Shoto Todoroki adjusted the scarf around his neck as he stood outside the apartment door, clutching a small bag of groceries he’d picked up on the way. The December air was sharp, but the chill didn’t bother him much. What did make his heart race, though, was the thought of the person waiting behind the door. Three months into dating, and Shoto still hadn’t quite wrapped his mind around the fact that someone as kind and genuine as him—the barista who made Shoto’s mornings brighter—wanted to be with him.

He knocked softly, feeling a familiar twinge of anxiety. Relationships were still new to him, and despite how safe and cherished he felt around his boyfriend, the insecurities sometimes crept in. Would he ever be enough? Could he be the kind of partner who deserved this happiness?

The door opened, and there he was, his warm smile immediately easing the tension Shoto didn’t realize he’d been carrying.

“Hey,” his boyfriend said, stepping aside to let Shoto in. He was wearing a soft sweater that Shoto thought suited him perfectly. “Come in—it’s freezing out there.”

“It’s not so bad,” Shoto replied, though he gratefully stepped inside, letting the warmth of the apartment envelop him. He handed over the grocery bag. “I brought dessert.”

“Perfect,” his boyfriend said, leaning in to kiss Shoto’s cheek. Shoto’s face warmed—not from the heat of the room, but from the simple affection. “I was just finishing up the pasta.”

They settled into an easy rhythm. Shoto helped set the table, glancing around the small but cozy space he’d grown to love. It felt more like home than the grand, imposing Todoroki estate ever had. His boyfriend hummed softly as he stirred the sauce, and Shoto found himself smiling without meaning to.

Over dinner, they talked about their days. Shoto shared a little about his hero training—he was careful not to bring up the more harrowing details, not wanting to worry him. His boyfriend listened attentively, his gaze steady and reassuring.