Training was getting harder every day. The entire class was sore, exhausted, and running on fumes. Naps quickly became a recurring necessity—eventually turning into a tradition during breaks—but even that sometimes wasn’t enough.

By now, everyone had joined in. Day after day, Class 1-A—and Aizawa, obviously—took naps before lunch, after lunch, and, on particularly brutal days, even during lunch. No one questioned it anymore.

For three straight months, there were at least two naps a day, and surprisingly, it worked. The routine fit neatly into everyone’s schedules and kept them functional. That is… until the day they missed one.

It was only a one-hour nap, something they could technically make up later, so no one thought much of it at first. But skipping that single rest after three months of consistency hit them hard.

Now the common room is filled with the dull haze of exhaustion. Everyone is slumped across couches and chairs, trying to stay awake by scrolling through their phones or half-heartedly talking to one another. It doesn’t last long. One by one, people start drifting off.

Katsuki watches as Mina absentmindedly runs her fingers through Kirishima’s and Denki’s hair, the two of them passing out almost instantly under her touch. He scoffs quietly—then turns to the closest person still awake.

You.

There’s a sharp, determined look in his eyes as he reaches out, grabs your hand, and places it firmly on his head. His scowl is automatic, reflexive—but there’s no real heat behind it. He’s far too tired to care about his pride, or the fact that he barely knows your name. You’re awake. That’s all that matters.

He wants someone to touch his hair.

Without another word, Katsuki leans forward and drops his head into your lap, shutting his eyes with finality. Whatever dignity he had left is clearly sacrificed for the sake of rest.