Star Bright

by Sashannz8

Summary:

After a day at a festival with his agency kids and Eri, Taishiro sits on a hilltop beneath the stars. He's soon joined by Aizawa, for an unexpected moment that blooms into something more.

Notes:

• For Quirky_Chibi_Rose85.

The wild atmosphere and the energy of the kids always made Taishiro game to attend a festival. This time, he also decided to give Aizawa a break from his constant vigilance over Eri, and be responsible for her for the day. He was joined by his work study students, plus Togata and Midorya, who jumped at every chance to spend time with the little girl. After a whirlwind afternoon of prize games, fast rides, and far too much junk food— for the kids, at least— Taishiro suggested the little group sit at a picnic area on the hilltop. It was fairly quiet, a good place to wind down, with a stunning view of the sunset. The group sat and chatted for a bit, and Taishiro’s heart melted when Eri climbed into his lap. Hugging a stuffed kitty that Kirishima had won for her, she settled against the comfort of Taishiro’s partially-bulked stomach. Immediately her eyes grew heavy, her breaths slow and even. Considering the harrowing experiences of her tumultuous life, it was touching that Eri felt calm and safe with them. Despite the noise of the boisterous teens who surrounded her, she never flinched from her peaceful slumber.

After a time, the sky shifted to indigo as twilight turned into night. A blanket of starlight slowly dotted the expanse above them, and it was absolutely stunning from their vantage point. While Taishiro sat in silent awe of the view, it seemed the kids were growing a bit restless.

“If you all want to catch more rides or whatever, go for it! I don't mind sticking around here awhile,” Taishiro told them, glancing down at Eri. “The little angel is all tuckered out, anyway. No sense in waking her. I'll have to get her home soon anyhow. You all go have fun!”

With a chorus of thank-yous, the group got to their feet and hurried down the hill, toward the excitement of the carnival. Their voices faded into the distance, until Taishiro was left with the serenity of the vast, star-filled night sky and a sleeping child in his arms.

At times like this— which were rare in his life as a hero— Taishiro indulged his imagination. He wondered what it would be like to have someone by his side, stargazing with him in silence, simply for the joy of being together. Beautiful moments were meant to be shared, he reasoned. It was just so hard to find a civilian who understood the lifestyle of a hero. That left other heroes, but they rarely had the time to spend on a relationship So, Taishiro found himself back on the merry-go-round, keeping his eyes and heart open, but not actively looking. At least Kirishima, Amajiki and Tetsutetsu— his kids, as he called them— made him feel less lonely. If he couldn't have a family of his own right now, he could create one, in the meantime.

“Mind if I join you?”

Taishiro started a bit, instinctively covering Eri with a large, protective hand. He was so lost in thought that he hadn't heard anyone approach, but the voice was immediately recognizable.

No one sounded like Aizawa Shouta.

“Not at all!” Taishiro found himself smiling as the somber teacher folded long legs beneath him, sitting so close that Taishiro could feel the press of his arm against his own. Per usual, he was dressed head to toe in black. But then, that always suited him. Especially the fitted long-sleeved shirt with a neckline that dipped below his collarbone—

Okay, so Taishiro had admired Aizawa before. Intently, and more often than he would care to admit, ever since they first met. Not only was he impressive in action, to say the least, but he was a stunning human. Taishiro suspected not many people looked past the curtain of hair that he used to hide himself, or the tiredness in his eyes. His intimidating manner didn't help matters, either. Yet Taishiro had the pleasure of working closely with him, spending days together, getting to know Aizawa as much as he would allow. He had also seen him with his hair pulled back from his face, which he found to be beautiful, stubble and all. Years ago, he'd glimpsed Aizawa napping during a lull on their team up. There, at his most peaceful and vulnerable, the word that came to mind was angelic. Just like now, with the dim starlight reflecting the depths of his velvet brown eyes—

“Toyomitsu.”

“Hm?”

Aizawa offered him a rare smile. “You weren't listening to me,” he observed, his voice smooth and absent of the usual chastising tone. A shiver rushed through Taishiro, and he felt his face heating as he realized he must have been staring this whole time.

“Oh, uh, yeah— hah! Sorry. Can't seem to concentrate. The kids must have run me ragged. But you know how that is,” he added, elbowing Aizawa. To his surprise, he didn't fold his arms or flinch away. Rather, he nudged Taishiro back, then remained leaning against him.

“Yeah, I know. It doesn't leave time for much else.” As his eyes remained fixed to the ground, Taishiro noticed an unexpected shyness in his manner.

“No, I can see it doesn't. Hero work is like that, too. But I think teachers have it harder, if I'm honest,” he replied.

Aizawa lifted his chin to gaze at the stars, and Taishiro found the view of his profile to be devastatingly beautiful. “I've done both. They're entirely different responsibilities. One saves lives. The other trains life savers.”

“Teachers save lives, too, though, ya know? Who knows how many of those kids woulda given up their dreams, without your confidence in them. Or, how about the ones who came from homes where their quirks weren't supported, celebrated, or even accepted? You do so much more than you realize, Shouta— ah, Aizawa,” he corrected himself. Tearing his gaze away nervously, he fixed his eyes instead on the sky above. Why did he slip that up? So disrespectful…

By looking away, Taishiro completely missed the awestruck, touched expression on Aizawa's face as he turned toward him. Aizawa hadn't been sure what to make of the BMI hero when they first met. During their mission together, he was highly impressed with Fat Gum's skills and courage— that, he knew for certain. One hell of a hero, then and to this very day. Personally? They were exact opposites. Taishiro was sweet, affable and gregarious, while Aizawa preferred few words and to be bothered as little as possible. Then again, the introverted Aizawa had always been drawn to people who emanated sunshine and thrived on the joys of life. Toyomitsu Taishiro was no exception.

“Shouta is fine.”

As Taishiro turned away from the night sky and met his gaze, Aizawa also remembered thinking Fat Gum was adorable, on first impression. Then handsome, when he finally got a glimpse of Taishiro’s face without the mask, hair unbound from that tightly pulled hood. Just like tonight, hair loose and ruffled by the wind as he wore the hood down on his pale orange pullover, the deep V neck revealing a simple white tee shirt. It made him seem even younger than his tender years, as did the comforting wide grin. Taishiro’s smile never failed to make his heart ache in the best way.

“Wow. Thank you. Call me Taishiro, then. It's long overdue, dontcha think?”

As Aizawa nodded, the breeze picked up again, lifting his hair. As he raised his hand to hold it in place, Taishiro’s heart hammered at the sight. He realized he was staring again but this time, he didn't care.

Because Aizawa Shouta was staring right back at him.

Against all reason, Taishiro reached out to tuck some of the errant waves back from Aizawa's face. As he drew his hand away, his thumb brushed his cheek, and Aizawa blinked slowly. The gesture was similar to that of a cat, Taishiro mused with affection. Aizawa held their gaze with open admiration, before his eyes drifted down to where Eri still napped in Taishiro’s arms.

“She trusts you,” he commented softly. The weight of his words was not lost on Taishiro, who nodded. Aizawa paused, seeming deep in thought. “You make her feel safe.”

“It's what I do,” Taishiro replied easily.

“Yeah, I know, but no— it's more than that. You're special,” he murmured. “Eri doesn't trust easily, and she needs people around her who would do anything to keep her safe. People with innate goodness who don't act protective. They simply devoted to being protective. Do you see what I mean?”

Taishiro felt his throat tighten with emotion “Yeah. Yeah, I see.”

“It's so natural for you to protect and love people. Even I—” Aizawa cut off his next words, clamping down hard on the unexpected admission. Taishiro waited patiently, intrigued but not wanting to push him to go on, lest he close himself off completely.

Instead, Aizawa leaned against Taishiro more fully. He reached out to stroke Eri's hair. “She looks so comfortable,” he commented.

“Well, I'm a comfy guy.” Taishiro had no clue how flirtatious he seemed as he leaned in closer. “It's kinda my thing, ya know.”

This elicited a smile from Aizawa. “So I've heard.”

Taishiro had an idea. It was risky, but with the signals he was getting, it was now or never.

“C'mon. Try it out.” Keeping Eri cradled against him with one hand, Taishiro lifted the arm Aizawa was leaning against, offering for him to move in for a cuddle.

There was barely a moment's hesitation before Aizawa shifted his whole body closer. Sitting hip to hip, he turned his torso toward Taishiro and leaned into the embrace. As the strong arm wrapped around him, Aizawa's hand joined his cheek as it settled against Taishiro’s chest. He could feel Aizawa snuggling up to him, arm around his back and nuzzling his chest as if trying to burrow into him. Dipping his chin down, Taishiro pressed a kiss to Aizawa's forehead, eliciting a shaky sigh. Closing his eyes, Taishiro left his lips resting against his forehead for a moment. They sat in silence, holding tightly to one another, their embrace clearly a wordless confession.

After a time, Taishiro felt Aizawa's weight grow heavier, his relaxed breaths puffing against his shirt. Poor guy, always so exhausted. It made Taishiro feel good that he had the ability to make Aizawa comfortable enough to finally relax. He settled another gentle kiss, this time into his hair, getting lost in how perfect he smelled— like a blend of incense and hinoki, something natural and primal and so beautiful. As he studied the vast universe above, Taishiro suddenly realized how good he and Aizawa could be for each other. How much they needed one another, he ventured to think, lazily stroking over Aizawa's arm with his thumb. That was, if Aizawa felt the same. Taishiro had hope— perhaps even confidence— that he did.

The moon shone clearly in the sky as the sounds and lights of the festival closed down for the night. Suddenly, Eri stretched in her sleep, shifting her position until she flopped halfway onto Aizawa's leg. Like the vigilant father he was, Aizawa immediately awoke, blinking at the sight of the still-sleeping child draped across their laps. He lifted his head, his nose and lips inadvertently making contact with Taishiro’s neck. Pausing to inhale, then sigh slowly, Aizawa dreamily traced his nose along Taishiro’s jawline. The series of sensations jolted his heart into a rapid race, his fingers clenching into Aizawa's back.

“I have to get Eri home,” Aizawa whispered. His voice was lower than normal and thick from sleep. To Taishiro, it was the sexiest sound he had ever heard in his life.

“Oh, o- okay,” he stammered in return.

Aizawa placed a kiss on Taishiro’s cheek, the contrast of his plush lips and light stubble exhilarating. “Did you want to walk us home?” he offered, running his hand tenderly across Taishiro’s chest. “You can help me tuck Eri in and we can, um— spend some off duty time together, for once.”

As Taishiro turned his face to answer, they bumped noses. His breath caught as they stared at one another closely, barely moving. Finally, Aizawa took the initiative, leaning in to catch Taishiro’s expectant mouth with his own. The kiss was electric, immediately eliciting soft pleasured whimpers and breaths from both. Their lips parted and met again fully, taking their time to linger and explore. Slowly pulling back, they nuzzled one another again before opening their eyes. Taishiro nodded wordlessly, drawing out a gorgeous sideways smirk that Aizawa rarely showed. After pausing to steady themselves, Aizawa carefully untangled himself from Taishiro, and scooped Eri gently into his arms. Propping her up with her head on his shoulder, Aizawa left one hand free to clasp Taishiro’s. He rose and laced their fingers together warmly, offering a bright smile that melted Aizawa's heart. The pair started down the hill, with the infinite light of stars painting their path together into the night.

Notes:

I've been so eager to write this ship, and your tropes made it so easy! I truly hope you enjoy what is likely the fluffiest fic I've written yet. Thank you for this request— it was an absolute joy to write! I hope you love it as much as I loved creating it.