- twenty-five -

〚 third person 〛

☾☾☾

"Oh my, what happened?!" Hitomi said as she spotted her son entering the house with Momo in his arms. The blonde male shot her a knowing look, silently telling her not to question it too much. His mother understood, gently caressing Momo's head before stepping back to allow her son to take her away.

Tsukishima entered his room, setting Momo down on the edge of his bed. He pointed at the bathroom with his index finger. "Do you want to shower? If you feel..gross."

Momo was relieved to hear that Tsukishima was actually trying to understand her situation and help her in any way possible. She nodded, slowly making her way into the bathroom to take a quick shower.

"Here's a towel and some clothes." Hitomi said as she placed some shorts on the bathroom counter along with a shirt.

Momo took a quick shower, scrubbing the parts the man touched extra roughly to rid of the acidic burning feeling he left. When she was done, she completely dried off and put on the clothes.

The shirt belonged to Tsukishima, seeing as it went to her mid thigh like a dress.

She exited the bathroom, spotting Tsukishima sitting at his desk with his headphones on. His eyes were casted downwards towards his notebook that was full of volleyball things mixed with school stuff.

Upon feeling the floorboard shift slightly, he glanced to the side and spotted Momo standing there. His eyes took in her outfit, realizing that it looked like she was only dressed in his shirt. "Are you hungry or something? I have a single string cheese."

Momo cracked a smile for he first time tonight, gingerly accepting the string cheese he held out. Nibbling on the string cheese, she sat on Tsukishima's bed while he scribbled some stuff into his notebook.

After about thirty minutes, she ended up laying under his blankets with her arm hanging off the bed.

Tsukishima stood up from his desk, closing the notebook that was full of notes and doodles now. Noticing how she was half asleep, he flicked off the lamp and made his way towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Momo asked sleepily, rubbing her eyes as she sat up slightly. Tsukishima paused in his tracks and spun around to face her. "Stay, please."

With a long sigh, Tsukishima ran a hand though his hair as he walked over to the bed. Momo scooted over, giving him space to lay down beside her. He pulled the blankets over his body, laying flat on his back as Momo laid beside him.

Tsukishima made no noise when Momo turned to him, wrapping her arms around his torso as she laid her head on his chest. Her soft legs brushed against his as she tangled her legs with his.

He wrapped an arm around her, staring at the ceiling while she nuzzled her head into his chest.

There was a moment of silence, just the sounds of their breathing being heard.

Opening his mouth, he forced the words out of his throat. "I'm sorry, shorty."

When she didn't answer, he chose to go on. "You're not annoying. I was being...dumb."

He glanced down, nearly blowing a fuse when he saw her fast asleep. His anger dissipated when he saw the soft look on her face as she clung to him. She looked so content with herself.

He huffed softly, lifting his hand to run his fingers through her soft brown hair. "Never mind then."

Pulling Momo closer, Tsukishima closed his eyes as he inhaled the peach scent she gave off.

"Night, Momo."

•••

When morning arrived, they both still laid asleep in his bed. It was pushing 9AM, and breakfast was already prepared by Tsukishima's mother.

She pranced upstairs, gently knocking before she opened the white door. A motherly smile graced her lips as she found her son fast asleep with Momo in his arms. They looked so peaceful as they slept together, all cuddled up with one another under the blanket.

"That's so sweet." Hitomi mumbled as she took a picture of the two and exited the room. Upon hearing the door close, Tsukishima stirred awake to find Momo sleeping beside him.

He rubbed his eyes, yawning quietly. His eyes struggled to adjust to the light that shines into the room.

As he attempted to get out of bed, Momo sleepily grabbed him. "Don't leave me." She mumbled quietly, making Tsukishima chuckle.

"Shorty, I need to use the bathroom. I'm not disappearing on you." Tsukishima muttered, ruffling her hair slightly as he headed into the bathroom. When he returned minutes later, he found Momo sitting upright with the blanket wrapped around her. "What're you doing?"

"It's cold without you." Momo mumbled, leaning into Tsukishima's back as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Go brush your teeth and wash your face. I'm pretty sure Mom made breakfast." Tsukishima said as he motioned to the bathroom that was free. After a bit of internal preparation, Momo crawled off the bed and walked into the bathroom.

Once the door shut, Tsuksihima lightly face-palmed at himself. 'I'm talk like we're a couple or something.'

Meanwhile, Momo was in the bathroom thinking the same thing. 'The way he said that made it sound like we were dating!'

When they descended down the stairs together, both Akiteru and Hitomi smiled brightly at them. "Good morning!"

Momo smiled shyly, feeling a bit embarrassed for no reason at all. "Good morning!"

"Morning." Tsukishima took a seat at the table, motioning for Momo to do the same. She sat beside him, watching as his mother served them breakfast.

"I heard about what happened last night, and I just want you to know that we care for you, honey." Hitomi said as she touched Momo's hand softly. "I'm really glad you're safe and okay."

Momo almost teared up at Hitomi's words. "Thank you, Hitomi-san."

"You're always welcome here. We love you!" Akiteru said with a broad smile as he patted her back gently. She smiled at him, thanking the male for his kind words. "Right, Kei?"

Tsukishima quirked a brow at his brother. "Who's 'We'?"

Akiteru began to playfully chastise his brother about his attitude which made Tsukishima smirk. Momo soon giggled, amused by everything that was happening.

The fact that she was sitting in this room with Tsukishima, his mother and brother with a plate of food before her as they talked about anything and everything, was just mind blowing. It almost made her cry since she never expected she'd ever end up in such a positive environment.

"C'mon, Kei, just admit! You want her around, don't ya?" Akiteru teased, earning a flat look from his brother. Upon meeting Momo's eyes that were full of curiosity, he caved and sighed.

"Tch. Isn't it obvious? Of course I want this shorty around." Tsukishima muttered, glancing away from his family who smirked at him when his cheeks turned pink.

"Good! I like her a lot more than Kin-san." Hitomi said as she scooped some rice into her mouth.

"It's Kana-san, Ma." Akiteru corrected, earning a nod from his mother.

They were both wrong, but no one bothered to correct them. She didn't matter anyway.

Momo smiled softly, touching Tsukishima's hand that was placed on the floor. He didn't move his hand, simply moving his finger to tangle them with hers.

'He wants me around. That's all that matters.'