this is no longer accurate to the canon manga but was based on one of my friend's tweets from months ago. i hope its still okay tho!

enjoy!

The war left everyone with scars, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Shoto suffers knowing who his brother is. Izuku's body held permanent damage, leaving his limbs weak. Their teachers were still recovering.

While he didn't retain the most damage, the most jarring change was from Katsuki. The once loud and bold boy was suddenly quiet. His tone was always soft, not that he spoke often.

The silence was unnerving. They could always count on Katsuki's shouts and blunt words, but there was nothing to be heard. Not even Denki could coax a rise out of him, his friends desperate to see the old him.

Logically, they knew he couldn't yell because his body needed to recover, but they couldn't keep from missing it. It was like the spark of the class had been dimmed permanently.

Speaking of the spark, Izuku was awfully different as well. The mumbling was kept to a minimum, his movements slow and shaky. The duo spent a lot of time together, but it was in silence.

Sometimes Izuku's door would creak open and Katsuki would walk in, shutting it behind him. His eyes would be tired and his hand would be resting over his scar, rubbing it gently. Izuku would scoot over on the bed and Katsuki would finally rest.

Katsuki was used to Izuku coming in at any time. He'd shuffle in, curled in on himself. Katsuki would get up and ease him into bed, carefully making him release the tension. He would take the trembling arms in his hands and massage them the way the physical therapist taught him.

The tender gesture would soon lull the boy to sleep. No words were ever exchanged, they seemed to mutually agree they were better off without them. Only a soft "good night" or "good morning" was ever uttered.

Katsuki was never good at speaking, and he didn't even know what he was thinking. He did know, however, that actions spoke louder than words. That's why he would rub Izuku's tense neck when they were on the couch, or he stroked his hair when he got too lost in thought.

Izuku had far too much to say, too many thoughts to gather. He didn't know how to make Katsuki understand and accept them, so he kept quiet. He tried to make sure Katsuki knew he cared by applying the cream to his scars and wrapping them up every night, lovingly.

For once, they understood each other.

After about a month, Izuku's smile reappeared. The class suddenly felt hope when Izuku let out a giggle, smiling at his friends as they watched a movie in the common room. He wasn't fully healed by any means, no one was, but the hint of something familiar was wonderful.

Katsuki, however didn't change. It took him another month to allow a whisper of a smile on his lips. Izuku would cherish the expression for the rest of his life, even if he was the only one who could possibly notice it.

His friends has stopped trying to tease him, but when Katsuki smiled a second time, they decided to try again. It was far more successful, his eyebrows furrowing in anger as he watched Eijirou chop the onions wrong.

"That's not how you do it." He mumbled, getting up and taking the knife to show him. The motions were smooth and precise, very Katsuki. Denki tried next, purposefully messing up.

"No, no, idiot." He scolded quietly, taking the knife and showing them once more. Izuku walked in, grinning when he saw Katsuki doing something he enjoyed, oblivious to the innocent ploy.

The two boys tried again, smiling in silent victory when Katsuki growled under his breath. Snatching the blade, he chopped up the rest of the vegetables, huffing as he tossed them in the bowl.

"That's how you do it! Fucking-" He stopped mid sentence, a hand shooting to his stomach as he winced in pain. Panting lightly, he gripped the counter, eyes focused on the ground.

"Kacchan!" Izuku cried, running over despite how it slightly burned his legs. Denki and Eijirou grabbed his shoulders, apologizing profusely.

"We just miss you, man."

Izuku took Katsuki in his arms, supporting him best he could. Eijirou took the other side of Katsuki, hoping to help, but the blonde brushed him off. He turned to Izuku, quite nearly burying his face in his shoulder.

"It hurts," He whimpered, shattering Izuku's heart.

"I know, Kacchan, I know. Let's get you to your room, yeah?"

With that, they left the kitchen and made their way to the elevator.

When they arrived in Katsuki's room, Izuku laid him on the bed cautiously, thankful it seemed Katsuki was aching less. It still hurt to see his friend in pain, in pain because of him.

Katsuki would be fine if Izuku hadn't been so weak, so stupid, so damn useless. Izuku would be the only one hurt, and that would be okay. As long as Katsuki-

"Shut up. Shut the fuck up, Izuku."

"Oh. Was I mumbling?"

"Yeah. Heard every dumbass word."

His words were harsh, but his tone was too soft to be taken too seriously. Izuku rested a hand on Katuski's torso, massaging small, light, circles onto it.

"I'm sorry, Kacchan."

"I don't regret it."

Izuku felt the tears pooling in his eyes, spilling over when Katsuki began to massage his twitching thigh. He looked tired. Eventually, he took Izuku's hand and rested it on his hair instead. The boy understood, scratching his scalp kindly.

"Deku?"

"Hm?"

Katsuki opened his arms hesitantly, a light blush dusting his cheeks. Izuku sighed fondly, lying down and letting himself be held. He continued to stroke the blonde hair, Katsuki soon returning the gesture.

"Kacchan?"

"Yeah?"

"We should talk about this someday."

"Yeah."

"Just not tonight."

"...Yeah."

Izuku's eyelids grew heavy, his body shutting down wrapped up in warmth. His companion's eyes were already closed, breathing leveling out.

"Kacchan?"

"Hm?"

"I'm still sorry. I'm sorry you're in pain."

"I'm not the only one, nerd. You're hurting too."

"Yeah, but... it's my fault you're like this."

"Don't take credit for my actions. My body moved on it's own."

"Yes, but-"

"It's too late for this, Deku. Let's just sleep, okay?"

"...Okay."

Katsuki smiled gently, tapping their noses together so briefly Izuku thought he imagined it. His eyes slipped shut, a peaceful look overtaking him. Izuku stayed awake a little longer, watching the rise and fall of his chest and listening to his heartbeat.

"I love you," He said softly, not expecting an answer, "You mean the world to me."

"Love you, too."

Izuku's eyes shot open, meeting Katsuki's once more. "That's why I did it. That's why I don't mind. Because it was you."

Izuku felt himself tear up again, letting out a little sob as Katsuki held him closer. "I thought it was too late for this?"

"Figured you should know if I did. I'm nothing if not fair, dumbass."

"Of course, Kacchan."

Their emotions and minds were moving a mile a minute, exhausting them. This was just the beginning, and yet it was as if they'd been talking for hours. They would do that soon. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe the next day.

All they knew was they were at peace right now, but they were drained. Izuku's hiccups didn't cease, and Katsuki's stomach was still stinging from earlier, but they were okay.

Izuku cried himself to sleep that night, as he did many other nights, but this time Katsuki's tears joined his own.

fin!

im more active on twitter if youre interested im shippywrites!

please review and have a great day!