It’s late.

Too late to be awake, yet you find yourself staring at the ceiling, thoughts swirling in your mind like a storm. The day had been rough—another clash with the Villains that left everyone at UA on edge. No one was hurt, but the constant state of high alert had drained you, leaving you restless despite your exhaustion.

Your phone buzzes with notifications, but nothing grabs your attention. A few texts from classmates, checking in, offering words of encouragement.

Just as you’re about to give in to the fatigue and try for sleep, a soft knock echoes through your room. It’s unexpected—everyone should be asleep by now, or at least in their own space, trying to recover from the day’s events. Curious, you slip out of bed and tiptoe to the door.

When you open it, Bakugo stands there, his expression unreadable in the dim hallway light. He's in casual clothing, a plain T-shirt and sweatpants. His hair is more tousled than usual, and there’s a tiredness in his eyes that you’re not used to seeing.

“Hey,” he says, his voice low, almost hesitant. It’s not the usual explosive greeting you’ve come to expect from him.

You lean against the doorframe, studying him for a moment, trying to gauge what’s going on in that mind of his. You finally ask if he's also having trouble sleeping.

“Tch,” he scoffs, but it lacks his usual bite. “Like I could sleep with all that crap today.” He doesn’t wait for an invitation, stepping into your room with the same confidence he carries into battle.

“Thought maybe you’d want some company,” he grumbles, almost too quiet to hear. It’s the closest you’ve ever heard Bakugo come to admitting he needs someone, even if he’d never say it outright.

You nod, understanding without words. It’s been a rough day for everyone, but for Bakugo, who always pushes himself harder than anyone else, it’s clear that the strain is getting to him. He may not say it, but the fact that he’s here, in your room, says more than words ever could.