Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kaminari has always been embarrassed by his Words. Well, Word more like. The three letters on his wrist have always taunted him.

His Word was just so boring compared to his friends' Words. Even when he had just gotten his Word he hated it.

Who in the hell wants a Word like ‘Hey’?

He sure as hell doesn’t! But he got screwed over and got em! How is he supposed to know who his soulmate is when his Word is ‘Hey’!? Kirishima’s Words are fucking ‘Bro, your biceps are huge!’ What the fuck! Kirishima’s Words are so weird and cool and totally not boring.

Kaminari is 25. He has yet to meet his soulmate. All his friends are the same age as him, they all went to the same high school and they were all in the same classes.

He is the only one in their group who hasn’t met his soulmate.

Ashido met her soulmate, the girl she bumped into on the subway had said “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to run into you!” And Ashido kissed her after saying “You’re the one.”

Her name is Uraraka, and they both went out for coffee right after they met. Dropping all their plans to get to know each other.

They talk about it all the time. They’re getting married in a few months, and Kaminari is gonna be Ashido’s best man.

Sero met his soulmate. He was walking down the street and a guy with blue hair stopped him, returning Sero’s dropped wallet and asking “I’m sorry, is this yours?”

Sero had just grinned and said “What’s your name, stranger?”

Stranger’s name was Iida, and they went on a date about 4 days after meeting.

They’ve been together for about 3 years. Sero is planning on proposing.

Kirishima had met his soulmate, he was the first of all of them. All he had to do was find a guy that fawned over his ‘huge biceps’.

They had met at the gym Kirishima goes to, and the red-head’s response was just “I can’t believe I found you!”

The guy’s name is Tetsutetsu, and unsurprisingly, he’s just as much of a fitness junkie as Kirishima.

Those two have been together for 6 years. Been married for 2 of those 6 years, Kaminari was the one Tetsutetsu consulted when he was planning his proposal. Kaminari was also Kirishima’s best man.

Kaminari is so happy for all his friends, he won’t lie about that, it's just that sometimes he wonders if maybe the reason why his Word was what it was, perhaps he didn’t have a soulmate at all, or maybe he’d never meet his soulmate.

Maybe he wasn’t meant for love. Maybe love wasn’t meant for him. Maybe being alone was his destiny. Maybe his destiny wasn’t in a person, but being alone. Forever.

That scared him the most, being alone forever. Without a soulmate.

That terrified him.

But, now wasn’t the time to let his thoughts run rampant. For now, he has to focus on Ashido. After all, it’s not every day you get to help your best friend choose her wedding dress.

“How about this one, Kami? I love the ruffles! Makes me feel like a princess!” Said woman yelled, stepping out of the dressing room.

Kaminari looked up and smiled, “It looks pretty! You definitely look like royalty in that one.” He was happy for her. After all, she was getting married. To her soulmate. And Kaminari was the best man. And Kaminari was single. Single and without a soulmate.

Ashido grinned at him and went back into the dressing room, “I think I’m gonna get that one! Do you think Ochako would like it?”

“Of course! She’d love anything you wear. You could get married in a garbage bag and you’d still spend your honeymoon under the sheets.” Kaminari said, earning a cackle from Ashido.

Said woman peeked her head over the door of the dressing room a minute or two after, her pink curls framing her perfect chocolate skin, “I know! I just want our wedding day to be perfect, and in order to do that I need to look perfect!”

“Well I think the dress is beautiful on you.” Kaminari smiled, “And if you wanna be like a princess, a long train would be perfect for that.”

Ashido nodded and went back to changing, “There’s just one more dress to try on and we’re moving onto the final touches for the reception and ceremony! You remember who you’re walking down the aisle with?”

“Uraraka’s friend from highschool. The angry one, right?” Kaminari confirmed, leaning back in the chair he occupied.

“Exactly! I’ll introduce you two at the rehearsal, just be sure to remember which one he is, mkay?” The woman said, stepping out of the dressing room again. “Okay okay, how about this one?” She asked, spinning around to show off the large poofy dress with layers upon layers of tulle and ruffles, “It’s like a big ass ballgown, right?! I love this one!”

Kaminari grinned ear to ear, “You look stunning in it, Ashi. Uraraka’s gonna love it.” He subconsciously rubbed his thumb against his Word.

Ashido smiled back at him, tears seeming to brim in her yellow eyes, “God, I can’t believe this is really happening. I’m about to get fucking married, Kami!” She wobbled a bit and fell to her knees, the dress poofing up around her, “I’m trying on dresses for my wedding. I’m about to get married to my soulmate in 3 months. I can’t believe this is real.” Kaminari rushed over to the woman and held her tight as she continued, “I’m gonna get married, Kami,” She sniffled and hiccuped, “I’m gonna get married and all this feels like the most amazing dream, and I don’t wanna wake up.”

“Ashi, I can promise you this isn’t a dream.” Kaminari said, rubbing circles on Ashido’s back, “If it was a dream, you’d have your teeth falling out any moment now.” He laughed, gently removing Ashido from his chest and wiping her eyes, “And I can clearly see your teeth still in your mouth.”

The pink-haired girl laughed, taking in a deep breath, “I’m good, I’m fine.” She nodded to herself, standing up and wiping her eyes, “Now. I’m gonna get changed. I’m getting this dress, it makes me feel gorgeous.”

Kaminari stood and sat back down in his chair, waiting patiently for Ashido to finish changing.

He found himself staring at his wrist. The three letters laughing in his face. Taunting him. His best girl-friend was gonna get married. His first friend is already married to the best guy Kaminari knows outside his friend group, and his best bro was planning a proposal for his boyfriend.

And here Kaminari is. Still alone and without his soulmate.

He wants to believe he’ll find his person at the wedding, but he seriously doubts that outcome.

Chapter Text

Sitting at the table, ring in an open box a foot away, Sero went off on ideas for his proposal, “Picnics are romantic, right Kami? Or maybe a dinner to a nice restaurant. What do you think?” He asked, though Kaminari had completely toned him out, “Kaminari? Dude?”

Kaminari’s head shot up from staring at his wrist, again, “Huh? Oh! Uh, yeah! Picnics are super romantic.” He grinned, thumb over his Word. Again.

“You good dude? You seem distracted.” Sero noted, pointing at Kaminari’s wrist, “Very distracted.”

The blonde looked down at where Sero pointed, covering it with his thumb, “Oh. Sorry dude!” He laughed, looking back up at Sero and smiling apologetically, “I’ll focus more, promise!”

Sero tapped his foot and sighed, shifting to face his friend, “Dude. Seriously, whats up? You keep staring at your Words-”

"Word."

“Yeah- Word. Whatever, you keep staring at it. What the Hell is up?” Sero asked, looking like a mother whose child wouldn’t stop screaming. Kaminari suddenly felt small.

“Nothing! I’m fine! I’m cool, I feel uh- I feel amazing! It’s okay.” Kaminari smiled, forced and obviously not genuine. Not as bright.

Sero sighed again, Kaminari’s answer seeming to just add onto his annoyance, “Fine- Fine. Just please pay attention, dude. Proposing is important to me and I need this to be perfect, you being all distracted isn’t gonna help.”

Kaminari nodded fast, gripping the knees of his pants tight, “Yeah! Yeah, I promise.” He said, pulling his sleeve over his wrist.

Sero was super stressed over proposing, which Kaminari truly didn’t understand. Iida was Sero’s soulmate, so why was he so stressed? He knows Iida will say yes. He should know that Iida will say yes. Kaminari knew Iida would say yes, so why didn’t Sero? It genuinely baffled him how Sero was so….

Nervous.

Sero was almost never nervous.

Kaminari shook his head and sighed, trying to focus on Sero’s voice, but ultimately failing. The only thing he heard before he completely zoned out was “Sorry, just- I’m just stressed.” Then all he could think of was the word permanently printed on his skin.

And then there was a hand on his shoulder and a face close to his, and his full focus was on Sero once again, “Seriously, what the fuck were you so distracted about, dude? What’s got you all-” Sero paused and gestured to all of Kaminari, “Like that?”

Kaminari leaned back and furrowed his eyebrows, “Like what? Dude, its nothing, really-”

Suddenly Sero looked serious, “Denki.” Kaminari shut up quickly. “It's okay. Tell me what's up.”

Kaminari didn’t really know what to say anymore. He just sat there like a deer in headlights for a moment, but Sero was patient. He waited for Kaminari to collect his thoughts.

“I..” Kaminari’s throat felt dry all of a sudden. “It's just…” Welled up tears blurred his vision. “I can’t help but think I don’t have a soulmate. Or that I don’t deserve one. My mind screams at me that my soulmate doesn’t exist, or that we’ve already met and they simply didn’t want me when they heard me speak their Words.” Kaminari had started sobbing, choking on his own words as his tears fell, “I’m sorry-” He rushed, wiping his tears away. “We’re supposed to be planning your proposal, I’m sorry.”

Sero had a much more gentle grip on Kaminari’s shoulder now, and his voice was much softer. “Dude, it’s okay. I don’t mind.” His gaze on Kaminari got much more soft. “You have letters on your wrist, so they’re out there, and I fucking doubt that whoever they are wouldn’t want you as their soulmate dude. You’re cool as hell.” Sero grinned, leaning back and letting go of Kaminari’s shoulder.

Kaminari let in a breath, long and shaky. He wiped his eyes, sniffing and letting go of the mound of air in his lungs. He looked at Sero and nodded, doing his best to smile. Sero sighed and grabbed the ring box, smiling a soft grin.

“Tenya’s gonna be here soon, you can go home if you want.” He said, offering Kaminari a big gentle smile, “Unless you wanna stay here.”

Kaminari yawned and stood up, grabbing his things and shrugging, “Nah, I’m fine. I have work early tomorrow anyway. I should get home and sleep.”

Sero nodded, waving Kaminari off as he left the tidy apartment.

Chapter Text

Kaminari sometimes wondered why he lets himself meddle in his friend’s love lives. Then he realizes how selfish that is, so he spits out the thought as if he had just bitten into a rotten apple.

Sometimes, though, he would let the thought simmer.

Those times, he thought about how if he hadn’t said yes to being Mina’s best man, or helped Hanta and Tetsutetsu propose, he wouldn’t feel as horrible as he did now.

Then he promptly exiles the pestering thought into corners of his mind he never roamed.

Kaminari couldn’t admit it, but it was one of those times when he sat in his car. In the parking lot of the venue for Mina’s wedding. Sitting there, knowing it was getting late.

He was stalling, he knew he was. He couldn’t handle going in there, being surrounded by love. Having it shoved in his face. So he sat in his car.

The ceremony was still in an hour, so it's not like it’d be horrible if he sat here for longer. He decided to stay until Mina texted or called. But maybe she won’t notice if he left, never showed up at all. Maybe he could-

His phone chimed.

He swallowed a lump he didn’t know was there.

He checked the text, and it was Mina.

Kaminari winced at the words on his screen and sent a quick, “I'm here! Traffic was a little crazy, sorry”, which was a blatant lie. It was smooth driving. All the lanes were basically empty.

He walked out of his car and walked inside. It wasn’t fair to just run off on your best friend’s wedding rehearsal. It was horrible of him to even think about it. He took a look around and took a long breath, relishing in this quiet moment before he came face to face with everyone.

He still had to meet up with Mina and her bridesmaids, they’re gonna help Mina get her makeup on and all that. Hopefully, that gets Kaminari’s mind off of everything. One can only hope.

Kaminari took in another breath and walked through to the semi-crowded, small ballroom, tables near the wall, and an area in the center for dancing. He assumed this is where the reception is gonna be. It was so loud. Not unbearable, but the sound of tons of voices overlapping loudly wasn’t helping his situation.

It was fine, he told himself, it's gonna be fine. He can live.

He wasn’t stopped on the way to Mina’s little dressing room, thank God, but shoulders still knocked into his own and he still felt eyes on him, he felt the judgment coming from everyone. Do they know? Can they sense his fear? He notices he’s the only one there who doesn’t have a date.

He basically ran to the dressing room, finding himself fixing his tie and brushing his suit with his hands once he got to her door, hesitant and nervous to get in, though there was no reason to be. He knew that.

A deep breath, a hand on the door, he smiled wide.

He opened the door, grinning like a maniac when he saw Mina at the vanity with curlers in her hair, “Hey, girl!”

Kaminari noticed the sort of fear in her eyes, though he couldn’t understand why it was there. He’d kill to be in her position, getting married to his soulmate. Why would she be scared of it?

Mina sprang to her feet and ran over, picking up her pure white dress, “Oh my God, Kami! You’re late!” She looked more scared up close, her eyebrows furrowed, “I don’t even have my hair and makeup done and the ceremony starts in an hour! Where have you been? I needed you!”

Guilt began to rise and bubble, making his stomach churn, “I’m sorry, Ashi.” He bit his tongue, keeping tears at bay, “But I’m here now, right? Everything is going to be okay.” He took her hands in his, and he felt her tense fingers relax.

She nodded, smiling softly, and sat back down at the vanity, breathing in and out slowly, “It's gonna be okay.” She mumbled, mainly to herself.

Kaminari made his way over, sitting in the chair closest to the vanity. Mina let out one last breath, and turned to Kaminari, a gentle smile gracing her face, “The girls are all out mingling, y’know.”

He did know that. He saw them all in the reception hall on the way here. Seeing the girls with their soulmates made his skin crawl.

“I saw.” Kaminari laughed, a nervousness bubbling, he knew exactly what Mina was getting at.

She smiled wider, turning to Kaminari and handing him her eyeshadow brush, “Who knows… Maybe you’ll meet your one and only here. Wouldn’t that be cute? You, meeting your soulmate at my wedding! Just imagine that.” He smiled, starting on Mina’s makeup.

Kaminari had entertained it before, a meet-cute at his best friend’s wedding. It went perfect in his head, but that sickly voice of doubt plagued him every time he thought it.

“That would be perfect.” He smiled, a squeeze on his heart as he gave Mina a kind smile.

She sighed, eyes closed as Kaminari worked. He felt her face relax in his hands, as if she completely forgot that today was her wedding day. As if she completely forgot how stressed she is.

Kaminari longed to be like her, sometimes. Flawless, blemishless skin, beautiful eyes, and a wonderful soulmate who would do anything to keep her safe. Mina had it so good, and as much as Kaminari wished he never felt that way, he was jealous of her.

He grabbed eyeliner off the vanity and worked gently, almost missing the words that slipped from Mina’s lips.

“I bet they’re gonna be amazing.”

Kaminari paused, “Who?”

“Your soulmate. I bet they’re gonna be extraordinary.” Mina opened her eyes once she was sure the eyeliner was finished, “You deserve someone who's perfect. More than perfect. Nothing less is good enough for you, Kami.”

He blinked, smiling lop-sidedly, “Thanks, Ashi.” He felt doubt begin to take hold, but he kept a smile.

Kaminari finishes off her makeup, taking a good look at her before he had to go. He gave her a big smile, a tight hug, and a goodbye before he headed to the door.

Once out, he let out a breath, and began to walk away.

Until a loud, rough, and angry voice yelled his way.

“Hey!”