Work Text:
“I hate this.” Aizawa muttered, tugging at all corners of the form fitting black tuxedo he was wearing. The complete opposite of his standard uniform.
“You, hating a social event?” Mic exclaimed, adjusting his own suit, though one in a hellish shade of orange. “I am absolutely stunned Eraser.”
Aizawa rolled his eyes, his long fingers carefully running through his thick, black hair, adjusting it into the sleekest ponytail the unruly mane would allow. “Seriously, Mic. I didn't become a professional hero so I would be forced by my agency to attend some stupid hero ball. It is a waste of time and resources.”
Mic shrugged. “I mean, yeah, sure. That is one way to look at it, dude. But are still new compared to some of these old timers. We only graduated from high school like 8 years ago. We have to make appearances at these things in order to make connections that will benefit our long term careers. Plus, all U.A. faculty are required to be here and as someone who finally applied after Midnight and I begged you to do so for years, you wanna make a great first impression.”
Aizawa rolled his eyes. “My work speaks for itself. Plus, how will they even know who I am when everyone is being forced to wear these silly things?” He held up a silver embellished masquerade mask.
“Look, dude, just wear the dumb mask. Make a few round to talk to everyone tonight. Have some champagne. Let loose. Take someone home. Hell, just dance with some hot guy!”
Aizawa scoffed. “I am not going to dance with any guy, hot or otherwise. I promised to attend and that is all I will do. Period.”
“Man, you are no fun.”
*********
Yagi grimaced as he looked at himself in the mirror. He looked so frail, down at least 70 pounds due to the damage from his battle with One for All. His cheeks were not quite hollow, but they were well on their way. His jaw, far too angular now. Eyes were too sunken in. Very little of the impressive All Might showed in his current state. If he looked like this after little over a year, than he hated to imagine further into the future.
“Hey, where is that trademark smile our number one hero is known for?” Tsukauchi’s words shook him from his thoughts. He offered his long time friend a weak smile in return.
“Sorry. Sometimes it is hard to get used to how I look now. I would keep my buff self up, but it is exhausting. I don't think the hero ball will mind much if just Toshi shows up. I mean, I will be in a mask anyways. Much easier to hide in this form in a crowd.”
Tsukauchi laughed. “You are seven feet tall with a bright blonde mop and piercing baby blues. I don't think a little plastic mask is gonna hide all that stuff.“
“True, my friend.” Yagi slipped on his deep blue velvet suit coat, one of the rare items he owned tailored to this form exclusively. He adjusted his bangs behind his ears, the rest of his hair allowed to fall freely. Turning around, he gestured towards his outfit. “Well, do you think this looks alright?”
“Oh definitely. You look great. The blue brings out your eyes. Some guy is definitely going to be lucky to dance with you tonight.”
Yagi blushed, pushing back the rise of a bloody cough threatening to burst from his one remaining good lung. “Tsukauchi. Please. Don't say such things. No one is going to want to dance with someone as frail looking as I am.” His shoulders dropped as he looked down at the floor.
His friend moved towards him. “You are still a handsome man, Yagi. Just focus on having some fun tonight. After all you have sacrificed, you owe it to yourself.”
“Thanks.”
“Of course. And maybe you will finally get some” Tsukauchi laughed as Yagi turned several shades of red.
*********
Dozens of candelabras lit the white marble ballroom where the hero ball was taking place. Their low glow giving the room a sense of warmth, casting shadows against the tall mahogany pillars. Stars and planets littered the ceiling,swirling into galaxies, constellations and dust clouds of celestial pink, gold and blue. A giant crystal chandelier sparkled at its center with several smaller matching ones adorning each corner of the room. Aizawa made mental note of the entire place, especially the exit to the balcony hidden behind glass doors in case he needed it.
After they arrived, Mic tried o get Aizawa to ask people to dance, and vice versa, but after half an hour of failed attempts he lumbered off towards the dance floor with two pretty young heroes clinging to either side of him. “Sorry, grinch. I wanna have some fun!”
‘Tch. Dancing. How pointless.” Aizawa rolled his eyes, though he found himself every so often mesmerized by the people gliding elegantly across the marble floors. He had never really had the chance to dance like this and seeing a few couples who were lost in their own worlds made him a tad jealous.
It didn't take long for the ambiance to become more stifling for him now. His social battery drained. He needed a stiff drink and fresh air. He made his way towards one of the waiters carrying trays of champagne, taking two flutes in his hands, and made his way towards the balcony.
*********
Yagi felt more out of place once he arrived. Dancers swerved and swirled around him at various levels of proficiency and he felt his heart ache a little that he could not join them. He loved dancing, but doubted he could even muster the courage for it. His changing body made him more fragile to stares so even if he had a partner, he would still feel the eyes of a hundred heroes on him.
Yagi decided to attempt mingling instead. He had thought he would easily remain incognito, but as he started speaking with Gang Orca, for even behind a mask the giant fin and great height gave him away, the younger hero seemed suspicious.
“Don’t I know you?” Gang Orca inquired. “Your voice. Sounds a lot like someone I know. Hmmm...”
Yagi felt another coughing fit coming on. Damn his nerves and this useless body. The last thing he needed was to be noticed here. No one must know the symbol of peace is slowly wilting away.
Yagi waved hi hands in the air. “Oh no. You definitely do not...I am older. Um...if you will excuse me.”
Darting around couples dancing and heroes mingling, Yagi pushed open one of the giant glass doors leading to the seemingly empty balcony. Leaning over the railing, handkerchief in hand, he allowed the blood to rise up. His whole body shook from the force, every muscle tensing up as wave after wave of coughs hit him. Blood staining the handkerchief crimson.
“Are you alright, sir?”
Yagi hadn't realized he wasn't alone out there, but he didn't have the time to care right now. In between violent coughs, he tried to communicate to his balcony companion he was fine. He didn't want to cause alarm or concern, not when he was so often the person who eased fears and raised others spirits. Unfortunately, only blood was coming out his mouth.
“Let me help you.” The stranger called out. He believed he heard the sound of glassware being set down before the stranger placed a hand on each of his shoulders, steadying him as the last few coughs escaped.
“Thank you. I think...I think I am done.” Yagi exclaimed though labored breaths. He turned to meet the gaze of the man beside him, flashing the best weak smile he could manage. Dark concerned eyes hidden behind a mask met his own and he felt his face start to flush. It was the first time anyone besides close friends had seen him like this and he was all the more grateful for the mask.
*********
Blue eyes. Stunning blue eyes met his own and for a moment Aizawa felt his breath hitch. For a man whose coughing made him sound near death, he was incredibly striking. Angular in many ways, and the mask his a good portion of this stranger sick man's face, but what he could see made his pulse race just a bit faster than normal. There was sweetness in the smile before him, the smile FOR him.
“Sorry for worrying you. I am fine. I promise.” the blonde man said as he stuffed his handkerchief back into one of the pockets of his blue jacket.
Aizawa realized that he hadn't removed his hands yet. Quickly, he dropped them to his side. “Sorry, sir.” He moved into a deep bow.
“Don’t worry about it. My name is Ya...um,” Aizawa looked up from underneath his mask as the man started scratching his neck nervously. “do we share our names before we remove these masks?”
Aizawa straightened back up and shrugged. “I don't actually know, though logic says no.”
“Well then, I guess you can call me...umm...” the man trailed off.
“Blue eyes.” The man cocked his head. “Blue eyes?”
“It is your most distinguishing feature.”
*********
‘Most distinguishing feature?’ Yagi stood there stunned. It wasn't the thinness of his frame, his messy blonde hair, how frail he looked, or even his height. Not even his world comforting smile or the wet, bloody coughs this stranger had witnessed. This guy noticed his eyes. The ones he feared were so far sunk in that they were terrifying.
“My eyes? Really?”
The other man simply nodded before walking past him.
Yagi’s gaze followed, watching as the man bent over to pick up two glasses of champagne before turning back around to face him. He reached out to offer Yagi one of them, but Yagi shook his head.
“Thank you, but given my...condition I am on doctors orders not to drink.”
Half expecting some sort of questioning, Yagi braced himself. Instead, the other man moved towards him, leaning his body against the stone banister to Yagi’s right. Their bodies almost touching. The man sipped at his drink and sighed, his eyes trained on the drinks in his hand.
Silence fell between them, but not one of awkwardness. Both of them seemingly needed the reprieve from the party. Yagi smiled to himself, grateful for the first time since he could remember that someone wasn't asking him a thousand intrusive questions.
After a few minutes,Yagi repositioned himself a little closer, his focus solely on memorizing every detail of his balcony partner not hidden behind a mask. He didn't mean to, of course he didn't, it was rude to stare. But something drew him to this kind stranger. Who was this hero?
The guy was young, that much he could tell. The way he leaned, the lack of scars on his hands, and a dozen other tiny detail painted the picture of someone knky a few years into professional hero work.
His long black tresses were swept into a ponytail that only seemed to accentuate the porcelain color of his neck as it was adjust to one side. Yagi noted it was an unmarked pale canvas he wished he could mark up. The man’s suit hugged every curve. Broad shoulders, a firm chest, and a round butt which couldn't be hidden even in such a dark suit.
Blood started pumping towards indecent places. He desperately needed to change this train of thought. “What should I call you?”
“Hmm...how about Ai?”
“Well, Ai, I am sure you want to get back to the party so I won't keep you.”
Ai pouted, meeting Yagi’s gaze. “I would rather spend time with you.”
*********
Aizawa watched as Blue Eyes’ expression shifted a few times. Surprise, worry, and finally resting on an emotion he couldn't quite define. Somewhere between contentment and hopeful.
“That is,” Aizawa smirked, “If you want to spend time with me.” Blue Eyes nodded vigorously.
The two men spent the next hour or more chatting away, though Aizawa mostly just listened. Aizawa learned that his balcony companion had also been dragged to this event by a friend and that, while he had attended this events many times, this is the first one since a serious incident caused his coughing issue. In return, Aizawa shared stories about Mic and how he was working on getting into U.A. Blue Eyes lit up at the mention of school. Must be alumni.
But Aizawa’s favorite parts were not found in the conversation. It was in the closeness of their bodies as Blue Eyes prattled on about how nervous he was or his interest in teaching one day. Those giant hands painting pictures in the air as he animatedly recalled certain aspects of the stories he told. Aizawa found himself wondering what kinds of art those calloused fingers could create across his own body.
Whenever Blue Eyes’ gaze met his own, Aizawa felt himself melting a little inside. They shared as many secrets as they withheld. Vast oceans he wanted to explore every inch of. Never once did they shy away from returning his gaze save a few moments where a strangely sweet bashfulness made his new companion look away.
He wanted to stare into those eyes, feel those fingers, and even more so taste those sweet storytelling lips.
His lust for this man surprised even himself, reasoning that it must’ve the four glasses of champagne he had had that night. Or perhaps his company truly was intoxicating.
“Ai?”
Aizawa was shook from his thoughts. “Hmm?”
Blue Eyes bit his lip before holding out a shaking hand.“I hope this isn't too forward. I honestly didn't think I would even have the courage to ask anyone just in case my coughs came back, but would you want to dance? I mean, we are at a ball and the balcony is plenty big and -”
Aizawa placed a finger over Blue Eyes lips. “I will dance with you.”
*********
One two three and suddenly the two of them are moving gracefully across the balcony floor. Yagi radiated confidence as he led Ai in a simple waltz, his strong arms holding form for both of them. Years of these kinds of events gave Yagi just enough experience to appear confident in his strides. While Ai was clearly not a dancer, it only took a few moments for him to figure out the correct way to move. Yagi imagined following his lead helped. Soon they molded into one another. Rising, falling, and rising again. Their united heartbeats dancing in time to each other.
Yagi’s partner scent was almost distractingly strong now that he had him in his arms. It was a simple clean musk with just a hint of the champagne the young man had been drinking earlier. For something so simple, Yagi found himself drowning in it. It caused him to miss one or two steps, nearly squishing his partners toes.
And Ai’s body pressed against his own sent electricity shooting through every part of his body. He felt every breath Ai took. The tautness of muscles stretching as they moved in firm. The occasional grazing of his thighs when Ai stepped forward. It had been a long time since he held anyone this close.
As the song began to fade, Yagi twirled Ai in his arms a final time, ending their moment in a small dip.
Yagi’s face hovered over his companions, inches apart now. Both men’s chests were heaving up and down, practically out of breath. Their eyes locked briefly as Yagi moved his gaze down to Ai’s lips. He wanted so badly to kiss this stranger, but they had barely met. Both of them were in masks. He didn't want to take advantage.
Just as Yagi was about to pull back, he felt the warmth of lips press against his own. His worries melted away. He responded in kind, warm lips choosing to follow this time.
*********
Aizawa had every intention of keeping this a chaste kiss, at first, but it quickly evolved into tongues moving together. Lips, breathes, moans, markings. Blue Eyes hoisted him up and moved to press him against the wall. They were quickly becoming a tangled mess as they fell into each other. Hands roaming. Lips pressed against his neck sending shivers through him. He would definitely have evidence of tonight for a few days.
The sound of someone clearing their throat brought their little world crashing down. Aizawa turned to see the familiar face of an officer he knew, Tsukauchi, waving awkwardly at them. “Sorry to interrupt, but um, we kind of have to go. Work called. They need us.”
“Us?” Aizawa raised an eyebrow.
“Oh no, not you sir. Me and Blondie. It is urgent.” He started furiously waving his hands in the air “But not too urgent for a goodbye ki- I mean a goodbye. I am gonna go wait in the patrol car.”
Blue Eyes carefully release Aizawa from his gasp. “Looks like I better get going. Duty calls.”
Aizawa groaned. He didn't want this to end, but Tsukauchi wohldnt be here if it was something he couldn't handle himself. “I get it.”
The two men shared one last soft kiss. Neither wanting to let go of this one magic night, but having no choice in the matter. Aizawa tried to memorize everything he could. Blue Eyes scent. The little scars he could fund. Anything to help him identify who this is.
Aizawa whimpered a little from loss of heat as Blue Eyes made his way to the exit. Just before he opened the door, he turned. “We never did take these dumb masks off or learn each other's name.”
“If I need to find you, I will just starting looking for blue eyes.”
*********
“So, Sho, where did you disappear off to all evening?”
Staring out the window of the taxi taking them back home, Aizawa let out a small sigh, thoughts consumed by lips that tasted like copper and those beautiful blue eyes. “I was on the balcony.”
Mic shook his head. “So you hid from everyone all night?”
“Not everyone…”
*********
“So who was the guy?”
Yagi folded his hands in his lap, practically beaming as he remember the feel of his dance partner in his arms. “Someone I certainly hope I get to meet again.”
“But how will he find you?”
Yagi smiled. “By looking for blue eyes.”