Chapter Text
“What are you doing just sitting there?”
David looks up at the large figure blocking the sweltering sun and sees Toshi, and nothing else. Even from this view, with his features obstructed by the too-bright sun right behind him, Toshi brings a brilliance that no giant ball of fire could measure up to. David is pretty sure the past few weeks have been a fever dream. First he gets saved by the hottest (in more than one way) up-and-coming hero, All Might. Then like a damn romantic comedy he runs into him at a formal event hosted by the materials engineering company he interns at. From there, David isn’t quite sure how Toshinori Yagi decided that David Shield was worth his very limited free time.
“Aren’t you going to go into the water with me?” Toshi says with gusto snapping David out of his reverie. His hands are on his hips, and he looks like he is posing for cameras.
David chuckles, “Yeah, I am.” He knows he looks like a smitten fool; he only hopes that Yagi really is as dense as he comes across.
Even though it has only been a few weeks, David know that Toshinori Yagi isn’t the kind of man who waits around for things. So David isn’t surprised that Toshi meant “Let’s go into the ocean now. ” David is surprised, however, when Toshi reaches down and firmly grasps David’s forearm, then pulls him upwards. David stumbles a bit, but ultimately finds himself standing in the hot sand, mere centimeters from a shirtless Toshi.
David feels the warm grip on his arm loosen, and then Toshi is already near the water’s edge.
“The water is so nice!” Toshi booms as he splashes water out and all around. He is already waist deep in the ocean. David chuckles, and mentally pats himself on the back for choosing a more remote beach located in the Malibu area. The scenic hour drive outside of bustling Los Angeles had been nice, but most of all David could only imagine the kind of attention a loud and attractive hero would solicit back home near Santa Monica.
You’re selfish, David.
He knows he is selfish, but looking at Toshi be so carefree when no one is around to watch makes his heart do flips, and David couldn’t care less because in this moment, it was only the two of them.
---
David smiles as Toshi settles in on the large blanket David just set out. Playing in the water and exploring the shoreline was both fulfilling and exhausting. Toshi sets the pail of rocks and shells they had collected off to the side, and reaches for the tupperware of fruit before David has even finished pulling it out of his large tote bag.
“Work hard, play hard?” David teases Toshi as he pulls the lid of the container.
“You know it.” Toshi replies with a wink as he grabs some fruit and pops a few grapes into his mouth at once.
Sure, he and Toshi had maybe exchanged a single, and quite frankly drunken kiss just a few nights ago after a particularly wild night out sightseeing Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean that all of their outings from here on out are suddenly dates. Toshi leads the life of a hero, jumping in danger’s way, challenging the world to knock him down. David on the other hand; he can’t say the same for himself. What kind of life is he leading?
Whatever the answer is, it isn’t enough to warrant anything from Toshinori Yagi.
“Dave…” Toshi’s voice is soft despite its teasing nature, and it pulls David out of his spiraling thoughts. “Please say you were responsible and brought protection…”
“Wha-What?!” David’s brain goes blank as he stutters out his most pathetic response. He grips the beach blanket with his sweaty palms.
“Yes! The sun… It’s so bright. I didn’t even think to bring sunscreen today!” Toshi complains as he leans back, head up to the sky, comical grimace on his face.
This guy really has no idea... David feels himself let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding in as he reaches for his bag. At. All.
David hands over the sunblock with shaky hands.
Even the dense hero can’t miss the obvious splotches of red that curse David’s cheeks, much too deep to only be sunburn. David feels Toshi’s eyes on him; feels his grin. David doesn’t know at this point what he’s doing. Why did I invite him to come all the way out here with me? Nothing is going to come out of this. You’re setting yourself up for disappointment. You’re an idiot, David Shield.
In the midst of his worries, Toshi leans over into David’s space. His grin stretches across his entire face. It reminds David of the look All Might dons whenever he wants to reassure people that things are fine. Well, things are not fine. Not while the most beautiful and compassionate human in the world is mere inches away from him. David closes his eyes. God, he wants to kiss him.
He wants to kiss him so badly.
He wishes they were drinking, so there would at least be an excuse like last time.
David exhales deeply and opens his eyes to meet Toshi’s own piercing blue. The hero’s smile has softened; it’s taken on a less performative look. David thinks he might melt.
“David…” Toshi speaks with that smile, but there is another emotion there which David can’t quite put a name too. “What are you thinking about?”
David averts his gaze to stare instead at the course sand beside him. “Not much” he lies.
“I don’t think you’re being honest… That’s not very heroic.” Toshi teases David softly.
David swallows, his throat is dry. He musters a meager “Yeah” in reply.
Then, like something out of fiction, Toshi cups David’s cheek with a sturdy hand. David’s eyes dart back up to meet Toshi’s, beneath his soft touch. Toshi smiles. And then,
He is kissing David.
It’s just a press of the lips. Toshi’s lips match the warmth of the hot California sun. David doesn’t realize he is reaching out to Toshi until he feels warm smooth skin underneath his touch. Toshi’s arm is toned, and in this moment David can’t think about how wild it is that Toshinori Yagi would want to kiss him. In this moment, David accepts this gift, and revels in it.