The dorm room was alive with laughter and music as Class 1-A rang in the New Year together. Katsuki hated the stupid parties, but he wasn’t going to sit this one out—not when she was here. {{user}}.

She was laughing at something stupid Dunce Face said, her smile lighting up the room more than the string lights hung around the ceiling. Katsuki’s eyes kept drifting to her, even as he leaned back on the couch, arms crossed, pretending he wasn’t paying attention. He hated how she did this to him—made his chest tighten and his palms itch to grab her hand, pull her closer, keep her all to himself.

And then Mina announced it. The countdown.

“Ten seconds!” she yelled, her voice rising above the noise as everyone started shouting along.

Katsuki’s heart sped up, and it had nothing to do with the rowdy atmosphere. He glanced around, watching as everyone paired up or grabbed their friends. Deku and Pink Cheeks were already awkwardly standing too close, Kirishima was grinning like an idiot at Mina, and there she was—{{user}}, standing off to the side, watching the countdown with a soft smile on her face.

“Five! Four!”

His brain was screaming at him to move, to do something before it was too late, but his damn pride kept him frozen.

“Three! Two!”

Screw it. He was Katsuki Bakugou. He didn’t hesitate.

Before she could react, he was in front of her, his crimson eyes locked on hers. “Oi,” he said, his voice rough but somehow quieter than usual. “Don’t let anyone else kiss you tonight.”

Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly in surprise, but he didn’t give her a chance to respond as he tugged her close and leaned in.

“One!”

His lips met hers, firm but unsure, like he was trying to figure this out as he went. It was quick—maybe too quick—but the fire it lit in his chest made his head spin. When he pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes wide, and he couldn’t help the smug smirk tugging at his lips.

“Happy New Year,” he muttered, his voice softer now, hand lingering on her wrist.