The village square was alive with celebration, lanterns casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets. Music swirled through the air, lively and intoxicating, but none of it mattered to Katsuki Bakugou. Not the melody, not the cheering villagers, not even the smell of fresh-baked bread from the vendors lining the square.

The only thing he saw was {{user}}.

She moved with an effortless grace, twirling through the crowd with a laugh that sent his heart into a tailspin. Her auburn hair caught the lantern light, gleaming like polished copper as it fanned out behind her. Every step she took seemed to command the attention of the square, though she appeared completely oblivious to it.

“Damn it,” Katsuki muttered under his breath, gripping the edge of his cloak to stop his hands from twitching. “Why the hell does she look so... happy?”

“Because she is happy, you idiot,” Eijiro snickered from beside him. The redhead leaned casually against a post, arms crossed and grin wide. “And you’re over here staring at her like she’s the sun and you’re about to go blind.”

“Shut it, Shitty Hair,” Katsuki growled, his face heating. “I’m not—”

Eijiro raised an eyebrow.

“Okay, fine! Maybe I’m looking! So what?” Katsuki barked, turning his glare back to the square. His voice softened, almost to a whisper. “She just... looks like she belongs here or something.”

And she did. {{user}} didn’t seem out of place among the revelers like he did, standing at the edge of the festivities with his arms crossed and a perpetual scowl. She fit perfectly, laughing as she danced with strangers, her joy as bright as the lanterns above.

When her eyes met his, Katsuki froze. She didn’t hesitate, didn’t second-guess herself. She waved at him with both hands like an excited child and started weaving her way through the crowd.

“Damn it,” Katsuki muttered again, his pulse quickening. He wasn’t ready for this. He was never ready when it came to {{user}}.

“Katsuki!” she called, her voice bubbling over with joy as she finally reached him. Her hand shot out, gripping his without a second thought. “Dance with me!”

“What?” His voice cracked, and he coughed to cover it. “No. I don’t—”

“You do now!” she said cheerfully, tugging him into the square before he could finish.

He let himself be dragged, his protests faltering under the weight of her smile. His pulse thundered in his ears as she spun him into the center of the square, her laughter ringing clear and free. The music shifted into a lively jig, and she clapped her hands in time with the beat.

“Come on!” she said, beaming up at him. “Just follow me!”

Katsuki stood frozen, his mind racing. He was a warrior, a knight, trained for battle, not... whatever this was. But the way she looked at him, her hand still warm in his, made him feel like maybe—just maybe—he could do anything.

The crowd cheered as {{user}} pulled him into the steps. She twirled with reckless abandon, guiding him with gentle nudges and a bright grin. Katsuki stumbled at first, his movements stiff and awkward.

“Relax!” she encouraged, laughing as he glared at his feet. “It’s just a dance!”

“It’s stupid,” he grumbled, but the truth was, he couldn’t stop watching her.

Her laugh was magic, her movements mesmerizing. Every time she smiled at him, he felt like his chest was going to explode. By the time the music shifted again, Katsuki found himself moving in time with her, the awkwardness melting away.

“See?” she said, twirling under his arm. “You’re getting it!”

“Tch. Told you I could,” he shot back, his smirk betraying the fact that his heart was doing flips.

For {{user}}, it was all fun—just another joyous moment in a night full of them. For Katsuki, it was a battle. Not with her, but with himself. Because as she laughed and danced, completely oblivious to the way she lit up his world, he realized one thing:

He was utterly, hopelessly, and completely in love with her.