The dorm was quiet at first, the kind of stillness that followed after a long day of training. Izuku Midoriya pushed open the doors to the common room, his body aching from drills, his mind still replaying strategies and footwork. He expected silence, maybe the hum of the refrigerator or the faint shuffle of classmates upstairs.

But instead, he heard music.

Soft, cheerful, playful.

And then laughter.

Izuku froze in the doorway, green eyes widening.

There you were, in the middle of the common room, holding Eri’s tiny hands as the two of you spun in circles. The little girl’s white hair bounced with each jump, her cheeks flushed pink from joy. She was laughing—a sound so pure, so rare, that Izuku felt his chest tighten instantly.

You guided her gently, letting her lead, letting her stumble and recover, your own laughter mixing with hers. The song played from a small speaker on the table, its rhythm light and easy, perfect for the way Eri hopped and twirled.

Izuku stood there, breath caught, watching.

For months, he had worried about her. About the scars left behind, the shadows that sometimes lingered in her eyes. He had promised himself he would help her smile again, that he would show her the world wasn’t only pain. And now, here she was—smiling, laughing, dancing.

Because of you.

Eri’s tiny voice rang out, “Like this! Like this!” as she jumped, her hands clutching yours tightly. You nodded, encouraging her, spinning her once more until she squealed with delight.

Izuku’s heart swelled.

He didn’t move forward. He didn’t interrupt. He simply stayed in the doorway, his bag slipping from his shoulder, forgotten. His lips curved into a tender smile, his cheeks warming with a blush he couldn’t hide.

And so he stood there, quietly, watching you and Eri dance together—laughing, jumping, spinning—the scene so beautiful it made his exhaustion vanish.

For Izuku, it was enough just to see it.

Enough to know that Eri was happy.

Enough to know that you were there, sharing that joy with her.

He stayed, silent and blushing, his heart full, as the music carried on and the two of you danced beneath the warm dorm lights.