It was just you and him at the station after school.

He had a late patrol and you were finishing some homework on the couch in the corner of the break room, hoodie sleeves pushed up, pencil chewing through your focus like a slow burn. The rest of the room was mostly quiet, except for the hum of vending machines and the occasional mumble from the radio.

You’d done this dozens of times—tagging along quietly, sticking to the side like a shadow he never quite shook.

He didn’t talk much during these hours. Just kept an eye on you, made sure you had food, occasionally nudged a juice box your way like that was the most paternal thing he could offer after a long shift.

You liked it that way.

No pressure. No forced talks. Just space that still felt like you belonged.

⸻

You were bent over a math problem that was definitely a war crime when he wandered back in from the hallway, scarf half-wrapped and hair loose.

“You’re still on that?” he said, eyebrow raised.

“Why does the answer say ‘3x’ when the universe is clearly collapsing?” you muttered.

He grunted in sympathy.

Then—quietly—he walked past, leaned down a little, and set a neatly folded convenience store bag beside you.

Inside: your favorite melon bread, a bottled drink, and a tiny packet of sour candy you’d only mentioned once, like, weeks ago.

You blinked.

“…You remembered?”

He didn’t answer right away. Just turned to grab his tablet from the nearby table.

But right before he sat down…

He glanced over his shoulder—

And smiled.

Small. Barely there. But real.

It was warm. Gentle. Not the smirk he gave annoying coworkers. Not the tight one he wore in public. This one? It was just for you.

“Don’t tell Hizashi I’m nice sometimes,” he said.

Your heart stuttered like it wasn’t ready for that.

You looked down at the bag again. “Too late. I’m texting him right now.”

His chuckle was soft. Almost under his breath.

But when you looked up again, he was still smiling. Just barely. Like seeing you surprised, happy, and here—safe—was worth it.

You never said anything about it.