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Shirabu talks too much. This is fact is widely known by Shiratorizawa's volleyball team, and quite honestly, most of the school. Maybe even the entire prefecture.
By normal standards, Shirabu's vocal activity isn't out of the ordinary. He may even come off as under-spoken, resorting to glares and scowls as his preferred method of communication. Still, the team, and quite frankly everyone who had the luxury of hearing Shirabu speak knew he talked too much. On the occasion that Shirabu decided to vocalize his thoughts, his words consisted primarily of insults and profanities.
Still, it garnered no extra attention, the team being well adjusted to Shirabus foul mouth. Aside from Goshiki, no one seemed to mind, and even he was getting used to Shirabu's colourful vocabulary.
But after a certain incident that resulted in three people crying, five broken bones, and a narrow escape from imprisonment, the team came to a collective agreement to limit Shirabu's speech as much as possible.
Still, Semi didn't think it would come to this.
Really, it's Tendous's fault. Well, a lot of things are Tendous's fault, so this isn't anything out of the ordinary. Yet, in this particular case, Semi feels like bashing Tendous head in.
It's an ordinary day. Well, as normal as it could be in the Shiratorizawa gymnasium. Reon was busy reigning in Tendou's mess of limbs. Goshiki was holding the ball and squeezing his eyes shut (presumably doing that inner monologue thing of his). Semi snorts as one of Ushijima's serves strike Goshiki in the face, the latter yelling at the server before realizing the source and apologizing profusely.
Semi finishes warming up and stands to retrieve a ball to practice his serve. He makes his way to the court, bouncing the ball twice before preparing to serve. Just as he starts his run, he hears a soft murmur in his ear.
“SemiSemi~”
Semi jolts in surprise at the proximity of the voice, causing his serve to go haywire and smack Shirabu on the back of his head. Shirabu turns and casts a glare at Semi before resuming his conversation with Taichi. Semi rubs the back of his neck sheepishly before turning on Tendou.
“What the fuck was that?” he hisses.
“Aw, is little Semi scared? Running to your precious kouhai for help?” Tendou smirks, nodding in Shirabu's direction.
Semi glares at him. “Shut up. Don't interrupt my serve.”
“What's the fun in that~” Tendou sings, looking much too pleased.
Semi turns, preparing to stalk away before Tendou calls out “Wait!”
Semi sighs, turning to face Tendou. “What is it?”
Tendou drapes an arm over Semis' shoulders. “So… you know our problem with a certain second year's potty mouth?” Tendou drawls.
Semi glances at him warily. “You mean Shirabu?”
Tendou untangles himself from Semi, turning to face him. “Who else?”
Semi rolls his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. “What about it?”
Tendou huffs at Semi's miffed expression. “Do you remember the incident?”
Semi winces, remembering the disastrous ending of their last team outing. He was pretty sure everyone remembered. Such a scarring experience was pretty hard to forget.
“Of course I remember it.”
“Well, we held a team meeting-”
“Which means you bugged Ushijima about it”
“-And we concluded that someone needs to watch over Shirabu when going out, to prevent further unfortunate experiences.”
“So what do I have to do with this?” Semi questions, not liking the direction of the conversation.
“I'm so glad you asked,” Tendou says, looking way too excited for Semi's liking. “We need you to prevent… further incidents”
Semi's eyes widen as he gapes at Tendou. “What? Why me? Shirabu doesn't need a babysitter.”
“Ah, SemiSemi, that's where you're mistaken.” Tendou quips. “Besides, the team already elected you to the job. And he only really listens to you and Ushiwaka.”
Semi takes a step closer “You little-”
“Oh, is that Shirabu with his shirt off?”
Semi's head whips around faster than he would like to admit, only to realize that A. Shirabu still has his shirt on and B. Tendou is an asshole. The second wasn't so much of a realization as it was a reminder.
When Semi turns back around, Tendou's already running towards Ushijima, cackling the whole way.
Semi silently fumes, willing the heat in his cheeks away as he glares at Tendous retreating form.
Theoretically speaking, his newfound appointment as Shirabu's moderator couldn't be too bad. Despite his childish attitude, Shirabu was still mature and capable of watching over himself.
Or so Semi thought.
Shiratorizawa isn't exactly a well-liked team.
Semi knows this. He knows that they're viewed as pompous, stuck up and conceited. And, okay, Semi would admit that some members did act that way. At least they were aware of it. Still, they were a good team, and other teams were willing to overlook their arrogant attitude to organize practice matches with them.
Tendou's erratic behaviour was usually easy to ignore, his comments usually holding no real value. Ushijima’s condescending attitude was off-putting, but it didn’t show much on the court. The rest of the team was able to hold back when interacting with other players. So, they were still capable of having matches with limited conflict.
Or, at least they were. Now, Semi isn't so sure.
They’re playing against another powerhouse school, Fukurodani. They were a good team, and if Semi were being honest, probably better than Shiratorizawa. Still, they were holding their own against them.
But with the way their setter is glaring at Shirabu, he doesn't think they're having another practice match.
It started well enough. Ushijima and Fukurodani's captain, an owlish-looking player, shook hands. They start strong, and Semi notices that Ushijima is in good shape. Tendou's blocks are landing well, and even Shirabu seems to be doing well.
It’s no mystery that Semi despises Shiratorizawa’s playing style, the reliance on Ushijima’s attacks irking him to no end. That's why Shirabu was made first string setter, him not having the desire to show his individual strength. Still, Semi can’t help but admire Shirabu on the court. His every action is backed up with calculated intent. Semi marvels at the way the ball rolls off his slender fingers, sending a perfect set Ushijima’s way. Still, the other team is strong, and soon it becomes a grapple for the first set.
It started some time halfway through the first set. Semi saw Shirabu say something to the opposite team's ace, and he would yell something back with a face flushed from anger. At first, Semi didn’t think much of it, but as the set continues Fukurodani’s captain becomes increasingly angry. Each rally Shirabu would offer a snide comment, and each time the ace would become increasingly distraught, often complaining to his setter about it. The level-headed setter would usually say something to console him, but not before sending Shirabu a dirty look. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Fukurodani’s entire team hated Shirabu.
It was a set point, and another argument broke out between the two players.
“My bad, I could have sworn I was dealing with someone mature.” Shirabu sneers.
“I AM MATURE!”
“You see, I’d agree, but then we’d both be wrong.”
“WHY YOU-”
Fukurodani’s setter interrupts. “Bokuto-san, enough.”
Still, he scowls in Shirabu’s direction before returning to his position.
After the first set ends (Shiratorizawa’s defeat due to an impressive and powerful spike done by Fukurodani’s ace - most likely fueled by anger from Shirabu’s comments) Semi pulls Shirabu aside.
“You have to stop egging other teams on during practice matches,” Semi says with a frown. “It’s alright during actual games, but if you keep doing this no one will want to play against us.”
Shirabu rolls his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. “And I care because…?”
Semi scowls, shifting to place his hands on his hips. “Just try to play nice, alright? I swear their setter was glaring holes into your back.”
Shirabu pouts but doesn’t argue, grumbling while he makes his way back to the bench.
During the second set, Shirabu doesn’t pick any more fights with Fukurodani’s ace, instead choosing to send him looks of contempt. Fukurodani’s setter sends Semi a grateful look, and Semi smiles back.
“How’d you get him to stop?”
Semi turns his head to see Taichi standing next to him, smirking as he stares at Semi expectantly.
“I’ve been telling him to stop mouthing off their ace for the last set. Funny that he only listens to you.” Taichi winks suggestively.
Semi rolls his eyes in response. “I’m sure he would listen to his other seniors.”
“Mhm,” Taichi replies. “Is that why you’re blushing like a schoolgirl?”
Semi buries his head in his hands. “Shut up.” he grumbles.
Taichi just laughs.
“Fuck you.”
“I’ll pass.”
Shirabu glares at Tendou. “Eat shit.”
Ushijima frowns. “That would be very unsanitary.”
Semi looks around the clothing shop. The store was surprisingly empty despite it being in a mall, the only other occupants being a mother and a daughter and workers.
Shirabu scowls at the skirt in his hands. “I am not putting this on.” he hisses, glaring at his teammates surrounding him.
“Come on Shirabear,” Tendou nags, whining dramatically. “Just try it.”
“I think you’d look good, senpai!” Goshiki quips.
Shirabu whirls on him. “I do not need you fucking encouraging them.”
Goshiki squeaks and runs to hide behind Ushijima, who looks as unfazed as ever.
Semi notices the mother side-eyeing them disapprovingly before turning to Shirabu and frowning. “Shirabu, play nice.”
Shirabu huffs but relents, mumbling a quiet “Sorry”
Yamagata grins at him. “We’ll leave you alone after you do.” he promises.
Shirabu throws his head back. “Can’t you just leave me alone now?”
Taichi takes a step forward. “We can get ice cream after-”
“Deal.” Shirabu says instantly, grabbing the skirt and shirt before rushing towards the dressing rooms.
The team watches as Shirabu steps out of the dressing room, grumbling. “Are you happy?”
The room goes quiet.
“Hot damn Shirabu.” Tendou breaks the silence, whistling appreciatively.
Shirabu scowls at Tendou, opting to cross his arms over his chest angrily.
Semi has to agree with Tendou. The skirt is cut right above the knees, showing off slender legs and smooth skin. The matching top hangs loose on Shirabu’s frame, exposing his defined collarbone. A blush is set high on his cheeks as his copper hair lightly sweeps his face.
Semi’s never wanted to kiss someone more.
It’s only when Shirabu glances at Semi does he realize his mouth has been hanging open for the last minute as he ogled at Shirabu.
Semi reluctantly tears his eyes away from Shirabu’s legs, silently willing the flush away from his cheeks. Still, he can’t help but cast glances at Shirabu every ten seconds because goddamn why does he have to be so fucking pretty. Don’t get him wrong, Shirabu’s always been cute, but more in a my-kouhai-is-so-adorable-when-he’s-mad kind of way. This? This is a holy-fuck-I-can’t-breathe-too-pretty-hurts-my-eyes kind of attractiveness.
Semi wasn’t sure if he was happy or distraught over this fact.
The team continues to pester Shirabu about the skirt, oblivious to Semi’s inner turmoil.
“You look so good, senpai!” Goshiki says earnestly.
Shirabu scowls, casting them an angry glare. “There, happy? Now can I change so we can get ice cream?”
He doesn’t wait for an answer before heading back to the changing room, emerging in his normal clothes (much to the relief and disappointment of Semi).
As they leave the store, Semi falls into step beside Shirabu.
“Ahem,” Semi clears his throat. “You... looked good in that skirt.” he mumbles, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks.
Shirabu startles, glancing at Semi before blushing and glaring at the floor. “Shut up.”
Still, Semi spots a small smile adorning Shirabu’s lips and calls it a win.
Semi’s patience for Shirabu is beginning to wear thin.
They're on a run and are weaving through a park on their usual route. The park was usually quite crowded around this time, and today was no different. They usually stopped to take a break and drink water, but before they had the chance, Shirabu ran into someone.
He’s presently arguing with an elderly woman who looks like she’s out of breath from talking.
Honestly, Semi didn’t know it was morally possible to feel such bloodlust for a kind, sweet sixty-year-old woman, but here Shirabu was, always surpassing his expectations.
“Watch where you're fucking going!” he snaps at the woman, his cheeks flushed with anger.
The woman takes a step back, put off by Shirabu's aggressiveness. Semi suddenly feels a pang of sympathy for the unsuspecting stranger and decides to step in before Shirabu can fully indulge her in a shower of curses and profanities.
“So sorry about that, my little brother just got lost,” He says to the startled woman. He turns to Shirabu, who's looking at him with a murderous expression. “Don't wander off.”
“Motherfu-”
“No, your mother is over there” Semi covered, pointing in a random direction “'Cmon, let's get you to mommy, okay?”
“Tendou is not my mom!” Shirabu squawks.
Oops. Semi probably should have looked for a middle-aged woman to refer to.
Out of ideas, he grabs Shirabu's hand and drags him away from the confused woman. Not his finest moment, but sue him, he didn’t know what else to do, okay?
Shirabu rips his hand from Semi's grasp. “What the fuck was that for?” he snaps.
Semi huffs, crossing his arms over his chest. “Why do you have to be so rude?”
Shirabu just rolls his eyes. “She should have been watching where she was going.”
Semi glares at him. “She was like, sixty, Shirabu. Have some respect.”
Shirabu scowls. “Respect my ass-”
“Stop being such a brat for two seconds, she was an elder.”
Semi sighs and grabs Shirabu's hand. “Come on, wouldn't want you to get lost again, would we?”
Shirabu huffs but complies, walking alongside Semi. Semi basks in internal glory at Shirabu not pulling away because, well, fucking hell yeah.
Their hands remain intertwined the entire way back, both with blushes high on their cheeks.
“Taichi, you absolute piece of fucking shit.”
“Oh shush, I’m doing you a favour. You need this.”
“If you wanted to do me a favour, you could leave me alone.”
“Alright, scratch that, I’m doing the world a favour. We don’t need to witness your gross pining.”
“Fuck you.”
“Oh, so forward.”
“The only thing going forward is my fist-”
“Don’t be so dramatic. You owe me, remember?”
“I don’t recall being in your debt.”
“Mhm. Remember when you cussed off the principal and I saved your sorry ass? I vaguely recall the threat of suspension, oh wait, was it expulsion? Anyways, doesn’t matter, I saved your fate and future. I’d say you owe me.”
“Okay, but couldn’t you think of anything else-”
“Oh, hi Semi-san! Just who we were looking for!” Taichi grins cheekily as he loops an arm through Shirabu’s.
Semi eyes Taichi and Shirabu warily. “Care to explain what you’re doing outside my dorm at six am?”
Shirabu grumbles, glaring at nothing in particular. “Ask this motherfucker.”
Taichi smiles brightly. “We were just going to visit our favourite senpai.”
“Don’t inflate his ego.”
Semi ruffles Shirabu’s hair. “Aw, I knew you loved me!”
Shirabu flushes and bats Semi’s hand away. “Shut the fuck up.”
“You’re not denying it~” Semi singsongs.
“Fine, I fucking ha-”
“As adorable as this is, I’m afraid we came here for a reason.” Taichi interrupts, smirking at Shirabu.
Shirabu’s eyes widen. “Taichi no-”
Taichi just looks at him with a gleeful expression. “Have fun~” Taichi says as he shoves Shirabu into Semi, watching as they tumble into Semi’s room.
They watch as the door shuts, and hear shuffling before the retreating of footsteps. “Use protection!” Taichi calls.
“That asshole.” Shirabu growls.
Semi shifts, and suddenly Shirabu notices he’s basically straddling Semi. He startles and scrambles off of Semi. Semi hastily lifts himself off, pointedly avoiding looking at Shirabu.
“So,” Semi says, fighting the blush on his cheeks. “Care to explain what that was about?”
Shirabu averts his gaze, fidgeting with his hands.
That’s odd. Semi thinks. He seems nervous.
For the two years that Semi’s known Shirabu, he’s never seen the younger get nervous. Shirabu’s main emotions seemed to be annoyance and anger, and his sudden shyness was a new experience.
“I’m going to fucking kill Taichi.”
“What was that?”
“I said, um, nothing.”
Semi quirks an eyebrow, disbelieving. “So you and Taichi busted into my room at the crack of dawn for no reason?”
Shirabu finally met Semi’s eyes. “Yup. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get to class-” Shirabu moves towards the door.
Semi grabs Shirabu’s wrist, preventing his escape. “Class doesn’t start till eight. ‘Cmon, what's going on?”
Shirabu hesitates, then unceremoniously flops onto Semi’s bed. “Taichi will kill me if I chicken out now.”
Semi gazes at him questionably. “Chicken out? What are you talking about?”
Shirabu lets out a muffled scream. “Just give me a moment, okay?”
Semi eyes him warily. “Okay?”
Several beats of silence pass before Shirabu speaks up.
“I mumph moufth.” He mumbles into the pillow.
“Pardon?”
Shirabu lifts his face out of the pillow. “I said I LIKE YOU.” He yells, then promptly returns his head to the pillow and screams.
Semi blinks, processing Shirabu’s words.
“What?”
Shirabu lifts his face from the pillow to glare at Semi. “I know you heard me.”
Semi shakes his head. “No, I heard you just… What? You,” he points at Shirabu. “Like me?” Semi gestures to himself.
Shirabu groans. “Oh god, yes, okay? Can I go die now?”
Semi feels his heart soar as a wide grin spreads across his face. “You like me.” He says giddily.
“Jesus fucking christ, are you deaf or do you just really need an ego boost? I said yes. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to wallow in a bucket of ice cream.” Shirabu says defeatedly, dragging himself towards the door.
“I like you too.”
Shirabu stops in his tracks. He spins his head around to face Semi.
“What? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Semi grins. “What do you mean? I just did.”
Shirabu looks skeptical. “Look, it’s fine. You don’t have to pretend for the team's sake, I can ignore my feelings, okay?”
Semi huffs. “I’m not doing it for the team's sake, okay? I like you, so stop being so stubborn.”
Shirabu bites his lip, trying to hid the growing grin on his face. "Okay."
"Good."
Shirabu flushes, looking shy all of a sudden. “In that case, would you like to be my boyfriend?” He says boldly despite the blush crawling on his skin.
Semi smiles. “I’d love to.”
--
“Happy birthday.”
“It’s not my birthday, Taichi.”
“I know. Just telling you now in case I don't make it till then.”