A/N: Coastline - Hollow Coves

This song gives me more relaxing beach vibes and to me helps to convey Katsuki's acceptance towards Izuku, his situation and how he feels himself finally starting to relax and feel better whilst on their brief, spontaneous vacation.

Deku found a small pub that was walking distance from the inn and they headed out just after sunset. The pub was small in a cozy way with tables and booths as well as bar stools along the length of the bar. It wasn't too dark like some and had warm lighting scattered throughout and a kitchen tucked away behind the bar. Katsuki slid himself into a booth, Deku having no issue with that and sliding in opposite him. Katsuki frowned across the table, resting an elbow on the table and his cheek in his palm. Deku found some menus and slid one his way which Katsuki glanced down at. Decisions made Deku kept his word and got up to order and pay at the bar, returning with two glasses of beer and placed one down before Katsuki and returned to his seat. Food came not long after and for once Deku wasn't on his phone. Instead the nerd was looking off to the side thoughtfully while he ate, his brow furrowing here and there as he did.

Katsuki barked a demand to know what the hell the nerd was scrunching his face up over so much, telling him that it was putting him off his food. Deku flinched as though he hadn't realized he had been pulling faces before the corner of his lip twisted down apologetically.

I was just thinking, he began to sign and Katsuki rolled his eyes like that hadn't been obvious, if we are to be a hero team we'll need an agency to take us on, Katsuki watched on with a frown and a glare as Deku went on, but the problem is that no agency will take us on until we can prove that we can be good heroes despite you being deaf. So we will have to be on our own for a while which means we will have to get a permit and update our licenses with the commission and get insurance too. That will be expensive. Deku's hands froze as his eyes looked elsewhere in thought again. Katsuki huffed out a sigh. The nerd wasn't wrong at least. Being solo heroes outside of the protection of an agency meant making changes with the commission which would be a paperwork induced headache and the insurance would be expensive as hell. Being young with only a few years as pros under their belts would hike up the prices. On top of that for Katsuki – despite having excellent control of his quirk – an insurance company would only see his quirk for its destructive potential on surrounding structures. Deku's quirk may be seen under the same light with his immense strength which would only hike up the price even more.

That would bring finances into question. Although Katsuki's hero license hadn't been cancelled yet, he wasn't working and neither was Deku. Deku could take up hero work at another agency till they were ready to strike out on their own, make a name for themselves and then sign up to another agency once they had proven that Katsuki could still function as a hero but they probably wouldn't be able to get their own insurance while Deku was working with an agency at all. That meant that Deku wouldn't be working as a hero either until they were both ready to. Which meant that until they had mastered working together with the watches which would take time and possibly some adjustments they would have to make ends meet another way. They both had their own apartments with rent and utilities to pay as well as general living expenses like food and whatever else they would need. Hero work paid well. Mainstream jobs that didn't require a degree for, not so much. With their costs and the type of insurance they would be after, they would have to get a high paying job – unlikely without taking the time to be trained for it or getting a degree – or cut down their living costs. Katsuki had a decent pocket of savings put aside but he didn't want to use it all for their joint venture which wasn't even a guaranteed success. Plus he may need it for some other type of rainy day. He could only assume Deku was the same.

Movement caught Katsuki's eye and he focused on Deku again who was signing away almost to himself without looking to Katsuki to see whether the blonde was paying attention or not. It was like watching the equivalent of the nerd mumbling aloud.

It could take us well over a month or two to perfect working together with our gear and we may have to make adjustments during that time too. Even with savings it will be tight. We will have to pay for permits from the commission and private gyms to train in and the more we train to faster our savings will be used up, though it may be worth it because the sooner we perfect working together the sooner we can register as independent heroes. We will have to have insurance sorted before the commission will let us register though and that's going to be the most expensive part probably. Maybe we should both get jobs in the meantime. But that means less time for training. Then again, if we don't find a way to support ourselves or save money by the time we are ready to be heroes again we may not have enough for the insurance and to keep living comfortably the way we have till now. It may be a while before we start to get a good enough reputation for an agency to notice and take us on. Being independent heroes it will be a while before we can start to make up the costs. Getting jobs and cutting living costs at the same time would be best but –

Katsuki slapped an open palm on the table to make the nerd stop and look his way rather than looking down at the table with furrowed brows as his hands moved about frantically. Katsuki still wasn't sure if the nerd had been signing for his benefit or if he hadn't realised he had been doing it.

I don't want to get some shitty ass job, Katsuki signed at the blinking greenette.

To get to where we want to be it's going to take time and money though, do you have enough saved for it all?

Katsuki scowled but the nerd wasn't wrong.

You any good at budgeting? Katsuki asked in retort, doubt it, he added.

I could find a cheaper apartment to start with, Deku signed back thoughtfully.

Moving isn't cheap. You could save better by cooking your own food, Katsuki threw his way with a hint of a smirk.

Who says I don't already? Deku challenged.

As if you do, Katsuki rolled his eyes, smirk growing, and even if you did it's probably just crap.

I cook fine, Deku retorted with narrowed eyes and a small pout forming.

Doubtful, Katsuki signed in return.

We could move back in with our parents. We would still be close to each other to train. Deku went on, pout fading as he focused back on the issue at hand.

I don't want to do that and I doubt you do either, Katsuki pointed out, and we would have to travel into the city still to train properly with our quirks. There was nowhere in their home town where they could train using their quirks. Only specialized gyms allowed that and they were all in the cities where most hero agencies were located. Sure smaller towns agencies sometimes had their own if they made enough money to build one which was rare, otherwise they just didn't train that hard and why would they. Outside of larger cities big villains were less frequent and if they did run into issues, heroes would be called from the city to help.

Deku frowned in thought.

We could get a place together, he lit up.

Fuck no, Katsuki threw back with a scowl and Deku melted back into his usual thoughtful expression, bringing his hand to his face to nibble on his thumb nail as he thought. It was something the nerd had done for as long as Katsuki could remember. The blonde huffed to himself and took a gulp of his beer, finishing what was left of it. Deku was still only half way through his one.

Drink, Katsuki signed. Deku blinked across to him, pulled from his thoughts, looked to the drink then Katsuki again before picking it up and tipping it back to finish it off. A moment later Deku was out of his seat again to get them two more and returned, still looking somewhat thoughtful as he did.

You can do what you want, Deku signed after he had sat back down across from Katsuki, I'll get a job in the meantime to save more and I'll look at getting a cheaper place for now but I can't do it on my own 'Kacchan'. If you really want to do this –

Fine, Katsuki threw at him with an eye roll, I'll get a smaller place or something. Deku gave him a small smile for that and he seemed to relax a little more afterwards, his brow no longer scrunching up thinking about financial problems which came as a relief for Katsuki who drank some more and turned his attention to surveying the room and the other people in it. For once, sign language felt good. Despite being in a bar with people scattered about them on all sides, they could have a full conversation with one another without anyone being the wiser, unless they knew sign language of course but no one had been watching them that intensely. It was like having his own secret way of communicating with Deku and although being able to hear would be preferable, sign language would probably turn out to be helpful elsewhere too. But it also had its flaws.

It hadn't escaped his attention that his nickname had gone unspoken yet again and it had stung adding to his want to wrap up the conversation and instead he had gone back to frowning into his drink. Deku waved for his attention and Katsuki looked his way with a glare.

Did he text back?, Deku asked with a slight head tilt. Katsuki knew he was referring to Kirishima even if he hadn't signed out the red head's name letter by damn letter. That whole process of spelling someone's name out was far too time consuming.

Katsuki frowned back at the nerd before looking away and reaching for his phone. He hadn't looked in all honestly because he hadn't wanted to. At the very least, it hadn't buzzed with calls.

There were two message from Kirishima.

Shitty Hair: Hey Bro, I'm sorry to hear that. I can understand why you didn't say anything sooner though I wish you had. You know I would never make fun of you for something so serious. I hope you're doing alright. Just know that me and everyone else are here for you if you need us and we are more than happy to help in any way we can. We are here for you bro.

Shitty Hair: P.S I won't tell the others. You can tell them when you are ready and I'll be right there with you! I heard you are hanging with Midoriya too. I know you two haven't been close in ages so I hope things are going alright for you. Don't pick on him too much will you :P

Katsuki merely left the phone unlocked and slid it across the table for Deku to see. The greenette read it over, smiling at the end warmly before sliding it back.

He's a good friend, the nerd signed. Katsuki merely gave a small nod and turned his attention back to his drink.

Deku was a light weight. That scratched out Katsuki's earlier thoughts that the greenette had just grown more tolerant of the stuff and Deku had even admitted throughout the night that he rarely drank. He may have one or at most two during social events, and even then usually only when someone put one in his hand and stretched out over the entire night. Tonight Katsuki had been irritated every time Deku had been slow to finish his drink, barking at the nerd to hurry up or having to remind him that his drink was even still there. After all, Deku was the one buying that night and Katsuki had no desire to get up and ask for more in case they tried talking to him for whatever reason so Deku had to keep up with him.

So really Katsuki only had himself to blame for Deku's wobbly state two hours later when they got up to leave. The nerd could walk on his own, though slowly and unsteadily. Katsuki had resorted to grabbing the nerd's elbow to hurry him back to the inn at a standard walking pace but that had been a mistake, remembering too late that Deku got clingy when he drank. Katsuki had grabbed a hold of the nerd's arm only for Deku to suddenly lean right into him enough for Katsuki to almost stumble with the sudden weight. Deku may be leaner than Katsuki was but the smaller man was all muscle still. Deku's arms wrapped around Katsuki's own and try as he might to pry the nerd off, it was a losing battle. Eventually Katsuki gritted his teeth and bared with it as he led the clingy freckle face back to the inn. Thankfully the streets were practically deserted after the sun had gone down for the night.

They stumbled into the inn, only because Deku sucked at lifting his feet, and made their way to their room where Katsuki managed to kick out the nerd's futon and then spent the next minute getting down to his knees and trying to wrestle the other man off of his bicep with bared teeth. Every time he seemed to pry one hand off, the other came back to him. Deku's eyes were half lidded and his mouth moved with words that were wasted on Katsuki. Finally he wrangled himself free and shot to his feet to escape Deku's out stretched arms as the nerd fell back across the futon with a giggle. His green eyes searched out Katsuki and made grabbing motions like a fucking toddler. Katsuki gave a loud scoff before walking around the room, giving Deku a wide birth, to lay out his own futon, this time further from Deku's than usual. Deku turned on his side to face Katsuki on the other side of the room but made no move to wriggle his way over and Katsuki barked at him to cover himself with the blanket. Deku obeyed with a whimpering look like a scolded puppy.

Eventually Katsuki turned off the light, careful to make sure Deku didn't reach for his ankles as he did and laid down on his own futon to sleep. He made a mental note to not rush Deku with drinks ever again. Next time, if there was ever to be one, he would take the discomfort of ordering something at the bar himself rather than pushing the nerd to keep up with him. It was not worth it and reminded Katsuki of how Deku had been when they were little kids of all things. Back then the nerd had been just as clingy too. Or perhaps even more so now. When they had been young brats Deku would grab onto Katsuki's arm when he had felt nervous or scared and wanted Katsuki there for support or when he had been excited to show Katsuki something, practically bouncing like a rabbit with his eagerness to show him.

Katsuki let out a long sigh at the memories. It was hard to believe that the pair had ever been so close. All those years ago they had practically been attached at the hip until Katsuki's quirk manifested and then Deku had been pushed to the side lines. Even more so once they had worked their way through elementary school. It would be a lie if Katsuki didn't admit he regretted it and he had said as much to Deku years ago so despite his lingering feelings on the matter there was nothing else to say about it. Katsuki had apologized for it all and Deku had forgiven him and that was that.

At some point during the night Katsuki had woken while it was still dark out to a warm lump beside him. Deku had crossed the expanse between them and snuggled up close to Katsuki's side, his head pressed between Katsuki's shoulder and neck and his arms wrapped around Katsuki's own. The blonde let out a long tired sigh but he allowed it. Deku had done a lot for him and it was technically Katsuki's fault the idiot had gotten in such a state in the first place and on top of all that, Katsuki just didn't feel his usual rage bubbling up inside at the close contact. So he simply closed his eyes again and left it as is.

Katsuki woke first and for a change was glad he couldn't hear anything. Beside him, having squirmed his way onto the futon more and therefore pushed Katsuki half off, was Deku, still holding onto Katsuki's arm like a baby and with his mouth open and probably snoring. There was already a little drool there and Katsuki had at least been spared it getting on him as Deku's face was no longer as close to him as it had been earlier.

Katsuki reached his free arm across and gave Deku a devastating flick to the forehead. The greenette's face scrunched up and he pushed away from Katsuki before blinking open his eyes sleepily. Katsuki glared at the nerd as he sat up. The greenette's first instinct – once he had blinked a few more times – was to flinch away and squeaked out his childish nickname. Or at least that is what Katsuki imagined was the word that came from the other's lips. Deku sat up and raised his hands to sign what Katsuki could only assume would be some frantic apology but Katsuki waved a hand to drop it and turned his back to the greenette. Deku didn't force an apology on Katsuki and the pair had their same served breakfast of fish and rice offered by the elderly couple. Deku seemed a lot more awake after a shower, throwing back a couple more pills to most likely ward off the pounding of a hangover. Yet Katsuki held off on his morning shower. The day was set to be a hot one, the warmest one since they had arrived in the town. Agreeing with Deku's idea and gadget – that Katsuki had dutifully kept fixed around his wrist even while he slept, Deku doing the same – he watched the beach through the open back doors and having cleared up some of the financial concerns and plans the evening before, as well as finally getting over the hump that was finally telling Kirishima, left Katsuki feeling lighter than he had in a long while. So rather than showering and sitting on his ass for another day, Katsuki walked out the sliding doors in shorts for a rare change, pulled off his shirt, throwing it back in the room and stepped out barefoot onto the sand.

He walked out across the sand, feeling the heat of the sun on his shoulders already and into the cool water, wading in deep enough till it reached his waist and he could lower himself up to his neck. The water was calm and just the right temperature in the late morning to not be too cold. A swim would be nice but for now he was content to rest in the water, feeling the gentle push and pull of the waves despite not hearing a single piece of it. It was peaceful. It had been years since Katsuki had been in the water, excluding his wrestle in it the day before. That hardly counted as swimming.

There were no waves, none at least that would even lap as far as Katsuki's chin so he let his eyes close to focus. The weightlessness of being in water, the gentle push and pull as the current passing over his skin, the sea breeze air filling his lungs. Fresh and crisp and clean. Everything was so calm, pushing down all the negative emotions he had been feeling since losing his hearing. All the feelings he had been pushing down and burying till Deku, of all people, had helped to alleviate by giving him hope. Though Katsuki made a point to himself to not cling to it desperately. What was the old saying his father had always said as a child, whenever Katsuki had insisted that he would be a hero and nothing else…. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. The phrase had always brought on a frown directed his father's way making him think his own father of all people didn't believe his potential. Growing up had taught him that wasn't the case.

A sudden touch to Katsuki's shoulder and his eyes opened wide, standing so suddenly that Deku flinched before him with an apologetic hint of a smile.

You scared me, he signed, creeping back closer.

I scared you?, Katsuki signed back with a huff and a glare. Deku's mouth had begun to stretch to a proper smile before it halted and died where it sat, the greenette's eyes fixing on Katsuki before he tore his green gaze away to look back towards the shore, lowering himself shirtless in the water like Katsuki had been before he had been startled from his peace. Though Katsuki was not so quick to sink back into the water.

He hated when Deku did that, not being the first time since seeing each other again where the other man would see Katsuki shirtless and apparently die a little inside before diverting his gaze. In fact he had done it often in high school too to the point that Katsuki would avoid stripping down in front of the other just to avoid the looks. It wasn't an affectionate look either, not one that would suggest that Katsuki had caught him peeking and turning away out of embarrassment. No, this was something else. Something closer to pity and that only made Katsuki boil. Or it would have, had Katsuki not taken the moment to glance down at himself to try to see exactly what the nerd was. And then the answer was obvious. His scars.

Katsuki had several scars from over the years as a student and as a pro hero. Before then he had managed life practically unmarked, but the biggest of all his scars were ones in particular that he received late into their first year at U.A. And then it became clearer. All those looks, even now, it wasn't pity. It was guilt.

Katsuki waded closer to the nerd who heard him coming and turned in the water to face him, the small wave from Katsuki's movements enough for water to push against Deku's jawline as the other man blinked up at him. Waiting for Katsuki to say or do anything all the while making a point of not taking his eyes off Katsuki's face.

Katsuki jabbed a thumb at a scar on his upper chest on his left side, right at the large ugly mark.

Hero was all he said, his eyes meeting Deku's firmly to force the point on him. Deku's lips shifted to an uncomfortable frown and Katsuki rolled his eyes with annoyance.

I know that, Deku lifted his hands above the water to sign. His green eyes flicked to the scar before darting away the second he had.

Katsuki gave a low growl and called him an idiot. He didn't want to get into a whole discussion over how he had gotten the scars and what they meant to him. Deku had been there for crying out loud. Instead Katsuki shot a hand forward, snatching Deku by his upper right arm just as the greenette had begun to rise and move back. Just a natural reaction to Katsuki's sudden movement.

On the outer part of Deku's right arm, stretching from the lower part of his deltoid to just below his elbow was a large ugly patch of skin that he had received from the villain Dabi much earlier into their first year of high school. A burn he had received trying to reach Katsuki. From trying to save Katsuki. And Katsuki didn't stop and stare at it with guilt every time the nerd shed a layer of clothes or slipped off his compression sleeve he still wore most days. He didn't look at it as some personal wound that hurt him too. So what was the damn difference between his scars and Deku's and he asked just as much aloud, still gripping Deku who had frozen in place at the touch.

The nerd looked down at the question before Katsuki barked the answer for him, releasing his hold as he did.

Nothing.

There was no difference. Deku had been burnt, scarred and marred for life from his desperate attempt at saving Katsuki that night. Katsuki received his scars from an attack that had been intended for Deku, intended to kill him. As a result Katsuki had been gravely injured but the attack had still missed it's mark. Katsuki survived and recovered and was no worse for wear from it. A couple of scars were nothing to him so he couldn't understand why they bothered Deku so much.

You only got hurt like that because of me, the moping man signed in return and Katsuki scoffed at him loudly or so he hoped.

It wasn't Deku's fault. Katsuki was the one who had charged in the way to take the blow like an idiot. The only thing the nerd could possibly be at fault for if anything was just being too slow and Katsuki made sure he added an over the top eye roll and hopefully a sufficient drawl to his voice as he said so, arms crossing over his chest.

Then there was silence.

Katsuki said nothing more and Deku didn't make a move to sign anything in return. Katsuki had expected the nerd to at least have something to say. Hell, even a stupid chuckle would have been appreciated to pass the moment.

Katsuki reached for Deku again. This time much slower than before so he didn't retreat away, and took the other man's wrist, lifting it and pulling it back towards himself till he pressed Deku's open hand to the scar. Green eyes widened ever so slightly. All Katsuki could think to tell the other was that it was fine. He was fine and they were fine. That and to stop fucking staring at them with that look on his face. Deku seemed to ponder that for a moment with an uncertain frown again before he blinked a couple of times and nodded his agreement. Katsuki gave a victorious huff and released Deku's hand who pulled it back to himself.

Alright 'Kacchan' I'll try my best, Deku signed before letting his hands slip beneath the surface as he lowered himself into the water again and Katsuki gave another huff and a 'you'd better' before he let himself sink back down too.

There was peace once more but the moment was ruined as Katsuki glared off into deeper water with annoyance. His stupid childish nickname that had always been ever present on the nerd's tongue had gone unspoken again – or unsigned really – and it bothered him. It bothered him that if he stood in a room full of other deaf people, all signing to one another that he would lack himself in the sense that how would he ever know if anyone was referring to him if he didn't have a name anymore. Not that he could ever see himself in a situation of being a room full of deaf or hearing impaired people. But how did any of them ever know when someone was referring to them or talking to them or some crap like that if they didn't have names to hear anymore. Katsuki must have been glaring off into the distance with enough intensity for the water to catch on fire because he hadn't noticed Deku coming around to his side until there was another light tap on his shoulder. This time Katsuki wasn't startled though and simply turned his gaze to the nerd.

Is something wrong? The nerd signed. Rather than replying, Katsuki raised an arm and slapped the surface of the water making Deku flinch back as salt water splashed his face and leaving his green hair heavy and dripping. Deku blinked back with an unamused frown.

Names, Katsuki signed, his hands dropping back to the water immediately after.

What about them? The nerd signed back after his expression had lightened at Katsuki even responding.

The lack of them, Katsuki raised his hands from below the water to sign again. Deku simple twisted his lips thoughtfully, eyes looking skyward before they came back to earth a moment later.

You want names? He asked. Katsuki gave a growl and lifted a hand to smack the surface of the water again. Deku scrunched up his face against the onslaught and shook his dripping hair before waving his hands in surrender when Katsuki raised a hand to do it again. He hesitated with a glare, irritated that the nerd wasn't getting it. That and splashing him did make Katsuki feel a little better.

You want to be able to sign each other's names?, Deku went on to clarify. Katsuki couldn't give a shit about whether he had a way to sign Deku's name or not but he slowly lowered his raised hand back into the water. Deku looked away thoughtfully again as he mulled this over, taking Katsuki's lack of an attack as a yes.

I think we can just make our own, Deku signed as a response to his own question though he looked uncertain of his answer, especially when Katsuki's glare intensified.

I haven't really looked into it, the nerd went on, but rather than spelling a name out, we could just create a sign for it instead. Katsuki's glare lifted a fraction as he rolled that thought over. Just making their own sign to represent their own names. Seemed simple enough, just taking the effort to ensure that they didn't use an already existing sign and again, Katsuki didn't expect himself to be surrounded by other deaf people just because he was himself so he wouldn't have to worry so much about whether it was correct or not or too similar to some ones else's.

What do you think? Deku signed on, looking wary in case Katsuki didn't like the idea and would splash him again. But instead, Katsuki gave a small stern nod.

It wasn't a project they set about doing until a good hour had gone by and Deku's shoulders and neck had started to turn pink from the sun. After their discussion regarding names, Deku had gotten his revenge by not only splashing Katsuki back but ruining the peace by leaping for his shoulders and pushing him under. After that Katsuki had chased Deku deep enough for it to turn into a swimming chase that eventually turned into a race back to the shore. Though Deku had won – and he made a great show of it by jumping up and down on the sand – Katsuki had his revenge by throwing a ball of wet sand at the nerds face and leaving him sputtering and pouting.

After that Deku showered first and while Katsuki was taking his turn, the greenette had stepped out to get them a light lunch of sushi. They lounged about and grazed on the food until Katsuki moved himself to lay on the decking again – his quickly growing favorite spot – and Deku laid about inside scrolling through his phone until he found whatever he was after and came to Katsuki's side. Deku didn't have to poke at Katsuki for the blonde to open his eyes, the vibrations of his footsteps being enough to alert him to the others close presence.

I've been researching – of course he had – and some sites say that often a person's sign language name is given to them. Deku smiled at that while Katsuki only cocked an unamused eyebrow. When Deku just continued staring like he was expecting something, Katsuki sat up with a sigh and Deku very quickly dropped down to sit beside him.

So what, you want to make each other's names? Katsuki signed because he couldn't be bothered parting his lips. Deku nodded eagerly.

We already gave each other names, Katsuki assumed he meant their stupid nicknames, so why not these too, the greenette finished signing. Katsuki rolled his eyes and huffed to himself, slouching his shoulders but conceded none the less. Deku's dumb smile only grew.

After that they got to it, Deku far more enthusiastically than Katsuki, although after he thought of a sign for Deku he got about looking it up online on his phone to see if that sign already existed or was too similar to something else and had to adjust it several times accordingly. By the end of it, almost an hour and a half later, he was happy with what he had created and felt the same sense of accomplishment he would have had he just completed an essay he was happy with for school.

Done he turned to face Deku, who had moved off back into the room to work on his own, and found the nerd already eagerly waiting, sitting cross-legged and knee bouncing already. Katsuki was the one who got to his feet and came to sit opposite Deku with his own legs crossed.

Katsuki asked if he was ready and Deku nodded eagerly. When the nerd made no move to lift his hands from his lap, Katsuki went first.

He lifted his right hand, folding down his middle and ring finger to form almost a rock music sign – which hadn't been his intention – brought the gesture to beneath his chin with knuckles facing Deku and then flicked his whole hand outwards, across his neck and off to his right shoulder. The movement came across more like someone doing a cut throat gesture while celebrating heavy rock music but it just felt right to Katsuki. Kind of like flipping someone off or telling them to fuck off. Deku didn't seem offended by the gesture at all and simply watched on with observant eyes. Katsuki did it again, more slowly for the nerd to take in, saying 'Deku' out loud as he did. Deku opened his mouth like he had a question before closing it again with a smile. He probably would have left it like that if Katsuki didn't narrow his eyes and bark to know what.

You went for D-E-K-U instead of I-Z-U-K-U, he signed.

Katsuki hissed to know if the nerd had a problem with that and he shook his head with a warm smile.

I like it, he signed and Katsuki gave a disappointing huff. Figured the nerd would be too excited to pick on the cut throat reference.

Next Deku raised his own right hand to show what he had come up for Katsuki and the blonde's malice drained away as he braced himself even though he didn't know why he felt the need to do so. It just felt like something big was about to happen.

He crossed his middle finger over his index, the remaining fingers closing in against his palm and bringing it level with his temple and rotated his wrist clockwise, doing the action slowly for Katsuki to follow. His green eyes were fixed on Katsuki, a smile upon his lips and moved with his name.

Kacchan.

He had chosen to use Katsuki's nickname rather than his actual name just as he had. With Deku though it was no surprise and Katsuki didn't have it in him to be annoyed about it. Instead it felt good to have a name again. To connect the sign to himself and his identity. It felt like another weight being lifted from his shoulders since losing his hearing.

He didn't glare or scowl or give a huff of disapproval. Nor did he smile. But just having a neutral expression as he processed it all must have been enough for Deku to lower his hand with a closed lipped smile that radiated warmth. Deku's hand moved to replicate the sign Katsuki had made for him, adjusting his fingers and swiping it from neck to shoulder. He did it again more slowly, his eyes looking to Katsuki again as though for assurance that he had done it right. Rather than offering a yes or no, Katsuki lifted his own hand to sign his own name – or nickname – and Deku gave him a nod and smile.

Somehow, Katsuki felt a little more whole.

Five nights had passed since Katsuki had been dragged to the sleepy sea side town by the green haired, freckle faced man who had gone from friend to enemy to friend again to acquaintance to now partner? Katsuki still wasn't sure.

They had gone to sleep the day before having spent the remainder of the day lounging about and Katsuki had even spent some time lying on the floor shoulder to shoulder to Deku while he browsed insurance companies on his phone for them. Katsuki had a few things to stop and point out but realistically insurance would be the last thing they would be looking for before going pro as a team.

If that worked out.

When it came to being heroes they were unbeatable, or at least they had been in the past. Any school assignment put before them they would smash out both practical and theory. Villain attack? Not a problem when they were together. But it had been several years since then and anytime they happened to be working together on the same job at the agency it wasn't the same. They would be working on the same task with others but at separate locations so it wasn't a good reference for how things would be if Deku's tech could make Katsuki's dream a possibility again. So no doubt a lot of training was in order for them both till they were in perfect sync.

Their last day came and went as uneventful as the last and once they woke up they packed their bags and made for the station. The commute back to the city was easy going but Katsuki couldn't relax, nor could Deku judging by his bouncing knee. Katsuki felt many things during the trip home. Excitement over the prospect of being a hero again and the chance to train with Deku after so long as he had always enjoyed the challenge of trying to best the nerd during all of their spars at school. Sparring one on one may not work out to be their best choice as far as their new training went but no doubt that's where they would start, a good way to get a handle on the others level again.

Katsuki also felt nervous enough that even if someone were to hold his favourite food before him, he wouldn't have the stomach to touch it. There was so much riding on them being able to work as a unit with just their fancy smart watches that it felt like a gamble. A big one at that. He didn't want it to fail. He wanted to be a hero again, even if it meant being paired with Deku of all people. Then again, there weren't many heroes out there that Katsuki could trust to have his back first of all – after all Deku had never done anything to try to hurt Katsuki or get back at him after years of bullying. The nerd had made it very clear back in high school that he held no bad feelings towards Katsuki. Something that was still hard to believe – and secondly keep up with him.

Kirishima was strong and he and Katsuki made for a solid hero pair too judging from how well they worked together in high school but Kirishima lacked the mobility that Katsuki had. The poor red head had no hope keeping up with Katsuki where speed and mobility were needed and it wasn't like Katsuki could carry him with him. His quirk wasn't suited for transporting others for anything more than a short distance.

Kaminari would be out for the same reason plus there was no way Katsuki would let himself rely on the scramble brained blonde.

Ashido could get around to a degree but again, Katsuki didn't feel she could keep up with him and not take the training and work needed seriously enough. So he wouldn't want her watching his six either.

Sero wouldn't have been a bad choice. He was a bit loose and live-in-the-moment but he could be serious when needed and he could at least get around. No doubt if tape arms learned sign language Katsuki would start to wish he were blind too to not have to see the jokes he would most likely keep throwing his way.

Deku didn't waste time with that. Deku was focused. He would have a goal in mind and charge for it. Most of the time the nerd had his head screwed on right and he thought out his actions before making them. He had always been the type to take a moment to analyse a situation first and come up with the best path to take. He could keep a more level head than Katsuki and the nerd was far from lacking strength, versatility and mobility. If the guy was anything like he had been in high school skill wise, then there was no better partner for Katsuki to patiently work with him to get a handle on their gear.

Todoroki was another old classmate that had come to mind as far as potential hero partners go but he still grinded Katsuki's gears ever they meet so there was no way Katsuki would opt for him. A few more old classmates came to mind and some heroes he had worked with since graduating but honestly none of them seemed as complete or compatible as Deku. They had known each other so long it was like they could read each other's mind when in action.

Deku had told Katsuki that he didn't have to stick with him if he didn't want to but the decision had been made and Katsuki's train of thought only confirmed things for him. Deku was to be his hero partner and together they would be the Wonder Duo All Might had always wanted them to be.