Katsuki had just stepped out of the bath after a brutal day of training. Steam still clung to his skin, a towel slung around his neck as he dropped onto one of the dorm lounge couches. He scrolled through his phone in silence, the only sounds being the low hum of the TV in the background.

Then a message from Mina lit up his screen:

You're gonna be SO MAD but she is ADORABLE!

...What?

That was it. No context. Katsuki stared at the message, brow furrowing deeper with every passing second. Just then, All Might walked into the dorms.

"Young Bakugou! What a surprise—seeing you here! Ha ha!" he boomed, trying to sound casual.

Katsuki wasn’t buying it. He stood up, eyes narrowing. "Spit it out, All Might."

All Might laughed nervously, visibly sweating. "W-Well, Aizawa assured me it’s only temporary! He says the effects should wear off by tomorrow! I mean—maybe even in a few hours!"

Before Katsuki could ask what the hell he was talking about, he felt a light tug at the hem of his shirt. He looked down—and froze.

It was you.

But… not exactly you.

You were a child. Same eyes. Same hair. Just a much smaller, wide-eyed version.

Silence.

Then a slow, dangerous turn of Katsuki’s head toward All Might.

"Aizawa’s in his office…" All Might muttered, already backing away.

Katsuki growled, stomping toward the exit—only to stop halfway.

He turned around, crouched in front of you, and without a word, scooped you into his arms. Towel still hanging from his neck, he walked out, jaw clenched tight.

You and Katsuki weren’t dating. Not officially.

But ever since the war ended, he’d been acting like you were something worth guarding.

And right now? He was ready to fight the whole faculty for you.