[After throwing the driftwood, Katsuki stands still for a moment, digging his toes into the sand and fidgeting for a moment, almost like he's considering running. It would be easy, he thinks, to just turn and leave before Izuku can get his words together, can ask anything more of him. Izuku always seems to be asking so much of him, even when he's not asking for anything at all, and Katsuki...he's just not the type who's ever been good at giving.

Maybe that's why Izuku frustrates him so much, has always frustrated him, why he's always felt like he's ahead of Katsuki somehow. Because Izuku has so much to give, and being around him makes Katsuki think he should be giving more. Should be better. He knows he needs to be better, and it was Izuku who showed him that.]

I don't know what we are either, Izuku.

[His voice comes out soft, and he sits down heavily next to the other boy, again, not looking at him, just staring out into the ocean.]

None of the words I can think of are right. Rivals...it's not enough. Neither is classmates. Friends is too much.

[Why isn't 'rivals' enough? That's...that's something he'll have to think about. Because it means that Izuku really matters to him, and that's scary to think about, when Izuku can be so fragile despite how strong he is.]

But I think...I'm getting to the point where I know what I want us to be.