Rising beyond Shadows (Shirabu x reader)

How did he know?

3rd person pov

The following weeks flew by in a blur of classes and intense volleyball practices as Shiratorizawa geared up for the upcoming tournament. You became an essential part of the team, supporting them by helping Coach Washijō organize drills, fetching equipment, and keeping the guys motivated with your constant encouragement. And though Shirabu continued to wear his usual sarcastic mask, there was an undeniable warmth in his eyes whenever he looked at you—a silent promise of his presence and support.

One chilly evening, after a particularly grueling practice, the team gathered in the school's lobby, discussing their strategies for the weekend. Goshiki, ever the enthusiastic first-year, was animatedly recounting a play he was planning to try. Tendō was teasing Ushijima, making exaggerated predictions of his "perfect, unstoppable" spikes.

As you joined the conversation, you felt a hand tap your shoulder. You turned to find Shirabu standing there, a subtle but genuine smile on his face.

"You're not heading out alone tonight, are you?" he asked, his tone casual, but his concern clear. You hadn't been walking home together much lately, partly due to the increasingly late practices. Still, you could see he was making a conscious effort to check in, even if he tried to play it off as nothing.

You shook your head, smiling back. "I was actually going to grab a snack from the convenience store down the street before heading home. Care to join me?"

Shirabu gave a small nod, glancing briefly at the team before he looked back at you. "Alright, I suppose I can supervise to make sure you don't pick out anything too unhealthy," he said, sarcasm in his voice, but you noticed the way his eyes softened.

After saying goodbye to the team, you both set off down the street, walking in comfortable silence. The convenience store was warm and bright against the evening chill, and as you both wandered the aisles, Shirabu occasionally tossed a few snacks into the basket you were holding.

At one point, he handed you a can of warm tea, his expression thoughtful. "It'll keep you from freezing," he said, his usual bluntness softened by the hint of a smile.

You chuckled, accepting it gratefully. "Thanks, Shirabu. You know, you're kind of sweet sometimes. But don't worry, I won't tell Tendō."

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "He'd never believe you, anyway," he replied, but the faint blush on his cheeks told you he appreciated the sentiment.

After buying the snacks, you both sat outside on a small bench, quietly sipping your drinks and sharing a bag of chips. The city around you was buzzing with evening life, the hum of cars and laughter of people a comforting background to your peaceful moment together.

But as you looked down the street, you felt a familiar heaviness settle in your chest. You hadn't shared much about your life at home with Shirabu, and though he knew bits and pieces, the full story remained a carefully guarded secret. As much as he had come to mean to you, and despite the solace you found in his company, you hadn't felt ready to share that part of yourself.

Sensing your change in mood, Shirabu turned to you, his eyes searching. "You okay?" His voice was low, steady, grounding.

You took a deep breath, weighing whether you could really open up to him. There was a vulnerability in his gaze, a quiet invitation that assured you he would listen without judgment. Gathering your courage, you finally looked up at him.

"Shirabu, I...I don't think I've ever told you about what it's like at home," you began, your voice trembling slightly. His expression softened, and he leaned forward, giving you his full attention.

"It's...hard sometimes," you continued, each word a struggle but feeling easier under his unwavering gaze. "Things at home...they're complicated, and some days it feels like I'm carrying all this weight alone." You paused, not sure how much more you could reveal without your voice breaking.

He didn't say anything for a long moment, processing your words. Finally, he reached out, his hand resting on yours in a gesture that felt both grounding and protective. "You don't have to carry it alone, you know," he said softly. "Whatever it is... I'm here. And so is the team. We're your friends, and you have us."

You felt a surge of relief at his words, like a burden had been lightened, even if only slightly. His support was silent, but unwavering—a quiet strength that wrapped around you like a warm blanket.

"Thank you, Shirabu," you whispered, feeling a tear slip down your cheek. "I...I didn't know how much I needed to hear that."

He looked down, his thumb gently brushing against your hand, the warmth of his touch comforting in the crisp night air. "You're stronger than you realize," he murmured. "But you don't have to be strong all the time. You have people who want to help you, who care about you."

The sincerity in his voice struck you, and for the first time, you felt a glimmer of hope—a belief that maybe things could be different, that you weren't as alone as you once thought.

You sat in comfortable silence, watching the city lights flicker in the distance, the world feeling just a little less heavy with him by your side. And as the night drew on, you realized that this quiet connection, this unspoken support, was worth more than anything words could convey.