#slowburner

“Miya-San!.. Over here!!… “Sir! Miya-San!…” was all that was being heard from the conference room. Atsumu was already fed up and just wanted to go home to see you and Benji. “People! One question at a time please.” Says a slim tall man, name Oli, who is Atsumu’s representative and manager. Oli and yourself convinced Atsumu to go ahead and speak at the conference to calm the rumors that Akira caused.

“You, with the glasses, go ahead and ask away.” Oli pointed to one of the news reporters. “What we the people want to understand Miya-San, is that where did this mysterious women come out from? And this baby?” Atsumu was already annoyed he was ready to snap. “Look, I already said, the mother of my child and I wanted to keep this a secret. I told her that I will respect her leaving and I will support her and the baby in any way I can.”

A lady suddenly blurted out, “if you already knew about this woman and your supposably son, then why did you never spoke to your future fiancé Akira about it?!” This lady was already mad, which Atsumu and Oli had to basically end the conference.

“This will conclude our press conference.” Oli then proceeds to help Atsumu leave when someone yelled, “are you sure that’s your kid?!” Atsumu stopped and turned around. Oli gently places his hand on his shoulder to calm him down and have him proceed on leaving. “Tsumu, it’s okay, ignore it and let’s go.”

“This is why us “celebrities” like to keep our life the most minimal we can. Because of nosy people like you who have no clue what really goes on in our lives. Yes that baby is 100% mine! And she is the mother of my child who I love. Akira and I didn’t work out due to differences in personality, but in no way did I cheat on her. She said that because she’s hurt which I understand. But if you want to continue with your lies, by all means.” The pretty setter turns around and leaves meanwhile everyone in the press room was going crazy.

You hear a knock on the door and you walk to check who it is. Your heart skipped a beat on seeing Atsumu. Despite everything going on, you still feel something for him. You open the door and allow him to come in. He was totally gushing on the matching blue jean overalls you and Benji had.

You were moving in still and setting up your apartment on how you liked it. “You two look so cute” says Atsumu as he proceeds to take a picture of the two of you. You offer him to have a seat at the island and bring out two glasses of water for the two of you. Meanwhile, Benji was watching his favorite cartoon in the living room.

“How did it go?” You ask Atsumu who was waiting for you to ask him because he wanted to vent so bad. “It went alright. At the end they pissed me off tho because a random shit head said that Benji isn’t my son.” You went to grab his free hand and gently held on to it. “I’m sorry for all this commotion going on because of my decision. If I would have told you none of this wo-“ he cuts you off. “No! I’m glad you two are back. I’m glad you came back. My life was alright, yes I have a great a career, I’m blessed with money but I wasn’t happy. You’re the happiness I needed. I didn’t know I needed Benji, and you brought his happiness to my life so thank you. Don’t ever think this was a mistake.”

You felt your eyes get watery as he continued. “We will continue working as a team okay?” You gently smiled and invited him to dinner later on when he comes back from practice.

“The same exact thing.” Says Bokuto meanwhile all the volleyball men were passing his phone around. “Literally his twin.” … “it’s like if they’re triplets.” … “can’t believe this dumbass is a whole ass dad.” Says Sakusa as he made everyone laugh. “Shut up yeah?” Atsumu says as he enters the gym. “Are you going to start showing him how to play volleyball?” Says Shion all excited. “I’ll answer your questions later on when we get drinks.

All the men go to their local restaurant that they usually go too when they end practices. Atsumu told them the whole story on how you two met and how Benji came to this world. “So you’re tellin’ me, you were being silly and didn’t wrap your Willy?” Bokuto blurted out meanwhile everyone starting roaring in laughter. “In all honesty Atsumu, it makes me proud of you accepting your son and the girl. You could’ve easily rejected her and the kid, and you didn’t.” Everyone got quiet and nodded their head in agreement with Sakusa.

“When are we meeting them?!” Hinata yells out. “As soon as she’s ready. But you’ll be meeting Benji soon.” All the men continued to talk and wanted to go to a bar to continue their drinking but Atsumu had to go. “There goes the family man.”

Benji heard the doorbell ring and ran to you to open it. “Mama! Mama! Hurry it’s papa!” The toddler was pulling your arm in a hurry to see his dad. You open the door and the toddler jumped on his dad in pure joy.

Meanwhile you were fixing the dinner plates, Benji and Atsumu were building houses with Benji’s legos. You then called them both over to wash their hands and have a seat at your small dining table. You made steaks paired with mash potatoes, gravy, and asparagus. Benji’s steak was cut into cubes. Atsumu took a first bite and was in love. “Let me put a ring on it” he says with a mouthful meanwhile you were dying a laughter. “My team wants to meet you and Benji.” You look at him a bit shock. “Are you sure you want to introduce me to them? What if they question me.” Atsumu smiles, “nah, the guys aren’t like that. They’re ready to meet their nephew and are excited to see who made me a dad. But until you’re ready , I’ll take you.”

Benji helped you pick up the table meanwhile Atsumu went to his place to quickly shower. He came back to you and you were washing the dishes. He came from behind you and hugged you from behind. He then placed his head on your shoulder. “Thank you for dinner. Thank you for having me over. I loved this quality family time.” He then proceeded to give you a small peck on the cheek meanwhile you became a blushing mess. You turn off the faucet and turn around without Atsumu breaking the hug.

Your eye contact was immense, where Atsumu can swallow you whole. He slowly reaches in and you panic and close your eyes. You feel him gently peck your lips as you felt your whole stomach knot in butterflies. You place your wet hand around his neck, showing him agreement in him kissing you. You two began to kiss, and you swore you felt like it was just you and him. No one else around, you felt like a highschool girl who’s crush finally notices her. It was a kiss that was speaking your feelings out loud. Atsumu picked you up and placed you on the kitchen island. It wasn’t until Benji came and yelled at you saying he was sleepy. You got scared and pushed Atsumu away.

“I’ll take him to bed, don’t worry.” You see him run behind his toddler and pick him up while Benji was dying in laughter. You stayed there on the counter completely shocked. He then comes back to you to say that Benji fell asleep right away. You walk him out and stop at the door. “Y/n, I want us to try. I want us to be a thing, but I know I just ended my engagement which I think I know what answer I’ll get. But I really want a relationship with you.”

You reach in and give him a kiss on the cheek. “Let’s try. But let’s take it slow. I want us to get to know each other now. Yes we went to school together, but let’s catch up on the many years we missed. Let’s grow together also as a family. Once I’m ready, ask me to be your girlfriend.”

And that is how you and Atsumu were finally back in each others lives.

Afterthought:

• Finally! I’m so excited that Y/N is wanting to give him a chance. She’s giving love a chance as well. Even tho they’re not together yet, we all know Atsumu is going to do everything in his power to make y/n his. 🥲

I have to cut our loses. We spend a good hour outside, wondering around my apartment building. But we find nothing, not even a smallest hint of what happened to make Jaskier end up here. The bard stays quiet for most of the search, as I can tell he is still very much worried about me.

He only speaks when he sees a car pass by, as it startles him so much he immediately jumps behind me. I explain to him what it is, or try to, and he relaxes a little. Still flinching whenever a car goes by, though.

We rush inside, before Dave decides to visit again, as I lock the door. Apollo comes to greet us, meowing, but I ignore my friend, as anxiety washes over me and I can barely contain it. I know my companion feels it, as he glues himself to me, following my every step as I rush to the kitchen.

I see Jaskier sit at the couch again, not saying anything. I want to break the silence, but know my voice would shake, and I didn’t want to worry him even more. I throw some toast in the toaster, I will offer him a meal as an apology. I put butter and cinnamon on toast, bringing it to him. I set the plate on the coffee table, sitting down.

“I’m sorry.” I apologize, as the man looks at me. I can’t put my finger on it, but his expression makes me feel weird.

“Don’t be, I over-stepped.” I shake my head, pressing my lips together. I am willing to swallow a bit of my pride for this man.

“No Jaskier. I just… I made a promise. To the stars.” I close my eyes, scared of him judging me. This way, at least I don’t have to see it. “That I would make it on my own. Whatever that it may be. I don’t like it when people help me or try to be nice to me. Makes me feel… weak.”

“But everyone needs help from time to time.” There is no judgement in his voice, so I open my eyes. He gives me a kind smile, as Apollo jumps in my lap, purring. “You are helping me, does it mean I am weak?”

“No.” I say, biting the inside of my mouth, trying to stop the water works from leaking.

“Then why are you weak, if I help you a little?” I can’t answer that, so I just look down, at my cat, who is now napping, soundly. He has a point. “You’re being unfair on yourself. Allow me to say this, Y/N, even my great friend Geralt needs help sometimes. And he’s the bloody Witcher. It does not make him any weaker, if anything, it shows strength.”

“I know.” My voice shakes a little, as I wipe my nose. My eyes may be dry, but nose was runny. “It’s just, I prefer to be alone.”

“I used to say that.” His mind drifts far away. I cant help but admire how beautiful he manages to look. “But I hated nothing more than being alone.”

“I have Apollo.” I argue. He sighs, looking at me.

“Y/N.” He speaks to me like I am a child. We lock eyes, and I see so much care in his gaze, I want to run away. But I stay. “You need people.”

“Either way.” I say, ignoring him. I am barely holding back the tears. “Eat your meal. I have something to show you.”

I spring to my feet. Showing him moving pictures may be a good enough distraction for now. Introducing him to some of the great Internet, so we can avoid the sensitive topics. I look down to see my hands still shaking, so I rush to the bathroom.

There I see Jaskier clothes in a pile on the floor. I sigh, folding them, as tears escape my eyes. I turn on the faucet, making sure the bard can’t hear my heavy breaths and sniffling. It takes me a couple of minutes of crying to clam down. I wash my face, avoiding looking in the mirror. I stop the faucet and flush the toilet, purely because I am scared to go out just yet.

When I do, however, he doesn’t look at me, and I feel relieved. I rush to the bed, grabbing my laptop, soon landing next to him. Our legs touch and I feel the build up static shock me, so I jump back. He giggles, but I ignore that, opening up the computer, entering my password in a quick move.

One glance at him, and I see how mesmerized he is, my heart feels like it will burst. I take a couple deep breaths, wondering what I could show him.

YouTube and Netflix both were dangerous, as they could have his show on the main page, I still bite the bullet, turning the screen from his eyes, going to youtube. As expected, my feed is filled with recommended videos from Joey Batey. I stare at Jaskier for a moment, wondering if somehow he could be Joey, just very confused and lost one. But then I remember the Instagram story, and know I’m grasping at straws.

I search for cat videos, not sure what else to show him. What would interest a man who thinks he is from a fantasy world?

“Look.” I say, pressing play. It seems like his eyes are about to fall out as he stares at the screen, I giggle landing my hand on his. “Relax.”

“What is this magic?” I pause the video, pulling my hand away. Our eyes meet.

“This, Jask, is video. Moving pictures, if you will.” He still seems confused. “We have these things called cameras, that can take not-moving images of a moment, so you can cherish it, or can take moving things, like this cat video. There is even more, people create characters and stories and film them.”

“Do you have a camera?” I nod, putting laptop on the table, as I rush to get my Canon. I come back, turning it on. I decide to use the view finder. I sit next to him. “Here.”

“How do I use it?” He asks, twisting it around, before he begins staring at the screen.

I explain. Then he takes some pictures, of my room, me, my laptop and Apollo. I take some of him, and we even try to take some together, as we both laugh, trying to fit in that small space.

Then I show him some films. I start with my personal favourite and a classic – Titanic. Stopping whenever he get’s to confused, explaining things. We move to more and more films, only taking a break when we both get hungry.

I take the chance and sacrifice my wallet and order us some pizza, which he seems to like. He tries his first fizzy drink, Sprite, and at first he hates it, but I see him sip it more and more as the day progresses.

It keeps up for a couple of weeks. We spend days watching movies as he slowly learns more about the way my world works. We spend some of my savings as I order different take out, but eventually he helps me cook some dinner for us. He slowly, but surely adapts.

Until it all crashes down.

I go to use the bathroom, leaving Jaskier at the laptop. When I come out, however, he is on his feet, anxiously walking around. I stop, my heart dropping to my feet. I see Joey’s face on the screen. No, not his.

I see Jaskier. A video of him, in the tavern, signing.  

He probably went to YouTube And found a video of himself. And a whole lot of questions.

My gaze goes from the screen, to the man, who has stopped pacing, and now is staring at me. His eyes burn, as I see betrayal written all over it. I don’t know what he even thinks is going on and I don’t know how I can explain it to him.

“Jaskier, please.” I point to the couch, but he just shakes his head. I put my hands behind my back, so he wouldn’t see them shake.

“What does that mean?” He asks, as his voice breaks. I feel my heart shatter.

“Please, sit down.” I try to plea, my voice slightly shaky.

“Just tell me what it means!” I flinch at his yell, fighting back the tears. No matter how much it hurts me, I know that he was hurting so much more.

“I don’t know.” I say, and that is the honest truth. His shoulders hang low. “Jaskier, I don’t know.”

“I’m a character.” His voice fills with disgust, as a sudden rush of bravery washes over me. I step to him, grabbing his shoulders.

“You’re so much more than that. You’re here.” I plead again, forcing him to look at me. “You’re you.”

“I’m not even real.” He hisses, escaping my grip. I wrap my hands around myself, as I continue staring at him, as he walks around. Looking for something, anything probably. Wanting things to make sense.

“Then am I crazy and just imagining you? Dave saw you too, Jaskier.” I raise my voice, which makes him stop pacing. Our eyes meet. “You are as real as me. This world just isn’t yours. How that happened, I don’t know, and we will get you home.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” There is so much hurt in his voice that I want to hide under my bed. Run away. Escape. But I choose to stay, for him.

“There is no easy way to say something like this. I don’t even know what this is!” My voice cracks, and that makes Jaskier’s expression soften a little. The storm is passing. “Yes, I recognized you as Joey because he plays you. But you are more than Jaskier we can see on tv. You’re more.”

“Y/N.” Tears escape and that completely washes any and all anger the bard might have had. He comes to me, pulling me towards himself, until we are in an embrace.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.” I sheepishly say, as he rubs my back. “Hiding it wasn’t right. But explaining this… it’s just unexplainable.”

“I can’t expect you to have all the answers.” I shake my head, as he hugs me tighter. I hear him sigh. “I’m sorry. I scared you. You were trying to protect me.”

“You had a right to be mad.” I say, as tears finally seem to stop. I wipe my eyes and nose to my sleeve, but Jaskier doesn’t let me go just yet.

“You’ve been nothing, but kind to me. You gave me a home.” He lands a kiss on my forehead, as my heart melts. “I should be thanking you.”

He now lets me go. I wrap my hands around me, as I watch him go to the laptop, give it one final look, as he closes it. My heart breaks and I know he probably will look at it more. When I leave him alone, or at night. He will hurt himself more but he will never show me.

Because he knows it would hurt me too.

“When you said who you were, Jask, I didn’t believe it. I’ve seen the show. That’s how I knew about Geralt and Yen.” I confess, as he looks at me. His face expressionless. “That’s also why it was so easy to take you home. It felt like I knew you. Because if you were who you said you are… I’ve seen you. You were already part of my world.”

“You liked me?” He asks, crossing his arms. I can’t help but smile.

“I did. You were truly my favourite.” That makes him smirk, but his eyes remain sad. “Getting to know you, only furthers that.”

“I want to watch the show.” He says, and I knew he would. I bite inside of my mouth, as I think about it.

“I can’t stop you from watching your own story, Jask.” I say, hugging myself tighter. “I cant try and protect you anymore.”

“Watch it with me.” Our eyes lock as my heart skips a beat. He seems so sad and scared.

“Of course.” I say, swallowing back more tears.

So we watch it. We watch his story unfold. I avoid looking at him during these eight hours, scared of what he may look like. After the finale, I pause the show before another one starts. There is silence between us as I finally look at him.

He has tears in his eyes, and for a second time today, I feel my heart shatter.

[PART FIVE]

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