Chapter Text
With the appearance of quicks came a new phenomenon. Small designs cut in two and permanently etched into the skin of two different individuals. Should the two halves meet, they are supposedly meant to be together. The intricate drawing finally whole, showing bright and beautiful on each body. Starting off dull and colorless, only gaining a pale hue after their first meeting. Tenya had seen it for himself, his mother and father being a prime example, a magenta peony on the back of their necks. Since he was born, they had sung its praises, assuring him that one day he would find someone that matched the soft black camera piece that lay hidden on his left hip. When he was younger, he believed them, working hard to not only be the best for his family, but to ensure he could properly provide for his partner.
Until the age of ten that was his motivation, work hard and keep his eyes peeled for whoever could match his own design. However, the dreamlike reality shattered the moment he saw the black cracked pigeon on the back of his neighbor's wrist. She was a nice lady, barely reaching her thirties, the dull mark matched the dull blank look in her eyes. She had told him of the man who would have been her partner, the one she had pulled out of the burning car in front of her flower shop. How she had watched the pigeon had slowly turned power blue as she pressed her sweater against the man's bleeding stomach, in the same breath it was over. Shattering with a piercing pain as he took his last breath. Even at such a young age he understood what it meant, finally understood why his parents had begun sharing saddened looks whenever he would chat excitedly about his soulmate.
The night of his tenth birthday finally made sense. Sharp pain had woken him up in the middle of the night, like a knife digging itself deep into his hip. Tensei had been the first to answer his screams, trying to comfort him the best he could as he withered in pain. His mother followed shortly behind, doting on him the way only a mother could. Her hands flying to cover her mouth as the side of his shorts was rolled down. His perfect picture lay dull and broken, cracks spidering out from every point. His partner was gone, he didn't even get the chance to meet them.
Six years passed by too quickly, spending nearly every day with his head in books or training with Tensei. Six years trying to work the idea of a partner out of his mind, trying to ignore the newly crimson cat on his brother's shin. Tried to keep the smile on his face as he recounted story after story of how amazing his partner is, ignoring the way his own mark ached in time with his heart. After six years, his hard work was paying off. He'd been given the opportunity to apply to one of Japan's top hero schools, Yuei.
Shrugging off his suit jacket, Tenya sighed. As expected, the written exam had been a breeze. The only distraction being the muttering green haired boy two rows back from him, aside from Pro Hero Present Mic's overly boisterous voice. Running a hand through his hair, his own reflection staring back at him from the large mirror in the changing room. His mother had gotten him a custom made blue short suit if you will, once he had received his approval letter. He couldn't deny it fit him well, short enough not to interfere with the engines in his legs, but tight enough to show off all the muscle he had gained during training. It was perhaps a little embarrassing, clinging to his chest like a second skin, leaving almost nothing to the imagination from his waist down, although he assumed that was what the belt was for, to distract away from his groin.
Ensuring his shoes are properly secure, he made his way out to the exam field. It was a little exciting, seeing so many hero hopefuls in one spot preparing to go through the same test. The boy from earlier was in his group apparently, Midoriya if he remembered correctly. He seemed nice enough, despite the constant muttering and tears, he had bright sparkling eyes. His heart tinged slightly, lips turning down just slightly, whoever his partner was is getting someone rather adorable. Despite the unease in his stomach, he still smiled in the serious way Tensei always made fun of him for.
The large arena doors, metal creaking with every inch. Needless to say, the place was incredible. Large buildings as far as he could see, almost an exact replica of the place he grew up. It was beautiful, though haunting without the lived-in feel of any normal town. The ground shook beneath his feet from what he could only assume was the giant mechanical creations they had made specifically for the exam. They would have been intimidating should his legs not tear through them like paper. Taking a moment to catch his breath, he took a look around noting how some machines had multiple hero hopefuls pounding away on them. Briefly catching a glimpse of Midoriya running around, only for the one he had found to be quickly taken care of by someone else. Tenya felt a little bad for him, not quite sure why the boy wasn't using his quick whatever that may be.
"Hey man! Watch out!" Pressing himself against the wall, he barely missed the boy soaring above him dangling from some sort of fabric coming from his elbows. Time seemed to slow as his heart stopped. The boy was… some would call him average, Tenya hasn't seen anyone like him before. Long legs covered in skintight black leggings, pure white stripes running from the tops of his sneakers up across painfully thick thighs. Broad shoulders accented by the matching V-neck shirt, cut just before the elbows. His smile was stretched wide, black hair tied back into a small ponytail at the base of his skull. Searing pain shot through Tenya's leg, knees locking nearly bringing him to the ground. Hip muscles twitching and contracting, making his thigh muscles quiver. The pain knocking the air from his lungs, just barely managing to catch himself against the wall as he watched with wide eyes as the boy swung out of view.
The adrenaline rushing through his veins was the only thing that kept him going, dulled the pain into a slight ache, much like he got after a good run, as opposed to the searing pain. The rest of the exam was a blur, he could remember watching as Midoriya destroyed one of the machines in one punch, arm shattering. It was inspiring, watching the younger boy give up his spot to help the blushing brunette. A part of him hoped he'd see them if he got into Yuei - Not if, when he got into Yuei. The ride home was lively to say the least, Tensei chatting excitedly offering praises, telling him that they would go out to eat to celebrate.
Tenya was allowed a moment alone to change, resting against his closed door as the pain slowly seeped back through his leg. Stumbling over towards his bed, clothes being shed only just barely making into the hamper, he fell back into the plush mattress. He hadn't been hit, hadn't overworked his engines. Everything had been fine until…until that boy. Heart pumping, he glanced down, trembling fingers gripping the band of his gray boxers. Swallowing around the lump in his throat, he pulled them down just slightly. The once dull gray camera sparkled a soft orange.