It had been a normal afternoon—well, as normal as it got with Katsuki. The two of you were sprawled on the couch in the common area of the dorms, watching some random action movie that neither of you were really paying attention to. The occasional explosion on screen barely fazed either of you, too comfortable in each other’s presence to care. Katsuki’s arm was draped over the back of the couch, not quite touching you, but close enough that you could feel the warmth radiating off of him.

The silence was nice. Until—

“I like you.”

You blinked, turning to face Katsuki, who was glaring at the TV like it personally offended him.

“Huh?”

“Tch, don’t make me say it again,” he grumbled, eyes flicking toward you briefly before darting away. His fingers twitched where they rested against his knee. You laughed, nudging his arm. “I like you too, dumbass.”

The way his ears turned red was ridiculously cute. ——————————————————————————— Months passed, and somehow, Katsuki had become tolerable—at least, in certain situations. Like now, sitting next to Izuku in the common room, something that would have been unthinkable months ago. Of course, there was a reason for his newfound patience.

While everyone was focused on the game Kaminari and Kirishima were playing, Katsuki sat next to you, pinkies intertwined. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. No one noticed. Or at least, no one commented on it. Until Mina.

“Okay, I have to ask—why are you two so close lately?” she asked, squinting at the way Katsuki hadn’t yelled at you for leaning into him earlier. “Not that I’m complaining, but when did this happen?”

You shrugged, completely unfazed. “Oh, we’re dating.”

Katsuki and Izuku snapped their heads toward you so fast you were genuinely concerned for their necks.

“Oi!” Katsuki barked, ears flaming red. “You just—said it? Like that?!