Chapter Text
The sound of tiny feet running down the hall echoes from the open door and into the bedroom. It isn’t until the noise stops and there’s the feeling of a small hand continuously hitting his cheek does Kenma open his eyes.
“Kem! Kem!” His tiny attacker chants, continuing to slap his cheek over and over. The blond groans softly, bringing his blanket up and over his head to shield himself from his attacker, who only giggles. The slaps finally stop (thankfully) and Kenma lets out a soft sigh, golden eyes slipping shut once again. It seemed to be in vain, the peace not lasting long, and only moments later he finds himself with a weight on his head and barely able to breathe.
“Up! Kem! Up!”
There’s giggling from somewhere else in the room, probably from the doorway if Kenma’s guess is correct. He doesn’t know. It’s hard to make out anything over his attacker’s own giggles and the fact that one ear is pressed into the pillow and the other is being covered by the weight on top of him.
There’s more chanting for him to get up as the seconds tick on. Kenma ignores the urge to sit up, not wanting to cause any potential harm to the person desperately trying to wake him. Not that much harm could be done with the bed pushed up against the wall and Kenma’s cat-like (thank Hinata for that one) reflexes.
There’s the sound of shuffling feet coming closer and then seconds later he can feel the weight being lifted off of him. He breathes a sigh of relief before throwing the covers off of himself, sending a glare toward the two people in front of him, who of course only giggle at him in response.
"Come on, Ken! Time to get up!"
He huffed and stuck his tongue out at Hinata, who only giggles again and sticks his tongue back out at him. "I mean it! You can't sleep all day!"
"I can and have," the blonde quips. Sure it was when he was sick but he still counted it. And if he didn't have video games to play then that time would also be spent sleeping.
“Well you can’t right now,” Hinata huffs. “Ren’s been begging for pancakes all morning.”
“Cakes!” The toddler in Hinata’s arms chirps when his mom mentions his favorite food. Kenma hides a smile and finally sits up.
“Alright. Fine. Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready.”
It takes him a little under the time limit he'd set to get ready. He never takes long when he’s getting ready. He usually opts to tie his hair up in its usual half bun and grab whatever clothes are in his line of sight. Today it was his well-loved black hoodie with a plain white shirt under it and a pair of red jeans with the converse shoes he always wore.
He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror on his way out. His hair was a mess; he hadn't brushed it before going out, and his skin was pale, with dark circles under his eyes. If it hadn't been for Hinata forcing him to eat actual meals, he'd probably look more like a ghost than he did already. He simply sighs and quickly averts his gaze.
There's giggling coming from the living room. Kenma has to bite back a smile as he sees the scene before him; Ren was running up to his mother, shouting 'tah!' as he gently tapped his arm, then ran away before Hinata, who was sitting on his couch, could reach out and grab him. Ren would run back to Hinata, the back-and-forth cycle continuing. It was times like this that he really had to fight his omegan instincts to mate. He didn't want kids; spoiling his best friend's kid was enough for him.
He clears his throat after a few minutes, gaining his friend's attention. "Ready?" Hinata asks and he just nods.
"Yeah."
_________
It takes them less than fifteen minutes to get to the diner by walking. It's not far from Kenma's apartment complex, maybe a couple of blocks. Hinata tells him it's good for him to get fresh air and Kenma doesn't argue. Their biweekly walk to the restaurant was probably the most exercise he got lately. He'd count the convenience store he frequented, but he didn't think it counted since it was right across the street from the complex. He knew he should get out more, but he never did unless he was dragged out by an energetic redhead. His life was video games, streaming, and work and he was fine with that.
The café's small, nestled between two much larger buildings. Unless you're looking for it, it doesn't really stand out. It's made up of muted brown colors, with highlights of soft pastels here and there. There's small window boxes full of white and yellow flowers, dancing from the slight breeze. There's a sign with the café's name written on a chalkboard easel out front, little doodles of cats surrounding it.
The inside is quaint, bathed in warm light which just enhances the interior's color palette. It sticks to the same theme as the outside, mostly muted tones of brown and beige with a pop of color throughout. The atmosphere is calm and comforting, which is just one of the reasons Kenma enjoyed coming here. It was easy to keep to himself and not be bothered by the people around.
Their usual seat on the corner is open and they immediately take it before anyone else can. Though Kenma doubts they would. During this time of the day it's usually just regulars mulling around and they tend to have their own self assigned seating.
"What are you going to have?" Hinata asks him as he gets Ren out of his stroller. The eighteen month old has been chanting 'cakes cakes cakes' since they'd walked in and Kenma can't help but be impressed by the dedication. He really did remind him a lot of both of his parents.
"Probably the same thing I always get."
"I heard they got a few new menu items. We could try them?"
"Maybe." He usually doesn't have much of an appetite, especially in the mornings. He usually tends to stick with toast with jam and sausage on the days they come here.
"Kem, cakes?"
He's about to tell him no, let him know that's too much for him so soon after waking up, but once quick glance has him closing his mouth and locking the words away. Honestly, how could Kenma say no? He couldn't. Not with Ren looking at him as if he'd made the things himself and was waiting on an answer. So he offers him a smile and slight nod.
"Sure. Pancakes it is."
"He has you wrapped around his finger you know that?"
Kenma rolls his eyes. "He does not."
"He does too!" Hinata responds with a giggle.
"Why do you think that? Because I'm ordering pancakes?"
"That and the fact all he has to do is give you the infamous 'puppy eyes' and you're giving in."
"So do you and Atsumu."
"That's beside the point!"
Kenma raises an eyebrow in question at his friend. “So what is your point?” He doesn’t miss the sigh that passes his lips. Or the almost invisible shrug of his shoulder. He knows he knows what he means. It’s something they’ve talked about multiple times.
“My point is, you’re always saying how you don’t want kids, but then I see how you are with Ren…”
Kenma snorts. “It’s because I can just send him home with you. I don’t have to deal with the responsibility of taking care of him twenty-four seven.”
He really has no desire, and he swears he never will, to have children. Not only can he not deal with the responsibility, he also just didn’t have the energy. Having his own child would be nerve-racking; his anxiety would be flaring constantly. It just wouldn’t be good for his mental health.
Just because he was an omega that didn’t mean he wanted children or even wanted to be mated. He wishes more understood that. Hinata tries to, he really does his best to be supportive, which Kenma appreciates. Most don’t even do that much.
“Hmm…alright, good point. I guess something like that never crossed my mind, ya know? I grew up taking care of Natsu, so having my own kids seemed like a no-brainer. Plus, you know, being an omega…”
Kenma gives a slight nod. He understood. Society expected omegas to want to mate, to want to reproduce; said it was part of their biology to need to breed. Society had come a long way when it came to omegas, but this mentality was something that still needed to be worked on.
“I get it,” is all Kenma says in response, already tired of the conversation. There’d been no offense, there was just a limit to how many times he could have the same conversation, and the limit was already stretched pretty thin.
Thankfully, a much-needed interruption puts a lull in their conversation as a waitress comes over and drops off water for them and a highchair for Ren. She offers them a smile and ruffles Ren’s hair as she sits down a cup of juice for him in front of his mama.
“Hi, cutie. You being good today?”
"Ah-ways!" Ren chirps, giving her the biggest smile that he could muster, one that could rival both of his parents'.
"Oh good. That means that I can give you this," she says as she reaches into her pocket. She pulls out a soft, stuffed toy. Ren gasps, reaching out his arms for the volleyball plush. The waitress, Mitsuki, glances over at Hinata, then hands it to him after she receives a nod.
It wasn't unusual for Mitsuki to give Ren a gift every so often. The beta absolutely adored the pup, saying he reminded her of the pup she'd lost, and well, Hinata couldn't say no to her spoiling him from time to time.
“What do you say, Ren?”
“Danks!”
“You’re welcome, little one.” She ruffles his hair one last time before she turns to Hinata and Kenma. “The usual?” She asks them.
Hinata shakes his head. “Not today. I think I’m going to try one of the new items.”
“Then I would highly recommend the berry parfait! It’s so sweet and light, but very filling!”
“That sounds delicious! Oh! Are there any new pancakes?”
“There is actually! We’ve got a yummy strawberry pancake that’s topped with a fresh strawberry compote and whipped cream, and then we have one that’s stuffed with orange jam and topped with powdered sugar and drizzled with just a teensy bit of chocolate sauce.”
“Mama! Bewwies!”
Hinata smiles softly and gives a nod. "Alright, strawberry pancakes it is, and we’ll split them okay?”
“Kay!”
“And for you Kenma?” Mitsuki asks, turning her attention to the blond, who at some point had gotten out his phone and began gaming on it. Kenma hit pause and looks up.
“The same,” he says before unpausing his game. Mitsuki only gives him a nod in response, writing down the full order.
“Alright. I’ll get those put in and then get them to you ASAP.” She has a bounce in her step as she walks away, humming a cheerful tune to herself as she goes. Kenma can’t help but give an affectionate snort.
“I don’t know how she’s so chipper all the time.”
“That’s because you’re all doom and gloom all the time,” Hinata teases, leaning forward to poke his cheek, effectively earning himself a playful slap to his hand from Kenma.
“Not all the time. Kinda have a hard time when I’m around you two.” He places a light boop on Ren’s nose, causing the tiny redhead to giggle. Kenma smiles softly in return. This is all he needed. His friends’ kids were more than enough to calm his omegan need to have his own.
“Softie.”
_________
Kenma walks back home alone. Hinata had offered him a ride, telling him that Atsumu would be picking him and Ren up soon, but he’d just shook his head and told him that he probably needed the fresh air. Which, to be fair, was more than likely true.
As he continues walking, however, he can’t help but think he should’ve taken the ride. Not only would it get him home and to his games faster, but he would have also had someone to talk with or not be left alone with his thoughts.
He doesn’t mind being alone, not when he’s home anyway, but when he’s left without anything, or anyone, to occupy him is when he does mind. He couldn’t remember when the little quirk had begun, maybe in elementary school, maybe before. He wasn’t quite sure. Maybe it had come from the fact he hadn’t truly been alone since he’d been younger. All he knew is that right now he disliked that he was walking alone.
Normally, he would carry earbuds for this exact reason, but as he digs in his hoodie pocket, the realization dawns on him that they weren’t there. He must’ve left them charging last night and forgot to put them back where he could grab them with ease. He sighs softly and gives up his search. He would be home soon, he didn’t need them. At least, that’s what he would keep telling himself until he was actually inside his apartment.
He takes a deep breath and begins to walk faster, the phrase on repeat in his head. It gives him something to focus on. He also lets his eyes wander, instead of keeping them up ahead or on the ground, using the sights around him to also focus on.
Even though it’s a Wednesday afternoon, the streets around him are still busy. People are bustling around, vendors are out selling their merchandise, and music coming from the various stores that’s flooding out onto the streets. It’s more than enough to keep one’s mind from wandering.
He’s home before he realizes it, climbing up the stairs to his apartment. He stops, however, seeing the dark-haired figure that’s standing in front of his door. His golden eyes go wide, shocked. It had been way too long since he’d seen him.
“Heya, kitten.”