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English
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Published:
2018-04-23
Completed:
2018-06-28
Words:
2,873
Chapters:
2/2
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Yagi and Yamada

Summary:

Yamada has a talk with Yagi about his relationship with Aizawa. Aizawa is not amused.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Somehow, Yamada knew. Aizawa denied telling his closest friend and Yagi believed it, since Aizawa wasn’t one to gossip about his personal life. So Yagi couldn’t fathom how, but Yamada knew. He’d always been friendly towards Yagi, and Yagi returned the attitude. Lately, however, there was something else in the handshakes and hearty pats on the back. Sometimes Yagi caught the other blond staring in his direction with narrowed eyes, sometimes the smiles had a hint too much of bared teeth.

Somehow, Yamada found out that Yagi was secretly dating and devastatingly in love with his best friend.

Yagi did his best to avoid being alone in the same room with Yamada, anxious about any potential confrontations that could happen between the two. After all, if Aizawa were forced to choose between Yagi or Yamada, he’d choose his friend. Fifteen years trumped a romantic fling. Yagi had no doubt about his place in the black-haired hero’s life. And so far, avoiding Yamada was easy enough. The other teacher had morning classes, while Yagi had afternoon ones. There were brief moments during the changeover that Yagi worried about, but there were always other teachers present. Kayama or Aizawa, if no one else.

“All Might.”

Yagi froze in the doorway of the teachers lounge. Yamada gave him a cool look from one of the computer desks. They were alone. Yamada waved a hand at him. “Come in, bud. Let’s chat.”

Sliding the door shut behind him, Yagi hoped the taste of blood in his mouth was psychosomatic. Coughing up blood would make the upcoming conversation very awkward, though he did suppose it would give him an out if needed. People tended to panic when he coughed blood. “Sure, Yamada. What’s up?”

Yamada stood. He wasn’t anywhere near Yagi’s height (unless one counted his hair), but somehow his determined stance and the look on his face intimidated Yagi. “What’s going on between you and Shouta?”

Part of Yagi really wanted to cough up some blood now—it really would make a great deterrent, but he stood firm. “I consider Aizawa a close friend and respected peer in both heroics and-”

“Cut the crap,” Yamada interrupted. “You must be pretty damn close if Shouta’s cancelled on me three times this past month so he could hang out with you.”

Yagi hadn’t realized. Every time he asked Aizawa out, the other man had shrugged and nonchalantly agreed as if he had nothing better to do. He’d never imagine that Aizawa would cancel plans to see him. He was, frankly, shocked.

The look on his face must have been telling because Yamada shook his head in frustration. Scratching his head, he groaned, “you two are hopeless.” He approached Yagi and gripped his shoulder tightly. “Look, All Might. Yagi. Whatever. I’ve been friends with Shouta since we were kids. He’s a sweet, caring dude who’s way too kind for his own good, so I’ve been preparing this speech for a while. You’re the first person he’s been serious enough about to warrant this, so here we go.” The hold on his shoulder tightened painfully. Yamada’s eyes were uncharacteristically cold. “I don’t care if you’re the world’s greatest hero. If you hurt him, I’ll kill you. Get it?”

Yagi’s damaged stomach churned. “I’d probably let you.” Even if this was only a passing thing to Aizawa, Yagi was adamantly in love. Some days, when Yagi couldn’t bear to face the world broken as he was, Aizawa was the reason he got out of bed. It took time to learn how to read Aizawa’s expressions, but now Yagi could see the little uplift at the corners of his mouth when their eyes met. Aizawa’s eyes, black with a hint of some indescribable hue, brightened when they spoke. The electricity in even their most subtle touches made him feel more alive than hero work had in a long time. If he ever hurt the other man, Yagi couldn’t imagine wanting to live.

The painful grip turned into a pat on the offended shoulder. “Let’s not let it come to that, then. I’d hate to be known as the guy who killed All Might.”

The door slid open behind Yagi. Yamada grinned and Yagi’s heart sped up.

“Shouta, my man!” Yamada went around Yagi to greet his friend. “Can’t really stay, got to set up for an interview. I was just having a chat with your boyfriend.” He paused as Shouta, wide-eyed and frozen, dropped his book on the ground. Yamada bent over to pick it up and handed it back, a supportive hand on Aizawa’s arm. “Nothing too serious, just stories from way back. I’ll catch you later!”

When they were alone, Yagi couldn’t help but smile weakly. “Yamada is a great friend.”

Aizawa’s expression returned to its stoic state. He scoffed as he approached. “Don’t tell him that.” He stood in front of Yagi, yet a little to the side, and leaned his forehead against the taller man’s shoulder. “He’s already insufferable,” he finished with a mutter. His body felt pliant and molded against Yagi’s own. He was perfectly fitted.

Yagi chuckled. “He loves you.”

“I know, and I love him, too. Sometimes. We’ve been through a lot together. By this point, I figure I’m stuck with him for the rest of my life.” He shook his head. All Yagi could see was an unkempt mop of black hair. He hooked an arm around Aizawa’s waist to keep him close. The younger man didn’t seem like he intended to go anywhere, but it felt good to hold him anyway, just in case. “He’s my best friend.”

A few moments passed in heavy silence. Yagi almost wondered if Aizawa had fallen asleep as they stood, still, he ventured on. “He’s mad that you’ve cancelled on him a few times.”

Aizawa stiffened and Yagi could imagine the blanched look on his face. “You weren’t supposed to find out about that.”

“Why would you cancel?” Yagi’s heart thudded painfully. He knew the reasons he would like to hear, but he also couldn’t fool himself. Maybe if he was younger, still in his prime, still All Might. But now he was only Yagi Toshinori: old, dying, and boring.

Aizawa turned his face to Yagi’s neck. His stubble scratched against Yagi’s skin. It wasn’t pleasant, but it was Aizawa. “I wanted to see you.”

Yagi sighed. He wanted to say the words. His heart sang “I love you” in every beat, but he couldn’t say it, not yet. He was the world’s greatest hero, but even heroes could be cowards in matters of the heart. They were still fragile humans, after all. “Stop canceling on my account,” he answered instead. “We’ll make time for each other.”

Aizawa huffed and Yagi felt the warm air against his clavicle. “Fine, if it’s so important to you.”

“You’re important to me.” As soon as he spoke, Yagi held his breath. Was he crossing a line he shouldn’t?

The dark-haired man took a step back and looked up at Yagi. His expression wasn’t hostile or even particularly annoyed with his statement; it was inquiring, as if he had a question behind those sharp eyes.

Satisfied with whatever answer he found in Yagi, Aizawa nodded. “Let’s go. Ishiyama told me about a small ramen joint near here. Small, quiet.” He walked away without checking if Yagi would follow.

Yagi watched his retreating back for a few moments, smiling. “Wait up,” he called, using his longer legs to quickly close the distance between them. They couldn’t hold hands here, but he could let their fingertips brush for an exhilarating moment as he caught up.

“You know,” Aizawa began, not breaking confident stride, “Hizashi wouldn’t mind if you came out drinking with us.”

Glancing down at him, Yagi asked, “you wouldn’t mind?” Would he mind Yagi’s presence? Would he mind Yamada knowing about their relationship?

Aizawa didn’t hesitate. “Come along next time. Maybe he’ll stop bugging me.”

Yagi wanted to kiss him a thousand times in that moment. “So,” he said lightly, “I’m the first one he’s had to threaten?”

Aizawa stopped so abruptly that Yagi almost tripped over him. His tired, bloodshot eyes narrowed. “I’m going to kill him.” He started walking again, his strides longer and quicker.

Yagi laughed from deep in his belly and resumed their pace. “I love you” stood on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t say it yet.

Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Summary:

Yagi goes out with Aizawa and Yamada.

Chapter Text

Aizawa wasn’t in the habit of letting other people into his life. People were difficult and most, a waste of time. He didn’t like to pursue any sort of relationship, whether romantic or platonic. People came to him. This was a miscalculation, he realized belatedly, because the people who pursued friendships with him were all flashy and reminded him of sunlight.

“Hey, there you are! We’re over here!” Yamada stood and yelled towards the bar’s entrance. He waved his arm to attract the newcomer’s attention and happened to catch the notice of every other person in the room. Aizawa, defying the urge to hide his face against Yamada’s outburst, twisted around in his chair to face the same direction, his heartrate already picking up.

It was impossible for Yagi to miss Yamada. He smiled weakly and made his way to their table. His footsteps dragged in a tired shuffle.

In the rare case that he did pursue someone, Aizawa was very selective about those he chose. He didn’t take chances. That person had to be worth it.

Yagi settled into the chair next to Aizawa. “Hey, sorry I’m late. Nezu wanted a word.”

“Anything serious?” Aizawa set his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his palm. His other hand brushed against Yagi’s fingers briefly under the table. Yagi chased, and tangled their fingers together for one electric moment. Aizawa, not used to wanting affection, had to force his face to remain stoic. If he slipped and let even the slightest bit of positive emotion into his expression, Yamada would notice and Aizawa would never hear the end of it.

Yagi shook his head, his expression soft. “He was just checking in at first, but then he started on about a new tea shop that opened close to campus.” He choked back a laugh when, completely in sync, Aizawa and Yamada nodded understandably. He grabbed a napkin from the table and coughed deeply into it. Aizawa rubbed circles in soothing strokes across his back.

“Yeah, don’t die, please.” Yamada frowned on his side of the table. He was leaning forward on his elbows, concern etched in his brow.

Yagi cleared his throat. “I’ll do my best.” He pocketed the blood-soiled napkin, rather than leave it somewhere his companions could see it as a reminder of his condition (as if his entire body wasn’t a reminder enough). It was a small consolation he’d give himself in a semblance of normalcy. He’d throw it away as soon as he got a chance. He thanked Aizawa when the younger man slid his glass of water in his direction and he sipped the cool liquid. It felt like a balm to his sore throat.

“Well,” Yamada hesitated, “glad you could come out with us. What can we get you? Beer? Something a bit stronger? No school in the morning!” He stood and caught the eye of their waitress.

“Actually--” Yagi hunched his shoulders sheepishly--“I don’t drink. Medical reasons.” That was a brief way of putting it. The public at large didn’t know the extent of the injury that almost cost his life, but in the aftermath of Kamino, they knew that All For One had hurt him in the past. The villain may not have killed him there, but he was slowly corroding All Might over the years like a poison in his veins, leaving behind the shattered ghost of the former hero.

“Bummer,” Yamada frowned. “You want coffee? Or tea would be more your style, huh?”

That was something that Yagi liked about Yamada: he didn’t shower him in sympathy or condolences. Yagi was tired of pity. He wanted to get on with his life and make something as normal as he could out of it. He was finally getting some notion of it, too. He had a steady, non-pro hero job, his own apartment that had nothing to do with his former agency, and he had a boyfriend (Aizawa thought the label “boyfriend” sounded too immature, but Yagi took glee in saying it). He was hanging out after a long work week with his boyfriend, and his boyfriend’s best friend. The best friend who had just threatened to kill him earlier that week if he ever hurt Aizawa. The best friend who was currently chatting amiably with their waitress. Yagi could be normal for a few hours, at least.

And when Aizawa looked at him like he was then, with what Yagi was starting to identify as a soft fondness, he felt powerful in a way he never did as All Might.

“Ugh,” Yamada groaned. “Are you two going to be one of those gross, cutesy couples? Shouta, I’m kind of disappointed in you.”

Aizawa sneered at his best friend and (unless Yagi was mistaken about the pained look on Yamada’s face) kicked him under the table.

“But no, seriously,” Yamada continued, “I’m just happy you’re in a relationship at all! I was getting worried that you weren’t socialized enough or something and that you’d be alone for the rest of your life, collecting stray cats.”

Aizawa’s eyes glowed red as his quirk reflexively activated, his hair and ever-present capture weapon defying gravity. “Hizashi, if you value your life, you will quit speaking.”

“Ah,” Yagi interjected, his voice quiet in comparison to his companions, “I… like cats, so that actually doesn’t sound so bad.” In the moments of silence that followed, Yagi shifted nervously under the gaze of the two pairs of eyes staring at him.

“So…” Yamada trailed off, “you’ll let me know when the wedding is?”

Aizawa’s chair screeched against the floor as he stood, reaching for one of the pouches on his belt.

“Here is your tea, sir.” The waitress primly placed a steaming tea pot and cup in front of Yagi. She held the tray close to her chest. “Is there anything else that I may get for you?”

“We’re fine, thank you.” Yagi smiled.

The waitress bowed. “Please let me know if you need something.”

Yagi sighed as she left and turned back to the others. He poured himself a cup and took a slow sip.

Righteous vengeance interrupted, the rage seemed to deflate out of Aizawa as he sat back down. “If I ever get dragged into marriage, Hizashi, you’ll know.”

His dismissal of the subject felt like a stab behind Yagi’s sternum. He didn’t let it show, though—he had gotten very adept at hiding pain over the years.

“What about you, All Might?” Yamada asked. “You seem like the type who’d want to get married and do all that domestic stuff.”

Yagi shrugged, too aware of Aizawa’s eyes on him. “Maybe? Truth be told, I wasn’t sure I’d live long enough for the subject to become relevant.” He frowned. “I still might not.” And he hadn’t meant to sound so casual about his potential untimely death, so he quickly added, “I wouldn’t be opposed to it, though!” He laughed. “I guess I’m a bit old-fashioned.”

“I never noticed,” Aizawa deadpanned after a moment’s hesitation. Despite his sarcasm, there wasn’t any disdain in his voice, and his words were further softened when he softly touched his ankle to Yagi’s. But he thought the description was apt.

Yamada lifted his beer bottle to his lips and drained the rest of it. “I’ve got the next round,” he announced. “You sure you don’t want anything?” When Yagi declined, Yamada caught the waitress’s attention again and ordered two more drinks.

“Did you want to come over after?” Aizawa murmured while Yamada was occupied. “We can watch one of those awful superhero movies you like so much.”

“Why do you have them if you dislike them?” Yagi tilted his head and looked at Aizawa knowingly.

Aizawa didn’t answer, merely touched behind his ear. He glanced over and noticed Yamada watching them.

Yamada lounged back in his seat. “Just ignore me.”

“That’s impossible,” Aizawa retorted. He chugged the remainder of his drink.

Yagi smiled. He enjoyed their interactions. A part of him was jealous, wishing he had that sort of close relationship with anyone. But envy turned to relief that not only did Yamada know about them, but he seemed to accept their relationship with the same easy-going nature that he did everything. All he had to do now was win Yamada over. His stomach churned. He doubted it would be all that easy. Yamada was protective of Aizawa.

The waitress arrived with their drinks. She placed a beer in front of Yamada and a mixed drink in a stout glass in front of Aizawa.

That wasn’t his usual gin and tonic. “What’d you order me?” Aizawa asked, eyeing the orange peel and cherry floating in the dark brown liquid.

Yamada grinned at him. “An Old Fashioned. I thought you should give it a try.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading! I hope to contribute more in the future!