Chapter Text
The night is cold as passerbys drift towards their warm homes brimming with love, or to encapsulating party's whispering promises of finding the one, as katsuki races down the road in his brand new car under the glow of lights that decorate the Streets.
Katsuki scoffs at the onlookers eyeing his speed—it’s his damn birthday, and he’ll enjoy his new car if he wants to. Truth be told it's the day before his birthday, but so damn what?.
He sighs, pulling up to the gates of U.A. With heavy steps, he trudges toward the Class 3-A dorms, tension coiling in his gut. “Damnit,” he mutters under his breath. He really doesn't want to deal with people right now...-
Plus this whole soulmate thing is bullshit. Why the hell should a string—or whatever the hell it is—decide his life? He’ll date who he damn wants.
not that he’s ever really thought about anyone that way. i mean he knows guys are the only option. But how the hell is he supposed to know about love? That stuff-Romance, dating-- it’s all a foreign language.
he wishes he could just be 17 forever, or better yet: have no soulmate, atleast then he wouldn't have to worry about this crap
His 18th birthday isn’t until tomorrow, and he’s not about to waste a second worrying over some mythical string until the time actually comes.
Still… who would it even be? Katsuki can’t imagine some extra waltzing into his life and claiming to be his soulmate. It wouldn’t sit right. The only people he’s ever considered friends are idiots like Raccoon Eyes, Shitty Hair and Dunce Face. Or… Izuku. But he's more of a nerd than an idiot
Whoever it is, he’ll deal with it when it happens—and it sure as hell won’t change anything moping about it.
Katsuki opens the door with a loud bang, announcing his return to the extras.
“kacchan!” Izuku yells as he jogs up to him, the nerd wears a warm smile as Katsuki drags a hand through his fluffy hair, the smell of shampoo still lingering.
“Kacchan? Did you hear me?” Izuku asks with concern, was the nerd speaking to him? Shit..
“Sorry, uh De-izuku.. just distracted.” He says gingerly as he scratches the back of his neck, “uh- what did you say again?”
“Oh I was just asking about training tomorrow, think we could move it to next week?” Izuku asks with a worried smile on his lips, his freckles- wait what did he say??
“What the hell? Why?” Katsuki asks with sudden agitation as steam leaks from his palms, izuku's face flushes as his hands dance in front of Katsuki.
“Kacchan? It's your birthday tomorrow! We can't train on your birthday idiot!-”
“The hell did you just call me shitty nerd?” Katsuki smirks with bloodlust
“I-I just mean the birthday boy deserves a day of rest that's all! Plus your birthday should be celebrated with cake and fun- not sweat and a stinky old gym” izuku challenges with false confidence, the boy averts Katsukis gaze as to hide his ulterior motives.
Whatever, it's not like Katsuki hasn't known about the suprise party for weeks already– useless idiots can't keep shit a secret.
“Yeah yeah whatever nerd” he grabs izuku closer as he wraps his arm around the others neck, “now c'mon I'm hungry and I know you need to eat” Katsuki says with a smile as izuku tugs and challenges, his efforts failing swiftly as he accepts his defeat. Katsuki always catches izuku out on his bad habits.
—————————————————————----- - -
His fingers lazily tighten the bow and he leans back to admire his work, “perfect!” Izuku exclaims in the comfort of his bedroom. He moves his head towards his clock.. 2:47 am… shit- he needs to go to bed, and to stop swearing (I definitely spend too much time with kacchan.)
Barely awake, Izuku moves towards his bed, laying his head on his pillow, as he takes one more peek at the masterpiece that is his present for Kacchan. Excitement bubbling in his chest for what the next day will bring as he lays down to sleep.
Not knowing that everything is about to change.
—————————————————————----- - -
The alarm clock blares as the sun threatens katsuki with its obnoxious light, April 20th, the big fucking day.
Katsuki begrudgingly rises from his bed, throws on some sweats and checks the time..
9:23am- damn he slept in, thank god it's the weekend.
He shrugs it off and heads downstairs where he's met with the blaring noise of cheers from his friend- classmates.
Jesus. They could've at least let him wake up properly before bombarding him... ugh damn extras
“Hey Bakubro! Happy birthday!” Denki slides his arm around Katsukis neck, he's too tired to resist, “ so? Any string yet?” He asks with a teasing excitement
“who knows? it could be me! Wouldn't you be lucky!”
Denki jests, and katsuki can't handle shit for brains or his arm around him anymore, he shoves the others arm off and begins to walk away quietly-
“Denki man, leave the dude alone!
Sparky over here hasn't even had anything to eat yet” shitty hair intervenes, and for once Katsukis happy for his friend's peacemaking habit.
“Yeah and anyway, like hell I would get stuck with an idiot like you! Besides dunce face, your birthdays before mine. You got your stupid string, So go hang out with ears” He says whilst rolling hiseyes as the idiot laughs it off.
“Yeah I know man, just kidding! So no string yet?” Katsuki merely glares at the off-brand-pikachu, he hadn't even thought about the string, but nope nothing yet.
“Not to worry man! I didn't see my string until 5pm! Can you believe it? I was starting to worry I wouldn't even get one!”
“Yeah cool, whatever, leave me alone I need silence before I endure whatever hell you guys have planned” katsuki replies with a gruff. And as if comedically timed, izuku runs up to him.
“Happy birthday kacchan! Any news yet?” Izuku asks with kind off... hopeful...? eyes. Katsuki scoffs and ruffles the greenette’s hair.
Unbeknownst to him, his friends share a look.
“Nah nothing yet nerd, and thanks” he wasn't smiling, he wasn't damnit! Not even a little. He’s not soft or anything.
“Oh c'mon man! Why are you always nice to mido!?” Denki whines “I mean we know why-” he's cut off with a jab as eijiro elbows him in the gut and he winces.
He feels heat rise to his face. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean dunce face?” He yells
“N-nothing man! Just some good old birthday teasing!” He giggles awkwardly and katsuki is already so over with this day.
—————————————————————----- - -
Colourful lights dance around the room as the sound of the party fades away behind him. He sits on the ledge of the balcony watching as the grass below him sways with the breeze.
“Kacchan?” Izuku calls out timidly, fuck.. he was not in the mood for conversation. katsuki turns his head and crimson meets viridian. “You ok?” Izuku asks with kind eyes, Katsuki heart swells at the sight- what the fuck?
“Yeah ‘m alright nerd” Katsuki slurs his words as the glimmer in izuku's eyes spin- or- oh no.. he's just moving to sit with him… damn how much has he drunk? “Enjoyin' my parhy?” He tries to ask. Jesus get a grip katsuki.
“It's so fun in there kacchan! They're playing spin the bottle and ochako is floating mineta up on the wall like a Piñeta!” Izuku smiles as a drunken blush dusts his cheeks and- wait?
Ochako? Since when did the nerd call her by her first name? Fucking stupid round face.
“Kacchan?” Izuky tilts his head at him as his eyebrows pinch upwards in concern. “You sure you're alright?”
“Damn string hasn’ shown up yet” he admits without thinking, god he needs to sober up.
“Oh…” izuku's eyes trail off as worry settles on his face “well Denki said his didn't show up till 5! There is still hope!” Katsuki ruffles Izuku's hair without thinking, letting his hand linger for longer than it should.
“It's 9 dumbass,” Katsuki mutters, unsure of whether Izuku could even hear him over the noise.
“Well like I said kacchan there's still hope! 3 hours left of your birthday!”
Izuku beams at Katsuki with determination… and damn how did Katsuki get so lucky to get to talk to Izuku like this?
Just the two of them, sitting on a balcony under the stupid stars as the world melts away around them… when did they start being able to be in the same room and stop arguing every conversation? As friends of course.
Obviously.
“I s’pose you're right nerd” Katsuki smiles at his green haired friend as he looks at the reflection of stars in izuku's eyes,
who needs the shitty sky when i have this?
Without warning izuku leaps off the railing back onto the balcony and grabs Katsukis hand, leading him back to the party. He doesn’t resist.
Katsukis met with the stench of pubescent BO and a crowd of drunken singers taking turns on the karaoke machine.
Izuku leads Katsuki towards the bar and he watches in awe as izuku downs two straight shots, like it was water, before trailing behind izuku again.
Hands interlocked.
“BakuBro!” Shitty hair yells (unnecessarily might he add, he's standing right in front of him) the stench of tequila prominent in his breath.
Jesus. “Wha’tsh up Mann!? How's it bein’ the big eight one??” Izuku giggles beside Katsuki “you mean one eight kirishima?” He giggles again.
“Oh! Yeah that! I meant that one! Oh wait r you guy'z hol’n hanz? You guys good?” The idiotic former friend asks and Katsuki feels heat rise to his face as he realises they are still, in fact, holding hands.
Oh my god.
“Wha- oh! Yeah I didn't want Kacchan getting lost, he's a bit out of it!” Izuku says with a nervous laugh
“Am’n NOT!” Katsuki barely manages to say.
They all laugh beside him as Izuku once again leads Katsuki like a goddamn child to another place.
Not that he pulls his hand away.
Katsuki realises he's been zoned out for god knows how long when he's snapped back to reality by izuku's hand pulling away from his.
“Guys it's our turn!” Izuku shouts out to.. to… Katsuki squints his eyes and a horrifying realisation hits him.
Izuku was talking to Mina and Jirou who were singing on the Karaoke stand, that is, until he's hoisted up there and a microphone is forced into his hand.
“Let's hear it for the birthday boy!” Izuku shouts at the crowd.
Oh god.
—————————————————————----- - -
Katsuki stirs into consciousness at the sound of a sharp painful beeping that leaves him recoiling in pain.
He feels like someone took a fucking sledgehammer to his brain and had a goddamn field day.
Hastily he grabs the nearest water bottle and swallows it whole, revelling in the sensation as the icy water pours down his throat and he feels content at last.
As he walks into the kitchen to make him and the nerd some food, he hears footsteps approaching him.
“Hey bakubae!” Racoon eyes calls out.
“Told ya not to call me that pinky!”
He responds grumpily. She waves a hand brushing off his angry demeanour and leans against the kitchen table.
“So what ya cooking blasty? Can I have some? Pretty please!!!?” She practically whines, Katsuki just groans in annoyance and ignores her,
focusing his attention instead on the 2 bowls of freshly cooked rice, as he sprinkles izuku's favourite seasoning on each serving.
With each dish in hand he heads off. “ oh c'mon! Why make two bowls if you won't share?- OH! Ones for izuku riiiiight?” She says slyly
“Yeah? And?” Katsuki asks with confusion evident in his tone. Mina frowns as if he's an idiot or something.
“Just wondering why you made izu one that's all” she rolls her eyes. izu? Since when were they on nickname basis???
“It's his fav damn hangover food that isn't filled with bullshit chemicals, that's why” he sighs
“So what's his favourite chemical infested hangover food then Kat?” She asks with a smirk on her face with a mischievous glint in her eyes, what's got the damn girl so interested in fucking breakfast?
“McDonald's” he sighs “duh” and with that mina giggles with content and is on her way.
Women are so strange…
—————————————————————----- - -
“Izuku!” Katsuki calls for the 3rd time since he can't knock with his damn hands full.
Stupid nerd must be still asleep! It's already 11!! Suddenly he hears a muffled but panicked scurrying from inside his room. Katsuki scoffs.
Stupid nerd. The door opens to reveal a disheveled izuku wearing nothing but shorts. Huh…
“Kacchan!” Izuku practically squeals, they both stand frozen and silent. “Oh! Uh! Sorry Uhm come in uh-" Katsuki snorts lightly.
“Quit panicking nerd. I just brought you some breakfast.” He says calmly as he sets the dishes on izuku's desk and takes his usual spot on izuku's bed.
“Oh! Oh my god kacchan you didn't have to! That's so sweet!” Izuku sits next to him smiling like a damn puppy
“Whatever nerd, just eat up.” Izuku takes the bowl and groans in enjoyment as he takes a bite “my favourite!” Katsuki takes his own bowl and is about to start munching, when he feels the nerd practically radiating with nervous energy.
“Jesus. Spit it out izuku. What's got you so worked up?”
Izuku smiles shyly and fidgits with his fork, moving around the rice like it's the most fascinating fucking thing in the world.
“I was just uhm… I was uh just wondering if you got your string? Yk? Like… uh… who is it? Your soulmate I mean”
And with that Katsukis appetite is lost just as his heart sinks into his stomach.
The realisation dawns upon him as he looks around izukus room and sees nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
No string.