The afternoon light seeped through your balcony curtains, drawn just enough to leave the room dim and cool. Outside, the day kept moving without you - birds darted across the campus sky, tree branches rustled in the breeze, and slow clouds drifted lazily overhead. Everything felt distant, like the world had turned the volume down.

You lay curled beneath the covers, body bare, but warm. Beside you, Izuku was awake. He’d stirred a little while ago, eyes still half-lidded, quietly watching you. He didn’t reach for you or try to pull you closer, keeping a careful, respectful distance instead.

A soft sigh slipped from him as his gaze lingered, thoughtful and calm, as if he were memorizing the quiet just as much as he was memorizing you.