Chapter Text
The bell above the door swings back and forth. The café is packed with students taking their lunch outside the university's cafeteria. Lots of them are chatting, some listening to music, others studying. Pens forcefully moving across pages, smiles planted on different faces.
All of it is obvious, and yet, Katsuki can't hear any of it. Nothing at all. Not anymore.
Not the grandfather clock in his parents living room, ticking in the quiet of the night, nor the screeches of rubber soles against gym floors or the sounds of laughter. Cars approaching or people whispering, the purring of the neighbors cat.
Katsuki has been going deaf because of his quirk. Measures were taken to slow down the process, sign language was learned and lip reading taught.
Despite their best efforts, when he finally loses his last remnants of hearing during his third year internship, it rips the floor out from under his feet. He's in freefall and he doesn't know for how long. It feels neverending.
"That's eight hundred yen, please."
The cashier's mouth moves, fast and tight-lipped, unclear. Katsuki frowns, eyeing the register display and fumbling for his wallet. The coins move around, silent.
"Have a nice day," the cashier mouths, Katsuki can only assume that's what he's saying. Something else leaves the man's lips as he hands Katsuki his drink, but he's too focused on his order and spotting a good place to sit to make it out. Best to be out of sight in hopes not to be approached.
After everything he's lived through - the sludge villain end of middle school, the kidnapping, the villain attacks, him dying during their last battle against Shigaraki and All for One - nothing has felt quite like this.
He knows that's quite ridiculous of him, to feel so lost all of a sudden, to lose his hearing entirely at age eighteen and feel as if his life can't ever be normal again. Dying didn't feel as intimidating, final.
A two-person table in the nook next to the newspaper stand is still unoccupied. Katsuki pulls his hood down further and power walks to the spot.
He's shielded enough from the rest of the café not to have to worry about being approached.
A sigh of relief escapes him and he settles into his seat to check his messages.
Rumi has reminded him to be back by twelve-thirty. As if he doesn't know when his lunch break ends.
Class A's group chat is going off too, so is their separate 'Bakusquad' chat that Ashido and Kaminari had graciously opened.
A few unread messages from Izuku and Kirishima sit in his messenger app.
Nothing of importance to him so he closes the app, all messages unanswered.
Three months have passed since his hearing loss. Katsuki finds his eyes have become sharper, more aware of his surroundings now that he can't perceive any sounds.
Or maybe he's simply looking more nowadays. Either way, he notices small details more often and it's become fun to figure people out that way.
Right now he's watching a group of university students, heads together, papers and laptops strewn around the table, coffees and hot chocolates dangerously close to the edges.
They're speaking amongst themselves, one has a crinkle in the corner of their eye, something funny must have been said somewhere.
Oddly enough, the faces of the students morph into those of his friends. Kaminari saying something unfiltered, Kirishima and Sero laughing about it, Ashido and Jirou shaking their heads at the antics and Shinsou egging Kaminari on.
He stops his thoughts, shakes his head and ducks it back down to take a sip of his coffee.
Their group expanded during their second year. Jirou and Shinsou joined them seamlessly, as if they were always part of their group. And he's grateful for their company, even if he still pretends not to care.
A buzz vibrates under his hand. Turning his phone over, Kirishima's silly contact picture pops up.
Much to everyone's dismay, Katsuki is not taking his hearing loss well. It has everyone worried exponentially for him. So much so, Katsuki has chosen to withdraw.
Hangouts aren't the same, no one knows sign language, lip reading is a chore during school hours already and Katsuki doesn't have the energy to keep it up in his free time.
So he's started to opt out of hangouts. Excuses about studying or preparing for graduation have been graciously accepted by his friends, but of course, Katsuki's eyes are sharper now and he doesn't miss the worried side glances they all give him.
But he's not a charity case, he doesn't need their worry and pity, he just needs to concentrate on navigating this stupid new life that's so different to his old one.
Kirishima's contact picture disappears as the ringing ends.
When Katsuki lifts his head to continue staring at the patrons of the café, he's suddenly met with tired purple eyes.
One of the many downsides to losing his hearing; when he isn't looking, he won't see people approach.
Without fanfare, Shinsou takes the seat opposite Katsuki. His hands are folded around his to-go cup and Katsuki wonders if Shinsou had planned to drink his coffee during patrol but spotted Katsuki and decided against it.
They go into their usual stare-down. Shinsou's left eyebrow lifts up and Katsuki's own narrow in turn.
Shinsou's mouth opens, not in a way to speak, so Katsuki assumes he's sighing. Goodness, he might explode the café.
And then - Katsuki has dreaded it ever since Shinsou has sat down - he begins to sign.
Katsuki hasn't been honest. There's one person who's the exception. One person who he never has to lip read. One person, who's been up his ass about the damn hearing loss. And they're sitting right in front of him. In a way, his personal interpreter.
You are not answering your messages
Shinsou's hands hover for a moment and then drop back onto the table, his head tilted ever so slightly, as his fingers drum the wood rhythmically. A challenge to be honest with him. And Katsuki hates that he falls for it every time.
Even so, he does give Shinsou his biggest stink-eye just for good measure because why can't he mope about his situation in peace?
And then he lifts his own hands to respond.
Did the others send you to check up on me?
Shinsou bites at his lower lip. It's a small movement, barely noticeable but Katsuki catches it because he's been looking at lips for over three months now.
Instead of replying to him, Shinsou takes another big sip from his coffee. His eyes are downcast for a moment and Katsuki wonders what is really going on.
Matter of fact is, Shinsou has been the only person Katsuki has spoken to in the past three months semi-regularly. He indulges Shinsou because he can sign. And of course that has led to them growing closer. Katsuki finds himself in the other's company more often, even if he wants to be alone, like right now.
Finally Shinsou straightens up and moves his hands again.
Yes and no
Katsuki raises his left brow at that, but waits for Shinsou to elaborate.
Midoriya and Kirishima have texted me
But, I have come because I am worried
Shinsou puts emphasis on pointing to himself, locking eyes with Katsuki as he does.
Something twists in Katsuki's stomach and maybe his heart starts beating just a bit faster.
This is not their usual dynamic.
Katsuki, of course, has been relieved to find someone at school who can communicate with him. And even more so because Shinsou doesn't pity or baby him. They bicker in sign language, insulting each other the way they had in first year when Shinsou had come to declare his warfare - he now argued that it wasn't that but Katsuki loves to use it to rile him up anyway.
Their conversations are filled with friendly banter, sometimes turning into a small rivalry, nothing too serious.
And whenever they hang out with friends, Shinsou goes out of his way to interpret for Katsuki as best as possible.
Which has festered this shame and guilt in Katsuki's chest. Maybe it is another reason he's withdrawn from group hangouts. He doesn't want to burden Shinsou.
A hand in front of his face tears him from his thoughts.
I can hear your stupid thoughts all the way over here
Shinsou signs and crosses his arms after, the thin fabric of his hero costume stretching with the movement, highlighting his bicep. Averting his eyes, Katsuki mirrors the position.
It is unfair how strong Shinsou has become over the last one and a half years. Unfair in a way that Katsuki catches himself looking - really looking - at Shinsou and finding him too attractive not to have sinful thoughts.
And he has kind of liked the bastard before his damn glow up, he doesn't need to get more jacked and make Katsuki feel more things.
Bullshit
Katsuki responds, dropping his hands to take another sip of coffee.
Nothing else is signed between them. They sit across from each other, drinking their coffees and watching other patrons.
After a moment, Shinsou draws his attention again.
I am spending the weekend at home
Not particularly surprising to Katsuki but he suspects there's more to that information. Shinsou scratches his head after, almost as if he's embarrassed and Katsuki can feel his face pull into an expression of surprise. Shinsou rarely gets embarrassed with him.
Will you come with me?
Oh. That certainly is a valid reason for Shinsou to get embarrassed with him. Of course not because Katsuki thinks this is weird, it's more because Shinsou has never invited anyone over before and - yeah okay maybe it's a bit weird.
His face must give him away because Shinsou blinks at him and then scratches his neck, right at the nape where he likes to twist the shorter strands of hair around whenever he feels awkward or embarrassed.
Deep breath in, long breath out. Katsuki mulls over the question and finds he needs more context.
Why?
Shinsou tilts his head again, his hand detangling from his hair. A faint blush tints the top of his cheeks; Katsuki thinks it a good look on Shinsou.
Without further fuss, Shinsou opens his mouth, sighs very deeply and then signs again.
My mother asked if you want to try her homemade ramen
Hands still hovering, Shinsou seems to think about what else to say or how to phrase it.
I want you to meet my family
That is the other reason
Katsuki appreciates the honesty, really, but he can't help but feel like there's an ulterior motive. So he expresses his doubts by lifting his left brow and giving Shinsou a look. The other knows how to read it.
Okay I get it's a weird request
But I am being honest here
Shinsou signs immediately to set the record straight and Katsuki frowns at him. He has a nagging suspicion he wants confirmed first.
You are inviting me over so I can speak with your deaf mother, right?
The ball is back in Shinsou's court and he seems to connect easily, almost as if he's expected this.
Sure
I think you will enjoy yourself
We both know you need it
Katsuki doesn't gape at Shinsou but maybe his lips are slightly parted in disbelief at the brutal honesty. Really, he shouldn't have expected anything less from him.
Considering the question again, now that he has all the information he needs, Katsuki has to admit being around someone who's deaf may be a nice change for him, who knows maybe he can take something away from the interaction.
Fine
I'll come with you
Surprise flashes over Shinsou's face which he quickly replaces with a smirk and a nod and a promise to pick Katsuki up from his dorm room on Saturday - not that he has it far, considering they live next door to each other.