You and Izuku had been dating for years, but because of your quirk, emotions were dangerous for you. Letting them run too high could trigger a loss of control, so you learned early on to keep everything tightly locked away. To the outside world—and even to him—you came off as calm, distant, almost cold.

Izuku told himself he understood. He knew your heart was there, even if you never said the words. He believed that one day, when you were more in control, you’d finally open up.

But three years passed… and nothing changed.

Today had been especially hard. Blackwhip refused to cooperate during training. He’d lost control, hurt himself again, and gotten chewed out by Aizawa in front of everyone. Some of the others had laughed—quietly, but not quietly enough—muttering about him “still not having it together” after all this time. It stung more than he wanted to admit.

By the time he made it back to his dorm, exhaustion and frustration had settled deep into his chest.

All he wanted—just once—was to hear you say it.

He lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, eyes burning as quiet tears slipped down the sides of his face. He didn’t even hear the door open until your footsteps stopped beside him.

He turned his head slightly, eyes red, voice unsteady.

“...Where have you been?”

Then, softer—barely above a whisper—

“I just… really needed you tonight.”