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Shirabu was not having a good day. The stream of bad luck started with his alarm not going off in the morning, causing him to almost be late to his first class. That caused him to miss breakfast, other than a cereal bar stuffed into his mouth hastily. So he was extra grumpy due to a lack of caffeine in his system.
After that fiasco, his professor announced that they would be doing group projects.
And Shirabu had the absolute privilege of being paired with Kageyama of all people. Kageyama was notorious in the class for leaving all his work to the last minute, so basically the absolute last person anyone wanted to be paired with for a group project.
It was at this point he had figured that there really wasn't much else that could go wrong today, this had to be the limit. Right?
Not right. The cold November winds had caused Shirabu to come to class that day in one of his warm sweaters, to fight off the chill of the incoming winter. What he hadn't factored in that decision was that, apparently it was giving rain for that afternoon.
Wet and irritable, Shirabu trudges through the first shop door he could see, much like a dripping cat with how he was glaring daggers at the inhabitants of the small store.
Shirabu peeled off the sopping wet sweater to reveal the slightly less soaked t-shirt he had on underneath, plain grey in design.
He eyes his surroundings once relieved of the heavy weight, and breathes a sigh of relief when he finds himself in a quaint coffee shop.
Plants hang from the ceiling in a variety of pots, each decorated uniquely. The wallpaper of the walls is a worn baby blue and profusely decorated with posters. The far wall behind the counter is covered in shelves with a myriad of knick-knacks and picture frames positioned carefully on the further up ones and personalised mugs and thermals and expensive looking bags of coffee beans set on the lower ones so they are in reach.
Trying to shake off the firm grip the cold still has, Shirabu moves further into the little shop, eyes flicking around at the various couples and students also taking refuge from the harsh weather outside.
He approaches the counter, intent on getting something to help combat the chill settling in his bones when he locks eyes with the man manning the counter.
He's taller than him, by an inch or two, with silver hair that starts to darker at the ends, it's slightly unruly with odd tufts sticking up, but it frames his face nicely. He looks to be only a year or two older than Shirabu with a welcoming smile spread across his face.
"Hi, what can I get for you?" the man asks, and when he leans forward slightly to hear his reply over the hustle and bustle of the café behind him, Shirabu can see the glint of piercings in his ears.
Shirabu's eyes catch on the white name tag of his brown apron as he leans forward. Semi it reads.
Breaking the eye contact Shirabu clears his throat "Yea, can I get a plain black coffee, no sugar please"
The man- no, Semi smiles at him again, causing a weird warmth in Shirabu's chest that has him worried he might be getting sick.
"Sure thing! Do you want to pay by cash or card?"
After sorting out the payment, Shirabu wanders towards the waiting area for his finished drink, and glances towards the turned back of Semi who's fiddling with one of the many shop machines while his coworker handles the next customer.
Semi turns toward him finished drink in hand, and hands it over with a smile
"Here you go! One plain black coffee, never understood how people drink it like this," he laughs
Shirabu feels his eyebrow twitch. He already doesn't like this guy. That warmth earlier must have been annoyance bubbling just below the surface.
"it's an acquired taste," he says sourly, turning away from the counter sharply and heading for an isolated corner to wait out the rain.
"Enjoy your bitter coffee!" the barista calls after him, humour in his voice.
Shirabu ignores him resolutely, eyes fixated on the corner he had spotted earlier. If he's in customer service shouldn't he know better than to rile up customers?
Whatever, its not like Shirabu is ever going to see him again after this, he'll just erase all memory of this stupid encounter out of his mind when he gets home. He doesn't have the time to deal with this with all the works that's piling up from college.
He cradles the mug carefully between his cold hands as he finally settles down in the corner armchair, shrugging his wet sweater from where it rests on his forearm onto the ground by his chair.
He briefly removes a hand from the warmth of the beverage to shift his bag from where it rests over his shoulder onto the ground, so he can properly sink into the comfort of the chair.
Shirabu quietly sips his coffee, and hums in content when he finds it to be of actual high quality and not the kind of shit stores try to pass off as good sometimes. The café may be small and pretty unknown, but the owner sure as hell knows what they're doing.
With nothing better to do, Shirabu digs his phone out from where it was stuffed in his pocket, and opens Instagram to mindlessly scroll through while he waits. He huffs a laugh into his drink as he sees the latest post from Goshiki.
It's him and Ushijima, but the look on Goshiki's face is almost constipated as he gazes up at his idol in wonder. Shirabu snickers at the photo again, before liking and scrolling past.
Before he knows it an hour has passed, and the sky seems to have finally cleared up. Shirabu quickly gathers his things together, eager to finally get home.
He walks towards the exit dodging around the seats that are scattered around the café, whilst contemplating what he can make for dinner with what little he has left in his fridge.
"Thank you! Come again soon!" a voice says cheerily from behind, just as he's pulling open the door.
Shirabu turns slightly to look over his shoulder, Semi is grinning teasingly at him as he continues "We've got plenty more bitter coffee to spare trust me,"
Shirabu snorts dismissively, pulling open the door fully and exiting the store, ignoring the stare he can feel burning into his back. Yeah right. He has zero intention of returning after that.
Fixing his bag into a more comfortable position on his shoulder, Shirabu sets off towards his apartment, he's already halfway home when he realises he never took note of the name of the shop. We'll he's not going back again anyway so it's not like it matters. Toeing his shoes off as he enters his apartment he mentally goes over what he remembers to be in his fridge. Maybe he can make stir-fry. The chicken he has should still be in date…
Shirabu will swear up and down that the next time he enters the store is 100% Tendou's fault. If he had had things his way he never would've stepped within a 5 metre radius of the place after that first time.
Except, after deciding he's going to make a chocolatier (of all things) Tendou is now in the habit of visiting small cafes and bakeries and trying the baked goods to compare them with his own skills and see where he has room to improve.
Which is where Shirabu's bad luck strikes again. Tendou had goaded him into accompanying him to one such café after class, for 'old times sake' as he put it, seeing as they haven't done this since their highschool years.
And Shirabu figured there wasn't any harm in humouring him, and anyway apparently Tendou's friend works there so maybe they could even get a free drink out of it.
They decide to meet in front of the cafe- a nice corner shop called The Rookery at around 2 since Shirabu's class finishes at half 1.
He's just making his way down the steps of the main stairway of the University when his phone buzzes with a message.
Tendou-san: hey heyy Kenjirouuu I'm going to have to cancel our meetup!!! Wakatoshi is in town today!!ヾ(＠^∇^＠)ノ
Shirabu: Yea whatever, have fun with your boyfriend Tendou-san
Shirabu feels his phone incessantly vibrating as he pockets it again but ignores it knowing its just going to be Tendou gushing about Ushijima which Shirabu heard enough of in person. Instead he continues down the stairs and out of the building.
He loiters outside the building aimlessly for a second unsure of what to do with himself now that his plans have been disrupted.
He thinks of just heading home and getting some studying in and really that's what he should be doing, but Shirabu had never claimed to be perfect and he fucks up sometimes too.
He instead made the mistake of going to the café Tendou had wanted to check out with him, cause there's really no reason why he can't still enjoy himself even without getting the chance to catch up with Tendou.
He pulls up Google maps on his phone and types in the café name, popping in his headphones as he makes his way off campus following the directions provided.
It's only when he's already inside the shop that he realises his mistake. An unmistakable flop of silver hair catches his eye and the back of the store, the inside of the café familiar, and Shirabu wonders if its too late to run back out except the door opens behind him and he has to walk further into the cafe to avoid getting in the road.
Next thing he knows he's at the front of the shop scowling at the menu, and he can feel eyes on him but Shirabu refuses to give him any sort of gratification from getting a reaction out of him, resolutely studying the board, after ordering another simple plain black coffee.
"Now what did that poor board ever do to you?" a teasing voice asks
Shirabu finally tears his eyes away from the board and down to meet a pair of sharp brown eyes. Semi, the now bane of his existence.
He doesn't let up his scowl as he answers "It's a convenient target," seeing as he couldn't straight up say I'm glaring at it since I can't let out my frustration on you.
Semi huffs out a laugh, eyes crinkling shut with the action. Shirabu studies him for a moment, eyes wandering to the shut pair of the recipient of his attention.
He's taking note unconsciously of how full and pretty his eyelashes are when Semi opens his eyes again and he quickly diverts his gaze, a red flush unwillingly rising up his neck to his ears.
Semi grins at him, it's a nice smile it makes Shirabu want to make the other smile more often, which is a peculiar feeling seeing as he has a great deal of frustration for the other man.
"I guess an inanimate object is as good a target as anything for anger! But what's got you so out of sorts…?" he trails off leadingly, setting his finished drink down in front of him.
Shirabu blinks at him for a moment before realising the other's seeking his name.
"Shirabu. Shirabu Kenjirou. And it's none of your business" he adds grumpily.
Semi just laughs again "Shirabu Kenjirou huh? A pretty name like that shouldn't be paired with such a scowling face you know," he drawls but his words seem genuine which is what strikes into Shirabu the most.
"I don't need your fucking advice," he seethes at him throwing the money for the drink onto the counter and marching off out of the store.
"Bye bye Shirabu! Come again soon!" Semi calls after him completely unfazed
"I'll be waiting for you!" is the last he hears as he let's the café door close behind him.
Shirabu furiously wills his ears to stop glowing red, but Semi's words keep repeating through his head as he walks away
"I'll be waiting for you"
"Shirabu Kenjirou huh? A pretty name like that shouldn't be paired with such a scowling face you know,"
Recalling the words causes his face to flush up again. Semi's causing his cold to act up, that must be what's going on here. But even to his own ears the excuses are weak. Semi thought his name was pretty. Shirabu honestly can't say anyone has ever said that to him, he got so flustered from the comment he just reacted out of anger.
He walks towards his apartment complex waving to the little old lady who lives in the apartment under him as he pushes the door open, she's constantly foisting food leftovers onto him that he's too poor and too polite to refuse.
The apartment is dark when Shirabu enters, meaning Kunimi isn't back yet either. He shrugs his coat off, hangs it up and resolves to forget about the whole coffee shop fiasco.
Shirabu not does not forget about the coffee shop. Kunimi has started to send him subtle stink eyes when he lounges round the apartment too long as if he can tell there's something bothering him. But he's also not the type of guy to actually ask him what's wrong.
Shirabu isn't even sure what's wrong, he's just been feeling… Off. He left things unresolved with the Barista Semi, and he rushed out of the shop on a poor note. Maybe that's what's leaving the bad taste in his mouth. He feels a little guilty no matter how justified his anger felt in the moment, Semi had in general been perfectly polite to him.
It wouldn't hurt to go back once more just to smooth things over, and to stop Kunimi from planning his demise.
He waits a couple days before going back to the Café again. The delay was mostly to psyche himself into actually going, seeing as the last visit didn't exactly end in his favour.
He pushes the door open and steps out of the cold air, sweeping his eyes through the shop for a particular head of silver.
Nothing. Shirabu can't help the sliver of disappointment that bubbles up in his chest. Really he shouldn't have expected semi to be working every day that he shows up, but still…
He walked further into the shop anyway, he was blocking the doorway and he might as well at least get a coffee to go since he's already here. He doesn't recognise the batista behind the counter, but they seem polite enough since they smile pleasantly at him as he walks closer.
"Hi! What can I get for you today?" he asks cheerfully, his head of orange hair bouncing as he talks.
"Plain black coffee with no sugar please," Shirabu says softly fiddling with the buttons of his jacket.
The baristas eyebrows raise and recognition flashes in his eyes, as he turns round to start his order he opens his mouth
"Oooooh, so you're the mysterious black coffee guy huh? Semi-san is gonna be superrr disappointed he missed you today!" he hums
Shirabu blinks in confusion "Mysterious black coffee guy…?"
He bobs his head in affirmation "Yep! Semi-san was always talking about you during shifts, so don't be surprised if most of the staff have heard of you!" he grins, placing the coffee down on the counter.
Shirabu swallows, looking down at the coffee as he reaches for it, "I'll… keep that in mind," he says eventually
The rest of the interaction goes by smoothly, and Shirabu leaves, but not before being informed by the orange haired barista- who's name is Hinata apparently-that Semi will be working tomorrow if he wants to treat him with a" surprise visit". Nevermind the fact that Shirabu hardly knows the guy, and even then he only knows his last name.
"Semi-san was always talking about you in shifts!"
Shit. Everytime he goes back there he hears something that he doesn't want to. Something that makes his stomach turn pleasantly and heat flush his neck. So, so stupid. Shirabu doesn't want to know this 'Semi' any better. All he wants is to get through college and settle down with a well paying job.
Nevermind pretty baristas.
That's what he tells himself. And yet…
He goes back again. The very next day even. That Hinata had so kindly informed him Semi was working.
He enters the shop like he has so many times before, and immediately sees that silver head at the back of the café.
Shirabu heads towards the counter and is surprised to see a faint flush rise up Semi's cheeks as he draws near.
"Good morning, Semi-san," he greets quietly
Semi rubs the back of his head awkwardly "Aaah, good morning, hey sorry about yesterday, Hinata told me you came looking for me?"
Shirabu rolls his eyes "I wasn't looking for you, I just wanted coffee," he lies
Semi looks at him with soft eyes that make his heart rate flutter "hmm, well be that as it may, I'm sorry if he said anything… strange," he finishes lamely
Shirabu thinks of what Hinata had told him yesterday again, and looks back at Semi shifting awkwardly under his gaze, and smiles a little.
"Nah, he didn't say anything weird, so no worries," Shirabu tells him
Semi's eyes widen and he turns round abruptly to start fiddling with the coffee machine.
"R-right, thanks!" he exclaims sounding oddly strained "A-anyway, same as usual for you yea? Plain black coffee?"
"Please,"
"Coming right up!"
Shirabu rests his elbows on the counter and watches Semi's back as he works away. He has nice shoulders and Semi briefly wonders if he works out before swiftly exorcising the thought from his head, dangerous things lie with that way of thinking.
Soon enough Semi is turning back a round with a disposable cup in hand.
"One black coffee, for the lovely Shirabu," he announces, grinning at him, in that same way that always softens him into goo.
"Thank you," he murmurs, taking the proffered cup.
Shirabu reaches into his pocket to retrieve his wallet but is stopped by Semi reaching over and grabbing his sleeve. He looks up at him and raises an eyebrow to which Semi hurriedly releases him and clears his throat looking embarrassed.
"That's on me," he says hesitantly as if afraid Shirabu will start shouting.
He of course does no such thing and instead looks at Semi surprised.
"Oh. Well…" he smiles slightly "Thank you very much Semi-san,"
The barista flushes bright cherry red, it's endearing how the flush seems to cover his whole body as Shirabu can see some of it creeping down underneath his shirt collar.
"No problem," he mutters turning away
Shirabu huffs a laugh at his behaviour and starts to walk away, but Semi's voice causes him to turn again.
"Ah, by the way," he starts looking more recovered now that the redness on his face has died down "My full name is Semi Eita,"
Shirabu just looks at him for a second before smirking "Cute name for a cute face huh?" he says in a mock of what Semi had said to him a few weeks ago.
Semi laughs, that pretty red flush returning to his skin, mirth sparkling in his brown eyes. When Shirabu walks out of the shop he can feel them pressing into his back as Semi's laughter still rings in his ears.
He sips at his black coffee, as he walks and it's only when he's about to throw the empty cup in the bin that he notices the writing on it. Upon closer inspection he sees its a number.
Shirabu feels it as his ears redden, and he quickly types the number into his contacts list. Maybe this year will be more interesting than he thought.
Shirabu is ashamed to admit he spent hours trying to figure out what to send as the first message. He's even more ashamed to admit that he ended up simply writing:
Shirabu: Hi, this is Shirabu from the coffee shop? I assume this is Semi-san?
It doesn't feel impactful enough, doesn't feel like he's expressing enough interest because he is interested-something he is also ashamed to admit.
He's interested in Semi Eita, he's not sure what sort of interest it is exactly, sure he finds him attractive but anyone with eyes would find Semi attractive. Anyway Shirabu doesn't even know if Semi is interested in guys, or even just interested in him for that matter. He's disrupted from his reverie by his phone buzzing.
Semi-san: Hey! Yea this is Semi haha! I wasn't sure if you had picked up on my number being on the cup but I'm glad you did!
Semi: I know this is sudden, but the band I'm apart of is playing a concert this weekend and I was wondering if you wanted to go?
Semi: you can bring a friend ofc!
Shirabu stares down at his phone overwhelmed by the sudden influx of information. Semi's in a band? He wants him to go to his concert? Shirabu feels almost dizzy. He flops down on his bed, who could he even bring with him? Kunimi? No, he'd definitely murder him.
Shirabu sighs, maybe Tendou-san would go with him, concerts seem like his type of thing. Shirabu pauses for a second as it dawns on him that he hadn't even considered not showing up. He scowls as he punches in his reply.
Shirabu: I'd like that, what time on Saturday is it?
The rest of the week passes in a blur, and suddenly it's Saturday and he's outside among a crowd with Tendou sipping some sort of alcohol from a cup Tendou had procured from somewhere. Shirabu hadn't asked.
He feels the same nerves he's felt all week bloom furiously in his stomach, popping like dozens of little fireworks. He swallows more of his drink in an attempt to quiet them.
The crowd suddenly roars and Shirabu jolts at the sudden increase in noise, almost spilling his drink.
Tendou is shaking his arm furiously yelling
"SHIRABU OH MY GOD, YOU NEVER TOLD ME SEMI-SEMI WAS IN THIS BAND!“ pointing at one of the people on stage
Shirabu stares at him shocked" YOU KNOW SEMI-SAN?" he shouts over the noise of the crowd.
Tendou nods excitedly jumping up and down as the music starts, and Shirabu finally drags his eyes towards the state where the band has now started playing.
Semi is playing the bass, and Shirabu isn't sure whether he's ever seen a more attractive person in his entire life.
Semi has his hair slicked back out of his face for once, those black dyed tips smoothed back into the rest of his hair. Despite the distance Shirabu can see how his pretty eyes are lined with eyeliner, and the glint of silver in his ears.
He's never seen him out of his work uniform and Shirabu truly wasn't ready because Semi is beautiful. He's got a short sleeved ripped black band t-shirt on, paired with matching black skinny jeans with chains hanging from the sides.
As Semi tilts his head back, fingers moving crazily along the bass, Shirabu stares; Semi arches back, totally engrossed in the music, a wild smile painting his lips.
The night goes on, and Shirabu learns that apparently Tendou and Semi had gone to the same Middle school, and had kept contact throughout highschool and afterwards. Shirabu really wasn't sure what to think of this new information. But he pushes it back to consider later and instead concentrates on the music and Semi on stage.
As the night had worn on Semi's slicked back hair steadily becomes more and more undone until only a wild mess remains that he has to sweep up and out of his face between songs, Shirabu can't help but long to run his fingers through the sweat slicked strands, and maybe grip them and-nope bad thoughts.
Safe to say Shirabu is struggling, and it doesn't help that Tendou is sending him these sly conspiratol glances, that convince him the redhead definitely has something planned.
The band finally finished up their last song and exited the stage after wishing the crowd a goodnight. Shirabu isn't really sure what to do next as most start to exit the venue. Thankfully his phone buzzing decides for him.
Semi-san:Hey Shirabu!!!! Come backstage!! Please????
Shirabu smiles at the message and shakes his head, he must still be high off of adrenaline.
"Tendou-san I'm-" he starts turning to his partner, only to see that he's gone off somewhere, Shirabu sighs having expected something of the sort. He sends him a text instead stating where he's going and Tendou responds with a series of suggestive emojis that make Shirabu block him.
Shirabu isn't exactly sure how to get backstage but he wanders in the vague direction of where he thinks it is and thankfully Semi seems to be waiting for him.
And Shirabu almost wishes he had gone straight home because he isn't sure how he'll be able to stop himself from cradling Semis face in his hands after seeing how soft, sleepy and almost delirious with exhaustion he is after the show.
His eyeliner is smudged from him presumably rubbing his eyes and his hair is completely out of control, but he's smiling, so, so sincerely at Shirabu that he almost wants to tear up at the action.
"Hey Shirabu," he says leaning up and away from the wall he was resting on
Shirabu clears his throat, unsure when it suddenly got so dry "Hello, Semi-san. You did really good out there,"
Semi laughs looking at him almost shyly "Yeah you think so?"
"I know so,"
Semi looks at him wide eyed and Shirabu notes with satisfaction that red is creeping up his face.
They stand in silence for a moment after that.
"I was wo-"
"Hey would yo-"
They start to speak simultaneously.
"Oh, sorry you go first," Shirabu backtracks
Semi smiles at him "it's fine," he laughs "I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to get coffee or something next week?" he asks meeting his eyes
"Like as a date- not as you being a customer and buying coffee from my work," he elaborates quickly
Shirabu lets out a small laugh "I know what you meant," he says amused "And, I'd like that, I think,"
Semi gazes at him fondly "I'm glad," he says quietly
And Shirabu is filled with such an urge to touch that he reaches up and cups Semi's face in his hands before he can even think better of it.
Semi freezes for a second, but it seems to be more out of surprise than anything. Shirabu can't blame him; he's surprised by his actions too, and for a moment they stand there awkwardly with Shirabu still gently holding Semi's face.
He's about to lower his hands and apologise when Semi relaxes into his grip, and Shirabu looks into his soft brown eyes that are framed by those pretty pretty lashes.
Exocept Semi isn't meeting his eyes, instead his eyes are fixed on Shirabu's mouth, which he wets self-consciously.
Semi swallows and Shirabu can see his adam's apple bob with the motion.
"Can I?" Shirabu murmurs carefully, voice tender.
"Please," Semi croaks
Shirabu tightens his grip on Semi's face and tugs him down slightly to meet himself halfway.
The kiss is sweet, Semi's wearing cherry flavoured chapstick, his lips are cracked slightly and the friction of them on Shirabu's own soft pair makes him shudder.
He moves one of his hands from cradling Semi's face to reach round and dig his fingers into the short hairs on the back of his neck, Semi hums contently at the action, and Shirabu smiles into the kiss before breaking it.
Semi looks down at him so obviously flustered and Shirabu lives for it, he's got that pretty pink hue on his skin again and he's just so attractive that it makes him want to weep.
Semi steps away from him slightly and reaches down to entangle their hands.
Shirabu looks at him questioningly
Semi just smiles "C'mon, I'll introduce you to my bandmates," he says and pulls him along inside.
Shirabu knows nothing else other than that he wants to follow Semi wherever he goes so he goes along obediently with what he wants. Together they walk inside hand in hand each smiling at the other.