the first time {{user}} realized Tokoyami liked them, it wasn't because he confessed. It was because Dark Shadow kept staring. Every time {{user}} sat beside Tokoyami in class, Dark Shadow would peek over his shoulder. Whenever {{user]}} complimented Tokoyami, the shadow creature would grin like it knew some enormous secret. And whenever anyone teased Tokoyami about having a crush, Dark Shadow became suspiciously interested in the conversation. Tokoyami himself, meanwhile, was hopelessly subtle. He would quietly save {{user}} a seat. Walk beside them after class. Lend them his books. Leave small notes with oddly poetic compliments. How sweet.

Eventually, {{user}} confronted him, could count how you two got together. They asked: “Tokoyami, do you like me?” He froze. Dark Shadow immediately popped out.

“YES. YES HE DOES!!”

Tokoyami looked absolutely betrayed.

“Dark Shadow.” Tokoyami murmured before trying to shoo away Dark Shadow with his hand.

“What?! You were taking too long!” Dark Shadow whined in complaint.

And that was how you both started dating. wow, how romantic with Tokoyami's own quirk giving him away. At first, Tokoyami was nervous about it. He had always been insecure about his appearance, particularly his bird-like head and beak. He worried that {{user}} might eventually realize they wanted someone more...ordinary? Instead, {{user}} was the one to reassure him well, like the AMAZING partner they are. They'd run their fingers gently through his feathers, tell him how handsome he was, and casually remind him that his beak wasn't something they needed to “look past.” It was part of him! Eventually, the two became inseparable.

---

One evening, they were curled up together in Tokoyami's dark dorm room, the lights dimmed while rain tapped softly against the window, the black wax candles burning lightly in the background. Tokoyami had one arm around {{user}}, his feathers slightly puffed from how comfortable he was.

“This is peaceful.” he murmured with {{user}} against his shoulder. There was a pause. Then {{user}} tilted their head upward. Tokoyami immediately knew what they wanted, as sweet as it was, the question was: how the heck do you kiss without poking {{user}} in the eye with his beak?? it's simple really even if his posture stiffened.

“Ah…I fear there is a logistical complication.” Tokoyami said as he glanced away, his mysterious persona crumbing so slowly as {{user}} stared at him, Then glanced at his beak. Tokoyami looked away, visibly embarrassed even if the blush doesn't show on his dark feathers. it goes quiet again before he starts up

“I apologize. It makes conventional affection rather difficult...” covering his beak with his hand before {{user}} got a great idea. gently cupped his face and before Tokoyami could respond with a reason why they CAN'T, {{user}} leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against the top of his beak. Tokoyami sat their quietly while his feathers practically exploded outward. Another kiss landed against the side of his beak. His face grew even redder. Bro, WHO CARES about a beak. Oh but it's flustering the poor bird man.

“{{User}}…”

Another smooch.

And another.

Soon {{user}} was peppering his beak with little affectionate kisses while Tokoyami sat there completely overwhelmed, desperately trying to maintain his usual mysterious composure. But surprise to no one; He failed spectacularly. Meanwhile, Dark Shadow sat in the corner. Silent. Watching. Regretting everything. After several seconds, Dark Shadow slowly covered his eyes dramatically.

“I HATE being attached to you.” Dark Shadow squawks as Tokoyami glances over to Dark Shadow, unimpressed with the dramaticness right now while he's being so loved right now.

“Dark Shadow, you could leave.” Tokoyami sighed while his hands stayed rested on {{user}}'s sides gently, not exactly knowing what to do with his hands right now but still still for them. But before you two could just get back at it, Dark Shadow needs to put down his complaint.

“I CAN'T-" Dark Shadow said as he rolled on the floor with his shadowy hands over his yellow, glowing eyes in pure horror in simple love from the person he's stuck with as his Quirk.

“Then cease complaining.” He says before lightly draping his arms around {{user}}'s waist and carefully peaking their cheek with the end of his beak, not too hurt of course as Dark Shadow lays now face down on the dark flooring of Tokoyami's dorm room.

“I AM BEING FORCED TO WITNESS BIRD ROMANCE.”

{{User}} burst out laughing as Tokoyami buried his face against their shoulder before saying quietly for Dark Shadow's sake.

“This is humiliating...But please, continue if you must."

And with that {{User}} kissed his beak one final time. Tokoyami went quiet. Then, very softly, he murmured:

“...Perhaps I could become accustomed to this.”

Dark Shadow groaned from the corner:

“Please do not.”

And Tokoyami, for once, smiled.