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[Please don't say things like "double life" out loud! In public! Babe! Toshinori gives him a look to stop that, but softens it by squeezing his hand.]

Very astute. And you are more forceful than you look, you know.

[Aizawa did come at him with that fabric thing... He's allowed to combine these two events, shh.]

[He gives him a flat look in return. He didn't shout out his hero name, nor indeed did he give any indication that this double life had anything to do with heroics. For all anyone listening knows, they're just sneaking around beneath his parent's noses or something.]

Would the answer have changed if I'd just asked?

[Still. But fine, fine, he's past it. It's done. As for this new thing, after he takes a moment to think about it--]

Well, no. I am very attracted to you. [Especially when he does literally anything to his hair, goddamn!!] So?

[So? This is left up to interpretation, for some reason.]

So . . . I'm glad you accepted either way.

[Another question presses itself to the forefront of his mind. Aizawa squeezes his hand, trying to think of a way to ask that doesn't come across as self-pitying or insecure, because that's not how he means it.

Why are you attracted to me? he wants to ask. You barely know me, and I'm not all that attractive. Not self-pitying, not a desperate grab for assurance, but an honest question. What on earth is Toshinori bothering to go out with a boy four years younger than him that he barely knows?

But perhaps he'll ask that later. For now, he shifts, moving slightly closer, content to do nothing but pet cats and bask in the way they're holding hands. Which is why, as they finish their drinks and Toshinori pays, he feels a slight sense of trepidation. It's silly to panic, but there's a certain sense of expectation at the end of a date, and for all he's determined to be bold, he doesn't know if he's actually up to reaching for a kiss.]

[Because he feels like it, because he doesn't have to tiptoe around saying the wrong thing with Aizawa, because Aizawa doesn't dislike All Might but won't put up with Toshinori's posturing, either-- plenty of reasons he could share if only he were asked.

What Aizawa does say is cute, anyway, and Toshinori is content with how the date is going. Aizawa can make idle comments about the cats for as long as he wants and Toshinori won't get bored of listening to him, sitting close and holding his hand. He learns several more facts about how to approach cats before they finish their food, and when it's time to go he looks down at how much cat hair is all over his pants now.

It's a fucking ton. These pants are probably beyond help.

Anyway, it's time to get out of here, and Toshinori neither lets go of Aizawa's hand nor swoops in to kiss him. He leads him back out to the sidewalk, nodding at a few cats on the way, and once they're safely outside he lets go of Aizawa's hand to put his arm around his shoulders and pull him close. Hello, he'll do you one better, leaning down some of the way to be secretive, his weakness-]

Take me upstairs to your room.

[Really, he just wants to see the dorms and maybe cuddle...]

[Oh, there go his traitorous cheeks again, bright red and overheated. That's surely not what Toshinori means, and yet what else is he supposed to think when he says such a thing? Take me to your room, his voice low and his body firm against his, and the amount of fantasies he can and will conjure from the past minute alone are really too many to be counted.

But no. No, it's nothing like that. Toshinori just wants to extend their date a bit more, talking and perhaps learning a bit more about Aizawa in the process. And that's fine, that's great, he loves the thought of that; it's just difficult to let go of his first impression.

Not impossible, though.]

All right.

[Walking like this isn't easy at first, but soon they've got their footsteps in sync, and Aizawa sighs beneath the touch. Toshinori's arm is a comfortable weight, comfortable without being confining.

It's easy to make their way upstairs. It's likely not entirely in keeping with the rules to bring an alumni up into your bedroom, but he's almost certain it's not actually against the rules, so. It's probably fine.

Still: there's something delightfully furtive about the way they head up the stairs and down the hall. They stick close together, bodies still pressed up against one another, and his heart skips a beat as they enter his room and he locks the door behind him.

Aizawa's room is sparse and spartan, of course. He has what furniture came with the room and little else. A schedule is pinned to the wall, as well as a recommended training session. A few books are stacked here and there, but beyond that, nothing. No posters, no television, no music . . . it's a functional room.

There's only the bed and chair to sit on, and after a moment of hesitation, Aizawa leads them to the former.]

[One of these days their encounters on campus won't be so... subtle, sneaking around to bedrooms and picking locks in abandoned hallways. One of these days, for sure. Toshinori isn't complaining about it, either way, keeping Aizawa held snugly against his side as they head upstairs. This isn't the first time he's been ushered in secret off to someone's room, but it's still a thrill when Aizawa takes him inside and locks the door.

Not much of a room, though that doesn't surprise him, having been on all of one date. He almost says something like, No All Might merchandise?—but he doesn't want Aizawa to combust, so he lets him lead the way and settles himself on the bed, hand skimming down Aizawa's arm to tug his hand so he'll come close.

Sorry about getting cat hair on the bed, but even for someone without a cat of his own, Aizawa is probably used to that... Whatever, Toshinori just wants him close, pressed against him more comfortably than in the hall.]

I'm having fun! Are you?

[Cuddle him, thanks.]

[They end up tangled together, Aizawa curled beneath his arm, both of them leaning back against the wall. Their legs stretch out before them, and Aizawa notes just how long Toshinori's are. It's a tired observation by now-- yes, he's big, he's enormous-- but it's so shocking each time that it bears repeating. Surely no one man should have all that leg, and yet here they are.

He probably has to custom order everything. Beds and clothes and all the rest of it. Then again, he probably doesn't have to, not anymore, not when companies would kill for the chance to say they're the brand All Might trusts.

Anyway. Toshinori, not All Might, and he shifts, pressing in a bit closer.]

Yes.

[A simple answer, but an easy one.

He falls silent for a time after that, enjoying the quiet, the only noises being their joint breathing. It's surprisingly easy to be like this with Toshinori. He would have thought . . . well. He would have made a lot of false assumptions if someone had told him he'd be cuddling with All Might, so he really ought to stop thinking things like I would have thought. Clearly, though All Might is far from disingenuous, there's a difference between the hero and the man.

He wants to get to know the latter better.]

What is it you do when you aren't training?

[It's less talking than Toshinori is used to, All Might's popularity aside-- he likes to talk! To anyone, even comlpete strangers, especially cute ones and their parents, Toshinori can chatter on and on until someone is blue in the face. And Aizawa says yes then lapses into silence.

It's not bad, he finds. Not bad at all. Aizawa is a comfortable warmth against his side and Toshinori keeps his arm around him snug and secure, shifting to lean his cheek against the top of Aizawa's head, which is... okay, it's a little odd, but one more time: he's huge. There are only so many ways he can cuddle without enveloping the boy completely.]

I watch plenty of movies. American ones are my favorite— but you're not much into film, are you?

[You know, because this room is completely empty. He pauses, then,] Would you tolerate my movies on a second date?

[Oh, they're going on a second date? He'd been wondering. It's hard to interpret bring me up to your room as anything but positive, but still, it's nice to have a solid confirmation that yes, this is happening again.]

Yes.

[A beat, and then:]

But nothing too loud. We live through explosions and heroics all day, I don't want to relax by watching them. Though it might be fun to critique them.

[Oh hell yes, they are going to watch the shit out of Toshinori's extensive American Movie collection. He squeezes his arm around Aizawa tighter for just a moment, delighted, and chuckles. This movie preference... okay, okay.]

American hero movies are the best ones! Especially the ones from before quirks were so widespread... [He's going to be a huge nerd about it. Please, just one hero movie. He'll make it count.]

You can critique as long as you keep it respectful.

I'm not going to insult them. But if they save someone stupidly, I'm not going to ignore it.

[His voice is as low and unimpressed as ever, but he has to twist and (daringly) tuck his head into the crook of his neck to hide a smile. It lasts just a few seconds, a brief brush of his nose against his neck, before he's pulling back again.]

Which one do you have in mind?

[Ah-- well, that's cute. Toshinori's smile is permanently affixed to his face at this point, unabashed as he wiggles down a little so they're closer to eye-to-eye. His legs hang over the edge of the bed; it's fine.]

I'll surprise you. But you should know in advance, quirkless people do some pretty reckless things.

[Audience laughs.]

[He'd had a retort to that. It was something clever and cutting, something sarcastic that would prompt Toshinori to reply that quirkless people are magnificent or daring or whatever it is he says when he's puffing people up--

All of that would happen, except they're suddenly so very close, and his mouth goes dry.

It's that stupid face. He's so handsome, so very attractive in the strictest definition of the word. He's like sunshine, bright and warming, disarming in the best possible way, which is why it's such a shock when he looks the least bit flirtatious, and thus makes each word all the more effective.

It's like having a labrador retriever suddenly flirt with you, except-- except it's a sexy shock, not a horrifying shock, and he'd probably be able to translate that better except his stupid brain has decided to short-circuit a bit. He's so close, and he wonders what it would be like to be kissed by him. And then, further: what would it be like to be pinned onto the bed by him, to have those long limbs securely trapping him, all that strength bearing down . . . would Aizawa be able to turn the tables? Perhaps, perhaps not, and it's not as if he knows much about sex beyond the basics, but Toshinori's mere presence is doing wonders to aid his imagination.

Kissing, his logical mind shrieks, kissing first, they haven't even had their first kiss and already Aizawa is leaping ahead (is he proportionate? he's so big).]

Ah--

[But . . . how many times has Toshinori had to deal with this? Someone looking at him breathlessly, lustfully, stars in their eyes . . . how many times has he had to put up with that kind of fawning attention?

No, Aizawa had told him the first time they'd talked properly, and he'd trailed after him ever since. That's not a word he hears often. He's almost never denied anything.

With a soft exhale, ignoring his id's internal wailing, he sits up, pulling back a few inches.]

. . . recklessness is fine in its place, but more often than not it leads to stupid things. A plan is better.

Edited 2018-06-20 18:54 (UTC)

[Aizawa moves up and back and Toshinori's gaze follows him, but he doesn't sit up himself. He has reason to let his mind wander as well, Aizawa so close and dark eyes locked on his, close enough to feel his breath on his face. It would be disingenuous to say he's not aiming for soemthing in particular here-- but sex on the first date is a lot even for him, as warm and inviting as those few seconds were, when Aizawa brushed against his neck.

But probably no sex, anyway. Aizawa wiggles up and Toshinori lets him, not following, letting him move and then settling back in. Now it's him curling up against Aizawa as best he can (so much boy), head on his shoulder and arm draped across his chest. They're just talking about movies, so this is fine...

They're definitely talking about movies and nothing else. There are no subtleties here. As much as he likes the looks Aizawa gives him, breathless and startled all over again by his attention- because he does like those, quite a lot actually- he wants him to be comfortable while they're wrapped up in each other like this.

And he craves affection, just like a golden retriever. Great call.]

You're so serious. I like that. [Hmm. Maybe Aizawa won't be super into this movie he's planning... eh.]

Why do you want to be a hero?

[This is comfortable and exciting in a different way, and he shifts again, enjoying the way Toshinori's arm tightens a little around his chest. He's so tall, but at least Aizawa has shot up these past few years: he's only a foot and a half shorter than the other boy.

. . . which is a lot, but nor is it an insurmountable distance.

That's a good question, and he's silent as he puts the answer together.]

. . . to start with, it's the opposite of your reasoning. Heroes are still a relatively new concept, but because of the lack of history, too often they're derived from television and movies. Popularity contests and costume designs and who ranks where . . . it's too flashy and disingenuous. That kind of thing works fine when there's a big disaster or some idiot villain starting trouble in public, but a lot of crimes take place in the dark. That's what I want to focus on: because there's a niche there, and a void, because not a lot of heroes want to do work that goes unrecognized.

Drug deals, trafficking rings . . . you need to be subtle and quick on your feet to stop those kinds of things. You can't look like a hero. But that's where heroics are most needed.

[. . .]

You, at least, want to use your flashiness for a purpose. I understand it, even if I think you're going to face a great many drawbacks. The press is hungrier for a story than they are hope, and they can do more damage than any villain nine times out of ten. But most heroes want to be popular for the sake of being popular.

In addition . . . I want to prove that people with unconventional quirks can be useful as heroes too. Right now UA measures the usefulness of quirks solely within certain situations. And it's true that not every quirk can be a hero, but I believe they overlook too many people.

[Okay, so that's Aizawa's senior thesis, is it-- Toshinori listens, focused, yes, but at the same time letting the lull of Aizawa's voice roll over him. He's articulate - that's excellent. Not that Toshinori had expected him to be bad at speaking, but he's saying more than a few sentences at a time, finally...

And he has a point about the popularity-based heroism that already exists. Toshinori loves that movie hero stuff, it's obvious in just about everything in All Might's image, but- while he's never turned down a payday- it's never been about the rankings for him. But nor can he work in the dark to do what he aspires to do, so--]

I'm glad that someone like you wants to be a hero. You'll do great— and this world needs heroes like you.

[It sure does; people need someone to look toward- that's him- and they need people to keep them safe in the dark, like Aizawa. They're like two sides of the same coin in that vein, All Might bursting at the seams with flashiness and style and Eraserhead moving discreetly to take on the darkest villains society has to offer. And neither of them can really work where the other shines.

All very symbolic, but what Toshinori says is,] That made you even more attractive.

[Ha Ha Ha-- and as he skims his fingers up Aizawa's side, idly,]

You're not the only one who thinks I'm a little crazy. [A beat.] But while we're talking about the overlooked people, what do you think of those people born quirkless? You know, as heroes?

[All Might gets... a lot of fanmail... that's it, that's the only reason.]

[He shivers as minutely as possible as fingers slide up his side. That's sensitive, but more than that, it's so new to have someone touch him like this. Each sensation is explosive in the best possible way, and he curls beneath it.]

I think they'd be at a severe disadvantage. And it would almost impossible for anyone who was quirkless to be a hero.

[Hmm. He frowns, displeased with that answer, and adds:]

But not because of their inherent worth. Now that around eighty percent of our population has quirks, people want to ostracize the other twenty percent, or claim they're inferior, which is stupid. There's nothing special about those with quirks-- we see that every day. Only a select few can make it as heroes; the others wash out or simply aren't fit for heroic work.

But to enter into a battle with no quirk at all . . . I think they'd have to be extraordinary in some other way. A genius at fighting or tactics.

[He tips his head up, those dark eyes sharp as they glance at him.]

Why?

Edited 2018-06-20 23:33 (UTC)

[Almost impossible... sad. Toshinori is hardly paying attention to his own fingers as he continues his ministrations, thinking. It's true that those without quirks are at a particularly large disadvantage - he knows - but--]

It shouldn't stop anyone from trying. [Hmm.] I'm a sensation-- I get a lot of letters from all sorts of kids who want to be just like All Might... Have you seen the forum about me?

[That's not important-- it's adorable, but not important. He shakes his head slightly, which just squishes his cheek against Aizawa's chest.]

Did you know this country doesn't have a single hero course that accepts quirkless students? If they're determined enough, and turn to vigilantism... it isn't going to be good for anyone.

Edited 2018-06-20 23:42 (UTC)

I don't disagree.

[Although he hadn't known that about quirkless students. It's a bit odd that Toshinori knows, honestly, but perhaps this is a personal cause for him. Some childhood friend or a cousin (or even a sibling; he realizes he has no idea about his home life).]

And I think they ought to be given a chance, so long as they know the challenges they face and how much harder they'll have to work. Even then, they might never become the top hero, or even a very popular one.

Frankly, whoever the first is, they'll have a lot to overcome. I don't just mean in the field-- they'll be the first, and there will be a lot of people rooting against them. They'll have to be perfect, because they won't just be a hero, but a symbol.

. . . kind of like you.

[Toshinori is quiet for a moment, taking in what Aizawa's saying and stopping himself from just blurting out a bunch of overly-enthusiastic agreements. He gets it! He's so... logical about it, counter to Toshinori's unbridled passion, but that's good - it's grounding, in a way.]

You think I'm perfect? [He tilts his head, eyebrows raised, a little smirk playing across his face. Ha ha, jokes, but anyway.] But that's the plan! I get just as many letters from people who'd like me to get hurt by a villain any day of the week.

[...But that's fine? He expected this.]

That's disturbing.

[But not unexpected. Still, he wonders about those kinds of people, and more importantly, if they're stupid enough to leave return addresses.]

Do you know someone quirkless who wants to be a hero? Or is all of this just from fan letters?

[He shrugs; yes, it's pretty bad, but he's dealing with it as best he can. It will either get better or-- not matter, the longer he's undefeated.]

Personally? No. [Technically not a lie!!] I take my fan letters very seriously!

You really read them all . . .

[Shouldn't he hire someone for that? Or better yet, just throw them all out discreetly. It's all well and good people write him letters, but surely he doesn't have to waste time reading through them.

He huffs a sigh and settles back down.]

You're ridiculous.

Hahaha, what's wrong? You wouldn't read what people send you?

[He probably wouldn't want to be noticed enough to get letters... But still, they're so cute, Aizawa.]

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Aizawa's awkward boner is comment 666 on this post

now to aim for 6969

we missed 420, tragically

it's somewhere on here, probably greed

by now it's morphed to nothing but the word weed in brackets 420 times

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THIS is the awkward boner tag, we were too early

What a baby

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I am mobile and innocent. Next time i'm leaving it!!!!!!

you can't when you're all might that's not the plus ultra way!!

Toshinori is allowed to be lewd!!!

hmmmmmm

you heard me

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