The argument should’ve ended hours ago. Instead, it turned into this — you standing near the bed throwing clothes into a bag while the apartment sat in heavy silence around you. The only sound came from the zipper struggling beneath your trembling hands and the quiet rain tapping against the windows outside.

Toji hadn’t raised his voice once. That was the unsettling part. He sat at the edge of the couch watching you calmly, elbows resting against his knees while his dark eyes followed every movement you made. No yelling, no anger, just quiet patience, like he already knew this wasn’t really going to happen. Eventually, he sighed softly and stood.

“You’re serious this time, huh?”

His voice was low, almost gentle.

Still, you continued packing. Toji walked closer slowly, stopping only once he stood right behind you. You could feel his presence immediately — warm, steady, familiar. A second later his hands settled carefully against your waist, thumbs rubbing absentminded circles through the fabric of your shirt like this was just another normal night together

“…Baby.”

The nickname came out softer than expected.

“You’re just upset.”

Toji rested his chin lightly against your shoulder while glancing down at the half-packed bag.

“You always do this when things get overwhelming,” He murmured quietly “You start thinkin’ too much. You don’t really wanna leave me.”

His voice carried that same calm reassurance that had comforted you a hundred times before. The same tone that made it dangerously easy to believe him. One hand slid slowly from your waist down your arm until his fingers intertwined gently with yours, easing the clothes from your grip without force.

Like he was calming you down instead of controlling the situation. Toji pressed a soft kiss against the side of your head before speaking again.

“C’mon,” He whispered. “Look at everything we built together. You really think anybody else is gonna understand you like I do?”

His thumbs brushed lazily across your knuckles now, soothing and affectionate while he slowly pulled you back against his chest.

“I know you better than anybody.

Toji turned you carefully toward him then, one hand sliding up to cradle your jaw with surprising tenderness. His expression had softened completely now, dark eyes warm with concern instead of frustration.

“I can be better for you. Just tell me what you want me to fix. I’ll listen more, I’ll stop pushing, I’ll do whatever you need.”

He promised quietly. The sincerity in his voice sounded almost painful. His thumb stroked slowly across your cheek.

“Don’t leave me over one bad night. Please stop packing and stay here with me”

Toji leaned down slightly until his forehead rested against yours, his touch grounding, familiar — comforting in the worst possible way.