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I’ve been drawing since ...I could hold a pencil really. Every minute that wasn’t spent doing something, I was doodling, drawing, coloring, and painting. It was my passion, and while everyone aspired to be a hero, I aspired to be an artist. Most people called it a waste, what with my ‘amazing’ quirk and all. But, they wouldn’t stop me from achieving my dream. My parents had been a bit upset, obviously, but they accepted it with time. They were heroes, some of the best if you ask me, but they would never force me to do something I didn’t want to do.
Usually, if I didn’t have paper with me, I’d end up drawing on my skin. Which, led to me finding out about soulmates. I knew they existed, of course. They were all the craze back in the day. But, as time passed less and less people had soulmarks. Tellings if you had a soulmate. And I didn’t think I had one, I never even met anyone who had a soulmark. I never even thought about it. But then one day, when I was thirteen, I doodled little flowers and bees on my forearm, and a rose on the back of my hand. I hadn’t paid much attention to them after I was finished, going about my school day doing my work. It was during lunch when my friends excitedly pointed it out, that I noticed the little comments written near my doodles; “You draw really well :)” and “The bee is cute!” confusing me immensely. My friends had practically screamed in my face that it was my soulmate, because no way was my handwriting that neat and I couldn’t wash it off. When I got home that day, I showed it to my dad’s, getting happy laughs and congratulations.
Everyday from then on I added little doodles and messages for my soulmate, too scared to start a real conversation. Afraid that somehow this was all an elaborate prank. After coming home completely covered in pen, my dads bought me skin safe pens. Then, when I turned fourteen, we started having actual conversations. Soon finding out that any information I tried to give them about me, wouldn’t come through. Not even they’re gender. And it could honestly be anyone, I couldn’t care less about their gender. If they were as kind and smart and funny and timid as they came across on my legs and arms, I’d love them no matter what. With a little experimenting, I found out that paint also went through. And by experiment, I mean accident. My school was having a costume day, and I went dressed as All Might. Ultimate shading and all. It was when I got a hastily written message questioning why they looked like All Might, that I had realized that paint went through. I ended up having to go as Mario, but I still got lots of compliments. My friend even agreed to be Peach.
Now I’m fifteen and I learned that my soulmate wants to be a hero, but anything about the school they’re going to attend wouldn’t come through. I told them I was going to an art school, there weren’t many these days, what with the amount of people trying to be heros and all. There were hardly any schools dedicated to much else. Now, I don’t usually get sick often. The last time I remember being sick was in elementary. But it seemed like my immune system couldn’t fight off this one. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I stayed out in the rain, showered, then slept with the fan on high on my face. Maybe. But, the fact of the matter is I’m in bed. Sick, feeling like death and shit, have a stuffy nose, and a cough that practically rips my throat out whenever I cough.
“So, this is how it ends….” I mumble to myself, voice croaky from all my coughing. I cough once more, covering my mouth. Sitting up I let out a groan, rubbing my neck as if that’d somehow heal my sore throat. Standing up I walk over to my dresser, littered with sketchbooks, paints, brushes, and a whole lot of other stuff. I looked at myself in the mirror, moving my hair out of my face. Red nose and cheeks, droopy eyes with heavy bags, and pretty pale skin. Blegh. Gross. Looking down at all my paints and my open sketchbook I grab a brush, absentmindedly running the brush over my hand. As a little bit of paint streaks on my hand I grin as a little message pops up. “Painting again? :)” It was such a simple message, and the face added to the cuteness. I giggled but didn’t think to respond. They were at school right now, wherever they were. With a small smirk I get out some paints and brushes, looking down at the rough sketch of a cherry blossom I did yesterday. Well, maybe I would have a little fun. With a few more coughs I got to work, determined to make the most amazing cherry blossom branch. Even if it was with paint, a medium I wasn’t entirely familiar with, and on my neck and face.
--
In UA Midoriya was taking notes during Aizawa’s lecture when he noticed the little streak of pink paint strike across his knuckles. It causes a grin to spread across his face, thinking what his soulmate could be painting. If their little doodles were anything to go by, it must have been something amazing. The little streaks of paint were a familiar sight, though they popped up more frequently. His soulmate saying that they were practicing with the medium. He’s quick to write a little comment, watching for a few seconds to see if they’d reply, but figured they’d be too focused on their painting to notice right now. He goes back to taking notes, a small smile permanently on his face.
As he continues to takes notes he can feel a few people staring at him and a few whispered words and giggles. He turns red from all the attention and wonders what they’re talking and giggling about. Is his hair a mess? Well...it always kind of looks like a mess so maybe not. It’s his name being called out by the teacher that gets him to raise his head, shocked a bit by the small smile on his teachers face.
“I see your soulmate is an artist.” He says and Midoriya furrows his brows, turning to look at his classmates who are giving him grins and small giggles. Yaomomo is quick to make a small mirror, tossing it to Midoriya. He looks into it, face turning completely red as he sees the beautiful cherry blossom branch take up his entire cheek. He watched a little heart being drawn near it, earning a few aww’s and more giggles.
“S-Sensei...may I go to the bathroom?” He asks and Aizawa nods, Midoriya taking off with a pen in his hand. As he enters the bathroom he’s glad no one else is there. He looks at the painting, noticing that it goes down his neck and stops just a bit below his clavicle. He pulls a sleeve up, clicking his pen and begins to write a series of messages. “Why’d you do that?!” “It’s pretty, thank you, but!” “Everyone saw and it was so embarrassing.” All written one right below the other. He waits a few more seconds and starts to see something being written.
“Sorry sorry. I’m bored and sick. And messing with you is fun ;)”
“Plus, now everyone knows your soulmate is talented <3”
Midoriya reddens more if possible, and he lets out a soft groan as he rests his head in his hands. His soulmate really was something else.
--
After our short conversation they had to go back to class, they had asked me if I could wash it off. Of course, I denied. I spent a good while on it, I’d wear it until I took a shower and it washes off then. I decided to go back to bed, wrapping myself up in blankets with tissues and the TV on. It was a few hours later when my dad texted to make sure that I ate that I remembered we didn’t have any soups. Cause I for sure as hell wouldn’t eat anything that I had to chew. Swallowing my saliva hurt enough. With aching muscles I got up from bed, changing into some loose pants and a sweater. Slipping on my shoes I grabbed a face mask from my dresser. It was one of those cute face masks that I used to try and look cute. But this time it was to avoid getting anyone else sick. With my wallet in hand I left the house, groaning softly as the sun burned my eyes. Note: by some sunglasses.
--
“Bakugo, hurry up! Everyone is waiting for us!” Kirishima says, glancing behind him as he sees Bakugo walking leisurely with his hands in his pockets. They were sent on snack duty, class 1-A having their weekly movie night today. And they were out of snacks, so Kirishima volunteered to go get some. And of course, Bakugo tagged along.
“It’s Katsuki, shitty soulmate.” Bakugo said with a glare, a flush spreading across Kirishimas face. With a timid nod Kirishima looks ahead, eyes landing on a figure who was leaving the convenience store they were walking to. He observes them a bit, looking at the mask on their face then to the cherry blossom branch on their cheek. He squints as he tries to recall where he's seen that before, eyes widening as he realizes that’s the same thing Midoriya had painted on his face during class. It was his soulmate!
“Ba-Katsuki! Look! Its Midoriya’s soulmate!” He says, grabbing ahold of the others wrist and excitedly pointing at them. “Let’s go-” Before he could even finish his sentence the person was gone in a flash of blue, leaving both of them dumbfounded and amazed. A teleporting quirk.
--
With a retching cough I fell to the floor, knees hitting the ground hard and my upper body resting on the couch. Yeah, I knew that’d be a bad idea. But I did not feel like walking all the way back home. With a few more coughs I pushed myself up to my feet, walking to the kitchen. Placing the plastic bag on the table I got out the cough medicine and soup. As the soup was heating up in the microwave I drank some of the medicine, scrunching up my face at the bitter taste. Bleh, worst part of being sick. The medicine. As the microwave beeped, I dragged my feet over to it, only hoping that’d I’d get better soon.
--
Kirishima had all but dragged Bakugou back to the dorms after they had bought the snacks, excited to tell Midoriya that he had seen his soulmate. Kirishima burst through the door, a slightly annoyed Bakugo behind him.
“Midoriya!” He shouted, a wide and excited grin on his face. Bakugo walked past him with the bags in hand, placing them on the coffee table were everyone was setting up their spots with blankets and pillows. Midoriya looked up from where he was laying out a blanket, a curious expression on his face.
He walked over to Kirishima, hugging a pillow to his chest. “What is it Kirishima?” He asked, only to step back in surprise as Kirishima plants his hands on his shoulders and practically screams in his face that he saw his soulmate. His eyes widen and he’s frozen in place as Kirishima explains how and where he saw them, and his minds running wild with thoughts, he doesn’t catch Kirishima telling him that they have a teleporting quirk. After years of not knowing if he even had a chance of ever seeing them anytime soon, and just helplessly crushing on someone who he never thought he’d see, he has a chance. He interupts Kirishima mid rant, “Where? Which convenience store?” He asks, with eyes so intense and determined it stuns Kirishima into momentary silence. After receiving his answer he nods, walking back to the couches with a plan in mind. He decided he was going to try and find his soulmate by himself. He’d go by the convenience store everyday after school and hope to see them there.
--
If it was anyone but Midoriya they would have given up after a week of not being able to find them and failing at being able to communicate that his friends saw them or even let them know anything. But he was glad for that, wanting to be able to surprise them when he finally found them. Maybe it was a little mean, but he thought it would be fun. Today was the second week he was walking to the convenience store, hoping to somehow find them. From what Kirishima told him his soulmate had (h/c) hair and was around his height, but otherwise didn’t see much else because they wore a mask. He awkwardly loitered around a bench in front of the store, hoping to see anyone entering or leaving that would match the red heads description. He perked up, seeing someone with (h/c) hair leaving the store with a bag full of snacks and in a uniform he didn’t recognize. A girl. She was so pretty too. Her long hair was tied up into a ponytail and her eyes. The prettiest shade of (e/c) he’d ever seen. Wow, how did he get so lucky. If that was her. Quickly grabbing a marker from his pocket that he kept in his bag in case he suspected someone he quickly did a mark over his cheek, his heart skipping a million beats as he watched it appear on her cheek.
He watched as she touched the mark on her face, his heart swelling when he saw her smile and laugh. Oh wow oh wow he was surely going to thank the gods for giving him such a perfect soulmate. He was about to call out to them before they disappeared in a flash of bright blue. His mouth fell agape, staring at the spot she once stood in shock. A teleportation quirk? How cool!! He had never heard of such a thing before, and his soulmate had it! Feeling giddy and excited he raced to the dorms, unable to wait any longer to speak to his soulmate.
--
I couldn’t stop smiling when I got home, putting down the bag of goodies on my bed before looking in the mirror. A green streak reaching from the cheek bone almost down to my lips. How’d he do that? I got the impression they were a pretty careful person. Maybe one of their friends? I sit down on my bed with one of my skin safe pens and roll up the sleeves of the cardigan I had on, writing ‘What’s with the green mark? Get in a marker fight or something?’ and then getting out some chips to munch on while I waited for a reply. Not too long after I got one, just reading ‘Leg!’ which is what we said when we wanted to let each other know where we were going to write. Legs were usually used for long conversations. Feeling a sense of excitement I stretched out my legs in front of me, glad I was still in my uniform skirt.
My heart nearly stopped with the next words that quickly showed up on my skin.
‘I saw you! I really saw you! You’re so pretty! Wth so pretty!! That’s what the mark was for! To see if it was you and it WAS! Ahhhh I can’t believe this is real, I actually saw you. I thought I’d never get to see you. So we both live in Tokyo! AH, did it come through?’
I could feel my heart pounding against my chest and hear it in my ears. What? He saw me? When? How? What?? My uneasiness faded as I saw the word that would previously never show up. Tokyo. We lived in Tokyo. How many times have we passed each other without knowing? How many times have we missed opportunities to see each other? I could feel my eyes start watering and a grin I couldn’t stop taking over my face. Wow, I guess I was more worried about never meeting them more than I thought.
‘It did, it did! Wow! You really saw me? For real? You’re not lying? What color are my eyes? My hair?’
‘Your hair is (h/c) and your eyes are (e/c). You look super pretty! So you’re a girl? Well, I’m not!’
Another discovery! They were a boy huh? I’d be lying if I said I never imagined he was a girl. He was easily flustered, so it wasn’t hard to imagine. This was amazing! Despite being so excited to know that we lived in the same city I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. He knew what I looked like but I didn’t know what he looked like.
‘ Did that come through? I was saying my hair and eye color.’
‘Ah, no :( But maybe I can still see you! Give me coordinates and I can teleport right to you!’
‘That’s another thing! I saw you teleport! You have such a cool quirk!’
‘Ah, thank you thank you u///w///u It’s really useful.’
‘Oh, uh coordinates. Just go to the convenience store you were just at! I’m on my way back! I saw you there! I’ll approach you! Don’t be too disappointed, I’m not all that great.’
‘Oi, what’d I say about that talk? Now I really get to hit you. You’re perfect and I can’t wait to see you.’
‘Jeez you make embarrassed. But I’m on my way. See you soon <3’
‘See you <3’
Now I knew I’d probably get there earlier than him but knowing my soulmate he’d be here as fast as he can. He’s probably running right now. In a flash I’m gone from my room and standing in front of my favorite convenience store again. The owner, Soma-san, whom I know well, was outside cleaning up some mess that some rowdy teenagers made.
“Ah, (Name)-chan. What brings you back so soon?” He asks as he throws the last of his trash away, wiping his hands on the apron on his waist. He was a family friend and sort of old. A little older than my parents anyway.
Anxiously bouncing on the balls of my feet I look around frantically as I answer him, “Waiting for my soulmate to get here.” I can even hear the nervousness and uneasiness in my voice. I couldn’t see his face but I know he was surprised. I didn’t hear what he said but he quickly went inside, only to come right out with a bouquet of flowers.
“Here, (Name)-chan. For your soulmate. I gave flowers to mine when we first happened, and I think you should too. I’ll give you two some space.” He says and just before he enters the store says, “Congratulations and good luck.”
Before I can thank him my attention is taken away by the sound of electricity. I snap my head to the sky, seeing a figure enveloped in a green lighting as they jumped from a building. “Watch out!” I heard them call out as they fell toward me. I take a few steps back and close my eyes as they land a few feet away from me, kicking up dirt and little rocks into the air. I slowly opened my eyes and hold the bouquet tightly in my hands as my heart hammers in my chest. I gulp as I make eye contact with green eyes. Green. They were pretty. A deep forest green.
“H-Hi.” He spoke, sending a shock through my body. So that was his voice? It was kind of high pitched but had a soft deepness to it. It suited him. His hair was curly and messy, but it looked good on him. He was dressed in a white shirt and black shorts, out conversation peeking out just under his shorts. So this was him. My soulmate. I could feel my heart swell and my eyes begin to water. Ugh, I was getting emotional.
“H-Hi! I-I’m (Name) (Last Name)! Pleasure to meet you!” I shout out without much thought, doing a quick ninety degree bow before lifting up. I could tell my eyes were watering and my face was probably very red but I didn’t care. He was also blushing up a storm.
“O-oh! I’m Midoriya Izuku! Pl-Pleasure to meet you to. Please just call me Izuku.” He says with a bow of his own, his eyes repeatedly darting from the floor to you. This was awkward, but that was to be expected.
“R-Right. Call me (Name). Uhm, these are for you!” I push to bouquet to his chest and watch as he takes it with a sheepish smile.
“Oh, thank you! I didn’t bring you anything though…” Midoriya felt a little bad for not bringing anything for her, but he was in such a hurry he didn’t think of it.
I shook my head, “It’s okay! Soma-san gave it to me last minute.” I say and gesture to the store, only to see him at the door watching us. “Some-san! Some privacy please!” I cry out, embarrassed. He nods with a thumbs up, a sign that he approved of Izuku. While I wasn’t asking for approval I was glad he did approve. “Sorry about him… he likes to meddle.”
Midoriya shook his head, “Oh, no! It’s fine.” He says and takes a step closer, hesitantly extends his hand out. “C-Can I hold..hold your hand?” Midoriya is sure he’s never been so embarrassed before but he needs to make sure this isn’t some elaborate hallucination or dream.
I felt my face warm up more and nodded dumbly, slowly putting my hand in his. His hands were rough, and...were those scars? They looked like it had hurt. “Your hands are rough….I like it.” I say softly, tracing my thumb over the scars on his hands.
Midoriya nods meekly, squeezing her hand. “Yeah...your hands are soft.” He says quietly, looking up and locking eyes with you. This was them. The soulmate so few people got to meet. The person chosen by the universe to be with you forever. Your other half. Yeah, this felt right. He was my soulmate, and I was his.