#+ they're just.... only noticable by a trained eye. or literally any of his coworkers LMFAO i bet they're all like “what the fuck”

[idyllic-affections]

@umgatochamadopercyval

hi ive never written a request before so im sorry if its bad or too vague

could you write a dottore with an adopted child reader? like maybe he found them on the outskirts of a small town and just was like “im adopting you now”?

Dottore slightly dadfailing his way to fatherhood

── ୨୧：dottore & reader

୨୧﹑synopsis :: dadtore picks up a kid and takes it in like a box kitten

୨୧﹑genre :: fluff

୨୧﹑content :: gn reader, child reader, reader's backstory is mostly ambiguous, this is literally exactly as is written on the tin

୨୧﹑words :: 753

you're doing just fine honey I'm sorry you've had to wait so long for me to complete this and the fact that it's basically a ramble, I'm just getting back into it so please forgive that it's slightly messy

It was cold when he found you, too cold for a child to wander about unchecked. Little children were never his thing, but scooping you up under your arms like a boneless little ragdoll and carting you off with him that night felt right somehow.

It would be simple to discard you on the doorstep of the House of the Hearth and simply forget you had existed, as that is hardly uncommon in the children there. Being delegated to the orphanage by a Harbinger is usually a visual shorthand: "They had parents once- just yesterday, in fact. Thanks to the Fatui's involvement, they don't anymore."

You're different. Circumstances demand it when Dottore has no access to the House.

Dottore swaddled you in his coat, shedding it in the same motion he scooped you up, carried you back into town where he could set you up on the closest thing you could get to a bed, situated on a chair in the basement where he got you a change of clothes. You didn't ask where they came from or what he did with your old clothes.

A bath of warm water did you well, easing the chill in your bones and washing away the dirt sticking to your skin. You popped the soapy bubbles with your fingers and sat quietly as the water ran over you. Dottore is good at giving baths, experienced from the days of sterilising subjects.

It's nice to feel clean. Dottore let you get out on your own and dress yourself in a fresh change of clothes.

The pillows were thin, blankets not enough to keep out the cold, but for the first night, he let you keep his coat.

Perhaps he intended to turn you over at that time, but a month has passed, and nothing has happened. You thought Dottore would be cold and distant, but he lets you poke around and play with things befitting a child. You watch and observe what he does but don't understand it. Many ask, and he evades answering.

Dottore isn't one for affection, not typically, and you've given up on having him read to you or play with you. It's not in his nature to treat you too softly. You have to be self-sufficient because his work demands it, and while he can monitor you, he can't stop to cut the crust off your sandwiches or do any more than offer that you sit by his side when you get scared.

He cares, but not typically. At first, it's almost...comforting how little he tries to push you into normalcy when you're so used to being by yourself. You can wander and aren't coddled too much beyond being unable to get into dangerous things.

You're well-fed and well-dressed, and you get to listen to Scaramouche, the strange doll man when he comes down. By all means, you are well-kept for a child. Apparently, it is because he got attached, as Scaramouche put it.

You don't quite understand how that could motivate him until he points out everything he's done, from making you comfortable to buying you clothes and even embracing you as his own. Rearranging the way he stores things to practically babyproof his lab was a feat just so you could wander around it safely in a place where he can watch you easily. How could he give you up? He obviously has no intention to.

It feels like the lightbulb to your little mind that sets off a domino effect as you look around you and start to realise these things. There is almost the sense that, despite Dottore’s informality towards his role as a father, Dottore doesn't want to give you up to the orphanage and maybe never did in the first place.

He likes it when you pester him and have to rely on him. He set everything that could kill you on the highest possible shelf, took note of the clothes you didn't like, the foods that put you off eating and collected the blankets he could find to make your bed more cosy, the occasional toy, plenty of visitors coming in and out to listen to. It's always warm where you sit.

Dottore let you keep borrowing his coat to sleep under, and you even convinced him to read you a storybook, if only once. There are many nights you fall asleep somewhere and wake up wrapped up in blankets and his coat, just as you like.

It seems very pleasant to live this way.

[charmixpower]

@shiningclown69 I just realized I never made a post about any post s1 Briven things??? Crime on my part, truly

Season 2 Briven let's fucking goooooo!!!!

After the Battle of Magix Brandon is very reluctant to leave Riven after the whole jumping off of a building after learning his first real relationship was a lie with extenuating monster circumstances, and the hatred and resentment Brandon KNOWS most of the other specialists are feeling after seeing Riven and Darcy but he literally has to go because of his job but he is NOT happy about it

Erendor bitching about Riven being a terrible influence on Sky and Brandon smiling and nodding while trying not to strangle him

Riven stays on Magix after the battle, primarily because there would be nothing worse than talking to his family after all of that, and Brandon sends him good morning texts even though they're in different planetary timezones

Riven: *having the worst dissociative episode of his life*

Brandon: Goodnight on Magix <3

Riven: I guess life is worth living

I think Brandon would be an amazing texter, he talks about his day, responds regularly and consistently, and that also makes the Darcy reveal easier on Riven

Musa is all up in their business like you cannot imagine. Musa only goes home to Melody for a little bit during the summer before going back to Alfea (she managed to convince her dad it's cheaper and she can get some community service) and whenever she sees Riven she's all like "ooooo what did Brandon send you??" Like at least a solid half of Riven's texts back to Brandon are co written by Musa and it's so obvious neither of them know what their doing

It's okay tho bc Brandon thinks it's adorable and is so happy that Riven is making friends that aren't him. Like half way though summer he starts including things for Musa because he's well aware she's reading all of their texts

Eventually Helia comes back to RF and accidentally runs into Musa who has Riven with her and they chat a bit. Like they're not close and neither Musa or Riven think to mention it to Brandon but Helia has already decided when school starts again he's going to personally protect Riven from anyone who tries to bully him

I can't believe that Brandon is Sky's only body guard in their age group, like if Eraklyon has child soldiers there's probably more than one, so Adrian is trying to figure out who the fuck Brandon is texting and why Sky is bitching about it and Brandon is making a game out of playing keep away

Please note that this entire time Sky is like "dear god Brandon out of everyone on Magix, why him????". Poor guy is like pre exhausted of this entire situation. He's happy for Brandon he promises, but also he's dying. "Why him? Why that one? You could date anyone who likes men and you picked that one. Brandon why?" He is not doing good

When school starts again Riven is all like "hi...<3?" And Brandon thinks it's cute that is ALL

Then Helia and Brandon mert and make eye contact with each other from across the room

Helia: Well Riven doesn't have parents that I respect so you have to impress me and Saladin instead

Musa: me too

Helia: Musa too

Brandon: you literally only met Riven over the summer

Helia: irrelevant, what are your intentions with my son

Brandon: I appreciate that someone is looking out for Riven but MOVE

This gets worse after Helia and Flora start dating, what are your intentions with their son?? Sky is having an aneurysm in the other room. It's fine, everything is fine

Bonus points is Stella giving Riven shovel talk both before they break for summer and after they get back just to make sure it sinks in, no one knows she did this because Riven is too scared of her to snitch. I just need to let you know it happened

Brandon's coworkers also take a looksie at Riven but they're trained spys so it's more stalking over shovel talk. Riven brushes it off as him being paranoid but Brandon definitely notices and gently tells them off. Normal child soldier behavior over here

Sky wants to give the shovel talk but Brandon looks at him with the neutral look of displeasure whenever he even mentions it

(Riven is kinda in tears about how much Musa, Helia, and Flora care about him. He just got something in his eye, it's okay, everything is okay)

Brandon and Riven cuddle after the news of the Trix breaking out of light rock hits the news and it's cute

Riven watching Sky and Brandon go off on a mission to infiltrate a devil bird's lair without magic to fall back on: this is fine, I'm fine, I'm not sick with worry at all

Riven was brooding in the Winx's dorm without Musa so I'm just assuming Flora let him in, she makes him tea while he worries about Brandon. Musa eventually joins bc the cute girl she just met is already going on another dangerous mission and what the fuck!!!

Brandon doesn't mention the Amentia nonsense to Riven aside from "I was kidnapped into a arranged marriage.", Riven ends up hearing about it from Chatta

Riven: if you ever wanna go back to fight her I'm always down

Brandon: aw that is so sweet of you <3, I would rather die than see that woman again

Riven: understandable have a nice day

Brandon tells Riven about the stupid shit Sky is getting up to and they BOTH rag on Sky for being in the tree and being creepy, getting Timmy and Helia to join in, but unfortunately for Brandon, Riven strongly agrees that Avalon is so fucking creepy

On one hand Riven and Sky are holding a civil conversation, on the other hand its because they're planning a murder of the new Alfea teacher

Brandon watching Helia and Flora talk knowing he's gonna have to deal with MORE people meddling in his relationship: (⁠눈⁠‸⁠눈⁠)

Riven watching Brandon flirt back with everyone who flirts with him: don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous don't be jealous

Brandon tones it down bc he knows his bf is insecure but he physically cannot stop the manwhore behavior, it's an important part of him

Riven getting freaked out bc he's SO sure he can sense Darcy and no one believing him except the squad while they drag him to Saladin to warn him

People are kinda pissed that Sky and Riven shucked the match at first and Brandon bodily shoves them out of his way godbless

When Timmy goes to Brandon for relationship advice Riven is there and asks Musa for advice on Timmy's behalf, and it's STILL horrible. Sorry there is not a single brain cell between them Timmy you are not getting any help with your love life

Flora: anyways now Tecna is on the Avalon is evil train and we think she has a point

Riven: VINDICATION. I'll text Sky

Brandon, who took the phone out of Riven's hand: I understand what your all talking about, but please make a real plan. don't just rush in and attack him

Flora, watching Tecna rush in and attack him: too late

Brandon's time with his boyfriend keeps getting interrupted by Sky bitching to Riven about Avalon, he's almost impressed with Sky's inability to read the room

Riven doesn't try to set Musa up with Jared bc she has a thing for Aisha, but does accidentally talk her up to Jared in a way that sounds like it and doesn't realize until Brandon tells him how Jared is likely gonna take it and Riven immediately starts sending Musa apology texts

Musa and Aisha get together and Riven spends an hour trying to figure out what the fuck Musa's texts mean

Riven is not pouting that his best friend's girlfriend dislikes his boyfriend, he is not bothered by that at all, he is a bastion of composure (it makes him just a little sad)

Brandon watching the mess that is Sky trying to introduce Bloom to his parents and Erendor and Samara intentionally letting Diaspro stay kidnapped to make Sky save her: I am so never even breathing a word about my boyfriend in this palace

Riven getting two texts at 3am. One from Musa with a selfie of her beaten up with the caption "kicked Stormy's ass let's go!!!" And one from Flora asking Riven if Brandon ever mentioned his time being held hostage. He wakes up so fucking fast

Riven cheering for Brandon and his fire stick dance, like that's my boyfriend everyone clap or die

Brandon in the back after his part in the talent show getting a bunch of videos of Musa and Stella singing: <3

Brandon when the texts suddenly stop: ???? Everything good?

Riven: sorry, Stormy's gone now

Brandon: ?????Stormy??????

Riven: *sends another video of Musa, now singing in her magic form*

Brandon watching Riven forcefully stop himself from being insane and competitive with Sky to board next to Brandon. It only lasts like a few minutes

They all go camping!!! Fun times in the wilderness and by that I mean Sky is physically sitting in-between them because they won't stop flirting and it's getting on his nerves, they are banned from sharing a tent. Riven isn't super huge on pda but Brandon is. I would say everyone is sick of them but Stella and Bloom haven't stopped making out since they got here so

Listen Riven literally specializes in wilderness survival, it's literally his consecration. Watching his boyfriend get excited about plants with Flora is CUTE and Brandon will not apologize for kissing his boyfriend when he's cute

Riven gets really cagey about running off and Musa is like "what's wrong?" And he lashes out :(, Brandon and her have a little chat about him and then Riven comes back like "THE TRIX ARE HERE EVERYONE PANIC!!!"

Their conversation is different bc they've almost swapped roles but I think Musa and Brandon making eye contact whenever Riven does something™ is really funny and good

When Helia shows up in the ship he and Brandon look at each other and Brandon just knows Helia is trying to figure out what is the funniest joke to make about the situation, and then the "me too!" Thing happens and Brandon will NEVER let him live it down

Riven sacrificing himself for Musa still happens, they are besties, and Brandon literally can't move during this so that's fun for him (it's literally only his training that keeps him from panicking out his fucking mind)

Musa, Brandon, Flora, and Helia all in a cuddle pile in a hospital room watching Riven's heart monitor

Of course there's a cute reunion and kiss when Riven wakes up and also "never do that dumb shit again, your not allowed to get hurt next year I need a break from being worried if your going to make it or not" and Riven is like (⁠@⁠_⁠@⁠)

Brandon is dragged back to Eraklyon and he's even more mad about it this time

Riven texts more often bc he misses Brandon so much, and Brandon sends gifts IF YOU EVEN CARE

That's my thoughts on s2 Briven, tune in next time for s3 Briven where I try not to get distracted by Stella instead of Musa and Flora like this time XD

[love4shinsou]

GASP! THREE ASKS IN ONE DAY! WHADDYA KNOW XD I'm just riled up for more headcannons of yours :D they're wonderful. But for now is fluff— How do the BNHA boys (Shoto, Bakugo, Izuku, Amajiki, Kirishima, and Dabi) handle an S/O that when jealous, gives them more attention and love than usual. Like a girl interacting with them and when they're gone they're all over them XD (You're choice if you want them to sneer, I prefer not to ^^')

Shoto

You two were just having a nice walk on a warm Saturday evening when this random girl came up to Shoto. She was quite racket too. .she was wearing crop top that was more like a bra and short shorts that could easily be mistaken for underwear. Shoto liked girls that knew how far to go with these things, and knew how much to cover up, but still flaunted what they had. This was definitely not a girl he would take the slightest interest in, but you though otherwise.

"Hey, Todoroki. I saw you in the sports festival and on T.V lately and I'm a fan~ Could you sign my chest??" She asked in a fliety tone while posting to her barely covered chest. Shoto was trying hard not to cringe. You grabbed his arm and held it tight, and pulled him down a little to kiss him on the lips, and on his cheek. He smiled and kissed your forehead.

The girl seemed shocked and even a little mad. She huffed nd walked away, thankfully. "Well, she was an. .experience." Shoto said to you. "Yeah. .i hope an experience we don't have to deal with anymore." You sighed. He chucked a bit and grabbed your hand, kissing it and continuing the nice walk.

Bakugo

He finally took you on a nice date on a Friday night. It took a lot of encouraging from Kirishima, but he took you to a nice, fancy restaurant.

You guys were having a good time, eting fancy food and Bakugo even being a little soft. (We all know he's secretly a soft boi, i mean. .come on)

When he was paying the check to be a nice boyfriend this girl in a ling red dress came up to him with a seductive smile. "Hey, your pretty hot. I've seen you around fighting villans and you look really cool. We should get out of here and find something a little more fun, eh??" She asked in a confident tone, like she was all that and shit.

Your smile wuickly feel and you latched onto him and started kissing his cheek and his hands. He was completely puzzled. He even had his "wait, what-" look on his face. The girl definitely didn't like this, but took the hint that you weren't going to let go, so she walked away and back to her group of friends were she told them all about you being annoying and not letting Bakugo go with her. Like he was going to do that anyways. 🙄

He was actually blushing. Being able to feel your lips on his skin and get so much affection out of nowhere.

When you two were leaving you passed the group of friends that included the girl. He stopped and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around and smirked, thinking that he was about to take her somewhere to get fucked, but it was the complete opposite. "Hey, if you call my baby annoying again I'll make sure you get put in your fucking place you bitch." He growled before pulling you away.

You laid your head on his shoulder the whole drive back to the dorms and you both cuddled till you feel asleep while watching Netflix because Bakugo was being hella soft. UwU

Izuku

Uraraka was already very persistent with trying to get with Izuku, but now that you two were dating she was even more persistent. You weren't going to be the only one jealous.

You and Izuku were just chilling in the common room when Uraraka came busting in and sat next to Izuku. Which was fine with you two because you both had friends and you two weren't in the middle of anything, so you both started to talk amongst one another.

It was all chill until Uraraka started flirting with Izuku. And I mean flirting. She was calling him cute, and telling him how great he is at everything. Since Izuku got flustered by almost anything he blushed and thanked Uraraka. Now you were kinda triggered. You got up, and just Izuku thought ou were going to leave you sat down right in his lap. You straddled him and put his face to your chest. He blushed and looked up at you with a red face, but he was totally loving this.

Uraraka was completely shocked by this. Her mouth was wide and she was blushing herself. You didn't tell her to leave because you didn't think that she needed to, but you just wanted her to kbow that Izuku was yours and wasn't on sale. 👏👏🍵

He just kind of stayed there and was actually falling asleep. "Your comfy. .c-can I do this more often. ." He stuttered, his cheek pressed against your chest. You smiled at rubbed his head. "Mhm!!" You looked over at Uraraka and smiled sweetly. Yup, she wouldn't be trying anything any time soon.

Amajiki

You two were put on a date for boba tea!! The best thing to even exist. You two sat outside on a rainy day, under an umbrella the restaurant provided for outdoor seat of course and watched the rain fall, vibing and feeling aesthetic as hell.

You leaned in for a kiss, which made Tamaki blush, but he leaned in as well cuz your his girlfriend and he loves you when you were so rudly interrupted by the waitress who took your orders. "Hey, so you're super cute, so I was thinking we could go out sometime." The waitress with brown hair said, putting her hand on Tamaki's. This made him squeek and start studdering out what a response he couldn't quite get out. You looked at him and put your cup down. You cupped his squishy face with your hands and kissed his nose. He blushed furiously. "Y-y/n, w-what was that f-for. .!!" He stuttered out.

You giggled and hugged him, resting your head on his chest. He couldn't help but practically melt and rub your head. He looked back up at the waitress with a 'what do you think the answer is??' Kind of look, which took a lot of confidence on his part to do.

The waitress scoffed and walked away.

When you two were leaving she walked up to you both with two extra freshly made boba teas. "Here, one of my coworkers snitched on me about before, so my boss made me make you more boba. Here." She said, shoving the bobas towards you and Tamaki. You both gladly took themand thanked her, more like thanked her coworker and boos than her.

You two held hands all the way back to U.A because Tamaku felt so bad about the whole ordeal. You two drank some more boba tea and were just being the cutest couple at U.A you guys were.

Kirishima

You and Kirishima were granted permission to go to a gym outside of campus since the one they had at U.A was completely full, and you needed to get training in. Well, it's wants that full, it was mostly taken up by Bakugo's entitlement-

You held hands and kissed eachothers cheeks and were all giggly on the walk to the gyn, which wasn't that far from U.A actually, even though the school was literally on a big ass hill.

You trained first, Kirishima spotting you and helping you out of course. After a while of you training, you helped Kiri out with his. He trained a bit with you, fighting a bit, but not too much since it wasn't the U.A gym and then he started lifting waits and such.

You were currently spotting him on a bench press when you noticed another girl eyeing him as he lifted the waits. You ignored it and made sure he was still going strong, which of course he was. Hey, he's the manliest of men.

After he was done and he was thanking you with a kiss for spotting him the girl came up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and being the nice guy he is he smiled and said hello. "Hello, can I help you with something, ma'am??" He asked sweetly, not expecting her to do what she was about to. "Sure can. I'm pretty hungry and you must be too, so I was thinking that you can take me out and let me have a bite of you. Seeing you work out over there has got me starving." The lady said, running her finger over Kirishima's bicep. He was totally shocked at this and had no idea how to respond. Nobody had said something like. .like that to him before.

At that moment you got in front of him and made grabby hands. He smiled and understood what you wanted, so he picked you up, resting your head on his shoulder. You gave him soft kisses on his shoulder and neck, making him sigh in content.

The girl grunted and walked back to whatever she was doing previously. You and Kirishima were quite done with this girls shit, you you just decided to leave, Kirishima holding you all the way back.

Dabi

The league of Villans were having a meeting with two other villans to see if they were 'good enough' to join the league.

You were sitting in Dabi's lap, not being you were jealous just because that's where he liked you. Shigaraki was currently trying to intimidate the villans, which he was actually doing pretty well.

At the end of the meeeting, the girl villan with long pink hair came up to Dabi with a blushy face. "Hello, you're scars are super cool, and you seem super cool as well. Maybe you would want to go out sometime??" She said in a soft tone, looking away from him.

He was about to say something when you got down on the floor and latched onto his leg, looking up at him and whining. He lost all interest in telling the girl of and squatting down, pulling you in his arms and holding you. He stode back up with you in his arms. "Yeah, so that's a no. And you also won't be going the league. You suck." He stated like it was nothing like he usually did.

Now, he would have gone to his room and fuck ya, but today he sat down on the couch and cuddle with you. Cone on, we all know that he's super clingy.

I think the Izuku one is my favorite- XD~Alex

[demyrie]

Something like toshis guard being worn down maybe they're just hanging out or drinking and aizawa is playing maybe like teasing him and then toshi responds like way too into it and aizawa is like ???woah ok uhh didn't really mean for that to happen uhhh now im turned on

UHHHH OKAY SO THIS IS LITERALLY THREE MONTHS LATE? And also it’s definitely not what you wanted, sweet anon, because I love and feel that trope, but this is more an exploration of a far less … competent and more awkward Aizawa. Also Yagi having the self-respect to realize when he’s being toyed with. So. (*whispers* i hate it)

Aizawa wasn’t a perfect person –farthest from it – but he never imagined his most pronounced sin ofthe year would be waiting and watching.

It began with All Might joining thefaculty, which was by far the worst event of the year, seconded onlyby the idiot being assigned to his year and his class. This wasn’this realm and Aizawa invested himself in letting the other hero knowit, maybe burning off the residual resentment he had incurred fromNezu grandly dismissing his concerns about All Might teaching at UA.From day one, he needled “All Might-sama” mercilessly aboutlesson plans and made it clear there would be no celebrity quartergiven as long as his class’s education was on the line. Refused allpersonal interaction. Turned away whenever he pulled his favoritetrick.

He was, in general, an impeccableasshole, the sting of rejection and criticism incarnate, and thus hadutterly no explanation for the predicament he woke to some monthslater, when Yagi stayed after class to tentatively ask him to(friendly coworker) dinner the third time in a week and couldn’t keephis gaze for a moment without turning bright red and Aizawa realized.

Maybe no one had ever been rough orhonest with him before, or held him to standards that weren’tmeasured in musculature. It seemed like just the kind of warpedcelebrity thing to get turned on about, but the teacher’s bittertheory had a hole in it: No matter how much Aizawa wished it, Yagiwasn’t All Might. He just wasn’t.

(Yagi was kind, tentative, bumbling butwell-meaning, and was honestly very much stressing Aizawa’s accomplished skill of hating anything that moved because he was sodamn agreeable and even if he was a wrecking ball, he was starting tomake progress with the kids, and …)

Aizawa, to his credit, wasn’t asadistic person, either. It took too much energy and gave him nothingto see people in pain. He wasn’t like Midnight, as evidenced by herdisapproval of him and how he was handling this very peculiarsituation, but he still found himself torturing Yagi just a bit. Just… a bit.

There was something addictive aboutteasing the towering man, and the sheer energy he gave off jumping atevery little touch. Part of the amusement was watching Yagi strugglewith himself because there was so very much to struggle with, as talland gawky as he was, and maybe part of Aizawa figured he was overduefor some awkwardness after living so long, unquestioned, as theSymbol of Peace. The game kept him interested both in How and When:even as he wondered how such a man could possibly have chosen him tolike, and how far could Yagi Toshinori contort himself inpleasantries and avoidance before he said something honest, ordemanded an explanation?

The answer: no idea, and exactly threebeers and one poorly timed attempt at groping.

Hizashi and Nemuri (read: Nemuri) hadexcommunicated him until he resolved the “All Might issue” and itonly took one half-offer before Yagi agreed to a dinner. A dinnerbetween coworkers. It was a local ramen place near to his apartmentwith decent food at a great price, and a traditional but lacklusterambiance much improved by a retired hero on his absolute bestbehavior and refraining from try-hard jokes and forceful merriment.

It wasn’t often Aizawa felt safe enoughto get solidly drunk anywhere but with his friends, but there he was.Then, there Yagi was, and he started messing. Leaning over too closeto get the sake bottle, putting his hand on the man’s mile-long leg.Brushing his hair from his face and laughing low and satisfied. Tooclose, way too close.

For however close he was, drunk on alittle more than beer – maybe power, maybe the simple andabsolutely foreign pleasure of being admired – he failed to noticeas Yagi’s face dropped and his reactions became more and morestilted, stricken, unsure. As he caught on, poke by prod.

Everyone always told him he was anasshole when he was drunk. Now, he saw why, and it was revealed tohim in vivid technicolor when he pretended to lose his balance on theway out of the bar and fell into the towering hero, hand gropingaround his waist. He even aimed his mouth oh-so-purposefully for theskin of the older man’s neck, only for his wrists to be yankedtogether and his head bounced against the wall, the impact knockingthe breath out of him.

Above him, Yagi was little more than asilhouette of wiry hair and burning blue eyes in the cheap yellowlighting.

“Don’t.”

Yagi was so tall, so thin, so yielding,and that was the problem: Aizawa had nearly forgotten that the Symbolof Peace was under there. The fire in his eyes still smoldered, andnow those eyes pinned him to the wall. The heat alone was enough toburn off most of his high.

“What are you doing?” Yagi gritout, voice like a body drug over gravel.

“I was waiting,” Aizawa forced out,panicking and drunk as shit and knowing he was choosing the wrongwords even as he said them. “Waiting to see –”

“But you weren’t waiting, tonight.Did you get bored? To turn to humiliation so quickly when someone isunder your power is a staggering character flaw, Aizawa,” he saidin low, dangerous tones,  his height all the more intimidating toknow how low he was bending just to speak to him, to crowd Aizawa’s spaceand block the light. “I thought Midnight was the sadist among youthree.”

Humiliation? The word didn’t make senseand Aizawa opened his mouth, but all that came out was a huff of airas the steely grip on his wrists dissolved and Yagi pushed himgently, tiredly against the wall and turned away. Toward the door.

“I wasn’t going to say anythingbecause I didn’t think it was possible for you to feel the same way.So I don’t blame you for your feelings, but I would have appreciateda simple no.”

“Damnit, Yagi,” he forced out.“Don’t.”

It was a fragment, a stupid inverse parroting of what Yagi said before, but of course theolder man understood. His powers of understanding were only rivaledby his patience, it seemed, which only made Aizawa feel worse as Yagistared him down, emanating disappointment.

“It would be best if I went. Ifyou’re really that inebriated, I can call you a taxi,” he saidbitterly. He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head slightly. “We’ll continue this conversation when you’re sober … Ifyou’re even inclined.”

“I’m shit at this.”

Yagi stopped, then turned to look athim. Head lifting off his shoulders in a combination of fear andalcohol, Aizawa was distantly aware he was locking his knees and hecouldn’t stop.

“At this. All of it. I don’t know howto read people or what they want. All I want to do is get straight tothe point, and you kept skirting. So.”

“So?”

“This place is near my apartment,”he blurted out.

So I didn’t know what else to do,he wanted to say, now caught in the disastrous fallout of hisinability to speak human or navigate social mores. This was All Mightthey were talking about, after all. He wasn’t really that drunk, andhad never been, but it was a fantastic excuse to reach for what hewanted. Might want, or dare to want. Aizawa should have realized howuncharacteristically loose and stupid he was being, acting out insome vague ploy to get a stranger’s attention, but what was there todo?

It clearly took Yagi a minute toprocess everything, and even then his baffled expression only becamemore concerned.

“So, after giving me absolutely noindication that you even respect me as a coworker, you suddenlyinvite me to a restaurant … near your apartment and … then gropeme in the hallway …” he began uncertainly, enormous hand out likehe expected Aizawa to give him the key to whatever insane train hadferried him to this particular plan.

“It would have been easier if youactually drank,” Aizawa admitted at length, mulish. The mathsounded better in his head: drunk person A giving drunk person B whatthey want, which is also what A wanted, waking up the morning afterand thus skipping the step where they had to talk about wantingthings.

He pinched his nose. Okay, maybe alittle villainous. Or just shitty on a person level.

“If I’d been drunk, it would havebeen coercion,” the older hero countered, now actively chuckling instunned disbelief. He shook his head, regarding him with some kind ofamazement. “You are bad at this.”

“Not very heroic,” he said, lookinghim in the eye. Daring Yagi to see the kind of person he was and makehis exit accordingly.

“Not very functional,” Yagiresponded dryly, making Aizawa drop his gaze by the sheerrelentlessness of his strange blue-black attention. Brave, like hewasn’t, but also not judgmental.

A paragon of righteousness andcommunity values, just like the posters portrayed, and altogether toogood for him. The realization – juxtaposition – nauseated him alittle. Just what was he trying to pull, here? Aizawa shruggedsharply, the last of his stupid ideas caving and leaving him withnothing more than an exit to make.

“You’re the first person I’ve triedto seduce, if it’s any consolation, and I won’t be trying again,”he said, gruff. He straightened his shirt and gestured to the handblocking him from the rest of the restaurant. Yagi hurriedly withdrewit, straightening to a facsimile of his timid self, but Aizawacouldn’t find it in himself to move just yet.

He breathed out quietly, burnt andstunned by his own combined stupidity and gall.

“You can leave, now. If you want.I’ll get the tab.”

“I’d actually like to leave withyou,” he said mildly, ducking his head a bit and looking to theside when Aizawa’s head snapped up in disbelief. “If you’re stillinterested in my, er, company, that is.”

His pale brows drifted up and theappraising look dampened the instant throb of Aizawa’s stupid heart,but not for long.

“But you do get to pay the tab thistime. I think I’ve earned it.” Yagi grinned, sudden and shining inhis gaunt face. “I think this is the first time I’ve been seduced,but I … don’t know if I would recommend it to anyone else.”

Breaking out of him like he’d beenwhacked in the gut, Aizawa chuckled, stupid and low. If people werepaid to put up with him, as he believed they should be on some level,Mic and Midnight wouldn’t be poring over cheap scratchers every otherweek. Then again, he was pretty certain they just did that for thescummy thrill of it.

“Meet you outside,” Aizawa saidwith a nod, hardly believing he could still say it.

The cautious, sideways smile on Yagi’sface as he turned to go chilled him and warmed him in the samebreath, leaving him rubbing at his arms and the prickled skin there.Was he even drunk anymore? Was he ever drunk in the first place?

More importantly, what the hell didYagi even see in him? It was the question of the year and one thatwasn’t easily answered, but walking down the sidewalk with thecautious space between them shrinking step by step, slowly makingconversation, felt like a start.