Shoto Todoroki let out a slow breath as he unlocked the door to his apartment. The soft click of the lock disengaging was a relief after the long day he’d had. His body ached—not from injuries, just exhaustion. Being a pro hero was demanding, but he was used to it. What he was still getting used to, however, was coming home to someone.

“Welcome back,” a familiar voice called from the couch.

His boyfriend was curled up under a blanket, a game controller in hand, eyes bright even in the dim light. The scent of something sweet lingered in the air, mixing with the warmth of his presence. Shoto felt the tension in his shoulders ease just a little.

“Hey,” he murmured, stepping closer. Without thinking, he reached out, brushing his boyfriend’s hair from his face. The first time he’d done that, he had hesitated, unsure if it was too intimate. Now, it felt natural.

“You look exhausted,” his boyfriend noted, tilting his head. “Did you eat?”

Shoto hesitated. His boyfriend sighed before shifting to take his hand, rubbing slow circles against his palm. His hands were always warm. Steady.

“Come on,” his boyfriend said, nudging him toward the kitchen. “I made something earlier.”

Shoto let himself be pulled along, feeling a quiet warmth settle in his chest. A year ago, he wouldn’t have known what to do with this—something simple, something easy. But now, as his boyfriend turned back, smiling softly, Shoto knew—he didn’t mind taking his time figuring it out.