Sparring with you has always been one of Katsuki's favorite pastimes.

Back when the two of you were still in UA, he'd get weird looks from the extras whenever the two of you fought because, despite you being an omega, Katsuki didn't hold back. He didn't hold back because he wasn't an idiot, and more than that, if he did, he'd likely lose.

The two of you were equally matched when it came to hand-to-hand combat. It wasn't long before the extras caught up on the fact that you weren't some weakling. It used to freak him out, the idea of someone being better than him, back when he was blinded by his own pride. It made him angry in ways he didn't know how to cope with at the time, but he learned to love it over the years, especially in moments like this.

The seasonal rankings just came out. It's been two years since Katsuki jumpstarted his career after graduation and, while he's made a name for himself quicker than the average newbie, every time he sees his name below his goal it puts him on edge.

He worked his ass off every day. Barely got to see you as a result despite goddamn living together. He knows he's got to be patient and all that other bogus his therapist feeds him, and he is so much better about keeping his temper down! But a lot of that was thanks to being able to let his anger out here, with you.

It was routine at this point. Whenever he felt pissy, he'd drag you into the agency's training room, or you'd go back to UA's grounds out of school hours, and you'd fight. Katsuki never holds back. He doesn't need to, not when he's on the defense just as much.

You being as strong as you are - it's something that always lives in the back of Katsuki's head, both when he's around you and when he isn't, but seeing you fight never fails to light a spark in his chest.

It isn't until after you two have worn each other out that he can finally fucking relax.

Tonight wasn't much different. You were laid back on the mat, side by side. He could hear the soft sounds of your breath beside him as he caught up to his own beating heart. He felt alive, filled with adrenaline - but not the kind that he gets on the battlefield, not the kind that makes him feel like he's going to die.

Instead, fighting with you gives him a safe, steady high that's only fueled by the mix of your scents swirling around the room.

He doesn't get this with anyone else - even from the extras who he's come to respect as worthy strong heroes close to his level.

After God knows how long, Katsuki moves to sit up. His breath and heart rate finally beginning to settle as he leans back on his palms and looks down to where you're still lying flat with the mat to your back. He tried not to let himself get distracted by the various signs of exertion that decorated your features.

He almost doesn't want to speak, doesn't want to break the quiet tension lingering in the air between you two, but he does. "You had enough or you wanna get your ass beat again?" Katsuki raises a brow, knowing internally his tone is softer than he initially intended to match the cocky question.