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Izuku was four when he first met Katsuki. His mom worked as a nanny, and often went to people's houses to watch their kids. Izuku usually went to daycare while she worked, but today was a holiday, so Izuku got to stay home with her.
"Alright, Izuku," his mom said, kneeling down to be at eye level with him, "Katsuki will be here soon, but before he gets here there's something I need to explain."
Izuku nodded, eyes wide, his mom sounded so serious! "What is it, mommy?"
"Katsuki is Deaf. Do you know what Deaf means?"
Izuku shook his head.
"It means he can't hear. He speaks a special language called 'Sign Language'." His mom explained kindly. "When he gets here, I'll show you some."
Izuku tried to understand what his mom was saying. How could he not hear? Why would he speak a different language? "Okay mommy." He agreed, "Do you think he likes heroes like me?"
"I know he does!" His mom smiled, "He's a big fan of All Might, just like you!" She tickled his tummy, making him giggle and squirm. The doorbell rang.
"Oh!" His mom stood up, walking towards the door. "That should be the Bakugous."
As she opened the door, hid behind one of her legs, tangling his hand in the back of her skirt. Meeting new people always made him nervous.
"Mrs.Bakugou," His mom greeted, "It's nice to see you."
The grownup, Mrs.Bakugou, was taller than his mom, and had spiky blonde hair. She was holding the hand of a boy who looked about his age. That must be Katsuki. He had the same spiky blonde hair, and reddish-brown eyes. He was scowling, and Izuku wondered if he was upset at having to leave his mom.
"Of course," Mrs.Bakugou replied, "I'll be back to pick him up around five." She crouched down and turned the boy to face her. She was kind of scary looking, with sharp, angry eyebrows and strict eyes. She took the boy's hand and put it on her face, fingers on her cheek and thumb at her jaw. "Be good for Mrs.Midoriya, okay?"
The boy didn't say anything, he didn't even move. Mrs.Bakugou sighed, and stood back up. "He's not doing very well with his speaking. See if you can get him to talk to you." She then turned to walk away, waving at her son as she left.
The boy waved back, and made a strange noise that Izuku didn't understand.
"Why don't you go get your All Might figure to show Katsuki?" His mom suggested, as she took the other boy's hand to bring him inside. Izuku ran to his bedroom, grabbing his basket of toys. He was so excited to play and maybe make a new friend. When he got back to the living area, Katsuki was sitting on the rug, driving a toy truck around. Izuku's mom was in the kitchen, making something.
"Do you want to play heroes with me?" Izuku asked excitedly, pulling his favourite All Might figure from the basket. The boy didn't answer, continuing to drive the truck back and forth across the green carpet. Izuku felt his heart sink. Another kid who didn't want to play with him. He didn't have very many friends at preschool, because one of the other kids said he was weird. This boy probably thought he was weird too. Pouting, Izuku went to his mom in the kitchen, and tugged on her sleeve to get her attention.
"Mommy," He whined, pointing at Katsuki on the carpet, "that boy won't talk to me."
His mom put down whatever she was making and took his hand. "He will," she said, leading him to the living area, "you just have to speak his language."
Izuku followed his mom as she went and tapped Katsuki on the back. He whirled around to look at the two of them, eyebrows raised. Izuku's mom kneeled down next to them. She made a quick motion with her hand, kind of like what Izuku saw soldiers do on TV, then pointed at him before doing some quick motion with her hand. Katsuki looked less apprehensive at that, and stood up to face Izuku. Like Izuku's mom had, he made a bunch of quick motions with his hands.
"He said hello, and that his name is Katsuki." Izuku's mom explained to him.
Izuku's jaw dropped. They were speaking- with their hands? He had never seen anything like it before. Katsuki shied away at his reaction, looking embarrassed, but Izuku didn't notice. It was so cool! He had so many questions!
"Do you think he can teach me how to do that? That's amazing I've never seen anyone move their hands that fast before how do you do that? Do you think heroes know how to talk with their hands? I bet they use it to be secret- like a superpower! If I learn how will you be friends with me? I bet I-"
Katsuki smiled a little at Izuku's excitement, but Izuku's mom grabbed his hand to stop his babbling.
"He can't understand what you're saying Izuku. Why don't I teach you how to ask if he wants to play with you?"
Izuku nodded emphatically. "Yes please!"
"Alright- watch me carefully."
Izuku concentrated as hard as he could as his mom made a series of gestures, and imitated them to the best of his ability. Katsuki quickly signed something back, and his mom responded to him, both with her hands and out loud so Izuku could understand.
"No, he doesn't know Sign, but I bet you and I can teach him."
"Yes please!" Izuku begged, looking hopefully at Katsuki. The other boy studied him for a moment, then gave a thumbs up, a small smile on his lips. Izuku ran to him and wrapped him up in a big hug, thrilled. He just knew they were going to be friends.