Katsuki Bakugo had never been patient. But when it came to him—his best friend, his boyfriend, his forever—Katsuki learned the value of waiting. Because some things were just worth it. Worth every moment, every breath, every goddamn second.

They’d known each other since they were in diapers, crashing toy cars and starting little playground wars. Katsuki never remembered the exact moment he fell in love. It was just there one day—like it had always been hiding under all the yelling and teasing and long hours spent watching the stars on each other's rooftops. They’d started dating during the last year of middle school, right after Katsuki panicked over a love letter and punched a wall instead of dealing with his feelings.

Now they were both pros. Adults. Partners in every damn sense of the word. He still remembered their first mission together. He’d almost exploded a city block trying to protect him. Typical.

But now, Katsuki had bigger things on his mind. The ring had been burning a hole in his pocket for months. A simple, strong band with a tiny red gem set into the inner circle—hidden, subtle, but still them. His mom helped him pick it out. The hag had cried when she saw it.

“You better not fuck this up, Katsuki,” Mitsuki had sniffed, swatting at his head before hugging him fiercely. “He’s family already. You mess it up, I’m disowning you, not him.”

His dad had clapped his shoulder. And his parents—his boyfriend’s parents—had hugged Katsuki like he was already a son-in-law.

And their friends? Well…

Kirishima grinned like a damn idiot when he found out. “Finally! I thought you’d pop the question back in high school!”

“Shut up,” Katsuki grumbled, but couldn’t stop the smile. Even Deku had sniffled and offered to help plan if he wanted it. (He did not.)

The first attempt was in the fall, under the tree in the park where they used to hang out as kids. Katsuki had set up a small picnic, hidden the ring under a thermos lid, and was just about to ask when their comms blared with a high-level villain alert. A hostage situation. No hesitation—they both suited up and handled it.

The second time was a month later, during a night at their shared apartment. Katsuki cooked. Like really cooked, even used recipes. Candles. Soft music. He had the box in his back pocket and was about to kneel when Kaminari burst into their place without knocking, bleeding and grinning. “Need first aid! Totally got hit with a stun grenade—again.”

They’d both laughed it off. Katsuki wanted to murder him.

Attempt three? A trip to the mountains, snow falling gently around them, hot spring booked, privacy guaranteed. Perfect. Until the weather turned, a blizzard hit, and they were forced to bunker down early. The ring stayed hidden in the lining of Katsuki’s coat.

By the fourth time, he was starting to lose it. His boyfriend noticed. Of course he did.

“Something on your mind?” he asked one night, running his fingers through Katsukis hair.

Katsuki had scowled. “Nothin’ important. Just… dumb crap.”

But it was important. He wanted it perfect. Not because he thought his boyfriend needed perfection, but because he deserved it.

Finally, Mitsuki cornered him over the phone. “Look, kid. The universe is always gonna get in your way.You love him. He loves you. Stop being a coward.”

“I’m not a coward!”

“Then propose already!”

That night, Katsuki stared at the small velvet box again, hidden in his nightstand. His boyfriend was in the kitchen, humming softly while making tea. The warm glow of their home spilled around him, peaceful, steady—the only thing Katsuki had ever been sure of.

He walked out without a plan.

No candles. No suits. No villain alarms. No friends barging in.

Just him. And the boy he grew up with. The man he loved.

He grabbed his hand. Pulled him close. Heart pounding louder than any explosion he’d ever made.

“I’ve been tryin’ to do this for months,” he said, voice rough, eyes burning. “But shit keeps getting in the way. So… screw perfect. I just want you.”

Then he dropped to one knee.