7pm and waiting for a cab.

Callie had reserved them all a table at Grillby's. Kuro had called her in earlier than usual to help with restock therefore the boys were heading to the bar without her.

7:16pm and the sound of a car horn sounded outside the penthouse.

They'd chosen to head there for some beers before going to the bar. Touya had asked them whether they'd taken up his offer and used his old bachelor pad in his absence. Sam informed him that they'd hosted his birthday there again, but it hadn't been anywhere near as good as the last one.

As for Callie's birthday, Sam had taken her to dinner then they'd spent the night at the penthouse. Despite Touya's twitching brows and devilish smile, Sam insisted that she hadn't given him a show on the pole. It was her birthday after all, remember? And no, that didn't mean Sam was the one on the pole, neither.

For Russ' 22nd, the baseball team had gathered at the penthouse then organised a trip out of town. They managed to somehow lose Kaminari at some point on the way home, however. He turned up again a few days later with a fantastical story to tell. It involved hitch-hiking, meatball subs and a zookeeper.

Other than those three occasions, the penthouse had lain empty and unused. Touya made a mental note to plan a big party every weekend for the remainder of the summer to make up for it.

When the cab pulled up outside Grillby's, Touya was instantly filled with a comforting sense of deja-vu. Despite having traveled to 3 different continents in the past year, he honestly had to admit that he'd never found a bar that he enjoyed more than this wood-clad, neon-filled dive bar.

Upon entering it's doors, they were greeted by cheers and hollers. Bodies rose to greet him, hug him, shake his hand and even kiss him; Kirishima landed a sloppy one right on his cheek.

"It's good to see you again, man!"

After ordering a round for everyone, Touya settled down at the table and lifted his bag onto it. Whilst on his travels, his friends had never left his mind. Though travelling solo had its benefits, there had been many times when he wished he had someone to turn to to share a laugh or a moment with.

One time, he had ventured onto a beach that was completely inhabited by cats; Callie and Shinso would have never left. Then, whilst he was in England, he had discovered an amazing bakery that specialised in pies. He knew Sam would have been as equally impressed as he was with the vast array of fillings. The British pubs were also a place he wanted to take his best friend to one time. And, of course, whilst in Italy, he tasted pasta that rivalled Russ' cooking. The baseball star would have adored the restaurants and family run bistros there.

Along the way, Touya had gathered a collection of trinkets and small souvenirs in the form of bracelets, handmade books, keychains, figurines and snacks. All of which had a specific friend in mind. He handed them out with smiles, jokes and short anecdotes. Surprisingly, Mina didn't grimace when he handed her a bracelet made from turquoise stones. He had found it at a night market in Asia and thought it would look nice against her dark skin. She thanked him somewhat sheepishly and he couldn't help but smile as he watched Ochako help her tie it around her wrist.

Once his bag was finally empty of gifts, it was time to sit back and enjoy the conversations. How he'd missed the different ways each friend delivered a story or retold a joke they'd heard. From Kirishima's enthusiastic barks, Camie's waving hands, Russ' bright eye contact, Kaminari's infectious giggles, Shinso's subtle comments, Ochako's sweet smiles, Sam's dorky facts, Bakugo's taunting sneers and Callie's gentle touches. He'd forgotten how she'd place her hand at your arm whenever she laughed. The ring he'd bought her looked lovely on her long, elegant fingers. Grillby had let her clock off early so that she could enjoy part of the evening with her friends.

When the clock began to approach midnight and Kuro rang the bell for last orders, no one was ready to call it a night yet.

"Hey! We should check out that new club in town!" Suggested Kaminari, slapping an enthusiastic hand on the table.

"Ooh Yeah!" Mina followed, perking up from her previously slouched position. "I heard they played good music!" And she was already moving her shoulders to whatever song was going through her head.

Touya pursed his lips in thought and cast a questioning look towards his old roommates.

"I dunno, you guys fancy it?"

Russ nodded his head as an eager Kirishima and Sero babbled convincing arguments at him. Sam merely lifted a shoulder and turned his eyes towards Callie.

"You're not too tired after work, are you?" He asked, taking his glasses off to clean them on his jacket. Funnily enough, it was his eyes that looked the sleepiest. But Touya has long since learnt that that's just how they looked naturally.

Callie hummed in thought, looking down at her clothes with a slight frown. "I'm pretty sure the place has a dress code. I doubt we'll all get in dressed like this."

She was right, of course. There's was no way a club in the city centre was going to let Sam in with his oversized hoody and scuffed sneakers, nor Sero in with his baggy linen pants and sandals. And Kirishima was wearing crocs, for goodness sake.

Camie waved her hands dismissively. "No biggie! We'll all head home and get glammed up, then meet at the club in an hour!"

And no one seemed to argue against the plan.

Touya was ready in less than 15 minutes and chose to spend then rest of the hour at Snowdin Apartments where he made Sam a double shot of expresso followed by a single shot of bourbon to perk him up a bit. His change of clothes at least made him look more lively; blue slacks and a white shirt. Touya teased that he should also wear the polka dot bow tie and suspenders that he had to wear when he worked at the ice cream parlour, but Sam shot him the middle finger whilst a laughing Russ informed him that they had long since gone in the trash.

"I thought the uniform suited him!" Came Callie's voice as she emerged from her bedroom looking effortlessly lovely as usual. How Sam managed to land a girl like her was honestly beyond Touya.

"Seriously?" Touya grunted through a laugh. Man, love really was blind.

"Yeah, I gotta agree with Callie." Russ mused, buttoning up his shirt and tucking it into his pants. "It was quite the look. Geek Chic meets barber shop quartet."

Touya's laughter continued, Russ joined in shortly after. Even Callie was smirking into her hand-mirror as she fixed her lipstick.

Sam swallowed his bourbon and readjusted his glasses. "Assholes..." He grumbled. But the contagious laughter teased out a half smile nonetheless.

*

As to be expected when a new club opens, the queue was ridiculously long. The perks of being wealthy, however, meant that that wasn't an issue for Touya and his large group of friends. The hard-faced bouncer waved them all in despite the angry calls of protest from impatient punters that had waited hours in line. Ah well. C'est la vie. He tapped the breast pocket of the bouncer on his way past. It bulged with the wad of cash he had placed there.

They were the only people in the VIP area- a sensually lit booth with crushed velvet couches and complimentary bottles of champagne and vodka. The girls cooed happily as their bare legs met the smooth fabric.

"Thanks Touya!" Ochako chimed, her hands stroking the luxurious cushions as her glittering eyes scanned the crowd of well-dressed bodies on the dance floor.

"Yeah, dude! This is awesome!" Kaminari added. He lifted the bottle of champagne from the ice bucket and popped the cork to a round of cheers.

After a few sips of their drinks, Sam and Callie were the first to take to the dance floor.

Touya smirked as he watched them move in sync to the bass-line; a roll of the hips, a glide of the hands, a twist of the waist. Smiles and laughter all around. Sam Gaster had never looked happier.

"Pretty sure those two were made for each other," Russ commented, leaning into him so that he could be heard over the music.

Touya nodded, eyes still training on the couple as their moves switched from playful, to sensual. He cocked an eyebrow as he glimpsed Sam's teeth press gently into the skin at Callie's shoulder through the kaleidoscope of flashing lights. Yup, that girl sure did bring out a side to Sam Touya had certainly never seen before. Either that, or Touya had inadvertently been some sort of bad influence on him. Should he feel proud or ashamed? Another glance towards the unconventionally aesthetic couple on the dance floor assured him it was the former. Touya Todoroki-match-maker extraordinaire.

Russ was shaking his head when Touya turned his smiling eyes away from the scene to face him.

"Who'd have thought it, hey?" Touya huffed into the rising bubbles of his champagne. "Guess we gotta find you a girlfriend now, hm?"

As expected, the younger Gaster brother responded with a scoff, averting his eyes to hide the rising colour Touya knew would fill his cheeks, even though the dimly lit booth conveniently concealed it for him.

"Ack. C'mon Russ. I helped hook your brother up, didn't I?" Touya smirked.

Russ snorted and folded his muscular arms across his chest. "You know, you give yourself way too much credit."

Touya let his head fall back against the velvet and let out a laugh. Russ was right, of course. Callie and Sam seemed to have happened pretty naturally. Despite being like chalk and cheese, there was a chemistry there that even a mediocre science major like Touya could see.

"I know, I know. But still, let me have my fun." He grinned at Russ' half-frown as he placed his empty drink on the table. When Kaminari went to refill it for him, he he'd up a hand to stop him.

"You guys finish the bottle..." he told the group, "Russ and I are gonna head to the bar."

With a firm tug on his sleeve and a bark of encouragement, Touya lead the reluctant baseball captain towards the sleek, black stretch of bar on the opposite side of the room. They had to cross the dance floor to reach it and Touya playfully stole a bewildered Callie away from Sam as he passed them. After a few twirls under his long arm, he let her return to Sam just as Mina, Ochako and Kaminari joined them to dance.

"Okay, before I teach you the delicate art of chatting up women..." Touya announced in a theatrically condescending tone that made Russ scowl, "let's first get you a drink to loosen up those muscles of yours." He patted one of Russ broad shoulders for good measure.

He signalled the bartender at the other end of the bar with a flash of two fingers and a nod towards a bottle of tequila. The young man nodded in acknowledgement and, moments later, slid the first shot glass across the mahogany surface towards him. Touya caught it easily and threw the liquid back. The second one, meant for Russ, followed shortly after. However, the oblivious Russ hadn't seen the incoming drink til the last minute and could only watch, dumbfounded, as it slid past his attempt to grab it and dropped off the other end of the bar and onto someone's shoe.

The stranger cursed and turned his slanted eyes towards them.

"The hell?" He sneered, boldly squaring up to them despite being far shorter than both Russ and Touya. He peered angrily from beneath his sweeping, purple fringe, his hands balled into fists. And when recognition took hold of his features, the venom in his stare grew ten fold.

"Urgh, U.A..." he spat, looking as disgusted as someone who had just witnessed someone vomit.

"Shiketsu..." snapped another voice gruffly from behind them. Bakugo had appeared out of nowhere, his eye twitching and his teeth bared.

The purple haired boy gave a smug smile, his eyes roving up and down Bakugo's tense posture with quiet relish. They then swung past him, searching out his entourage. "Huh. Rented the VIP lounge, I see." He scoffed, shaking his head. "So typical of U.A. Always thinking yourselves superior."

Bakugo gave an arrogant grin, ignoring Russ' hushed attempts to calm him. "Well, I mean, we did kick your asses in every sporting event this year."

This comment did not sit well.

Two bodies made for each other, tearing out of the hands that tried to retain them. Before they could reach one another, however, a third body slipped between them.

"Whoa! Chill!" Called Camie's voice, one hand on Bakugo's chest and the on the guy from Shiketsu.

It was only then that Touya remembered that Camie wasn't even from U.A. She was in fact in the same year, at the same university, as the purple haired guy.

"Knock it off, Seiji!" She warned, prodding him away as her other hand kept Bakugo at bay.

Whether it was her fixing stare, or the fact a big bouncer was now floating nearby, Seiji swallowed down his anger and turned his back on them. The action made both Touya and Bakugo smile smugly and continue to do so even when Russ chastised them.

"What you bitchin' at me for?" Touya grinned, "You're the one who wasted a perfectly good shot of tequila on him."

Russ sighed and shook his head. When he turned back to the bar and ordered another drink, this time it actually found his hand and he gulped down a big mouthful as Camie apologised for her peer's behaviour.

"Don't worry about it, Camie babe," Touya called, talking loud so the Shiketsu crowd could hear. And when he lead her to the dance floor, he made sure to cast sly glances over her shoulders in their direction.

When taunting the rival University grew tiresome, he diverted his attention elsewhere, keeping Camie's twisting hips close to his all the while.

Through the flashing lights and sea of bodies, Touya picked out the different scenes taking place around him.

Russ hadn't moved from his spot at the bar where he now stood with, low and behold, a young lady with bright hair. At first glance, he thought it to be Mina but, after returning his eyes to the scene after spinning Camie once, he realised it was someone he'd never seen before.

Whoever she was, she seemed completely taken in by Russ' conversation, as was Russ by her wide smile. Touya watched as Russ bought her a drink; one as colourful as her vivid hair. Attaboy, Russ...

His spying was then interrupted as Camie's hands slid around him and guided him around 180 to the chorus of a lyrical house track. As he turned away from the bar, his eyes spotted the cheerleaders and the members of the baseball team sat in a booth with Shinso, Jirou and Kaminari. Mina's contagious laugh was distinguishable even over the thumping bassline. And he didn't fail to notice that she was still wearing the bracelet he'd gifted her as she lifted her glass to her lips.

From his position on the dance floor, Touya was also able to notice what the others sat at the booth could not; Deku and Ochako playing footsie beneath the table and Jirou and Kaminari's hands intertwining as their eyes jumped from one another's then to the conversation and back.

With most of the group accounted for, it only left two people missing.

It was Camie who spotted them first. Her hips had stalled mid descent down his body as she made a noise of acknowledgment and lifted a pointing finger towards the VIP lounge area.

Sam and Callie had abandoned the dance floor and now sat on the velvet couches. A new bottle of champagne sat on the table in front them, but they paid it no attention. Instead, they seemed totally transfixed on each other as they spoke between tender kisses, their foreheads resting against one another's and their hands at each other's faces.

"Aw! Those two are totes adorable!" Camie cooed, her arms going around Touya's waist and squeezing. The action made Touya tense.

Yeah...

Everyone else could get all cosied up as much as they wanted, but it was a hard 'no' from him. He hummed in feigned interest and slipped from her grasp.

Nope.

"Gonna get a drink..." he quipped, when she turned her pouting face and furrowed brow his way.

It was all waaaay too lovely-dovey for him. Where were Jessica and Cheyenne when you needed them?

*

Surprisingly, Touya was the first one to head home that night. Even more surprisingly still, he did so alone.

When he woke up the next morning, he had to chuckle as his eyes fell upon the discarded clothing in the hallway. He stooped down and gingerly lifted the silky top Callie had worn to the club up off the carpet. Shaking his head, his eyes traveled from one garment to the next. A jacket here, a belt there, until they finally settled on the lacy bra at the foot of Callie's bedroom door.

"I'm moving out," Russ called from the lounge.

Touya lifted his eyes to see the younger brother frowning in his direction. He smirked as he joined him at the table, tossing Callie's top over the back of the couch as he went. Clearly, despite getting on so well with the bright haired girl at the bar, Russ had maintained his gentlemanly behaviour and come home alone too. Touya hoped he'd at least asked for her number.

The younger gaster brother sighed as he stared down the clothing-littered hallway.

"It's probably for the best." Touya assured, relishing quietly in the sibling's discomfort. Clearly, Russ had heard something he had not. Luckily, Touya was a deep sleeper. Not that creaking bedsprings and indiscernible whispers ever caused him much chagrin; Callie and Sam were usually pretty discreet.

Usually.

But the look on Russ' face suggested that perhaps they hadn't been this time around. The hastily removed clothes in the hallway only emphasised the fact.

But hey, who was Touya to judge?

Attaboy, Samuel...

Russ, on the other hand, clearly didn't appreciate the late night disturbance. But then again, it was his older brother he had heard across the hallway. Yeah, Touya could only imagine how cringeworthy that was. He tried not to think of his two brothers as he poured himself a coffee.

"Well..." Touya began, still smirking at Russ' drowsy grimace. "Now that you've graduated, it's probably time you had a fresh start, hm?"

"Indeed." He grumbled, sipping his tea. "Actually, I've already found a place near the beach. I'm putting a deposit down for it next week."

Touya raised his brows and studied the image Russ showed him on his phone screen. The beach bungalow looked idyllic. "Nice! BBQ's at your place then?"

Russ huffed a laugh in response. "Already planning my housewarming party, I see?" He set his cup and phone down on the table. "So, What will you do now?"

Touya shrugged and stretched his long legs out beneath the table. "I dunno. See where the wind takes me, I guess."

Speaking of wind, the door to Callie's bedroom opened and out she stepped, her hair looking like she'd been caught in a gale. Her uncharacteristically wild appearance sparked a bark of laughter from Touya. When her sleepy eyes dropped to see what had caught on her foot, she could only cover them in embarrassment. Groaning, she quickly snatched up her bra and hastily retreated back into her room.

"Mornin' Callie!" Touya teased.

Russ sighed over the sound of Sam's faint chuckle.

*

As the weeks drew on, the slow development of change was drifting through the air.

Russ had left Snowdin Apartments for his beach bungalow and Touya moved permanently back into his penthouse. However, both men still came over to apartment 6 for dinner most nights of the week.

Sam's room was eventually turned into an office. Due to the fact he was still 2 years away from completing his Masters Degree, the extra room for all his research and ever growing pile of textbooks was a real asset. And once again, the science buff had also taken on a new job working as his father's assistant at a laboratory. It looked like Sam was well on his way to replacing his dad as head scientist in the future.

Callie, on the other hand, was currently applying for a teaching degree whilst she volunteered at a local school. Touya couldn't quite fathom how both she and Sam could dedicate themselves to such noble careers. A future doctor and a future high school teacher. Yeah, good for them. But it certainly wasn't for him.

He did, however, relish the fact that he possessed many memories of them during their college days. Sure, Callie was great with the kids and all the staff at the school loved her, but Touya still teased her about the time she got up on the stripper pole and blew everyone away with her secret talent. And yeah, Sam and his father were on good terms now, but Touya and him still laughed about how Sam used to incorporate his dislike for his old man into his stand-up acts. Memories to be cherished and retold to the grandkids, he supposed.

As for Russ, his baseball career was taking off as expected.

Touya smirked at the tickets in his hand. Him and Sam were currently on the way to Russ first, professional nighter. Callie was already at the pitch with the girls. She had been wearing Russ' old baseball cap in the last message she sent them telling them not to be late.

But the sunset was too good to miss this evening. And they were only 5 minutes away.

Touya and Sam perched on the tailgate of Sam's car, listening to the radio and sharing beers with their eyes cast into the burning horizon.

Touya had been half listening to Sam's attempts at simplifying what it was he and his father were currently researching. Most of it went over Touya's cigarette-smoke clouded head. He hadn't even noticed he'd finished his long-winded explanation until he felt him turn to face him.

"By the way..." Sam announced, crushing his empty beer can and tossing it lazily into the car's open skylight. "There's something I wanted to tell you."

The statement brought Touya out of his trance. Flicking away his cigarette butt and turning his eyes from the setting sun, he cast them inquisitively towards his friend. "Hm?"

There was a ghost of a smirk dancing on Sam's lips. The image brought Touya mild relief; for a moment he feared he was going to receive bad news.

"I dunno if she ever told you, but Callie got back in touch with her dad."

Right, Okay. Bit random.

He quirked a brow. "No shit. How's that working out for her?"

The curl of Sam's lips grew. He cast his smile back towards the red sky. "All good so far. I actually went to talk to him the other day."

Huh. So that's where he'd gone. He'd previously told them all he was going to check out a science convention in the next city over.

"Oh?" Touya drawled, his curiosity piqued. Sam didn't usually lie about things. "What for?"

Sam paused, his eyes still front, watching the sun go down. In a moment, it would dip below the horizon making way for night.

"To ask him something."

Touya watched as Sam reached a hand into his pocket. It was a gesture he was so used to seeing from his friend; Sam always walked around with his hands pocketed. Therefore, he didn't expect him to pull anything out of it.

Touya's eyes widened and his lip twitched. Damn...is that?

No way.

He knew it...

A small, leather box.

They were both grinning now. Sam turned the box somewhat sheepishly over in his deft, scientist's hands. "He said yes. And I'm hoping she does too."

He stopped toying with the box and held it out to his friend to take.

Shaking his head, Touya pulled open the lid and inhaled. "Holy shit, Samuel."

How did the little dipshit afford this?

Despite having rings on nearly every finger, Touya noted how none of them were as nice as this one.

As if having read his mind, Sam spoke up. "You'd be surprised how much money you can save when you keep on top of your bar tabs."

Together, they laughed. The sun was gone now. Night was almost upon them.

"I wanna tell you that you're mad and that you're making the wrong decision..." Touya sighed. He handed the small box back. "But honestly, I'd be lying."

A lazy grin and a one armed hug. Amicable silence followed.

"I'm happy for you, Sam."

Stars were beginning to appear. They looked like the diamond Sam was currently gazing into. "Thanks, bro."

"So who's gonna be your best man?"

A snort of laughter and the snap of a box lid. He returned the ring to his pocket and kept his hand nestled inside. "Dude, she hasn't even said yes yet."

Touya couldn't remember seeing Sam smile this much in a while. "Like she'd say no to those dimples."

A playful grimace. "Imma let you and Russ arm wrestle for it."

A snort. Another finished beer dropping through the skylight. "How is that fair?"

A removal of round glasses, the lenses meeting the fabric of a white t-shirt displaying a science related pun. "Keep on letting Callie feed you up and you might stand a chance."

A stretch of long, denim clad legs ending in laced-up leather biker boots. "Unlikely. I guess I'll settle for godfather then."

A low, fruity laugh. The kind that always made Callie bite her lip and lower her eyelids. But Touya always associated it with late afternoon science classes and beers in a wood-clad, neon lit bar.

"Heh. Slow down, buddy. Marriage is one thing, kids are a whole new ballgame."

Oh yeah. They were meant to be somewhere. Callie would surely scold them if they didn't leave now.

"Speaking of ballgames, we're gonna be late for the match."

Two friends slid back into a lone car overlooking the city. The baseball pitch was lit up like a beacon where Russ and Callie were waiting for them.

The engine rumbled and the sound of gravel crunched beneath worn tyres. New rubber was clearly sacrificed for diamonds and white gold.

"You're not gonna propose during the game, are you?"

Sam scoffed, the light of passing streetlights glinting in his glasses.

"Dude, what do you take me for?"

"A fucking nerd."

A click of a lighter and the dull, orange glow of another cigarette. The passenger side window slid open. Out poured smoke as lazily as Sam's words.

"Yeah, well this nerd has it all thought out..."

And although Touya didn't, never did and never will, that was fine by him.

As Sam divulged his proposal plans with his eyes on the road and his lips turned up in a blissful smile, he hadn't even noticed the song that had come on the radio.

Touya shook his head as he drifted between Sam's voice and the lyrics that floated quietly from the speakers. Smoke tumbled from up-turned lips, a couple of playful rings bobbed to the chorus before getting lost to the cool, night breeze.

Coz I'm easy like a Sunday morning...

And Friday night had never felt more peaceful.

END

Author's Note: Thank you all for reading! I hope you enjoyed this story! Please leave a comment letting me know your thoughts. All feedback is welcome! Also, for those of you interested in seeing artwork of these characters, head over to my Instagram Kimberly.S.L for illustrations and concept art!

Peace!