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It had been five days since Sakusa's admission to the hospital, a relentless series of tests leaving him exhausted and drained. Atsumu's visits had been infrequent, likely due to his demanding practice schedule. Sakusa didn't want to impede Atsumu's progress with his own health issues, so he accepted the limited visits without complaint. Lost in his thoughts, Sakusa's attention was caught by the sound of the door opening. A figure entered, bearing a resemblance to Atsumu, except for his dark chestnut brown hair.

"Yer Sakusa Kiyoomi, right?" the person inquired. Sakusa nodded in confirmation as the figure placed a bundle of containers on the table across from him. "Tsumu told me you were in the hospital. He was mighty worried when he said he couldn't visit today. Ya should've seen his face," the person chuckled, but quickly realized Sakusa's lack of amusement. "I'm Osamu, Tsumu's twin. Ever since I stopped dyin' my hair, folks started questionin' if I really had a twin or just a lookalike," he explained, taking a seat on the nearby couch and scanning the room.

Osamu's presence shed some light on why Atsumu had wanted him to visit. Sakusa mused over the gloomy atmosphere of the hospital room. "No wonder Tsumu wanted me here. This place does look rather somber," Osamu remarked, rising to inspect the machines attached to Sakusa

. Sakusa couldn't help but question Atsumu's intentions. "Why did Tsumu want you to visit? I told him I was doing better," he stated, rolling his eyes in mild exasperation as he reached for his phone to call Atsumu. "He's just genuinely concerned 'bout ya. Ever since you've been admitted, he's been actin' more down," Osamu responded, grabbing his ringing phone.

"Hello?" he answered, an eye-roll accompanying his greeting. "'Tsumu, oh my god, I arrived ten minutes ago," he sighed, clearly exasperated by the conversation on the other end. More pauses and muffled murmurs followed. Eventually, Osamu approached Sakusa, extending the phone to him. "'Tsumu wants to talk to you," he said, passing the device. Sakusa took the phone and pressed it to his ear. "'Tsumu?" he murmured softly. "Oh, Omi-Omi! He wasn't lyin' then. Okay, how are you?" Atsumu's voice came through the phone, relief evident in his tone. "I'm doing better. Why did you send Osamu here to check on me?" Sakusa inquired, his curiosity piqued. "Just wanted to make sure ya were alright," Atsumu replied, his concern unmistakable.

They exchanged a few more minutes of conversation before Sakusa returned the phone to Osamu, their conversation offering a brief respite from the hospital's gloom.

"Thanks for stopping by, Osamu-san, but you don't have to come next time Tsumu asks you to," Sakusa expressed, attempting to rise from his bed. However, Osamu gently stopped him, understanding the gravity of Atsumu's concern. "'Tsumu told me not to let ya get up. If he found out, he'd probably kill me," Osamu said with a wry smile, helping Sakusa settle back down. "I'll come by every now and then. Seems like you're feelin' a tad lonely," he added, displaying a friendly smile.

The resemblance between Osamu and Atsumu was uncanny. "See you next time," Osamu bid farewell, walking out the door. Sakusa walked over to the containers he left behind, noticing the sticky notes on each one, scribbled with Atsumu's haphazard handwriting. The words were barely legible, but Sakusa carefully tucked them into his pocket, ensuring they wouldn't get crumpled. "Eat well, ya dumbass," one note read, followed by another with slightly neater handwriting: "Sorry I couldn't visit ya. Practice with Iwaizumi is intense. I'm sure ya remember." Sakusa smiled softly as he read the final note: "Aw, Omi-Omi, hope ya don't miss me too much. I know it gets real lonely there without my charm 'n all." Sakusa made sure to safeguard the notes as he placed them in his bag.

a thoughtful gift from his older sister while he had been asleep.

*

It had been five days since Sakusa's admission to the hospital, and Atsumu had only visited a couple of times. Sakusa couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt that Atsumu didn't seem as concerned as he had hoped. Checking Atsumu's social media, Sakusa saw that he was still actively updating his account, which made it clear that he chose not to visit rather than being unable to. As Sakusa's thoughts lingered on Atsumu's absence, the door opened, revealing a familiar face.

"Iwaizumi-san?" Sakusa leaned forward slightly, hoping for a visitor. Standing alongside Iwaizumi was a man with brown hair and brown eyes, who seemed inseparable from Iwaizumi. "Sorry for the intrusion. I just wanted to check on you since I haven't done so in quite a while," Iwaizumi explained, drawing Sakusa's attention to the man beside him. Recognition flashed through Sakusa's mind—he had seen him play against Italy in the last Olympic games. "Yaho~ Hello, Sakusa-chan. I've heard a lot about you from Iwa-chan," the man introduced himself as Oikawa Toru, wearing a smile that couldn't quite conceal his discontent.

Sakusa's gaze shifted towards Oikawa and Iwaizumi, noticing their intertwined hands. The pieces fell into place, and Sakusa realized the reason for Oikawa's presence. "Hello, Oikawa. I watched your matches at the Olympics a few years ago. Your performance was remarkable, despite your teammates letting you down," Sakusa commented, his tone cool and detached. Oikawa appeared taken aback but quickly recovered, moving closer to Sakusa with a genuine smile.

"Glad to see you take an interest in my matches, Omi-chan," he remarked. Sakusa's glare intensified. "Don't call me that," he stated firmly, prompting Iwaizumi to pull Oikawa away from him. "Sorry for that, Sakusa. Oikawa can be a bit...unhinged," Iwaizumi apologized, shooting Oikawa a stern look. "Iwa-chan mean!" Oikawa exclaimed, feigning pain but clearly reveling in the attention. "If you want, you can leave, Iwaizumi-san. It seems Oikawa would prefer me anywhere but here right now," Sakusa suggested, glancing at Oikawa, who feigned shock before clinging to Iwaizumi's arm.

"He's a mind reader, Iwa-chan! He's freaky!" Oikawa exclaimed, drawing an exasperated response from Iwaizumi. "I'm sorry for the intrusion again, Sakusa," Iwaizumi said as he led Oikawa out of the room. However, Sakusa could still hear their voices outside. "Oikawa, you're still as shitty as ever," Iwaizumi grumbled. "Yeah, but that's why you like me," Oikawa replied, their voices fading away.

*

Days turned into weeks, and Sakusa's hospital stay stretched on. It had been ten days since his admission, and Atsumu had still not visited. The significance of the date weighed heavily on Sakusa's mind—it was the fourteenth of June. Every month, on this date, he and Atsumu would spend time together, watching movies, cooking, or simply lounging around. It had become their tradition, a special bond they cherished. It had all started when Atsumu called one night, unable to sleep, and Sakusa offered to stay with him until he drifted off.

They had skipped practice together with the Jackals to spend the entire day side by side, Atsumu finally falling asleep. It was a day dedicated to their connection, their love for each other. But on this day, Atsumu had chosen not to come. As Sakusa contemplated Atsumu's absence, the door swung open once more, revealing Hinata and Bokuto entering the room. They were accompanied by Akaashi and Kageyama, their presence injecting life and vibrancy into the space.

"Omi! We're so sorry we couldn't visit earlier. Iwaizumi grilled us in practice," Bokuto exclaimed, his smile bringing a touch of warmth to the room. Hinata added, "Sakusa-san, we were incredibly worried when we saw you collapse. I can't even begin to imagine what Atsumu is going through right now."

Sakusa's attention shifted to Bokuto, curiosity tugging at him. "Where is Atsumu, anyways?" he asked, only to be met with a somber silence. "What happened?" Sakusa looked to Bokuto, who appeared on the verge of tears. "We asked him if he wanted to come, and he declined. He said he would come when he had something to say," Bokuto explained, his voice heavy with concern. Hinata chimed in, "Yeah, when we asked him what he meant, he stared at the lights and said he needed to think." Bokuto sighed, taking a seat on the couch where Sakusa's bag was placed.

"It's okay, Bokuto-san," Akaashi offered, sitting down beside him and offering a comforting pat on the back. "Why did you bring your partners? Did you just drag them along?" Sakusa questioned, his gaze turning towards Kageyama, whose intense stare seemed ready to incite violence. Hinata playfully kicked Kageyama, causing him to stagger, and spoke up, "We brought them so the room wouldn't feel so lonely!" Hinata's smile brought a hint of warmth to Sakusa's heart. For the first time in a while, their presence didn't provoke Sakusa's desire to strike them. Instead, their lively energy drowned out the overwhelming thoughts swirling within him.

Why hadn't Atsumu come? The question echoed in Sakusa's mind, leaving him with an ache he couldn't ignore.

*

Today marked the 13th day since Atsumu had last visited, and Sakusa couldn't help but feel a growing sense of worry. Although they spoke on the phone frequently, the absence of Atsumu's physical presence weighed heavily on his heart. It didn't help that Atsumu's social media posts had become more frequent, filled with pictures of him surrounded by girls at parties. Sakusa was unsure how to interpret it all.

Then, to his surprise, the door to his hospital room creaked open slowly, revealing Atsumu standing there. Relief washed over Sakusa as he gazed at the familiar face of the person he loved most. Everything about him felt different—his demeanor, his appearance. According to Hinata, who visited often with Kageyama, Sakusa looked like he was suffering rather than surviving. And somehow, that realization didn't shock him. The toll of his illness was evident in his tired eyes and weakened body.

"Omi-Omi," Atsumu's voice quivered as he rushed toward Sakusa, wrapping his arms around him in a tight embrace. "I missed you so much," he whispered, his voice muffled against Sakusa's shoulder. Tears streamed down his face, and he broke down right in front of Sakusa.

"I washed up before comin' here, I know how much ya hate it when I hug you while I'm dirty," Atsumu managed to say between sobs, his hand cupping Sakusa's cheek. A bittersweet smile graced Sakusa's lips. "I can't judge, considering I haven't been able to take a bath for almost four days now." Sakusa leaned in, pressing his lips against Atsumu's, trying to convey the love and reassurance he felt in that moment. They kissed deeply, their hands seeking solace in each other's touch.

"Don't cry, 'Tsumu," Sakusa murmured against Atsumu's lips, gently wiping away his tears. "You'll make me cry too." He kissed Atsumu's forehead and then trailed his lips along his eyelid, his cheek still damp from the tears. They shared another kiss, their connection deepening with every touch.

"No matter what, we'll play together again," Sakusa whispered, his voice filled with determination. He kissed Atsumu once more before pulling away slightly. "Promise me that when I get better, you'll set to me?" Sakusa held Atsumu's face in his hands, searching his eyes for the reassurance he needed.

"Of course, I will, Omi-Omi, who would set to you if it's not me" Atsumu replied, his gaze softening with love and devotion. Sakusa felt a flicker of hope ignite within him, knowing that no matter the challenges they faced, their love and passion for volleyball would bring them back together.

As Atsumu left the room, Sakusa was once again alone with his thoughts. Questions swirled in his mind, seeking answers he couldn't find. What had Atsumu been doing all this time? Why did he smell different? Why was he crying so much? Why hadn't he visited earlier? The uncertainty gnawed at Sakusa's heart, and he couldn't help but notice a band-aid on Atsumu's hand—a hospital-administered one, placed directly over a vein. He closed his eyes, committing the details to memory. Atsumu was not only acting strangely, but he also seemed to be hiding something.

Sakusa drifted off to sleep, plagued by thoughts and concerns. The questions about Atsumu's behavior lingered, leaving him yearning for answers and fearing what he might uncover. But in the depths of his uncertainty, Sakusa clung to the love they shared, hoping that together they could overcome any obstacle that stood in their way.

Atsumu visited again the next day, his body still glistening with sweat, evidence of the intense training regime he endured under Iwaizumi's watchful eye. "Omi-Omi, missed me?" Atsumu grinned as he placed a plastic bag filled with mysterious items on the table beside the bed. "Nope, I was hoping you wouldn't show up. But here you are," Sakusa replied, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips, letting Atsumu know it was all in good fun. "Oh, how you wound me, Omi-Omi." Atsumu pretended to clutch his heart dramatically before taking a seat next to Sakusa.

"Can ya stand up now?" Atsumu stood up, prompting Sakusa to follow suit. This time, with Atsumu's support, he managed to stand successfully, although the portable IV drip and saline drip were still attached, a reminder of his condition. They strolled together through the hospital garden, a sanctuary for admitted patients.Atsumu then takes Sakusa, hand in hand and makes him sit down on a patch of green grass. "So, how do ya fill up yer time now that yer always free?" Atsumu asked, genuinely curious. Sakusa glanced at him, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I read, listen to music, and try to keep up with the outside world as much as possible. What about you, 'Tsumu?"

Atsumu looked up at the sky, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Ya know, I've been listening to 'Promise' by Laufey." He turned his gaze to Sakusa and grinned. "Do you even know what the song is talking about, 'Tsumu?" Atsumu shook his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Nah, I just like how her voice sounds."

The day unfolded with shared laughter and genuine moments of joy. It was a reprieve from the constant worries and the weight of their respective burdens. The crimson rose that Atsumu had plucked from the garden earlier now found a permanent home amidst the flowers brought by Bokuto, Hinata, Akaashi, and Kageyama. Its vibrant color symbolized love and hope, a reminder of the strength they found in each other's company. As they sat together, surrounded by nature's beauty, Sakusa couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope amidst the challenges they faced.

*

Days turned into weeks, and the melody of hope started to waver, drowned out by the relentless chorus of loneliness and sadness. Atsumu's visits became sporadic, his once radiant smile now clouded with unspoken worries. Sakusa could sense the distance growing between them, the unspoken words that hung heavy in the air.

The hospital room, once a place of fleeting solace, now felt like a prison of uncertainty. Sakusa spent hours staring out the window, watching the changing seasons with a heavy heart. The vibrant colors of the crimson rose had faded, mirroring the fading hope within his soul.

Time seemed to stand still as Sakusa's health deteriorated. The treatments took their toll, draining his strength and leaving him weakened. His body became a battleground, each day marked by pain and fatigue. And as his condition worsened, the visits from friends dwindled, their own lives and commitments pulling them away.

But it was the absence of Atsumu that pierced Sakusa's heart the most. The once inseparable bond they shared now felt fragile and tenuous. Atsumu's presence, once a source of comfort, became a painful reminder of the love that was slipping away. Sakusa longed for the warmth of Atsumu's embrace, the reassurance in his eyes, but it felt like a distant memory.

As Sakusa lay in the sterile hospital bed, his thoughts consumed by what once was and what could have been, the echoes of unanswered questions haunted his mind. Why did Atsumu pull away? Did he tire of the burden Sakusa had become? Was their love not strong enough to withstand the trials they faced?

In the midst of his anguish, Sakusa found solace in the familiar melody of hope. He clung to the fragments of their love, hoping that one day they could find their way back to each other. The songs that once brought them joy now served as a painful reminder of what they had lost.

But deep down, Sakusa couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Atsumu's absence than met the eye. There was a lingering sense of unease, a nagging suspicion that Atsumu was harboring a secret. The bandaid on his hand, the distant look in his eyes—they all painted a picture of a pain that Atsumu was trying to hide.

As the days turned into endless nights, Sakusa vowed to confront the silence between them. The melody of hope may have faltered, but he refused to let it fade away completely. With each passing day, he gathered the strength to face the truth, whatever it may be, and to fight for the love that once bound them together.

*

Sakusa was relieved when Atsumu finally arrived, though his appearance raised even more concerns. Atsumu looked paler than usual, his disheveled hair revealing the roots where the yellow dye had faded away. Dark circles under his eyes spoke of sleepless nights and exhaustion. Concern etched across Sakusa's face as he watched Atsumu make his way to the bedside, his movements sluggish and labored. Sensing his fatigue, Atsumu asked, "Hey Omi, mind if I fall asleep beside ya for a bit?"

Sakusa nodded silently, his worry deepening. As Atsumu settled beside him, he quickly succumbed to sleep, his breathing heavy and his body tense. Sakusa couldn't help but notice the bandages covering Atsumu's arms, evidence of countless blood tests. His veins were barely visible, and his complexion looked drained. Sakusa's mind raced, conjuring the worst possible scenarios. He gently raised Atsumu's sleeves, revealing the physical toll his body had endured.

Startled from his restless slumber, Atsumu woke up with a jolt, his breathing rapid and his forehead glistening with sweat. Sakusa caressed his cheek, trying to offer comfort. "Hey 'Tsumu, did you wake up?" Sakusa kissed him softly before pulling back, concern etched on his face.

Atsumu mustered a smile, the same smile that had brought Sakusa so much joy and motivation. "Yeah, sorry for intruding, Omi. I was just really tired," Atsumu said, his voice laced with weariness. But Sakusa knew there was more to the story.

Summoning his courage, Sakusa leaned in closer, his hand gripping Atsumu's. "What's happening, 'Tsumu? Your arms are covered in bandages, you look paler and more worn out. Please, tell me what's going on," Sakusa implored, his worry seeping into his voice.

Atsumu turned his head away, tears threatening to spill. "I'm sorry, Omi, but I can't give you a straight answer right now," Atsumu replied, his voice filled with a mixture of pain and regret.

Sakusa tightened his hold on Atsumu's hand, refusing to let go. "I'm always here for you, 'Tsumu. Whatever it is, we'll face it together," Sakusa assured him, his voice filled with unwavering support. He pressed his lips against Atsumu's, seeking solace and reassurance in their connection.

They both laughed softly, finding comfort in each other's presence. As they lay side by side on the hospital bed, their fingers intertwined, Sakusa couldn't help but notice a sensation around his hand. He glanced down and saw a red string, delicately wrapped around his pinky. His gaze traveled to where the other end of the thread led—to Atsumu's pinky. A smile spread across their faces as they shared a silent understanding, their souls bound by an invisible red thread.

As they drifted off to sleep, Sakusa couldn't shake the feeling that their love would withstand any hardship that came their way. With their intertwined fingers and the crimson thread connecting them, they found solace in the depths of their shared affection. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, finding strength in each other and the melody of hope that resided in their hearts.