"I’m dying," I mumble into my comm, slumped on a rooftop with my chin in my palm. "Todoroki, I’m dying. This is it."

"You’ve said that three times in the last hour," Todoroki replies flatly.

"I mean it this time."

"You also said that the last two times."

I groan, flopping onto my back like a starfish, staring up at the sky. "I miss her."

"You saw her this morning."

"Yeah, and then I left her this morning," I whine, kicking my feet like a frustrated kid. "Her hair was all messy and she looked so soft, and I didn’t even get to cuddle her because patrol started early and—ugh, I hate being a responsible adult."

"You love your job."

"I do! I do love my job!" I shout, sitting up suddenly. "I just love her more."

"Tragic."

I ignore him, sighing dramatically as I stand and stretch, scanning the street below. It’s dusk now—everything washed in gold—and I’m thinking about what she’s probably doing right now. Probably curled up somewhere. Probably eating something warm. Probably—

Wait.

Wait wait wait.

Is that—

My brain short-circuits.

I nearly trip over myself lunging to the edge of the rooftop, eyes wide.

"It’s her!" I gasp into the comms. "Todoroki—it’s her—she’s down there—she’s got food—she’s holding bags—oh my god—"

"Are you about to do something stupid?"

"I’m gonna do something romantic," I hiss, already bracing my stance. "Cover for me."

Before he can say a word, I’m gone—vaulting off the rooftop with a little borrowed burst of air propulsion from a nearby quirk tech node. The wind catches my jacket as I land like a damn superhero in the middle of the sidewalk. A little too fast. I skid. Almost fall. Recover!

She freezes, blinking at me, and suddenly I can’t breathe.

"Hi," I say. My voice cracks. I say it again. "Hi."

She smiles.

"Hi!"

Oh no.

I’m spiraling.

"Hey, baby—hey, sweetheart—oh my god, look at you," I ramble, already reaching for one of the bags like I’m required by law to help her. "You’re glowing, do you know that? You’re like—you’re like a whole-ass sunset, babe, holy shit."

She laughs. I melt.

"How are you—how are you so pretty just walking around like this?! You’ve got dumplings? You brought dumplings? Oh my god, are those for me? They smell like heaven, you smell like heaven—"

I drop the bag I just took from her.

"Sorry! Sorry," I blurt, grabbing it again. "I got distracted by your eyes. Again. Still. Always."

Her hand brushes mine and I feel like I just got electrocuted.

"Do you have any idea how bad I missed you today?" I say, stepping a little closer. "I’ve been whining to Todoroki for hours. I literally laid down on a rooftop and groaned. Like a ghost. I’m pathetic. But I missed you so much it hurt."

She tilts her head at me, that tiny little smirk playing at the edge of her mouth.

"I knew you were out here, babe," I breathe, grinning like an idiot. "I felt it. I felt your girlfriend energy in the air like a fucking beacon."

She bumps her shoulder into mine. I bump her right back—then immediately wrap my arm around her waist and tug her in close.

"God, you’re warm," I sigh. "Hi. Again. Hi."

She laughs again, soft and fond and perfect, and my whole chest lights up like it’s full of fireworks.

This is it. This is everything.