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Shouto doesn't know how he's supposed to just tell Eijirou that they're soulmates.
He's known since the war, but he couldn't…
There was so much going on, and Shouto saw him with Mina.
He couldn't risk anything.
Soulmates aren't born.
They're made.
Which is probably why he didn't get a mark until Kirishima caught him and launched him back into the fight.
But even then, it removes the choice of finding someone you love.
Marks aren't just about romantic love.
Some people have platonic marks.
It's not a high chance, but it would be Shouto's luck that his stupid crush, that's developed into something far too deep, on the other man is matched with a platonic mark.
"You know that he's your soulmate," says Shinsou as he shoves Katsuki's arm out of the way to sit next to Shouto. "So, just tell him. He wants to know. He's curious, and it's not like he's hiding his mark. I know you went to the states for a while and only just found out he was searching because you hid from us, asshole. But that's the perfect excuse to be like 'oh, I have your mark. I didn't know you were looking until I just got back a couple of days ago.' Easy."
"Not easy," huffs Shouto as he drops his head against the table with a quiet thud. "He's never going to want to talk to me again. You know he was the one I've kept in contact with, and when he finds out that I've been hiding this, despite talking to him daily… I can't lie about when I found out, Hito. He may not have talked to me about this curiosity, but that doesn't mean we haven't talked about soulmates a little bit at least."
"Yeah, Dumbass," replies Katsuki with a snort as he throws his arm around the back of Hitoshi's chair instead. "Ei will have a lot of questions, and Halfie doesn't know how to lie. But you're also a fucking idiot. He's not gonna be mad at you at keeping it a secret for so long."
"Yes, he will," pouts Shouto as he looks up at him. "He said he wouldn't be mad if this person has known for three years, maybe five. I've known for eight, Katsuki. It's been eight goddamn years since the war, since I found out, and two years after we became pros, I disappeared to the States to watch over Touya and my mom."
"He didn't want to know until last year," replies Katsuki seriously as he points a finger at Shouto, eyes narrowing. "I would've fucking told you if he wanted to know sooner. You know I would've because I called your ass when I found out he was starting to get interested."
"Yeah, fucking yeah. I already knew when you called that something was up because our conversations were veering towards soulmates," huffs Shouto as he rolls his eyes and smacks Katsuki's finger away. "That's not my damn point, and where the hell is Izuku? He was supposed to be my buffer for you two gremlins."
"That's rude," grumbles Hitoshi as he sucks down his chocolate shake. "I'm being a nice gremlin today. Don't lump me into his chaos."
"You're never nice," snorts Shouto as he grabs his own strawberry shake. "Not unless you already plan to be a dick."
"He's not wrong," chuckles Katsuki as Hitoshi scoffs and crosses his arms over his chest. "But seriously, just tell Ei. Hell, send him a message and a picture for proof if you want. You've only been back for a couple of days, and you've already dodged every possible welcome home party those assholes could try to throw. So, just tell him. He'll want to speak with you, and you can do it on your terms. But you can lay everything out in the text."
"You're being too nice," says Shouto as he narrows his eyes at the other man. "Why are you being so nice? Usually you cuss me out for being ridiculous and a coward. Now, you're being… Did you get hit with a quirk?"
"The fuck?" Katsuki's voice raises an octave, face burning in irritation. "I'm being nice because he's my best fucking friend you half and half jackass. I know how this ends, you're being a coward, so I'm giving advice to help you for Ei's sake. It's not like you two haven't talked every damn day for years now. Just stop getting on my damn nerves and text him already."
"Woah, Kacchan, you're being nice. Did you get hit with a quirk again?" Izuku's voice brings them all out of their staring contest.
"I didn't get hit by a fucking quirk!" snaps Katsuki as he glares at Izuku, and Hitoshi somehow manages to laugh hard enough for chocolate shake to come out of his nose.
So, while those three are dealing with that. Shouto decides to tug out his phone.
A risk.
He has to take this one.
He opens his messages with Eijirou.
The one where they'd just messaged last night.
Eiji: I'll help keep them off your back, Sho. Hopefully we can meet up though. It's been too long.
Shouto: We'll make a plan for something soon, Eiji, I promise. Get some rest.
Eiji: Sweet dreams.
Shouto takes a breath and starts typing because he knows Eijirou's not on his phone right now. He's at UA and there's no chance in hell Zawa's letting his phone be out.
The phone's actually probably turned off, knowing Eijirou. Especially since it's his day off.
When Shouto's done typing, he realizes how long it is. So, he starts breaking the paragraph up and sending it in pieces. He adds the picture to the last one and hits send as well.
Shouto: Hey, Eiji… I gotta tell you something. I know you're going to be upset, and you have every single reason to be. I screwed up.
Shouto: During the war, I figured out who my soulmate was. I saw your mark come in at the same time mine did. I just kept my mouth shut because there was too much going on to even think straight, let alone have a conversation about soulmates.
Shouto: I didn't realize you were looking until I got back, and I've been flip-flopping it in my head, trying to figure out how to tell you. But I guess I just did. You can let me know what you want to do, meet-up, never speak to me again, it's completely up to you. I'll send a picture for you to see the mark, and I'm sorry I took so long to tell you.
Shouto: soulmate.img
He watches the messages go through, and his heart straight up stops beating in his chest. He swears it does because then a gasp is ripped from his throat when he sees the word "read" under it.
"You just texted him?" asks Katsuki as he kicks Shouto in the leg. "He's starting to blow up my phone."
"Yeah, I— I thought he was still at UA dammit. I thought I'd have time," whines Shouto as he locks his phone and drops his head again, this time landing on a warm palm instead of the cool table. "Why did you stop me, Izu?"
"Because I heard you've done that like six times since you got here," replies Izuku with an amused tone. "Did you confess to your feelings for him too?"
"Of course not," huffs Shouto indignantly as he sits up. "I won't do that over text! Besides, that's not what Eijirou is going to care about anyway. He wants to know the soulmate thing, so I told him the soulmate thing. Why would I say anything else when he's going to be pissed about the soulmate thing?"
"Because he's not going to be pissed at the soulmate thing," replies Hitoshi in a matter-of-fact tone that has Shouto kicking him under the table. "Ow, demon spawn!"
"Deserved gremlin," huffs Shouto as he glowers at the man. "He is going to be pissed, rightfully so."
"He's not pissed," says Katsuki with a chuckle as he keeps typing on his phone. "He's trying to figure out how to ask you to meet up without making you uncomfortable or letting you choose to go with whatever he wants to do."
"Yeah, okay," mutters Shouto as he shakes his head. "I need to get home. Soba and Spaghetti need to eat, and if I don't send Touya a picture of Spaghetti eating, I'm going to get a Face-time call that I really don't want to deal with today."
"You're running," says Hitoshi as he leans forward to stare him down.
"You're scared," adds Izuku as he pats Shouto's shoulder gently.
"We're not going to let you be a fucking coward, and neither will Ei," finishes Katsuki seriously as he pockets his phone and meets Shouto's heterochromatic eyes fiercely. "So, when he messages you, don't be surprised if he shows up at your house instead of listening to you tell him that you don't need to meet in person."
"Whatever. I'll send cat pictures as the tax for leaving so early. Enjoy the rest of your now way too late in the day lunch," replies Shouto with a shake of his head as he stands and starts walking away.
He'd gotten there first and ordered for himself because he refused to let any of them pay for his food.
Katsuki about whooped his ass for being stubborn, but he just reminded him that they'd paid for his food when they got him from the airport.
Shouto walks home because it's really not far enough to get a cab or take a train. They chose a cafe that's twenty minutes from his house by car. It's a bit longer when he walks, but with how nice it is, the walk is perfect.
His phone buzzes in his pocket, but he doesn't bother pulling it out until he steps through his front door.
His walk was more important than a phone call. Especially considering he's not doing any hero work yet. He has to pick an agency and sign contracts, but before he can do that, he has to renew his hero license here because he let that expire while he was in the states.
Shouto tugs out his phone once he's got the door locked and his shoes settled on his metal rack.
It's ringing with a phone call from…
Eiji
Shit.
Shouto answers it with a soft sigh, "Hello."
"Hi, Shouto. Sorry, I was trying to message you. I did send a few messages, but then I realized how nice it is outside. So, I figured you probably walked today," says Eijirou sheepishly into the phone, sounding embarrassed. "So, I tried to wait until I figured you'd be home. I just got back to my condo, and I figured that should be good enough in terms of time at least."
"You're not wrong," replies Shouto as he heads for the kitchen to get the cat food doled out. "Though I should probably read your messages, since I wasn't expecting a phone call… At all. I have to feed the cats, would you like to Face-Time instead? I know you haven't seen Soba in a while."
"Oh, absolutely! I'll do it!" excitement pours through the phone before the dinging ringtone for Face-Time blares in Shouto's ear as he pulls down the bowls he'd brought with him. Shouto hits accept in time for Eijirou to see Soba jump onto the counter with a purr and walk in front of the screen. "Soba, darling girl! You've gotten so big! Ugh, I've missed you sweet baby!"
"She's a heathen is what she is," huffs Shouto with a scowl as he adjusts the phone and takes Soba off the counter. "You know you're not supposed to be on the counter while I get your food ready."
"But she's such a good girl," replies Eijirou as his face fills the screen. "How is Spaghetti doing?"
"Waiting here patiently as she paws my leg," replies Shouto as he grabs the phone to tip it, showing Spaghetti as she stands up again to claw at his pant leg. "She's lucky that I got her claws trimmed, or she'd be getting smacked for scratching my thigh again."
"Oh? She's left some marks, huh?" asks Eijirou with an amused tone as he looks at him.
"Of course, she has, the brat," grumbles Shouto as he pours the food into both bowls. "So, what do you want to talk about exactly?"
"You were right before… You should probably read my messages," replies Eijirou nervously as he pulls the phone back. "That way the conversation we're both on even ground."
"Okay," murmurs Shouto with a stiff nod before he sets the bowls down and sits on the floor, phone in hand. "You can watch them eat while I do. Let me know if Spaghetti tries to sneak into Soba's bowl, okay? She's being a brat lately."
"Will do," replies Eijirou with amusement as Shouto swaps the camera around and moves to open their message thread.
Eiji: Okay, starting this off by saying you screwed up was the WORST way to start that! I thought you needed me to help you hide a body. Which I would absolutely do in a heartbeat for you, any second, any day, any time.
Eiji: I knew it!! I thought I saw something, but your shirt was still burning. It was too quick that I got worried it was my imagination. Then everything happened, and I don't blame you for not telling me then. I didn't tell you that I thought we could be soulmates either, and I probably should have.
Eiji: Though, now that we're on the subject, does that mean you don't still absolutely despise the idea of soulmates? Or are you thinking we'd be platonic soulmates? Because I gotta tell you, there's not a chance in hell that we could be platonic soulmates. That's romantic or nothing because we've been texting and calling every single day, sometimes more than five times a day, non-stop since you called me five years ago freaking out about a fight you saw that I was in.
Eiji: soulmate.img
Eiji: Thought you should see your half. I'm about to leave UA… I'll try to call when I get there, and hopefully, I won't have to come break your door down.
Eiji: But just so we're clear… I totally will, and I'll drag Katsuki, Izuku, and Hitoshi with me if I have to.
"You were making threats," snorts Shouto as he flips off their thread and focuses back on the camera.
"Yep, and I will still follow through," replies Eijirou with a cheeky grin as Shouto looks to see that the girls have finished their food. "But hopefully, you won't make me follow through with bringing our friends along."
"If you want to come over and talk about this, we can, but aren't you supposed to be doing a squad thing in like an hour?" asks Shouto as his head tips to the side because Katsuki was just complaining about having to host the Bakusquad at his condo.
"They'll be just fine without me," replies Eijirou seriously as Shouto flips the screen back onto him. "I'll be there in twenty, okay?"
"Okay, but should I order dinner and make up the guest room? Or are you expecting to go to Squad night after we talk?" asks Shouto as he grabs the girls' bowls and stands to put them away again.
"Order dinner. I'll make up the guest room myself. You gave me the tour, I know where everything is," replies Eijirou softly as he looks at him, those eyes showing that same softness that's dancing through his voice. "Do you want to stay on the phone, or do you need to call Touya and your mom?"
"Ah, send me one of the screenshots you took of the girls eating, and I can get out of talking to them until tomorrow," says Shouto as he sets the phone down, his tone knowing because there's not a chance that Eijirou resisted from taking a picture. "Touya was just worried that Spaghetti wouldn't eat. He talked to her when I fed them breakfast."
"Okay, so— I definitely have like twenty… At least. I'll send them right now," replies Eijirou with a chuckle that sounds as caught as he looks. "Does this mean you're good with staying on the call?"
"I'd much rather talk to you than talk to Touya," replies Shouto with a snort.
"Are you hoping to get our conversation over with before we're standing face-to-face?" asks Eijirou as he leaves his own condo, the yellow ceiling far too familiar for him not to recognize it.
"Maybe it's not a bad idea," offers Shouto quietly, unsteady because he knows this conversation should be done in person. "But we can wait. Talk about your day at UA instead."
"That was simple. A lot of questions and very little accurate responses because of interruptions. But we can still talk about it, if you want to," replies Eijirou with a shrug as he starts stepping down the stairs, moving a bit faster than is probably necessary.
"I wouldn't mind hearing about it. But I also want to hear where we go now from knowing that we have the same mark. Especially considering neither of us believe it could ever be platonic. So, I guess you should decide what you want to do since you're the one driving, " Shouto's voice is soft as he speaks, hopping up on the counter with a sigh as Soba and Spaghetti run out of the room in a chase that will undoubtedly end in a squeal and poufy tails again.
"Driving isn't going to stop me from talking to you about everything we've set free to each other," replies Eijirou softly as his eyes glance at the screen momentarily before darting away again.
"Where do you want this to go, Eijirou?" asks Shouto softly because it's the only question he has right now.
"Well, I hope it goes somewhere real," says Eijirou as a doorway passes over his head before the sound of a car unlocking sounds. He doesn't say anything else until he settles in his front seat, phone set up on the dash. "It feels wrong to say this over the phone. Like it's too important. But I want this to end with you and me trying to be together, officially, romantically, completely. We— We grew up together and being in love with you has been second nature for a long time. I mean it was basically a rite of passage to have a crush on you at UA, but it grew into so much more for me."
"Why didn't you ever say anything?" asks Shouto as his bros furrow before he scoffs at his own question. "Okay, that was a hypocritical question because I liked you then too. It grew into a love I never thought I could feel before you. So, bad question."
"Love?" Eijirou's voice goes high like he's in pure shock while he stares directly into the camera.
"Yeah, umm… Love. I— I'm in love with you, Eijirou," replies Shouto nervously as he looks back, lips curving into a sheepish smile that's trembling. "I didn't want to say that over the phone. It felt too important, but it kinda… I slipped."
"I'm so glad you did," says Eijirou as his eyes shift to the road. "I'm obviously in love with you too, Shouto. Like head over heels, couldn't stop loving you if I tried, in love with you. Like I said. And it's— It's been a lot."
"Yeah, I completely get that," Shouto's chuckle is soft as he watches Eijirou's eyes shift from the road to him. "I need to order food, but if we both want this to be real, turn into a relationship that we can nurture together, what does that mean for everything else?"
"Well, I'd like to take you on a date, or three, before we let the media in on this," replies Eijirou with a soft smile that holds hope and fondness and makes Shouto's chest ache because he hasn't experienced it in person in so long. He misses the brightness that smile holds no matter how soft, how small, how quiet. "But I'm fairly certain that the minute Katsuki sees me for patrol tomorrow, he's going to know that we've confessed to being absolute dumbasses in love. What are you thinking? About what this means?"
"I'm thinking that this is going to be our first date because I can't imagine it being anything else," says Shouto seriously as he starts ordering some different things from the cafe next to the one he already went to. They'll need a spread, no doubt, and he's starting to get hungry again since all he had was some cheese fries. "I'm thinking that the media can wait until we're ready, but our friends will all know by the time Katsuki's done getting information out of you. I'm thinking that I want you to be my boyfriend, Eijirou, and I'm really glad that you're my soulmate because it was always going to be you even if the mark said it wasn't."
"Genuinely exactly how I feel too, Shouto," replies Eijirou softly as a quiet noise comes through the phone. "Come unlock the door? I need you in my arms like right now because I would love to be your boyfriend, and I would adore making this our first date."
"Come on then," says Shouto as he hops down and heads for the door after getting an email about his order going through.
Shouto unlocks the door as Eijirou ends the call, and then he's tugging it open and quickly swept into a tight hug. Big arms wrap around his waist and tug him into a broad chest that's all warmth and muscle, and Shouto sighs as he wraps his own arms around Eijirou's neck and melts.
"Eiji," breathes Shouto as he nuzzles against the man's throat, comfortable and happy.
"Sho," murmurs Eijirou as he presses a kiss to Shouto's hair. "I've missed you so goddamn much."
"I've missed you too," replies Shouto as he pulls away enough to look into those ruby eyes. "So much it might be insane considering how long I've been falling for you. Also, no one has ever given me a hug as good as you."
"You just like burying yourself in my neck," snorts Eijirou teasingly as he lifts Shouto off his feet. But Shouto doesn't let him put him back down, legs wrapping around that waist as he leans in and nuzzles his nose into Eijirou's cheek. "Oh, Doll. I won't let you go until you're ready, I promise."
"Good," replies Shouto quietly as he pulls back to meet those eyes again. "Thank you for coming over… Even if it means the squad is going to have your head for it later."
"They'll get over it. I'm right where I want to be," says Eijirou as he tips his head back to press a kiss to the tip of Shouto's nose. Then Eijirou steps into the house and kicks the door shut before carefully sliding out of his crocs and carrying Shouto through the house. "If I'm going to get you all adorable and clingy all night, Sho, I'm definitely going to end up kissing you. I need you to know that because if you're not ready, I need you to stop me."
"I'm ready when you are," replies Shouto seriously as Eijirou settles on the couch, and his knees press into the back of the couch. "I'm in love with you, Eiji, and I have been for years. There's no chance that I wouldn't be ready for that kiss—"
Eijirou leans in, hands raising to cup those soft cheeks, and he presses their lips together gently. But Shouto leans in too, slotting their lips together as he tugs Eijirou closer by a hand twisting in the collar of his blue tee. Shouto presses in, in, in, not stopping until Eijirou's hands slide down, until the kiss gets slick, and a whine escapes him. Then Shouto pulls away, panting, but Eijirou's lips trail down his neck, soft and gentle, no rush, needy but there's no sucking heat or scraping teeth.
It's just love.
"Fuck, Eiji," Shouto's still struggling to catch his breath as he tips his head back, Eijirou's hands toying with the bottom of his shirt. "Why does this feel like coming home? Like properly? It didn't feel like this here, not until now, in your arms, feeling your kiss, your touch. What the hell?"
"It feels like home to me too. But it feels that way because you're here in my arms," murmurs Eijirou as Shouto brings a hand down to urge those warm hands under his own shirt. Their eyes are locked together again, and Shouto's got a hand cupping his face as Eijirou continues. "I have you right here, in my lap, looking ethereal, and I'm at home for the first time since you left. Being in love for this long, maybe that's what this moment was always going to be. Finally becoming whole again because the person that I'm in love with is finally in my arms again."
"Didn't realize I wasn't home until you showed up and made it happen," replies Shouto as he leans in, pressing their foreheads together. "You must be right. There's no other answer for how fucking right this feels. I love you, Eiji."
"I love you too, Sho," says Eijirou strongly as those hands slide around to his back, big palms carrying heavy warmth as those fingers spread across his back. "Fuck, I love you. I kind of can't believe I get to have this with you. I mean if… if Third Year Eijirou could see us now, he'd lose his mind."
"Yeah, don't even get me started," Shouto can't help but chuckle as his hands find their way into red strands. "Third Year Shouto would actually combust. But this is our now, and I can't wait to see how our relationship develops now that we're together."
"Gonna be a power couple," replies Eijirou knowingly as he nuzzles their noses together. "Have you thought about when you want to come back as a hero? Or are you still deciding if that's where you want to be?"
"I'm still deciding," says Shouto softly as he sits back some, this conversation too serious for him to give into the urge to just kiss Eijirou some more. "You remember when I told you that I was thinking about helping out at UA? Well, Zawa offered me a position that would put me working alongside Zashi. I'd be teaching with him, offering insights, being a speaker when needed, and Zu has already decided that if I take the job, I'll be helping him with training lessons. I just— I don't know. I love being a hero, but it feels like there's more I could do."
"So, do both," replies Eijirou thoughtfully as his hands slide out of Shouto's shirt, their warmth settling heavily on his thighs. "Izuku does both. Zashi still does both too. Why can't you? Being a hero is something you're fucking amazing at, but if you feel like it's not enough, just add to it. I mean, Katsuki spends half his week at UA with Izuku and Zawa. You can do the same thing. We also have different training things that we do with the students of UA at Chako's martial arts school. You can teach a few sessions too. It's mainly quirkless, but Momo built a basement and Mei decked it out to protect the building for quirk fighting too. Zawa usually comes to oversee that with Izuku, those happen three nights a week. We're doing a lot to help, and you should join in. Find what fits for you, Shouto, but don't be afraid to do more than being a hero."
"Yeah, I've gotten a lot of links recently in the group-chat. Maybe I'll check those out while I meet with the commission about getting my license back," Shouto's tone is thoughtful as he tips his head to the side. "Thank you, Eiji. I've been teetering on the decision to step out of the hero umbrella some, but now, I think it's because I didn't know what else I could do."
"I'm always here, you know that," replies Eijirou softly as he gives his thighs a squeeze before the doorbell rings. "Ah, that must be the dinner you ordered. You want me to carry you to get it?"
"I can get it," says Shouto as heat dances across his face in a way that has nothing to do with his quirk. He carefully climbs off his comfortable seat, missing Eijirou's warmth the minute he's standing again. "They should've left it at the door, but I asked them to ring the doorbell because otherwise the notifications wouldn't have caught our attention. I'll be right back."
Shouto heads for the door quickly, grabbing the food that's sitting between his screen door and actual door. The three bags have some weight to them, and it makes Shouto's stomach growl.
He carries it back over to the coffee table as Eijirou comes back with some utensils, and they share a grin before working their way into the bags.
"You bought a wide variety of kebabs, Doll," chuckles Eijirou as he sees the six different types of kebab containers. "Were you in a mood?"
"Not particularly. I just saw a couple that I wanted to try on top of the ones I knew you'd enjoy eating," replies Shouto as he tugs out the rice, soba, and cheese fry containers. "Figured a spread would do us a lot better than specific meals."
"You weren't wrong," Eijirou leans over and presses a kiss to his temple as they settle on the floor, legs stretching out under the coffee table. "So, tell me how your flight and subsequent "kidnapping" turned moving in turned "kidnapping" again was. You've avoided it every time I've reached out since you landed last week."
So, Shouto tells him all about it while they eat. He tells him about the kid that kept kicking his seat on the first flight. Then he talked about the woman who wouldn't stop crying into whatever alcoholic drink she chose to drink during the connecting one. Then he told him about the cats being very noisy when he got back to them, switching between whining and hissing as they moved through the airport. Lastly, he got to both "kidnappings" which were all orchestrated by Izuku, Katsuki, and Hitoshi, including the lunch today that wasn't supposed to be a thing but quickly became one as their decision to pick him up from the airport despite him ordering a car while waiting for his suitcases.
All while they ate, leaning into each other, laughing, and enjoying this moment that they get to have together because Shouto decided to take the risk and text Eijirou.
He will never thank Katsuki, Hitoshi, and Izuku for this… Not until a proposal happens at least.