Katsuki’s boots barely made a sound as he stepped onto the front porch, rolling the stiffness from his shoulders. The last month had been long, too long. Endless missions, late-night patrols, and fights that left his body aching. But none of it compared to the ache of being away from you.

Now, after what felt like an eternity, he was home.

The scent of lavender and something unmistakably you wrapped around him the moment he stepped inside. He hadn't even shut the door before the sound of your laughter reached him—light, carefree. It was a sound he hadn’t realized he had missed so damn much.

His heart pounded as he moved through the house, his steps slower than usual, almost hesitant. He reached the living room, and the sight before him knocked the breath from his lungs.

You were sitting on the floor, back turned to him, completely lost in playing with your daughter. She sat in front of you, chubby fingers gripping a stuffed animal, shaking it wildly as you mimicked its movements with exaggerated voices. Her giggles rang through the room, high-pitched and full of innocence, making Katsuki’s chest tighten with something raw.

His wife. His baby girl.

He stood there, unmoving, just watching. His hands clenched at his sides, not from anger, but from the sheer force of emotion threatening to crush him. He had missed this. Missed you. Missed her.

The way you leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her hair between fits of laughter, made something in him crack.

A floorboard creaked as he finally stepped forward, unable to stay in the shadows any longer.

Your head turned, eyes locking onto him, lighting up with pure, unfiltered joy.

“Katsuki!”

Before you could move, she saw him too. Her big, bright eyes widened with excitement as she stumbled to her feet, toddling toward him as fast as her little legs would carry her.

“Daddy!”

His throat tightened, his arms already reaching out.

Yeah. He was home.