind wanders off to how his twin(?) is now. How are his awful grades doing, or was he even eating well? But Osamu was prideful; he wouldn't, and he meant it with everything he had, that he wouldn't reach out to his brother first in any way. Heck, he wasn't even talking to his parents.
"Stupid Tsumu" he murmurs as he stirs the soup inside the pot, a hand on his hip. Ma and Pa are out again, he thinks, probably visiting Tsumu. They asked him before leaving if he wanted to go to Osaka with them, but he said no, quicker than what he wanted to, of course. Osamu knows that he speaks quicker than his mind, so when he said no, he was kinda sad that he said no. But the look on his Pa's eyes made him mad.
Whatever, at least he knows his brother was doing well. Osamu would never admit it but he watches Atsumu's games, alone. Not letting their Ma and Pa know that he was.. missing his own brother, can he even call him that? He watches his brother set perfectly, serve well- sometimes he fails because of the background noise- still, he plays well. When did Atsumu not play well anyway?
No matter what, Osamu knows he's proud of Atsumu, no matter what. But that doesn't mean he's saying sorry first, of course, no way in hell would he do that. Atsumu hurt his feelings first, and he better be the one apologizing first, not Osamu in any way. Turning the stove off, his phone rang. Glancing at it, it was none other than Suna, who decided that he'd go pro as well. Suna didn't take Osamu's "leavin' volleyball" easy either, but he was better than Atsumu at least. At least Suna didn't go yelling at him that he doesn't want to be his friend anymore because of that, still, Suna gave him the cold shoulder for at least a week.
Picking up the phone, he answered with a soft "Hello?'
" 'Yer a fuckin' menace" Suna said, his accent heard. Out of all the Inarizaki members, Suna's accent was soft unlike most of them— Suna was like Kita, who's accent wasn't heard often unless they're frustrated, pissed, or just emotional.
"Well, hello to 'ya to Sunarin" Osamu laughed as he switched his phone to speaker and grabbed a bowl to put his soup.
" No hello to 'ya! Neither 'ya or Tsumu told me 'yer not talkin' to eachother?! I found out when 'yer ma tol me that 'ya aren't celebrating 'yer birthday with him today!" Oh right. It was Atsumu and Osamu's birthday today, right? That was the reason why Osamu cooked Atsumu's favourite miso soup, a chocolate cake, and a premium pudding on the table.
"Why'd 'ya ask Ma?" Osamu asked as he scooped the soup, and he grabbed another bowl
"I was vistin' Tsumu, thought you'd be there but she told me 'yer had a fight and ain't talkin" Suna answers, the line was silent before Suna spoke again "I can't go there now, 'ya know"
Chuckling, Osamu placed the bowl on the dining table "Don't 'ya worry that foxy brain of 'yer. 'm fine, I'll call later, gotta eat."
Suna bidding his farewell, Osamu stared at his lock screen, the date reading October 5th. He looked at the bowl in front of him, and the cake lit by a single yellow candle, and back to his phone, his lock screen a photo of him and Tsumu with their second-year jersey numbers, 7 and 11.
He whispered, "Happy birthday Tsumu." as he blew the candles, his tears finally flowing as he stared at the empty seat in front of him. It was the first time their tradition was broken, for years on end Atsumu and Osamu would have miso soup for their birthday with a chocolate cake and two candles, a yellow and grey one. And of course, premium pudding that they'd always end up fighting over. Osamu laughed bitterly at the memory and blew on the steaming soup, his tears not stopping. Deep down, he wishes Atsumu would be doing the same thing.
Atsumu wasn't. There was cake, but it wasn't chocolate; it was strawberry. There was no soup found on the table, no premium pudding either. The candle wasn't yellow nor was it grey, it was blue. Atsumu smiled at the surprise his parents and parents gave him. He was surprised to see Suna come too. Suna stared at the boy who blew his candles, smiling, happy that the boy was finally smiling. Atsumu, too, was happy for himself. He watched as his ma and pa gave him gifts, he clearly forgot that the extra gift his pa never failed to give him.. It was something he would love to share with Osamu. But Atsumu forgot Osamu, forgot that it was supposed to be chocolate cake with silver and yellow candles, not strawberry with blue candles, that there was supposed to be miso soup on the table and premium pudding waiting in the fridge. He forgot about the tradition he had lived with for years.
And fuck it, it was so unfair for Osamu.
Years later, Osamu started his business, moved out of their abode, and moved forward in life. His business was going well, and was happy. But he knows he's missing something— no, someone. During those years a lot has changed, he started dating Sunarin, started to not watch Atsumu's games (which was a lie), and started to make Atsumu's favourite onigiri. Despite all that, one thing never changed: their birthday traditions.
The shop was closed today, and Osamu, for once, wasn't wearing his cap. Instead, he was seated in the stadium in his favourite grey shirt with his beanie. EJP RAIJIN is having a match against MSBY BLACK JACKALS. If it wasn't for Suna, Osamu wouldn't bother closing his shop for just a day and watch a single game— no, he wouldn't. But here he was, sitting in the middle watching the game unfold. Truthfuy, he misses playing on the court, missed the feeling of hearing your name as people go wild every time you score, he missed having his teammates with him, he missed the feeling of spiking volleyballs, pissing off his brother, blocking—
oh. Osamu watched as EJP received the ball effortlessly. Komori's still the best libero, it appears. Watching the game made him reminisce on all the memories he had on the court, and most of them with his stupid brother, whom he could see clearly from where he was sitting. MSBY received the ball, passing it to Atsumu, who passed it to Sakusa, earning a score.
Teasing Suna, who probably told him to look at the audience, was the first time Atsumu and Osamu met. Osamu could see clearly how Atsumu's just stared at him, forgetting that he was in a game. Suna looked at him too, before lifting the net and hitting him on his arm. Osamu laughed at that. MSBY won the game after three sets. Osamu stood up from his seat and walked away. Suna told him to wait outside so they could spend their time together, before Osamu goes home to his Ma and Pa for his weekly visit.
So he did, patiently. Watching people pass him by, he heard them talk about how great Atsumu Miya was, and he smiled at that. Until he was poked by a small boy, he was probably still in middle school. Osamu crouched to his level and smiled comfortingly
"Heyya kid, 'ya lost?" He asked, the kid just stared at him (unfortunately, it was a little overwhelming for Osamu) before the kid smiled
"I remember you!" the kid smiled and jumped "You're Osamu Miya! Inarizaki's number 11! I saw you on the nationals!" he excitedly told Osamu about how great of a player he was and that he was kind of sad that he wasn't playing anymore but he still became his role model. He also told him that he loved his onigiri's
"Raiki!" A voice called, making the kid look around, to see an older guy with his hands on his hips.
"Raikkun" Osamu smiled as he stood up and ruffled the kid's hair." 'Ya don't know how much that means to me," he said as he watched the kid go to the guy, before turning around and waving at Osamu, yelling:
"I'll forever remember you!"
Osamu felt like crying. He felt a tug on his waist. Looking beside him, he saw Suna, who flashed him a concerned look. He shook his head and told him all that had happened, and everything the kid told him.
"Someone recognised me as Osamu, Rin. As Osamu, not Atsumu Miya's twin," he said as he looked at the door and urged Suna to leave, unaware of a certain blonde listening when he said that.
"Tsum..?" Bokuto called softly as he watched Atsumu's back, going up and down softly.
"Osamu," Atsumu called as he watched his brother walk away, his chest tightening. He looks back to when he did this to Osamu, did Osamu feel that way too? Does Osamu hate him now? He'd totally understand if Osamu does.
"For someone who's got the title of best setter, you sure are dumb." A voice behind Atsumu said, making everyone look at him
"Sakusa-san.." Hinata called shortly, voice acting as a warning. But Sakusa knew better than to let anyone stop him- heck, not even his cousin could stop him.
"If you miss your own brother go fucking talk to him then." Sakusa said as Atsumu stares at him "Don't go fucking acting like you haven't fought with him since you guys were babies. Stop being so scared, Atsumu. He's still your brother."
When Sakusa said that he didn't believe that those words came out of his not-so-mortal enemy. His words sinking into his brain and heart, he was still Osamu's brother, and Osamu was still his. Forever his twin, forever his brother.
He was supposed to be hanging out with MSBY, but he was rushing out of the place, car keys and his phone in hand. Meian just watched as he laughed, chugging his glass of beer
"Go get your brother, you fox! About damn time i tell you." The other members laughed, bidding Atsumu goodbye and safe travels. Bokuto nudged Sakusa, who gave him his 'Don't touch me, you owl looking bastard' look
"Looks like you can't daydream while looking at him for now, huh?" Bokuto laughed as Sakusa flipped him off, making him laugh louder.
The travel was quick, especially if you're passing the speed limit. Atsumu wasn't even sure if his own brother's home right now or with his fox look alike of a boyfriend- damn that Rintaro fuckin' Suna and potentially could be a Miya. Atsumu didn't even notice that he had already passed by his old school- the school he made countless unforgettable memories in, the school where he bonded most with his twin, the school which he considered home.
Pulling up in their driveway, he noticed Osamu's car— the car had two stickers. A volleyball and a bee. Fuck if Atsumu was the bee, he'd probably kill Osamu. Knocking at the door, he anxiously waited. Would Osamu hate him now? Would Osamu open the door wide for him? his thoughts were filled with Osamu.
When the door opened, it was Osamu. Who stared at him in return. They stared for minutes until Atsumu couldn't hold it in any longer, then he cried. The freaking dam broke the moment he saw his own brother again, that stupid hair now back on their original color, that damn eyes that knows when he lies.
"Samu.." he called, his voice breaking, "Samu.. samu 'm sorry Samu"
That's all it took for Osamu to hug him. A simple ' I'm sorry' was enough for Osamu to forget what happened and hug him tight. A sorry was all it needed yet it took them years, but none of that matters now.
"It's alright Tsumu." he softly answered as Atsumu wrapped his arms around Osamu, crying loudly. If their ma and pa were asleep by now, well, they sure aren't because of how loudly Atsumu was crying. "Tsumu! Shh, Ma 'n Pa are sleepin' already!"
"Samu? Who's at 'ta door?" Ma called out and saw her twins hugging. The twins she carried for 9 months, the twins whom she cares for, the twins she loved most. "Oh, my darlin'.."
"Ma, Tsumu's home," Osamu called as he pulled his brother, who refused to let go of his hand," 'n 'ta idiots cryin' "
"Shut up Samu" Atsumu cried, as their Ma laughed at him. Ma walked closer, hugging them both
"Welcome home Tsumu, your twin was waitin' for 'ya"
"Stupid! get on 'yer own bed!" Osamu scolded, fighting the urge to fall asleep. He's glad that his twin finally came home, but it doesn't mean that he was about to to share his own bed when Atsumu's top bunk was clean and not used for years. But again, between them both Atsumu was stubborn, so did he listen to his brother? No, why would he?
Slipping under Osamu's covers, the other letting him do what he wants because there was no way that Atsumu would listen anyway. Atsumu stared at the top bunk while Osamu tried his hardest to sleep
"Hey Samu"
"What Tsumu"
" 'm sorry for bein' a jerk to 'ya that day," Atsumu confessed. Osamu was wide awake now, listening. "I was just mad, probably hurt 'ya know? We promised each other that we'd go to 'ta Olympics, go pro, together. And 'ya broke that and i just.. didn't know. 'Ya know what's funny? After Sunarin found out we fought he kept on buggin' me to talk to 'ya, but i was scared, so i didn't, and it was so hard Samu."
Atsumu suffered a lot when he was alone. "Too hard because 'ya weren't around. I felt sad and I couldn't call 'ya because I'm scared 'ya won't pick up— forgot about our birthday tradition once, when i got to MSBY everythin' was so new to me, i was lookin' for you every time we play 'ya know? Got me thinkin' about how much 'yer gonna like the court 'n all that"
"Tsumu.."
"But i knew it was harder for 'ya." Atsumu turned to face him "Harder for 'ya because when it was our birthday you have no one, Ma and Pa would celebrate with me, while 'yer was alone here.. 'ya always were. But Suna told me everythin' i wanted to know about 'ya. Told me that 'yer datin' him and all that. He was a bitch cuz all he do is talk about 'ya but i liked it because at least i knew 'yer doin' fine"
"I missed 'ya" Osamu bluntly said, making Atsumu stare at him, Osamu keeping his eyes closed "I didn't watcher 'yer games as often anymore because sometimes 'm busy but Suna did. He'd message me all the time and tell me how well 'ya did, Suna loved 'ya the way i did, that's for sure."
"Yeah."
"Sleep, Tsumu"
"Do ya forgive me?"
"A long time ago, Tsumu."
Osamu finally felt a ease, so did Atsumu. Osamu forgave Atsumu when Atsumu didn't even ask for his forgiveness yet. He knew his brother better than anyone after all, and he knew that Atsumu was just scared, and if he were Atsumu he'd probably be ten times scared than Atsumu was.
Finally, they felt complete. They took each other out on dates to make up for the traditions they couldn't spend together, for the first time after four years, they finally celebrated their birthday together, Suna was officially a "okay fine, 'ya could be a miya" and Sakusa finally manned up and courted Atsumu— well he's still trying to pass the "Great Miya wall"
And Pa said sorry to Osamu, and it was safe to say that Osamu cried like a baby while Atsumu laughed at him. Finally, it was Atsumu and Osamu, no more celebrating birthdays alone, staying at home during off off-season. Just like before, Where Atsumu is, Osamu is there too.
Forever.