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"It must be rough, having to wait almost a whole year before getting your soulmark. You've been eighteen for like ten months already," Kirishima said, his head in Mina's lap as they all lounged around Katsuki's room. Katsuki laid on his bed staring at the ceiling listening to his friends ramble. They were all waiting together until midnight for their soulmarks to appear.
Soul Day, February 14, was the day millions of people got their soulmarks every year. You could only get a soulmark once you turn eighteen. The Soul Day after one's eighteenth birthday was a hugely celebrated day. If you got one on your right wrist, it meant it was a platonic soulbond. If you got one on your left, your heart side, it meant it was to be a romantic soulbond.
"Does Bakugou even want a soulmate?" Sero asked, chiming in from his spot laying underneath Katsuki's desk. Why he was there no one could tell you.
"Of course he does," Mina answered, sounding offended, "Who doesn't want a soulmate? Even just a platonic one."
"Not everyone wants a romantic relationship," Kaminari added.
"I know, I'm just saying everyone should at least have a platonic soulmate. Someone who is so special to you," Mina persisted.
"No one is saying it's not important, Mina," Kirishima said, reaching up to smooth a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Just suggesting that maybe he doesn't necessarily want one."
"Y'all are dumbasses, I'm gonna have the best soulmate. Anyone who suggests otherwise can go choke. And just because I’m ace doesn’t mean I don’t want a soulmate, Tape Brain," said Katsuki. The group chuckled. Katsuki had definitely opened up to them over the years at UA, but he still said some wild shit, every now and then. Honestly they would've been shocked if sixteen year old Katsuki even cared about soulmates at all, besides thinking they'd be another extra to step over on his way to number one.
Kaminari's phone started chirping.
"That's the one minute timer guys," Kaminari said.
Everyone sat up. They moved into a circle in the middle of the floor. Each holding their wrists out in the middle. Everyone except Katsuki.
"Do you think it'll hurt?" Kaminari said quietly.
"Why would it hurt? I think we'd know if it hurt. Everyone goes through it," Sero answered.
"Yeah, maybe they don't want us to worry. Like if it has to hurt then they don't want to spoil the excitement for us"
Katsuki stopped listening as he stared at his wrists. He was still laying on his bed. He thought he saw something appearing. It looked like a bruise coming in too quickly.
"Holy shit!" Kaminari exclaimed.
"Well what do you know." Kirishima said with a chuckle.
Katsuki refused to look at the group until his marks had fully come in. The art on his right wrist looked like an explosion. His left was a little harder to decipher. There were a lot of lines that seemed to be forming different shapes that didn't fully make sense. At first it looked like crystals, or maybe ice. There were some more lines breaking off of the crystals.
It almost looked like…
But that couldn't be right.
"Is that the same mark? Do we all have the same mark!?! Are we a soul family?" Kirishima exclaimed. Katsuki looked away from his left wrist to the group sitting on his floor.
"Soul family?" Mina asked, incredulously.
"Yeah, you know, meant to be together as a group. Found family. Soul bros," Kaminari giggled as he said it. He seemed very excited with this prospect. Katsuki remembered how his home family life wasn't the best. He could see why this was so important to him.
"I love you all and I'm excited we're a soul family!" Kirishima threw his arm over his buddy and hugged Kaminari to him.
"Did anyone match romantically?" Sero asked. Everyone withdrew their right wrist and put their left wrists into the center of the circle. Instantly they all noticed Sero and Mina's marks were matching. They looked up at each other across the small circle before blushing and looking away.
"You two are so cute together! I'm so happy for you guys," Kirishima said.
"No one else, huh?" Sero said, trying to get the attention off of him and Mina. He stood up and took Mina's hand and pulled her out of the room.
"Doesn't look like it, unless Katsuki matched with one of us," Kirishima said.
"Come on Bakubro, you gotta share it with us!" Kaminari wasn't going to give this up until he showed them. Katsuki sighed and held his wrists out for everyone to see, "Hell yeah, soul family! Oh that's a super complex mark."
The rest of the evening was spent theorizing on who their soulmates were. It was statistically likely that most of the class had already met their soulmate. Of course that wasn't always the case but it would be nice if they could find out their match was at UA with them.
Sero and Mina on the other hand sat cuddled up together after they came back into the room.
The group talked well into the night. Kaminari was convinced his mark was going to match with Shinsou and Jirio. Kirishima said his mark looked like lines of his quirk so he wasn’t sure what that meant. It wasn’t until he realized that he knew someone who’s quirk was so similar to his it may be represented the same that he realized who his soulmate probably was.
______________________
The next morning was full of excitement. Everyone who had gotten their marks the night before was eagerly comparing marks. It seemed like everyone in their year was in the 3A dorm.
Katsuki grumbled as he walked through the commotion to the kitchen. He just wanted to make breakfast and get out of here. He had no desire to walk around the room and see if his mark matched with anyone. He already had the Bakusquad's mark confirmed. He figured if someone matched with him, they could figure it out later, not in front of everyone in their year.
"I think you and Todoroki are a perfect match," Katsuki heard Uraraka exclaim from the living room. The nerd was surrounded by his group of lackeys. "And it's such a nice mark too. It almost looks like Black whip and an icicle exploding."
Katsuki looked down to his left wrist in shock. It couldn't be the same mark. He wasn't soulmates with Deku and Icyhot. He pulled his shirt sleeve down to cover his mark. He hadn't come down to compare but he also hadn’t been planning on hiding it. Until now that is.
Katsuki picked up his toast and tea and started walking back through the common room, trying not to catch anyone's attention. He glanced over to the group sitting on the couches. As he passed behind the couch Deku sat on, he glanced over and saw the nerd's wrist. It was a perfect match to the mark on his own wrist.
He quickly glanced away and power walked back up to his room. No one stopped him as he went. He must have looked angrier than usual.
How could this happen?
Deku.
Midoriya.
He couldn't tie Izuku to him. Not after everything he put the other boy through. Not after his bullying and hateful attitude. Yes they were what some might call friends now. But being forgiven enough to be friends and forgiven as a partner were completely different levels.
He didn't deserve Deku and that was that.
And that's before he even considered his brokenness. How he didn't have the desires his fellow classmates seemed to go on and on about. He thought it would be something he could talk with his soulmate with and they'd be on the same page. He knew Deku wasn't like him. He had seen the nerd have crush after crush, even being pulled into the classes stupid chats about who is sexy, and who they would want to fuck. Katsuki never wanted to be part of those conversations.
No, if Deku had Todoroki, then he'd let them be with each other. They didn't need him pulling them down. Ruining their perfect lives or whatever.
Katsuki didn't need these extras trying to get a peak at his mark. For now he pulled out some bandages and wrapped his wrist. Better safe than sorry.
______________________________
Katsuki adjusts the bandage. His wrist guard is supposed to be ready later today. He’s tired of making sure the wrapping is secure. Worrying about it slipping and someone besides the squad knowing.
He was so sure he’d get someone who would love to be his soulmate. They’d be a perfect person to help him achieve his dream and he’d do the same. They’d be strong and fierce. They wouldn’t take his shit but also wouldn’t get mad at him for his language and attitude. They’d understand him and he’d understand them. Or that’s what the fairytale promised.
He was so stupid for believing it. Outwardly he put on the image of not caring. Why would he care? He didn’t need anyone to achieve his dream. He would have a fulfilling life. He’d become the number one hero. He was too busy for soulmates. He had his squad and they were his family. They were meant to be also. That’s all he needed.
Katsuki didn’t realize he’d wandered towards the gym out of habit. Well getting in a workout couldn't hurt. Maybe someone would be in and he could train with them.
When he opened the front door he heard the sounds of two people sparring behind the door to the sparring room. Perfect. Maybe he could convince them to train with him two against one. He liked the challenge. He was about to head into the locker room to change when he recognized the voices.
“That was a good move, Midoriya.” Todoroki’s dry voice was unmistakable. Katsuki peaked into the room, opening the door very slightly so it wouldn’t be noticed.
“Oh, yeah? Thank you! I’ve been practicing using Black Whip to move my position in smaller ways to throw off my opponent.”
“You’ve become quite sufficient with it. I definitely see your control of it increasing. I hope you don’t mind me saying, you look quite attractive when you do so. You’re a wonder to watch–” Todoroki’s voice is cut off with a squeak.
Katsuki saw Midoriya lunge at Todoroki and put his hand over the other boy’s lips. He looked around frantically. Katsuki jerked back and made sure he wasn’t seen. He waited a few moments before he went back to the door, pushing it open a smidge, just so he could peek through again.
“I don’t see the issue, Midoriya. We’re alone and we’re soulmates. Am I not allowed to flirt with you?” Todoroki looked confused.
Midoriya on the other hand was bright red. He shook his head.
“My mistake then. I do not wish to make you uncomfortable. I will cease immediately.” Todoroki straightened his top as he spoke. He didn’t seem hurt, but he also rarely emoted in a way most could see. Katsuki, loath as he was to admit it, could tell he was put off by the restriction. That he wanted to be acknowledged as a partner in a way it didn’t seem like Midoriya was comfortable with.
Midoriya on the other hand looked like someone just slapped him. Katsuki wanted to chuckle to himself. Maybe they did need him.
“Todoroki- Shoto, I definitely want you to fl-flirt with me. I just don’t know how to deal with it. I get very flustered.”
“That is alright with me. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I’d rather you feel comfortable around me. We can figure anything else out later.”
Katsuki could see the indecision resolve on Midoriya’s face, even from across the gym, hiding behind the door. He knew what was about to happen, probably before Midoryia himself knew. Definitely before Todoroki. Almost as if in slow motion, Midoriya’s hands reached towards Todoroki’s face and pulled them together.
Katsuki watched, unable to look away, even knowing what it would feel like to witness this.
Midoriya kissed Todoroki.
It was a quick kiss. Nothing too extravagant. Nothing too lewd or lascivious. Just a sweet peck before he pulled back. “That was certainly a surprise.” Todoroki’s voice was quiet.
“A good surprise I hope. I don’t want to upset you. I just wanted you to know that I feel similarly. I’m just not good with these types of–” Midoriya’s voice was cut off.
Todoroki pulled Midoriya to himself again and they kissed longer. Still nothing they’d get in trouble for if Aizawa suddenly appeared. But it was more than Katsuki had ever expected to witness.
It hurt.
He knew in that moment that they were perfect for each other. That moment of thinking they may need him was quickly shut down. They could communicate with each other and figure out their issues without resorting to yelling and violence. His heart broke again.
He knew they didn’t need him.
Katsuki silently closed the door and left the gym.
______________________________
Katsuki sat on the couch in the living room of the dorm, fiddling with his wrist brace. He was still not used to the stupid thing. It felt like it was chafing his wrist, but if that’s what he needs to wear to not ruin the damn nerd’s future then he will. He had gone to talk to Mei to see if wearing a cuff was going to affect his gauntlets. He needed to know if he had to take it off before putting on his uniform. Of course she had already considered that and had some waiting. She didn’t even think it was weird he asked. She’d assumed he was going to wear them. Not wanting ‘damn extras’ to know who his soulmate was. Or that’s what she said at least, when he asked why she already made him cuffs specific to his hero uniform.
“Uh Kacchan? Do you have a moment?” Katsuki looked up at Midoriya who stood awkwardly next to the couch.
He looked down to make sure the wrist guard covered his mark completely before responding. He grunted, but Midoriya knew that that was as much of an agreement as he’d get.
“I know you’ve heard that Todoroki and I are matched.” Katsuki didn’t look at the green haired boy. He wasn’t sure what his face was doing and he wanted to be sure there was no way Midoriya would know his true feelings about this. “While I know Todoroki is great, and we’ve already bonded a great deal more since Soul Day, and I feel lucky to have him. Don’t get me wrong. He’s amazing. I just wanted to check in on you.”
“What does any of this have to do with me, Deku?” Katsuki could hear the sharpness of his words cut. He didn’t know why he always sounded so angry when talking to Midoriya.
“Come on, Kacchan. I know you used to hear our parents. Even after we drifted apart my mom would ask how you were doing and if I’d heard from you. Everyone thought we’d be soulmates until we stopped talking in middle school. After we both got into UA and then the same class, mom started asking about you all the time again. I liked that we were becoming friends again. I realize you’re hiding your mark and you don’t have to show me what it is. I just want to see if you’re okay. I admit some small part of me had been expecting us to match. I don’t want you to feel guilty about not matching with me though. I know whoever your match is has to be an amazing person to match with you. I just–”
“Just shut up! Damn Deku, just has to get into everyone’s business.”
“Kacchan, that’s not–”
“Maybe some people don’t want a soulmate to drag them down. Maybe they don’t deserve to have someone understand them in that way.”
“Kacchan, that’s not true. I think you deserve a soulmate.”
“You just don’t get it Deku. It’s just not in the cards for everyone. Don’t make a big fucking deal about it.”
“Kacchan? What are you saying?” Midoriya looks confused. Katsuki could see his mind going a mile a minute and come up with an answer. It’s not the correct one, but Katsuki doesn’t have the desire to let him get to the right one. “Did you not get–”
“You got what you deserve, Deku! And so did I. Just leave it!” Katsuki shouted. The look on Midoriya’s face was one of hurt and pity and Katsuki hated it. “Just go back to your perfect soulmate and leave me the fuck alone!”
“Okay, Kacchan,” Midoriya muttered. Before Katsuki had the chance to say anything else, Midoriya turned and ran.
______________________________
"Kacchan, did you compare your marks with anyone?" Kaminari asked as he came up to the explosive blond sitting outside.
Katsuki just glared at the electric boy. Kaminari, along with the rest of the squad saw Katsuki's mark before he decided to hide it. They all had to know by now that he was supposed to be bonded to Deku and Todoroki. And they also had to know that he hadn't said anything. Truth be told he had been expecting Kirishima to come talk to him, but maybe he was too busy figuring out his relationship with Tetsutetsu.
"You and eyebags matched?" Katsuki asked.
"Oh yeah, but did anyone have a doubt about that? I sure didn't. I knew Shinsou was my soulmate from the moment I met him." Kaminari said plopping next to Katsuki, "Jirou was the surprise, but mostly to Shinsou. She and I have already had a relationship. Shinsou didn't expect it to be a three-way polycule. He assumed I would be each of their soulmates but they wouldn't be soulmates with each other. So now they're getting to know each other. But that's not why I'm here, is it? I'm here because Midoriya and Todoroki don't seem to know they're part of a threeway soul pairing."
Katsuki continued to glare in front of him. He didn't know what Kaminari wanted him to say.
"Are you going to tell them?"
Katsuki didn't move. He didn't know what to say. How could he be the right person for someone he terrorized for their whole childhood.
"I think they deserve to know, Bakugou. It's not only your choice."
"They are perfect for each other."
"And you're a part of that perfection."
"How? What would I bring to this? Who dreams of their bully being their soulmate?"
"I know you won't believe me. It won't matter until you forgive yourself. But Midorya has forgiven you. You're friends and he cares about you."
"But why would he? Why would he ever think what I did was okay in any way whatsoever? I am not good enough to be forgiven."
"Bakugou-"
"All I ever do is cause people pain."
"Bakug-"
"Deku brings people joy. Even IcyHot is a good person. He wants to beat his father but he's still doing his best."
"Katsuki-"
"The league of villains knows it. The news idiots know it."
"KACCHAN."
Katsuki jerked his head up. Kaminari shook Katsuki's shoulder to get his attention. Katsuki stared at Kaminari. The other blonde was getting blurry and shaking. Oh wait, no. Katsuki was crying. Kaminari pulled him into his chest.
“Katsuki, I know it hurts. I think the fact that you’re feeling this torn up about it is part of why you deserve it.” Katsuki allowed Kaminari to embrace him until the tears started to peter off then he pushed out of the hold.
“Leave me alone, Spark Plug.” Katsuki said, voice breaking a little. Kaminari chuckles. “Thanks.”
“Anytime Bakubro. We're a Soul Family, remember. I'm here for you, bro,” Kaminari said, “Glad to be helpful.”
The duo walked back to the dorms.
______________________________
There was a knock at his door. Katsuki looked up from his notes, realizing it was close to his bed time anyway and he should stop studying. He got up and went to the door. Whoever was bothering him at this time better be quick. Everyone knew he usually went to sleep around this time. So it better be important.
“What do you want?” Katsuki’s voice almost trailed off as he saw who stood in his doorway. Todoroki had his hand raised, looking like he was about to knock again.
“Oh Bakugou, good. I’m glad I caught you. Do you mind if I come in to chat?”
“Chat?” Katsuki asked incredulously. He’s not sure Todoroki and him have ever had a chat. Not one that didn’t involve saying where the villain was or who was going to get the target first. They worked well in the field but Katsuki wasn’t sure they’d ever spoken more than ten words to each other in the dorms.
“Yeah, as your friend, I heard something that was concerning and I wanted to check on you.”
“The fuck–”
“As you may know, Midoriya and I are matched. We were talking earlier and he seemed upset. He said you didn’t have a soulma–” Katsuki didn’t let him finish that sentence before he pulled the other boy into his room, looked around to make sure no one else was in the hall and slammed the door.
“Do you need the whole damn floor to hear your loud mouth?” Katsuki hissed.
“No, but I could tell the others if you wished. I just want to be a good friend here.”
“What the heck are you going on about?”
“You definitely don’t have to answer me, but are you on the aromantic spectrum? Do you think that’s why you didn’t receive a romantic soulmate?”
Katsuki stared at Todoroki in disbelief. This had to be a prank. Who was setting him up?
“Did Kaminari put you up to this? Kirishima? Mina?”
“I don’t understand. No one put me up to anything, Bakugou.”
“Then why are you here?”
“My soulmate was very upset. He told me something I’m not sure I should repeat, but I feel like I should if it would help. But first you didn’t answer my question. Are you aromantic?”
“No, you idiot. I’m not aromantic. I’m asexual.” Katsuki wasn’t sure why he even said it. It had taken him months to bring himself to say that to the squad. He hadn’t told anyone else and he hadn’t planned on telling anyone except his soulmate. Soulmates? Damn.
“Oh that’s not an issue. I’m demisexual, so I get it.”
“I– What?” Katsuki stared at Todoroki in shock at the admission. He didn't know anyone else in the class knew what asexuality was, besides the squad who he taught personally. He certainly didn't expect anyone to also be ace. A calm came over Katsuki.
“So I feel like that won’t be an issue. We can work with that. You just let us, or him, know what you like and don’t like. What your limits are for touch.” That calm didn't last long.
“Are you high? What are you even talking about?”
“Midoriya has a crush on you. And I would be open to you dating my soulmate.” Katsuki didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know what to think. He didn’t say anything and so Todoroki continued. “Especially if you don’t have someone who would be angry with that. I know he wanted to match with you. He’s excited we’ve matched and I know he and I really fit, but I want him to be as happy as he can be. And if that means he also dates you, then I would be okay with that.”
Katsuki stayed silent. He couldn’t even look at Todoroki. He doesn’t know how he got himself into this.
“I’ll let you think about it. I know it’s not the usual outcome after Soul Day. But I’m for it if you are. I just want him to be happy.” Before Katsuki got his thoughts together the door shut and he realized Todoroki had left.
What the hell was he going to do now?
______________________________
The rest of the school week was very confusing. Katsuki tried to just focus on class and interning. It doesn't help that he was with Todoroki and Deku at almost all times. They were all still interning at Endeavor's agency. Neither brought up any previous conversations and Katsuki definitely wasn't going to.
He did catch a number of pitying looks Deku threw at him when he didn't think he would see. He glared at the nerd whenever he caught him looking.
Todoroki's looks were something completely different. His looks were like he was trying to imply something every time. When he caught Katsuki's eye he would gesture at Deku which just made Katsuki pissed. He doesn't know why Todoroki is pushing the other boy on him. Why can't he just accept he has the perfect soulmate and leave Katsuki out of it.
It came to a head when Midoriya leaned over putting cuffs on a small-time villain that they caught during patrol, and Todoroki looked back at Katsuki.
"Didn't Deku take him down well, Bakugou."
Katsuki looked at Todoroki like he was insane. When had he ever complimented Deku in the field. He just grunted, looking around at the street. He noticed a sidekick and police heading towards him so he blasted off. He couldn't continue to be around his two soulmates.
______________________________
Katsuki walked up to Midoriya's dorm room door and banged his fist on it.
"Nerd, you need to get a handle on your soulmate." He knew most of their class was in the living room so he wasn't worried about anyone overhearing.
"Kachhan?" Midoriya questioned as he opened the door.
"Who else would it be? Your soulmate has some idiotic ideas in his head and I don't need him giving me eyes at all moments-"
"Oh, Bakugou. Are you here to accept my offer?" Todoroki came up behind Midoriya and put his hand on Midoriya's waist.
"What offer? Kacchan I don't know what Todoroki has said to you." Katsuki couldn't take his eyes off that hand gripping Midoriya's waist.
"How did Tetsu take it, bro?" Kaminari's voice came down the hall. Katsuki looked up and contemplated just booking it in the opposite direction.
"He's super happy man. I'm so excited to have such a manly soulmate!" Kirishima's excitement was very evident in his voice.
If Kaminari and Kirishima saw him here, standing in front of Midoriya's door, with the pair cuddling, he'd get called out. They know what he's hiding. They would say something about their soulmarks. Probably implying his not telling Midoriya and Todoroki about their matching marks. He started to turn to leave when Midoriya yanked him into the room before closing the door.
"Sorry Kacchan," Midoriya said as he let go of Katsuki's shirt, "I think we need to talk about this."
Katsuki pushed past the pair, not wanting to be cornered by the door. He paced in the small room. He originally came to tell Midoriya to focus on Todoroki. He wasn't expecting Todoroki to be here. As he stopped pacing he noticed the state of Midoriya's bed. There wasn't anything open on his desk. His hair was a little more ruffled than usual and Todoroki's shirt wasn't perfectly in place as it usually is.
Oh lord, he interrupted them. They were making out.
He needed to get out of here.
"I told Bakugou I would be willing for him to date you, since you have a crush on him," Todoroki said.
"WHAT?!" Midoriya obviously didn't know about Todoroki's proposition. "Why would you do that? Kacchan, I'm sure you're upset. I'm sorry. You don't have to date me just because of my crush. I know you'll want to figure out your non soulmate status yourself. I don't expect anything of you. And you, Todoroki, you're enough. I don't need you to try and pimp me off to make me happy. We are good together. I don't need Bakugou."
Katsuki felt like he was just slapped. Well that answered any lingering questions he had about keeping their status as soulmates secret. Midoriya didn't need him. He looked down at the cuff on his wrist. He could visualize the mark that was hidden behind it. He saw the matching mark on Midoriya's wrist as his hands were waving as he was still rambling but he couldn't hear anything anymore.
He needed to get out of here.
Why was he always fleeing these days? He was about to be a prohero, predicted to break into the top 10 in his first 2 years after graduation. He had his Soul Family and that was enough. It had to be enough.
Katsuki turned and was on Midoriya's porch. He's in the air, blasting away from the dorms. He couldn't think of a place to go or a direction to take. He was just moving. Just going away.
Eventually he landed, crumpling to the ground. Tears hitting the ground were the only indication he was crying. He couldn't catch his breath enough to sit up and look around at where he was. He just curled tighter into himself and let it out.
_________________________
The sound of footsteps pulled Katsuki from inside his head. He's stopped crying, unsure of when. His face felt itchy and his throat felt raw. He heard a bunch of the footsteps stop a few feet away and only one set kept towards him. He didn't know who he prefered it being, but when he saw the red hair of his best friend he was filled with relief and sorrow. He'd deal with that second one later.
"Hey man, mind if we join?" Kirishima's voice was steady but low, not wanting to break the silence too much.
"Do what you want," Katsuki said, glancing towards the rest of his squad who were standing a few feet away. They knew that didn't mean no and suddenly Katsuki was surrounded by his friends, his family. No one said anything but he felt surrounded and loved. They sat there, on the ground, lord only knows where, for a few minutes.
"How did you lot even find me?" Katsuki asked.
"I mean it's not hard to follow the line of smoke, even as it was blowing in the wind," Mina said, as she nudged him in the side.
"Besides Shinsou, Jirou and I heard the blast and were at the window instantly," Kaminari said, "We thought there was a villain attack but Jirou couldn't hear anything. Her and Shinsou watched your path as I pulled these two from their room before we started running." Kaminari guestured at Mina and Sero.
"I was in Tetsu's room, Kaminari called me," Kirishima said, "Although I was already on my way. You have some distinctive blasts, man."
Katsuki grunted. They kept chatting quietly around him. It was a comfort, barely listening to the chatterboxes talk, but just knowing they were here.
His soul still hurt but being surrounded by his family was helping. He didn't have to ask for help. It hurt that Midoriya and Todoroki hadn't followed him but that just proved what he already knew. They didn't need him and more importantly didn't want him. He wouldn't try to force himself into their relationship anymore. No matter what the mark on his wrist said.
The group stayed sitting a bit longer before Katsuki started to push them off. He stood and started walking back to the dorms. As he walked Kaminari came up on his left and Kirishima on his right. Sero and Mina behind.
"So you gonna tell us what happened?" Kirishma asked, bumping shoulders as they walked. He considered not saying anything. He knew if he really didn't want to talk about something he could get them to stop asking about it. He also knew they wouldn't stop worrying though.
"Midoriya said he doesn't need me and I'm going to honor his wishes."
"That fucking bastard. He's rejecting your soulmark? What gives him the fucking right?" Mina asked at the same time Sero said, "You went to talk to them? To tell them about your mark?"
"I went to talk about Todoroki's stupid offer."
"What offer?" Kaminari asked. Katsuki explained the events that lead up to tonight's explosion. Midoriya's stupid assumption, Todoroki's offer and how he found them tonight. He told them how Todoroki kept trying to get Midoriya to date him and how he outright refused saying Katsuki wasn't needed.
"So you didn't actually tell them about your marks?" Mina asked quietly.
"What's the point? Damn nerd obviously doesn't want anything to do with me. I'm not going to force it on him." Katsuki stalked up to the entrance of the dorms, before he turned to face his friends, "And I don't want any of you to tell him. You got it. It's over. He's decided what he wants and that's that."
Katsuki turned back to the door and went inside.
__________________________
The next few weeks went by in a flurry of moments. The squad played interference and he rarely had time by himself besides when he slept, and he knew they were keeping an eye out to stop Midoriya and Todoroki from bothering him in the evenings.
Midoriya did try to talk to him during a sparring that Aizawa insisted on. Katsuki shut down every question and went harder than he had in a while. Eventually Midoriya had to stop trying to talk just to pay enough attention to get out of the way of Katsuki's attacks. He seemed to get the message after that.
When the squad noticed that the couple wasn't trying to talk to Katsuki quite as much they pulled back a little. They didn't want Katsuki to get overwhelmed with them. Katsuki on the other hand was honestly a little surprised how much he missed them when they gave him space. He found himself wandering into their dorm rooms unannounced and just hanging for a bit. Of course they were all paired up and there were moments he'd find a pair indisposed, but he could always find another one to crash with. A couple times he even found himself falling asleep in one of their rooms and waking up surrounded by Kaminari's octopus arms holding him tight, or Kirishima's warm strong back at his back.
He caught Midoriya and Todoroki being more touchy feely when they thought they were alone. The damn pair needed to stop making out in the training gym or after patrol in the changing room at Endeavor's firm. He was tired of walking into rooms and immediately leaving. Those nights usually found Katsuki crying in his room alone, before he slept in one of his friend's beds, feeling better just being held.
__________________________
Katsuki never thought his downfall would be fighting a dumbass villain during a routine patrol. It wasn't even the villain he was chasing that caused the issue. He had the damn villain cornered. Midoriya was on his way and Todoroki was hiding on the rooftop behind the villain. The issue was that he had taken a hostage. She looked to be about 10 and was terrified. They didn't want to freeze her or get her caught in any explosions so they were waiting for Midoriya to get here to use Black Whip to pull her from the villain's arms before Katsuki fucking blasted him. He needed to blast this fucker in the face.
It all went according to plan and Katsuki felt slightly better after knocking the villain out. Stupid punk robbing an electronics store on his patrol. And then took a hostage as he ran. He deserved everything he got.
Katsuki walked out of the alley, about to blast back himself back to Endeavor's building, when the little girl slammed into him gripping his arm around the gauntlets. He saw what was obviously the girl's mother running towards them.
"Thank you for saving me, Dynamight!"
"It's my dam- It's my job. Of course I saved you, and I'd do it again. Unless you become a villain of course," Katsuki said to her. He'd gotten a bit better with children, though he wouldn't admit it.
"Misa, get back here. I'm sorry Dynamight. Thank you for saving my girl," The mom said as she caught up to them. She tried to pull the girl off of Katsuki, but the girl was startled as she was pulled away. He felt something pass through him before she stopped let go. He was probably just tired. As he looked around the scene he noticed Midoriya was staring at him. His expression was a mix between confusion and happiness.
Katsuki nodded at the mother and daughter before taking a running leap to get into the air. He needed to get back to his dorm. He didn't want to think about what Midoriya was seeing in him. Their friendship was in tatters at this point and Katsuki wasn't sure if he could keep working so close with the pair. Even barely speaking to each other, they worked together extremely well. Endeavor talked about the possibility of separating them and having them have seperate patrols, but ultimately decided they worked best as a trio. Maybe he should see if he could join Kirishima with FatGum.
Katsuki got to Endeavor's agency and grabbed his things and left. Not waiting for the couple. He just wanted to be back in his room.
By the time he reached UA he knew something was wrong. He very angrily went to find Recovery Girl.
__________________________
Katsuki laid in bed. It was much later than he usually went to bed but he couldn't fall asleep. His whole body was covered in small hives. The bumps were very faint on his right arm when he went to see Recovery girl. Recovery Girl figured it was a quirk that would wear off on its own and Aizawa was trying to track down the family so they knew the parameters of the quirk. They developed into a red splotchy mess that slowly spread to both arms by the time he was heading back to his room.
All that meant to Katsuki was that he was miserable. He had on a very loose and light pair of sweats that still bothered his skin. He had immediately gone to his room from Recovery Girl's office and he hadn't gone back down to the common areas since. But now he was hungry. He had eaten some protein bars instead of dinner but it wasn't enough. He'd heard his classmates go to their rooms and figured it would be okay to run down and grab some food.
He grabbed his mark guard and glared at it as he put it on. The constant touch of it was irritating, bordering on painful, but he couldn’t be weak. He needed to power through this. He snuck down and found everything off and empty, before grabbing food and going to bed.
__________________________
When Katsuki went back to class, he was constantly distracted by the rash. The uniform was scratchy on a good day. Now it felt like sandpaper over his skin. If he stayed as still as possible he could almost be okay. But he was training to be a hero, not a living statue. Sparring was the terrible. He couldn't avoid contact on the rashes when sparring.. Not only was he trying to not get hit, it felt like Aizawa was punishing him. He had to spar with Midoriya and Todoroki multiple times. When he interacted with either of them, it almost felt like the itching and burning grew.
He lost to Todoroki during class on day four of the rash. He had a moment of distraction that was a moment too long. Todoroki froze his feet to the ground and before Katsuki could get a blast off, Todoroki had melted in and had Katsuki in a pin he couldn’t get out of. Katsuki immediately blasted out of the practice area as soon as the fight was called.
Day nine had Katsuki giving up entirely on his uniform. He wore a tank top and loose pants to class. Aizawa just looked him over before he started the lesson. Even with the fewer layers his wrist guard irritated his skin immensely. When he went back to his room he ripped off the wrist guard and felt like blowing it up. He made sure his door was locked and went to bed, leaving the guard on the floor.
It was two more weeks of suffering with this quirk that Katsuki couldn’t take it. He wished Todoroki wasn’t part of his issues, because he could really use being in a block of ice right now. The cold could numb him enough to not be suffering.
Even though that wasn’t an option, he could get ice packs.
It was late, much later than when he usually went to bed. Katsuki leapt up and got to the door of his room. He hesitated at the door as he realized he didn't have his guard on. The itching around his mark was the worst it had been since this started. He cracked his door open a little; silence and darkness greeted him. No one should be up. He could run down and grab some ice packs from the freezer and run back up.
As he reached the kitchen, Katsuki rushed to the freezer. He grabbed the ice pack and was about to shut the door, but he noticed some frozen dumplings he could fry up quickly.
As the dumplings warmed in the pan, oil popping around them, Katsuki heard a sound behind him.
“Kac-” Midoriya cut himself off, “Bakugou, you’re up late.”
Katsuki didn’t turn to face the other boy. He stared at the ice pack balanced on his wrist. The itching around the soul mark was tempered by the cold of the ice but seemed to flare a little. Maybe because he was thinking about it, that had to be it.
“Bakugou, your dumplings are going to burn,” Todoroki said, making him jump when he got close to Katsuki.
“Fuck,” Katsuki exclaimed as he went to grab the handle of the pan. The ice pack fell off his wrist, but he had to get his dumplings onto the plate.
“Oh, Bakugou, you dropped this.” Midoriya quickly reached down to grab the ice pack. “Did you hurt yourself? I mean besides the quirk. I can’t believe they still haven’t figured out what the trigger for it is. You're obviously suffering with it.”
“What do you know, Deku?” Katsuki shouted. He dropped the pan on the stove before he grabbed his plate, about to leave the room. Midoriya took a step back as Katsuki grabbed the ice pack from Midoriya’s hand. Luckily the plate covered his wrist as he held onto it. He could make it out of here without them finding out. And when he got back to his room he was going to glue that wrist guard closed on his wrist. He couldn’t make this mistake again. This was too close.
“Are you okay, Todoroki?” Midoriya’s voice was worried. Katsuki had the urge to turn and figure out what was wrong. He’d been avoiding the pair as much as he could but he wasn’t sure he could ever not care.
"It looks like Bakugou has a soul mark after all. He's our soulmate.” Todoroki’s voice was, if it was possible, more emotionless.
Midoriya snatched the plate from Katsuki’s hands and placed it onto the counter. His hand was around Katsuki's wrist immediately. His grip made the burning worse before it just stopped.
"What the fuck, Bakugou!" Katsuki wrenched his wrist from Midoriya's hand. The rash was gone. What the fuck?!
"So I guess you just didn't want to be part of our relationship," Todoroki continued pondering aloud, "Knowing we invited you into the relationship, even without knowing about the soulmark, must mean you're not interested."
"Kacchan?" Katsuki met Deku's eyes. "If that's true you could've just told me. I don't want to force you into something you don't want. And I definitely don't think Shouto wouldn't have come to you with that offer if he knew. You should’ve just told us. We would have, and still will, respect your wishes. You didn’t have to push us away. I honestly thought Todoroki telling you about my crush was what made you act so cold the past few weeks. I wanted to believe it was just because of the quirk and you weren’t feeling good."
Bakuguo was frozen with indecision. Todoroki was just staring at him as Deku kept rambling. He looked sad. It was hard to see for most, but Katsuki could see it, the hurt behind his eyes. Soulmates were important to him. Endeavor had gone against his soulmark to be able to achieve his goal of making the ideal hero, mixing quirks and Todoroki always suffered because of it. Midoriya’s dad left when he met his soulmate. Katsuki remembers having Auntie Inko and Deku over a lot after it happened. Deku never really talked about it, not that Katsuki gave him much chance to talk. He mostly was a spoiled brat who only wanted to do what he wanted and never what Deku wanted. Why would he want to be with him now? Katsuki didn’t realize he was talking until both Deku andTodoroki were staring at him in shock.
"I didn't tell you because you deserve better. Better than your bully who told you to kill yourself. Better than someone who is always yelling and explosive. Better than someone who doesn't want to have sex with you. You deserve everything and I am not that. You have Todoroki and he's what you deserve. He's strong but doesn't get mad at you out of nowhere. He's so powerful but is also a good listener."
"What about what I deserve?" Todoroki asked.
Katsuki was flabbergasted.
"You deserve each other!" He shouted.
"And we deserve you! Don't tell me what I deserve, because I want you. Wait, did you say you don't want to have sex with me?" Midoriya asked.
"He's asexual," Todoroki said.
"You didn't tell him?" Katsuki asked incredulously.
"What?" Midoriya said, at the same time, "How do you know that? You never told me that."
"Since you weren't taking me up on dating Izuku, I figured it wasn't my business to tell him," Todoroki said.
Katsuki stared at Todoroki, feeling touched that he didn't share that information with his actual soulmate.
"Kachaan, I don't want to be your soulmate to have sex with you. I don't care if you never wanted to touch me again," Midoriya said.
“Liar,” Katsuki thought to himself.
"Okay, maybe I'd love a hug," Midoriya continued.
Bakugo chuckled. He stared into the distance as Deku bumped his shoulder
"I just want to be part of your life. That's all I've ever wanted. If you don't want to get into a relationship with Shouto and me, I'll understand, but just know we're here for you. And we will continue being here for you as long as you'll let us. We can keep it platonic if that's what you'd prefer. Kacchan, you're one of my best friends and I love you. I just want you in my life."
It was everything Katsuki had always wanted to hear and wouldn’t let himself believe. He opened his mouth to speak, but found he didn’t know what to say.
“I agree with Izuku. I don’t have the tumultuous past that you two have had. But I do believe that we have improved since knowing each other. We are beneficial to each other. And as your best friend,” Todoroki joked, nudging Katsuki’s arm. Katsuki let out a dry choke of a laugh. “I know that you’re partial to friendships that are based around people who make each other stronger. I know that we, the three of us, do that. We make each other strive to be better. As Izuku said, if you do not wish for a romantic relationship between the three of us, we will follow your wishes. I just hope you stop pushing us out of your life. You are important to us. You don’t know the amount of conversations that are about you and how we could help you even while you were ignoring us.”
“Not ignoring,” Katsuki grumbled.
“Kacchan, don’t even. Yes you spoke to us when you had to, but I know when you’re ignoring me versus not. And that’s what you focus on?!” Deku said.
Katsuki looked away.
“Come on, Shouto. Let’s leave Kacchan to think,” Deku said as he started to walk away.
“What about the soba?” Todoroki asked, as he followed his soulmate.
“Forget about the soba. I’ll get you soba another time.”
“But what if I do want it,” Katsuki whispered. He wasn’t sure if he wanted them to hear him or not. He still wasn’t convinced it wouldn’t all go wrong if they got together. He could hurt either of them at any moment, but he wanted to be better; to do better, “What if that’s all I’ve ever wanted? I want to be what you deserve.”
The pair turned immediately, and rushed back to him.
“You already are,” Deku said, “That’s what you don’t get, Kacchan. You’ve been there for me for most of my life. I know you were scared back then and I know you regret what you said. And that’s enough. For me that’s enough. You’ve always been enough.”
Katsuki couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. He was enveloped in the arms of his soulmates, and while not everything was miraculously fixed, it felt right.
__________________________
One Month Later
Katsuki opened the door to his room.
“I regret giving you a key,” He said as he put his stuff down by his desk, ignoring the pair who had been making out on his bed and were trying to straighten out their clothing. He didn’t mind if they got a little carried away in his room as long as they didn’t go any further than what he was comfortable doing with them. Making out was definitely something he liked doing, but anything else was the limit for him.
“No you don’t,” Izuku said as he got up. He gave Katsuki a hug that the blonde melted into. Shouto came up and wrapped his arms around Katsuki’s shoulders.
“What did Aizawa want?” Shouto asked.
“Another damn agency asked me to start with them when I graduate.” Katsuki said as he peeled out of the hug. He sat on his bed and was soon surrounded by his two boyfriends.
“Oh, which one was it? How much are they offering?” Izuku asked. He tensed and Katsuki pulled him into his chest.
“It doesn’t matter, Idiot. We’re going to Endeavor’s agency,” Katsuki reassures Izuku.
“And we’re going to take it over when the old man retires,” Shouto adds.
“Exactly. No one can separate us, Deku.” He wasn’t letting go of these two unless it was truly their wish. He had his soul mates and he was going to hold onto them as long as he could.