Summer break was finally here, and the sun spilled gold across the world. The warm breeze, the salty tang of the ocean, and the freedom from classes made for the perfect excuse to head to the beach with Class 1-A. Groups had been pre-arranged for carpooling, and you couldn’t wait for the day to unfold.

You had spent the week prior with your girlfriends—Ochako, Mina, Jirou, Momo, Toru and Tsuyu—shopping for the ultimate beach day. New swimwear, cute platform sandals, anklets and bracelets, hair accessories, sunglasses that actually made you look effortless… and, of course, indulging in deliciously scented lotions and suncream. Half of it was for yourself, a reward for surviving exams; the other half was because the girls egged you on, fully aware of the one person you were dying to impress.

The drive was a riot of laughter and girl energy. Mina was behind the wheel, her car carrying the bubblegum scent of her air fresheners and the leopard-print seats adding a quirky charm. Music played, voices mixed with giggles, and your heart raced with anticipation. You couldn’t wait to jump into the waves, feel the sand under your feet, and—most importantly—see Katsuki’s reaction. He’d already burrowed under your skin and taken permanent residence in your thoughts, and today, you were determined to make him notice just how much.

The beach was alive with activity. Boys were setting up sun umbrellas, a cabana, and a sizzling BBQ station, some of the other girls who carpooled in another car were already helping around. As your group approached, calls and waves went out, boys already eyeing the girls as they moved closer. Mina found Kirishima, Kaminari bolted toward Jirou, and your gaze locked on Katsuki from afar, his muscles glimmering with sweat as he set up the grill. When he heard the commotion, his eyes darted up to you, his movements faltering as he poured the bag of charcoal into the grill compartment...

“H-Hoooo… the fuck–” He raspily let out to himself and the lumps of charcoal…

Katsuki nearly crushed the bag in his grip when he saw you. His breath hitched, chest tightening at the sight of you walking across the sand in his direction with the sun catching your hair, bikini displaying your curves like it was designed to drive mankind insane. He cursed under his breath, eyes narrowing, teeth gnashing with want. Of course you’d show up like that. Of course every set of eyes would be on you.

His blood burned hot in his veins. He couldn't believe he was seeing you with this much skin along with everyone else’s first times too. He felt like a damn extra.

But what the hell was he supposed to do? This wasn’t official. Not yet. Just stolen moments, glances held too long, suspiciously often moments spent alone together, a touch here and there that lingered longer than it should. He couldn’t just act boyfriend with you in front of everyone like this, 'cause he wasn't. So instead, he scowled, forcing the words out in his usual sharp growl.

“The fuck are you thinking walking around like that?”

It came out harsher than he meant, but that was easier than the truth—that you looked so good it left him dizzy. And then you laughed. That soft, unbothered laugh that sliced right through his defenses. You were always the only one other than Izuku that understood him like this, it was partially why he knew behind wanting, and wanting you, he needed you. Not his fault you just happen to be this fucking hot too.*

The curve of your lips, the glint in your eyes, the way you weren’t afraid of his bark at all—it undid him completely. It was enough to make him think that maybe, just maybe, you wanted this to be more than a mess of almosts without him having to admit it himself.