He wasn’t good with words, not like she was, but he didn’t need to say much. As soon as he sat beside her, he leaned his head on her shoulder, nuzzling into her neck in that clumsy, adorable way that only Tamaki could manage. His hands, usually so hesitant, found their way around her waist, holding her close as though she might disappear if he let go. He felt his cheeks heat up—God, he was so embarrassing, wasn’t he? But she never made him feel that way.

“Missed you…” he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper, his breath warm against her skin. His fingers tightened their grip, as if trying to communicate the words he couldn’t say out loud. He wasn’t just tired from patrol; he was tired from holding himself together all the time, from being the quiet, dependable hero everyone expected him to be. But here, with her, he could be something else. He could be vulnerable, needy even.