Chapter Text
Semi coughed subtly, trying to itch the faint scratching at the back of his throat. Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a flash of copper hair. Grinning, he set down the guitar he was mindlessly strumming, moving from his seat to the dorm doors.
'Don't annoy him too much, Semi-Semi,' Tendou, his red-haired roommate called out, with too much amusement in his voice to mean it.
'What do you mean? He's the one who annoys me,' Semi shot back with a knowing smirk, before leaving to find the boy himself.
'Oi, Shirabu, what are you doing in the third-year dormitories?' Semi asked, resting a hand against his waist.
The boy in question flinched, before turning to face him, a scowl on his face. Despite his irritated expression, he somehow managed to look stunning in Semi's opinion, his caramel coloured eyes glinting in annoyance.
'Semi-san, shouldn't you be focusing on your final exams? It's almost the end of the semester,' he responded smoothly, shifting his bag to his other shoulder, which was constantly filled to the brim with heavy textbooks.
Semi raised an eyebrow. 'I asked you first.'
A beat of silence passed, both of them too stubborn to break eye contact, before Shirabu relented.
Sighing in defeat, the boy mumbled an answer. 'I was going to make a potion.'
Huh, that's it? Theoretically, it would make sense, as everyone knew that cutting through the third-years' dormitories was the fastest route to the potions chamber, yet something about Shirabu's stiff posture instigated an inkling of suspicion.
'That's all?' the pinch server questioned, prompting him to develop his explanation. Shirabu's expression became guarded.
'Yes, Semi-san. You should know to not complain when you're given an answer,' he said coldly.
Rolling his eyes, Semi strode past him towards the exit. 'And you shouldn't lecture your upperclassmen.' He paused when he couldn't hear Shirabu's soft footsteps behind him. Throwing a glance over his shoulder, he asked, 'Well?'
Shirabu's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. Cute. Semi berated himself at the thought, coughing to clear his throat.
'What do you think you're doing?' Shirabu finally asked, narrowing his eyes at his senior.
'Oh, you know. As your senpai, I feel as though it's my duty to aid you in your studies,' Semi quipped with a wink, chucking inwardly as the boy recoiled. He purposefully ignored the sting in his chest as he did so.
'There's no need to lie about your values, Semi-san. You were just bored, and I happened to pass by,' Shirabu deadpanned, setting off ahead of him. Amusement curled Semi's lips upwards. Busted.
'Can I still come though?' Semi asked hopefully, following at his heels.
'You wouldn't leave even if I asked you to,' he stated, in a matter of factly.
'I'm glad that we're on the same page,' Semi responded with delight.
'Everyone on the team knows that you love studying-' Semi started, before being interrupted.
'I don't. I just enjoy educating myself and succeeding in academy,' Shirabu interjected defensively.
Semi brought his hands up. 'Alright, I believe you. But the second-years' exams have already passed.'
'Well observed,' the younger boy replied, only half-paying attention to Semi's words as he crushed herbs with a pestle.
Leaning against the counter, Semi continued, curiosity pouring over him. 'So, why are you creating this mysterious potion then?'
Huffing, Shirabu turned to him. 'I can't concentrate when you keep talking to me. You're asking more questions rather than actually helping me like you promised.'
'Hey, I'm just curious,' Semi responded offendedly, but toned down on the conversation nevertheless, instead following on the next instructions in the potion book.
After setting the mini cauldron simmering above a crackling fire, Shirabu answered the question which Semi had momentarily forgotten about. 'Supposedly, this potion cures hanahaki disease, although it's only a rumour for now.'
Semi's eyebrows shot up his forehead as he heard the boy's response. He whistled, impressed. 'I thought the recipe for that died along with the sorcerer, centuries ago.'
A smirk tugged at Shirabu's lips, making Semi's heart irrationally skip a beat. Simultaneously, he coughed under his breath.
'Nothing can stay hidden from me for too long.'
Semi hummed in thought. 'Why the sudden interest in hanahaki disease?'
Blushing slightly, the shorter boy averted his gaze. 'It's just...in case...'
Semi frowned, trying to decipher Shirabu's incomprehensible mutters. 'What was that?'
'I'm scared that one of my family members might get it,' he blurted out, a red tint dusting across his cheeks. 'Happy now?'
'Why are you so embarrassed to admit that?' Semi asked, chuckling at his flustered expression. Reaching out without giving it too much thought, Semi ruffled his copper brown hair. It's softer it looks, Semi mused, just like you. 'You don't need to act so tough all the time. It's adorable when you show that you actually care.'
'Gods, you're so...nevermind.'
A pained expression twisted Shirabu's features, causing Semi to withdraw his hand instantly. Shoot, I should've respected his boundaries, Semi thought, cussing out his natural touchiness in his head as he attempted to salvage the situation.
'Do you think it'll work?' Semi nodded towards the pink, bubbling liquid, swiftly changing the topic.
Determination set on Shirabu's face. 'Of course. Even if it fails ten times, twenty times, or maybe fifty, I'll get it down at some point.'
A drop of admiration rippled through Semi, making him wince at its bittersweet familiarity. When Shirabu had first entered Shiratorizawa Academy, Semi remembered finding him mildly attractive, but nothing more.
That changed massively once he had joined the volleyball team, where Semi had witnessed first-hand his clean and accurate sets, followed by feeling a mixture of envy and respect for his consistent skills. Any positive aspects to his character were immediately redacted once the boy opened his mouth, unlocking a new world of snarky comments and insults, though Semi had to admit that he was an excellent setter. It didn't help that he was intelligent and pretty too.
Despite himself, Semi recently discovered that he looked forward to their daily banter, rather than being vexed by it last year.
Despite himself, Semi found himself falling in love.
Coughing again, Semi raised a hand to stifle the bouts, wiping at the tears in his eyes.
Within seconds, Shirabu was at his side, offering a tissue which he had procured from one of the ingredient drawers. Taking it gratefully, Semi stifled the coughs, sighing with relief as the itchiness in his throat died down.
It flared up again, however, once he felt a cool palm resting against his forehead.
'You don't seem to have a fever. Are you feeling okay?' Shirabu asked, concern bleeding into his tone.
He was born to become a Healer. Smiling weakly, Semi nodded, croaking out, 'I'm fine. My throat's just a bit scratchy for some reason.'
Looking over him uncertainly, Shirabu passed a flask of water to Semi. 'Make sure to stay hydrated. It could be a byproduct of the summer heat or dehydration.'
'Whatever you say, my Healer,' Semi replied with a teasing lilt.
Surprisingly, the boy wore a small smile. 'I'm not one yet, so make sure to take care of yourself. I don't need to report "trying to save a dead person" on my resume when I'm applying for Healing school interviews.'
'Your requests have been duly noted,' Semi promised.
The coughing only worsened.