The door closed softly behind me.
The room was dim, lit only by the city glow filtering through the curtains and the pale moonlight spilling across the bed. Kurohane was already there—sitting quietly. Waiting. She looked up when she heard me enter.
For once, there was no teasing smile.
No playful malice.
No carefully worn mask.
Just her.
"You came quickly," she said softly.
"I said I would," I replied, closing the distance between us.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence wasn't awkward—it was heavy, dense with everything we had never said.
"I was scared you wouldn't," she admitted, fingers clutching the fabric at her side. "I thought… maybe after the party, after everything, you'd pretend none of this happened."
I shook my head. "I'm done pretending."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"I've ignored you for too long," I continued. "Told myself it was easier not to look too closely. That it was safer to treat you like a joke… or a mystery." I hesitated only a second before placing my hand over hers. "But tonight… I saw you. Not the act. Not the danger. You."
Her grip tightened instantly.
"…That's cruel, you know," she whispered. "Saying things like that so easily."
"I don't think it's easy," I said honestly. "I think I was just afraid."
Her breath trembled. "I've waited a long time to hear that. Longer than you know."
Slowly, carefully, she leaned forward, resting her forehead against my chest. Her warmth seeped through my clothes.
"I've watched you save everyone else," she murmured. "Over and over. Always reaching out… always kind… always gentle." Her fingers curled into my shirt. "And I wondered… if you'd ever reach for me."
I lifted her chin so she had to look at me.
"I'm reaching now."
That was all it took.
She kissed me—not suddenly, not desperately—but deeply. Like she was afraid I might disappear if she let go. I kissed her back, slow at first, then with more certainty, more intent. Her hands slid up to my shoulders; mine settled at her waist.
We stayed like that for a long time, kissing beneath the moonlight, learning each other's rhythm, her breath hitching whenever I pulled her closer.
When we finally parted, her forehead rested against mine.
"You didn't pull away," she whispered, almost to herself.
"I don't want to," I replied.
Her smile was small. Real.
"Then stay," she said quietly. "Just… stay with me tonight."
I nodded.
We moved together toward the bed—not rushed, not frantic. Just two people finally choosing each other. As we lay down, she curled against me, fitting beneath my arm like she had always belonged there. Her breathing slowly evened out.
"…Izuku," she murmured.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you… for seeing me."
I pressed a gentle kiss to her hair. "I'm sorry it took me so long."
She smiled against my chest.
The affection was a balm—but also a spark. Years of pent-up longing, missed signals, and deliberate ignorance smoldered beneath the quiet. I felt the shift in her, the subtle tension as she tilted her head back. Her eyes, dark and serious in the dim light, searched mine.
"Izuku," she whispered again—this time thick with need. "I don't just want you to stay. I want you."
The directness sent a jolt through me.
I answered by capturing her lips again.
This kiss was different. No comfort. No forgiveness. Just raw, unfiltered desire. It deepened instantly as I rolled her onto her back, settling my weight over her. Restraint gave way to hunger.
My hands roamed, no longer gentle—pulling her shirt free, sliding beneath to feel warm skin. She arched into my touch, a soft moan swallowed by our kiss. Her hands were just as eager, fumbling at my clothes in her haste to feel me.
We broke apart only long enough to rid ourselves of fabric, clothes falling to the floor in a careless heap. Moonlight traced her in silver and shadow, and for a heartbeat I simply stared.
But the look in her eyes—open, unbridled want—anchored me.
I lowered myself back onto her, bare skin meeting bare skin, drawing a sharp gasp from us both. My kiss grew rougher, more demanding. I nipped at her lip, soothed it with my tongue, gripping her hips and pulling her flush against me.
Her legs wrapped around my waist, heels digging into my back—silent insistence.
I didn't make her wait.
I thrust into her in one deep stroke. Her cry fractured between pain and pleasure, and I stilled long enough for her to breathe—until her hands pulled me deeper.
"Move, Izuku," she gasped. "Don't stop."
I didn't.
I moved with hard, driving rhythm, each thrust drawing more sound from her, the room filling with breath and broken moans. I shifted, changed the angle, and felt her body tremble beneath me.
Her nails raked down my back, the sting only sharpening the heat. I felt her tightening, her body responding uncontrollably as she neared the edge.
I wanted to see her fall apart.
I pulled back almost fully, then slammed into her again—over and over—until she was writhing, head thrown back.
"Izuku—right there—don't stop!"
My hand slipped between us, thumb finding her, pushing her over the edge. Her body arched, pleasure tearing through her as she convulsed around me.
The sight broke me.
With a final, guttural sound, I buried myself inside her and let go.
I collapsed onto her, breathless, heart pounding. We lay tangled together, bodies slick with sweat, trembling as the intensity slowly ebbed.
After a while, I rolled to the side, pulling her with me until her head rested on my chest.
I stroked her hair, fingers tracing idle patterns across her skin. The frenzy faded, replaced by a deep, grounding calm.
"Kurohane," I whispered.
She looked up at me, eyes bright with tears—happy ones. A genuine smile curved her lips.
"I'm here, Izuku," she said softly, peaceful in a way I'd never heard before. "I'm finally here."
Outside, the moon continued to shine.
And for the first time—
I didn't feel like I was carrying the weight of the world alone.
---
That night didn't end quietly.
It stretched on—once turning into twice, twice blurring into more—until time lost all meaning. We only stopped when exhaustion finally claimed us, bodies tangled together as dawn crept closer, the world outside forgotten entirely.
By the time morning came, it felt like we had lived an entire night in each other's arms.