Rising beyond Shadows (Shirabu x reader)

The aftermath

3rd person pov

The night air was crisp as you stepped outside, the distant sounds of the city buzzing around you like a comforting blanket. It was surreal to be away from the suffocating atmosphere of your home, and as you walked alongside Shirabu and your teammates, the adrenaline still pulsing through you made everything feel oddly vibrant.

Once you were a safe distance away, the group stopped. Tendō turned to face you, his expression serious yet soft. "Are you okay, Y/N?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes.

You nodded slowly, the reality of what had just happened still settling over you. "I think so," you whispered, the words catching in your throat. "I'm just... I can't believe you all came for me."

Shirabu gave your hand a reassuring squeeze, grounding you in the moment. "Of course we did. We're not leaving you to deal with that alone." His voice was steady, like a lifeline pulling you back from the edge.

Goshiki chimed in, trying to lighten the heavy mood. "And we've got a lot of snacks to make up for all this drama! How about we go grab something to eat? My treat!"

You couldn't help but smile weakly at his enthusiasm. "That sounds nice."

As you walked, the group started to chatter, trying to fill the space with laughter and light-hearted teasing. But as you moved further away from the confrontation, the tension began to creep back in, and the weight of what had just happened settled heavily on your shoulders.

Eventually, you found yourselves in front of a small 24-hour diner. The neon lights glowed cheerfully, casting a warm ambiance that felt inviting and safe. Once seated in a booth, the team quickly ordered an assortment of food, chatting animatedly to distract you from the events of the night.

You sat between Shirabu and Tendō, feeling oddly comforted by their presence. Shirabu, ever the quiet force, kept glancing at you, ensuring you were okay. Tendō, on the other hand, was animatedly recounting the last match, exaggerating every moment for comedic effect, which elicited laughter from the rest of the team.

When the food arrived, you felt a wave of gratitude wash over you. As you took a sip of your drink, you couldn't help but think of how lucky you were to have found these friends, who were willing to stand up for you when it mattered most.

After a few minutes of lighthearted banter, Shirabu cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Y/N, if you're comfortable... I think it's important we talk about what happened," he said, his tone serious but gentle.

You looked around the table, finding supportive nods from everyone. It was clear they were all in this together, and their concern wrapped around you like a warm embrace.

Taking a deep breath, you nodded. "Okay," you said, your voice trembling slightly. "I think I need to talk about it."

Shirabu leaned closer, his expression softening. "You can share as much or as little as you want. We're here for you."

You hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's just... it's been really hard at home. My dad... he's not always like that, but when he drinks..." Your voice trailed off, and the memories flooded back, threatening to overwhelm you.

Tendō reached out, placing his hand over yours. "You're safe now, Y/N. No one is going to hurt you again."

Your heart swelled at their kindness, and you continued, "I've just been so scared to tell anyone. I thought if I stayed quiet, maybe it would get better." A sob broke free as you recalled the fear and pain you had kept bottled up for so long.

Goshiki leaned forward, concern etched on his face. "You should never have to deal with that alone. We're a team, and that means we stick together, no matter what."

As you spoke, the team listened intently, their faces a mix of concern and anger on your behalf. It felt good to finally share the weight you had been carrying, to voice the pain that had lived in the shadows of your heart.

When you finished, a heavy silence fell over the table. Shirabu's eyes held a fierce determination as he spoke next. "We're going to make sure you're safe, Y/N. I won't let you go through this alone again. We'll figure out a way to get you the help you need."

His promise wrapped around you like a warm blanket, and for the first time in a long time, you felt a sense of hope flicker within you. It was a small flame, but it was enough to push back the darkness.

"Thank you," you whispered, tears spilling over. "Thank you all so much."

As the night continued, the team rallied around you, their laughter and support enveloping you in a cocoon of warmth. It was a stark contrast to the coldness you had felt at home, and you began to realize that maybe, just maybe, you were no longer alone in this fight.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Heyyy! First, I'm fine I did not go through anything like that. I have a wonderful family that protects me. I just wanted to try this out since I see a lot of books like this! I just got some inspiration!🩵💖—Jen