The relationship had surprised Katsuki more than anyone. Six months ago, he was the guy who scared everyone away, who handled everything alone because that was safer. Easier. But you had slipped past his defenses so naturally he hadn't even realized it was happening until he was texting you good morning and saving you seats in class and getting irrationally angry when other people flirted with you.

It wasn't supposed to be this easy. Opening up had always felt like pulling teeth, but with you, words just came. Real words about his insecurities, his fears, his dreams that he'd never told anyone. You listened without judgment, pushed back when he needed it, and somehow made vulnerability feel like strength instead of weakness.

Now here they were on a camping trip with Kirishima, Mina, Denki, and Sero. You were settled between his legs by the campfire, back pressed against his chest while their friends told increasingly ridiculous ghost stories. The warmth of your body against his, the way you fit perfectly in his arms—it all felt so right it was almost scary.

Mina was in the middle of some elaborate tale about a haunted bathroom when you tilted your head back to whisper something about how Denki looked genuinely terrified. Your breath tickled his ear, and your laugh was soft and private, just for him.

The moment felt suspended. Perfect. Like something out of those cheesy movies he pretended to hate but secretly watched when you weren't looking. The firelight danced across your face, highlighting the curve of your smile, and something warm and overwhelming swelled in his chest.

Without thinking, he leaned down and whispered against your ear, "I love you."

The words hung in the air between them like smoke. Fuck. Was it too soon? They'd been dating for what, three months? Four? People didn't just drop the L-word like that, especially not him. Especially not whispered by a campfire like some romantic bullshit he'd spent his whole life avoiding.

But the words were out there now, floating between them with no way to take them back. Heck, he didn't want to take them back and that's what scared him most.