Tags: pure fluff, Toshi's oath includes chastity, Paladin!All Might, fantasy AU, Oracle OC.
Song inspo: Like real people do - Hozier
A/N: I'll yap into the void if I have to, 'cause this man is the ultimate sweetheart.
The paladin scratched his neck as the sparks from the bonfire reflected in his eyes . “Can I ask you a question? You’re the only one I could tell something like this without feeling like a complete idiot.”
Riva turned her head to face him. “Go ahead.”
“Am I overdoing it?” Toshinori hides his face in his hands. “I’ve been protecting people and serving the Goddess for my whole life. I'm beyond grateful for all that she bestowed upon me but… I feel I'm missing out on so much.” He looks up with a deep sigh. “Why can't I hold your hand or get a hug when I need one? Would such trivial things really make the Goddess angry? Or is it all in my head?”
Riva walked up to him, snuggling tighter in her wooden cloak. “There's no way of telling what could please or displease a God, Toshi. But I firmly believe faith is about bringing good into this world, rather than starving ourselves for divine approval.”
The oracle was rubbing her bad eye, trying to ease the discomfort of the deep shadows clouding her sight. “You want to hold my hand?" She planted herself in front of the man and reached for his big hand. "There you go.”
The two stood face to face for a moment, smiling affectionately. Riva couldn’t help but think that Toshinori was a man of immaculate beauty: it wasn't just for his big blue eyes, and fair hair… The honesty and purity of his soul were out of this world. He was, indeed, worthy of a Goddess.
“Need a hug? Done.” She leaned closer and slided her arms around his neck.
Shit. Toshinori knew he should have shoved her away. No touching women, it's the rule. And yet, he remained seated on that log. He was feeling so lost that night…he did need a hug. A couple of minutes couldn't outweigh all his efforts, right?
His hands digged into Riva's cloak and he clinged to her, pushing his forehead against her shoulder. She was the softest and prettiest thing he's ever had in his arms.
The paladin indulged himself in the light pecks trailing down his temple, his ear, his cheek and he really, really had no idea how it all happened but he was suddenly startled by the feeling of her lips brushing against his.
He didn't even know what he was doing but he just let himself go and kissed her desperately. It was like his bones were turned to wax: every slight movement of her lips, their breathing against each others’ cheeks, everything sent powerful shivers down his spine.
It was all fun and games until Riva's hips were slowly moving under his hands and their kisses grew sloppier and heated.
Toshi’s face twitched with a familiar feeling in his belly, the dreaded tight sensation between his legs. The Goddess would never forgive that. He pulled away, biting his lower lip.
“Is everything ok?” Riva whispered, tilting her head to read his gaze.
“Y-yes. But I… I can't.”
“I get it. Well, at least we’ve made up for some of the missing out.” She smiled softly and sat back on the log, next to the shaking paladin.
Toshinori ran his fingers through his hair, striving to calm his heart and body. Riva was right: he could now say he'd been at least kissed. Properly kissed! He hid his face away from her and he couldn't stop himself from smiling.
