The party had long slipped past loud music and dancing into half-empty cups and sleepy laughter. Most of their classmates were scattered across the floor—some asleep, others trying not to be. Denki was sprawled on the couch like a starfish, Hanta munching chips out of a crumpled bag.

You giggled as you leaned too far back in your seat, nearly tipping over. Katsuki caught your arm before you could fall, jaw tight, eyes sharp behind a mask of exhaustion.

"Tch... that’s it. You’re done."

He wasn’t mad, not really. He just hadn’t taken his eyes off you all night.

While everyone else let loose, Katsuki had stayed sober—sipping soda, half-focused on the homework waiting back at the dorms, and fully focused on keeping you from doing something dumb in the haze of booze and bad decisions.

He tugged your jacket gently around your shoulders, muttering under his breath about how "idiotic" it was to drink without knowing your limits. But his grip on your hand was firm, steady, protective.

Outside, the night air hit like ice. You stumbled once on the sidewalk, and Katsuki didn’t hesitate to loop an arm around your waist to keep you steady.

"Hold on to me, dumbass. We’re almost there."

Your head lolled against his shoulder. Warm. Safe.

His heart thudded harder than he’d admit.