"Honestly, Gaster. I didn't think you had it in you." Touya commented over his hotdog.
It was the following Sunday after Sam had taken Callie out on their first date. The weather was the hottest it had been in days; there wasn't a single cloud in the sky and the suns rays mercilessly beat down on the world below.
The heat inside Sam's food truck was ruthless. The best he could do to fight it off was to roll up the sleeves of his shirt and undo the top few buttons. He had ditched the apron and kept the cap the right way around to shield his eyes from the glare of the sunshine against the chrome of the vehicle. He couldn't wait to clock off and head down to the beach.
"What can I say, dude? I'm full of surprises." He cracked open his third iced-tea and downed the bottle as the sweat from his brow trickled down his nose.
"That you are!" Touya grinned from behind his Ray-bans, a mouthful of hotdog rolling around in his mouth as he spoke. "I think I heard about 10 different people talking about how they saw Professor Gaster's son making out with the cute transfer student in the back of Grillby's." He gave a low chuckle and swallowed. "They were all as surprised as me."
Sam squinted his eyes and scoffed as his friend continued to tease.
"Sam Gaster; Science Nerd Extraordinaire lands himself a hottie." He laughed as he pushed to his feet. "Hey, you know I wouldn't be surprised if it made the front page of the U.A University newspaper."
Sam rolled his eyes and drew the back of his hand across his sweat-coated brow. He couldn't wait to get out of this damn sweat-box and hurl himself into the ocean. He was also eager to see Callie again; and couldn't help but feel a little jealous that she and Touya would be heading to the beach together on his bike soon. Sam still had another 4 hours to wait before he could close up and make his way to the coast.
"Urgh, I'm so jealous you're going to Sero's place this afternoon." He grumbled, too hot and bothered to comment on Touya's earlier teasing.
It turned out, Sero owned a small beach chalet. After seeing the forecast, he had sent everyone a message telling them that they could use it for the day. The group immediately sprang into action, filling coolers full of drinks and buying charcoal for the BBQ. Sam had heard Sero and Kaminari chatting excitedly about seeing the girls in their bikinis.
"Yeah, sucks to be you Sam." He grunted as he stretched out his long limbs and scooped up his motor cycle helmet from the counter. Sam heaved a heavy sigh as he watched his friend climb onto his bike and check his phone.
"Oh well, we'll catch you later, lover-boy!" He called, pulling on the helmet and flipping up the visor so as to cast Sam a sly smile.
"I'm picking Callie up now..." he revved the engine into life. "And don't worry, I'll take care of her!" He grinned, as Sam eyed him with a mix of envy, frustration and apprehension.
And when Touya pulled away and took off towards campus, Sam pulled out his own phone to see a message from Callie wishing him a good day and work and telling him she couldn't wait to see him later. He smiled at the screen, the picture they had taken at the motel together with her wearing his glasses and him grinning beside her, now his lock screen.
*
This time, when the growl of Touya's motor bike sounded through her open window, she was prepared. After quickly double checking her beach-bag for her change of clothes, suncream, sunglasses, towel and sandals, she headed down to greet him. For the short journey to the beach, she chose to wear some denim shorts and a light t-shirt with her one piece beneath it. Touya promised her he'd go slow for the journey, even he had chosen not to wear his usual leathers for the ride. It was simply too hot. Instead, he wore a white t-shirt with a deep V-cut. He still wore black jeans but she imagined he'd be changing into trunks once they hit the sand.
"Your carriage awaits," he called through his helmet as he tossed her her own. She caught it with a smile and pulled it on as she swung her leg over the bike. The leather seat was uncomfortably hot between her bare thighs. She wriggled away the burning sensation, making Touya have to steady the bike with his foot. He laughed quietly as he waited for her to get comfortable. Once her hands clutched his hips and he glimpsed her nod in the wing-mirror, he finally took off down the road. The wind felt delightful against her skin as Touya kept his promise to roll at a leisurely speed. Together, they enjoyed the passing views as tall palms and seabirds began to appear around them. Over the rumble of the bike, she heard his voice call to her.
"So I heard your date went well," he declared, one hand on the accelerator and the other resting on her knee as he leaned back into her. She drew her face closer to his so as to hear him better, her chin going to rest on his shoulder.
"Yeah, it was lovely!" She commented, her arms absentmindedly squeezing around Touya as she blissfully thought back to the events of that evening. "We went to a nice restaurant, had some drinks, went to the bar..."
She felt Touya's body rock slightly as a chuckle vibrated in his chest.
"Made out in the corner..." he added, smirking at her in the wing-mirror.
Callie pinched his side, making his body crease with a hiss. He swerved the bike playfully in a response that made her yelp in surprise.
"Hey, I'm not one to judge." Touya smiled, after setting the bike straight again. "I'm happy for you both."
Callie patted the top of his helmet with an affectionate hand. "Thanks, Touya."
As the day drew on, it seemed the temperature was still rising. Luckily, as they arrived at the beach, there was a gentle sea breeze that helped air out Callie's hair after she released it from under the stuffy helmet. A linen-clad Sero greeted them with cold beers and ice pops. Touya gladly accepted the first option while Callie graciously opted for the second.
Everyone was already there, including Russ who greeted Callie with a sweaty, bare chested hug that made her groan playfully in disgust. Touya clicked his beer bottle against Russ' and informed the younger sibling that his brother would be meeting them later that evening. They joked about how terrible he had looked, stewing in his uniform in the boiling hot food truck.
After greeting the rest of the boys who were gathered around the tables on the chalet terrace; Kirishima, Bakugo, Kaminari, Deku and Shinso, Callie sauntered over to the girls who were all sunbathing nearby.
The cheerleaders were already in their bikinis, their hair already wet from having gone for a dip in the cool, clear ocean. After saying hello to Ochako, Mina, Camie, Jirou, Alphys and Undyne, she ducked into the chalet and stripped out of her clothes to change into her shimmering, snakeskin one piece while Mina stood guard by the door.
"Well, well, Snake-eyes..." Smirked Touya when the girls re-emerged, "nice costume."
Bakugo grunted a laugh at the use of his nickname for her. Callie shot them both a look before taking a seat beneath the shade of a parasol. Sero placed a fruity, highly decorated drink in front of her; fresh pineapples and berries complimented the pretty glass.
"Wow, fancy!" She commented. And a sip of the yellow liquid also told her that it was just as delicious as it looked.
He shot her one of his big, toothy grins. "I know, right? Maybe I should have got the job at Grillby's instead!"
Inevitably, the gossip about her and Sam's relationship soon took centre stage. Bakugo had questioned her taste in men with a sneer and a raised eyebrow while Mina and Ochako told her what a cute couple they made. Camie agreed that Sam was a sweetie, but asked if the fact Callie was a little taller than him bothered her at all. The innocent question made Touya and Bakugo snort a laugh making Callie huff in light annoyance.
"He makes up for it in other aspects!" Callie snapped, referring to his kindness, his smarts and his great sense of humour. But, of course, wolf whistles and sniggers rang out through the group.
"Ah! Yes. The 'ole GasterBlaster finally back in action." Touya teased, tilting his shades down to cast a wink at Callie from over them.
Callie couldn't help but splutter a laugh at the ludicrous nickname. "Please don't tell me he calls it that?" She laughed.
"Actually..." Mina chimed, "I'm pretty sure Touya came up with that name." And she suddenly looked a little smug when Callie's face fell into a judgemental frown.
"Wow. And just when I thought your relationship couldn't get any stranger." She said with a shake of her head in Touya's shrugging direction.
"It was too good of a name to pass up on." He smirked.
She rolled her eyes and chose to move the conversation swiftly on, keeping the knowledge that she and Sam hadn't actually slept together yet to herself. They'd only been dating for 5 days.
As the sun continued it's ruthless onslaught, Callie found herself asking Sero for refill after refill of her fruity drink. Luckily, it was alcohol free, at her request. As she engaged in a relaxing conversation with Alphys about how she met her girlfriend, Undyne one time on campus, a voice called out to her.
"Coming swimmin' Callie, bae?" It was Camie, she was waving a slender arm above her head in a gesture that made her chest sway. Alphys blushed and dipped her head sheepishly.
"Erm, well..." Callie began, eyeing the water apprehensively. The light shon off it almost blindingly, she could hear the tumble of the waves and smell the tinge of salt in the air. She swallowed nervously.
"Yeah, Callie!" She heard a male voice call.
And before she knew it, her feet had left the sand and suddenly her world was upside down. She squealed as her body bounced against the shoulder of her captor. Soft footfalls in golden sand turned to splashing steps in clear water.
Touya dumped her unceremoniously into the waves. She spluttered as she resurfaced, her hair over her face and salt water in her throat.
"Touya!" She hissed, hands grasping blindly until her fingers curled around something; what felt like forearms. Gasping slightly, she held fast with one hand while she parted her salt-water soaked hair with the other.
Above her was Touya's laughing face. He hadn't even got his hair wet. Being so much taller than her, he managed to stand while she had to point her toes to touch the bottom. She tightened her grip on his arms.
Blinking the sea and sunlight away til her vision refocused, she quietly declared, "I can't swim."
Touya's laughing face faltered and for a second, he actually looked a little guilty.
"Oh, shit. Sorry." He declared with a raise of his brows. He stepped into her to take her waist and pulled her towards him, closer to the beach.
"It's fine." She uttered sheepishly. "I'm not scared. Just a little embarrassed."
Touya chuckled as he released her waist once her feet were firmly under her again.
"Ay, don't worry about it. Your secret's safe with me. You good?" She nodded, laughing through her embarrassment.
There wasn't many things Callie was scared of. Having lived with her belligerent father, she had grown tough and independent from an early age. However, open water always intimidated her way more than drunken rants, verbals threats and smashing of furniture.
"Feels good, right?" She heard Mina declare behind them. Callie turned to see an inflatable donut under her arm.
"Yeah!" Callie smiled, and she actually meant it now that she was waist deep and able to enjoy the cool water as it enveloped her sun-kissed skin.
It didn't take long for everyone to charge into the water once the mercury in the chalet thermometer reached the highest it had done all day.
Many rounds of splashing, chasing, dunking and inflatable bobbing later, the group eventually grew tired of the water and returned to the sand after Ochako suggested a game of volley ball.
It was boys against girls and competitive spirits were high. After three arguments about scores, the first injury of the game occurred. Bakugo had sent the ball hurtling straight towards an unsuspecting Alphys who had removed her glasses to clean them on her sarong. Callie had called out a warning but it was too late, the ball had bounced off her face and knocked her into the sand before she even had time to look up. Surprisingly, Undyne had found the incident rather amusing. She made sure she was alright before helping her stunned girlfriend back to her feet and handing her back her glasses that she had dropped.
"Not the class nerd!" Touya playfully called theatrically, casting a mock angry look towards Bakugo. "You bully, you!"
"Oh, knock it off, Touya!" Mina tutted, her hands at her hips.
Alphys rubbed gently at the red mark on her face. Callie and Ochako went over to comfort her. She mumbled that she was alright, but looked even more sheepish than usual. Undyne simply wrapped a lean arm around her girlfriend's bunched shoulders and declared that Alphys was tougher than she looks.
"What?" Touya smirked, "it's true!"
Bakugo scoffed. "Nah, the class nerd's actually over there." And he jerked his blond head towards the chalet where Sam had just appeared.
"So it begins..." Sam commented lazily, dumping his bags on the terrace. He was still dressed in his uniform. He pulled off his cap and tossed it on the tabletop before beginning to unbutton his shirt while simultaneously kicking out of his sneakers. He shot Callie a lazy grin as she approached and gently returned the kiss she gave him.
The bright light of the day made his scar look even more sinister. Everyone but Camie had seen it before therefore didn't comment. However, the pouty-lipped babe gasped a little when Sam shrugged out of his shirt.
"Oh, fam! How'd you get that?" She leant towards him and squinted at the pinched, pearlescent skin across his upper torso.
Smiling at her tactless yet innocent question, Sam told her the story as he pulled off his socks and slipped into some sliders.
"That's totes crazy!" Camie commented when he finished his story, "looks hella sick, though!"
And Callie smiled at the way her comment made Sam grin bashfully. She decided then and there, that despite Camie's airhead-like demeanour, she found her bubbly charm and straight-forwardness extremely likeable. It was safe to say she enjoyed her presence very much.
When Sam re-emerged from the chalet after heading in to freshen up and change into some swimming trunks, he slumped into a seat next to Shinso as Sero handed the him another, highly decorated drink.
The heat of the sun wasn't so cruel now, and after all the swimming and rounds of volleyball, the group were ready to eat. Kirishima and Russ were in charge of the BBQ, where they flipped burgers and turned sausages while Jirou strummed her guitar and hummed to herself. In the sand in front of the chalet terrace, Mina and Ochako were almost finished burying Kaminari in the sand. A few more shoves of sand piles later, and only his spiky, blond head was visible. It promptly began shouting after Bakugo dumped a bucket over it. Sam and Shinso amused themselves by throwing pieces of fruit from their drinks at it, when they weren't lazily offering them to one another anyway. As they quietly debated over who was going to eat the last strawberry, Touya had sauntered past and plucked it from Sam's fingers and popped it into his mouth before reaching for another beer from the cooler.
And when the air grew cooler as evening fell, the group pulled on their jackets and retied their sarongs as they ate their food. When nighttime fell entirely, they gathered around the smouldering charcoal embers and listened contently to Jirou's voice as she serenaded them with a couple of her new songs. Callie curled up on Sam's lap and found herself shutting her eyes at the chorus.
It was only when the first squeal of a firework sounded that her eyes shot back open and she realised that she and Sam had drifted off to sleep by the fire. The loud bang jerked Sam awake and he cursed quietly as the colours drifted across the blackened sky.
"Sorry, you two!" Kirishima laughed, watching them rub their eyes as the next firework soared into the air. "Should have woken you to warn you!"
"Who bought fireworks?" Sam asked, shifting himself slightly beneath Callie's weight. When she went to rise, fearing that she was making him uncomfortable, he tightened his arm around her and pulled her back into him.
"Bakugo!" The red-head grinned. And sure enough, the blond was lighting more projectiles at the edge of the water.
Rather than join the rest of the group on the beach, Callie and Sam remained together in their seat by the fire as they watched the night sky above, and the lapping waves below, come ablaze with every colour.
In the split second Callie tore her eyes away from the display to glance Sam's face, his lips had already claimed hers. When his hand slipped beneath the thin fabric of her sarong to lay against the bare skin at the back of her thigh, she playfully nipped at his lips. The low, steady chuckle it drew from him made her heart beat faster and she found herself kissing him more fervently as a result. Sam responded with equal enthusiasm and, after a tentative swipe across her lips, she allowed his tongue to explore her mouth in that way that made her moan happily.
When the fireworks eventually stopped, Callie finally pulled back just enough to rest her forehead against his so as to still be able to enjoy the scent of his breath against her lips.
"Why don't we-" Sam began, his voice low and quiet as he stroked her hair back behind her ear. But a bellowing voice from further down the beach cut across him.
"Sam! We got any more beer?" It was Kirishima and he was gesturing towards the cooler that was next to them.
Sighing, Sam shuffled upright and leant down to flip up the lid. It revealed nothing but melting ice inside.
"No!" He called back, slamming the lid shut and returning his chilled hand to Callie's thigh. The sensation made her gasp.
"Well, can you go and grab some from the store?" the red-head continued, his hands on his hips.
Sam rolled his eyes so hard that Callie momentarily only saw white in his eyes. She laughed and slipped off his lap. "Go on. I'll wait for you here."
After pulling his reluctant body to its feet, she kissed him again and, still grumbling, he snatched up his hoodie and pulled it over his head. He stalked towards the street, hands in pockets and bare feet in sliders.
Sam was already out of sight by the time Callie realised he'd forgotten to take his wallet with him. She'd spotted it on the table top as the group returned to the terrace.
"Don't worry!" Callie sighed, as Touya and Russ began to rant about Sam's forgetfulness. "I'll catch up to him."
It didn't take long to find him.
His snow-white hair was unmistakable under the glow of the street lamps.
His low, drawling voice and broad, New York accent was immediately recognisable as he spoke in loud whispers.
"You're unbelievable, you know that?"
And as Callie watched the pretty blonde girl shove Sam into the wall and press her body against his, she could only hold her breath.
Sam's hands went to grip her shoulders as the stranger leaned her face in close. He didn't shy away, only hissed quietly as she buried her grinning face into his neck.
"This has to stop."
His wallet hit the pavement, shortly followed by Callie's heavy footfalls as she ran back to the beach, unable to process what she'd just witnessed.