Archive of Our Own ^beta

Atom loves Valentine’s Day. That was plain to see. 

Last year, he gave his father homemade heart-shaped dark chocolate (Tenma’s favorite kind of chocolate). Of course, Tenma responded in kind, giving his son flower-shaped milk chocolate from a prestigious chocolatier.

Now, Tenma found himself wondering what Atom will give him this year. He wouldn’t mind the same thing but Atom did say he would give him something different this time. He didn’t say anything more than that and Tenma had to admit, he was quite looking forward to discovering what it would be. 

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When Tenma woke up on Valentine’s Day, Atom was not in bed. Tenma assumed that he was preparing his gift and so he simply got himself ready for the day. 

When he walked into the living room, Atom was there. He was wearing a fuchsia pink shirt that went pretty well with his blushing cheeks. 

“Happy Valentine Day, Dad!” 

In his son’s hands were several origami flowers of different forms and different colors neatly placed inside a wrapping paper with flowers drawn on it. It was a bouquet of delicately folded flowers that must have taken Atom quite some time to make. 

All for him.

“Flowers for you, sweetheart!” 

Tenma smiled, Atom was just so… Wait,what? 

“Sweetheart?”

It was the first time Atom used such a romantic pet name for him, and it stopped Tenma’s train of thought dead in its tracks. The old man didn’t know what to think of it… But it did make him feel a bit confused.

That confusion seemed to be plain on his face, because Atom’s own face fell. 

“Did…Did I say something wrong? Do you… you don’t want to be called that?” He sounded so sorry and Tenma knew he had to reassure him quickly. 

“No, it’s not that!… I’m just… surprised, that’s all.” 

Even in his youth, no one has ever used such things petname for Tenma. Sweetheart... The word sounded strangely alien to him, as it wasn’t meant to be used for him. But here it was. 

Atom got closer to him now, the origami bouquet still in one hand as the other gently caressed Tenma’s arm. It was a careful gesture of comfort. 

“I’m sorry if I upset you…” 

“Again, it’s not that, Atom…” the old man sighed. “I’m just surprised that you would use such a petname for me… I’m not really ‘sweetheart’ material.” Tenma finished in a dry laugh. 

Atom frowned. “You are!” He said it with such clear-cut sincerity but still, Tenma raised one eyebrow at him.

“I mean… you are to me.” Sincerity still, but with such added softness to his voice now… An earnest reassurance. 

Tenma took the origami flowers from Atom’s hands. They were lovely. But when looking up from the bouquet, an even lovelier sight greeted him. His son’s face, so gentle and full of love for him. 

“Well, I can be your sweetheart… I’m your Valentine too after all.” Tenma chuckled and put a quick kiss on Atom’s forehead.

Atom beamed. Literally, his eyes shone with soft blue light, something that happened when his feelings were getting too big for his body to hold.

“You are ! You are my sweetheart!” Atom practically jumped into Tenma’s arms, holding on to him with his arms around Tenma’s neck. 

“Lots of flowers and kisses for you, sweetheart!” Atom quickly turned his words into soft wet kisses against his father’s cheeks. 

Tenma smiled, feeling bashful despite himself. He put his arms around Atom, holding him tight. As they hugged, Tenma continued to clutch on the origami flowers, fiercely holding on the proof of his son’s love for him. 

A sweetheart for a sweetheart. 

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