The day came so fast. Too fast. Even though everyone had been preparing for it for the past few weeks, Callie couldn't believe it was actually happening as she stood and watched the guys finish getting ready in the lounge.
Russ was trying to decide between two ties. Touya was smoking a cigarette by the window, half dressed in his dark suit; he wore the pants but his white shirt was still left open, his blazer was thrown over the back of a chair. Sam was tugging at the crotch of his slim fit slacks, grumbling all the while about how uncomfortable formal wear was.
Despite their individual troubles, Callie thought the boys looked very handsome.
Russ had insisted Sam do something with his hair. After an hour of refusing, Callie managed to get the older brother to at least let her try and tame it. The result was a simple, slicked-back style that strangely suited him. Without his glasses, beanie hat and messy hair, Sam was almost unrecognisable. Still, as soon as his broad accent rang out as he asked if anyone had seen his shoes, Callie found herself smiling at this dressed-up version of her boyfriend. Russ and Callie had helped him choose a navy suit with an off-white shirt and an icy blue tie to compliment his eyes. Even with his slouching posture and his disdain for formal attire, he wore the outfit well.
Much like Touya, whose charcoal black suit and sleek black tie made him look both elegant and effortlessly cool. His ring-covered fingers and piercing-covered features added that extra, rebellious touch that she was so used to seeing him pull off.
Russ wore his formal wear with the most poise and confidence; he was always so well presented anyway. He wore a burgundy suit and finally settled on a cappuccino coloured tie that matched his shoes.
And considering the occasion, Callie had gone all out and bought herself a royal blue dress in shimmering satin with gold shoes and earrings. After all, this was Touya and Sam's graduation day.
They had already received their results. As expected, Sam had scored top marks in all his modules. His father was immensely proud to hear that his eldest son was going to pursue a Masters Degree in biochemistry. As was Callie, as it meant that he'd be remaining with her on campus for another year until she graduated. The father and son had even made amends a few weeks prior and were now on relatively good terms. Even Touya shook the Professor's hand on results day. He hadn't scored as highly as his lab partner, but had passed with a respectable grade nonetheless.
Once everyone was finally ready, they downed a shot of expensive tequila each, then made their way to the ceremony. The Science majors had to bid them a brief farewell as they headed in a different direction to get fitted into their gowns. Neither of them were particularly happy with having to wear them.
However, once Callie laid eyes on them once again as they lined up in the great hall, she couldn't help but beam at them. Russ in particular looked pretty choked up part way through the speeches, especially when his father addressed both his sons and declared how lucky he was to have such talented boys. When Sam went to shake Professor Gaster's hand when he handed him his diploma, the steely faced head of science pulled him into a tight hug. Russ and Callie clapped loud and fast as Sam took his place next to his fellow graduates.
Surprisingly, the Todoroki siblings had also come to the event. Shouto looked particularly neutral as Touya crossed the stage to receive his diploma, but Fuyumi looked on the verge of tears and clapped hard when his name was called. Natsuo even whistled at one point.
Photos, chit chat and other formalities over, Sam and Touya were more than thankful to get out of their hot, heavy gowns and grab a beer. Rather than take the drive to Grillby's, they remained on campus in a busy bar, full of other graduates and their families.
"Well, Samuel..." Touya sighed, raising his glass, "we did it."'
Sam grinned his wide, lazy grin and tipped his glass against his. "We sure did."
"Oh! I'm so proud of you boys!" squealed Ochako, stamping her feet happily beneath the table. Barely able to contain her excitement, she jumped up and threw her arms around them. "But I'm going to miss you both so much!" And her cheerful voice broke as she sniffed loudly.
Sam patted her lightly on the back as she began to sob. "Ah, c'mon kiddo. I'm not going anywhere, remember?"
She pulled away, her lashes glistening with tears. "Oh yeah, that's right."
"But Touya, you're leaving, aren't you?" Asked Mina, frowning in his direction.
The man in question smirked. "You really want rid of me, huh Mina? I know we never saw eye to eye but-"
"Well? Are you?" And Mina looked genuinely disappointed as she waited for a straight answer.
Her serious expression caused Touya's smirk to falter.
"Y-Yeah." He replied, clearing his throat. "I've already booked tickets."
Though Sam and Callie were still smiling, neither expression quite reached their eyes, of which both pairs betrayed their actual sadness.
"Where you headin?" Kaminari inquired, his head propped up on his fist. Even his usually electric aura seemed to have fizzled out a little.
"Europe, then Asia, then who knows..." Touya informed, shrugging a shoulder at the latter part of his statement.
"Wow. The intrepid explorer!" Sero proclaimed. His face was the only one that showed absolutely no sadness at the news Touya would be leaving them. Rather, the equally enthusiastic adventurer looked nothing but pleased for his senior. "When are you leaving?"
Touya shrugged a shoulder. "Not sure yet. Soon, most likely."
Callie cast Sam a sideways glance. He was smiling sadly. She felt her heart go out to him.
"Well, we gotta have a one, last party before you go!" Kaminari exclaimed eagerly, leaning across the table.
And it was planned there and then for tomorrow evening. The last party at Snowdin Apartments before Touya left the campus.
"Just don't invite Cheyenne and Jessica..." Sam smiled weakly.
Touya's face fell into a confused frown. "Who?" And Callie rolled her eyes automatically as Russ began to chuckle.
"The two girls you snuck into my room during the first party of the year?"
Realisation finally dawned on his features after a brief pause. "Ooh! Right, yeah. I'd forgotten about those two. Ha."
Sam could only shake his head at how easily Touya went through women. "Clearly."
*
That night, as the four roommates gathered around the dinner table, there was a certain sadness that hung in the air. Callie would have thought graduation day would be filled with pride and happiness, yet, as their usually bright and cheerful conversations lulled uncharacteristically into frequent bouts of silence, Callie felt she had to be the one to address the elephant in the room
"We're all going to miss you, Touya." She spoke gently, reaching for his hand and clasping it. It had been a good 10 minutes before anyone had spoken. She could no longer stand the cold sounds of cutlery against ceramic.
"Aw, hey now, Callie," he grinned, "I'll be back before you know it."
"Unless you sleep with another mob boss' daughter," Russ jested, pouring Callie another glass of wine.
Sam huffed a laugh from across the table. "Don't be using my name on your travels."
Touya returned the grin his friend shot him. Though, sadness still lingered in Sam's light eyes.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure to use Russ' next time..." the younger Gaster brother grunted a laugh. Touya continued: "at least he can throw a good punch."
And everyone at the table smiled as they remembered how Russ had popped Touya's nose the day Sam got jumped by Dimitri's henchmen.
As the conversation progressed, the mood improved considerably. Like a storm to clear away the heavy, muggy feel that sat on your skin; everything felt much lighter in the apartment once again.
To keep up the good vibes, Callie put on some music and they danced, sang and laughed as a group. The washing up was left for the next morning.
As usual, Russ was the first one to bed leaving Callie, Touya and Sam to remain in the lounge as a slow, vintage song floated out from Callie's vinyl record player. As the guys sat and talked quietly, Callie flicked through the many photos she had taken that evening; one of them all bunched together, smiling into the camera, another of the guys with their arms around each other, some artfully candid shots of Sam and Touya with drinks in hand, one of Callie mid-spin beneath Touya's long arm...
Yeah, she really was going to miss having him around.
As drowsiness caused her eyelids to grow heavy, she pushed of the couch and bid the two boys goodnight. She thought it best she leave the two best friends to spend some time alone for a while. Before turning to leave, she stepped over to them and kissed them both; Touya on the cheek then Sam on the lips. They wished her sweet dreams with a stroke of her face and a squeeze of her hand.
*
It seemed the quiet evening and long talks served the household well, for the next morning everyone was in a far brighter mood. Of course, part of it was also due to the fact they would be partying once again later that evening.
They spent most of the afternoon cleaning the apartment. Once everything was tidied away, they went to the shops to buys snacks and drinks. Once again, Touya bought the lot and insisted they only get the best liquor.
"Well, if this is the last party I'll be having with you guys in a while, I don't wanna be drinking bottom shelf booze all night." He picked up the fanciest bottle of tequila Callie had ever seen and dropped it into his basket. It clanked loudly against all the other expensive bottles of liquor Callie couldn't wait to taste. She had her eye on a particularly sexy looking bottle of champagne that Touya had picked out with a wink in her direction. "This one's just for you, Callie, girl."
She hadn't even finished getting ready by the time her first glass was poured. With rollers still in her hair and slippers still on her feet, Touya had popped the cork and filled a flute right up to the brim.
"Here you go, Callie..." he smirked, handing the glass to her. She put her lips to it and sipped the liquid that threatened to spill onto her new dress; an emerald green number with gold detailing. As expected, the champagne tasted divine, to the point where she even let out a little moan as she swallowed it. The sound made Touya chuckle.
He shook his head as he watched Callie's fingers press her lips. "Damn, Callie. I don't think I've seen you look this thirsty since the night you watched Sam do his stand up performance."
Callie almost choked on her next sip of the delicious champagne. "Excuse me?" She guffawed. The two brothers were elsewhere in the apartment. Sam was taking a shower while Russ was in his room picking out an outfit.
Touya continued to chuckle as he continued to tease. "Ah, don't play coy, Callie! I remember the way you looked at him that night!"
And Callie remembered catching Touya's eye after he had caught her glancing at Sam. It had been the first time she'd experienced butterflies while near him.
Touya flashed her the same, impish smile he had cast her that night. She returned it with a sheepish shake of her head. "Yeah, yeah. Alright..." she crossed her legs and took another sip. Goodness. It really did taste good. How would she ever be afford this once Touya left?
"Well, I suppose I have you to partly thank, hm?" Callie mused, lowering her shimmering eyelids and pursing her glossy lips. She'd gone for a makeup look to suit the golden details of her dress.
Touya quirked a curious brow. "For what?"
"Ah, don't play coy, Touya!" She mimicked, copying his earlier statement and tone. "You've been acting as wingman for Sam since day one!"
He laughed a bright, genuine laugh. "Guilty as charged," he grinned, raising his bottle of beer. He clinked it lightly against her champagne flute and the two of them continued to laugh and joke about Sam and Callie's courtship until the brothers finally joined them.
The day Callie moved in felt so long ago now. But at the same time, the year seemed to have gone so fast.
As everyone gathered in the apartment, Callie cast her mind back to her first ever party at Snowdin Apartments. She remembered Sam coming up to her after Mina and Ochako had tried to give him a makeover. She remembered Russ's arm around her as he smiled out at his teammates, she remembered Bakugo chastising Kirishima for stuffing his face with chicken...
As a blissfully warm feeling begin to fill her stomach, a loud voice snapped out of her trance.
"It's ready!"
When she cast her eyes back into the lounge, they were immediately drawn to the dining table where a large circle of cups had been placed.
"So, who's up for a little drinking game?" Grinned Kaminari, arms folded proudly across his chest as he nodded towards the table.
It appeared each plastic cup was filled with a different beverage, some alcoholic, others not. The aim was simple; spin the bottle in the middle, drink which even cup it lands on and do whatever task is marked on the bottom of said cup.
Considering Touya, Camie and Kaminari had been the ones to set it up, there were many apprehensive faces around the room as every set of eyes glanced the table anxiously. Goodness knows what was written on the bottle of all those cups...
Jirou hit play on a party playlist as the group gathered around the table.
"I suppose I'll go first, hm?" Touya sniggered as everyone else stared at the bottle as if it were a venomous serpent of some sort.
After spinning the bottle with a twist of his wrist, it landed on a cup of what looked like whiskey. He threw back the amber liquid and flipped the cup upside down to read the text on the bottom. As his eyes scanned the writing, his lips tugged into a smirk as a grunt of a laugh passed them.
"7 minutes in heaven?" He read, tossing the empty cup onto the table, "What are we? 14?"
Kaminari, most likely the one who had written the text judging from the handwriting, laughed and gestured dismissively. "Just spin the bottle again and see who it lands on."
And with a roll of his eyes, Touya returned his ringed hand to the bottle and twisted it round again. Around and around it twirled before finally slowing. When it came to a halt, the group laughed collectively as the person it landed on facepalmed.
"Ayyy..." Touya sang, winking a eye at Callie. "Go walk them long legs into the bathroom, Callie!"
Sam fixed his flirting friend with a steely stare. But the expression on his face only made Touya laugh louder.
"Don't worry, Sam." Sero grinned mischievously, snaking an arm around his rigid shoulders and shaking him roughly. "It's only for 7 minutes."
"Yeah," followed Touya, walking over and taking Callie's hand to pull her to her feet. "And luckily for you both, I'll only need 5."
And the last thing Callie saw was Sam's blinking face surrounded by laughing ones as the bathroom door closed with a slam. Touya pressed his back against it as Callie turned to face him with a raised eyebrow.
"You're shameless, you know that?" She sighed, as she watched him begin to stomp his foot against the door. He winked an eye and let out a groan that almost made her blush.
"Touya..." she warned, pinching the bridge of her nose as he continued to make sounds she'd rather not hear come out of his mouth.
"You gotta say my name a bit louder than that, babe." He responded, speaking unnecessarily loud and unnecessarily sexily.
This time, she did feel her cheeks heat up a little. She turned away and laughed it off as Touya's face equally broke into a quiet laugh. And when they both recomposed themselves, Touya spoke a line so dirty Callie had to immediately cover her ears as she gasped in shock. He gave the door another stomp and it rattled on its hinges.
From outside the room, Russ had just shot a nervous look at his older brother who merely sipped his beer idly. Honestly, even though everyone knew Touya was just up to his old tricks, messing with Sam, he did a good job at sounding convincing. Then again, Touya had had enough practise during his time on earth...
Sam sighed as Touya's dirty words and Callie's gasp met his ears.
"Huh. They sound like they're having a good time," Shinso mused casually, stroking a docile Mr Kitten that had been perched on his lap for the past 20 minutes.
Russ clicked his tongue and shot a glare in his direction. "Shinso!" He hissed, still eyeing his brother carefully. Sam's beer hit the table with a thud as another series of bangs and grunts sounded from the bathroom.
"What?" The violet haired man retorted.
"Callie's probably making the most of it. Can't say I blame her," came Bakugo's taunting voice, tilting his chin up with a snigger when Sam cast him a swift glare.
"Ooooh, tension, tension!" Kaminari jested, "hope you're taking notes," he snickered just as Touya's voice sounded from the other side of the bathroom door again.
"What's the matter, Callie?" Touya grinned, barely able to keep himself from laughing anymore. "Samuel never talked dirty to you before?"
Sniggers and grunts of laughter from the group met Callie's ears.
"Honestly, you sound nothing like Sam." Callie muttered, shaking her head.
Touya shrugged a shoulder, "I can do, if you want me to." He smirked naughtily. And he strung together yet another filthy sentence in an almost flawless imitation of Sam's low, New York drawl. He was getting way to good at his impersonations.
Callie spluttered a bashful laugh as she hid her face in her hands. The voice was uncanny. It was actually kind of uncomfortable.
"Oh my god! Touya!" She almost choked, when he hit her with another line of Sam-sounding smut. "You're way too good at that."
But just as Touya began to laugh loudly along with her, the bathroom door flung open and he toppled backwards as a frowning Sam stepped aside to let him hit the carpeted floor.
"Time's up, asshole." He droned, staring down at Touya as his friend laughed along with the others in the room.
Callie tried to hide her smile behind her hand. But when Sam raised his eyes to her, he too was showing a hint of a grin.
"That was quite honestly the weirdest 7 minutes of my life," he said with a small shake of his head.
"You and me both." Callie replied, stepping forwards to take his outstretched hand and letting him lead her past a still chuckling Touya who hadn't yet gotten himself up off the floor. She swatted at him playfully on the way past and he let out one last, impeccable impression of Sam; "Ah, c'mon beautiful, you love me really, right?"
Uncanny.