FOREVER. // Tododeku

What?

THEY SAY THAT behind beauty, there is pain.
When I look at you, I know that's true.
I think of every time I made you crack.
I think of all the things that came to be because you loved me enough.

Your breath on my skin feels like a million fire ants tittering across my flesh.
I want to scrub you away until my skin burns, but I want you to dirty me further.

I feel heavy, for the millionth time in my life.

_________

The night was stiff and frigid and a million questions beat themselves into Shoto's head. He shifted his weight on to his right foot, staring blankly at the sleeping city below him. He liked to wander to his balcony like this to bring his concerns to the front of his mind. Todoroki, quite frankly, liked facing conflicts or confusions head on.

The pro hero's mind wandered back to the nameless green haired villian that seemed to breathe with grace and gentleness. Shoto found him to be intriguing and strikingly attractive– but that could've just been biology's trap. After all, science bound pleasant chemical reactions to one's soulmate; it was rare for someone to truly hate their chosen partner.

But, it didn't feel like biology. It felt like something beautiful, something spiraling out of his grasp, something that would seduce him right before sinking its teeth into his neck. Something like a black widow, or a preying mantis.

Shoto raised a single hand to his head to feel a small horn. He never feared death. He feared the concept of not living enough before that time.

But how could he truly live without a soulmate? That was how biology and society worked. He could've saved a million lives, he could've been spitting acid in his father's face, he could've had all the women or men or money in the world, and he'd still feel empty without a soulmate. Science was crude.

For the first time in years, he was reminded of his fate. Someone who everyone considered to be the unbeatable prodigy due to his quirk. Everyone ignored his horns out of politeness for his family and status, and eventually Shoto himself sort of forgot they were there.

Horns were a curse (that's what people called them anyway)– upon being born with them, you were destined for an early death as soon as you came in contact with your soulmate. This wasn't a textbook situation though; for some, the deaths of a couple happened after they'd gotten physically intimate. It was varied. It was a mystery and dilemma that scientists still couldn't fully decipher.

Over time, people born with horns became objects of pity, considered to be cursed and named accordingly to that stigma. Individuals without superpowers– the Quirkless– got a similar treatment.

Todoroki wanted to break free from the stigma that had been placed on his life. He wanted to be a hero, not only to save those in need, but to gain more confidence in himself. To truly find his purpose in the world.

The heterochromatic man sighed and stalked to his bedroom, falling heavily on the plump mattress with a groan. His muscles were aching; he needed a massage.

As he drifted off to sleep, Shoto found his mind wandering back to the villain. Luckily, the hero could deduct that as long as he didn't meet that man again and become closer to him, he'd be fine. As long as he didn't fall in love with the one person he was made for.

That was easy enough, right?

________

Wrong.

The following week, Shoto sat in solitude at the nearby coffee shop. Not wanting to attract attention to himself, the hero wore a surgical mask, a boring black hat on his head, and a pair of dark sunglasses. After all, almost every trait of his stood out naturally.

The shop was mostly empty, save for the few college students that typed furiously on laptops.

The bell at the entrance jingled, and light footsteps followed.

"Hi, hero."

Todoroki lifted his head.

To his dismay and surprise, the green haired villain stood before him. He placed a hand on the black surgical mask that covered his nose and lips, tugging it down to his chin. A small, charming smile was stretched across his pink lips as tendrils of his hair fell over his forehead, and his matching chartreuse eyes twinkled. The male slipped into the seat directly in front of Todoroki's, smoothing out the fine silk material of the mini kimono he wore afterwards.

"Having a day off?" He asked casually, his voice smooth and soft.

Shoto frowned deeply. "What the hell are you doing here? Did you follow me?"

The villain laughed wholesomely, a sound like chiming bells.  He leaned forward, resting his palms in his lap graciously. "You're being such a worrywart. Aren't you happy to see your soulmate? Hmm?"

Todoroki's nostrils flared in irritation, and he stood up abruptly. "Listen to me, you damn stalker–"

Izuku tutted. "Nuh-uh-uh. If you cause a scene, you're seriously gonna regret it, Shoto."

The dual haired male ignored him, opting to roughly grab at the upper flap of Izuku's kimono instead. The cashier looked at the interaction worriedly, contemplating whether to call someone or not. "I'll deal with you before any threat of yours comes to fruition."

Midoriya lifted a hand, gently placing it on Todoroki's wrist. Neon green liquid oozed out of his palms, instantly searing away at the skin there. Shoto hissed in absolute pain, immediately retracting his arm. Surely enough, his wrist was red and scorched, pulsating in pain as he gritted his teeth. How the hell...?

The greenette chuckled with genuine amusement, his inky, green eyes seeming to glow. "You think I'm afraid of a little blood, Shoto? You have no clue what my quirks are; what I'm capable of. I could breathe and instantly kill every last person in here for all you know. You have no fucking clue."

Todoroki's eyes widened in shock and horror. Quirks? Does this man seriously have multiple quirks? So is he like those Nomu monsters?

He quickly looked around him. The cashier and a few customers were now paying attention to the scene with concern. Todoroki sighed in defeat, gritting his teeth harshly before sitting down again. He glared at Izuku.

"What do you want from me?"

Izuku perked up. "Finally, some cooperation," he sighed, a nervous smile tugging at his lips. He took Shoto's hand, surprising the man, and rubbed at the wound gently with his manicured fingers. Eventually, the flesh returned to it's original shade. The burn was completely healed. Shoto frowned in bewilderment. What was the deal with this guy?

Izuku noticed the expression and rested his cheek in one hand, his cheeks reddening a little. "It's taken me a while to muster up the courage to ask," he sighed, his shoulders dropping. "But I want to take you out on a date." 

Todoroki blinked. "What?"

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