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Eijirou stared up at the tall UA gate, cherry blossoms floating as they drifted to the sidewalk.
Today marked the beginning of so many things. Highschool, sure, but for Eijirou it was also the first day of his career as a hero and the first day of his new life. No more pathetic watching from the sidelines. He was going to be a hero.
Eijirou was going to prove that he deserved his ranking on the practical exam. He still couldn’t believe he’d made number two! It was such a shock, but he was going to make sure that he lived up to it!
Even if his quirk was pathetic.
No! No more thinking like that! He would do everything he could with his quirk. It wasn’t the quirk that made the man! A man made himself!
Eijirou nodded, striding down the hallways in determination.
Everything was going to go great.
He’d make sure of it.
When Eijirou finally found the classroom, he steeled his resolve and slid the door open with a bang, his smile firmly in place. “Hi everyone!”
A couple people looked toward him, and a few responded, but for the most part the class was focused on two guys yelling at each other, a third hovering nearby anxiously.
Those two guys were super intense though. Eijirou could understand why the green-haired dude was anxious.
But fighting in class like that wasn’t ok!
Eijirou forced himself to march forward and stand between the guys. “Hey! Why don’t we all calm down? It’s just the first day; I’m sure everyone’s a bit high-strung.” He grinned (he hoped it looked easy going and not stressed. He didn’t want to look stressed). “I’m Kirishima Eijirou! Nice to meet you!”
Eijirou held out his hand to the blonde.
Red eyes glared back at him.
“Tch.” The blonde turned to look out the window. “Fucking extras. None of you are worth my time.”
Kirishima blinked.
Huh?
“Kacchan!” The anxious third boy groaned, then gave Eijirou a shy smile. “Um… sorry. Kacchan’s always kind of been like that. I’m Midoriya Izuku and he’s Bakugou Katsuki.”
“Oh!” Eijirou let his hand fall back down to his side. “Nice to meet you guys! Did you two go to the same Jr. High, then?”
Midoriya nodded, dropping his bag onto the desk behind Bakugou’s.
“Don’t associate me with this loser.” Bakugou’s voice was harsh as he glared out the window, and Midoriya winced.
“Kacchan—”
“If you’re here to socialize, get out.”
Eijirou jumped, turning to see a man on the sleeping bag on the floor. That was their teacher? Oh! Kirishima looked around, then scrambled to get over to the desk that had his name.
As their sensei talked, though, Eijirou found his eyes drawn back toward the angry blonde.
If he wasn’t scowling, he’d probably actually be pretty handsome.
Ejirou shook his head. He wasn’t here to think about things like that!
Wait.
Midoriya had said his name was Bakugou. That was the guy that had beaten Eijirou on the practical! And he’d beaten him by a lot, too.
Maybe that was why he had such an attitude—he knew he was really good. That still wasn’t very nice, though. And Midoriya had acted like his behavior wasn’t anything new, which meant the guy had been doing it since before the exam.
Huh.
That…
Eijirou didn’t like that. He’d thought everyone at UA would be super cool and awesome! But this guy was just ignoring them all.
“—That’s all.”
Eijirou looked back to the front, startled, as the teacher moved to leave the room and everyone else started scrambling toward the front.
Darn it! He hadn’t been paying attention and now he didn’t know what they were supposed to be doing!
“Go grab the uniform on his desk that has your name, get changed, and meet him by the baseball field for some fitness tests.”
Eijirou whirled around, a wide grin forming. “Ashido-san, we’re in the same class!” Eijirou’s eyes widened as he realized what she’d said. “Thank you!”
She winked. “Call me Mina! We’re in the hero course together now, after all! We should stick together!” Mina bounced up to the front of the room as Eijirou nodded again.
Right.
Everything was different here. Now he and Mina-san would be friends, not barely acquaintances.
And she was amazing!
Eijirou hurried to the front, following the other guys down the hallway to what was the nearest bathroom where they could change.
And then they were taking the aptitude tests and everyone was so amazing! Eijirou couldn’t believe these were his classmates. They had such cool quirks and were all so nice!
Well, they were mostly all nice. But Bakugou was really incredible! And then there were the two who were accepted on recommendations and Eijirou was just overwhelmed by how awesome and manly everyone was!
UA was the best!
When they went to lunch, though, Eijirou couldn’t help but notice that Bakugou was eating alone. Eijirou squared his shoulders. He was different now. No one should eat alone. He should go say hi.
The glare that met him when he set his tray down, though, definitely made Eijirou want to run away in fear.
Instead, he sat down. “Yo, dude! All the food looks so amazing here, right?!”
Bakugou scoffed. “What’s your deal, Shitty Hair?”
Shitty Hair?
The smile slipped from Eijirou’s face, but he quickly recovered. “I think my hair’s awesome! I styled it so it’s like Crimson Riot’s! The Chivalrous Hero! I want to be a hero like him one day!”
Bakugou rolled his eyes. “Great. Another fucking hero dork.”
Another? Who… oh! He had to mean Midoriya, since they had known each other before. “Does Midoriya-kun like heroes a lot?” Eijirou figured most people in the program did, but apparently Bakugou didn’t. That was cool, though!
Red eyes narrowed at Midoriya’s name, though, and Bakugou stabbed at his katsudon, growling as the meat broke into two pieces.
Huh. Ok, so Midoriya was a sore spot. Eijirou probably should have guessed that after the way Bakugou had yelled at the guy during the tests. How could Bakugou have thought Midoriya was quirkless, though? It didn’t make sense. Sure Midoriya needed to work on it so he didn’t get hurt all the time, but his quirk was awesome!
Bakugou’s fork snapped in two.
“Oh! I’ll go get you another one, man. Here,” Eijirou held out his packet of unopened silverware, “Use mine!”
Bakugou stared at him.
Eijirou tried his best to hold steady his reassuring smile.
“Why the hell would you give me yours and go get another one for me?”
Eijirou blinked. “Well you seem to be having a bad day, man.”
Bakugou’s brow wrinkled in confusion and then he frowned, his hand brushing against Eijirou’s as he snatched the utensils, cursing and muttering something about him definitely being another one.
“Another one?” Eijrou was confused.
“Just do whatever you want, Shitty Hair.”
“Ok!” Eijirou bounced up, heading back toward the other end of the cafeteria where the silverware was. As he moved, though, his head started to ache, and then there was pounding behind his eyes and his stomach was tying itself in knots.
He leaned against the table, panting. What…?
Eijirou shook his head. He should just grab the silverware and then go sit back down. It probably wasn’t good to be standing when he felt like this.
And as he made his way back, whatever it was started to fade, so it probably wasn’t a big deal, anyway!
Except now Bakugou was staring at him, red eyes wide in disbelief.
Eijirou tentatively slid back into his seat. “You ok, man?”
Bakugou made some sort of strangled groan and then buried his head in his hands. “Why are you such a dumbass?!”
Eijirou frowned. “What?! Why are you calling me a dumbass?”
Bakugou’s hands dropped back down onto the table and he stared at Eijirou again. “I saw you collapse by the table, damn it! You had to feel that shit too, right?”
Eijirou blinked. “You mean you got sick at the same time? But that would mean—”
His eyes widened.
Oh.
Bakugou’s hand had touched his. They’d separated. Then they’d both felt pain.
Eijirou’s throat felt dry.
“We’re fucking soulmates.”
Eijirou felt like he was going to feint.
This was his soulmate?!
He’d hoped he would meet his soulmate eventually, most people did, and it wasn’t that uncommon to meet them in high school, but…
His soulmate thought he was dumb.
His soulmate hated his hair.
His soulmate was mean to others.
Eijirou didn’t know what to do.
He stared at the blonde across from him.
Bakugou was so freaking manly and amazing, but… “I…” He wanted to run. He wanted to run away from this so bad. But he’d promised himself he wouldn’t do that! He was starting a new life today. He couldn’t run away from the first problem he faced as a hero student! “You’re kind of a jerk, you know that?”
Eijirou couldn’t believe he’d just said that.
Bakugou stared at him.
Eijirou swallowed. Well, if he was in this far, “You’re amazing, don’t get me wrong! You have a super awesome and powerful quirk and you’re really good at using it and that’s cool and super manly and all, but you’re also a huge jerk.” He took a deep breath, forcing himself to slow down.
He met the blonde’s red eyes with his own. “Dude, you shouldn’t just go up to people and insult them. Or yell at your childhood friend. Or call people you don’t even know dumbasses and assholes. It’s not a good first impression and it sure isn’t hero behavior, man.”
There.
He’d said it.
He’d been open about his opinion.
And now his soulmate was probably going to hate him forever. Who lectured their soulmate right after meeting them? Eijirou couldn’t believe he’d actually done that.
Bakugou snorted.
Eijirou stared as a smile slowly formed on his soulmate’s face. Well, more like a smirk, but still.
He wasn’t angry?
Bakugou leaned back in his chair, tilting his head to the side as he studied Eijirou. “You think you’re hot shit and can say anything to me just because you’re my damn soulmate?”
Eijrou frowned. “I don’t know about you, but I’m here to be a hero. And hero’s don’t back down from saying what needs to be said.”
Bakugou was full on grinning now. And then he started laughing and it kind of sounded half crazed.
Eijirou was glad the guy wasn’t offended, but he was really confused right now. “You’re not angry at me?”
“Of fucking course I am.” Bakugou calmed down a little, his face returning to a lazy smirk. “But any soulmate of mine damn better be able to stand up to me.”
Holy heck that was so manly. “Dude, I think I just fell for you.”
“Huh?!” Bakugou’s smirk fell, his face now contorted in confusion. He was so open with his emotions. Eijirou was in awe. “First you’re insulting me and now you’re saying you like me?”
Eijirou could feel his face turning red. “I just.. Umm… Well it’s super awesome that you like it when people challenge you! I always get scared and I’ve run away…” he shook his head, hands clenching next to his tray. “But I’m not going to be that way anymore!”
Bakugou was staring at him, not saying anything, and it was really unnerving.
“Anyway, um… We should probably eat quickly, right? We’ll need to tell the teachers about the soulmate thing so they know not to split us up. Oh!” Eijirou’s eyes widened. “We’ll also have to figure out whose house to stay at tonight or this week!”
Bakugou grimaced, “I don’t fucking care. My parents suck.” He dug into his food without elaborating, and Eijirou hurried to do the same.
Should silence feel this awkward when it was with your soulmate?
It was probably just because they didn’t know each other yet, that’s all.
Eijirou fidgeted as he ate, trying to think of something else to fill the silence. Bakugou’s parents were obviously a sore topic just like Midoriya. “You want to come to my place, then?” Eijirou was pretty sure his moms wouldn’t mind.
Bakugou shrugged. “Whatever.”
Ok… Eijirou supposed that was a yes. “I’ll text them to make sure it’s ok, then!”
Though finding his soulmate was probably something he’d better say in person… he’d just ask if he could have a new friend come over after school. That should be fine.
The text sent, Eijirou hurried to finish up his meal before the bell rang.
When he looked up, it was to see red eyes watching him in disgust. “You eat like a fucking dog.”
“I do not!” Eijirou gulped down some water. “Well not normally! I’m just in a hurry, that’s all!” He shoved the last bite of milk bread into his mouth, forcing himself to chew and swallow before he continued, “Now come on, we need to go talk to Aizawa-sensei!”
Bakugou rolled his eyes, but stood up and trudged behind Eijriou as he headed toward the cafeteria exit. “That asshole is probably asleep or some shit.”
Eijirou laughed as Bakugou caught up to him. “Yeah, that was kind of weird how he showed up this morning in a sleeping bag, huh? And he did look pretty tired. But he’s an undercover hero, right? I imagine he works all night or something.”
Bakugou just scowled.
Eijirou bit his lip as they put their trays away.
He wanted to hold Bakugou’s hand.
It had felt so soft when he’d brushed against it earlier, which was really nice and Eijirou bet it would feel nice holding it and well, that’s what soulmates did, right? Unless Bakugou didn’t want to date… but Eijirou should at least ask! It wouldn’t be manly for Eijirou to just ignore what he wanted to do. Not when it was small and something that wouldn’t hurt anyone or anything like that. Eijirou swallowed. “Hey dude, um… do you want to hold hands?”
“Fuck no.” Eijirou winced. Well. At least he’d asked. “I’d blow your hand off, dumbass.”
Oh! Bakugou was just trying to be safe. That was so manly to always be thinking about how dangerous his quirk could be for others! “It’s ok! My quirk’s hardening, remember? We’re a perfect match!” Eijirou grinned at him.
Bakugou looked away, his face slowly turning bright red. “How the hell can you just say that shit with a straight face?”
“Huh?” Eijirou blinked in confusion. The bit about them being a perfect match had him embarrassed? That was… actually kind of cute. “Dude. We’re literally soulmates. We’re supposed to be a perfect match for each other, so of course your explosions wouldn’t hurt me.”
Bakugou’s face was still red. “Whatever.”
“Does that mean I can hold your hand then?” Eijirou couldn’t keep the hope out of his voice.
Bakugou’s face somehow turned even brighter, but he shrugged. “Do what you want.”
“Ok!” Eijirou reached out, taking Bakugou’s hand with his own. He’d never held a guy’s hand like this. Bakugou’s palm was kind of sweaty, but it was also warm and soft and comforting. Eijriou liked it. It was way different from his own hands, which were kind of rough because of his quirk. “Since we found each other so quickly, that means we’ll be able to train and work together a lot, right?” Eijirou grinned. “Do you want to go to a gym or something after school?”
Bakugou blinked at him. “I don’t have clothes or shit, so we’ll have to stop by my place, but after that, yeah.” Katsuki frowned, looking at Eijirou with a critical sweep of his eyes. “I’m going to be the number one hero, so you’d better not slow me down.”
“Of course not, man! That’s a great dream!” Gosh Bakugou was so driven! He had such an awesome goal!
“What about you?” Bakugou’s voice was uncertain, like he wasn’t sure what he was doing. “Why do you want to be a hero?”
“To protect as many people as I can!” Eijriou raised his fist up, “I want to give it my all every day so that I can save everyone I see!”
He never wanted to feel like that again.
“Tch.” Bakugou was looking straight ahead, his brow scrunched as he thought. But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You really are like him. At least you fucking train, though.”
Eijirou wasn’t sure what to make of that comparison. He was pretty sure Bakugou meant Midoriya again since Eijirou didn’t know who else Bakugou might mean. And that comparison was super flattering! Eijirou didn’t really understand it, though. Midoriya didn’t seem to be out of shape or anything. No one in the program was.
Bakugou stopped in the hallway, his red eyes serious. “Do me a fucking favor and never break yourself to save someone else. Got that, Shitty Hair?”
Never break himself…? Eijirou’s eyes widened, remembering how Midoriya had broken his finger during the tests.
That had been when Bakugou had really flipped out, too.
Had Midoriya done something like that before? Is that why things were so tense between these two?
Eijirou forced himself to smile and look reassuring. “Of course man! My quirk’s being unbreakable, right? That’ll never happen!”
Bakugou nodded, “Good.” The blonde turned and started walking down the hallway again, and Eijirou hurried to match his pace.
Eijirou looked down at their still linked hands, then gave Bakugou’s a reassuring squeeze. The guy was prickly and kind of a jerk, but he was also really incredible and driven and super manly and cared about protecting others in his own way.
Bakugou was going to be an amazing hero. Eijirou was sure of it.
Now Eijirou just had to do his best to make sure that he was worthy of such an awesome soulmate. He didn’t know how it had happened, really, since he wasn’t that great. But Eijirou was going to change that! After all, he couldn’t disappoint his soulmate! And if fate said they were a perfect match, then that meant Eijirou really could be worthy of someone as manly as Bakugou.
Eijirou would make sure he would be.