Work Text:
It was far into the future where Quirks are commonplace for everyone.
It was rare for someone to not have a quirk. But this doesn't make them a bad person. In fact, being quirkless puts you at a huge advantage, making everyone constantly take care of you and praise you for your accomplishments without help. It's not always like this though.
Another thing that's commonplace in this era are soulmates.
Soulmates have been here for over 7 decades, caused by a quirk. This caused everyone to have words written on there wrists from birth, words that are the first ones your soulmate would ever say to you. Simple as that.
Well the problem is, Katsuki doesn't have a soulmate.
This is a well kept secret for him and his parents. He's never had words written on his wrists. Which makes him.... Inferior. Everyone has a soulmate, but why not him? Why was he chosen to not have a soulmate? It's fucking frustrating.
The only other person to know aside from him was his childhood friend, Izuku. He is quirkless, which caused him to get bullied by their classmates. His soulmate was most likely a goody-two-shoes, with his tattoos imprinted on his wrist with the words "Are you ok?". Katsuki just rolled his eyes at the thought of Izuku doing something stupid when he meets his soulmate.
So they lived in a pattern. Katsuki would leave Izuku alone, and Izuku wouldn't bother him with the soul thing. Katsuki's wrist was kept hidden, and when asked about his soulmate he always says "none of your goddamn business". Izuku was still bullied, if not for the fact that katsuki threatens the bullies to back off if they want to live.
This was all fine and dandy until they reached the age of 13.
Katsuki was over for a visit, him and Izuku playing video games in his room. It was a game called Heroes Plus Ultra, a fighting game that features famous heroes from across the country.
Katsuki was in the middle of beating Izuku when he was asked this question.
"Do you... Still wanna have a soulmate, Kacchan?"
The question caught him off guard, of course. It made him wonder why exactly does Izuku want to ask this. He just rolled his eyes after pausing his game, putting the controller down with a, bit of force.
"Why the fuck are you asking this shit now, nerd? We both know I'll never have a fucking soulmate. My wrists are evidence of that." the greenette looked conflicted, fiddling on the controller's joystick before putting it down as well.
"I just... Don't want to meet my soulmate, I guess."
This news was a bit of a shock. Izuku was always going on and on about being excited to meet his soulmate, what changed?
"What kind of garbage are you on about now, Izuku? You're fucking lucky that you even have a soulmate! Why would you throw that away?!"
His childhood friend looked down, clear pain and confusion in his expression. Lips in a thin line, eyes seemingly unsure of what to tell him. He sighed heavily before forcing his childhood friend to face him.
"Spit it out, idiot. What the fuck do you want to say?"
Izuku was quiet for 30 seconds, the suspense making Katsuki's chest tighten. His heart rate picks up, feeling a bit more sweaty than usual. He hopes that his hands don't explode all of a sudden.
Then, izuku turned to him, clear determination in his eyes. He did not expect the words that came out of his mouth.
"I like you, Kacchan. I've liked you for a long while now. And... I want to be with you instead of my soulmate."
To say that Katsuki is surprised is a huge understatement. He was shocked beyond reason! Why would Izuku choose him instead of his soulmate? This must be some sick joke.
Izuku is lying when he said he'd rather be with Katsuki. Katsuki knows that if Izuku finally meets his mate, he would immediately lose interest in the blond and leave. He fucking knows this but...
He's desperate. The thought of no one possibly ever loving him makes him feel terrible. He hates that feeling.
So he agreed.
He regrets that decision in his life. If only he had rejected the fucker, he wouldn't be in his room right now, balling his eyes out. It was when he and Izuku took the test to enter UA. He was the top scorer, of course. And he was proud and excited to share his boyfriend that fact. Up until he saw him and some brunette girl, obviously flirting with each other.
"Kacchan! Please, let me in! I can explain!"
"What's there to explain, asshole?! You fucking promised me that when you meet your soulmate, you'll choose me! What kind of fucking lie do you wanna spit out now?!"
"I tried to keep my promise! I really did!" keyword, tried. "but Ochako, she's-!"
"Better?"
It was silent after Katsuki cut him off, and that was enough confirmation for him.
"Get the fuck out of my house, dipshit."
"But kacchan-"
"Out!"
The teenager did as he was told, albeit hesitantly.
Katsuki, his heart broken and his trust betrayed, loved himself in his room. He only took food and water from the kitchen. He didn't even listen to the letter that UA sent him. His parents took that liberty for him, though.
So he got in. Big deal. Izuku also got in. What fucking ever. He doesn't care anymore. Why would he? They're not soulmates. Besides, soulmates would only get in the way of him goals.
It wasn't until the first day of classes when he bumped into someone in the hallway, telling them to "Get the fuck out of my way, asshat." It wasn't that much of a surprise, but the look of shock in those gold eyes irritated him. It's as if this guy has never heard a curse before.
Pissed off, Katsuki stormed off without saying anything else. He missed the look of longing the other sent his way.
Since that encounter, the blond boy with golden eyes has been following him everywhere. They're classmates apparently, along with his ex and the soulmate (fucking dandy). In the classroom, cafeteria, the library, even during the Quirk trainings, the blond boy tried to get his attention.
Only after 2 weeks of annoyance did he finally pay him any mind.
They were in the track field when golden blondie had his chance to grab him by his sleeve.
"What the fuck do you want?!" he screeched, roughly pulling his arm away from his "classmate". The other pulled out a notebook, eyes determined to say whatever it is he wanted to say. It was then opened to the last page, then was shoved to his chest.
"What is fucking prob... " the threat died out on his lips as he read the words written on the notebook. He almost laughed for it's ridiculousness. What kind of cruel joke is this?
'Hi, I'm Kaminari Denki! I'm mute but I think we're soulmates!'
He looked up to the other, another threat on his lips until he saw another set of words, this time marked on the skin. Words that he have said to a lot of people, but are also the first words he have said to this person in particular.
The determined look on the his, Denki apparently, face made it obvious that he was not lying by any means. And he's... Mute?
"You're mute...?" Katsuki felt stupid that he had to relay that out loud. But the other only nodded, taking off his choker to reveal scars that looked faded.
No wonder why. His soulmate is mute. He hates himself for not even considering the possibility. But gosh, is he happy he found out just now.
(they definitely made a scene during that class but y'know, let's not talk about that.)