'Tap Tap' was supposed to be a one shot only. I got so many requests for a part two that I just had to. I was immensely helped by KiriBaku_luver with the first part but the second part is just as much her creation, as it is mine. We played off each other's writing the entire process. She is a partnership made in heaven! She is my otp (🧡thank you kirishimaunbreakable), a precious friend, and a fantastic writer! She is working on her own first story posting so look out for that! I'm so grateful to have met you!

I can't find the artist for this chapter art, if anyone knows who the artist is, please let me know so that I can credit them!

'tap tap'

'tap tap'

The way he held me, sobbing into my limp body, broke my heart, well, if I still had one that is.

I don't feel any physical pain but the mental, and emotional pain is more than I ever felt in my life with no way of expressing it. Normally I could blow shit up, scream, and cry, not that I would be caught dead crying, oh, right, awkward.

I've spent months watching him suffer day in day out. He's plagued by nightmares when he does manage to sleep. Eijiro's face contorted in agony, sweat seeping through every pore. His tossing and turning wake him with a jolt. I badly wish I could wrap my arms around him.

I attempt to touch him daily, I miss the feeling of his smooth skin as I caress his cheek. I long for his slightly chapped lips molding into mine.

I have to settle for watching the hell that I see. A hell made specifically for me.

Eijiro's sadness.

Even if I could leave, roam the earth like this, the thought was never a possibility for me. I'll wait for him, however long it takes. Running his fingers through his dark roots, hair down, I instinctively reached out to replace his hand with mine. Those silky tresses beckoning me to massage my way through his roots, his head resting on my shoulder.

My hand passed right through him. Again.

How many times has this been? I've lost count hundreds of times before.

*tap tap*

I look up from my depression. Ei is in the hallway now, surely heading to our, no, his too big, lonely bed. It's felt like decades since I've heard it. Our Morse code. In reality, it's likely only been months.

*tap tap*

Being dead, I have no mass but I have never felt more light than when he finally started to 'tap' again.

Ei looks calmer than I've seen him since my passing, thank fucking God! The corners of his mouth turn up, his eyes clearing and soften at the sound. It's bittersweet to see. It's not his usual grin but he isn't frowning anymore at the very least. I watch him settle in for bed going through the motions. I lay next to him like I normally do watch over him while he sleeps. A thought came to me, maybe my spirit can enter his dreams. It's worth a try.

'tap tap'

He 'taps' his bedside table one last time before closing his eyes. The tiny upturn in the corner of his mouth from his 'taps' dissipates, to my dismay.

*****

It's so dark in here.

The vibrant personality that Ei has, no, had, isn't in his dream world anymore. This is what my death did to him on the inside. 

Dark, heavy, ominous...

No.

He's not like this.

His smile brightens any room, kind words directed at anyone and everyone. 

When he laughs it's obnoxiously loud like he puts all his laughter for the day into it, even I, snort in amusement.

I look around again and the darkness is receding, splashes of color surround the figure of Eijiro with his back to me. 

I reach out to turn him around

*****

*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*

*tap tap*

"Kat" Ei whispers as he 'taps' the bedside table.

Since last night Ei 'taps' like he did when I was alive. As reassuring as it feels for him, it's agonizing for me. I won't be able to respond with 'taps' of my own, or can I?
I don't have the mass to 'tap' with but still I tentatively place my 'hand' next to his and
Silence.
But, I felt something. I felt my 'taps'!
Watching Eijiro 'tap' fills me with familiarity now, as I'm sure it does for him too.
Our 'morse code' serves an extra reminder of our first kiss, the night we sorta, confessed to each other. That night was also this first of our 'taps'

*****

My room was right next to my crush and best friend, Kirishima Eijiro. He is the rock that everyone leans onto for unwavering support physically (with his hardening quirk) and emotionally. Even I, as stubborn as I am, relied on his positive words to get me through another day of socializing and training. He broke through my tough exterior to show me that life, as the number one hero would be unattainable without social skills. 

He wasn't the dumbest nor the brightest in our class but nonetheless asked for my assistance in his studies and for the past three years at UA, we attained a better understanding of the other perspective. 

During my metamorphosis, especially after my kidnapping, I had been plagued by nightmares. The only one, at the time, that I trusted was Kirishima. 

I would wake up in a cold sweat, my quirk activating, and a small knock on my dorm door. 

"Hey, are you ok?" I could hear the normally pleasant voice on the other side of the door.

Still not being completely comfortable with being seen this vulnerable, even in front of my best friend, I relied on my harsh speaking mannerisms.

"I'm fine, Shitty Hair!"

"Bullshit." He replied in a tired, short burst. 

In shock, I just sat there, silently.

"Just let me in and tell me what's wrong, Bakugo"

He had been dealing with my, now occasional, outbursts for years now and, as much as he wanted to allow me my dignity in dealing with this alone, he had hit his limit.

I apparently had too. 

I get up without a word and open the door to a worried looking Kirishima...

"You don't have to say anything, just let me try something."

He quickly activated his quirk, probably anticipating my explosions, and threw his arms around me. His hands clenched the back of my shirt. 

I could feel his breath on my neck, slightly holding it back like he had something to say.

Whatever compelling force brought me to do this, I thank you.

When he pulled away, I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him back in. My lips met his, soft plump pink ones. I saw that his eyes were opened wide and trained on mine in pure shock before I closed mine. 

I pull away, thinking he didn't want anything to do with what I had done. Catching me off guard, Eijiro gripped my front collar.

His lips smashed back into mine with such a forceful need.

Our lips moved in perfect harmony with the occasional nip to his bottom lip, needless to say, by me.

Breaking our physical connection to each other, our emotional connection was at its height. 

No words needed to be spoken, other than

"Thank you, Kiri, g' night..."

"Anytime, Bakugo, g' night..."

I laid in bed again with my heart a fluttering mess, but still too tired to get up again, I reached to the wall next to my bed...

'tap tap'

I wanted him to know that I was thinking about him... 

'tap tap'

He apparently was too.

*****

Ei's return to hero work was difficult for both of us. I watch him return home after having yet another panic attack, it's not difficult to know what's on his mind, the memories of my death likely the culprit. But he's strong. Stronger than he ever knew himself to be.

He will get through this.

It's been nearly 6 months, maybe, since my spirit left my physical body. His 'taps' give him strength, to get through the day and give me comfort that he still thinks about me.

I've tried to respond to him to no avail but maybe, just maybe, if I put all my love for him into it.

He's having another breakdown.

'tap tap'

'tap tap'

It fucking worked!

I'm here! I always have and I always will be!

'tap tap'

'tap tap'

The bright smile that died with me, burst through his tear soaked face. My returning 'taps' revived some of his brilliant personality it seems.

Our 'taps' filled the quiet apartment for the remainder of the night. Both of us feeling the closest thing to joy since I had died.

It's been months since Eijiro has begun to hear my taps, I couldn't be any more elated. I still want to talk to him, see him and hold him tell him everything is okay and I'm fine. So at night I lay down beside him and try my hardest to enter his dream world. I've been trying this for months now getting closer and closer. Tonight was gonna be the night, I just had a feeling it would work.

When Eijirou came home he seemed different, sadder than his normal depression. What was wrong? He sat on the couch in a slump and broke down before me. His sobs hurting every fiber of my spiritual self. I couldn't help but frown in frustration beside him, trying to hold and grip him but I couldn't. Dammit! These were the worst times. He reached out...

'tap tap'

'tap tap'

My returning 'taps' calming him ever so slightly. He gets up and walks to the kitchen, staring at the fridge reaching out his hand to stroke a finger on the calendar. Now I know why he broke down. Tomorrow is April 20, my fucking Birthday. GOD FUCKING DAMMIT! I have to try my damndest and see him tonight, in person, I just have to. Ei lays in bed, fresh tear tracks stain his cheeks. I lay next to him trying to caress my fingers through his hair. He must know what I'm doing. It seems to comfort him and lull him to sleep, within seconds he's out. I close my eyes hoping I'll see him. 

*******

DARKNESS

I open my eyes seeing light DAMMIT it didn't work. Wait. I'm not in Eijiro's bed. I'm at one of our favorite camping sites. It's been years since we've been here. I turn around towards the lake that I know will be there and there he is standing and looking so handsome.

"Eijiro?" I say breathlessly. He turns around dumbfounded.

"Katsuki? Is that really you?" He says, a tear rolling down his face.

"Yes, it's me," I say running towards him into his open arms. I can't believe it finally worked.

"Ei, I love you so fucking much!" I trail off as I start to kiss him. 

I feel Ei tightens his hold around me, deepening the kiss, he runs his tongue across my lips, asking for entrance. I wrap my arms around his neck and moan into his mouth as I feel him explore every inch. His hands roam all over my body as I break the kiss to speak. 

"Eijiro, make love to me" Staring at him with lust in my eyes.

Our hands clasped together before he leads me to a tent that I didn't even notice before. When we're inside he starts kissing me again, his hands explore along the hem of my shirt. He pulls it off me as quickly as possible. We lay down together as he kisses along my jawline down to my neck at the spot he knows I'm weakest. I'm a moaning mess gripping in his hair and onto his shirt. I tug his shirt off agonizingly slowly. His lips trail along my stomach, whipping his tongue between my abs. He stops to pay attention to my chest and pinches a nipple. His cocky smirk gets me every damn time. I growl from the agonizingly slow foreplay, I can't take it anymore. I sit up but I am immediately pushed down by a laughing Eijiro.

His laugh is like a song. A song I could listen to on repeat, never tiring of the alluring melody. It feels like fucking ages since I've heard the sweet sound.

"You bastard, will you just fuck me already!" 

"But you said to make love, Kat, I'm savoring this moment, okay?" He says through his remaining chuckles while he is caressing my erection through my jeans. 

Ei takes the slightest amount of pity on me by taking my jeans and boxers off. Ei kisses up my thighs to my aching cock, he licks from base to tip making me groan. All in one, he engulfs my cock in his mouth and bobs his head up and down slowly while stroking me. 

Gagging a little, he leads two fingers of his other hand into my mouth for me to suck. As I'm sucking his fingers, he sucks my dick all that much harder. He hollows out his cheeks making me groan around the fingers that are covered by saliva.

Without me noticing, Ei had taken his spit covered fingers out of my mouth and slowly teases my hungry and aching entrance with one finger. He pushes gently inside me while I can't help but curse for more. He continues with one finger before sliding the second one in, stretching and scissoring me, opening me up for him. 

"Ei, I need you now, please," I beg with half-lidded eyes full of lust.

Ei removes his fingers and stands up to remove the rest of his clothes. He carefully positions himself and grabs onto my thigh, slowly pushing inside. We groan in unison, at the pressure on my backside. I wrap my legs around Ei as I feel his girth and length slowly stretching me from the inside. 

"Ah, fuck, Kat. I've missed this, being with you." Hus words stutter slightly as he fully sheathes inside of me. Ei slowly starts moving his hips rhythmically that has me wrapping my arms around his back. As he bends down to kiss me, he picks up his speed hitting my prostate harder with every thrust. I'm reaching my limit soon but I don't want this to end.

His last thrusts have him shuddering and groaning, "I love you." The feeling of his release inside me elicits my own orgasm. Eijiro collapses onto me not caring about the mess before rolling off to the side so he can wrap his arms around me. When we are breathing normally, I speak. 

"Ei, I'm sorry I left, I didn't mean to, love, I was just trying to save you."

"I know, Kat, it was a high-class mission. Accidents happen, but it's okay. You saved so many people that day besides me." Ei kisses my forehead tenderly.

"Kat, this isn't real is it. It's a dream, isn't it?" I look over to his sullen face.

"It's a dream, sort of. I've been trying to see you for months like this since you've been able to hear my taping, but I don't know why it worked tonight. Maybe because of it's my birthday or the amount of energy I've stored up." I rambled a bit like that need Deku.

"You mean, I was able to see you because it's your birthday? Kat! Maybe we can do this every year." His eyes were so full of hope.

"I don't know if that's possible or how it works. I was doing this to let you know that I'm okay and I'm waiting, Ei. I'll always wait for you." I kiss him one last time before darkness takes over.

********* 

I ease my eyes open. I'm in Ei's bed, he's still asleep. I try to kiss him as he mumbles "Kat", his eyes flutter open. He smiles and reaches for the nightstand

'tap tap'

'tap tap'

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Katsuki," he says with a smile.

He starts doing his normal morning routine, his phone rings while he makes breakfast. It must have been someone checking on him. 

"Midoriya, I'm fine… yea, I swear... yea, thanks again, I'll see ya' later... Ok, bye."

After he eats and gets ready for the day, he stops at the front door.

'tap tap'

'tap tap'

He smiles wide with my responding 'taps'. I was able to do something else that I was never able to do before. I was able to leave the apartment and follow him. He's in the car and yet again he 'taps', not sure if he will be able to hear them, I respond back. Nothing. Can he only hear them at the apartment? I assume he's heading to work but he takes a different route in the opposite direction. He stops in front of a flower shop, returning with a bouquet of red spider lilies and tiger lilies my favorite flowers and a single white lily. Now I get where he's going, he must have taken a day off for this. He's going to visit my grave. Ei has always been sentimental.

As he stands in front of the headstone, I watch him with so much intensity. I can see the sadness in his eyes, I can't help but reach out and touch his cheek and it's like on instinct he leans his cheek into me. 

"Are you with me right now, Kat?" he says to possibly himself. 

It seems he knows I'm there with him, or at least wants to believe I am. A small smile on his face tells me so. He sets the flowers down in front of my headstone, he kisses the white lily before placing it down. Ei kneels down and he reaches a shaky hand forward to touch the marble. His index finger traces my name. He takes a deep shaky breath refusing to release it, eyes swelling shut before a single tear runs down his cheek.

He's trying not to cry again. I see his finger move.

'tap tap'

I place the wisp that is my hand on his

'tap tap'

I'm sure he feels the 'tap' on his hand, the tears he tried so hard to restrain burst through his efforts. Ei smiles through the tears, his sharp teeth biting into his bottom lip.

"I fucking miss you, Katsuki. Last night." he couldn't continue. I've never wanted to cry more than right now. If only I had a body to release this ache. I wish he could hear my voice but I try regardless.

"Eijiro, I'm here it's okay, let it out, it's okay, love." I try my damn hardest to wrap my arms around him and rub his back.

Ei stays there for what seems like hours. I know he's okay though. Before leaving he kisses the top of the marble and heads back home. 

The rest of the day he watches all of my favorite movies and thinks about the good and bad times we both had, each and every memory we had filled with the love we shared.

'tap tap' 

'tap tap'

It's been 3 and a half years since I was able to go into his dreams. It's alright though cause he can still hear my 'taps'. That's all that matters to me, as long as he hears those, he knows I'm with him. Until we meet again my love.

'tap tap'

'tap tap'