The first light of morning crept through the blinds, casting soft lines across the bed. Kirishima stirred quietly, his body instinctively awake before the alarm could even sound. Years of training had made early mornings second nature, but this was different. Now he was a pro hero, freshly graduated, living in the apartment he shared with the man currently wrapped around him like a second blanket.

He didn’t want to move.

His boyfriend was still deep in sleep, face nestled against Kirishima’s chest, breath warm and even. A protective arm lay draped over his ribs, as if trying to keep him from disappearing. Kirishima’s heart tugged at the thought. This kind of peace was rare—earned, not given—and in the quiet, he let himself savor it.

But duty called. He had the morning shift downtown, one of the busier areas where villain sightings had spiked recently. Carefully, he shifted, slow and deliberate, trying not to disturb the other man’s sleep. The bed creaked under his weight, and the body beside him stirred slightly, fingers tightening around his side. A sleepy sigh followed.

Kirishima froze for a second, guilt and affection mingling in his chest. He reached up, brushing a few strands of hair from his boyfriend’s face, letting his fingers linger there a little longer than necessary.

He didn’t speak. Words would only draw attention, and he couldn’t risk waking him fully. He simply leaned down, pressed a soft kiss to the other man’s temple, then gently eased himself out of bed.