bluecastleace | PSL/Meme Continuation Post

[They've texted novels back and forth to each other over the past few weeks, met up when they found the time, messed around when they found the time and the privacy, and even Shirabu's chilly heart can't deny that it's been fully thawed and is now beating fiercely for Iwaizumi and Iwaizumi alone. There are a million reasons not to take things to the next level and a billion things that will likely try to stand in their way, but...]

I want you to be my boyfriend. Will you be my boyfriend?

[But Shirabu likes it, so he's gonna put a title on it.]

[Iwa’s phone buzzes in his pocket, and he pulls it out to see the now familiar contact name - Shirabu Kenjiro. Funny how it brings a smile to his face every time now, and pleasant twist to his stomach. He opens the message just as casual as ever, excited as always to engage in any and all conversation with the boy who’s been occupying his mind nonstop over the past few weeks - and it is exciting, partially because Iwaizumi never really knows what to expect when he opens these messages.

[What he reads today when he opens his phone hits him like a wrecking ball to the gut. He freezes where he’d been walking, stares at his phone like the message is in another language.

[And then the twisting in his stomach erupts into a wild flurry of butterflies.

[“Boyfriend”, he says, just as forward as ever - and so sure sounding too. It stops Iwaizumi from giving in to the urge to double check.

[Shirabu wants this, wants him, even despite all the bullshit.

[And Iwaizumi wants it too. But what to say? There’s really only one way to put it, right?

[Nothing if not straightforward, Shirabu.]

Yes.

[That should be enough, right? And yet it feels lacking somehow. He wants him to know, really know—-]

I want that too. Yes.

Edited 2020-10-26 19:04 (UTC)

[Shirabu's taken to texting Iwaizumi about all manner of little things, it's true. Everything from idle thoughts that pop into his head to complaints about his class and teammates, to anecdotes from his day that he thinks Iwaizumi might like to hear. It bridges the space between them, which often feels like a massive void despite not covering that much physical distance.

High school rivalries will do that, especially athletic ones.

This time he comes at Iwaizumi with no preamble and no real romance because he's been fighting the urge to ask this for several days. Longer, if he's honest with himself. Iwaizumi was very frank about the nature of his love for Oikawa and Shirabu wanted to give him space to process what they now had, to decide how far that could go when so much of his heart was elsewhere. And then, quite suddenly, Shirabu found himself out of extra space and in need of clarity.]

Really? So... that's it, we're dating now? We're a couple?

[He didn't think it'd go over without so much as a conversation, though. It's his turn to feel a hint of dizzy, fluttering vertigo at how much things changed with just two texts.]

Edited 2020-10-26 20:59 (UTC)

[Where Shirabu has taken to texting Iwaizumi over nearly anything he can think of, Iwaizumi has done the same to the point where they’ve been in nigh constant communication. Practices, work-out sessions, and classes seem to be the only exceptions (the last of which has become increasingly more negotiable as time has gone on), which has left even the night time open to texting until one of them stops responding.

[It’s intoxicating almost, the way that Shirabu has taken over Iwaizumi’s mind entirely and completely.

[So of course there had been no question as to what his answer would be - yes, yes, clearly yes! And yet, with Shirabu’s apparent surprise at the response, Iwaizumi can’t help but feel a little...anxious?

[Maybe just...one double check...?]

That is what you want, right?

Despite everything, you’re sure?

I'm sure.
And I'm just really glad you are too.

You might have noticed this already but I like you a lot.

Is that right?

I should hope so, considering.

[There’s a short pause between messages, and then:]

I’m sure too. And I’ll be your boyfriend.

But there’s a few things you should know about me first.

[Sound familiar?]

[Shirabu's heart sinks at the sight of that "but." He's the last person to argue that sentiment and romance should overcome reason, and yet... he doesn't want to hear those things yet...]

If they're things you've already told me, I just want you to know that I've taken them into account as part of my decision. I'll listen to whatever you have to say, though.

Just listen then.

1. I think about you non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2. I’m at peace with whatever bullshit I might get for this, and I don’t give a single shit what anyone thinks.

3. We don’t need to hide if you don’t want to.

4. I am still going to kick your entire ass at Spring preliminaries, and happily so.

You still wanna do this?

[For the first time in... oh, at least years, Shirabu feels happy tears prick the backs of his eyelids.]

I've never fit the mold of this team and never will. I don't see a problem with adding fraternization with the enemy to my list of crimes.

[So no, he doesn't want to hide this either.]

Just count yourself lucky that you'll never face the team I'm going to *lead* back to Nationals when I'm captain.

[The warmth that Iwaizumi feels swelling in his chest at the sight of Shirabu’s response is almost too much to process. After all, he’s only ever felt the illusion of what might be before, but this...

[This is real, it’s happening, it’s warm, and raw - it’s entirely overwhelming.]

I’d give anything to see you right now.

Well, I won't be able to sneak you into my room but there may be a chance I can sneak out... if you can suggest somewhere to meet.

Edited 2020-10-30 17:31 (UTC)

You think you can manage to sneak to the parking lot? I’ve got a car.

[!!!!!!!!!!]

Yes. I think so. I can, I will.

Let me know when you get here, okay? I'll work on it from my end.

I’ll see you soon.

[Iwaizumi wastes no time after that, and true to his word, he pulls up to the edge of the Shiratorizawa dorm parking lot not twenty minutes later. It’s late, already dark out, so in the interest of being inconspicuous, he shuts off his headlights and shoots Shirabu another text with his location.]

Do I need to pull around somewhere else?

I'm sorry Iwaizumi, I didn't know he was going to do this. He won't cause any trouble for us, I promise, but he insisted.

[After that text from Shirabu, the passenger side door of Iwaizumi's car opens - and an extremely tall boy with strawberry blond hair slides into the seat, cocking his head at Iwaizumi with an inscrutable expression.]

Hello, Iwaizumi-san. Can we talk for a minute?

[This must read exactly like an impending mob hit but Kawanishi doesn't actually plan to threaten Iwaizumi or anything like that. Being real about it, Iwaizumi could probably kick his ass into next year. He just needs to know a little bit more about this Romeo and Juliet situation involving his best friend before he's willing to sign on as cover story for overnight dalliances.]

[Scarcely does Iwaizumi have the time to furrow his brow at his phone before his door is being pulled open.]

The fuck?

[He starts just a little when what may as well be a perfect stranger slides into his passenger seat, but his look of surprise quickly shifts into a glare of irritation.]

You make it a habit of popping into people’s cars uninvited, punk? What the hell do you think you’re doing?

[Kawanishi blinks in surprise. Eep. He's scarier face to face...

... also, punk? That's a new one.]

I'm Kenjiro's roommate, Kawanishi Taichi. [And, you know, Shiratorizawa's middle blocker that isn't Guess Monster? He holds that back, though, not wanting to anger Shirabu's apparent boyfriend.] Nothing personal, but if Kenjiro's going to be sneaking out with someone from Seijoh, never mind their ace - I'd like to hear your side of what's going on before I agree.

[Kawanishi wants to add that Iwaizumi would undoubtedly do the same if his backup setter or one of his first-years suddenly announced that they were dating Ushijima, but chooses to hold his tongue again. Hopefully his good intentions will shine through the abruptness of this gesture because he's really not trying to start anything between teams; this is entirely about Shirabu's safety, physical and emotional alike.]

Okay? [And?] I’m not sure what you’re looking to hear, pal.

Didn’t Shirabu fill you in himself?

Just what I said. I've heard Kenjiro's side, I want yours.

[A rather pointed use of Shirabu's given name to make their positions very, very clear. Iwaizumi's no threat to what Kawanishi has with Shirabu and he doesn't want any of what Iwaizumi seems to have claimed. He just wants to make sure their stories match so there's less chance of hearts (or one specific heart, really) being broken on his watch.

But he's gonna have to explain himself a bit more to get anything from Iwaizumi, isn't he? Well, if he must...]

He doesn't really show it, but - Kenjiro's easy to hurt. He gets attached. [Kawanishi gives the back of his own neck an awkward rub.] I'm not here to threaten you or anything. I just need to know you're on the level if I'm going to lie for you.

[Iwaizumi would have probably been a little more willing to talk at first if Kawanishi hadn’t randomly popped into his car unannounced, but when he stops to consider the guy’s intentions and realizes that he’s not there to cause any trouble, he does ease up a bit, sighs, turns in his seat and gives the guy a stare. He’s still scowling - that’s kind of just what his face looks like a good amount of the time - but he’s not on the verge of yelling anymore at least.

[It seems these two have a common goal anyway, and that would be to, well...to care for Shirabu. It makes Iwaizumi’s heart twinge a little to think of it, familiar flutters building up in his stomach.

[Okay, okay. So he’ll talk. But he’s not going to mince words.]

I care about Shirabu. [There it is, and part of Iwaizumi thinks that should be enough, but will it be?] I’m not sure what level you’re talking about, but I’m not just fucking around here.

I wouldn’t do that to him. [Like he said, he cares - he really cares.] I don’t want...to hurt anyone.

Especially Shi—- [Hm.] Kenjiro.

[Has he ever called him that before? Once again his stomach is fluttering - the name really suits him.]

Really.

[And there you have it. The toughest tough guy on Seijoh, tougher even than the one they call Mad Dog, has just spoken plainly about his feelings. Can't say fairer than that.

Kawanishi's expression barely shifts when he finally gives a single, decisive nod, but there's an almost-perceptible grin on his lips.]

'Kay. Thanks.

[He considers wishing Iwaizumi luck as he climbs out of the car, but decides it'll probably sound too dryly sardonic coming from him. In truth, he really does wish them luck with all of his heart - not like either of them has an easy road ahead, and if anything, Iwaizumi's will probably be toughest.]

As far as I know, Kenjiro never left our room tonight. Have fun. [With that, Kawanishi closes the door and heads back for the school.]

[A minute or two later, Shirabu throws the door open and drops heavily into the passenger seat, his face flaming red and twisted up with mortified anger.]

I can't believe - I'm so sorry, Iwaizumi, I never would've expected - ugh!!

[Iwaizumi’s face is looking a little red too by the time Shirabu enters the car himself because, hey, that whole situation was a little embarrassing, and even though he didn’t say much, he does feel a bit like he just bared his soul to a random rival that probably previously had known only his tough facade - but, the guy seems like a pretty reasonable dude, and once Iwaizumi sees Shirabu, his mind switches to the conversation they’d had earlier, the reason he’s here in the first place.

[A charmed, warm, exceptionally affectionate smile breaks out on his face, and he leans over to capture the other boy’s lips with his own before he can finish lamenting.

[“Boyfriend”...

[He throws an arm around his shoulder in a tight squeeze for good measure.]

E-eh?

[Somehow, Iwaizumi manages to leave Shirabu twice as red in the face as he was before, blinking in stunned silence. It's incredibly sweet to have Iwaizumi look at him like that, so very soft and loving, but in this context?

Shirabu now strongly suspects that Kawanishi shared something that'll embarrass the living daylights out of him.]

I'm... really not sure I want to know what he said to you.

Not much. [Iwaizumi is still smiling as he pulls away, though slightly amused now. It’s cute and a bit funny that he can make Shirabu blush so easily.] But who cares about that. I’m here to see you, remember?

We’re still doing this boyfriend thing, aren’t we?

[That’s what he’s excited about. Forget that other guy to be honest - though, Iwaizumi won’t forget that Shirabu has someone out there who cares about him that much. It’s comforting to know he has friends, especially when he himself can be so...well, cold at times. But Iwaizumi knows him a bit better than that now, and he’s glad others see how warm he really can be.

[It’s hard to stay mad at that little punk Kiwanishi when he thinks about it that way.]

PSL/Meme Continuation Post

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You get a novel anyway whoops! Simple text thread who?

i like iwa's inner workings tho <3

And I love Shirabu’s ;0;

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eheh

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1/2

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