Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

At the age of 20, everyone was expected to finally see the red string that is tied on their pinky and who it connects to. And for most of those twenty years in which Shoto grew up to be a young adult, he thought that there is only one man who could be his soulmate and one man who he wants to be a soulmate. Vox Akuma. 

They've been friends since middle school, grew closer in high school, took entrance exams at the same time and never forgot to spend time with each other now that they are in the same university. They are close. Most people joked that they wouldn't be surprised if they ended up as soulmates at twenty, and Shoto also prayed and wished everyday for the same thing. 

Then Vox's birthday came. And Shoto's worst fear happened. 

“Well, sorry to disappoint you, big boy. It seemed like we weren't destined, after all.” Vox grinned at him, an arm around his shoulders while eating his birthday cake. He looks ridiculous with the red and black party hat and usually, Shoto would be laughing his ass off with Vox. But Vox had considered this "they might be soulmates" thing as a whole joke all this time, seeing Shoto as nothing but a very close friend.

And it hurts. Kind of. 

No. That's a lie. 

It hurts. A lot. 

Because he sees Vox as more than just a close friend. More than just a close best friend. More than just a close super mega ultra best friend. 

“Then great!” Shoto exclaimed, giving a shaky smile that he hoped the other didn't notice. “I thought I'll be stuck with you.” He huffed, trying to hide his expression by drinking alcohol from his cup. 

Vox ruffled his hair and stared at him with the same fond eyes he always has Shoto, the same fond eyes that he fell in love with, the same fond eyes that filled him with hope, and the same fond eyes he will always look forward to seeing everyday. Liking someone is already hell, but Shoto already fell so deep that he can't even see the surface. Just when he thought he'll get used to the feeling, a sharp stone stabs him from the back.

“I hope you'll find your soulmate, buddy.” Vox said softly, patting his head once. 

The soulmate I want already has another. “Yeah.” Shoto smiled. 

The world can't get away with this. Fuck destiny for gaslighting him into thinking his future is tied to a specific man. 

—

Three months later. Shoto's red string came like a tickle in his pinky finger, a not so tight ribbon knot suddenly designed his boring left hand. It was kind of neat, looks pretty cluttered into the ground but phasing to other people who walked through it. It felt so weird seeing something only you can see, like he's about to go crazy, but other people have their own too so it really is not that crazy. 

His only problem is that the red string isn't connected to the man in front of him, wishing him a happy birthday with a cake in hand. The red string is on the floor, going through the small gap under his door and probably somewhere even more far away from his apartment. Shoto didn't like that. 

“What are you being so gloomy for?” Vox placed down the cake and sat beside Shoto. “Did you find your soulmate? Are they in here right now?” 

There are only a handful of people invited to Shoto's birthday party, most being close friends and others he already treats like a sibling. “If they are here right now, I would lose my shit.”

Vox snorted at his words, “I feel sorry for them.”

Shoto hits him in the shoulder to retaliate but Vox only laughs it off. Oh, he should be sorry for them, alright. Whoever is this person his red string connected to, sorry not sorry but he might go harsh a little. 

—

There are two ways to meet your soulmate: one, to let destiny do their own thing and just wait until the string shines bright and both of your eyes meet and yadda yadda pretty sparkly stuff. Two, fuck destiny, hunt them down, follow the string. Take two bus rides, walk for five kilometers, scream in the middle of the street, ask for directions, and find out that the place your soulmate is in was only one bus away from your apartment and starts to feel frustrated. 

Shoto arrived in front of a library that was so huge it might as well be a museum. But Shoto wasn't here for books or magazines or articles, he was here for that little red string that he's seeing on the ground, the other end visibly inside of the said library. 

“Here we go.” Shoto gripped the strap of his bag tightly and moved forward with the crowd of people. 

The inside of the library is bigger than he thought; there was a large reception area and tables for you to read your books, and then a huge space for shelves and shelves and shelves of books. It kind of looks like a maze. But Shoto has never been in this place before so he might be exaggerating. Or not. But if he gets lost, then it is what it is. 

Shoto looks at the red string on his left pinky finger, glowing a little brighter than before, saying that his soulmate is near. “I will find you, you bastard.” He muttered and started to walk towards the book maze. 

He doesn't know how much time has passed, and he doesn't care if people looked at him weirdly for walking in circles. Can you blame him? This soulmate of his is like a snake who slithers from one place to another. One second and his string went bright, then he took another step and it started going dim. This person wants to play a game of tag and you know what, fine, Shoto will play along.

This might be the first and last time he will regard him as a soulmate, so might as well be live in that moment. 

It took almost seven minutes until Shoto found himself out of the book maze and in the reading area. Shoto stared at his hand; the string was brighter than it ever was for the last seven minutes. 

Shoto took a step forward. Then another one. Then another one. Then he keeps on stepping forward until the glow of the string is no longer red, but gold had taken over the whole thing as the string danced and swayed around him and the stranger in front of him. 

It happened. Shoto met his soulmate. 

In books, it was described as a magical, fleeting moment between two people who are meant to spend their life with each other. 

And yet, both of them wore a horrified look on their faces as their gazes met. Like this is the last thing they ever want to happen. 

Well fuck. 

Chapter Text

It was awkward. Super awkward. Besides the fact that they already don't like each other at first meeting, the swaying red-turned-golden string looks like it was mocking them as they try to look at anything but the other. It's like the "kiss the girl" scene in the Little Mermaid and the string is Sebastian singing, except that Ariel would rather be locked up in the sea and Eric would rather drown that night if it meant not being in that fucking boat. 

“My name is Ike Eveland.” Shoto jumped at the sudden voice in front of him. He looked at him with wide eyes. This Ike person shrugged his shoulders, but Shoto's eyes got distracted by the glowing gold string that rested on his pinky. “I just thought an introduction was in order.”

Shoto nodded his head, “Right. Uh. Yes. I, I'm Shoto.”

Ike smiled tightly, “Nice to meet you.”

“Yeah. Same.”

Silence again. God, when will this end?

Shoto has written a ten-page essay explaining on why he literally can't have any other soulmate aside from Vox Akuma, and that, even if they are nice, he apologize but it wasn't something that he has control of. But it seemed like it was all for naught since he is literally in front of a demigod. It was the only explanation on why he is so pretty. 

Ike Eveland wasn't that bad. He's beautiful, and the glasses that were perched upon the bridge of his nose only highlighted this. He's elegant, poised, probably nice and mom's favorite. Shoto is sure that literally anyone would be blessed to have him as a soulmate. 

Just… not him. 

Clearing his throat, Shoto glanced at the books that Ike has and blinked, “You're interested in this soulmate thing?”

Ike stopped skimming through the pages and looked at him for a moment, then he turned his eyes back to the book, “Yes. There's still a lot to be known about this whole red string that's going on. I'm a little curious so I decided to check it out.”

“You must already know a lot about it then. I only know whatever they teach in school.” Shoto said carefully, “Can I?” He asked as he pointed at one book. 

“Be my guest.” Ike smiled at him. Shoto happily took one and opened the table of contents. “I wouldn't say I know a lot. But I do know more than average, I guess.”

Shoto's shoulders dropped when he didn't find the thing he's looking for in the table of contents. Mindlessly, he turned to Ike and innocently asked, “Do you know how to change your soulmate?” As he muttered that question, it seemed like all the magical things dropped and broke on the floor, the romantic music stopped singing and there is just complete silence. 

Ike Eveland, Shoto's soulmate, stared at him in shock with his lips slightly agape. Ike stared at him blankly, “Wow.” 

Even Shoto doesn't know why he suddenly asked such a question to his soulmate himself, but as a famous quote said: YOLO. “No offense.” He said, grinning sheepishly. “You haven't been rejected before?”

“Actually, yes.” Ike said and closed his book, “I usually do the rejecting.” He added with confidence and a winning smile that ticks off something in Shoto for some reason. 

“You're a little bitch.”

“Thank you.”

Shoto really wants to change soulmates. 

—

“I'll research about it whenever I can. Here's my number if you want to reach out, I don't want to save yours on my phone.”

Shoto had the urge to crumple the small sticky note in his hand and throw it in the trash, but throwing this number means two bus rides and more walking just to find Ike Eveland again and he can't afford to do that. He begrudgingly reached for his phone and saved the number in his contacts with a name of "Devil". After he does that, he turns it off and throws it on his bed. 

Ike was an angel on the surface; his gentle and soft features made him look like he was a gift from the heavens. The kind of guy who is popular among girls and definitely the ideal man anyone would have. But underneath all that? Oh, Shoto experienced who Ike Eveland really is. He was a childish, petty, son of a bi–

Shoto heaved out a sigh and hid his face in his hands, groaning loudly. 

The string, that turned back to being red, is now floating freely around him rather than being lifeless like a real string on the floor. It's irritating to look at. Does it really have to rub on his face just what happened in the library?

“I'm glad we are on the same page, then. I don't want to be your soulmate, either.”

“Then good. Mutual benefits. So do you know how?”

“I don't think you have the authority to order me around.”

“Whatever will make me not be tied to you faster.”

“Don't worry, if I could use a scissor to cut this off, I would've already done so.”

“Whatever. Fine.”

“Fine.”

Weird looks were thrown in their way in the library but it seemed like they were in their own little world that they forgot they were in a public place. Shoto wanted to dig a hole and hide himself for the rest of eternity, a place no one can judge him. 

Shoto blinked. A place where no one can judge him, huh…?

A smile immediately appeared on his face and dived on his bed as he turned on his phone. He excitedly searched for a familiar name that was already engraved in his mind and opened their messages. 

Shoto:

Hey. Bummed out mood today. U free to hang out?

It didn't take too long for him to receive a reply. 

Vox:

Always, darling. Want me to come there or u come here to me?

Shoto:

I'll go there!! :D

Vox:

Alright. Will wait for u with ice cream

Shoto quickly grabbed a hoodie from his closet and put his keys in his pockets. He looked at the sticky note Ike gave him and crumpled it with a smile then threw it somewhere. 

Fuck you, soulmate. 

Chapter Text

For every day that Shoto hasn't heard from Ike (which is understandable since he should be the one reaching out and Ike has no information about Shoto except for his name), he grows more and more unsettled and finds himself developing habits that he had stopped for a long time. He knows he should be worrying about schoolworks and such but there's a force in the back of his mind telling him to check on Ike. 

God knows how many times Shoto almost dialled his number but stopped himself just in time. 

His stress must have been so transparent that everyone around him, including Vox, started to worry for his health. It's so… bothersome. And Shoto doesn't even know why he was feeling it in the first place, and it's slowly, slowly, destroying his mind. 

“Now that's weird. Not even sweets can cheer you up?” Vox grinned at him jokingly but there's worry evident in his eyes. 

Shoto heaves out a sigh and sinked into Vox's couch further. Usually, he would feel comfortable around this time but he only feels like he's weighing a ten kilogram dumbbell on his shoulders. The string in his pinky feels so tight, it almost feels like it was around his neck. Suffocating him. 

Who could have known that having a soulmate could also be a curse?

“It's probably because of our paper.” Shoto just answered, taking another bite of the chocolate that Vox bribed him with. “I've been working on it for the last few days.”

He heard Vox click his tongue beside him and then patted his head, “What did I say about overworking yourself, hm?” 

“Sorryyyy.” Shoto chuckled, “I am looking out for myself.”

“As you should.” 

The sound of the television turned into white noise in Shoto's ears as he felt numb with his surroundings. He lied. His paper is actually doing well and if he keeps up his current pace, he could pass it without sweat on time. What makes him so tired is probably connected to the fact that his string is getting paler as each day goes by. No one told them about this side effect. What the fuck. 

And yet his mind was filled with Vox. Vox who would definitely take care of him if he ever gets sick, Vox who will worry for him, Vox who will carry his burden with him. Because they are friends like that. They are close, two peas in a pod. Everyone could see it, they could see it, but his brain and string couldn't comprehend it. 

I should be with my soulmate. 

Shoto crushed that thought before it got worse. Is there even a thing such as a rejected soulmate?

“Say, Vox,” Shoto started. 

Vox hummed in acknowledgement. 

“How will you be sure you will like your soulmate?” 

Vox was taken aback with the question, turning his head to Shoto and completely forgetting the show on the television. “Why did you ask?”

Shoto shrugged, “Curiosity. It just crossed my mind.” A little white lie won't hurt. 

“Hmm.” Vox started to think about it and Shoto felt giddy on the way he actually indulged him in this kind of stuff. How is he so good? “That's a good question, actually. But…if they are my soulmate then that means they are compatible with me, right?”

“What if they are the opposite of what you were expecting?” Shoto continued to press on. Because Vox Akuma and Ike Eveland are like on both ends of a line. Different, opposite, at odds with each other. Somehow Shoto found himself in the middle of that, and he's bearing the consequences of choosing the other end. 

“Hmm. Maybe I would be a little disappointed. But we have all the time in the world to get to know each other. That would be enough, right?” Vox answered genuinely and Shoto's heart can only melt on how he handled these questions. “Why? Have you met yours already?”

Shoto huffed, “Don't be absurd. My birthday was just two, three weeks ago.” Lie.

“Of course.” Vox answered and flashed one of the smiles that Shoto fell in love with. “Now who wants more chocolate?”

“Me!”

—

Ring. Ring. Ring. 

…

“I thought you'd never call.” Ike's tired voice can be heard from the other line as Shoto finally dialled the number in his contacts. 

“Hello to you, too.” Shoto answered, the same tired voice but with more sarcasm in his tone. Just like how they first talked to each other. 

Ike laughed in response, a little low and hoarse, like he just woke up from a five hour nap. “You sound like shit.”

“I could say the same to you.” Shoto said. And they both know why they feel like they got run over by a truck twice and thrown off the cliff. Whoever invented this red string of fate or soulmates or destiny is so cruel to make them aware of who actually is they were meant to be with. Sometimes it just pushes two people away from each other, and then blames those people for not carrying out what was written for them.

“Shoto.” 

“What?”

“Are you free right now?” There were sounds of movements and ruffling noises in Ike's ends. Somehow, Shoto can imagine him getting up from his bed and taking a coat out of his closet. 

Shoto suddenly sat up straight from his gaming chair, “Now? Why?”

“Meet me in the park near the library where we met. Can you do that?” Ike's voice was calm and clear with his orders, but there was a sense of urgency that Shoto started to get nervous. 

“I know that. But, why? It's 9PM!” Shoto complained but also stood up to find anything that would protect him from the cold night air, his body having a mind of its own.

“It's better to see you in person when I explain it. Give me some mercy, I have tons of drafts to finish.” Ike sighed, the sound of a door opening followed. 

Shoto was on his patience's end as he yelled, “Finish it, then?!”

The response he got was the line getting cut with beeps. Shoto could only curse again and sprints out of his apartment, his mind also screaming for him to go to Ike and his strings pulling him towards the direction of the park. 

Soulmate is a curse.

Chapter Text

Shoto never cared about the red string that might appear in his finger until he met Vox, to be completely honest, he never cared about anyone until Vox came barging in with his loud ass mouth on a Monday morning class. Sure, he had close friends and family and stuff. But something about Vox that makes him so vulnerable, so open, so… free. They haven't come of age yet but there's almost like an invisible string connecting them all these years. Then their birthdays came up and it shattered everything. 

He once loved and dreamt of soulmates, then he didn't turn out to be who he wanted and now he treats it like a nightmare he will never wake up to. 

Shoto never cared for anyone aside from Vox for years; was it also the soulmate curse that he's riding his bike at the moment, greeting the chilly night air, going as fast as he can so he could reach Ike faster. His eyes kept glancing at the dancing string, watching it grow brighter as he came near the meeting place. Shoto didn't even notice how he was anxious as he watched if it had turned golden yet. 

Was it also a soulmate curse that made him care for Ike Eveland even for a short amount of time?

There were barely any people in the park when he arrived, only an old married couple going on a night walk and a person doing a little jog. He saw Ike in one of the benches, eyes closed as he sat properly, a can of soda safe in his hands. Shoto tried to not pay attention to the way his string glow yellow spark.

Shoto parked his bike as quickly as he could and jogged towards Ike, still breathing heavily as he joined him on the bench. “Why… did you call me… here?”

“Why did you try to get here fast? I wasn't going anywhere.” Ike asked back, in a tone where he knows he'll win this talk. And they weren't even fighting to start with! But he has a point and that makes it worse to Shoto. 

“Just tell me why you made me go here so suddenly!” 

Ike clicked his tongue. He raised his hand and showed his palm to Shoto, the other looked at him confused. Ike rolled his eyes, “Give me your hand.”

“Why?”

“Just give it.”

“I don't trust you.”

“Oh for the love of—” Without warning, Ike sat up straight and grabbed Shoto's hand then held it tightly. Shoto was about to complain and struggle but the sudden feeling of lightness and relief made him rethink that choice. The sight of the string sparkling as it happily floats around them looks so mesmerizing to watch for the first time.

Ike grinned at him, “Feeling better?”

Shoto, despite his nerves calming down, frowned, “What happened?”

“Rejected soulmates. Have you heard of it?” Ike said, not letting go of his hand as he sat back more comfortably. “When the soulmates phenomenon first happened, rejected soulmates were so common that there were researchers who made tons of thesis about it. I have read a few when I was learning about the string.”

There's a feeling of dread looming inside Shoto as he listens.

“But since we're in the modern era, people have now learned to come to terms of having soulmates ready for them. It wasn't taught in schools because it is now a rare occurrence to the mass population.” Ike shrugged, “People learn and adapt, I guess.”

“What…” Shoto tried to find his words, “…does it take to be considered rejected?”

He felt Ike squeezed his hand, the strings, their connection, immediately starts to calm him down. “To be a rejected soulmate, one should refuse to think and consider their soulmate to be their other half. That includes disregarding and forgetting that you have a soulmate at all. This would result in the string feeling a little stretched and causing pain and light-headedness, sometimes suffocation, to the host. And the worst part, it will affect both parties even if there's only one stubborn person.”

Like some of the puzzle pieces had been perfectly placed, it all clicked on his mind. Shoto could never see himself together other than Vox, especially if he's with Vox. He didn't forget. Rather, he had been living in his own fantasy all this time. 

Shoto stared at Ike, “I'm—”

“Shut up.” Ike quickly cuts him off and shakes his head, “There's no need to. I understand.”

“Oh, shut up! Don't be stupid.” Shoto said irritatedly, “I caused you harm and pain just because I'm being a little bratty bitch. Let me apologize!”

Ike blinked at him, surprised, then he laughed heartily, “Alright. Whatever you want, Shoto. Keep in mind that I don't blame you, okay?”

Shoto hummed, “I'm sorry.”

“Mhmm.”

“For being stubborn.”

“Uh-huh.”

“And acting like a spoiled brat.”

“You are.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

Ike laughed again. 

“I hope you'll be able to finish your draft now.” 

“Ah, you remember that?” Ike smiled shyly, looking away from embarrassment. 

“It was literally thirty minutes ago, Dude.” Shoto huffed, then he rested his head on Ike's shoulder. He felt Ike stiffened on the sudden move, but he also noticed how their hands had been together in this entire conversation, and neither of them had let go yet. 

The strings danced happily around them.

“I'll consider you as a soulmate.” Shoto announced, “You are now my soulmate until you find a way to change my soulmate.”

“I really love our cooperation here.”

“I know, right?”

For the first time that night, Shoto squeezed Ike's hand back.

—

“You moved on.” Uki looks at Shoto like he was a completely different person. 

Shoto snorted, still typing for the essay he's supposed to pass tomorrow. “What's that supposed to mean?”

“Vox Akuma is literally in the same room as us, and you haven't given him a single love-filled glance yet.” Uki had his eyes squinted as he continued to stare, as if he's checking if the Shoto in front of him was real or fake. 

“You know what that means?” Shoto smiled at him sarcastically, “It means that I want to pass this semester.” 

Uki rolled his eyes, “As if that stops you before.”

“Stop me from what?”

“Shoto! My boy!” Speaking of the devil, Shoto saw Vox walking towards him at their table in the library. He has a big grin on his face, something exciting must've happened. 

Shoto did not hesitate to close his laptop and smiled back, ”Hey, Vox! What's up?” 

“I got coupons from Fuu-chan to the new café that opened in the corner. Do you wanna come with me?” Vox excitedly said, flashing three 50% on any drink coupons in front of his face. His glance suddenly went sideways as he finally noticed that Shoto wasn't alone, “Hi there, Uki! Didn't see you there.”

“Hi, Vox. I expected it already.” Uki giggled. Vox scratched his head as he laughed warily. 

“Sure, I would love some free drinks!” Shoto beamed at Vox. 

“Who says it's free?”

“It's already discounted! You're not treating me?”

“Don't you have some money on your own?”

“But Voooox.”

“Don't use that tone on me!”

“Ehem.” Uki faked a cough to let his presence known and the two stopped bickering at once, smiling apologetically to him. 

Vox composed himself first, “Well Uki, we have one more extra. Want to come with us?”

Uki shakes his head, “No, thank you. Fuufuu-chan got us our own and I don't want to be a third wheel.”

Vox laughed at his words but Shoto gave Uki a death glare. This bitch, he swears. He doesn't even know if he should be thankful that Vox is dense as fuck when it comes to his feelings or feel frustrated about it. Well, he's been doing both for a long time now so what's the harm of continuing?

“So, Shoto… I'll see you on Sunday?” Vox smiled at him. 

He would walk through fire for him but, “Yeah! You have my word!”

His soulmate is Ike Eveland. 

The love of his life is Vox Akuma. 

There's a difference in that and no, Shoto doesn't think he wants to cross the line yet. Not when everything is still messy. 

Chapter Text

Normally— normally— whenever Vox invites Shoto for anything that involves interacting in a public place and there’s just the two of them, normally, Shoto would call it a date inside his mind and giggle about it for hours or days. It even came to a point wherein he rejected the friends that asked if they could come along. He received a scoff from Uki, a very brokenhearted scream from Mysta and a smack in the head from Bao. 

This time, however…

“So, you’re asking me to thirdwheel?” Ike huffed as he typed on his laptop. They were back in the library again, the same one where they first met, probably sitting on the same table too. But unlike that time, it was busier with all the students running around and some even crying in the corner. It was midterms week. 

“I'm asking you to use the extra coupon. Aren't I generous?” Shoto answered with fake genuinity, even putting a hand on his chest. 

Ike rolled his eyes, “And what do I get from this?”

“A free milktea.” Shoto grinned, sarcastically. For a moment, Ike stopped whatever he's doing just to stare at him dead in the eyes. Shoto laughed, “Besides! Weren't you curious about Vox? I could introduce you.”

“For someone who always listens to you talk about this Vox person, of course I will be curious.” Ike turned his gaze back to his laptop screen, Shoto resting his chin on his hand to watch him. “And taking your soulmate to meet the person you actually want to be with is so shitty of you.”

“Fair.” Shoto sighed, “But I'm asking as a friend.”

It was only for a second, Ike would bet that Shoto didn't even notice it, but he was frozen in shock. He flinched. Friend is such a strong word for someone who is researching for free and it wasn't even for academic purposes. Shoto's mornings and afternoons were reserved for a man that is called Vox Akuma, but his evenings were rudely intruded by Ike Eveland with their daily phone calls and updates. 

It has only been a few days. Three days, fourteen hours, thirty minutes and nine seconds exactly. But who's counting, right?

“I'll think about it.” Ike only answered, hoping the coming exams will distract him. 

“Think about it now.”

“Stop being so demanding.”

—

There are two ulterior motives Shoto has when he agrees to a Sunday afternoon date with Vox. One is to spend time with him for hours (like usual) and catch up to him (like everyday). Two is a free diabetic drink that he can get in large that would simply fill him up with energy for days. Nothing harmful, right?

“So you invited a friend?” Vox asked him while waiting for their order. They are in their favorite window seat, which is nice but there's really nothing to look at outside except for vehicles coming and going. Well, there are the cafe's flowers but most of your sight will be just covered by a source of pollution. 

“Yeah.” Shoto answered him, playing with the sugar jar in the middle of the table. “I bullied him into accepting.”

Vox snorted, “And here I thought you want to hog me all to yourself again.”

Shoto immediately sat up straight and looked at him with an indescribable face, “Excuse me?! Wha- Are- Oh my God, shut up dude!”

“I’m kidding! It’s a joke!” Vox said, even though he is still laughing his ass off on what he just did. “I just thought it would just be the two of us again.”

He doesn’t want to acknowledge it, he doesn’t want to feel it when he is still aware that his string is not connected to the man that he wants. The man that he had been pining for for years had said that he hoped for this time to be just their own. Shoto’s heart skipped a beat, anyway, because that’s how love works. That’s how adoration works. And the world thinks a magical piece of string will stop that kind of thing? Hah, that’s funny.

Before Shoto could answer him, his phone vibrated. “Just a second.” He said as he grabbed his phon, because he will do anything right now to excuse himself from the conversation.

Ikey >:( :

I’m sorry. Something urgent came up and I couldn't come. Thanks for the invite, though. I’m gonna wait for a next time :p

Shoto:

youre not getting a next time fucker

The moment he sent that reply, Shoto saw how his string glowed like a flash before disappearing as a car passed by them. He huffed and put his phone back in his pocket, a goofy smile on his face as he turned back to Vox, “Seems like my friend wouldn’t be able to— Vox?”

Shoto was caught off guard as he stared at Vox who looked dumbfounded looking down his left hand. A feeling of dread crept up to him. Shoto snapped his fingers in front of Vox, “Vox!” 

Like he just got back from a great dream, Vox turned to Shoto with stars in his eyes, “Shoto! I think my string glowed just now!”

It felt like his whole world came crashing down. Shoto doesn’t know what to think. “...Really?”

“Yeah! I don’t know if it’s just my imagination or something, but it did!” Vox said excitedly, looking out of the window where the cars continue to pass by. “It seemed like they were closer than I thought.”

“Yeah…”

Fuck his life.

—

Ike dismissed the sight of glowing strings as he put his phone away. It was really a last minute ask for help and now that he just passed by the cafe that Shoto was talking about, he is kind of glad he actually didn’t go. Not when he saw him being so lovey-dovey with another guy through the window. 

He hopes Shoto chokes on his drink.

“Haha, why does your face look like that?” The sound of Shu’s voice makes Ike realize that he is currently not alone and that he shouldn't be doing these kinds of expressions in public. “I'm sorry about asking for you during your day off.”

“Oh no no no, Shu. That's not it! It's alright, I promise.” Ike reassured immediately, turning to Shu who had his eyes focused on the road and hands on the steering wheel. “It's just… personal matters, really.”

“Will you be okay?” Shu asked in concern, “If it's something I can do—”

Ike cuts him off before he could even finish that sentence, “Shu, no. You've already done so much for me, this is why I'm here, remember? It's my turn to help, even if it's just about your case study.”

Shu chuckled, “I was just helping because I want to, you know.”

“I know. You're too kind.”

“I won't be so sure. Are you too kind?”

Ike laughed, “Stop that. It was a one time thing.”

Shu only grinned as they finally stopped in a familiar apartment complex. Ike hasn't been here that often but it never fails to make him feel sophisticated with how grand but simple it looks. Shu and his talent on just finding the best even if it's just apartment looking, Ike never gets it. 

They entered the elevator up to the third floor and walked through five doors until they reached Shu's. As expected, Shu's apartment was clean. Not spotless clean, but neat clean where there are a few messes but not too much that the guests would complain. 

“I got everything ready on the table there.” Shu pointed at a coffee table in the living room. Truth to be told, it was filled with papers and books and magazines, there was a laptop and a tablet in the side too. “You can look at my draft first while I get us something to drink. Orange juice okay with you?”

“With pulp?”

“With pulp.”

“Then it's fine with me.”

Shu chuckled, “Alright. Thank you again, Ike. I really appreciate it.”

Ike smiled at him, “No problem.”

Shu disappeared into where the kitchen is and Ike reached for his bag to get his own laptop. He placed it neatly on the table first before peeking at Shu's to quickly read his first draft. 

But instead of the opened document on the screen, Ike's gaze landed on the paper that was beside it. In bold letters, it read:

Possibility of Creating a Red String and Having Multiple Soulmates

Ike froze on the spot. 

Chapter Text

Shoto learned how to ride a bike when he was young, it was all for fun and games and also because everyone knows how to ride a bike except him. He received a lot of bruises when he was learning, there were times he would absolutely lose control of the bike and he would be thrown into some grass patch somewhere, cushioning his fall in the slightest. And when he finally learned how, he completely abandoned his bike for a few years. 

He uses it often now; sometimes it was his only transportation to and from school. But if he's feeling a little lazy, then he will take the bus. Shoto never thought he would be riding his bike at the fastest speed on the side of an empty road. 

It was exactly midnight when he got a text from Ike, some sort of good news he said. Shoto was about to sleep then, telling Ike to just tell it to him tomorrow (which is later considering it's midnight), but Ike likes to get whatever he wants if he can. So he sent him a picture of an unfinished paper, then thirty minutes later, Shoto was peddling his bike in the fastest way possible to reach the park where they often meet. 

He almost tripped when he arrived, struggled to park his bike in the designated area, and he technically ran through the path until he saw Ike and his familiar blue scarf. His string glowing golden happily. 

“Ike… The… the thing you sent.” Shoto tried to catch his breath, putting one of his hands on the bench's backrest and took a deep inhale. 

Ike clicked his tongue, “Calm down. Sit here and rest.” He pulled Shoto's wrist down and made him sit. Shoto obediently sits down beside him, letting his shoulders loose as his body finally relaxes. “You're all sweaty. Here.”

Ike gave him a handkerchief. Shoto stared at it for a full second before accepting it. “...Thanks.” He sat properly and started wiping his forehead. Ike rummages through his bag while Shoto starts freaking out inside when he smells Ike's familiar perfume from the cloth. 

“Anyway, I found this paper accidentally when I was at a friend's house. It's unfinished. Rejected, he said.” Ike suddenly explained, like he was trying to change the topic, pulling out a purple folder from his bag. Shoto still listened intently. “I read through its content already. Probably five times. I had to check if what I was reading was real.”

“Nerd.” Shoto can't help but to tease with a grin.

“Shut your mouth.” Ike rolled his eyes. He handed the folder to Shoto, which the latter accepted gladly, immediately turning the pages. 

It was really an unfinished paper with only the introduction, related literature and bits of theories and explanations scattered in paragraphs inside. Whoever the friend is, they didn't even get half of chapter one and yet they already hold this much information about. 

“Shu is amazing.” Ike sighed. Shoto hasn't met this Shu person yet but he is sure he already admires him. Ike scooted closer to him, “Here. Turn to this page. I think this is what you need.”

Shoto ignores the way the golden string surrounding them started to dance like it was meant to tease him. “Are you sure about that?”

He doesn't know why Ike paused for a few seconds, but he is not concerned about it right now. “...Yes.”

Shoto started to scan through the paragraphs. Reading a sentence after a sentence is like watching a movie with a never-ending series of plot twists. 

…most people who have a tragic ending with the relationship with their soulmates often try to find affection and commitment towards other people that can be a close friend or a total stranger. While this is a rare occurrence since in the modern time which is today, people tend to marry whoever the string is connected to, the possibility of someone finding someone else and making them their soulmate is not zero. Moreover…

“It was rejected for the lack of resources which is fair. Society believes they just need to be tied with one person and one person only, thus not much research or literature is out there about this topic.” Ike said, somehow with a tinge of bitterness in his voice that Shoto could barely hear. 

“But it's… possible?” Shoto cautiously asked, with a little hope in his heart.

“Creating a string? No evidence yet. Being with someone that isn't your soulmate?” Ike shrugged and patted Shoto's hair, “Probably.”

Ike's smile was gentle and sweet, different from whenever he says sarcastic remarks or tells Shoto something that only "people who can read" knows. It was different from his many faces, from his many masks that he wore whenever he talked from person to person. And yet, Shoto can always tell it's Ike Eveland no matter what expression he wears. Is it a soulmate thing?

Probably.

Probably. 

If Shoto screamed and pulled Ike into a hug resulting in Ike scolding him because he was still sweaty, no one was there to tell anyone it really happened. And it should stay that way since that night is theirs and theirs alone.

—

“You seem to be in a good mood lately.” Vox pointed out, resting his chin on his hand as he smirked teasingly at Shoto. 

Shoto only huffed and jokingly threw a crumpled paper in his direction, “I'm just enjoying my one of a lifetime rest day.” He said and went back into writing a first draft for his research. It is his rest day, but that doesn't mean he can't do some impending deadlines and drink his frappe at the same time. Besides, he's too happy to even feel stressed out about his paper. And even if he made a mistake, he'll just edit it later. 

“I'm so jealous,” Vox sighed, watching Shoto as he rested his chin on his hand. 

He looked at him weirdly, “What are you jealous of? My frappe?” Shoto asked jokingly as he took a sip. 

“No, silly.” Vox grinned at him, “I wish I was the one who can make you this happy while doing deadlines.”

Shoto almost died from choking on his drink. Holding a hand on his coughing mess, Shoto looked at Vox, blushing. “What the hell, man!”

Vox only laughed at his success, “God, I missed seeing you flustered.”

“I hope you miss this fist punching your face, too.” Shoto exclaimed, still blushing furiously. It was no secret that Shoto is weak towards sweet words and compliments, but Vox in particular does twice as much damage compared to Uki or anyone else.

“I missed you, in general.” Vox said, and before Shoto could even answer that, he diverted the topic to the FNAF account on twitter replying to his tweet. 

Shoto just listened to him fondly, thinking about the different ways Vox affects him. If love truly is a disease, he would've been in the hospital for years now. He swears, this whole thing is bad for his heart and health, he didn't even know how he got this far. The true art of ignorance and going with the flow is kind of scary if he thinks about it. 

His objective from the start is the same: he likes Vox, he wants to be with Vox, he wants Vox to be his soulmate. That never changed, Shoto knows that. Because if it did, then he wouldn't sit here, listening to Vox talk about animatronics for the nth time and think that this is the safest place in the whole world. 

But something did change. 

Now, Shoto doesn't mind the string that gives him warmth just like how the person on the other end gives him comfort in their night talks. 

He doesn't want to think about it. 

Shoto is not ready yet to know why he wouldn't mind having someone else as his soulmate while wanting another at the same time. 

He feels so fucked up. 

Chapter Text

There are a lot to consider whenever Shoto is going to meet Ike, just a few rules he sets to himself whenever he sees someone as gorgeous as Ike Eveland in an arm's length distance. This includes being touchy but not too much, being flirty but not too much, being annoying there's no buts, and lastly, don't ask him weird questions. 

Weird questions are reserved for people that Shoto had met more than a week at least, and Ike had long since passed that requirement. When they are both busy with uni, they will meet at night in the park if they feel like it. If they are not, then Shoto will find himself in the same library, same table, and somehow, he will always find Ike at that spot. Shoto doesn't know when their annual "let's talk about soulmates" turned into "normally hanging out". 

Is he complaining? No. Ike is a good company. 

Is it bad? Absolutely. Why? Ike is going to find out more about him. Isn't that scary?

“Do you think you can defeat me in a knife fight?” Shoto blurted out before he could even think. His constant no-thoughts-head-empty will be his undoing these days. 

Thankfully (well not really since this is actually bad), Ike was running on a few hours of sleep with how the shade of the bags under his eyes are darker than usual. And so he only answered without looking up,“I don't know. How skilled are you with a knife?”

Shoto actually thought about it for a moment, “In cooking, I guess it's pretty low. But with stabbing someone? I'll say… nine out of ten.”

And, again, without even pausing to hesitate, Ike countered it with, “My knife skills for stabbing is a perfect ten. You could die.” Ike blinked once, then continued. “In DnD.”

“In DnD?” Shoto had to stop himself from laughing, “What's with that?”

“People have ears, Shoto.” Ike answered as-a-matter-of-factly, but smiling faintly. 

“How do you know your skills are perfect?”

“The human body's vital points are forever permanently engraved in my mind.” Ike answered simply, “For writing reasons.”

“'For writing reasons', he says.” Shoto mocked and snickered, playing with his pen as he continued to find something to keep himself entertained. And as if an idea crossed his mind, Shoto immediately sat straight, “Hey, hey, Ikey.”

“Hm?”

Shoto beamed at him, “Wanna go out drinking?”

Ike (finally) looked up to him with confusion in his face, “Why so suddenly?” 

“I dunno, man. I'm just so happy these days,” And as if to give proof, Shoto hummed cheerily and plastered his brightest smile. “And you know, celebration because we are finally one step closer with this soulmate thing, right? So… drinks!”

Ike huffed at him, going back to his work, “You're this happy for a .1 percent chance with Vox?”

“A chance is a chance and I take what I can get.” Shoto answered confidently, “Besides, you don't want a soulmate, I have a chance with my crush. This step is already a hope for us, right?”

“Who said I don't want a soulmate?” Ike asked, his face serious as he glanced at Shoto. 

Ike loves being like this. Shoto likes to call him a box full of surprises because God knows how many times Ike did or said something that totally rendered him speechless. He is so unpredictable, totally guarded too. No one knows what is going on inside his head and his actions always look so calculated to the slightest moves. But then without it, Ike Eveland would not be Ike Eveland. It just won't be the same. 

“You are so weird, man.” Shoto just groaned, melting in his seat. 

“Oh don't be so sulky now.” Ike chuckled at him, “I'll try to get those drinks with you.”

Shoto jumped from his seat, stars in his eyes as he leaned forward to Ike, “Really?! Thank you!”

“Shh! We're in a library!”

—

When Ike said that he would "try" to get those drinks from Shoto, it meant that he had signed a non-existent contract in which he had (in one way or another) said "yes" to an invitation and he no longer had any escape now that Ike already dipped out once. And that means that Shoto actually tried to wait for him outside his school to drag him to whatever bar he likes. 

Ike would usually find it endearing especially when it's Shoto since it means that the person really wants to spend time with him, but he doesn't need to literally drag him away! 

“All drinks are on me so why are you being shy?” Shoto grinned at him widely as he downed one shot immediately, sighing as he placed it down. 

Ike shakes his head, “Well, someone would need to be sober enough when it's time to go home and it's gonna be me.” He said but still drank up his own share, humming as he felt the familiar taste going down his throat.

“You're really so weird,” Shoto sulked. It's not like they've been drinking for a long time but it's probably already long enough for him to look so flushed already, “When you get free drinks, you have to take advantage of it!”

“What a fun life you have there,” Ike chuckled, pouring himself another glass, “It's your victory, Shoto. Celebrate as much as you like.”

“Not our victory?” Shoto pouted, “If you actually wanted me to be your soulmate, I would feel really bad after saying a lot of shits about not wanting you.”

Ike did not answer. He stared at him, thinking really hard about how he should answer him. Ike was never the confident one, not among his family nor group of friends. The most he could do is order for them in a fast food counter and tell a waiter when they got their order wrong. And at this moment, Ike knows what he wants. Of course, he does. He's been denying it for the last months. 

“Don't worry about me.” Is what he says, flicking Shoto's forehead as he smiles reassuringly. “Just love your life however you want.”

“You like speaking in puzzles huh, Ike.” Shoto rolled his eyes, pouring himself another drink. “At this point, I feel like I'm the only one happy here!”

Ike watched Shoto smile as he drank, how he closed his eyes and savored the taste of alcohol on his tongue before sighing in delight. “I'm happy as long as you're happy.” 

“What kind of romance novel line is that?” Shoto huffed. 

“Well, I study literature.”

“That sucks.”

“Says you.” 

Shoto likes Vox. He wants Vox to be his soulmate. And Ike already agreed to play his part. He doesn't mind. Though, fate also knows how to play with people's lives. How do they know just which people suit each other? How do they know just how to write wonderful tragedies and romance? 

As a writer, Ike is fascinated. 

As a human being, Ike raises his middle finger up in the sky and shouts curses. 

Either way, Ike just have to know how to deal with it. 

—

“Shoto, give me your phone.” Ike repeated at the sixth time, trying to make Shoto stand on his own feet as they stood outside the bar. After teasing Ike a lot at their table, he was the one who ended up getting so drunk that he couldn't even walk properly. 

“I'ss okay… 'M getting a ride.” Shoto mumbles as he taps on his phone screen. 

Ike sighed, “Just where exactly are you getting one? You don't even have uber on.” Out of patience, he snatched the phone out of Shoto's hands and turned it off. And just as he assumed, Shoto started whining and taking his phone back, pouting and giving Ike the pleading eyes. “You're not getting me with that, Sho.”

He did return the phone after a while, and when Ike sees he no longer plays with it to accidentally drunk text someone, he gets his own. He also drank a bit so driving is completely out of the question for the two of them. He opens up his own uber app, but just as he booked a ride, Shoto collapses on him. 

“Woah there!” Ike lost his balance for a bit, catching a passed out Shoto who now sleeps peacefully. He sighed and smiled, Shoto really is a lot of work. 

It must've been because he was too busy trying to get his ride on his phone and letting Shoto sleep on him while standing up that Ike didn't notice anything. He didn't notice a car that parked not that far from them, he didn't notice someone walking to where they are, he didn't notice another string that is not Shoto's lighting up and floating in the air. 

“Excuse me…?”

When Ike turned to the voice, he met a person who had the same face as the one in Shoto's phone wallpaper. The same black hair with red streaks, pale skin, beautiful eyes. Vox Akuma. 

“Who are you to Shoto?”

Ike looked horrified as he realized the string on Vox's finger was bright as it connects to him. 

Chapter Text

As a dreamer, Ike had always been interested in how the strings work. Before he could even meet anyone in his life worth loving, he fell in love with the theory of having one person destined to stay with you for the rest of your lifetime first. 

He read about books, tons of them. About people who are connected by strings and manage to stay together forever. About people who loved each other. About people who played right in destiny's hands even if they tried to run away from it. For years, Ike looked forward to his 20th birthday, hoping he could experience what the people in the books actually felt. 

Though, these feelings gradually faded. Ike became fascinated with fictions and horrors, reading and consuming media of them in a pace that rivals his interest with strings. 

And he's glad it did.  

At midnight of his 20th birthday, Ike had a breakdown. 

His hands are shaking as he finds his phone, not minding at how he accidentally pushed things off the table. It almost feels like he's about to faint, and Ike actually felt that fainting would feel better than any of this. He can't breathe properly, panic overtaking him as he feels tears forming in the corner of his eyes. 

Phone. My phone. I had to talk to someone. Anyone. 

The moment Ike found it, he did not hesitate to call on his emergency dial and finally fell down on the floor. He clutched his phone tightly as if it was his lifeline, “S-Shu…”

“Ike? Are you alright? Did something happen?” 

“Help… Help, please. I-I'm at home. I… I don't know what to do.” Ike sobbed as he answered. “There's two… Why, why are there two?”

“Calm down, Ike. Shhh. It's okay. It's fine.” There were noises from the other line, sounds of rustling clothes and clicking doors. “I'm on my way. I need you to listen to me and breathe, okay? Can you do that?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Good. Stay in the call with me. I'll be there as quickly as I can.”

That day, the sound of someone opening his apartment door helped. Shu held him in his arms as he cried and panicked, the safest he had ever felt in his life as he poured his heart out. His friend helped a lot that morning, giving him everything he needed and listening to his every word. 

When Ike told him the cause of his panic, Shu only smiled and said, “I'll always be here if you need any help.”

And for days, Ike had only stayed with Shu. Walking with him in the hallways, finding him in the crowd, waiting for him after his class ends. At some point, Ike had thought how easy it would be if Shu was his soulmate instead. But he waved that thought away, not liking the thought of taking advantage of a friend who helped him at his weakest. 

Soon, when Ike managed to tear himself away from Shu, he drowned himself in books instead. He tried to learn everything about the strings. Everything. He found research books, thesis, academic papers, and essays. And each day, he patiently reads every single one of them word by word. Romantic, platonic, familial, rejected soulmates. He probably learned about everything by now. 

There was only one about multiple soulmates. 

Having two or more soulmates is a sign of a selfish act. Whilst it is not an impossible phenomenon, having more than one person destined to your life is the same as being destined for downfall. 

Ike took note of that. It was probably the time he had decided to never meet his soulmates. 

But of course, destiny is petty and it won't listen to any of his wishes and brought Shoto to him. 

Shoto. His beautiful Shoto who was nothing but bright whenever he smiled. His laughs were like music in his ears and Ike did not realize how much he look forward to their every afternoon research in the library or evening talks in the park. With every interaction with him, the brighter Shoto was in his eyes. 

And the more Ike wants to push him away from this messy fate. Thankfully, Shoto had the same thought. 

Before he knows it, Ike will go to that same spot everyday because there is a chance that Shoto is waiting for him. He tried to deny it, but the truth is that he actually wants to see Shoto. Even if he ended up not showing, even if he ended up just sleeping on a table and waking up with a back pain, he never regretted to come in their usual place. Because next time, he's sure Shoto will arrive.

After every lectures, Ike starts to gather his things in a fast speed, not even trying to think if he forget anything with the adrenaline in his veins. 

“Isn't it your break, Ike? Don't you want to take a nap?” Shu asked him worriedly once, helping him with his things. 

Ike shakes his head, “No. I'm fine. I have to go somewhere.”

Shu got a worried expression written all over his face. But he didn't try to say a word.

With every meeting with Shoto, Ike tried not to think about what he feels about Shoto not caring the string they have. Their bond. Because he wasn't supposed to feel in the first place, he was just an unfortunate person who was tied with another that wants someone that is not him. And Shoto is unfortunately tied with someone who had given up the whole soulmates thing. 

So when Ike found a solution to Shoto's problem, he clutched it tightly.

“You're researching this?” Ike asked Shu, holding the paper in his hand. “Shu, I—”

“Don't feel burdened.” Shu answered quickly with a smile, placing the juice in front of him as he sat down. “It's a draft of a taboo theory about strings that no professors would approve of. But I've seen both of them happen in front of me. How could I look away?”

Ike frowned, “I could understand the multiple strings but… creating one?”

“Ike, you know I didn't get any strings on my birthday right?” Shu said, drinking his own juice.

Ike nodded his head, knowing exactly the way Shu laughed at his 20th birthday when he realized no strings had appeared. Shu was so indifferent about it, he did not even mind that there was no one destined for him. And Ike looks up to him for that. How unbothered he could be. With a weakened voice and curiosity, he asked, “What happened, then?”

“I met someone.” Shu answered with so much fondness in his voice that Ike had never heard from him before. “He's a literal ball of sunshine who loves running around in the fields and laughing at everything. I thought it was just a fleeting crush considering I'm probably going to grow up alone but…”

Ike watched as Shu smiled happily at him, his eyes full of love and content that Ike doesn't know if he would ever experience himself. 

“But… you got the string?”

“The string connected right in front of our eyes. I've never seen someone blush that red before.” Shu laughed. 

“Wouldn't that be worrisome? Doesn't he have his own soulmate?” Ike asked immediately, not wanting for his friend to go into some sort of messy and chaotic fate as him. 

Shu shook his head, “It's fine. He said it was a platonic soulmate anyway, and they are the bestest of best friends.”

Ike holds Shu's statement for it, and he believes that a string could be created with (if his theory is right) genuine love from both parties and willingness for commitment. He knows most of it, some details for creating a string that Shoto had always tried to find. But the moment he saw Shoto under the lamp post of the park they always went to, Ike couldn't say it. 

Having multiple soulmates truly is a sign for selfish acts. But Ike wished he could spend more time with Shoto. 

It's not so bad, isn't it?

— 

Ike remembered everything that Shu told him that one morning on his birthday. He steadied his breathing, smiling (shakily) as he tried to hide the panic in his voice. “I'm Ike, just one of Shoto's friends. You must be Vox, right? He talked about you a lot.”

He watched as the other man blushed shyly, “Right. Uhm. Well, nice to meet you?”

“...Nice to meet you.” Ike answered and adjusted Shoto in his arms, “I'm pretty sure you came here for him? He's passed out drunk.”

“Oh. Uh, yeah. He… drunk texted me and said he needs a ride home.” Vox gladly took Shoto from his arms, “What- What about you? Do you need a ride home?”

Ike shook his head and prayed that he didn't notice how quickly he did so. Right now, he just wanted to run away from here as soon as possible without showing disrespect. Two strings dancing around him are already too overwhelming. “I already booked an uber ride. It would be too much of a hassle to cancel. Please take Shoto home safely for me.”  

Vox blushed again as he cleared his throat, “Right. Yes. Of course, you can trust me with him. I'm his best friend, after all. But, uhm, can I ask something?”

“Yes?”

“Any chances that we can meet again?” Vox raised his phone, probably asking for his number. 

Ike flashed the sweetest smile he could, “I'll let Shoto decide that one.”

He left before the conversation drags on longer. The moment he got in his uber, Ike gathered all his self-control not to shout in frustration and cry. 

He can't do this.

He really can't do this. 

Chapter Text

When Shoto woke up, he was greeted by the drumming pain in his head and a delicious smell in the kitchen. He groaned and curled up in his bed, not bothering to check his phone knowing that the bright light would just add to the pain and his messages are just a bunch of drunk texts.

“Shoto! Wake up, you drunkard!” 

Ugh. It's Vox's voice. So he was the one who took him home. Again. It would be so nice if Ike was the one who drove him to his place and— Wait. 

Ike. 

Shoto got up in a hurry and searched for his phone. Did Ike get home safely? How? What if he ran into danger while Shoto was passed out drunk? And of course, his phone was dead when he found it. He clicked his tongue and connected it with his charger. When the battery icon pops up, he immediately turns it on, not wasting a single moment. 

There was only one message from Ike. 

Ikey:

I'm home. I hope you got to your place safely. 

Seeing the message, Shoto finally breathed in peace and left his phone on the table, figuring that he could just reply after breakfast. 

He found Vox in his kitchen (unsurprisingly), dancing and singing as he placed plates of food on the table. Now, that's not the usual Vox that would greet him after a drunk night. He's usually more of a nag, almost like his mother but more restrained and careful. Yet at that moment, it's almost like Vox is about to ascend to heaven or about to die in the next few hours if he keeps on being nice. 

“What happened? Why do you look so happy?” Shoto yawned, sitting down on a chair. 

“Good morning, Shoto! Here, have some breakfast.” Vox started filling his plate with bacon, eggs, and bread. Okay… why is he being weird? “Do you need anything else? How about coffee? Or any hot drink? I can fix it for you in a minute!”

Shoto puts a hand in front of Vox to a stop, “Alright, you're creeping me out, man. Why are you being nice to me? What do you want?”

“Can't I just worry about my dear, important friend after a rough drinking with another friend who I have never met in my life?” Vox placed a hand over his chest and acted emotionally hurt. 

“Uh-huh.” Shoto watched unimpressed. 

But Vox still smiled sweetly and sat in front of Shoto, chin on top of both his hands like a teenage girl in a sleepover, “So… who was this pretty friend you were with last night? Ike, was it?”

Shoto bites on his bread, “I knew it.” But he doesn't blame Vox. Even he himself could totally say that Ike is one of the prettiest men he had ever met. Softer but strong, different from his type of big buff men. 

“Oh, come on! I at least need to know right? I'm your best friend!” Vox pouted, “And I literally haven't seen him before! Is he from another university? How did you two meet?”

“Why are you so interested?” Shoto smirked, “Do you like him? I thought you want to focus on your soulmate after your birthday?” He joked. 

“Yeah! That's the thing!” Vox beamed at him brightly, almost like an innocent puppy. 

“Ike is my soulmate!”

Shoto went still. 

“It was so surprising! He is so pretty and cute, and when he smiled, he was absolutely—”

BAM. 

Vox jumped in his seat, staring at Shoto with wide eyes when he slammed his hand on the table, “Shoto? Are you okay?”

“Yes… Yes. I'm okay.” Shoto felt like he finally woke up. He is wide awake. He ignored all the pain in his head and stood up from his seat. “You know what, I have to call Ike. I have to make sure he made it home.” 

“I didn't do anything you know!” Vox's voice fades as he marches towards his room where his charging phone is waiting. 

It can't be true. Shoto unconsciously glanced at his finger, the one that holds the string that connects him to Ike. It's lively as always, twirling and curling around things, glowing red as it should be. He didn't realize how much he was clenching his hand to a fist as if he was clutching the only thing that he knows as of the moment. 

It can't be true. He is Ike's soulmate. 

But why was he even upset in the first place? Because Vox found his soulmate? Or that Ike is his soulmate? Or the fact that Ike has another soulmate aside from him? 

God, thinking about this with a hangover is absolutely hell. 

Shoto dialed the familiar contact name like muscle memory. He listened to it ring once, twice, thrice. Then the sound of Ike's voice greeted his ear. “Good morning, Shoto. How are you?”

It's his normal voice. Not too low, not too high. Not pitchy or suspicious. Shoto didn't know Ike was so good at hiding things. Not like him. 

“Ike.” He called him firmly, his heart about to leap out his chest. 

“Yes?”

“Was it true?”

Ike was silent for a second, like he had been expecting this kind of question but never knew how to approach it. “ So, he told you already? You are really right about this Vox guy. He really loves telling you things, huh? Must be nice to have a friend like that.” 

“Ike, you know that's not what I called you for.”

“...Ah. Of course, you're not calling to check if I'm fine. That's alright.”

“That's not what I–” Shoto's sentences started to lose his thoughts. What the hell was he even supposed to do in this situation? They aren't even in a relationship. They're just two people tied by an invisible string that will fuck them up if they try to ignore it. He's helpless. And he hates the feeling of it. “Ike. I was just… surprised. And confused. And I don't know what to think right now and I'm second guessing myself.”

And for the first time, he heard Ike's voice break. Like a tough wall that was slowly crumbling down after standing tall for a long time. “Shoto, I have been losing my mind ever since.” Ike said, sounding as if he was about to cry. “If this is hard for you, what about me? I'm the one on the receiving end. Do you think I wanted this?”

Shoto inhaled sharply. Right. Of course. Why is he being angry at Ike? Why are all his negative feelings going towards Ike? He could only imagine the shock of seeing two strings attached to you and being reminded everyday that there's a fucked up destiny waiting for him if he continue to live his life normally. 

Sure, Shoto is hurt and confused and his thoughts are all over the place. He has questions that needs to be answered but, did he even think for a moment that not one of them even knew the answer to this?

“Ike—”

“What if I say I don't want to talk about it right now?” Ike cuts him off immediately, like he just took off his mask and shows just how tired he is with this conversation. 

“Then we'll talk later. I can wait. If not later, then tomorrow. Or the day after that. Just…” Shoto pleaded, almost desperately, “Just don't leave me here alone?”

Ike didn't answer quickly, but when he did, his voice came out soft almost like a whisper. “...I won't.”

Shoto sighed in relief. This is fine. He managed to wait for Vox and he's still waiting for him. What's a few more days for Ike?

“Tonight. I'll wait in the park.”

The call ended with a beep that surprised Shoto. 

Ah. Seems like he doesn't need to wait that long, anyway. 

Chapter Text

This is the first time that Shoto had felt dread instead of adrenaline as he parked his bike at the same place he always did when meeting Ike. The breakfast earlier morning was like war with Vox all over him and pestering him about letting him meet Ike, and since it's his day off, Vox still pestered him through the afternoon by sending him a lot of care messages and bribing him with free frappes and cakes while he devised a speech to say to Ike when they meet.

Not that Shoto fell for the bribes, of course. Probably.

It wasn't that hard to spot Ike as well when he entered the park, sitting on their usual bench with a distant expression. For a second, Shoto actually hesitated to come forward. Ike looked like he's been through hell with how shitty he looks. Well, now that he thinks about it, he really did go through a lot. They went through a lot.

When Shoto stopped his steps in front of him, he didn't know whether he was about to die of heart attack or palpitations, “Ike.”

There were barely any reactions. And it kills Shoto. Ike looked up to him with the most exhausted eyes he had ever seen him in. Not in a way that he was cramming his research like always or when the bus ride from his place to his university is tough. Shoto could visibly see how dark it was to the point it almost consumed his once pretty multi-colored irises. 

“Hi.” 

Awkward, painful silence begins. 

Shoto should be mad. He should’ve been angry as he once was the moment he found out Vox’s soulmate is the same as his. He doesn't even know which kind of what he is feeling, but there is something. A turmoil. A storm. Whatever term fits to describe how his chest aches at every breath. But it is neither anger or madness, because if it was then it shouldn't be hurting like this. 

“I’m sorry I hid it from you,” Ike started, head low and eyes fixed on his fidgeting hands. His words start to spiral from there, pouring out clumsily out of his lips, nothing like the calculating and intelligent man that Shoto had known all those weeks. “and that I had the audacity to get angry at you too. It was so selfish, I am now realizing. I shouldn't have prolonged on telling you, shouldn't have waited. Sorry, I’m sorry. You deserve the whole truth— better. Everything better—”

“Ike.” Shoto called out to him through gritted teeth, his hands found its way on the other's shoulders to stop him from spiraling. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“But my strings—”

“There’s two of them, yes! I know!” Shoto sighed exasperatedly, “You were right, anyway. It’s not like you asked for it so why are you apologizing?”

Ike looked at him with wide eyes but full of conflicted stares. Shoto doesn't like it. He wants the Ike who looked at him arrogantly and confidently as if he was a walking encyclopedia that knows everything and shouldn't be talking to such dumb peasants. The Ike who laughed at his dumb ideas and teased him from his incomprehensible thoughts. He wants Ike, his soulmate, who said he doesn't want him too long ago in that library where they actually rejected each other like two cats hissing at each other. 

The Ike in front of him right now looks at him with reserved, cold eyes. Empty and desolate. Shivering in the cold, shivering from Shoto’s stare. Terrified and wanting a place to hide. And perhaps Shoto was truly angry at that moment, but not to Ike. No. But towards the person who turned him like this. Himself. 

“...My plan from the start was to cut off both strings,” Ike started. This fact did not surprise Shoto, that’s what they have been trying to do. However it did squeeze something in his chest that was almost painful. He wonders why. “There was a time in my life that I would prefer to grow old alone and be cursed for a lifetime instead of having to deal with it.” 

Shoto listened patiently. He wished he could hold Ike’s trembling hands that rested on his lap, but he was deterred from it. He isn't worthy. Not when he was the reason Ike was in this state in the first place.

“I hated it, Shoto. I hated the whole world, the people, fate itself. There was a point where I started wearing gloves because I can't bear to see my hands. I thought I would hate you, the soulmate that made my life wrecked. Thinking back, I should have held that hate with both my hands and grasped it tightly.”

Shoto took a sharp breathe, “Ike—”

“I liked you, Shoto.” Ike covered his face with his hands, “So I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn't tell you because I wanted more of you. I was so greedy— God. It’s embarrassing.” He slowly dragged down his hands again, Shoto managing to peek in on the utter wreck his eyes showed. “This is the first time I’m feeling something like this. Forgive me, please forgive me.” 

Seeing him lower himself like this, act in a way like it was his fault in some kind when in fact everything that happened from start until now has always been Shoto’s fault, it is breaking him. It infuriates him. He shouldn't have hunted down Ike in the first place, he shouldn't have been stubborn. Ike looks at himself as if he is the most selfish man in the world, but if he was selfish, what does it make Shoto? If loving one soulmate from another is selfish, wouldn't cutting off his only soulmate to be with another even more so? 

Isn't this why they are doing this in the first place? The reason why they are in this position right now? He wondered, if he let destiny do its thing from the start, would Ike have been happier if he met Vox first instead of him?

Without saying a single word, Shoto knelt on the ground. To Ike’s surprise. 

“Sho—”

“If anyone is gonna be asking forgiveness, it should be me.” He looked up at Ike, eyes softening when he noticed the dried tears on his cheeks up close. “You know, thinking about it, I was more upset about the fact that I have to share you with someone else.”

The sight of Ike's sudden surprise and blush was more worth it than it should have been. Shoto tried to reach for the other’s hands again but remembered, then he stilled, then he retracted it back to himself. Such action did not escape Ike’s gaze. 

“I… liked you too,” Shoto muttered under his breath, “I always look forward to meeting you, I feel happy whenever I hear your voice, I brighten up at the sight of you. Does this make us fair?” 

A hand came down on his hand and Shoto inhaled sharply from the sudden gentleness he was blessed for. Ike’s hand was soft and nice, almost lulling himself to sleep as he leaned his head more towards the touch. The question he said was left unanswered for some time, and it might have been for a long while. But what they just had is something different from what a confession should have been. 

From the corner of his eyes, Shoto could watch how the string they both shared somehow looked redder and sparkler from the day before. But this was the first time that Shoto has ever regarded it as beautiful. 

“What about your dear friend?” 

“I’ve thought about it.” In fact, Shoto has been thinking about it since morning, so he answered in precise words. “One chance.”

“...What?” Ike was taken aback. 

“Vox, he…” Shoto trailed off, his eyes looking away to the side in shame. Shame that he is asking of this after everything he had told Ike prior to this moment. But they are already being vulnerable all this time anyway, so what is one more? “He waited for this his whole life and I don’t… I don't want to take it from him.”

Ike was silent for a while, before he traced over the bangs above his forehead with a pitied gaze, “What about you?”

“I’ll be fine.” He says, convincingly. Hopefully. He loves Vox, but he also liked Ike. Two different words towards two different people. Surely, everything would be. 

Ike chuckles, “Such a good martyr you are, huh?”

Shoto frowned, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You approached me the first time to tell me you wanted him,” Ike says ever so softly, his fingers now went to combing his hair in a gentle way that could be described as nothing but affectionate. Shoto closed his eyes to savor his touch. “And now you say that you’re giving him up for me? How generous.”

“Shut up, man.” Shoto said, a pathetic attempt to sound annoyed but obviously failed. 

“You wouldn't get upset?”

“No.”

“You won't be lonely?”

“No.”

“Is he good?”

Shoto’s voice cracked, “The best man you’ll ever meet.”

Ike hummed, satisfyingly. Amused, even. The same Ike he had been seeing. “One date, then.”

“One date.”