your hair, the way your eyes sparkled with life, the way your smile was so carefree. You were everything he wasn't. Everything he had no right to want.

But he did. Desperately.

"Be careful," he murmured, his voice soft, almost pleading.

Your eyes widened, surprise flickering across your face. "Huh? What do you mean?"

His gaze dropped, unable to meet yours. "You shouldn't get so close to people like me," he whispered, his fingers clenching around the dropper. "People who... who can't stay in the light."

You stared at him, the weight of his words sinking in. You hopped off the stool, crossing the distance between you in three quick steps. Kai froze, every muscle locking up as you stood before him, so close he could feel your warmth.

Your eyes softened, a gentle smile curving your lips. "Then I'll just have to drag you into the light with me."

His heart stopped. Just for a second. And then it was racing, wild and uncontrollable, thundering in his chest as you reached out, your fingers brushing against his. A featherlight touch that felt like fire, igniting every nerve in his body.

You stepped onto your tiptoes, your lips curling into that playful, teasing smile that drove him to madness. With a boldness that caught even you by surprise, your finger hooked onto his surgical mask, gently tugging it down. His breath hitched, the fabric sliding past his lips, leaving his face exposed—vulnerable. Raw.

Kai Chisaki was a tall man, towering over you with an intimidating presence that had sent countless enemies trembling. But here, now, he was powerless. Powerless to the gleam in your eyes, the way the sunlight danced in them, reflecting the pure mischief and daring you radiated. Powerless to the warmth of your skin brushing his.

He was taller, stronger, older. A man who had built walls so high that no one could scale them. Untouchable because you were the cleanest person he knew. His phobia never reacted to you. No hives. No anxiety. Just... stillness. A calmness he didn't understand.

Your other hand slipped beneath his latex glove, fingers curling around his own. His chest tightened, lungs burning as he realized he was forgetting to breathe. Your touch was gentle, deliberate, skin warm against his. It felt real. Too real. Like it was searing into his soul.

"Kaiii," you sang, voice light and teasing, but your gaze was unwavering, piercing. Your blue eyes locked onto his with a confidence that made his pulse quicken. "Are you nervous?"

He was. Terrified, actually. But he couldn't let you see that. His lips parted, his tongue darting out to wet them instinctively, a habit he'd developed from wearing the mask for so long.

He'd never let anyone this close. He couldn't. Germs. Contamination. Imperfection. It was unbearable. Yet... you were standing right there, so close he could feel your breath against his skin, and he didn't want to move.

He didn't want to run.

You were going to kiss him.

You had to be. The realization crashed over him, sending his heart into overdrive. He'd never kissed anyone before. He'd never wanted to. The very thought of it made his skin crawl. But with you...

With you, it was different.

He found himself leaning down, his body moving before his mind could catch up. Your scent enveloped him, sweet and intoxicating, his head spinning. You were so close, too close, and yet not close enough.

His hands trembled, fingers tightening around yours. He could feel his walls crumbling, the ones he had meticulously constructed, brick by brick, to keep the world out. To keep himself safe.

And here you were, tearing them down with a smile and a whisper of his name.

His name. Not Overhaul. Not Chisaki. Just Kai. Just a man standing before you, heart on his sleeve, raw and vulnerable.

His forehead touched yours, the intimacy of the gesture sending shivers down his spine. He could feel your warmth, your presence grounding him, keeping him from falling apart.

"Kai," you whispered, his name a promise, a plea, a confession.

His chest tightened, a surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. Desire. Longing. Fear. Hope. They tangled together, knotting his insides, and for once, he didn't know what to do.

His breath mingled with yours, his resolve cracking. You were so close. So beautiful. So terrifyingly real.

Your eyes fluttered shut, and his world stopped.

Everything else faded away—the lab, the sunlight, the fears that had haunted him for as long as he could remember. There was only you. Only this moment.

Kai closed the distance, his lips brushing against yours, tentative and unsure. It was gentle, almost hesitant, as if he were afraid to break you, to shatter this fragile reality you had created together.

But then you kissed him back, soft and sweet and everything he never knew he needed. Your fingers tightened around his, grounding him, pulling him closer.

Your lips moved against his with a confidence that left him breathless. You weren't hesitant or shy. No, you were bold—dominant, even—claiming him with a certainty that shattered every wall he'd built.

Kai's eyes fluttered shut, his mind spinning, struggling to keep up with the intensity of you. Your mouth was soft, warm, moving in perfect rhythm as if you had always known exactly how to break him.

Your fingers curled tighter around his, keeping him anchored as you deepened the kiss, your tongue slipping past his lips with a teasing flick that made his knees go weak. He trembled, a shiver coursing down his spine as you pressed closer, the heat of your body overwhelming his senses.

You tasted like everything forbidden, everything he'd denied himself for so long. Sweet and addicting, a temptation he couldn't resist. And for once, he didn't want to.

A quiet sound escaped him, a low, helpless whimper that he immediately regretted. But you only smiled against his lips, your hand slipping up to tangle in his hair, nails grazing his scalp in a way that made his breath hitch.

You were in control. He knew it. You knew it. And you were reveling in it. The way your mouth moved over his, the way you guided him, coaxing him to follow your lead. He couldn't keep up, his mind a jumbled mess, lost somewhere between desire and disbelief.

You were kissing him. You were here, with him, your body pressed against his, your lips molding against his as if you had every right to be there. As if you belonged.

His hands twitched, instinctively wanting to grab you, to hold you closer. But he was frozen, overwhelmed, his chest tightening with emotions he didn't understand. He could feel his walls cracking, the carefully crafted persona he'd built for himself shattering under your touch.

You were relentless, your mouth demanding, coaxing him to respond, to surrender. And he did. He gave in, his lips parting for you, his body leaning into your warmth, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure you could hear it.

His fingers tightened around yours, desperate, needing to feel you, to know that this was real. That you were real.

Your tongue slid against his, playful and teasing, and his breath stuttered, his head spinning as you took control, leading him through a dance he had never known before.

You were relentless. Unyielding. Bold and fearless, claiming him in a way that made his heart ache.

Your other hand slid down his chest, your fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer. His body moved instinctively, his chest pressing against yours, his head tilting to give you better access, his entire being consumed by you.

A soft, breathless moan escaped you, vibrating against his lips, and his heart skipped, his pulse quickening. You were so close, so perfect, and he was losing himself in you, his control slipping away.

You broke the kiss first, your lips leaving his with a deliberate slowness that made his knees go weak. He chased after you instinctively, his body leaning forward, desperate for more.

But you pulled back, your forehead resting against his, your breath mingling with his, warm and sweet.

Your fingers were still tangled in his hair, your other hand pressed against his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. You were holding him up, grounding him, keeping him from falling apart.

Your eyes opened, locking onto his, a playful glint dancing in your gaze. You were smiling, that mischievous, knowing smile that drove him insane.

"Thought you'd be a better kisser," you teased, your voice a soft whisper, light and airy, as if you weren't aware of the havoc you'd just unleashed.

His face burned, heat rushing to his cheeks, embarrassment flooding him.Kai opened his mouth to retort, but no words came out. He was speechless, his mind blank, his body trembling.

You laughed softly, the sound musical, sending warmth flooding through him. "Guess we'll have to practice," you whispered, your breath hot against his skin, making him shiver.

You pulled back, your eyes sparkling with mischief, your confidence unwavering. You were in control, and you knew it.

Kai's heart raced, his pulse throbbing as he stared at you, completely undone.

You had broken him. Shattered him.

And he didn't want you to stop.

A forbidden love, tangled in secrecy and haunted by consequences. If your father found out, it would all come crashing down. You knew this. Yet, that only made the stolen moments sweeter. More dangerous. More intoxicating.

So you hid. You hid in the shadows of his sterile world, seeking solace with him when no one else was watching. No dates. No public displays of affection. Restaurants were out of the question—too filthy, too risky. Amusement parks? Impossible. Too many people, too many germs. Too much disorder.

Your world with Kai was confined to his meticulously sanitized home, a prison of purity and caution. Yet, you loved it there. You loved watching him work, his golden eyes narrowing in focus as he calculated every step of his experiments. It was in those moments that his guard was down, that you could catch a glimpse of the man beneath the mask. The man who loved you.

"Ugh, not you again. Don't you have a life?" Kurono's voice shattered the fragile peace, his figure slouching against the doorframe. He lived here too, a permanent thorn in your side. He never liked you. But that was fine. You never liked him either.

"You're just jealous I stole your boyfriend," you taunted, a wicked smile dancing on your lips.

Kurono's eyebrows furrowed, a scowl twisting his features. "Stop being a whore and get away from me," he grumbled, swiping the remote and plopping down on the other side of the sofa. He didn't look at you, but his irritation was palpable.

Your show, Weirder Objects, vanished from the screen, replaced by some ridiculous comedy that made you roll your eyes. "Bitch, give that back!" you growled, reaching over to snatch the remote, but Kurono grinned, snapping the device in half with a satisfying crack.

Rage flared in your chest. "You—"

"Kurono, stop being rude to [Name], or you're fired." Kai's voice was firm, emotionless, as he walked into the room, dusting off invisible particles from his spotless shirt. The very air seemed to stand still as he entered, his presence commanding and intimidating.

Kurono grumbled, crossing his arms as he looked away, his posture rigid with annoyance. You couldn't help the smug smile that curled on your lips as you stood, pressing a quick kiss to Kai's cheek. He stiffened, eyes widening behind his surgical mask, but he didn't pull away.

Then the doorbell rang.

Kurono shot to his feet, an exaggerated sigh escaping his lips. "Ugh, fine. I'll get it," he mumbled, shuffling to the door. You barely paid attention, too wrapped up in Kai's presence. Until—

"[Name], someone's here for you," Kurono's voice sing-songed, dripping with amusement. His figure shifted to reveal the last person you wanted to see standing on the threshold.

Your heart plummeted, dread curling in your stomach. Aizawa stood there, eyes burning with fury, his jaw clenched so tightly you could almost hear the grinding of his teeth. He was dressed in his hero uniform, scarf coiled around his shoulders like a serpent, ready to strike.

You instinctively pulled away from Kai. Kai's face changed in an instant—shoulders stiffening, eyes narrowing, mask pulled higher to cover his face. An intruder in his sanitized sanctuary.

The silence was deafening.

Aizawa's gaze flicked between you and Kai, suspicion morphing into realization, then into unmasked rage. He stepped forward, the air crackling with barely-contained fury.

"Do you have any idea how wrong this is?" Aizawa's voice was cold, biting, as he paced back and forth, his movements sharp and angry. You sat on the sofa, hands twisting nervously as Kai stood beside you, his figure tense and unreadable.

"Chichi... I-I was going to tell you eventually," you tried, voice soft and pleading, but Aizawa's eyes darkened, catching the way Kai's fingers still lingered near your thigh. His eye twitched.

"[Name], do you understand what you're saying?" His voice was laced with desperation. "This man is practically a predator. He's groomed you since you were young—are you even listening to yourself?"

The words sliced through you, a painful truth you didn't want to acknowledge. Part of you wondered if maybe—just maybe—he was right.

But then you remembered Kai. The way he looked at you, as if you were his salvation. The way he touched you, gentle and cautious, always holding back. If this was wrong, then why did it feel so heartbreakingly perfect?

"Chichi... I didn't even like him until after I was an adult," you reasoned, voice shaking but resolute. "He never... he never did anything wrong. He didn't even know he had feelings for me until later. This isn't some manipulation. It's love."

Aizawa's expression cracked, pain seeping through his hardened facade. "Love?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do you even know what that means?"

He turned his gaze to Kai, eyes narrowing with venomous distrust. "You. Chisaki. Do you honestly expect me to believe you had no ill intentions? That you didn't—"

Kai's posture remained rigid, but his voice was steady. "I understand your concern, Aizawa. But I swear, I never crossed that line. Not when she was a minor. Not ever." It was a lie, partially. He had fallen for you long before he admitted it to himself, but he never acted on it. Not until you were old enough. Not until you chose him.

Aizawa's face twisted, torn between anger and helplessness. You could see the war raging within him, the battle between his role as a father and his debt to Kai—the man who saved your life. If Kai hadn't intervened, you wouldn't be here now, wouldn't be sitting in his living room, fighting for a love that defied all logic.

Aizawa's shoulders sagged, his defiance crumbling beneath the weight of his love for you. "I don't... I don't like this. Not one bit," he growled, fists clenched at his sides. "But if you truly believe this is love... If you truly believe in him... then I won't stand in your way."

Your eyes widened, relief flooding your chest as you jumped up, wrapping your arms around his neck. "Thank you, Chichi. I promise... I promise you won't regret this."

Aizawa hesitated, his hands hovering uncertainly before he pulled you close, his face buried in your shoulder. "You better be right," he whispered, his voice breaking. "You better be right, or I'll tear him apart."

His gaze flickered to Kai, a silent warning, a threat wrapped in a father's love. Kai met his eyes, a solemn promise lingering in his golden irises. "I won't hurt her. Not ever."

Aizawa sighed, the weight of his decision settling heavily on his shoulders. As he released you, he gave Kai one last glare. "Don't make me regret this, Chisaki."

And just like that, everything changed. Your love was no longer a secret, but it was still fragile—a dance between what was right and what felt impossibly real.

You had never expected your father's permission to come with such complexity. For a year, he had watched, observed, and studied every movement between you and Kai, letting his skepticism turn into cautious acceptance.

But trust? Trust took time. The sterile world that Kai had built around himself wasn't enough to protect him from the rawness of human emotion—especially the kind he had for you.

At first, you didn't mind the distance. Intimacy seemed like a concept that didn't belong in his world, and yet, over time, he let you in. Slowly. Tentatively. His kisses at first were as soft as his hands—hesitant, controlled—but as his trust in you deepened, they became more fervent.

He gave you pieces of himself you never knew he had, a love that was tender yet consuming. You didn't mind the wait, for every moment with him felt like a gift. Every touch, a silent promise.

Even his jealousy, though consuming, was a part of the love you had for him. He couldn't help himself. You were radiant—shining brighter as you rose in the ranks of heroes, your smile capable of stopping hearts. But his. His heart was already lost. He was your protector, your lover, your everything. And yet, he couldn't protect you from the world.

At the same time, Kai's world was still too small, still too controlled. His obsessions with cleanliness had eased, but they had only shifted to a new obsession—you. You were the one thing he couldn't sterilize, couldn't perfect. The love you shared was raw, messy, and beautiful in its imperfection.

As you sat on his lap, your thumb tracing lazy circles over his cheek, you whispered, "Kai, do you really want this?" The question was simple, but loaded. His response came in the softest, most desperate of tones. "Yes, please."

His voice cracked, but it was real. Real in a way that made your heart race. You had never seen him so bare, so vulnerable. He wanted you—not just in a way that was physical, but in a way that was beyond words. The urge that had built up inside him for so long couldn't be contained anymore.

You leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead, your voice barely a whisper, "I love you, Kai." And as you said it, you felt the weight of every moment, every stolen second you had spent with him.

"I love you, too," he mouthed, his eyes reflecting need, but also safety—as if you were the one thing that grounded him. The one thing that made his world make sense.

Your marriage to Kai, was an arrangement—a courtroom marriage witnessed by a handful of people, a silent promise that had no grand ceremony, no celebration. Just you and Kai, facing the world together, but apart from it. And yet, it was enough.

The boy, Kouki, was a miracle. A boy with white hair and golden eyes, a striking blend of both you and Kai, but with a fiery spirit all his own. He had inherited a touch of Kai's carefully crafted world, but also carried the wildness of your uncontained love. He was born when you were twenty-eight, and Kai was thirty-five, a tender age for both of you, yet older in the weight of everything you had endured.

Kai had struggled to accept the chaos that came with fatherhood—he had spent so long in the pursuit of order that Kouki's free spirit seemed like a challenge, an unknown territory he wasn't prepared for. But as the years went on, Kai, the man who had once been so rigid, learned to adapt. Slowly, with each passing day, he took to fatherhood with a fierce tenderness, despite the wreckage of his obsessive habits.

And then there was Kurono, ever