𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐔𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍. deaf fem! reader x ushijima wakatoshi

𝐢𝐯. 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞, 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐞

spring had sprung, and time seemed to pass by ever quickly. flowers bloomed and tree branches swayed as you made your way towards the school entrance. it wasn't long until you caught a glance of the person waiting quietly by the gate. ushijima wakatoshi stood out in the crowd of students all passing by to make their way to class. sensing your presence, ushijima lifted his head, spotted you, and nodded. smiling, you waved back in response and hurried along to meet up with the male.

ever since taping his finger, the two of you began to see each other more often. it's crazy how one's life can shift so suddenly – ushijima had committed your schedule to memory; he made time for you.

"how are you today?" ushijima mouthed slowly once you reached his side.

"good," you signed.

recognizing this ushijima sighed back with a phrase he had picked up from you, "i'm glad."

the two of you always walked side by side. everywhere you went, ushijima never strayed far. often times, he'd get caught up in watching you that he'd run into things – a habit the ace was not willing to share with his teammates, while you, busy watching his lips would get led along by ushijima or steadied if and when you'd trip. it was an interesting friendship to say the least. in his teammates' eyes, ushijima, who never needed much motivation to practice, now had someone to impress, especially since most of the competitive games were over, and shiratorizawa had settled to focus more on training for the next season.

ushijima preferred spending time with you in more secluded places. with so many distractions in the city, you didn't mind one bit. today, the male had brought you over to his house. his mother, whom you had met only once – it wasn't even a formal introduction as she was hurriedly rushing out the door for something work related – was currently at her office leaving the two of you alone in the meantime. not that you minded of course.

today, you were determined to make ushijima's favorite food: hayashi rice. when you arrived at his house, the ace provided you with a pair of spare slippers and from there, you followed him in towards the main living space.

i'm going to cook for you today! can you show me where the kitchen is?

cook? are you sure you don't want me to order some takeout?

ushijima looked up at you after reading the text. with a slight frown, he wondered if you, for some reason felt obligated to do this.

it's okay. i know what you're really trying to ask ushijima ;) and i want to cook for us, okay?

ushijima boldly grabbed your hand and led you to the kitchen. he went around opening cabinets and doors to show you what his family had in stock.

what are you going to make?

you couldn't think too much of it before ushijima had let go to type out his newest message.

pacing slowly around the kitchen, you found a mini-pad of paper and a pen. picking it up you quickly scribbled down: hayashi rice.

you handed it to him quickly and then proceeded to search the shelves for the ingredients you needed. luckily, you had no trouble finding them – you figured it was due to ushijima's love for the dish.

earlier in the day, you had looked simple recipes for hayashi rice on youtube. luckily, you had found one with subtitles as well as the majority of the video being taught by a woman using sign language. after setting up your little station on the counter, you turned to find ushijima hovering idly over your shoulder.

he stared transfixed on the women in the video. "what's wrong?" you signed, a phrase you had taught him awhile back.

"teach me," he mouthed.

you tilted your head in confusion. what did he want you to teach him?

ushijima points to the video, and mouths, "sign language. hayashi rice. i want to be able to follow the lady along with you."

your cheeks warmed. maybe it was stupid, was this one of those acts people considered to be the bare minimum? you weren't really sure, and yet even if it was, it wouldn't matter. it moved you.

ushijima wakatoshi was not a man of many words and yet, for you, he'd learn how to speak.

"okay," you signed with a smile.

first, you held up your pointer finger indicating the number one. you played the video so that ushijima could watch the women prepare the ingredients, pausing along the way to teach him induvial words and phrases. you sent the giant ace off into his own little area to stir the ingredients while you began to chop.

halfway into mincing the green onions, you accidently nicked your finger. a sharp whistle like intake of breath alerted ushijima right away that you had been injured. he came over to check out your finger, dabbing it softly with a papertowel.

"let me cut the rest."

you shook you head in denial quickly, "yoir hands are importent to ou." you knew how much hands and fingers were worth to a volleyball player.

"your hands are important, too," the male mouthed in response. "they help you express yourself, and i love watching you sign."

he doesn't even realize how that sounds, you thought to yourself. ushijima gave you a timid smirk at the sight of your redden face.

or maybe he does!

ushijima's grip was light. he lifted your hand up to his lips and pressed a chaste kiss to the back of it.

"sorry. let me get you a band aid." the male left you then.

with your cheeks aflame and hand tingling.

after ushijima had nursed your finger, the two of you continued to chop vegetables together – an arguably easy one person task that somehow became meant for two as you let ushijima stand behind you and embrace your hand holding the knife.

soon, the two of you sat down, clapped your hands together exclaiming, "itadakimasu," and dug in.

"is it gud?" you asked as you watched the ace take the first bite.

"yes," he answered honestly.

you smiled fondly at ushijima's bluntness, knowing that he wouldn't lie to you.

"i'm gluad."

the two of you ate in a comfortable silence.

ushijima helped himself to seconds, and you laughed when you noticed the grain of rice stuck to the side of his mouth.

ushijima had offered to walk you home – well, more like he followed you outside his house and waited patiently for you to led the way. he remained close by your side until you reached a tall lamppost maybe thirty feet away from your family home.

"see you later," you signed. "thank you for today."

he nodded. "see you later," ushijima replied mimicking your sign.

feeling bold, you gave the boy a quick hug to which he stood utterly frozen. you laughed when you saw the stiff look on his face. payback for that kiss earlier! grinning, you turned in the opposite direction and headed towards your house.

and as you walked away with a soft smile on your face, you were not able to see the gentle gaze wakatoshi cast towards your receding figure.

you did not hear the three sudden but genuine words part from his lips.