Chapter Text
New year's eve, 2027
On a crisp New Year’s Eve morning, Yamaguchi Tadashi woke to the soft vibration of his phone. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, he saw the name of the adoption agency on the screen. His breath caught, and he carefully slipped out of bed, glancing back at his husband, who was still sound asleep.
“Mr. Yamaguchi?” The social worker greeted
“He’s speaking,” he whispered, his voice shaking slightly.
The social worker’s warm tone made his heart race. “Good morning, Mr. Yamaguchi. I’m calling with wonderful news—there’s a little baby girl, five months old, who’s been matched with you and Mr. Tsukishima.”
Tadashi clutched the phone tighter, tears started welling in his eyes. “Are you serious?” he whispered, his voice breaking.
“She’s yours if you want her,” the social worker said.
“Course we do. I mean… I need to tell my husband about this.” Yamaguchi replied, trying to wind down his sudden burst of joy.
The social worker chuckled on the other side of the phone. “Come sign the adoption papers next week. Happy New Year, Mr. Yamaguchi and congratulations to you and your husband.
The phone call ended and a moment later, a photo arrived. Yamaguchi’s thumb trembled as he opened it, revealing the sweetest face he had ever seen—golden locks, round chubby cheeks, and bright eyes filled with curiosity.
He stared at the picture, his heart full. Turning to the bed, he saw Tsukki still asleep, his expression unusually soft. He brushed a golden lock away from his face as his chest ached with love. He couldn’t believe it. They had been hoping for this moment for months, ever since last New Year’s when they had met Shoji, the one-year-old son of Hinata and Kageyama. Their hearts had swelled with longing for a child of their own.
By the time Kei woke up, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Yamaguchi greeted him with his usual smile, but his eyes sparkled with a secret he wasn’t ready to share just yet.
“Morning, love,” Kei muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he accepted the mug Tadashi offered him and kissed his cheek.
"Morning, Kei,” Tadashi replied warmly, leaning against the counter.
“You’re suspiciously cheerful today,” Kei said, eyeing him over the rim of his glasses. “What’s going on?”
Tadashi chuckled, his heart thundering. “Can’t I just be happy to spend New year's Eve with my husband?”
Kei raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further, choosing instead to sip his coffee.
The morning passed with quiet ease, but Yamaguchi’s excitement simmered just below the surface. When Tsukki suggested heading to the mall to pick up some things, Yamaguchi jumped at the chance to get a special something to finally break the news.
The mall was bustling with the cheerful hum of New Year’s Eve shoppers, and Yamaguchi couldn’t help but feel a sense of giddy anticipation. He and Tsukishimi had decided to spend the day together, wandering aimlessly through the shops before heading home to relax.
As they strolled past the food court, Kei suddenly slowed his pace. “Hey, Tadashi, I just remembered…” He said, his voice casual but tinged with something that made Yamaguchi tilt his head. “I need to grab something for my mom. You don’t mind, right? I'll be quick you can wander around in the meantime”
Yamaguchi blinked, surprised. Kei rarely mentioned last-minute errands. “Take your time, Kei,” he said with a warm smile. “I’ll just look around here.”
Kei nodded, adjusting his glasses as he turned to leave. “I won’t be long.”
Yamaguchi watched him disappear into the crowd, his lips curving into a knowing smile. What are you up to, Kei?
Now alone, Yamaguchi began to wander, his mind spinning with possibilities. How do I tell him? He thought about the countless baby announcements he’d seen on social media—onesies that read “Coming Soon” or balloons that spelled out “It’s a girl!” But none of them felt right.
"Too cheesy,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he passed a store selling customized mugs. I could give him a mug. He thought figuring a mug that read world's best dad would be nice. “Ugh, not an option,” he muttered. He knew his husband would roll his eyes at something so overdone.
He turned a corner and found himself in a toy store, the bright colors and playful displays momentarily distracting him. As he walked deeper into the aisles, his gaze landed on a shelf filled with stuffed animals. Among them, a familiar shade of green caught his eye.
Yamaguchi’s heart skipped a beat. Nestled between a row of bears and bunnies was a frog plushie, its wide, goofy grin and big round eyes instantly reminding him of the Sendai Frogs mascot. Kei still had a soft spot for the team, and the plushie felt… perfect.
He picked it up, running his fingers over the soft fabric as a plan began to form in his mind. The frog would be thoughtful, a nod to something Kei loved, and it would make the moment all the more meaningful.
“This is it,” he murmured, smiling to himself. “This is how I’ll tell him.”
With the plushie in hand, Yamaguchi paid for it and tucked the bag carefully under his arm. As he walked back toward the spot where he and Kei had agreed to meet, his heart raced with excitement.
Meanwhile, in a grocery store not far away, Kei was meticulously selecting ingredients for his plan. He rarely cooked, leaving the kitchen to Tadashi most of the time, but tonight was different. Tonight, he wanted to surprise his husband with all his favorite dishes—tamagoyaki, kurikinton, datemaki and even Yamaguchi’s favorite matcha mochi for dessert.
As he placed the last of the items into his basket, Kei allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. You’re always the one taking care of everything, Tadashi. Tonight, it’s my turn.
When they reunited at the mall’s entrance, neither suspected the other’s secret plans. Kei noticed the faint blush on Tadashi’s cheeks and raised an eyebrow. “What did you get?”
Yamaguchi held the shopping bag close to his side, grinning. “Nothing important. What about you?”
“Just some food my mom asked me to pick up for her” Kei lied smoothly, adjusting his glasses.
Yamaguchi didn’t press further, simply looping his arm through Kei’s as they stepped out into the crisp winter air. Both of them carried their secrets, their hearts light with anticipation for the night ahead.
…
“Out of the kitchen, Yamaguchi Tadashi!”
Yamaguchi blinked, startled, as Kei physically steered him away from the stove. “But I was just—”
“Not tonight,” Kei interrupted firmly, his tall frame blocking Yamaguchi’s view of the countertop. “You always do the cooking. Tonight, it’s my turn. Go relax, or… go do whatever you do when I'm not with you.
Yamaguchi folded his arms, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “Kei, are you sure all that food you bought is for your mom?”
Tsukishima rolled his eyes but didn’t respond, instead pointing toward the living room.
“Just saying… I wonder what you're preparing tonight.” Yamaguchi snickered as he grabbed one of the bags on the counter to take a glimpse of what's inside. Tsukishima immediately grabbed his wrist to stop him.
“Out. Just allow me to spoil you for once, Tadashi! You're going to ruin the surprise.”.
“Surprise?” Yamaguchi echoed, his curiosity piqued. But before he could ask anything more, Tsukishima shooed him out, shutting the kitchen door behind him.
With a soft laugh, Yamaguchi shook his head and made his way to their bedroom. If Kei wants me to relax, I’ll make the most of it.
Settling onto their bed, Yamaguchi retrieved the frog plushie he’d bought earlier that day. The soft, goofy grin on its face brought an instant smile to his own. Carefully, he reached for the printed photo of their daughter—a tiny, chubby-cheeked baby with golden locks that would rival Kei’s in the summer sun.
He stared at the picture for a moment, his heart swelling with love. She’s beautiful. Our daughter.
Turning the photo over, he picked up a pen and began to write:
"Hey, Daddy. Can’t wait to meet you. Love, your daughter."
The words felt just right. Simple, heartfelt, and something that would melt Kei’s usually cold exterior.
By the time Yamaguchi returned to the dining room, Kei was just placing the final dish on the table. The sight made Yamaguchi’s breath catch. The aroma of something sweet and savory greeted him, but the sight that followed stole his breath. The table was neatly set with a handful of carefully prepared dishes, each one plated with precision and care.
At the center was a plate of golden datemaki, their spiraled edges perfectly even, a clear sign of Kei’s attention to detail. Next to it, a small bowl of kurikinton glistened, the chestnut and sweet potato mash glowing with its characteristic golden hue. A rectangular plate held thick slices of tamagoyaki, their layers soft and delicately sweet.
Yamaguchi’s eyes drifted to a smaller plate, where soft matcha mochi rested, dusted with a fine layer of green tea powder.
“Tsukki… made all this?” Yamaguchi asked, his voice quiet with awe.
Kei was standing by the table, his arms crossed but his expression unmistakably proud. “Yeah,” he said, his voice casual.
Yamaguchi smiled, his gaze still fixed on the spread. “It’s incredible, Kei. I’ve never seen you go all out like this.”
Kei adjusted his glasses and shrugged. “You always handle the cooking. I figured it was my turn to do something special.”
Tadashi’s eyes softened as he stepped closer to the table, taking in the details. “You even made datemaki,” he noted, reaching out to pick up a delicate spiral.
Kei smirked, his tone dry. “Kuroo said it was ‘child’s play.’ Turns out it’s not. Took me three tries to get those spirals right.”
Yamaguchi chuckled, a soft warmth spreading through his chest as he imagined his husband muttering curses under his breath while carefully rolling the egg mixture.
Tsukishima gestured toward the small bowl of kurikinton. “I also made this.”
Yamaguchi sat down, his heart swelling. “You made this for me? You don't even like sweet potatoes”
Kei huffed lightly. “I don’t. But you do. “You’re the one who likes sweet stuff, so don’t complain if it’s too sweet for me.”
“I still can't believe you. You're amazing.” Yamaguchi said with tenderness in his eyes.
Kei shrugged, but the faintest hint of pink touched his cheeks. “Don’t make it weird. I just thought it’d be nice for once.”
Picking up his chopsticks, Yamaguchi took a bite of the datemaki first. It was soft, sweet, and perfectly balanced. “Kei,” he murmured, looking up at his husband with shining eyes, “this is… incredible.”
Kei huffed, clearly trying to mask how pleased he was. “Of course it is. I made it.”
As continued eating, Yamaguchi savored every bite. The flavors were simple yet thoughtful, a testament to Kei’s quiet but unwavering love.
It’s amazing, Kei. Thank you.” He paused, pointing to the matcha mochi. “Wait, you made these too?”
“Technically,” Kei admitted, rubbing the back of his neck, “Kuroo helped. Mochi-making is his new hobby. “He swears by that stupid Thermomix he bought two years ago. Said it’d make me a mochi master in minutes.”
Yamaguchi laughed at the mental image of Kuroo, apron-clad and smugly showing off his mochi skills. “I’ll have to thank him later. These look incredible.”
“Don’t thank him,” Kei muttered, though the corner of his mouth twitched. “He’ll never shut up about it.”
Yamaguchi laughed at the image, covering his mouth. “I can’t believe you actually listened to Kuroo!”
Kei smirked. “I figured if it meant not ruining dessert, it was worth it.”
Yamaguchi reached across the table and squeezed Kei’s hand. “Thank you, Kei. This is… more than I ever could’ve asked for.”
Kei’s gaze softened, the corner of his lips twitching upward. “You’re welcome, my love.”
As the moment lingered, Yamaguchi’s thoughts drifted to the frog plushie and the surprise he had been waiting for.
I have a surprise for you too,” Yamaguchi said, his voice a little shaky from the adrenaline. “Wait, let me...”
He pulled out the gift bag with the frog plushie inside. Tsukishima looked at it, confused. “But we already exchanged Christmas presents”
Yamaguchi’s heart fluttered nervously in his chest, his hands trembling slightly as he watched Tsukishima. “I know, Just... just look inside,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, the anticipation building inside him.
Tsukishima did as his husband said and took out the frog plushie that was inside the bag. He held it up and stared at it, clearly confused.
"A frog?" Tsukishima raised an eyebrow, his voice deadpan.
Yamaguchi couldn't help but laugh nervously. "I know, it’s silly, but... just trust me. There’s something else inside the bag.”
Tsukishima gave him an incredulous look but still pulled the small envelope from the bagt. He opened it slowly, the light from the kitchen catching on the edges of the photo inside. He stared at it, the picture of the little girl with golden locks and rosy cheeks. His brow furrowed in confusion.
“Who is this?” Tsukishima muttered, his voice thick with confusion.
Yamaguchi swallowed, his breath catching in his throat as he looked at Tsukishima, who was still staring at the photo. “Meet your daughter, Tsukki… Our daughter.”
Tsukishima blinked, slowly processing the words. His eyes flickered to the back of the photo, where the words Hey, Daddy were written in Yamaguchi’s neat handwriting. He looked at the photo again and back at Yamaguchi as if trying to understand if this was some kind of joke.
But Yamaguchi’s gaze was soft, full of warmth and tenderness as he waited, his hands clasped tightly together, trying not to rush Tsukishima. “I got the call this morning... She needs a home. She’s five months old, and... she’s ours as long as we want her.”
For a long, breathless moment, Tsukishima said nothing. He didn’t even blink, his fingers trembling slightly as he held the photo closer. Then, the weight of it hit him.
He didn’t know how to describe what he was feeling. He had always been reserved, cold even, keeping his emotions locked away. But now, looking at the image of this little girl—his daughter, with her golden locks—he could already feel a fierce love rising in his chest. The love he hadn’t expected to feel for someone he hadn’t met yet, but the love he already felt as if it had been there all along, deep inside.
The tears began to blur his vision before he could stop them, and he quickly removed his glasses, his hands shaking as he wiped his eyes, trying to compose himself. But it was no use. The reality of it—the joy, the overwhelming love—was too much for him to hold back.
Tsukishima sat there, staring at the frog plushie, still processing what Yamaguchi had said. He hadn’t expected this—this rush of emotions that hit him all at once, the tears that refused to stop. He clutched the plushie to his chest, like it was the only thing grounding him in the moment. It felt like a lifeline. His hands trembled, and his heart thudded painfully in his chest as he stared at the picture of the little girl in his hands.
Her golden locks, shining in the light, were so strikingly familiar. They reminded him of his own hair, the same shade of pale gold. The thought of this little girl having that same hair—his hair—flooded him with an intensity he couldn’t quite understand.
He felt love in a way he never had before. It was almost suffocating. He couldn’t stop the tears. The overwhelming wave of emotion had come out of nowhere. The weight of it all was far too much for him to handle, and he let himself break down, sobbing into Yamaguchi’s arms.
He couldn’t speak. The words were trapped somewhere inside of him, buried under the flood of feelings he didn’t know how to express. So, he clung to the plushie even tighter, his body shaking with the sobs that seemed to have no end. This was different from the only other two times people had seen him cry—the day of his wedding, when Yamaguchi had promised to love him forever, and when Kageyama had recited his ridiculous, long vows at his own wedding, moving Tsukishima more than he’d ever thought possible. But this… this felt different. It was raw, deep, a love that was all-encompassing and terrifying in its intensity.
Yamaguchi didn’t say anything. He just held him tighter, one hand gently rubbing Tsukishima’s back, the other still cradling the frog plushie. Tsukishima let himself sob, the tears falling freely now as his heart struggled to make sense of the love he felt for this little girl who wasn’t even in his arms yet.
The silence between them was thick, filled only by the sound of Tsukishima’s breath, shaky and uneven. Slowly, he pulled back, wiping at his eyes, embarrassed by the rawness of it all. He glanced at the photo again, and finally, the words broke free.
“Her hair…” Tsukishima’s voice was rough, barely more than a whisper, but Yamaguchi caught every word. He looked at Tsukishima with soft eyes, waiting for him to continue.
“Have you seen her hair?” Tsukishima repeated, his voice still shaky. “It’s golden... just like mine.”
Yamaguchi’s heart swelled at the sight of Tsukishima’s vulnerability, and he wiped at his own eyes, tears threatening to fall again. “Yeah, it’s golden,” he said softly, voice thick with emotion. “Just like yours. But that’s not the best part yet.”
Tsukishima raised an eyebrow, still holding the plushie to his chest like it was some kind of anchor, as if it could steady the whirlwind of emotions inside him. “What’s the best part?” he asked hoarsely, his voice still holed up with unsaid things.
Yamaguchi smiled, though his own tears betrayed him. “Her name. Her name is Mizuki.”
“Mizuki…” Tsukishima repeated, letting the name roll off his tongue. “That’s a pretty name.” Yamaguchi hesitated before continuing, his lips twitching into a half-smile. “But it might sound a little silly… I figured we could call her Zuki. It’s close to Tsukki, right?”
Tsukishima let out a small, almost incredulous laugh at the idea. “We’re going to sound ridiculous, just like Kageyama when he decided to name his son Shoji just so he could have two people to call sho.”
Yamaguchi chuckled, his smile a little watery, but the warmth in his voice was unmistakable. “I think it’s perfect,” he said softly, looking at Tsukishima with the kind of affection that spoke volumes.
Tsukishima smiled, but there was something else in his expression now—a softness, a quiet pride that hadn’t been there before. The tears were still falling, though he was trying to hold them back. It wasn’t often that Tsukishima was so... open. But at this moment, with Yamaguchi holding him, it felt like he didn’t need to hide anything.
“So, what do you say?” Yamaguchi asked, gently wiping his own tears away, his voice full of hope.
Tsukishima’s expression softened even more as he considered it. He gave a slight smile before responding. “I accept. But only if she has your last name.”
Yamaguchi blinked, taken aback. “What?”
Tsukishima’s tone was deadpan, but his eyes were sincere. “Tsukishima Mizuki sounds too repetitive. Yamaguchi Mizuki has a better ring to it.”
Yamaguchi stared at him, speechless for a moment. And then, he let out a soft, watery laugh, completely overwhelmed by the tenderness in Tsukishima’s words. “You really think so?”
“Yeah, I do,” Tsukishima replied quietly, a slight blush creeping across his cheeks.
Yamaguchi stared at him, speechless for a moment. And then, he let out a soft, watery laugh, completely overwhelmed by the tenderness in Tsukishima’s words. “You really think so?”
“Yeah, I do,” Tsukishima replied quietly, a slight blush creeping across his cheeks.
Yamaguchi’s heart felt like it might burst. The moment felt surreal, like everything had come full circle. Tsukishima—the man who had always kept his emotions at a distance, the man who had barely ever let anyone in—was now here, in his arms, overwhelmed by the thought of their daughter, their family.
Tsukishima’s face softened even more as he stared at the picture of Mizuki, his hand brushing over the photo gently. He didn’t need to say anything more. His actions, his expressions, his quiet acceptance—everything spoke volumes. Tsukishima wasn’t just okay with this future; he was overjoyed.
And Yamaguchi? He was right there beside him, ready to start their next chapter, full of love, hope, and a little girl named Mizuki who was already changing their lives in ways they could never have expected.
Epilogue
Tsukishima slowly wiped his tears away, still holding the frog plushie close to his chest, feeling an overwhelming sense of love for the little girl he had yet to meet. Yamaguchi, his arms still wrapped around Tsukishima, gently pressed a kiss to his forehead, his heart still racing with the excitement of the news.
It was only then that Tsukishima became aware of the time. He glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was already past midnight.
“Happy New Year,” Yamaguchi whispered, his voice thick with emotion, as he cupped Tsukishima’s face gently. Tsukishima met his gaze, and without saying another word, leaned in to kiss him softly. The kiss was tender and full of love, as if the moment was too perfect to put into words.
As they pulled apart, Tsukishima chuckled softly, wiping at his eyes one last time, now feeling a little more like himself. “We should probably check our phones,” he said quietly, realizing they’d been so lost in the moment that they'd missed all the New Year’s notifications.
Yamaguchi nodded and reached for his phone, his heart still fluttering from the kiss and the overwhelming joy of the day. The screen lit up with an array of messages, some with simple “Happy New Year” greetings and others with more specific well-wishes.
Tsukishima unlocked his own phone, and as he opened the group chat with their friends, both of them suddenly froze at the sheer number of unread messages. Their phones had been ringing non-stop.
“Looks like we missed a lot of people trying to get ahold of us,” Yamaguchi said with a laugh, his voice full of warmth.
“Should we send them the news?” Tsukishima asked, his voice still a little unsteady, but there was a noticeable softness in it now.
Yamaguchi smiled and nodded. He quickly attached the picture of Mizuki, with her golden locks and chubby cheeks, to the message. In the caption, he wrote, Meet Yamaguchi Mizuki. Then, with a deep breath, he hit send.
Within seconds, the group chat went into absolute chaos.
Crows of chaos 🐦⬛
🖼️
Happy New Year Guys!
Meet Yamaguchi Mizuki
00:13
Asahi
HOLY—! Is this real?
You two—congrats, seriously! From all the way here in Thailand, Noya and I are sending love! 🫶
00:14
Nishinoya
Congrats, you two!! From the bottom of my heart!!! 🥳
I can’t wait to meet her!!
00:14
Suga-senpai
“Ahhh, ANOTHER NIECE!!!!!
00:15
I'm so happy for you! Parenting advice time!
00:16
Don’t forget to sleep when she sleeps, and make sure to take lots of photos!!
00:16
Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help!
You’ll be amazing parents!”
00:17
Hinata☀️🏐
AAAAAH! Congrats!! I’m so happy for you!! Tori will have a friend to play with!
00:20
Kageyama🌙🏐
I beat you, four eyes. I got a daughter first. 😏
Don’t worry, though, you’ll catch up.
00:20
Husband🐸💚
For the record, our daughter is five months old so you're the one who lost, jackass 😎
00:21
Yachi💛
CONGRATSSSS!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉
00:25
WHY IS EVERYONE HAVING KIDS though?! 😭😭😭 00:25
Yamaguchi smiled as he read all the heartfelt messages from their friends. He couldn't help but take a selfie of the two of them and send it without Tsukki noticing. His glasses were still on his head and the corners of his eyes as well as the rest of his face were completely red.
🖼️
Thanks guys!!
Happy New Year🎉
00:28
Kageyama 🌙🏐
Ha! Four eyes is a mess 😂
00:30
Hinata ☀️🏐
I wouldn't speak if I were you, Hun.
00:31
You're still a mess 🤪
00:31
Husband🐸💚
@Kageyama🌙🏐 Fuck you
00:32
Kageyama 🌙🏐
@Hinata☀️🏐 I'm not a mess, dumbass
00:33
Hinata☀️🏐
You were just crying 5 minutes ago.
00:33
Kageyama 🌙🏐
Shut up, Dumbass.
00:34
Hinata ☀️🏐
You said Tori was too cute and started sobbing
00:35
Kageyama🌙🏐 removed Hinata☀️🏐 from this group