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It’s been over a year since they ran away together, criminal and bounty hunter.
It’s been over a year since they ran away together and so much of it had been unexpected for Kiyoomi.
Kiyoomi has had to get used to working with someone else. Kiyoomi had only known what it had been like to only worry about himself. Kiyoomi was not used to having anyone to answer to. He’s always been able to do whatever he wants. There had been unexpected challenges to learning how to work together without killing each other out of frustration. They often disagreed with how to go about robbing a house. They often bickered about how to spend their money and make it last.
But that struggle was only when it came to a job.
“Help me with this, ‘darlin.”
And then there’s every other part of their lives that came easy, because Kiyoomi hadn’t been expecting that either. He hadn’t known that Atsumu would become more than just a partner. He hadn’t even known that it was possible to fall this deeply for someone in the first place.
If Kiyoomi had thought that Atsumu consumed most of his thoughts before they ran away together, it’s nothing compared to how thoroughly Atsumu has worked his way into every fiber of Kiyoomi’s being. Atsumu is in the slow mornings spent over coffee if they can afford it. Atsumu is in the creaking of their bed in whatever hotel room they rent at night. Atsumu has a laugh for every occasion, a smile that is so freely given. His hands, his mouth, his everything. Atsumu is a part of Kiyoomi now, forever.
When their time together began, Kiyoomi had assumed that some distance would remain between them, but Atsumu has never shied away from loving Kiyoomi, from being tender, from whispering promises against Kiyoomi’s lips. It was entirely unexpected, all of it, but loving Miya Atsumu feels like forever.
Kiyoomi looks at him, where he’s standing beside his horse. The first rays of sunset are breaking, highlighting him in golden light. Kiyoomi thinks that every moment with Atsumu feels like this moment; golden hour; soft and magical.
Kiyoomi looks at him and his heart is full, fuller than he ever thought was possible. What a wonderful thing it is to be not only understood, but loved as well.
Atsumu looks over his shoulder, smirking at Kiyoomi. “Or you can’t just stare at me.”
Kiyoomi smiles at him. “I’m just enjoying the view, cowboy.”
Atsumu quickly turns back toward his horse, but Kiyoomi sees that his ears are red.
Kiyoomi chuckles and steps forward. Atsumu is securing the saddle on his horse, and she whinnies when Atsumu pulls the straps tight.
“Why are you saddling her?” Kiyoomi asks. He thought they were going to be settling in for the night, not going for another ride.
Atsumu wipes his hands on the front of his jeans and shakes his head. “That’s a secret, Omi-kun. Can ya finish her up? I need to go grab somethin’ and then I’ll help ya with Omi Jr.”
“That’s not my horse’s name,” Kiyoomi sighs, but Atsumu just winks and walks away.
Kiyoomi doesn’t pay any mind to where he’s going. He trusts Atsumu and believes that whatever this secret is, it’s probably a good one. Even if Kiyoomi typically hates surprises. Half of Atsumu’s “surprises” are sex-related, so Kiyoomi has learned not to complain.
They’re camped out in some wooded area next to a nearby town. They’ve been working in this town for a few months now, which is the longest they’ve stayed in one place. It’s not safe to stay in the same area for very long. Kiyoomi has a hefty bounty on him due to all of the robbings and killings he’s done, and now that Atsumu is no longer on the law’s good side as a bounty hunter, there’s a bounty on his head too. They’ve been doing odd jobs, getting whatever work they can get. Most of Kiyoomi’s share is sent to his childhood home where it helps provide for his numerous siblings, but Atsumu never minds. Anyway, they’ve decided to go straight for the time being, because they need to lay low and get far enough away from anyone who would recognize their faces from a wanted poster.
Kiyoomi finishes getting Atsumu’s horse ready for a ride just as he hears Atsumu’s boots crunching fallen leaves as he approaches Kiyoomi. Kiyoomi turns around with a question about Atsumu’s horse on the tip of his tongue, but the thought dies when he sees Atsumu.
Atsumu’s weathered trademark hat is atop his tousled blond waves, his stolen jeans fit him dangerously good and his white shirt is tucked into them to highlight that tiny waist. He’s gorgeous, always is, but Kiyoomi’s heart leaps when he sees the flowers in Atsumu’s hands. Atsumu’s smile is bashful, and so pretty, and he holds the wildflowers out to Kiyoomi like he’s picking him up for a date. Like they grew up in a normal town and not as orphaned outlaws. It’s ridiculous and wonderful all at once.
Kiyoomi exhales slowly, but he can’t hide his smile.
“What’s all this?” Kiyoomi asks, his voice giving everything he’s feeling away.
“I’d like to take you out, if you’ll have me,” Atsumu says softly. The warm sunlight falls into his eyes, turning them amber. His long lashes blink up at Kiyoomi innocently, and Kiyoomi is a goner.
Kiyoomi takes the flowers gingerly. Atsumu steps even closer, sliding his hands over Kiyoomi’s hips and dipping them into Kiyoomi’s back pockets. Kiyoomi lets Atsumu cup his ass and pull him closer, and he loops his arms around Atsumu’s neck, still holding the flowers. Atsumu leans forward as he’s about to kiss Kiyoomi, but he pauses right before his lips reach Kiyoomi’s.
“Why don’t we rent a room in town tonight?” Atsumu drops his voice to a whisper. “It’s been awhile.”
Kiyoomi feels a pleasant tingling up his spine. He frees one of his hands to tip back Atsumu’s hat, giving him room to kiss Atsumu. Atsumu hums into the kiss, his stubble brushing Kiyoomi’s skin, and that feels warm too.
“Yes,” Kiyoomi sighs softly against Atsumu’s lips, “I’ll have you.”
It’s hard to kiss when Atsumu grins so big at Kiyoomi’s words, but Kiyoomi can’t seem to give a damn.
They rent two rooms, because two men renting one would be suspicious. Kiyoomi doesn’t care; it’s not like it’s difficult for one to sneak into the other’s room to spend the night. In this town, the saloon doubles as a hotel. The first floor is the saloon area, rowdy with drunks by sundown, and the second floor is the rentable rooms. There’s also a bathroom upstairs with a large bathtub, a complementary service for anyone renting a room.
Kiyoomi has had enough bathing in rivers lately, so he plans on taking advantage of having a nice, hot bath.
Atsumu pays for the rooms as Kiyoomi gets his bath first. He bathes- thoroughly- and lets the hot, soapy water relax his sore muscles. He goes back to his room when he’s done and dresses in his cleanest clothes- a burgundy button down tucked into black slacks with a black vest. Atsumu loves Kiyoomi in these colors, and Kiyoomi feels his neck warm just from thinking about Atsumu’s reaction. Kiyoomi places his black hat on his head and heads back downstairs. He wants to get a drink while he waits for Atsumu.
The saloon is bustling tonight. There’s a piano player playing a jovial tune that has several couples dancing and cheering in the middle of the room. There’s a few card games going on at some of the large, round tables.
Kiyoomi tries to tune out the sounds of conversation and clinking beer mugs as he nurses his whiskey. It makes him warm and relaxed. Eventually, he feels someone slide onto the empty stool next to him. He doesn’t look over, taking a sip of whiskey instead.
“Ya come around these parts often, mister?”
Kiyoomi hides his smile in his glass, and schools his expression when he places his drink on the bar.
He glances over, seeing Atsumu with flushed cheeks from the heat of his bath. The mug of beer in his hand is mostly empty, must’ve gotten it earlier and brought it with him during his bath. The brim of his hat is low, but his honey eyes still look softly at Kiyoomi. He smells good, fresh like rosewater and sharp like cologne. Kiyoomi’s heart beats faster as Atsumu smirks at him. Kiyoomi notices that he’s letting his mustache grow longer than his stubble, closer to how he wore it before they ran away together. It makes Kiyoomi feel fond.
“No, I’m just in town for the night,” Kiyoomi says, keeping his voice low.
“Is that so?” Atsumu says, then hums thoughtfully. His mug clinks as he places it on the bar. “You’re lookin’ mighty lonely drinkin’ all by yourself, mind if I keep ya company?”
Kiyoomi rolls his eyes. “Do I look like I want company, cowboy?”
Atsumu gives Kiyoomi a teasing smile. “Maybe, if it’s the right kind of company.”
“And what kind would that be?”
Kiyoomi’s entire body floods with heat when Atsumu slides a warm, calloused hand over the top of his thigh. “This kind,” Atsumu leans close to whisper in Kiyoomi’s ear. Atsumu’s warm breath pleasantly tickles Kiyoomi’s ear.
Kiyoomi swallows, trying to keep his expression calm. He momentarily drops the act to place a hand on top of Atsumu’s and whisper, “Someone might see.”
Atsumu squeezes his thigh before finally pulling his hand away. “Can I buy ya a drink?” Atsumu asks, his eyes sparkling in the warm glow of the chandeliers.
Kiyoomi takes a slow breath, his stomach fluttering. He loves this. He nods, so Atsumu buys him a drink. When their drinks are done, Atsumu buys them another round or two. Kiyoomi should be slightly worried about the money they’re spending tonight, but Atsumu looks so pleased that Kiyoomi knows it’s worth it.
They’re drunk when they stumble into Kiyoomi’s room.
“Dance with me,” Atsumu says once the door’s closed. He’s smiling as he grabs Kiyoomi’s hands.
Kiyoomi is too in love to do anything but let Atsumu pull him close and sway them. Kiyoomi holds Atsumu tight as Atsumu leads them. He can hear the muffled sounds of the piano downstairs. Kiyoomi’s not sure how long they dance before Atsumu kisses his cheek. Kiyoomi hums, closing his eyes, feeling the pleasant warmth of Atsumu’s mouth on his skin. Atsumu noses under his jaw, kissing his neck. Kiyoomi moves one of his hands to Atsumu’s heart, feeling how rapidly it’s thumping.
“Please,” Kiyoomi murmurs, lining their hips up. Atsumu groans into Kiyoomi’s skin. “Make love to me, Atsumu.”
Atsumu kisses him on the mouth, steady and eager, and Kiyoomi’s heart beat pulses through his ears, through his fingertips.
They’re drunk as they make love, slow and tender. Kiyoomi holds Atsumu like a lifeline, moaning into his neck to muffle the noise. Nothing can muffle the creaking of their bed, but they don’t care. Atsumu whispers the gentlest words Kiyoomi’s ever heard, certainly directed at himself. Atsumu kisses him like he’s precious, touches him like he’s gold.
Every slow thrust sends them higher, moaning and moving in unison, the perfect duet; the perfect partners. Kiyoomi wants to die like this, full of Atsumu.
And when they tumble over, together, Kiyoomi does it with Atsumu’s name caught in his throat, thick and warm like honey.
After, Kiyoomi drifts in and out of sleep. He’s hot, not even the breeze from the open window helping. Atsumu draped over him doesn’t help either, but neither moves.
“Kiyoomi,” Atsumu mumbles against Kiyoomi’s collarbone, his breath tickling Kiyoomi’s skin.
Kiyoomi makes a sound, but his eyes are closed.
Atsumu whispers, “Will you marry me?”
Kiyoomi’s eyes open, staring into the darkness of their room. It’s a ridiculous question, one that only Atsumu would ask.
Still, maddeningly, Kiyoomi whispers back, “Of course I will.”
Atsumu hums, sounding pleased. His breathing evens out as he falls asleep. Kiyoomi doesn’t fall asleep for a long, long time.
In the morning, Kiyoomi wakes with a plan. They’ve been playing it relatively safe for over a year. They’ve kept their heads down and done some honest work. They’ve had very little money to show for it. Kiyoomi knows that, together, they are capable of anything.
“You know,” Kiyoomi begins when Atsumu blinks awake. His eyes focus on Kiyoomi. “A wedding can be expensive.”
Atsumu’s eyes widen. He sits up so they’re facing each other. “Omi-kun, I-”
Kiyoomi hands him a rolled up scroll, a map, to shut him up. Atsumu takes it, and he gives Kiyoomi a knowing look and a relieved smile.
“Let’s finally get that treasure,” Kiyoomi says. “What do you say, cowboy?”
Atsumu grins. "Partners?"
"Partners," Kiyoomi confirms.