It wasn't as if he wasn't used to the odd scolding lecture; Russ would often chastise him for his terrible jokes or blatant lack of enthusiasm on occasion. But as Sam stood and listened to Aizawa's monotone reprimanding, he couldn't help but feel a little amused. It was like being at school again.
"You're meant to be teachers at this establishment. You can't be seen running around like a couple of unruly teenagers. It's entirely unprofessional."
Sam found himself unable to hold back the smile that had progressively been forming on his lips.
"Ah, c'mon Aizawa..." he drawled, grinning at the dark haired man's hardened face, "You never broken the rules for a pretty girl before?"
"No."
Sam chuckled at his impassive expression before adding, "And besides, the only thing that's unprofessional around here is people spreading gossip in the break room."
He had made his way over to the office door as he said this. With his smiling eyes forever fixed on Aizawa's unmovable stare, he pulled open the door.
"Isn't that right, All Might?"
Behind him, he heard the collective gasp of Ochako, Hagakure, Mina, Mineta and Kaminari who had all been huddled against the wooden frame listening in to their conversation. A moment of awkward silence passed between them before All Might's sheepish face popped up from behind them.
"Oh! Hello there, Sam!" The hunching man greeted in a strained voice. "What brings you to Aizawa's office?"
Sam turned his squinting eyes towards him, but not before glancing a look at each of the cowering students, their faces each housing a look of embarrassment. It seemed Sam and Aizawa were the only ones who didn't share the emotion.
"Well..." Sam began, returning his hand from the door handle to his pocket.
"Apparently, Calli and I were spotted acting..." he shot a quizzical look to a frowning Aizawa.
"What was the term you used again? Entirely unprofessional?"
He heard Kaminari and Mineta wheeze.
"I see!" All Might stated, forever acting coy. "Well don't let me disturb you!"
Coz you haven't done that already.
"Carry on!"
And with that, the former number 1 hero stalked off down the corridor to the sound of stifled laughter from the students he left behind.
Aizawa sighed, his fingers reaching for his temple.
"You can go now, Sam." He informed, turning away from Sam's sly smile.
The students jumped to their feet as Sam made to leave the room and scurried a little ways down the corridor. The girls were giggling excitedly while the boys gaped at him with wide eyes. Sam internally sighed as he awaited the inevitable bombardment of hushed babbling.
"Dude! Did All Might seriously catch you and Calli making out?"
"Oh my god! Totally awkward!"
"You gotta tell us everything!"
"So, you're dating now, right?"
They followed him like angry crows as he walked the length of the corridor. This was arguably the noisiest Saturday morning he'd experienced in a while.
"Oh, I'm so happy for you both!"
"Okay, but how come Aizawa didn't tell Calli off too?"
"Ha! So unfair, dude!"
Sam closed his eyes as he pinched his nose in frustration.
"It's most likely to spare her from the shame and embarrassment," Sam drawled, sighing when they continued to follow him down the next corridor.
"Speaking of which..." he added, stopping in his tracks causing Mineta's small body to collide against his leg.
"You kids best not tell Calli about this. She'll be mortified."
The grape-headed boy peered up at him with an uncomfortably mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Only if you tell us all the juicy details..."
Sam furrowed his brow.
"Ehh. No can do, kiddo. Now, why don't you all just run along, hm?"
He glanced at the each of the girls hoping that they'd be the ones most likely to take a hint first.
"Fine!" whined Hagakure, the shoulders of her floating T-shirt slumping in defeat.
Grumbling, they all turned to leave, though Mina had had to drag away Kaminari who in turn grabbed a wet-mouthed Mineta and hauled him down the corridor too. Ochako called a cheerful "see you later, Sans!" As they disappeared around the corner.
As Sam made his way to meet his two teammates at the cafeteria for breakfast, he wondered just how long it would take for the news of his and Calliope's heated moment in the courtyard to spread. For Calliope's sake, he hoped a lifetime. Though, with his years in education not that far behind him, he was vividly aware of how unlikely those chances were. He only hoped Russ wouldn't lecture him for his brash behaviour too.
Thankfully, when he strolled into the cafeteria, he was relieved to find it pretty much empty. This made spotting Calliope and Russ a simple task, especially since Russ was wearing his staple red scarf. Slipping into a seat opposite them, Sam thanked his younger brother as he pushed a mug of coffee towards him; by god, did he need a pick-me-up. He'd already downed half of the cooled beverage by the time Russ had finished greeting him.
"Hey, Sam. Sleep well?" Russ asked. His genuine tone suggesting that he had not yet heard anything about what had happened between his two teammates.
When Sam chanced a look at Calliope, he caught her smiling subtly into her bowl of fruit salad.
"Sure did," he replied, casting his own sly smile against the rim of his coffee mug.
"Good good!" Russ chirped, "because the students have all arranged a little gathering in their common room this afternoon."
Russ had clearly been saving this bit of information until Sam had joined the table because Calliope also cast him a puzzled expression.
"They have? What for?" Sam asked.
"Goodness!" Exclaimed Russ as he looked from one teammate to the next.
"Don't you two realise that this is our last weekend at UA?"
Calliope's mouth dropped open, the pineapple from her fork plopping sadly back into her bowl.
"Is it really?" She asked, her voice heightened with disbelief.
Russ nodded sadly.
"It's gone by fast, hasn't it?"
And it really had. Sam sighed heavily as he finished the last of his coffee. He cast a look at Calliope who was now prodding glumly at her breakfast. It must feel so weird for her to know that she would be returning to a home she couldn't remember. Ever since waking up from her petrification, UA and the people she had met here were all she knew.
"Hey..." he called softly, taking her hand from across the table. Her fingers curled instinctively into his the moment their skin touched.
"Let's make the most of our last week here, hm?"
Russ nodded beside her and pulled her into a one-armed hug.
"Indeed! We'll end our little adventure with a bang, and then it's on to the next one. Right, Calli?"
And Sam was thankful to see her smile once again.
Apparently, the gathering would be taking place around lunch time, giving the American team the rest of the morning to spend together. They had returned to the brothers' room where they passed the time making arrangements for their arrival back in America. They were set to fly back the following Saturday. Russ had called his old mentor, Undyne, and she had assured him that their apartment would be stocked up and spotlessly clean for them when they got back. Their houseplants were all still alive, even the one in Sam's room. According to her, a lot of news networks had been reaching out to try and get an interview from them in regards to what happened while they were over seas. This had irked both brothers and they informed Undyne that they'd be sending off a statement full of choice words for the media. When Calliope told them that she didn't mind the idea and would rather have them speak the truth than allow the media to invent their own based on speculation, Russ had grumbled thoughtfully.
"I suppose you have a point."
And when Undyne backed up Calliope's opinion, Russ had sighed and declared that he alone would face the Press, so long as that was okay with Calliope. Sam had outright refused.
"Go ahead, bro. You're way better at handling those vultures than me."
The moment Russ sent out a reply, his phone began to ring like crazy. He answered the first few calls, relaying the same message everytime; stating when they'd be back, when he'd be available for interviews etc. The rest of the calls he let go to voicemail as the clock was nearing 1pm.
"Time to go see what the students have in store for us this time," Russ smiled, flipping his still ringing phone face-down on the side table.
Calliope pursed her lips. She was aware that the last time the students had arranged a farewell party for them, it had been a grand affair. Part of her was a little disappointed that she couldn't remember the event as, judging from the photos taken from the evening, it had looked like a wonderful time. Both her teammates had looked so handsome in their formal attire, and she couldn't believe she'd actually worn the that dress! The garment in question was folded neatly away in her suitcase. There would be no need for such an outfit this time around.
Instead, she and the two brothers left their rooms dressed in the clothes that they had put on that morning. Russ, who always looked smart no matter what the occasion, was dressed in a casual pair of navy slacks, an ironed white t-shirt and his signature red scarf that was thrown effortlessly across his shoulders. His fair hair was neatly styled, unlike his older brother's whose messy white head bobbed alongside him almost a foot shorter. Sam wore his usual attire of an oversized hooded jacket and sweatpants. His grey beanie hat was almost the same shade as the rings beneath his tired-looking eyes as he cast them towards Calliope. They shared a secret smile as they're hands brushed together as they walked. At some point, they would have to let Russ know what had happened; omitting as much detail as possible, of course. Calliope was wearing the same cardigan she had worn the night before. How the sleeves had slipped from her shoulders as Sam pushed her against the hard stone of the archway...
"Yay! You're here!" Ochako's cheerful voice rang out, cutting through Calliope's shameless daydream.
"Perfect timing!"
Once again, the students of Class 1A hadn't failed to make Calliope's heart swell.
Upon entering the common area, the three teammates were greeted with the delightful smell of freshly baked goods and hot tea. The food and drinks were all placed neatly on the table by the couch where many of the class were lounging. Others milled around in small groups, each holding a cup or a slice of cake. They all turned their heads, however, when the three young adults walked in.
Mina squealed gleefully as she bounded over to them. She swiftly hugged Calliope then fist bumped the two brothers.
"We know it's not much, but we really wanted to do something for you all again before you leave!"
Yaoyorozu nodded as she approached them.
"I can't believe how fast it's gone by," she commented sadly.
Many more of the students came and expressed their sadness for their departure. But it was once again Kaminari who raised the class' spirits and got everyone in a celebratory mood. With a cheery pep talk and a poke of Jirou's ribs, he suggested a change of pace.
"Why don't you put on some music! Lighten the mood a little?"
She obliged after shooting him a glare for prodding her and, once the room filled with chill EDM, everyone settled into cheerful conversations and shared laughter over board games and snacks.
Half way through a heated game of cards, all heads turned towards the door as a figure filled its frame.
"Oh hello, Hawks!" Calliope called, followed by a surprised greeting from Tokoyami.
"I didn't think we had any training today?" The Jet Black Hero inquired, rising to his feet.
The winged hero smiled serenely as he peered around the room of bemused faces. This had been the first time many of the other students had seen him in person. There was a lot of excited whispering coming from the girls.
"Ah, no training today! But a little birdie told me you guys were gonna be having a shin-dig to see Calli and the guys off!"
Hawks then turned to her and produced a bouquet of flowers from behind his wings. Sam squinted his eyes at them; how on earth did he know pink roses were her favourite? Calliope cooed happily as she took them from him and placed her nose into their petals. She breathed in and sighed contentedly. The noise made Sam knit his brows together; his expression only relaxing when he heard Mina giggle softly beside him. When he cast her a sidewards glance, she returned it with a knowing smirk.
"So, I thought I'd drop by," Hawks grinned.
Calliope returned the expression as she thanked him again for his gift.
Despite his initial reservations, once Calliope introduced he and his brother to Hawks, Sam reluctantly had to admit the guy was alright. In fact, after talking with him, while half-observing an unnecessarily competitive game of snap, the older Skelebro found that they had a lot in common. Most of their conversation revolved around their love for fried chicken and the best hidden-gem restaurants in America. He didn't stay for very long though and he bid them farewell as he left to go on patrol. He shook the brothers' hands and hugged Calliope, who thanked him once more for the flowers.
"Keep in touch, 'Kay? If I'm ever in the the States, I'll come see you!" He called. A final salute and he was out the door.
The knowing glances among the students hadn't gone unnoticed; it seemed the news of Sam and Calliope's interrupted kiss had reached every ear in the room by the time Jirou's playlist looped for the second time that afternoon. Much to Sam's relief though, they had all managed to keep the news of the heated encounter quiet. After all, Sam hoped he'd be the one to break the news to his brother. At least that way, he could leave out the details that would make Russ shake his head, roll his eyes and maybe even want to cover his ears. But the arrival of a devilishly grinning Midnight and a sheepishly grinning All Might made him immediately doubt that would be possible.
"So when's the wedding, you two naughty little devils?" Midnight crowed, her arms slinking around Calliope and Sam and pulling them into her bosom. All Might had conveniently shuffled off to hide behind the group of students that had gathered by the snack table.
Russ raised an eyebrow as he glanced from Midnight's gloating face to those of his two teammates; Calliope was tugging sheepishly at her visor, trying to hide her blushing cheeks while Sam chewed the inside of his mouth, avoiding all eye contact.
Sniggers sounded from Sero and Mineta who were watching the scene unravel from over their helpings of cake.
When Russ continued to stare quizzically at Midnight, her eyes flashed with mischievous glee.
"Oh my! Haven't you heard, Papyrus?"
With a delighted purr, she relinquished her hold on Sam and Calliope and instead wrapped herself around the younger Skelebro. Now accustom to the fellow teacher's flirtatious behaviour, Russ simply stood there and waited for her to explain herself. All the while, his squinting, honey-coloured eyes trained on his fellow teammates.
"It seems your two teammates have been having their own private work-out sessions late at night..." She purred, walking two fingers suggestively up Russ' chest.
"Oh?" He cooed, his lip twitching a smirk either at Midnight's wandering touch or his teammate's fidgeting reactions.
Calliope was now not only trying to disappear further behind her visor, but also behind her long hair as it cascaded around her dipped head. Sam's glass had clouded as he sighed heavily into his iced-tea.
"Indeed!" Midnight relished, bringing her lips close to Russ' ear. Though the action suggested she were going to whisper, she made a note of speaking loud enough to be heard by many when she said, "All Might caught them all tangled up against a wall in the-"
"Okay!" Sam declared loudly over his misty glass.
Russ' eyebrows had traveled all the way up to his hairline. The sniggers around the room had now turned into uncontrolled laughter.
Seriously lady? In front of the kids?
And Aizawa had had to nerve to accuse him of acting shamelessly.
What had All Might even told them all?
Sam cast a look around the room for an excuse to bail from the awkward scene. His eyes fell on the freshly made cheesecake Sato had just placed on the table.
"Time for some cake, I think."
He felt bad for leaving Calliope behind with Russ' smirking face and Midnight's girlish cackling, but despite his usually laid back demeanour and carefree attitude, Sam couldn't being himself to look his younger brother in the eye at that moment.
As he crossed the room, he noticed how Mineta and Kaminari had looked utterly devastated to have not heard the rest of the story. They'd been fishing for juicy details all day. The smaller boy had dramatically thrown himself into the couch next to a scowling Bakugo and nervously laughing Deku. Kaminari, on the other hand, was pouting as he pushed his last mouthful of cake across his plate.
As Sam helped himself to his own helping of dessert, with little intention of actually eating it, he shot a hasty look over at where his brother and Calliope stood. Midnight had sashayed off to speak to All-Might who was still lingering at the other end of the room. Much to his relief, Calliope and his brother seemed to be laughing, Russ doing his usual habit of grasping her shoulder. From above the buzz of mingled conversations that floated about the room, Sam faintly heard his younger brother congratulate her, the words 'it's about time' meeting his ear.
Unlike Calliope, Sam had never really feared any shift in dynamic between the three of them. Russ had always made it clear that his feelings for Calliope were purely platonic, having noticeably formed a sisterly bond with her early on. The younger sibling had always been aware of Sam and Calliope's feelings towards each other and his only frustration came from their lack of ability to communicate them.
So, when Sam eventually walked back over to them and wrapped an arm around his now publicly announced girlfriend, Russ had merely shaken his head and smiled.
"Zero to 100, hm?" He teased. And honestly, they're team had never felt closer.
The rest of the afternoon consisted of singing, dancing, laughter and photos. Yaoyorozu had brought along a polaroid camera for the occasion and the students took turns in taking pictures. One photo consisted of Sam with all the girls mimicking his trademark grin and slouching posture, while another was All-Might and the Skelebros with their black eyes and broad smiles. And when Mina pointed out she had eyes like them too, they took another photo with her nestled sweetly between the two brothers.
Many of the photos were of the girls in various different poses. However, Hagakure whined at every single one once they had developed in Ochako's waving hand.
"Ohh! No fair!" She sulked, as her presence was lost once again in the tangle of limbs and loungewear.
"Hey now!" Russ called sympathetically, "how about this?"
And he hoisted her up onto his shoulder as she shrieked happily. Kirishima chuckled as he clicked the shutter. Hagakure was more than thrilled with the charming photo, especially when Russ signed it with a heart.
The only student who hadn't yet taken part in the ongoing photo shoot was Bakugo. Even Todoroki had been dragged into a few.
"C'mon, buddy. How else will I remember your delightful face?" Sam jeered, throwing an arm around the snarling teen.
But after Bakugo threw a persistent Sam off of him 3 times in a row, Calliope had sneakily uttered the word 'stàsi' and held him still while she snapped a few photos. Ochako and Mina pulled at his paralysed face, making him grin awkwardly between them.
"Heh. Say cheese!" Sam chuckled, placing two fingers behind Bakugo's head. The teen could only fume silently. Once Calliope released him, however, he had roared angrily into Sam's grinning face. Surprisingly though, he did not stalk off to his room and only rolled his eyes when Calliope sat on the couch next to him and showed him the developed pictures.
When the first yawns began to form, the trio bid the students and fellow teachers good night and headed back to their dorm. Sam had reached for Calliope's hand as they walked. Russ only smirked. And when Sam stalled at the door to their room and cast a lingering glance at Calliope's back as she disappeared into her dorm, his brother had only laughed and left him to deliberate quietly in the corridor.
"I'll see you in the morning, Sam..." he smirked.
Calliope had answered her door on the first knock.