holy fuck y'all we made it to fuckin 1k reads, wtf
thats fuckin cool!! there are like five people who read this.. and we managed to make it to at least 1k? holy shit

WELL what better way to celebrate that shit than with some DEAF BAKUGOU

fuck yes, ya bitch finished the thing
a whopping 2,424 words.. nice. well!! i should stop stalling..... here's!! the thing!!
(quick thing: this!! some of the things in this fic correspond w my headcanon book so if you're wondering why some things are the way they are just!! don't worry bout it!!)

ヾ(ﾟ∀ﾟゞ)

Katsuki was always a stubborn child. Even before he developed his quirk, he was a bit defiant and too independent for his own good. At nine years old, when he found out he was starting to lose his hearing, the stubbornness only doubled. Mitsuki and Masaru tried all they could to help him, teach him sign language, get him a hearing aid, and it did work at times, but his attitude and resistance to dependency really messed with their efforts. Eventually they had to resort to rather undesirable means to get him to cooperate.

In the end, he did get the help he needed, and by the point he got into middle school he was fluent in sign language (though he adamantly refused to wear a hearing aid, which Mitsuki and Masaru reluctantly decided to deal with for the time being). Izuku never commented on it; he was definitely worried about Katsuki but still did everything he could to keep himself away from the explosive boy at all costs.

Nobody else knew. And if they did, they never said anything.

Until a certain red-dyed boy with an eccentric (and nosy) personality came into Katsuki’s life.

Katsuki grows to think highly of Eijirou. Not in the sense of which he looked up to him, like All Might, but in that he appreciates him and sees him as a best friend. Of course that doesn't mean he tells Eijirou everything; despite it all he refuses to turn off his tough guy exterior. But, like with everything else about Katsuki, Eijirou finds out on his own.

|~~~|

“Hey, Bakugou.”

Eijirou whispers; they're in a library, studying for an upcoming English test in Present Mic’s class, along with Izuku, Tsu, and Ochako.

Katsuki sits beside him, eyes scanning across the words on the study sheet with boredom. He knows this stuff already, Eijirou assumes, he’s always been one of the most intelligent students.

Katsuki doesn't respond to his name though, only continuing to read each English word over and over, mechanically. Eijirou tilted his head, thinking he might be too absorbed in reading. He tried his name once more. “Bakugou?” He said, a bit louder than before, though not loud enough as to disturb his other classmates.

This was a little odd.

Eijirou gave him a small tap on the shoulder as he said his name again, in a whisper-yell this time, “Bakugou!”

Katsuki flinched, snapping his head up from the paper and very loudly exclaiming, “Huh?!”

This earned him a few shushes from the people around them.

Katsuki seemed to relax when he realized Eijirou was trying to speak to him, and though he looked a bit shaken up for a second, a usual frown sooned made its way onto his face as he questioned, “Oh. What do you want, Shitty Hair?”

Eijirou paused; maybe Bakugou was just startled by the tap on his shoulder. That could've very well been all there was to it, he did look rather focused on that paper. But something told Eijirou there was something else.

“Oh, um, I was just gonna ask if you could help me with this word. I’m having a hard time with it.” For now, though, he’d ignore it.

…

He doesn't notice Izuku’s knowing, worried glance towards the ash blonde boy.

|~~~|

Training with Katsuki was one of Eijirou’s favorite things to do, often he’d get paired up by Aizawa because he knows they're close enough to refrain from killing each other. They throw punches, utilize their quirks to their highest ability (without hurting each other too badly, of course), and generally get a good workout in.

Afterwards the two sit under a tree for a while, talk a bit, and bond. But this time, they sit in silence.

They don't know why, but for some reason this quiet day seems to be a very rare exception to their post-training hangouts. They find the silence comforting in a way. Eijirou, especially.

And it’s absolutely silent. No sounds other than distant grunts and cries from their other classmates (namely Izuku) as some continue to practice their skills, and a few occasional tweets and the rustling of leaves in the wind.

And it’s nice, Eijirou relishes in the quiet and takes the time to think. About what, he doesn't know, but he thinks. About Bakugou, maybe.

It’s all silent until Katsuki makes a discomforted noise beside him. He turns his head, and Katsuki’s face displays irritation as he holds a hand up to his ear.

“Hey, you ok?” Eijirou asks instinctively.

Katsuki shoots him a look, not exactly bitter but not very happy either. “I’m fine. Just… ringing.”

“Ringing?” Eijirou questions. “What ringing?”

“Nothing.” Katsuki answers rather defensively, “It’s not important. It happens…” He pauses. Then winces. “...It’s too quiet.”

This piques Eijirou’s interest, but before he can inquire any further, Katsuki is demanding, “Talk to me. I’d rather hear your shitty voice than no sound at all.”

At this point, Eijirou is worried. He can tell Katsuki is hiding something, and while it may not be in his best interest to ask, he can't help himself when he says, “Bakugou, is something wrong? Something you’re not telling me?”

Katsuki stares at him, his scowl deepening. The question definitely angered him to some degree, Eijirou noticed. However his cheeks seemed to dust over with something of a blush as he yelled, “No! I’m fucking fine! There's nothing wrong, it’s just…” He trails off, looking everywhere but at Eijirou.

After a few seconds of silence, he finally scoffed, throwing his half-full water bottle at the red haired boy, and stood. “I’m fucking leaving.” He said as he stomped away, leaving Eijirou alone under the tree.

There's definitely something wrong.

|~~~|

Now, they were in the dorms.

There were many instances in which Eijirou noticed something off, whether it be Katsuki’s out of place yelling or the recurring phantom ringing (and hissing, he seemed to he complaining more about that lately), but Eijirou hadn't questioned it since that day under the tree.

But now, they were dating. And Eijirou thought it perfectly fair that he knew at least something more about Katsuki.

Eijirou had been bottling up the questions he had for months, and Katsuki could tell. Whenever there was some other indication of a problem, Katsuki would give him a bitter, unnerving look which would shut him up almost instantly. Eijirou understood he might be uncomfortable with it, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out the problem. And that's what bugged him.

He hadn't known anything up until now. And it was by pure luck that he finally got the chance to know.

It was the end of the day and the students were all leaving school to make it to their dorms, and as usual the two were walking together. On the way, Katsuki had stopped by Present Mic’s classroom, claiming he had to ask him about some future assignment so he could “get ahead of all those bastards”, referring to his other classmates, of course.

It was a rather lengthy wait for Katsuki to get back to him, and Eijirou was getting antsy. He wondered what on earth they could be talking about that would take them so long. So he backtracked to Present Mic’s room, where he found exactly what he was looking for to uncover Katsuki’s secret.

The two were talking, but not verbally. They were using sign language; Eijirou recognized a few words from when Koda would occasionally use it, and they were indeed talking about homework and assignments and the like.

But why? And how? Since when did Bakugou know sign language? It could have been completely insignificant but Eijirou’s mind was telling him that was 100% not the case. He took a few steps back as he saw Katsuki begin to leave the room, and smiled as the boy joined him once again in the hallway.

“Sorry, Katsu, I just wanted to see what was taking you so long! I got a little impatient.” He lied, adding on a fake laugh.

Katsuki scoffed, “Yeah, well, learn to be more patient next time.” Not one of his wittier retorts, but Eijirou accepted it and they continued their walk to the dorms.

He saw that Katsuki knew something was off. He looked uncomfortable. The walk was silent. By the time they reached the dorms, everyone had hidden away in their rooms, leaving the two alone in the common area. This was Eijirou’s perfect opportunity.

“So… Since when did you know sign language, Katsuki?” He asked innocently.

Katsuki didn't answer for a while, as if trying to formulate a false response. His voice came out a bit shakily, though it wasn't too noticeable. “I just do. What's it to you?”

Eijirou took a step towards him, but not a threatening one. “I’m worried, Katsuki. There's definitely something wrong, and I wanna know what is.”

“It’s none of your business, that's what it is!” Katsuki snaps. “It’s not important.”

“I’m sure it’s really important if you're trying so hard to hide it from me.” Eijirou retaliates. “Come on, Katsuki, you can tell me! I’m your boyfriend now, we kinda have to know about each other if we want to stay together…”

“I know that, Eijirou.” Katsuki sighs, shooting a glare. “Look, I swear, it’s not important. So stop wondering and leave it at that, won't you?!”

“No, I won't.” Eijirou walks up to Katsuki with a purpose, quickly grabbing the other’s hands and hardening his arms to keep them in place. “We're not leaving this room until I get an answer. Just tell me.”

Katsuki makes an attempt to pull his hands free but utterly fails. He groans, looking Eijirou in the eyes as he mulls over his thoughts. His frown finally softens, though not by much, as he tells Eijirou what he wants to hear.

“Look. I’m going deaf, you dunce, and it really doesn't matter. I’ve already lost a fair percentage of my hearing. Is that what you wanted to hear, fuckface? Can you fucking let me go now?”

Eijirou processes the information. Suddenly the loudness and the ringing and lack of response from the boy makes sense. And, actually he hadn't really noticed it until now, but Bakugou’s speech was always a bit slurred together... He nods, and releases Katsuki’s hands. But before he can leave, Eijirou can't help but inquire further: “...How long has this been going on? Your hearing loss, I mean.”

“Eh…” Katsuki taps his foot in thought, “Since I was nine I think. So like, fucking, seven years?”

Seven years. “What's been causing it?”

At this Katsuki seems to tense up. He answers nonetheless. “It’s my damn quirk. The explosions are fucking with my ears... It sucks ass.”

His quirk… Eijirou had never heard Katsuki talk down his quirk like that, he had only ever heard him praise it for all the good it's done for him. It felt… unnatural.

“Well… Fuck, man...” Eijirou croaked, trying to come up with words. Katsuki gave a confused “huh?” at his not-quite-mumbled words. Eijirou ran a hand through his hair. “Sh-Shit, Katsuki, why didn't you just tell me before! You had me worried as hell!”

“You don't think less of me?” Katsuki immediately questioned, “My quirk is ruining my fucking hearing. It’s turning into something of a weakness more than a strength. Are you're not looking down on me right now?”

Eijirou laughed. “Holy fucking shit, Katsuki, you're such a drama king! Of course I wouldn't think less of you! You're still cool, and powerful, and manly, even with a hearing problem. You think people will see you as a weakling for something like that?”

Katsuki opens his mouth to retort, but insults and witty responses elude him. Instead he thinks Eijirou’s word over. He crosses his arms, an angry sort of pout on his lips. “Well, when you say it like that it sounds fucking stupid.”

“Katsuki, oh my god!” Eijirou laughed some more, wrapping an arm around the boy, “You're so stupid.” He gave him a fast kiss on the cheek. “I fucking love you, Katsu, holy shit.”

Katsuki responds with an angry “love you too,” which Eijirou assumed was meant to be a grumble, though it came out a little louder than he probably intended. Hold on…

“Wait a fucking minute, why aren't you wearing hearing aids?”

Katsuki looked away, unresponsive. But Eijirou knew he heard him.

“Have you just NOT been wearing hearing aids for the past seven years??”

Again, Katsuki didn't answer. Stubborn asshole.

“You idiot. I’m telling your parents to get you hearing aids.”

“Fuck no! They're ridiculous and annoying as hell!” Katsuki shouted like a child having a tantrum.

“Katsuki, you're wearing the fucking hearing aids!”

|~~~|

Katsuki did end up wearing the hearing aids, entirely against his wishes, and while they did help as they were supposed to, Katsuki still had many complaints. All of which were ignored by his parents and Eijirou.

Since the revelation, everyone started to learn one-by-one about Katsuki’s issue, and respected it. In fact Izuku already knew about it, Eijirou found out, and he was great help teaching him about Katsuki’s preferences and ways to deal when it came to his hearing loss (he doesn't like overly quiet rooms, he doesn't like people coming up behind him; how to talk to him without necessarily shouting, etc.).

And, as a bonus, Eijirou took it upon himself to learn sign language just for Katsuki, despite the many protests from Katsuki himself. He asked Present Mic to help, since he figured Koda would be a bit too shy, and his afterschool lessons were fairly successful.

“I love you,” he’d sign across the classroom or during a study session in the common area to keep his classmates undisturbed. He doesn't know how or when, but at some point, Katsuki stopped ignoring it. He’d started to sign “I love you” back, maybe even give a little smile. As much of a dunce as Kirishima was, Katsuki couldn't help himself. Kirishima cared too much for his own good, Katsuki had become much too aware of that fact over the school year. He was an incredibly caring, lovable moron that Katsuki couldn't seem to separate himself from.

And maybe he should have just told Eijirou from the beginning. Maybe he should have just told everyone. He was a fucking idiot. Hearing problems be damned, he was still Katsuki ‘King of Explodokills’ Bakugou, and no setback like that was going to keep him from rising to the top.

ヾ(ﾟ∀ﾟゞ)

holy shit!! that was fun. i.... live for deaf bakugou. but my poor boy is gonna go completely deaf one day!!!!! his hearing is deteriorating by the day.. at least, it is the more he uses his quirk
but!! smth else, as i've mentioned i don't necessarily know how to write hard of hearing characters!! so, if you're either completely or at least partially deaf, and i've written or said something to offend you, please tell me what it is and i'll try my best to fix it!! and i sincerely apologize if that's the case!!
btw!! if you're wondering why bakugou and present mic were signing instead of talking, mic tragically lost his voice earlier that day!! a real bummer for the voice hero, but it happens to the best of us..
anyway!! this was a fun experience!! it was nice to get my writing juices flowing.. for two days.. it's all gone for now, but i'm sure i'll find new motivation/ideas soon!! anyway do you like it? i think it's was ok enough!! nothing too good but, y'know!!
aah im gonna go now though so!!
bye!! 🐟🐟🐟