A/N: I See You - MISSIO

I've liked this song paired with this fic for a while now. For me it just feels like it represents how Izuku has made himself present in Katsuki's life again to help him, to pick him back up again and show him that his disability isn't the end. I feel like Izuku's actions over the last few chapters really represent that, but this chapter in particular, when Katsuki's eyes start to open to exactly what his relationship with Izuku was and is and how he realizes his own flaws just really relates to this song 3

That's just how I feel anyway.

Katsuki woke before his alarm to Deku kneeling beside him and shaking his shoulder lightly. He blinked sleep from his eyes before sitting up quickly enough that Deku had to fall back on his ass to avoid a head butt. He turned a glare at the greenette who sheepishly smiled and pointed to the kotatsu where breakfast was laid out, delivered to their door again by the elderly couple, before he got to his feet again to head there himself. Katsuki stood, stretched with arms over his head before joining him. He was still shirtless but Deku avoided looking to him directly as they ate opposite one another. More than once Katsuki had hoped to catch him looking his way if only to better assess what that look in those green eyes had meant the night before but Deku obediently kept his gaze elsewhere, primarily his phone, scrolling while he picked at his fish and rice.

Breakfast done, Deku rose to riffle through his travel bag, crouching with his back to Katsuki who rose to find his shirt from the night before. He found it on the ground, half covered by his blanket. He shook it out and raised it over his head, feeding his arms through, followed by his head just in time for movement from Deku to catch his eye. The greenette jerking his head back in a quick motion like someone swallowing pills and then returned to searching for a fresh change of clothes.

With a fresh set of clothes in hand Deku rose to his feet to head to the shower no doubt when he noticed Katsuki looking his way and half turned to face him.

Headache, he signed with a wry smile and turned for the door. Katsuki huffed through his nose, having not asked and moved to settle down by the kotatsu, knowing he would have to wait for the nerd to finish up before he could shower himself. Luckily the old inn had a relatively modern heating unit for the shower so it wouldn't run out of hot water by the time Katsuki's turn came around. Deku had always had a bad habit of spending too long in showers. The greenette had been like that ever since he had been old enough to shower on his own, no doubt getting lost in his own thoughts and musings beneath the water.

After they had both showered and returned to the room Katsuki was mostly surprised that Deku apparently didn't have somewhere else important to run off to and instead spent some time lounging around on his phone before rising to his feet from where he had been sitting cross legged on the mats and coming over to nudge at Katsuki with his foot gently to get his attention. Katsuki swatted out at the foot, Deku being nimble enough to hop out of reach in time with a hint of a playful smile while Katsuki snarled at him.

Shall we go for a walk? Asked the greenette with a hopeful look that Katsuki blinked at with irritation for a few moments more.

I haven't had a chance to really check the beach out yet, he added on.

Sounds like a YOU problem, Katsuki signed back and moved to rest his chin in the palm of his hand again. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Deku pause for a moment more before he stepped forward again, a foot at the ready to poke at Katsuki's thigh where he sat by the table. This time Katsuki lashed out with a hand to swipe at Deku's ankle before the nerd could make contact. Katsuki latched on, twisting his body as he pulled Deku's foot towards him, causing the greenette to fall back on his ass. Katsuki was on his feet a moment later and towering over the freckled man who blinked back up at him with surprise before a sheepish smile crept across his face.

It would be good for both of us to get out for a bit, he signed up from the floor and Katsuki gave another huff, this time stepping back in silent surrender. He shoved his hands in his pockets while Deku got back to his feet and patted at his backside where he had fallen. He looked to Katsuki questionably before the blonde turned on his heel with a rumble in his throat and headed for the back door to reach the sand. He could feel the vibrations of footsteps as Deku followed after him.

The sky was dotted with light clouds that created moving patches of shadow across the sand. Calm water and a cool breeze swept by and kept things at the perfect temperature, although the direct sunlight was still enough to make Katsuki's palms sweat some and Deku had to sweep a hand across his forehead to push his hair out of his face, just as unruly as ever. When Deku had been working in the south and, being the media angel he was, had taken part in more than one photo shoot or interview, his green hair had been cut shorter then. Now, having let it grow since, it was in the same state it had been in during their first year at U.A. Katsuki was surprised the nerd didn't keep a hair clip on him to pin it back when the wind blew it this way and that. He almost snorted to himself with amusement at how that would look on the greenette.

They had walked for some time in silence when Deku paused, pulling his phone from his pocket to answer a call. Katsuki shot him an eye roll before continuing on. After a moment Deku followed a few steps behind while he attended his call. It was brief and less than thirty seconds later Deku had picked up his pace to reach Katsuki, touching his shoulder to make the blonde pause long enough for Deku to step up to face him with a wide grin and sparkling green eyes.

Our gear is ready, he signed enthusiastically. Katsuki narrowed his eyes and kept his hands in his pockets. Deku watched him a moment longer, his smile dropping a fraction when Katsuki didn't share his excitement.

Instead Katsuki asked with a grumble why Deku was even helping him. Deku blinked at that, his smile dropping away completely and the sparkle leaving his eyes at the question – not that Katsuki had really phrased it like one.

Because we're friends, Deku signed back looking a little hurt and confused. Bakugo felt his throat vibrate with a low growl as he tore his gaze away to look to the sky before returning to glare down at the other man with annoyance. They had been here before.

Katsuki spat back what felt to be loudly that they were not friends, that they hadn't been friends for years and probably never had been in the first place. Before him Deku looked hurt, looked like he wanted to shrink away but instead he raised his hands to reply.

But before he could start to sign anything Katsuki tacked on a question.

It wasn't really a question, more a barbed statement and Deku's hands fell back down as he looked to Katsuki with a mix of shock, hurt and confusion, maybe even guilt though that may have just been Katsuki seeing what he wanted to see. Then a moment later Deku blinked it all away and it was quickly replaced with anger, his green brows furrowing.

Whose fault is that? Deku repeated Katsuki's words back to him like he was trying to understand or clarify, what is that supposed to mean?

Katsuki let the corner of his lip lift in a snarl. How could Deku be so stupid, it meant exactly what it meant. They had been friends once, sure, but then they had graduated and gone their separate ways. No goodbyes, no texts, no calls, no stopping to talk to one another when they did see each other during events their old classmates held. Nothing. Deku hadn't attempted once, not even since moving to the same agency as Katsuki, to try to have a conversation outside of work shit, to apologize for giving Katsuki the cold shoulder or to fix anything between them. At family dinners they never really spoke if ever they were both there. And not even at All Might's fucking funeral did the green idiot approach Katsuki to share a few words. Nothing. Zip. Nada. And he said as much with a snarl.

But Deku didn't shrink back this time. He didn't fidget or look nervous about Katsuki's flare up, instead he continued to look to Katsuki with fierce angry eyes.

So it's my fault is it? He signed angrily and Katsuki gave a snort of agreement, removing his hands from his pocket to cross his arms over his chest.

It's all my fault then, you had nothing to do with it, that's it is it? He signed on and Katsuki bit back a growl at the tone, if you could call how erratically Deku was waving his hands about as a tone because it sure felt like one.

You never tried to reach out to me either, Deku threw at him, You never called or messaged or approached me, so how is it just my fault?

Katsuki hissed out a warning but rather than stepping away, Deku stepped forward and into Katsuki's space.

So what, it was all on me then, it was my responsibility to keep the friendship going? That road goes both ways 'Kacchan', the name went unsaid, I know we were both busy but shit, the swear word made Katsuki blink, you could have reached out to me too. I have chased you for years and we were finally friends again. I thought that I wouldn't have to chase after you anymore. That we were on equal ground.

Deku stepped back, looking exasperated, like if he weren't using his hands for signing he would be pacing back and forth while tugging at his hair but instead he was facing Katsuki still, the fire in his eyes dying away.

I was busy, I kept meaning to message but then something came up and, Deku moved his mouth like he was spitting a swear word to himself before continuing, but then I figured that you could've messaged me just as easily so I waited to see if you would and then when you didn't so much time had passed that I didn't even know what to say if I did message you.

He lowered his head to look to his hands rather than at Katsuki and let his shoulders sag like he was defeated

I started to think that what we had in school was fake, that none of it had been real and that you had never really seen us as friends. I figured that's why you never reached out to me. That you were just glad to have me gone. So even when I moved to your job, he didn't know the word for agency just yet, I didn't talk to you because I thought you wouldn't want me too.

Katsuki must have taken in a sharp breath because Deku's green eyes lifted to meet his own, looking hurt and regretful before he looked downwards again.

I thought, he signed more, that after everything, I could help you and we could be heroes together like we used to talk about doing. I guess that was selfish of me though. He stepped back further.

Sorry 'Kacchan', he signed one last time before he turned on his heel and started to walk back the way they had come, towards the inn. Katsuki didn't follow, too busy watching the greenette leave with wide eyes as the realization of it all washed over him.

That look that Deku had given him in the common room back during their final year after he overheard Bakugo accepting the agency's job offer. That expression Deku had shown had never sat well with Katsuki and now it made sense. That look had been one of hurt, of betrayal, but rather than saying anything about it, Deku had turned to leave the room a second later, leaving Katsuki wondering what it had all been about.

All throughout their high school years All Might had been hinting – not so subtly – at the pair becoming a pro hero team. The Wonder Duo he had called them. Balancing one another and watching each other's backs. He had told them that together they could be unstoppable, able to conquer anything they set their minds to and by the time their second year rolled around they had discussed it lightly like it was an available option to them to do after they graduated. Katsuki hadn't been opposed to the idea entirely. He had always seen himself as more of a lone wolf than anything else but he couldn't deny that he and Deku made for a good team. The greenette could read his movements and mood like Katsuki had his own personal subtitles displaying every one of his inner thoughts to Deku when they were sparring or in combat together. Hell, the pair had even created special combo moves together.

By their third year they had stopped talking about it. During their second they had been so open to the Wonder Duo idea that it really hadn't needed further discussion or at least that is what Katsuki had thought but he had been wrong.

He and Deku hadn't broached the subject again when job offers started to come in during their last term. With how busy they were with their final school year and hero license exams coming up Katsuki had just assumed Deku had been receiving offers too. It wasn't till later he had found Deku hadn't accepted one till after Katsuki had. Katsuki had felt a little hurt that Deku hadn't mentioned it to him during their study sessions which had been becoming rare at that point. But Katsuki hadn't asked nor commented on it. Only now did he realize his mistake and all the trouble and miscommunication or lack of even that that had stemmed from it.

He had taken the job offer because he had assumed that Deku would take one soon enough too, if he hadn't already. He had assumed that since they hadn't stopped to talk about being a hero due together again that Deku had lost interest in it. He had assumed that once they had graduated Deku would be the one to reach out to him. Deku had always been the one to reach out first. So he had assumed he would again. He hadn't stopped to think about things from Deku's point of view. He hadn't pushed past his own hurt and annoyance to send Deku a text after months had passed and he hadn't received anything from the nerd. He had assumed that Deku had decided that he was better off without someone volatile like Katsuki in his life and if he were to be honest about it, he thought that was a wise choice on Deku's behalf. Katsuki got the job done when it came to beating down villains and rescuing civilians but his media representation was poor, what with the yelling, glaring and swearing every time someone shoved a microphone or camera in his face. He assumed he would have only dragged Deku's reputation down too if they had followed through with being a hero duo.

Then again, that was one of the reasons All Might had thought it was such a good idea. Deku was such a media darling while Katsuki was the opposite that they would have balanced each other out.

Katsuki clicked his tongue, just a hint of the anger he was feeling inside, his palms already sweating in reaction to it, as he shoved them back in his pants pockets and marched on down the beach, away from the direction Deku had gone off in. Katsuki didn't want to see that hurt expression again, not when he knew he was the cause of it. All of it.

Katsuki had wasted the day away, lingering on the beach, strolling up and down it in sections far from the inn and even stepping up to the streets to escape when the sun was at its peak. But by sunset he gritted his teeth and marched himself back to the inn. He had paused with a frown when he came to their rear door facing the water to see Deku sitting on the narrow deck with his feet in the thin layer of sand and his attention focused on his lap. Katsuki took the moment to close his eyes and take a deep breath before he stepped over the line of shrubs and sat down heavily a foot from the greenette, keeping his eyes forward as he did.

Inside him he felt the itch to apologize, which was so aggressively against his nature. He could count on one hand the amount of times he had admitted being wrong or apologized within the last five years, maybe more. He had apologized to Deku once before, back during their first year where he had apologized for all the shit he had ever said and done to Deku throughout their lives and that had been the point when their friendship had really taken off. So surely it wouldn't be so hard to say again…

Instead he grumbled out that he got it, that he understood what the nerd meant and even at that Deku lifted his head to look Katsuki's way. Out of the corner of his eye Deku blinked to him like he was expecting more. Katsuki gave a big sigh and opted for a different approach.

I get it, he signed because it was easier than using his words which he may or may not have been too quiet with, Shit got busy and by the time it even crossed my mind to message I had no clue what to fucking say, despite his choice of words his hand movements were slow and calculated, thinking it out as he went.

I figured you had a reason for cutting me out - Deku raised his hands, eyes wide like he wanted to make a point that he had never meant to cut Katsuki out of his life, but Katsuki wasn't done so he pushed Deku's hands back down.

All this shit is because I thought you didn't want to be a team anymore, so I took the job without talking to you first. I was an idiot, even signing, it was hard to say the right S word.

Deku raised his hands and started signing away before Katsuki could stop him this time. He turned his red eyes to face the other man to read what he had to say.

No, no, he waved about while shaking his head, I never wanted to cut you out and I did still want to be a team, but after you took the job I figured you didn't want to anymore so –

Katsuki landed a hand atop Deku's green head, aggressively ruffling it with enough force for Deku's neck to shrink into raised shoulders. He brought his hand back to himself, grumbling about how they were always like this, always had been unable to communicate properly or some shit. And of all things, Deku relaxed and tipped back his head lightly to laugh.

Kings of bad communication, the greenette signed with a warm smile. Katsuki gave a bark about if anything he would be the king while Deku would be his shitty jester and that earnt him another chuckle from the nerd. Without making any move to sign anything else, Deku picked up the small box that had been sitting atop his lap and placed it on Katsuki's. The blonde looked to him before picking it up.

The gear, Deku explained with a gentle smile, whether you use it or not, you may as well have it since its done.

Katsuki turned his attention back down to the box, small enough to fit in one hand and opened it. Its outer shell slipped open to reveal a watch inside. A smart watch from the looks of it. Katsuki turned his gaze back Deku's way and the greenette lifted his left wrist to show that he was wearing a matching one, the shiny circular screen on the outside of his wrist. How Katsuki hadn't noticed the dark object before was beyond him. He picked up his own, feeling its weight and silicone straps. There looked to be flat sensors on the underside of the screen along with four little rubbery nubs that protruded a couple millimeters from the otherwise flat smooth surface. Another quick glance Deku's way and he could see the nerd holding out his hand in offering to put it on. Katsuki opted to do it himself, positioning it with the screen against his inner left wrist. He was not a watch person outside of formal events, and he meant really formal, but he always wore them that way, something he had undoubtably picked up from his father since the man wore his the same.

The moment the watch was pressed to his skin the dark screen lit up with a classic watch face but Katsuki knew there would be more to it than that. No way Deku would drag him all the way out here for some fancy ass watch.

Katsuki adjusted the time on the watch face, using a finger to move the hands around till it displayed the right time to match his phone and then Deku scooted closer, lifting a hand to take Katsuki's wrist gently like he was unsure if Katsuki would let him. When Katsuki didn't pull away, the greenette brought his left wrist over, turning it till his watch face faced Katsuki's upturned one, holding them there until it gave a slight buzz of vibration and Deku pulled away, looking to his own screen. Katsuki did the same. On the screen it lit up a red circle, quickly reaching 100%, turning green as it announced that it had synchronized with Deku's and then it dropped away to reveal what Katsuki could only describe as a selection of apps.

Deku brought his hands up to get Katsuki's attention.

It looks like a normal smart watch but it can do more than that, he signed with a smile, his nerdy excitement growing,If you swipe it this way – Deku's finger reached across to swipe left across the watch screen to show another page of apps, less this time – you can access the hero apps.

Katsuki raised an eyebrow, almost like an invitation for Deku to go on.

And explain the nerd did. Or tried too. Sign language probably wasn't the best form to try to lay out the equivalent of an instruction booklet for a new gadget with. The greenette however paused here and there to physically open the hero app he was talking of to show how it worked and Katsuki didn't really know what to say on the matter outside of.

How much did this shit cost?, he signed with probably wider than usual eyes. The watches themselves weren't shit and Deku grasped that instantly but what Katsuki had meant was, a standard smart watch would set someone back hundreds of dollars or more and he had to admit that these ones were nice. They sat well, were easy to put on with one hand, the screen itself didn't feel overly heavy. If left for a while, Katsuki could probably forget the thing was even on, like he often did with the Shock Clock which was still wrapped around his other wrist. On top of all of that though, whoever had made the things had also sat there and tirelessly programmed and created their own 'hero apps' just for the devices themselves. A fact Deku was very proud to spout.

Katsuki may be good with computers, but he was no programmer. He had looked into it once, some basic learning software but for him it seemed like a lot of mental effort to learn what felt like a whole new language on top of school at the time.

Maybe if he picked it up again now that he would have the time, he could make his own hero apps.

The hero apps themselves seemed simple enough. There was a tracking app that showed him Deku's position on a map he could easily zoom in and out of. An app for texting each other that was apparently encrypted so only the other watch could ever receive the messages as well as a normal version so they could call for outside help if needed. Best part of that app was the speech to text function which sounded simple enough but when Deku activated the app and brought his watch to his lips to relay a message, Katsuki's wrist would vibrate to bring his attention to the screen and the words Deku had just spoken would roll across the bottom of the screen if he were in a different app – he was still in the tracking app – and would continue to roll on repeat until Katsuki touched the screen and it would be moved to his messages to re-read if he needed to. It even had a short hand function that was fully customizable so messages could be relayed faster if needed. It had an alarm function the same as Katsuki's current Shock Clock so he wouldn't need to wear both. And Deku also demonstrated how they could give the watch screens a double tap and the other would receive a vibration, alerting them that the other wanted their attention.

Deku even went as far as getting up and walking a short distance to demonstrate how responsive it was. When Deku had been right beside him and tapped his watch screen twice in quick succession, Katsuki's watch had given a quick double buzz of vibration in response no more than a second later. When Deku walked out across the sand and off to the left by several meters and tapped at it again, only one of the four silicone nubs on the underside of Katsuki's watch vibrated, indicating Deku's direction.

From where Deku stood, with the sea and orange sky behind him, he smiled widely back at Katsuki, pleased with the quality of the gear he had commissioned. Deku had merely waved away Katsuki's question regarding the cost of the devices and for now, Katsuki would allow it.

Katsuki rose to his feet to meet Deku on the sand when the green haired man made no move to return to his seat.

It's fully waterproof, self-charging and it's got enough storage space to add more things if we think of them, Deku signed the entire time it took Katsuki to come to stand before him.

You can even create shortcuts that will send a call and location marker out to any emergency contact you want, he went on with a smile, it can't connect to your phone though unless you change the setting though. Things would get to confusing every time someone sent you a text otherwise, he signed with a shrug and smile as if to say what-can-you-do-about-it.

You organized all this? Katsuki signed because right at that moment if he had used his voice he was worried no sound would have come out. Deku merely blinked at him before nodding at him with a smile.

Why? He signed, his red eyes never leaving Deku. The greenette had said because they were friends but Katsuki didn't believe it was all just that.

Deku's smile fell into something smaller and warmer.

You've wanted to be a hero your whole life 'Kacchan', I know how much you would hate not being able to be a hero anymore so I was hoping that if we became a team and work with these, you can be a hero again, the warmth of his smile reached his eyes, but only if you want to, he added on quickly.

You could probably partner with anyone with these so it doesn't have to be me, he signed on in more of a flurry of movement that Katsuki was lucky to keep up with. Some things never changed apparently, like the nerd getting frantic and fussing over not knowing what Katsuki did or didn't want.

You don't even have to accept it if you don't – Deku didn't get a chance to finish his signing as Katsuki placed his hand atop Deku's and lowered them more gently than he had before. The greenette blinked at him but whatever words Katsuki had meant to say now stuck to the back of his throat. At best, he managed to mumble what he hoped was a fine and a small thanks and then turned away. Apologies were rare from him. Appreciation even more so.

Deku was before him a moment later, having stepped right up into Katsuki's personal space, his green eyes wide and lips parted like he was shocked or something.

You mean it, you want to actually be a hero team? He signed frantically. It was like the other man was holding his breath.

Yeah sure, Katsuki threw back casually, like it wasn't a big deal, It's what we used to always talk about. Deku's green eyes shone like he was either going to cry or leap at Katsuki, neither of which he wanted so he sidestepped the man to head back for their room. Deku was beside him again in a heartbeat, matching him step for step as he waved his hands about frantically.

This is so exciting….

We will have to practice with them heaps….

We should play around with them tomorrow so if we need any changes we can get them done when we are in town…..

Did I tell you about this function yet, you can also….

Apparently being deaf did not mean Katsuki was safe from the nerd's 'mumbling' and nerding out after all.

And play around with the watches they did the next day they did, testing the different functions and getting to know what different patterns and strengths of vibrations indicated. It wasn't like they were in a position to field test it in a battle situation yet and the small coastal town had no large gym or open area that they could rent for a few hours. There were public spaces and a school but neither would be keen on having a pair of heroes duke it out in there so they would just have to wait till they returned to the city to test them for real.

Which reminded Katsuki….

How long did you rent this stupid room out for anyway?, Katsuki signed from across the kotatsu having finished his breakfast. Deku was slow, as usual, his eyes on his phone as he read an article on some hero no doubt and Katsuki had banged on the surface with his hand to get the nerd's attention.

Deku put his phone down and held up seven fingers. Katsuki barked his answer back at him and the greenette only nodded in confirmation. Katsuki settled back down with a grumble and planted his chin on his palm.

Honestly, there was nothing stopping Katsuki from packing up and leaving for home himself rather than spending the rest of the week stuck in a small room with Deku that smelt of the sea, but then again, going home meant going back to a reality he wasn't so eager to return to when he stopped to think about it. As it was he had been ignoring his phone, only replying to half of his mother's annoying texts as she pestered him with how his little holiday was going. Katsuki certainly didn't see the trip as a holiday and he hated that his mother did. Any other texts from friends, he ignored. Most had given up trying to contact him, Katsuki ignoring majority of their messages was nothing new to them so no one seemed alarmed but in the last couple of weeks Katsuki could tell Kirishima was growing restless with his constant excuses. The red head was still unaware and that's the way Katsuki wanted it to be but he couldn't help feeling a little niggle of guilt each time he ignored a message, refused a call or gave a half assed excuse.

Going home meant returning to his silent apartment, – honestly, he missed hearing annoying neighbors – it meant having to look into finding a new job or career path, it meant dealing with the stress that at any moment one of his friends may knock down his door and demand to know why he had been ignoring them for weeks on end. Or at least it had meant that. There was still the real possibility of someone from school barging into his place but everything else didn't have to be the case anymore. With Deku there was a chance. A chance that he could be a hero again which meant he didn't have to give up on everything he had been working towards his entire life. It wouldn't be perfect and there would be an adjustment period for sure, but he and Deku were quick learners and always had been.

So as against sitting on his ass as Katsuki was for several more days and as eager as he was to start training with the new gear, he also didn't feel as rushed to return as he had in the beginning. Because he would still have to tell his friends the truth, so a few more days of not having to face that was welcome and Katsuki shifted position, stretching his arms out behind him so he could lean back. He only had a few minutes of peace before Deku kicked him under the table and Katsuki sat back up to shoot the greenette a glare. Rather than signing anything, Deku merely turned his phone and slid it across the table top to face Katsuki. On the screen was an open text conversation with Kirishima of all people. Katsuki could feel the grumble in his throat, his hopes of avoiding the topic with the red head for a little while longer dashed. It was apparent that Deku and Kirishima didn't text each other often, the last one being for a sparring match when the red head had been in town months earlier. Katsuki could vaguely recall Kirishima mentioning it before he had tuned out of the conversation.

Kirishima: Hey Midoriya, sorry to bother you but I've been trying to get in contact with Bakugo and his mum said he was with you. Can you let him know to check his phone and get back to me. He's been distant lately and it's got me worried. Is he alright?

Of course the nosey red head had gone as far as calling Katsuki's mother. From the text alone he knew that his mother hadn't said anything about his new found deafness, thankfully. Mitsuki loved Kirishima. The few times the hard head had come over during their high school years Katsuki's mother had been smiling ear to ear at his politeness and outgoing personality. No doubt she would arrange a marriage for the pair in a heartbeat if Katsuki had ever showed such interest. Even Kirishima would comment on how nice his mum was only to receive a groan and eye roll from Katsuki.

Katsuki frowned down at the phone, only glancing up when Deku started moving his hands.

You still haven't told him? He's worried about you. You know he would be supportive, Deku signed like Katsuki didn't already know that. He did. It's just that Kirishima's way of caring and being helpful was to constantly be at that persons side, ready to jump to their aid when needed, even if they never asked for it. Which was fine – it was – but it wasn't how Katsuki liked to handle things. Katsuki liked his space. He liked to have time to step away and cool off and switch off his mind. Having a constant presence wouldn't help with those things. He didn't want Kirishima hovering around him or worse yet, taking drastic measures like Deku had. He didn't want Kirishima moving agencies to be closer or taking time off to hang around. He also didn't want Kirishima deciding to join in on their hopefully-soon-to-be duo act because more people would just complicate things. And Katsuki didn't have the faith that Deku would say no. If Katsuki was to be stuck with Deku, he didn't want Kirishima in that mix, having them both chatting away and leaving Katsuki on the side like some third wheel.

Deku waited patiently, hands lowered and blinking Katsuki's way as he waited for something. He hadn't come across to take his phone away yet, leaving it there for Katsuki to reply to if he so wished.

What the fuck am I supposed to tell him? Katsuki signed back after a moment because it was not a conversation he felt prepared to approach. He had figured Kirishima would find out when he finally broke down Katsuki's door and grabbed him by the shoulders and shook the blonde while demanding answers only to realize it himself when Katsuki would have nothing to say in return having not heard a single word of it. But this much gentler, calmer approach had him lost.

The truth, Deku signed in return with a supportive smile touching his lips. Katsuki leaned his head back with a groan before turning his attention back to the phone before him. He picked it up, Deku looking to tense a little – who didn't tense when their phone was in someone else's' hands – but making no move to stop him from using it, typed a response, deleted it, tried again, deleted that too. Eventually he put the phone down again with another groan. This wasn't shit he was good at. Emotional shit, personal shit, admitting weakness, all of that stuff made his throat threaten to close up the same way saying thank you or an apology did. Katsuki liked to think he had improved since his school days but on lots of occasions he found himself struggling with it. The main difference now was he was aware of it, his own flaw, and didn't get as angry as he once did.

Deku reached across the kotatsu to retrieve his phone.

Don't rush yourself, he signed. Katsuki only gave an irritated huff and turned his attention elsewhere.

They showered and left the inn, Deku taking Katsuki to the shop front that housed the hero support engineer who had created their wrist watches. The man, Katsuki would put him in his forties with glasses sitting atop his nose, was eager to hear their – or more so Deku's – thoughts on the devices, which was all positive, and told them they could come back anytime if they wanted anything changed or added to them. Deku left with a smile and led the way to the beach to make their trek back to the inn.

The sun was shining and the breeze was just the right temperature to keep them from sweating. Deku kicked off his shoes and socks, a new set of mangy red things, to walk through the gentle waves as they lapped at the sand and Katsuki walked alongside him, keeping enough distance to keep his own shoes on and feet dry. There were a few others on the beach seeing as it was such a nice day for it, but being a sleepy little fishing town, still no where as many as Katsuki would have expected. He supposed that many people would still be working and their kids in school this early into the afternoon.

How about we go out tonight? Deku signed, coming out of the water to walk beside Katsuki as he moved his hands about with a smile, having tied his shoes together by their laces and slung over a shoulder to free his hands.

What for? Katsuki signed back lazily.

To celebrate, he signed with a beaming smile, let's get some drinks. We've never done that before.

And Deku wasn't wrong. They hadn't. In high school Katsuki had adhered to his early bedtime and turned a scornful look at anyone who offered him some smuggled in alcohol. Deku on the other hand Katsuki had seen tipsy once. Or drunk. He wasn't sure which it was after he had been pressured into several drinks by Kaminari and Sero of all people. The idiots had claimed they had wanted to see what a drunk Midoriya was like. The answer, from what Katsuki could remember from before he had left with a growl for his room, was whiney and clingy. They hadn't been friends when they had both gone pro and come of age to drink and if ever Katsuki glimpsed the greenette at a social event, the man never drank enough to be like he had in high school or maybe he just handled his alcohol better now.

Sure, Katsuki threw back unenthusiastically, you better feed me too, he tacked on but Deku was undeterred and simply nodded his agreement before he peeled away to walk through to water again. They walked parallel to each other for a while. Deku waded in deeper, the water half way up his calves, still shallow enough to keep his shorts that ended just above his knees dry. Even Katsuki, who had never been the type for shorts, had opted to wear some after Deku had pulled most of his pants from his bag during packing and made a point of pulling shorts from his drawers. Today was dark olive cargos that ended at the knee and a black tee. A strong contrast to Deku's tan shorts and white shirt.

At one point Deku started to wave his hands about excitedly, probably getting excited like a child over seeing a fish or something stupid. Katsuki rolled his eyes and kept walking till Deku was out of his peripheral. He was more than happy to ignore the dork till he was hit in the back of the head with a wet lump. Katsuki stopped, grimacing at the feeling of water creeping down his neck and turned on his heel – which sunk partially into the sand – to glare daggers Deku's way who still stood in the water looking Katsuki's way with a pout from having been ignored. Katsuki looked down at his feet, expected to see seaweed only to scrunch his face up further when he saw it was Deku's soggy sock he had thrown at him. He turned his glare back the greenette's way with enough intensity that Deku turned in the water and tried to flee, his movements slowed by the water.

Katsuki was after him not a second later with a growl rippling from his throat as he trudged into the water shoes and all. Deku paused long enough to look over his shoulder, his shorts now wet from having gone deeper, to see how far behind Katsuki was and his jaw dropped when Katsuki was on him, giving him a hard shove to push him over. Deku turned just in time to grab at Katsuki's shirt before he fell and dragged him down with him. The water had been bearable before on only Katsuki's legs but now fully under he was hit with the chill of it and shot back to his feet, dripping wet and scanned the water for Deku. The greenette's head popped up several meters away having swum to create some distance before he looked to Katsuki with a laugh.

Katsuki bared his teeth and marched forward to reach Deku who's laugh dropped away, though a smile remained. The other man stood, deep enough for the water to be up to his waist and readied himself for Katsuki's next attack by lowering himself and widening his stance. His grin never leaving at the game he had managed to start. Game or not though, Katsuki was going to win. He dove for Deku, going to grapple his shoulders and push him down into the water again but Deku ducked to the side and out of reach. Katsuki side stepped through the water to follow the greenette's movement but Deku had turned and was making his way back to the shore as quickly as he could through the water without resorting to his quirk and Katsuki was quick to follow.

And Katsuki was gaining on the nerd with powerful strides and perhaps that extra bit of height helped too. Longer legs or some shit, but Katsuki was catching up on the nerd, close enough to strike. He must have made a sound, already pleased with his coming victory because Deku turned, ready to face him but it was too late, just below knee depth in the sea, Katsuki was on top of him and this time gave Deku no time to wiggle out of the way when he grabbed the other's shoulders and used his full weight to push forward against them. Deku's stance had been narrow from turning and he was quick to fall backwards with Katsuki's weight atop of him, Katsuki taking pleasure in the surprised look upon Deku's face as he splashed into the water, deep enough to submerge him completely. Deku's hands shot up instinctively to try to wrestle Katsuki off but the blonde wasn't about to give in till Deku tapped out of breath.

Neither were serious enough to use their quirks for this little game Deku had started and doing so in such a public, if mostly deserted place, would have brought unwanted attention. Deku stopped fighting beneath the water and tapped at Katsuki's forearm. He stood, releasing Deku from under him and a moment later the green haired man's head, his hair flat against his head like a mop of seaweed, popped above the surface as he gave a gasp of air and shook the excess water from himself. If he were about to say or do anything, he paused, eyes wide and head turning back to face the shore with squinted eyes, most likely burning from the salty water. Katsuki lifted his gaze to the sand to see a couple, who had been sitting in the sun together, on their feet and seemingly calling out to them. Deku turned his attention back to Katsuki with a grimaced smile before shooting to his feet, snatching Katsuki's hand in his own and before Katsuki could bark a complaint the nerd had turned and was leading them out of the water as fast as he could quirkless. Once their feet were free from the drag of the water, he turned away from the couple and started to pull Katsuki along in a run across the sand back to the inn. As soon as Katsuki was keeping pace, Deku released his hand and ran alongside him, still clueless as to why they were running in the first place but when Katsuki looked Deku's way, the man was beaming and laughing as they ran.

At some point during their game, Deku's mangy red shoes had been lost to the sea.

It turned out, as Deku later explained once they had slowed back to a walk as the neared the inn, that the couple on the beach had thought they had been fighting, not mucking around, and when Katsuki had pinned Deku under, they had thought he had been trying to end the miserable seaweed head. Deku laughed about it as he explained through signing. Katsuki gave little more than a huff.

When they returned to the inn they were both soaked through. Deku, whose shorts were a lighter material, had dried a little more was the one who stepped inside, doing his best not to trail sand through the room to retrieve their towels and returned to sit on the little deck outside their back door to dry themselves with. No doubt Katsuki at least would have to strip his outer layer before he could even consider stepping inside, his shorts were so heavy with sea water that if he hadn't been wearing a belt then they would have been dragged down by their own weight during the run back.

Katsuki accepted the towel with a grunt and rubbed at his hair absentmindedly knowing he'd need a shower before heading out again like Deku had suggested. They had been at the seaside town for half a week now and Katsuki would be lying if he said he hadn't been feeling a little more at ease. His interactions with the residents had been limited but no one recognized him on sight, nor Deku apparently for that matter, so he felt a weight lift from his shoulders not having to hide so much. Plus he'd have to admit that part of that was due to Deku himself. With the nerd present Katsuki had to worry even less of someone trying to communicate with him. He seemed more than happy to handle all the talking himself. Deku seemed to understand that Katsuki didn't want to tell the whole world about his disability otherwise the greenette would have explained everything to Kirishima already.

Which reminded Katsuki of another problem.

He wrestled his phone from his soggy pocket, the protective case around it gripping to the damp material enough for Katsuki to grit his teeth with annoyance till he managed to extract it. Luckily for the two of them they both had strong phone cases because what hero wouldn't. Unlocking his phone he dared to peek at his texts.

A new one from his mum wishing him a good time on his holiday, asking for pictures and nagging him over sunscreen. Katsuki scowled at that before moving on without bothering to reply. His mum was used to it.

A meme war going on between Sero and Kaminari in the group chat gave rise to a disgusting amount of notifications that Katsuki refused to even give them the satisfaction of looking at.

An email from the agency with some paperwork attached that Katsuki needed to sign as part of his official resignation, their words putting it nicely. As much as Katsuki wanted to just give the bastards the cold shoulder, he knew that if he didn't sign them he would be throwing away a pay out of any annual leave and overtime he was owed. Money that he better tuck away to get him through the weeks ahead of not having a job. Hero or not, bills still needed paying. He'd get back to that later though.

Finally there were several missed calls from Kirishima, the red head having given up on texting all together after not getting any recent replies. Katsuki could only stare at the screen with a frown at the prospect. If he were to send a simple text now, Kirishima would be calling him a second later without even stopping to read the damn text explaining why Katsuki couldn't talk over a call.

Before Katsuki could come to any sort of conclusion his wrist buzzed twice, which meant Deku was wanting his attention and the subtle difference of feeling where the vibration was coming from on the watch itself indicated that the other man was behind him and he turned to look over his shoulder.

Did you want to shower first?, Deku signed his way. Katsuki only stared a moment more before giving a nod. He had wanted to figure out and push himself to deal with Kirishima now, his thoughts going on and on in indecisive loops. A shower had interrupted his thoughts but he let out a long breath so he wouldn't let his frustration build. He could still think while he showered.

Katsuki took his time in the shower and found Deku lying on the narrow deck scrolling through his own phone when he returned in fresh clothes and feeling lighter than he had before. Deku heard him and turned his way before rising to his feet with a smile and friendly nod as he headed for the shower himself, Katsuki taking the nerd's place on the timber and pulling out his phone. He was growing frustrated by the time Deku returned, having written, deleted and rewritten the text to Kirishima several times over. Katsuki felt the subtle footsteps against his back of Deku moving about the room before coming closer to him and Katsuki let his phone slip from his hands and fall to his chest with a sigh. Deku blinked down at him before he turned away to sit beside Katsuki's head. There was peace for a moment more before a scarred hand stretched over Katsuki's face to pick up the phone.

Katsuki's throat rumbled with a threat enough for Deku to pause before he decided to push on and retrieved Katsuki's phone. He could have reached up to grab his phone back but what was the point. He didn't want to stare at his babble of a text that he had rewritten yet again. That and it was locked so there wouldn't be much Deku could do and he knew that when the phone came back into view and Deku waved it over his head. Katsuki grumbled, wanting to know what the nerd wanted exactly. The phone disappeared and was replaced with Deku's hands as he signed over Katsuki's head.

I can help, he signed and Katsuki frowned with narrowed eyes, I won't send anything. Deku's hands left his view before one returned dangling Katsuki's phone before him. He snatched his phone with a grumble, pressed his thumb to the lower part of the screen to unlock it and handed it back to the waiting hand once the screen had lit up. Katsuki closed his eyes, hands moving to rest behind his head with a scowl at the lingering frustration over texting the damn red head.

A solid five minutes went by before Katsuki's eyes snapped open from a hard touch to the tip of his nose to find Deku holding his phone there. He snatched it away and sat up with a groan, shooting a glare Deku's way before turning his attention to his phone to find Deku had taken it upon himself to edit Katsuki's unfinished text. In fact, Deku had wrapped the text up neatly for Katsuki to send if he chose to. He read through it twice with narrowed eyes before lifting his gaze to look to Deku beside him, his glare lessening as he did. Finding it acceptable, he pressed send and then laid the phone down on the deck beside him. Deku said nothing, a soft smile on his lips as he turned his attention back to the beach. Katsuki's eyes lingered on the greenette a little longer before he also turned his own gaze back to the water as the sun made its descent.