Chapter Text
Iwaizumi opened the door to his son’s room and smiled at the scene. Tobio was sleeping soundly while snugly wrapped in blankets up to just above his nose. A damp cloth now dry of moisture still on his forehead after Iwaizumi changed it an hour ago. The parent quietly walked into the room and gently sat in the space next to his son on the bed. He removed the cloth to check Tobio’s temperature with the back of his hand.
Not too warm.
Iwaizumi sighed in relief. He’s glad that Tobio’s fever has gone down. Getting a call from Tobio’s teacher saying he passed out still sent shivers down his spine.
It’s always been the two of them. Ever since moving from Tokyo, being home again but with the addition of a son was something Iwaizumi had to get used to. He formerly worked in an architectural firm. The hours were taxing but the pay was good and sustained his life in the big city. Then Tobio was born and somehow all the money he had didn’t matter. He promised himself his son comes first so he quit his job. His boss hearing his side of the story, not wanting to lose a good employee while considering Iwaizumi’s wishes, offered a position in a branch located in Miyagi. The branch wasn’t doing well so assigning him there could help improve business. His boss also admired his managerial skills so he was perfect for the job. The plan was too good to be true but Iwaizumi didn’t question it.
Getting a place of their own was a given as Iwaizumi had saved all his earnings while in Tokyo. The dealbreaker for purchasing their current home was there was a nursery near the office. He only needed to send Tobio during the day and pick him up by the afternoon. The rest of the day Tobio could spend at the office. His first order though was to get the Miyagi branch on stable feet. Employees were evaluated, departments observed and operational structures re-designed. 24 hours in a day wasn’t enough to change a whole company.
Iwaizumi was on his way home one day, face and posture riddled with exhaustion, holding toddler Tobio in his arms. He passed by a bar with loud club music. Tobio nuzzled into him and covered his ears. Iwaizumi soothed him and walked a little faster to get away from the noise. What he didn’t expect was being pulled back by his arm and came face to face with his old friends from school, Hanmaki Takahiro and Matsukawa Issei. As he greeted his old friends, Tobio peeked from Iwaizumi’s shoulder to see who his father was talking to. Makki gasped and cooed at Tobio.
“Tobio-chan~ do you remember Makki-ouji?”
Tobio turned to his father. “Tou-san, that ouji-san has pink hair. Is it co-ta candy?”
Iwaizumi and Mattsun laughed while Makki faked shock. “It’s light-brown and no it’s not!” Tobio shrugged and snuggled back into his father.
Iwaizumi offered them to visit their home which was a couple of houses away. They immediately agreed and walked the way together while reminiscing about their school days. As they reached the house, Tobio was fast asleep. Iwaizumi tried tucking Tobio into bed but the toddler started whining, not wanting to sleep without his father. The parent tucked his son back into his arms and he could feel Tobio’s small hands clutching to his shirt.
“Wan’ to seep with Tou-san.” The boy mumbled into his shoulder. Iwaizumi can’t say no to that.
So Tobio slept soundly on the couch next to his father with a pillow under his head and a blanket on top while Iwaizumi soothed his hair. The adults can’t help but coo at the boy. Makki mentioned how being a father was a good look for Iwaizumi. The three laughed, low enough not to wake Tobio. Time seemed to fly when the friends were looking back on their school days. They were in their school’s volleyball team together. Makki and Iwaizumi being Wing Spikers and Mattsun a middle blocker. Makki teased Iwaizumi who was a strict vice captain to the team and was the only one who could control the resident mad dog, the former wing spiker, Kyoutani Kentaro. Iwaizumi chuckled at the memory. Mattsun spoke up saying Kyoutani currently works as a personal trainer at a gym in town he goes to sometimes. The younger man seemed to have mellowed down in order to train people but still had a scowl on his face when training gym members. The messy haired raven invited Iwaizumi to said gym with him sometimes to which the other replied when he had the time. He still had a toddler to take care of.
Iwaizumi then asked both of his friends what did they do for a living. Mattsun was a freelance web developer while Makki worked in a media department under a broadcasting company. Mattsun admitted he craved for a stable and more disciplined work life as he gained a few pounds working from home. He blamed the snacks he consumed daily. The light-brown haired man complained of the bad working environment at his workplace. He wished he could find a better job in Miyagi.
The spiky haired man wasted no time in offering Makki and Mattsun positions in the company. After explaining the situation to his friends, their first reactions were of awe. They were amazed Iwaizumi was handling the company alone. Both immediately agreed to the offer. Little did they know, the three friends manage to work together and revamped the branch step by step. Iwaizumi was promoted to Managing Director of the Miyagi branch, Makki was head of the marketing and advertising department that lead a reliable team and Mattsun became head of the IT Department, responsible for bringing new and improved systems to the branch.
Iwaizumi felt a slight sense of pride remembering all the struggles he went through the past years that made the company to where it is now. He is forever grateful to his friends for their help. He always made sure of that. Makki and Mattsun are sick of him always thanking them while making a speech at the end of the year dinner. Every year.
He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Tobio groaned in his sleep. He smiled to himself and gently soothed Tobio’s hair to wake him up. He softly called Tobio to which the teen responded as his eyes fluttered open slowly.
“Good morning, Tobio. How are you feeling?”
“Better than yesterday. My head hurts less. I feel cold though.”
Iwaizumi hummed. “Let’s get some warm soup in you and some tea. Toast sound okay?” He asked smoothing his son’s bed hair.
Tobio nodded to the idea. “I’ll get started on toast. Can you stand?”
The teen slowly tried to get up and succeeded but was swaying a little. Iwaizumi wrapped his arms over his son’s shoulder to help him stand. Father and son made it down the stairs together and to the kitchen. Tobio sat on the dining table to start his breakfast while Iwaizumi prepared the toast.
“Tou-san, are you going to work late today?”
“I took the day off. Someone’s got to take care of you, right?” He gave a smile over his shoulder.
Tobio’s eyes widened. “But you shouldn’t miss work because of me. I know you’ve been busy these days. I can take care of myse-” Tobio started to cough. Iwaizumi went behind him and rubbed his back gently.
“Someone who is sick shouldn’t look after themselves. Work can wait, my son comes first.” Iwaizumi went back to spreading bread on toast.
Tobio blushed. Iwaizumi didn’t have to look back to see the red hues on his cheeks.
“Besides, I can work from home while I look after you. I finished all the work necessary for this week. I do need to buy some groceries later. That was the last of the soup.”
“Can I come with you?” Tobio asked, voice full of hope.
“Tobio, you need to rest.” His father retorted.
“But, I feel guilty not being able to do anything. I’ll wear a mask and a scarf if I have to. I’ll be fine.”
He sometimes regret being stubborn as the trait was passed down to his only child. He sighed. Maybe the weather outside will help make him feel slightly better at least.
“Okay,but don’t forget to take your medicine after toast. We’ll go late in the afternoon so you can have a nap before. Okay, Tobio?” He set down a plate of buttered toast in front of him
“Okay, Tou-san.” Tobio nodded and start having toast.
Iwaizumi would take the day off in a heartbeat to take care of Tobio. He smiled in amusement seeing his eldest son break off the crust of the bread before eating. He missed staying home during the day. Not only does he get to spend time with Tobio, he doesn’t have to worry about work as well. He trusts Makki and Mattsun to hold the fort. Right now he’s having toast with his favourite person.