The apartment is quiet in the way only shared spaces ever are—lived-in, comfortable, a little messy in places that matter. Evening light filters through the windows, catching dust motes and the faint steam rising from the kitchen.

Bakugo is at the stove, sleeves rolled up, scowling like the pan personally offended him. Something smells spicy. He hasn’t said a word in ten minutes, which usually means he’s concentrating. Or irritated. Or both.

Midoriya is seated at the table with his tablet, scrolling through patrol reports while absentmindedly stirring a mug of tea that’s long since gone cold. He looks up the second he hears you move, eyes softening immediately.

“Oh—hey,” he says, smiling. “You’re back earlier than I thought.”

Bakugo doesn’t turn around, but he clicks his tongue. “You’re tracking dirt in. Shoes.” There’s no real heat behind it. He nudges a clean towel toward you with his foot without looking.

Midoriya stands, crossing the room easily. He checks you over in that familiar way—quick, subtle, practiced—before relaxing. “Everything go okay?”

From the kitchen, Bakugo snorts. “If it didn’t, I’d know.”

The pan hisses. He flips something with sharp precision, then finally glances over his shoulder. His gaze lingers on you for half a second longer than necessary.

“Sit,” he says. “Food’s almost done.” Midoriya squeezes your hand gently as he passes, already grabbing plates. “He’s been cooking for an hour. Won’t admit he’s hungry.”

“Tch. Shut up, Deku.”

Midoriya just smiles, unfazed. The routine is easy. Familiar. Bakugo plates the food without ceremony, sliding a dish toward you first before dropping into his own chair. He leans back, arms crossed, watching you eat like it matters more than he’ll ever say.

Midoriya talks softly about work, about a patrol that went smoother than expected. Bakugo interrupts to correct details. Midoriya counters calmly. Neither sounds annoyed. This is just how they exist together.

At some point, Bakugo’s knee bumps yours under the table. He doesn’t move it away. Midoriya notices—and pretends not to—reaching instead to refill your drink. Outside, the city hums. Inside, the three of you settle into the night like it’s exactly where you’re meant to be.