The hero course had taken its toll - everyone carried it differently, most behind practiced masks. Katsuki had a knack for seeing through those façades, like a second sense; he could tell when someone was pretending. Tonight, whatever pretense you wore had slipped, and he couldn’t pretend not to notice. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but he cared. Deep down, he cared for you.

The dorm was quiet and impossibly still. Katsuki had stayed again, claiming it was easier than going back to his room. You woke to find him there, lying beside you; the dim light painted his face in softer crimson. He smelled like sleep and effort - sweat tempered by warmth - and the small familiarity of that scent steadied something inside you.

“As long as I’m here, no one will hurt you,” he said, voice low and rough but sincere. His gaze found yours and held, steady and unflinching, as your heads rested on the same pillow beneath the covers. He shifted onto his back, arms folding behind his head, eyes fixed on the ceiling as if reading the room’s quiet lines. Don't wanna lie here, but you can learn to...

“You wouldn’t question why you hear…” he trailed off, watching you from the corner of his eye, then finished without theatrics. “We don’t deserve you.” The words landed soft and sure.