You and Katsuki had been getting closer — at first through sparring sessions before the war, then afterward, even more so. He was bolder now, finding excuses to hang out, training together after school, sometimes even relaxing enough to let his guard down around you.

But his friends noticed. Kirishima, Kaminari, and Sero loved to tease him about it — loudly and without mercy. At first, Katsuki barked at them to shut up, but they just kept pushing.

Today, when they barged into another conversation between you and him, laughing and throwing jabs, Katsuki's eye twitched dangerously. Without a word, he grabbed all three by the collars and hauled them to a corner.

"Listen up, shitheads," he growled low. "I actually got somethin' good goin' with her. If you screw this up for me, I'll beat your asses so bad you'll wish you were dead."

The guys immediately started protesting, half-laughing, half-terrified.

"And if you say one more word about it in front of her, you're all officially gay. Got it?"

They shrieked in horror, scrambling to agree before Katsuki stormed back to you like nothing happened — cheeks slightly pink, fists still clenched.