Chapter Text
Soul Mates. A concept once philosophical and romanticized and more prone to discussion in what if conversations, suddenly became much more than a concept with the dawn of quirks. It was easily overlooked in the early days, when quirks were rare and uncommon, but as the generations went on and quirks became more and more common, a phenomenon was noticed. A large majority of those with quirks or born into bloodlines carrying quirks found markings on their bodies—written words specifically. These statements were curious in that they could come in a variety of languages, a rare few of them even in languages that hadn’t been seen in written form in ages. With study, it was eventually learned that these were the first things soulmates said to each other and with them came the establishment of a link between two beings.
As for the languages they were written in: no matter what language the words would actually be spoken in, the soul mark would always display them in the mother tongue and eventual handwriting of the speaker—the answers behind how and why still eluded scientists to this day. There are many things still unknown concerning soul mates despite numerous studies being conducted. Still, as a result there are also well acknowledged rules to the bonds that have been confirmed.
- Once the statements have been spoken, the bond is established, but incomplete. 2. Physical contact of an intimate and mutual nature is needed to solidify the bond—most people choose to interpret this as a kiss, despite some pairings appearing to only be platonic. 3. After a bond has been established, the urge to see and interact with one’s mate increases, likely a biochemical response to ensure the solidification of the bond. 4. A solidified bond allows for subconscious awareness of the other in both physical and mental/emotional states. Though rare, there are even documented cases of bonds so strong, telepathic communication developed as a result. And in those with quirks, bonds could potentially provide the opportunity for growth and further development. 5. When the bond is established and unsolidified, there are consequences. In those without quirks they are physically trivial with an increased likelihood of depression occurring on the mental aspect. For those with quirks, however, an unsolidified bond could deteriorate and warp one’s ability to interact with their quirk. 6. It is known that a bond can go safely unsolidified for years, provided that interactions between two mates are constant and regular.
All in all, soul mates are considered a wonderful thing by most of society because somewhere out there, someone is compatible with you in some way, shape, or form. And yet, society is a complex creature, humans even more so. For all that soul mates are heralded as the best thing that can happen in life, there will always be things in the way of them, be they social constructs, emotions, or even duty.
For one, Yagi Toshinori, duty was the name of the wall that had blocked off his soul bond from occurring. When he was a child, he’d been enthralled by the words that had scribbled there way down his left calf. It was a near illegible looping scrawl, that with a bit of study revealed itself to be in English. Born quirkless, yet still gifted with a fated match, it was easy to become a bit obsessed. He studied everything he could on the English language and while he knew logically that there were several English speaking countries, his passion for American heroes had long colored his view and he couldn’t imagine his mate being from anywhere else. His obsessive study with the language soon spread to the country itself. And for a while, Toshinori was content to wait for the moment that he would venture abroad and find the person that completed him. And then the day came when he was no longer quirkless. Under the care of Nana Shimura and Gran Torino, his once great desire to meet his match slid to the background. After all, it was fate for them to eventually cross paths, right? For the time being his life’s dream was calling him, the call for a hero above all. And then came the day that his teacher died and with it, a revelation. Somewhere out there, there was a match for him…a match that would suffer an unending heartbreak should he ever fail and while he was determined never to do so…he knew he was only a man. That was the day that Yagi Toshinori put away his hopes and longings. For the sake of someone he’d only ever dreamt about, he put off searching for his soul mate indefinitely and if he hesitated to speak directly to anyone English despite his fluency, no one noticed, because All Might was still All Might.
Which brings us to our current day.