Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Izuku wiggled his fingers trying to get the blood and feeling back in them. His hands were tied tightly behind his back by thick metal cuffs, his fingers were slowly losing all feeling.

It was his own fault really. He had broken one of the most important rules and he was lucky enough to get away with only this.

He was caught trying to talk to his soulmates. Yes, soul-mates, as in, more than one. He had three to be exact. He didn’t know their names but they all had colors. He remembered the first one to start writing was Blue. He seems calm and collected like nothing was ever wrong. But, he knew something was off about Blue’s home life ever since he was four years old. He had excitedly claimed his quirk had come in. Then the pain started. A few bruises quickly turned into scars and burns. Izuku knew he was being abused but there was nothing he could do.

Then there was Red. He seemed brash and hot-headed, but Izuku knew he was kind underneath all that anger. All Red seemed to care about knowing is his soulmates. He referred to everyone else as ‘extras’ claiming that he only needed his soulmates and that was it.

The last one to write was Purple. He seemed relaxed in an almost uncaring way. Purple never seemed to get any sleep, often times Izuku caught him writing late into the night. Purple would talk to him when everyone else would be asleep. At least, when they figured out Izuku existed. Often times, when Izuku couldn’t sleep, Purple just seemed to sense it and would write and write and write not expecting any reply. These times Izuku was soothed by his soulmate were the only times where Izuku seemed to get a peace filled sleep.

Lastly, there was Izuku. But Izuku didn’t have a name or a color to them. He was just, there. None his soulmates knew he was there at first. When Blue began to write he had gone to his mother asking why there were these marks on his body. He was still yet learning to read and write, being almost a year younger than his soulmates. Red was quick to reply. It was when he went to present the writing to his mother.

A look of disgust was quick to take over her features.

She immediately threw out all the markers and pens in the house with the rule to never ever talk to his soulmates. He went to ask why, because if they were his soulmates then shouldn’t he talk to them? But a slap to his cheek was quick to shut him up.

His soulmates felt the slap to the cheek, leaving them dazed and confused. They all had thought everyone was accounted for. That it was only the three of them.

They quickly forgot about it.

That slap was only the beginning.

Izuku was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the all too familiar whine of the heavy cellar door opening. He tensed unconsciously when he heard the footsteps approaching him from behind. Right now, he was all too aware of the scratch of ink appearing on his skin.

“Izuku, are ready to behave yourself now?” His mother spoke her voice feather light. She acted like she was talking to a toddler placed into the time-out corner. Like him chained up in their basement for days on end was something normal everyone did.

“Yes, ma'am.” His voice was scratchy from either lack of use or lack of water. It was hard to tell at times.

All Izuku had wanted to do was talk to his soulmates. Just to let them know he was there, that he wanted to be involved. He knew his soulmates had already met up. They talked about meeting about a year ago. Izuku had wanted to go, but his mother caught on and he couldn't risk his mother knowing them. After that, they wrote less. Opting to either text or meet up. And Izuku never truly felt so alone. They left him out of their loop. And it hurt him more than they knew.

Izuku knew they hadn't meant it. To hurt him so badly. They probably figured he didn't want to meet them when he didn't go to their meeting site.

Izuku wanted to let them know that he wanted to meet them. That he wanted to see them more than anything in the world. So, Izuku gathered his courage and bought a single green marker at that convenience store just around the corner.

He was giddy. The thought of finally contacting his soulmates was almost a reality. It was just a step away. It was so close he could taste it. He could be happy for once. He could have the support of someone for once. He could feel love for once.

He rushed to his room pulling out the marker for his pocket. He scrambled to pull his shirt off, trying to find an empty spot of skin that wasn't already filled up by something but was apparent enough that his soulmates could quickly find it.

His mother had walked in him just before he placed the marker on his skin.

She was furious.

He gave silently apology to his soulmates for the pain he caused them.

The blood rushed back into his fingertips as soon as the tight metal cuffs came off. After that, Inko left with nothing more to say. Izuku should have been glad, but that meant his mother was still angry. He was walking on extremely thin ice. One wrong move and he would find himself right back here and even worse off.

He selfishly hopped purple would be up tonight.

Character:
Bakugou

Bakugou had noticed the cramps right away. The slight twinge in his stomach, a telling sign that someone was either starving themselves or they had the stomach flu. He lacked any of the remaining symptoms meaning... someone was denying themselves food.

He immediately pulled up his sleeve and picked up his red pen.

“Alright! Which one of you fuckers aren’t eating!” His other soulmates probably felt the same twinge in their stomachs since their replies were immediate.

“It’s not me,” Blue wrote onto his skin.

“I just ate,” Purple said next.

“Then that means…” Bakugou began to write, but he didn't want to finish the rest of the sentence. He didn’t need to, though. His other soulmates knew exactly who he was talking about.

Bakogou always wondered about their last soulmate. They never talked, never wrote, and never met up with them. The others knew he was there, though. He was almost constantly in pain. Twisted ankle there, a bruise there, and sometimes, . . . more concerning things popped up.

He still shivered whenever he remembered the pain of what felt like his fingernails being ripped off.

Of course, the pain was never visible and left after a few minutes, even if the pain still lingered on the original owner. Something that left scars, though, that lasted longer. They all learned that when Blue got that burn scar over his eye. The pain pulsed in his head for almost a week before it finally went away.

Bakugou nursed his cheek where he remembered suddenly being hit by an unknown force yesterday. That had only been the beginning. All his soulmates had sat in what felt like hours of agony as their last soulmate received a beating that would last a lifetime.

They all held each other in silence after that, feeling completely and utterly powerless.

Character:
Todoroki

Shotou used to live in the shadow of his father in fear. He remembered the abuse disguised as training. It had been like that for years. His only support only being his mother and his soulmates that were constantly scribbling on their skin.

Then his mother was taken away.

But, everything had changed for the better when he met his soulmates. They helped him. Now, he had a way to escape his father’s abuse. He had a way out of his own hell hole for someplace brighter and filled with hope.

He ran away with his soulmates and his father was powerless to stop it. He had never been happier.

Until he found out his last soulmate was in the same boat as him. The only thing was, this last one couldn’t or wouldn’t contact them. There was nothing he or his soulmates could do.

Character:
Shinsou

When Shinsou was younger, he was bounced around a lot. For as long as he could remember he’s been in the foster system. He’s had his share of unpleasant people. He was abused, of course, mostly verbally, people too afraid to raise their hand at the boy in fear of jail. He’s had his fair share of slap before, though. But, no matter what, he had his soul mates. He always had someone to talk, people that understood him, that wouldn’t leave him no matter what.

He was glad he was able to make it through the foster system. Catching the eye of the underground hero Eraserhead and the pro hero Present Mic, he was adopted at age ten.

He life was almost perfect. Almost.

It would be perfect once he knew his last soulmate was safe.

They all needed to help him.

Chapter Text

It had been an accident. A complete and total accident

God just completely and utterly hated Izuku. That boy must have done some fucked up shit in his past life to deserve this. And, now, Izuku would do anything just to beg God for his forgiveness. Once Izuku thought he was going to catch a fucking break, God always, always, pulls that rug out from underneath him.

‘Cause, here he was, sitting in his usual seat at the usual cafe, doing absolutely nothing wrong, staring at a boy with lilac hair that looked like it hadn’t been brushed in years as he showed Izuku his soulmates’ writing.

And Izuku knew that writing anywhere.

It had been raining that day, but Izuku just had to get out of that “house.” (His father just had to bring that one “coworker” that Izuku absolutely despised today didn’t he?) The lingering eyes of that fucktard put Izuku too far on the edge for Izuku to do anything without fearing for his life. The boy gripped the handle of his umbrella tightly, the plastic creaking slightly under the pressure.

In the midst of his rant, his feet on auto-polite taking him to one of the few places he knew that wasn’t tainted, Izuku had tripped over someone. That purple haired boy to be exact.

“Oi!” The tired looking boy shouted, “Watch it!” It came out more as a threat than a warning. Izuku looked up at the boy now towering over him and dread began to pool in his stomach. He just wanted one day, one day , where he didn’t get into a fight, but it didn’t look like that was happening.

“S-sorry,” he whimpered out becoming increasingly aware of the large and deep puddle he was laying in. Damnit. If he didn’t get out of the rain soon, he’d get sick. Today was turning out just peachy. Of course, he’s met worse days, but today he had woken with a small spark of determination to make this day as less shitty as possible. Izuku pulled himself keeping his head down, trying his best to avoid eye contact. Maybe if he showed that he wasn’t even worth the energy to throw a punch, they’d leave them alone. He bent to down to reach for his umbrella, shaking the water off it.

“Hey,” The other began, his tone now somewhat lighter than before, “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.” Izuku had to resist the urge to tsk in annoyance. Something he hated more than being punched; questions. Because questions led to you being punched. Being punched right away was better than having to expect one.

Well, to be fair, Izuku didn’t exactly do well to hide his bruises. Opting to just put on his usual large hoodie and jeans without caring to put on any concealer or covering any lingering scars and bruises. (He had noticed a few glances sent his way as he walked, but no one was brave enough to actually confront him.) What was the point with the rain coming down like piss? He’d end up having to wiping it all away, which was just another step Izuku just did not want to deal with today.

“I’m fine,” was all the boy mumbled before walking away not even sparing the other a glance. There were footsteps, quick to catch up to him.

“You’re clearly not,” The purple haired boy tugged at Izuku’s sleeve a bit too harshly almost throwing him off balance. “You’ve got bruises everywhere.” At this point, Izuku almost wished he stayed at the base. He hated it when people acted like they were concerned. “You should get those looked at,”

“They’ve already been looked at,” Which was partially true. Izuku had been the one to look at them and boy could he tell you they were bad. Were bruises meant to be red? Izuku tugged his sleeve out of the other boy’s grip walking away once again. Izuku should have known they would try to keep his pace. Man, was this guy was something else. He was quick to get made at Izuku, but now he was acting like he cared? Must want something , Izuku concluded.

“I mean looked at by someone who isn’t in fourth-grade.” An unimpressed glare harbored his features.  Izuku flattered for a moment, looking at the boy in utter confusion. He straightened up, shaken out of his daze, and roughly placed a hand on his hip.

“I’m a senior in junior high, mind you!” The indigo-haired boy’s brow went up unbelieving. “What do you want anyway?”

“What do you mean ‘what do I want?’”

“Well you were yelling at me a moment ago, and then you did a complete one-eighty!” Izuku shouted before he could stop himself. Oh great. Now he knows he’s going to get slapped for that. He’s bracing himself for it, eyes wired shut and head down, but it never comes.

“Well, you’re covered in bruises! What am I supposed to do?” is what happened instead. Izuku only looked at him, unable to form a reply. The boy seemed to notice Izuku's hesitence, his features softened to something akin to caring. With a sigh his shoulders lost tension. “I think we got off on the wrong foot,” he pulled his hand out if his pocket, Izuku managed to just barely suppress a flinch, “My name is Shinsou Hitoshi.” He held his hand out in front of him offering a handshake. Izuku took his hand without thinking, conditioned to always accept offered hands.

“M-Mi-Midoriya Iz-zuku,” managing to just barely stutter out in his rush. His stutter was one of the few things he's kept over the years. “My name! Tha-that's my name!” He added in haste, earning him an amused chuckle from Shinsou. A small blush formed on Izuku's cheeks. “I-I was going to that café down the street from here. Would you like to join me?” Izuku thanked God for the small mercy of not stumbling over every freaking word.

“Yeah. That sounds like a good idea. I've been meaning to check it out.” Shinsou offered a small smile towards Izuku who returned it with a nod.

And now Izuku wished he had wacked him away with his umbrella the moment he saw that tired boy.

Why did he ever have to meet his soulmate?

Chapter Text

“S-soul-mates?” Izuku asked, dread pooling in his stomach. “As-as in more than one?” Shinsou nodded a small, but, warm smile spread across his lips at the thought of his soulmates.

“Yeah,” His voice was thoughtful and soft as he pulled his sleeve. It took everything in Izuku not to run away. It took everything in him to keep down the bile that was running up his throat. It took everything him in not to hide. He’d know that writing anywhere. He’d recognize that red, blue, and purple ink from a mile away. There was no doubt in his mind. He burned that same image that was Shinsou arms to the back of his eyelids. He mesmerized every curve in every letter. That writing belonged to his soulmates.

He was fucked.

“Three of them to be exact.” Shinsou carried on oblivious to the panicking boy next to him, too caught up in his thoughts as he stared at his arm. Only when Izuku didn’t respond did he look up from his arm. Those emerald eyes were slightly wide and his skin was a shade paler as he stared Shinsou’s arm. Shinsou’s brows furrowed in anger and frustration. “Is there something wrong with that?” Izuku quickly shook himself out of his thoughts when he heard the threatening undertones in Shinsou's voice.

“N-no!” Izuku said maybe a bit too loud, “No. S-sorry if I made you think that. I’ve just never seen that before. I’ve barely met someone who’s had more than one soulmate. It’s pretty rare.” Shinsou softened at his response. He was all too aware of those people who were less accepting.

“Good,” was the only thing Shinsou could think to say. There was another small stretch of silence before Izuku gathered as much courage as he could, opening his mouth.

“You said you had three soulmates, so how come there are only three colors on your arm?” Izuku felt bad the moment those words left his mouth, but he had to know. He had to know exactly what Shinsou and his other soulmates thought about him. It was selfish of him. He knew that, but he would be content with just a glimpse of what the others thought of him.

But the moment Shinsou’s eyes grew distant and something unreadable coulded his eyes, Izuku felt like that the biggest ass in the universe. Way to go Izuku. You meet your soulmate (and he doesn’t even know your his soulmate) and you somehow still fuck it up.

“I-I me-mean-n if-if-if that’s-s okay wi-wi-i-th you. If that’s not something your willing toanswerthanthat’sperfectlyokayImeanthat’sreallyprivateandIshouldn’tintrudeandI’mrambilingI’mjustgonnastopnow.” Izuku’s cheeks burned bright red in embarrassment as Shinsou stared at him for a moment. Then a smile spread across his face as he let out a soft snort. He’s never met someone quite like Izuku.

“It’s fine, Midoriya…. I get that question quite a bit.” He paused a moment letting out a tired sigh. “The last one, we don’t really know about. We barely knew they existed until we all met and touched each other. When pains kept coming, that’s when we knew there was another one for us. They never write, and we don’t really know why. We don’t know if they can’t or…” Shinsou let out another sigh. He leaned back in his seat his tired eyes looking up at the ceiling. They were distant yet again. Izuku had to bite his lip to stop the tears that wanted to form in his eyes. “I wonder...I wonder if they’re okay.”

“I...I’m sure he’s okay.” Izuku spoke softly after a moment of heavy silence. Shinsou let out a humorless chuckle. He tries to count the times he’s heard that one before.

The subject quickly changed after that and the next hour after that had been one of the best Izuku’s spent in a long time. Soon (all too soon), the rain stopped and their clothes were, thankfully, dry.

“We should do this again,” Izuku said before he could stop himself. Shinsou spoke up before he could back track.

“Yeah. How does saturday sound?” A part of Izuku was glad that he would get a chance to talk to this boy again, but the other part (Izuku dubbed to most sensible part) wanted to ram his head through a wall. The last thing he wanted to do was get involved in his soulmates life, but here he was being an absolute idiot.

‘I should say no. Walk away pretend he doesn’t he doesn’t exist and pretend this never fucking happened.’

“Sure!”

. . .

Izuku would’ve punched himself if he could.

Shinsou smiled, unaware of Izuku’s inner conflict.

“Cool see you here. Around twelve.” With that Shinsou turned around and walked away, waving at Izuku in the process.

“I am so fucked.”

Chapter Text

Izuku’s cheeks stilled red, even when he pushed his way back into his house. His heart was beating loud, blood rushing to his ears. He still couldn’t believe exactly what happened to him. It was unbelievable, like a scene out of a cheesy movie. He knew it was dangerous for both him and Shinsou, but Izuku couldn’t help but feel that need to see him again. Something pulling at his heart, begging to be able to have that connection again. 

He tried to compose himself as he leaned against the front door of the trashed box he called home. But, even as he took deep breathes, the stupid blush wouldn’t leave his face. This whole situation was so not fair! Izuku had enough to deal with! Now he has to hide the fact he found his soulmate from already way too nosy parents. 

“There you are my little, Zu!” A voice sent a chill down Izuku’s neck, blood rushing out of his face. At least he didn’t need to worry about hiding his blush anymore. Izuku quickly snapped his eyes over to the offender, spotting the way too familiar man peeking his head past the wall. 

‘What is he still doing here?’ Izuku thought, not moving as the man walked past the wall, facing Izuku full on. He had been the very reason Izuku had left the house in the first place. 

“I was wondering when you’d be home.” The man moved, closing the gap between the two. Izuku knew he should move. Do something, anything, to getaway. But his legs felt like cement. He couldn’t move. No matter how much he willed, his legs stayed, planted on the ground. Every step this man made, Izuku felt his back press harder against the peeling wooden door. Almost as if it was willing itself into melting into the door. 

Suddenly, the man was on top of Izuku, softly pressing a hand next to Izuku’s head. His face was far too close to Izuku’s, his face only stretched into a soft innocent smile. But that smile was far from innocent. He knew that smile. And that smile terrified him down to the core. But the smell, that was the worst part about him. The smell reminded him of safety. The smell was something like how a father should smell like. But this man was anything but safety. 

“You know,” He began bringing his free hand up to Izuku’s face, stroking his cheek with the back of his finger. Izuku resisted the urge to shiver. “I’ve missed you so much.” He brought the hand up to the stray curly hair hanging over Izuku’s eye, twisting it every which way. “I’ve spent so many nights thinking about you, my little Zu.” Izuku could barely breathe, sucking in his breathe as quietly as he could, like if he was quiet enough the man would leave him alone. That was never the case, really. 

The hand found itself on Izuku’s chin tilting it up softly, but the grip was bruising. A warning. 

Izuku felt around with his hand. Trying to find anything that might help him. He had already placed his umbrella on the rack. Maybe, just maybe, if he could reach it. He just needed-

The bruising grip pressed harder, the fingernails pressing into his skin leaving crescent marks over his chin. 

“You know how much I love it when we play together, but you’ve been rather distant lately.” The fingers pressed impossibly harder, drawing blood. He winced, trying to flinch his head away. He only pressed his body harder against the door. 

He continued his search, feeling something-

His hand hit something hard. 

‘The doorknob!’ He nearly exclaimed. He wasted no time. Lifting up his leg, he jabbed blindly at the man’s knee. When the man pulled away with a gasp, Izuku knew he hit his mark. He twisted the knob, quickly pulling it open, and slipped through it in one fluid movement. The man looked up just in time to see the door close, no Izuku in sight.

With a frustrated growl, he threw himself at the door, throwing it open. 

Izuku was sprinting down the street, desperately trying to keep as much distance as possible between him and that man. 

“Izuku!” The man screamed, barely being heard through the batter of rain and over the sound of Izuku’s own blood rushing through his ears. “Get your ass back here!” Izuku risked a glance behind him. His heart nearly stopped at the sight of the man barreling after him. 

And he looked pissed. Far angrier than Izuku’s ever seen him. 

He pushed his legs faster. 

Despite the rain, and the increasing darkness, Izuku was coming upon a populated area. Any normal person would be relieved, but all Izuku felt was dread. He didn’t need anybody getting mixed up in his problems. They wouldn’t even know what they were doing, but in helping Izuku, it would kill them. 

He didn’t wish that on anybody. 

He ducked into the first alleyway he saw, praying desperately that it wouldn’t lead into a dead end.

When he wasn’t met with an immediate wall, he charged forward. Izuku dodged his way through the darkening alley, but, by the reckless clanging behind him, he could tell the man was still hot on his tail. 

He dodged into another alleyway hoping to shake him off, if not only a little. He heard a curse followed by a thud. A small smile placed itself on Izuku’s lips. He would call that a small victory. He dodged into another alley hoping he did so before the man had a chance to recover. 

He kept twisting his way through the dark alleys, praying desperately he would lose the man. Izukku charged down an alley, screeching to a halt when he was met with a wall.

‘Of course.’ he sighed. He turned hoping maybe, just maybe, the man hadn’t found him yet. 

But he concluded, that no, he did not lose that man, and yes, he was hot on Izuku’s trail when he was suddenly tackled to the ground. The back of his head hit the ground hard, making him see white. Izuku was dazed, unable to fight back when he felt the man’s knees dig into his palms, and his hands press into his shoulders. 

“Why do you always got make shit so fucking hard.” The man had growled out. Izuku was finally pulled out of his daze. He tried to push the man off of him. But Izuku was way over his head there.

The man wasn’t letting Izuku have an inch, lifting him up slightly by the shoulders only the slam his head back down on the concrete. He almost passed out, his vision white and an awful ringing in his ear. 

“Now just be a good boy and sit still.” The man growled out. He took advantage of Izuku’s dazed state again. He pulled at the bottom of his shirt lifting it up only slightly. Then, he brought his hands to Izuku’s buckle.

“No,” Izuku slurred, trying to wiggle his way out from under the man again. 

“Shut up!” He screamed backhanding Izuku across the face. 

This day was just turning out so well.