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Shirabu was walking down the hallway of the dorms when he heard it. Soft crying came from one of the dorms. Now, usually, it was none of his business. High school is tough on everybody; sometimes people just need to let it out. But, it was the dorm it was coming out of that concerned Shirabu. When Shirabu took a step closer to the door, it became unmistakable who was emitting the sound: the former setter of Shiratorizawa and rockstar wannabe, Semi Eita. Shirabu just stood in front of the door without doing anything. What the hell was he doing? Why is he doing this? Who is he to console Semi-san? Then, he softly knocked on the door. He was Semi-san's teammate and companion. Quiet shuffling could be heard from the room before a puffy-eyed boy opened the door.
"Hey, Shirabu-kun!" he said, trying to sound enthusiastic. "Did you need something?"
Shirabu stared at his shoes for a bit before speaking. "Could I come in?"
Semi merely smiled before letting the younger in. Shirabu stepped into an unusually cluttered room. Semi's various outfits were scattered around the room. His usually extremely neat bed was unmade, and the pillow had a wet stain. Even the plant Semi adored, the one gifted to him by his sister, looked unkept and dry.
"Did you need something Shirabu?" Shirabu spun around to find Semi staring at him with a knowing smile.
"Are you feeling okay?" Shirabu asked. Semi looked at him, a slight fear in his eyes.
He laughed. "What makes you ask?"
Shirabu stared at the floor. What the hell was he doing? But, he couldn't stop now. "Semi-san, I heard you crying. And, I'm not stupid; your room is an absolute mess."
Semi just stared at him, tears forming in his eyes. He wiped them away before speaking. "Should've guessed you'd find out. You're the teachers' favourite for a reason, I guess."
Shirabu just stared. What else could he do? "Did something happen?" he asked. Semi started looking around his room.
"Screw that. Can you help me clean my room? Super rude, I'm sorry. But, it's very dirty and I can't process anything in a room like this."
Shirabu looked up, slightly dumbfounded. "Oh yea, sure." And, that's exactly what they did.
Shirabu started picking up clothes and neatly folding them when he heard murmuring behind him. He peeked behind him to see Semi whispering apologies while he watered his plant. "I'm sorry I didn't water you. I know I promised to take care of you. Please forgive me and heal." Shirabu smiled softly. Semi had such a sweet and empathetic heart. After what felt like an hour, the two boys stared back at a now spotless room.
"So, wanna tell me what's up now?" Shirabu asked.
"No," Semi replied, flopping down on his bed. Shirabu didn't get mad, didn't make a snide remark, not even a click of the tongue. Instead, he walked over to the bed and leapt onto Semi's back.
"Ow! Dude get off!" Semi blurted.
"Not until you tell me what's wrong."
"So, you're going to torture me until I tell you?!"
"Seems like it."
"Fine," Semi groaned.
Shirabu rolled off Semi, and onto the bed before speaking up. "So, what's wrong?" Semi held back tears.
"I got a band offer." Shirabu stared at him, bewildered.
"Well, that's great! But, then why the sad tears?" Semi was full-on crying now.
"The band will be in the US for 3 years before returning to Japan."
"Do you not want to leave Japan?"
"OF COURSE NOT!" Semi snarled at him before backing away. "I'm sorry. I just... I'm sorry."
Shirabu placed a hand on Semi's knee. "It's alright. I understand. Can you tell me why you don't want to leave?"
Semi gently cupped Shirabu's hand in his own. "It's just... I'll miss the people here. You, the team, Tendou, my sister, Mom and Dad. I'll miss all of you. I know I said I wanna leave Japan, but that was all a joke. I didn't think I'd have to leave. Not like this. I thought I might leave on a vacation for a couple of months. I didn't think I would have to leave for 3 years..." Tears streamed down Semi's cheek.
"Semi, come here." Shirabu pulled the older into a hug. Semi sighed. Shirabu felt safe, felt warm. Hugging him almost gave Semi the illusion that he was severed from the outside world. But, he wasn't. The outside world was still out there, eyeing Semi like he was some prey, breathing down his neck. Breathing down his neck?
Semi gazed at Shirabu. He was laying on Semi's shoulder, nose pressed to his neck. He looked as content as Semi felt, his eyes closed and breathing slow. Semi couldn't exactly see his face, but he could see the light blush dusted over Shirabu's neck and ears.
"Shirabu?" Shirabu lazily raised his head to look at Semi, smiling sweetly. "You're blushing..."
Shirabu looked at him for a moment, then placed his hand on his cheek, feeling how hot it is, and instantly started freaking out. He tried rushing backwards but didn't realize he was already on the edge of the bed, thus falling headfirst on the ground.
"Shirabu! Are you okay?!" Semi yelled while hopping off the bed and leaning over a dazed Shirabu. Semi and Tendou had agreed on using bunk beds, Semi getting the top bunk. That meant that Shirabu fell a good meter (about 3-4 feet ig). He would later find he suffered a mild concussion, but for the time being, he couldn't see properly, much less think. To Shirabu, all he saw were blurry shadows and a heavenly voice calling out to him. Didn't last long, though. Soon, his senses came back to him and he realized that the angelic voice he thought was guiding him to a tranquil death free of pretty boys with dyed hair and little brothers was the exact crush he so dearly wanted to escape. Semi looked down upon him, his skin was as pale as his hair and his eyes were blown wide in fright. Seriously, this guy managed to make being shocked look beautiful. What the hell?
"Shirabu! Please, say something!" Semi said, with glossy eyes. Oh, the things Shirabu would rant about to Taichi later.
"I'm gonna cry of embarrassment," Shirabu said, with a pitifully fake smile on his face, earning a wholehearted laugh from Semi. Shirabu rolled onto his side and hid his face in his hands. Semi continued to cackle, collapsing next to him.
"Damn, Shirabu," Semi said breathing heavily with a wide smile on his face. "You're so hilarious when you're ashamed."
"I'm sorry," Shirabu whispered, a tear leaking from his eye.
Semi just stared at him, confused yet with a sense of an idea about what Shirabu is probably thinking. "For what?"
"For falling for you. I don't even know if you could ever love me, and yet I did."
"You feel guilty about this?"
"Yea."
"Why?"
"'Cause I hate how I just believed I had a chance with you. You're so amazing, you deserve a charming, stunning lady who can take care of you for the rest of your life, not some brat who treats you like shit." Shirabu breathed in deeply, taking in the sweet orange and lavender scent released by Semi's cute humidifier. How long would it be until he smelled this scent again? How long would it be until Semi and he weren't awkward anymore and he could visit his dorm again?
Semi groaned in frustration. He stood up and glared at the fragile figure below him. "Get your ass up, Kenji." Shirabu looked up at Semi. His tone suggested he was in for a cruel rejection, but then why the nickname?
He stood up halfway, Semi getting impatient and pulling him up the rest of the way. Semi pointed towards the door, causing Shirabu to tense. He was so ready to be rejected, knew that this would-
Hold on.
Wtf.
Shirabu inhaled quickly, a small gasp. Was he still passed out after the fall? This had to be some weird dream.
"Is that a fucking bisexual flag?!" he yelled, snapping his head towards Semi while pointing towards the flag hung up on the door. He took a step back, not caring how ridiculous he looked, and felt dazed again. "That has to be Tendou-san's, right?"
Semi let out a wicked chuckle. "He wishes! I bought it with my own money and am keeping it for the rest of my life. Oh, how that broke fool wishes he could own it!"
"But, seriously," Semi suddenly stopped laughing, his behaviour changing from dramatic to serious within a split second, "Do you realize now that you did have a chance, that you do have a chance?" He stepped closer to Shirabu.
"I am bisexual, Shirabu. Omnisexual, to be exact. I like all genders, with a slight preference for men. Also, you're pretty much my type." Semi grabbed Shirabu's hands and used them to list off all the things that made him like Shirabu. "You're smart, independent, stubborn, gorgeous, adorable, you know what you want, you have a sweet, caring side, you like my taste in music, a good fashion sense, and you're a hard worker." Semi brought Shirabu's hands closer to his face. "What more could I ever want in a man?"
He kissed Shirabu's hands. First, both at once, then, each finger. He lowered his hands back down and looked up. Shirabu stood there, frozen. Nothing in him worked. Sure, his heart was pumping, lungs were breathing the little air they received. But, his mind was blank, his body unable to move. Only when Semi gave one of his heartwarming chuckles did Shirabu unfreeze. He took in an uneven breath, pulled his hands away, much to Semi's displeasure, and practically collapsed onto Semi, wrapping his arms around the older.
"You okay?" Semi asked.
Shirabu sighed contently. "I think my love language is physical affection because this feels amazing."
Semi gave a soft hum. "Wanna stay over, Kenjirou?"
A blush crept onto Shirabu's face, but he decided that he enjoyed this.
"Whatever you like, Eita."