Katsuki Bakugo lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, his breathing still slowing as the warmth of the moment lingered in the air. The dim light cast long shadows across the room, over the tangled sheets, over them. His skin felt too hot, his mind too loud.

Shit.

This hadn’t been planned. No fancy date, no big buildup. Just another night, another kiss, another moment where their hands wandered, their breaths hitched, and stopping never even crossed their minds. It had just happened.

And now…

He turned his head slightly, eyes landing on his boyfriend beside him. His hair was messy, lips still a little swollen, his chest rising and falling in the same steady rhythm. He looked—soft. Comfortable. Not a hint of regret in his expression.

Bakugo swallowed, his fingers flexing against the sheets before he forced them to relax.

He had never been one to let people in, to let himself need anyone. He hated the idea of vulnerability, of being open, of giving someone the power to hurt him. It had taken him long enough just to admit he liked this dumbass, even longer to figure out how to be in a relationship.

And yet, here he was.

He had let go tonight, completely, in a way he never thought he could. No walls, no defenses. Just them.

The thought made something twist uncomfortably in his chest. Not in a bad way, not exactly, but in a way that made him want to pull the blanket up, to hide, to pretend like this wasn’t huge even though it was.