[Honey Lemon POV]
The beach was quiet, save for the gentle rush of waves kissing the shore. The sun hung low in the sky, casting the world in hues of warm amber and soft pink. The ocean stretched endlessly before me, shimmering under the golden light. A salty breeze danced through my hair as I walked alongside Aiden, our fingers intertwined like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I sighed, completely at peace. This day had been perfect.
"Feeling tired yet?" Aiden asked, glancing down at me with that easy, confident smirk of his.
I shook my head, squeezing his hand. "Nope. Not even a little."
We had spent the whole day together—laughing, eating, geeking out, and now, just being. And somehow, I still didn't want it to end.
Our bare feet sank into the cool, damp sand as we strolled along the shoreline. The occasional wave lapped at our ankles, leaving behind a tingling sensation. The air smelled of salt and something indescribably fresh, the kind of scent that made you want to take deep, full breaths and forget everything else.
I looked up at Aiden. The dying sunlight hit him just right, making his deep complexion glow with warmth. His long dreadlocks swayed slightly in the breeze, and his blue and gold eyes reflected the setting sun like twin stars.
Damn.
I had always known Aiden was handsome—he had that whole commanding presence meets effortless charm thing going for him. But right now? In this golden light, with the ocean behind him and that easy smirk playing on his lips?
He looked breathtaking.
"You keep staring like that, I'm gonna start thinking you're planning something," Aiden teased, tilting his head toward me.
I snorted. "Please. Like you don't love the attention."
He let out a low chuckle, squeezing my hand again. "Maybe a little."
I laughed, kicking up a bit of sand as we walked. "You know, today was amazing," I said, looking out at the waves. "I mean, I thought I was gonna be happy geeking out at the tech museum, but this? This was perfect."
Aiden hummed, his grip on my hand never loosening. "Yeah? I'm glad. You deserve it."
The sincerity in his voice made my heart do a little flip.
For a while, we just walked in comfortable silence, listening to the rhythmic crash of the waves and the distant cries of seagulls. The sky above had deepened into a rich blend of orange and purple, streaked with wisps of clouds.
Eventually, we reached a more secluded part of the beach. The sand was untouched, pristine, and the cliffs nearby provided just enough cover to make the place feel hidden from the rest of the world.
Aiden stopped walking and turned to face the ocean, taking a deep breath. Then, with a sly glance at me, he lifted his free hand and—
The world changed.
It was subtle at first. The breeze became gentler, wrapping around me like a warm embrace. The colors of the sunset intensified, the oranges deepening, the purples turning more vibrant. The stars above flickered to life a little earlier than they should have, twinkling like tiny fireflies in the darkening sky.
And then, the water—oh, the water.
The waves shimmered, glowing faintly as if they had absorbed the light of the stars themselves. Tiny, bioluminescent ripples danced across the surface, painting the ocean in liquid light. The effect was mesmerizing, like something out of a dream.
I gasped, my grip on Aiden's hand tightening. "Aiden—"
He turned to me with a small, knowing smile. "Thought I'd make the setting a little better."
"A little?" I laughed breathlessly, spinning around to take it all in. "This is beautiful!"
He chuckled. "Figured you deserved something special."
I stared at him, my heart thudding in my chest. The way he looked at me in that moment—calm, steady, with an almost reverent softness in his gaze—made me feel like I was the only thing that mattered in the world.
And suddenly, I had the most ridiculous idea.
I took a step back, smirking at him. "You know what would make this even better?"
Aiden arched an eyebrow. "Oh no. What now?"
I grinned. "Skinny dipping."
Aiden blinked.
I took another step back, wiggling my eyebrows. "Come on, Aiden. You didn't make the ocean glow for nothing."
He let out a low laugh, shaking his head. "You are unbelievable."
"It's my best quality"
"Unfortunately," he sighed, before smiling.
I didn't wait for him to argue—I was already pulling my blazer off, tossing it onto the sand. My blouse followed, then my belt. The cool air kissed my skin, and for a second, I hesitated.
But then I looked back at Aiden.
He was watching me, expression unreadable. The glow of the ocean reflected in his eyes, and something about the way he stood there, silent and still, made my breath hitch.
And then—
He started unbuttoning his own shirt.
Oh.
I swallowed as he slipped out of the dark fabric, revealing smooth, chiseled muscle and golden-brown skin. The soft lighting only accentuated the definition of his torso, and—
Focus, Honey. You started this.
I quickly pulled off the rest of my clothes before I could overthink things and ran straight into the water with a laugh. The ocean was cool but not cold, the glowing waves swirling around me as I waded deeper.
I turned back toward the shore just in time to see Aiden step into the water.
And—yeah. That was a sight.
Water lapped at his hips as he walked forward, his broad shoulders and strong chest catching the faint glow from the ocean. His hair was looser now, the wind playing with the strands, and—
I needed to stop staring.
He stopped just in front of me, the water barely reaching our waists. "Happy now?"
I smiled. "Very."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The ocean rippled around us, glowing softly, the world quiet except for the distant sound of waves breaking against the shore.
Then Aiden reached out, brushing a strand of damp hair from my face.
I swallowed. My heart was pounding.
His fingers lingered against my cheek, his touch warm and feather-light. My breath hitched as his eyes searched mine, something unspoken passing between us.
And then—slowly, carefully—he leaned in.
I barely had time to process it before his lips met mine.
The world seemed to stop.
His kiss was soft at first, hesitant, as if making sure I wanted this as much as he did. But the second I kissed him back—melting into him, wrapping my arms around his neck—he deepened it.
Heat spread through me as his hands found my waist, pulling me closer. The feeling of his bare skin against mine, the way the water swayed around us, the gentle intensity of his kiss—it was intoxicating.
I sighed into him, fingers threading through his wet hair. Aiden groaned softly against my lips, his grip on me tightening.
We kissed under the stars, in the middle of an ocean that he had made glow just for me.
It was perfect.
When we finally pulled away, I was breathless.
Aiden rested his forehead against mine, his fingers tracing slow circles against my waist. "So," he murmured, "that was… something."
I let out a dazed laugh. "Yeah. Definitely something."
He chuckled, tilting his head slightly. "Do you regret it?"
I shook my head instantly. "Not even a little."
A slow, satisfied smile spread across his lips. "Good."
I grinned. "Now, race you back to shore!"
And with that, I splashed water in his face and took off.
His laugh echoed behind me before he chased after me, and for the first time in a long time, I felt completely, blissfully happy.
=.=.=
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[Elsewhere]
The evening sky was painted in deep hues of red and purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. The streets of Musutafu buzzed with city life, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.
Shoto Todoroki dashed across the rooftops, his breath steady, his focus unwavering. Below, the villain they were chasing—a masked figure in dark tactical gear—sprinted through the streets, weaving between cars and leaping over barriers in a desperate bid to escape.
"Keep the pressure on!" Endeavor's voice boomed from above, his fiery presence illuminating the night sky like a second sun. "Don't give him any openings!"
Shoto grit his teeth, eyes narrowing as he adjusted his pace. The villain was fast, but he wasn't faster than ice. With a flick of his wrist, Shoto slammed his foot onto the rooftop, sending a thick layer of ice cascading downward, freezing the pavement in the villain's path.
The masked criminal barely had time to react before his feet skidded, his balance faltering.
"Now!" Endeavor roared.
Shoto didn't need to be told twice. He vaulted off the rooftop, landing gracefully on the frozen street below. In an instant, he swung his left hand forward, a blast of fire roaring to life as he closed the distance between them.
But just before the flames could make contact, a deafening screech echoed through the city.
A shadow passed over them, blotting out the last remnants of daylight.
Shoto's stomach twisted. He had heard that sound before.
No… not here.
Above them, something massive flapped its grotesque wings, its elongated limbs covered in thick, mutated flesh. A single, glowing eye stared down at them, unblinking.
A Nomu.
And then, a second one emerged—this one a hulking, ground-based brute with bulging muscles and patches of exposed bone.
The villain they had been chasing used the moment of chaos to scramble to his feet and disappear into a side alley. But Shoto barely registered it. His focus was now on the two monsters before them.
"Burnin, engage!" Endeavor commanded, flames exploding from his body as he launched himself toward the sky, heading straight for the flying Nomu.
Gunhead and Moe Kamiji—aka Burnin', one of Endeavor's top sidekicks—rushed forward.
Burnin's emerald flames erupted from her hands as she aimed for the airborne Nomu. "I'll cover the skies! Gunhead, take the ground!"
Gunhead, with his armored gauntlets, cracked his knuckles. "On it!"
Shoto stepped back, preparing to assist, but then—
His phone buzzed violently in his pocket.
He hesitated.
Now?
Frowning, he pulled it out, glancing at the caller ID.
Deku.
Something inside him tightened. Midoriya wouldn't be calling at a time like this unless it was urgent.
With one last look at the unfolding battle, he pressed the call button and brought the phone to his ear.
"Todoroki! I need your help!"
Shoto stiffened at the sheer desperation in Midoriya's voice.
"Where are you?"
"Hosu City! I—I'm fighting Stain! He's too strong—I can't—"
The call cut off.
Shoto's grip on his phone tightened.
Hosu City. Stain. Midoriya was alone.
Dammit.
He looked up at the battle still raging before him.
Endeavor had engaged the flying Nomu, flames bursting from his fists as he maneuvered mid-air, dodging swipes from the beast's razor-sharp claws. Burnin' provided backup, sending waves of green fire to cut off its escape routes.
Meanwhile, Gunhead had locked into combat with the ground Nomu, dodging wild, earth-shaking swings before countering with precise, bone-cracking punches.
The pros had this covered.
Shoto clenched his jaw.
He knew where he was needed.
Without another word, he turned on his heel and sprinted away, ice forming under his feet as he skated into the distance.