if the whole world was watching,
i'd still dance with you

THIS WEEK OF SCHOOL was by far Ivette's favourite. Everything was as it should be—normal. They had classes in the morning, trained in the afternoon and relaxed in the evening. With the upcoming summer camp, Class 1-A orchestrated a group outing on Sunday to the mall (to shop for the things they'd need). However, today was Saturday, and the four soulmates found themselves at the lovely home of Kirishima Eijiro.

"Nice place you've got here," Ivette complimented as she stepped inside, Todoroki and Bakugo following behind her.

"Thanks!" Kirishima beamed, holding the door open. "And thanks for coming by, too. Ma and Mom aren't here—they're both going away on this business trip, I think—so we have the whole house to ourselves!"

Ivette wiggled her brows. "Are you saying what I think you're saying, Ei-ji-ro?"

Kirishima's face lit up, coloured a beautiful crimson scarlet. He fumbled around, shaking his head comically. "No! Nothing like that!"

"You sure?" Ivette pressed, moving to lean onto him, her fingers trailing his bare arm. Kirishima was wearing a graphic shirt and a pair of shorts, and she could see his muscles flexing as he tried not to shiver. Her eyes peered up at him, eyelashes highlighting her emerald green irises. "I wouldn't mind."

"Ivette, please," he whined, hiding his face. Her lips pouted slightly, but she didn't press further. She didn't have the heart to, anyway. Kirishima looked away from her, his hands moving through the air aimlessly.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, shitty greenie." Bakugo whacked the back of her head, and she yelped, ducking forward. She grabbed her head, rubbing the area he had just hit. "We're doing homework first."

"Booooring," Ivette called as they all removed their shoes and wore the slippers that Kirishima handed them. They were in the entryway, sitting on the step to tug off their shoelaces and whatnot. "It's the weekend, Suki! Why do we have to work?" Ivette nudged Bakugo with her feet, motioning for him to do hers. She quirked a smile when Bakugo huffed but reached for them.

"Because you're going to the mall tomorrow," he said, slipping her shoes off her feet, "and that's more than enough rest time."

"Spoilsport!"

Kirishima laughed. "Come on. Let me show you around." He entangled his fingers with Todoroki's, pulling the boy along. He looked around curiously, taking everything in. The house, the interior, its decorations. Shoto noticed how it was warm—and that feeling made him feel snug and relaxed. It reminded the scarred boy of home (not his home, but the homes he had read in children's books or seen on television). There were framed pictures scattered around, hanging on the walls, sitting on the shelves. Todoroki wondered, if his parents had been the least bit decent, would he have a home like this?

The fingers around his gave a gentle squeeze, firm and reassuring. Todoroki casted his gaze to the side, his heterochromatic eyes landing upon Kirishima's face. The boy wore a smile, lips drawn over his teeth and showing off the rows of perfect pearly whites. His canines were slightly sharper than his, Todoroki realised. It looked pretty— scary, yes (because imagine the bite marks Kirishima could leave with teeth like that), but pretty nonetheless.

Todoroki took a deep breath and turned back to face forwards, his face a slight pink hue. He could feel the warmth radiating from Kirishima's hands, and he decided then and there, seeing Kirishima smile at him, that he didn't need to have a home. With his soulmates around him, he was already home.

"Do you guys want anything to eat or drink?" Kirishima inquired as they turned into the kitchen. It was nearing lunchtime, the sun high in the sky, blessing a golden glow upon the lands, but Kirishima had a feeling his soulmates hadn't eaten a proper meal yet.

"What do you have?"

Ivette trailed after him, standing beside him and peering into the refrigerator. She perked up when she spotted the familiar red and white wrapping of her favourite chocolate. "Kinder! I want! Gimme, gimme, gimme."

Kirishima reached inside, grabbed it, and then handed it to her. She beamed, her lips planting themselves onto his cheeks. He laughed as Ivette immediately tore off a piece and shoved it into her mouth. The chocolate melted amidst the heat, and she moaned.

"Fuck, this must be what heaven feels like."

"You're exaggerating," Kirishima said, dropping Todoroki's hand to reach into the cupboards and pile a bunch of crisps onto a plastic tray. "Sho, can you get some juice?"

"Sure," he mumbled, grabbing what he could from the fridge.

"No," Ivette denied, popping another piece into her mouth. "I'm being serious. I refuse to live anywhere that doesn't have Kinder."

Kirishima raised his brows as he looked at her from his peripherals. "Not even heaven?"

"Not even heaven." Her eyes flicked upwards. Ivette's face was serious, devoid of any satire. "If I have to burn in hell to eat some of this holy shit, I would. No questions asked."

"Huh," Kirishima mused, amused beyond comprehension. He liked this, in all honesty. The genuine and playful side of Ivette. It was a nice change from the facade she usually put on at school, the whole fuck the hero society and everyone who follows it like aimless
sheep heading to the slaughterhouse.

Kirishima was aware of his soulmates' suffering— the child abuse, the insufferable need to become the strongest, the destructive desire for change. They finally opened up to him, and Kirishima was beyond grateful for the trust they undoubtedly placed in him.

He remembered what it was like that night— the confessions, the tears, the trembling hands, shoulders, chests. All of it. Under the cadence of the melancholic moon, their words were clear as day, and it hurt. Kirishima wanted to cry for them; he wouldn't dare say he understood their pain (he didn't). The only thing he could do was hold their hands and smile, offer sweet comforts and clutch them tightly in his unwavering grasp.

And now? Now they were as close as can be, opening up to one another with no barriers or walls or defences. They had each other— and the four found that was more than enough.

Putting together a bunch of crisps, biscuits and juices on a tray, the soulmates headed up the stairs, feet thudding against the carpeted ground, arms full. The door they stopped in front of had stickers all over; some were of Kirishima's favourite animes while others were of his favourite music bands and whatnot. His soulmates found them cute.

"Ta-da, my room!" Kirishima gestured, his fingers curled around the tray's handles.

Ivette hummed appreciatively, "Ooh, Kiri. I'm loving the vibes." She looked over the area, taking it in. The walls were painted a light yellow colour, and he had a massive poster of Crimson Riot in the corner by his desk. His bed was plastered to the side, decorated in rock-themed sheets. It made Ivette giggle a bit as she walked inside. He had a coffee table, too, it appeared, laying next to his bed and in front of a television. There were a bunch of gaming consoles laying on the floor, and Ivette thought that, truly, soulmates were alike. Or at least, Katsuki and Eijiro were.

"Manly, right?"

Todoroki nodded, his eyes soft as he looked down at his soulmate. "Definitely."

Kirishima flushed. He smiled, small, and Todoroki couldn't help himself. He leaned down and kissed his lips, swift, chaste. Kirishima froze, his eyes widening, and as quickly as it started, Todoroki pulled away— before Ivette or Bakugo could see. A sly look bedizened his face, and he followed behind his other soulmates, noticing how Kirishima all but blew up, steam wafting out his ears.

Bakugo glanced behind, his brows furrowed. "What're you waiting for, shitty hair? Hurry up and come inside. We've got work to do."

"Oh, right- yeah." Kirishima shook his head, shot Todoroki a glare (although it lacked any real heat), and shuffled over. He placed the tray on the table, pushing it to the side as Todoroki and Bakugo ditched the bags they had brought on the floor. The sound of the zippers sliding open and books being pulled out filled the room. The three boys sat around the table, cross-legged, and Ivette sighed.

"Oh, would you look at that?" she said, faking a saddened tone. "I don't have my books. Guess I'll just have to sit this one out, you guys. So sorry." She moved to sit on the bed when Bakugo wrapped a hand around her ankle, finger digging into her skin.

He met her with a harsh, blank stare.

"Not so fast, you little shit," he called. "I have your books with me."

"Huh?"

To make his point, Bakugo showed them to her, dumping them on the wooden table.

Ivette stared at him. "Suki, I get that we're soulmates, but your stalkerish tendencies are scaring me. How'd you even get these? Did you sneak into my room?" Her eyes widened animatedly. "Le gasp, did you pull an Edward Cullen and come when I was sleeping?"

Bakugo looked at her like she was an idiot that had grown two heads. "Ivette- you- you literally fell asleep at my house yesterday! You're fucking wearing my clothes!" And it was true. Ivette was dressed in one of Bakugo's sweaters and his sweatpants, the size too big for her, hanging off her waist. "Of course, your books would be with me!"

"Oh. I forgot."

She smiled sheepishly.

Bakugo didn't even bother with her.

"You guys had a sleepover without us?!" Kirishima gasped, feigning his dejectedness and throwing a hand to his head. "I'm wounded. Aren't you, too, Sho? They left us."

Todoroki blinked, a bit wary.

He whispered, "Is this sarcasm?"

"It's dramatics," Kirishima whispered back.

"Ah, okay." He looked up and nodded. "Yes. My heart is breaking right now."

Ivette burst out into a fit of laughter, as did Kirishima. Todoroki looked very serious when he said that, like someone had just stepped on a cat right in front of him. Bakugo huffed fondly, hiding his smile with his fist.

"You lot, just shut up and do your work. The faster we do this, the sooner we finish."

"Aye, aye."

Books were sprawled out on the table; pens clutched into four hands. Questions were asked, explanations were shared. The sun was shining through the window, illuminating everything with a warm, golden glow. Ivette found herself at peace like this. Her soulmates surrounded her, their thoughts drifting in and out of her head. Yet, at some moments, when they were all absorbed in their own work, no words spoken, no things discussed, everything was quiet. Silent.

It gave her a chance at freedom.

( tatake )

"So this," Kirishima started, breaking the content silence. He tapped his pen on his notebook, one hand pressed against his forehead. Ivette watched as he scrunched his brows together, a pout on his lips. It was adorable to see. "How do I do this?"

Ivette peered over his shoulder. "No fucking clue. I'm stuck on that, too." She looked over at the smarter two. "Kat, Sho, any ideas?"

"Here." Todoroki reached over, pointing over the texts. "You have to (maths stuff)."

"Oh. That makes sense."

"And don't forget to (extra maths stuff)."

"Yeah."

"Thanks!" Kirishima beamed, jotting down everything he said. And just like that, the silence resumed. Time passed in a manner of what felt like prolonged hours. The only sound was their pencils scratching against the paper, and even that stopped at one point.

Ivette pushed her books away with a short huff. She leaned back on her arms, rolling her shoulders to get the tension out. "I'm beat," she said. "Any more, and my brain will fry."

"Oh, thank god," Kirishima sighed in relief, copying her actions. "I can't do anymore either." He stretched his arms high above his head and grinned at Ivette, who returned it.

Ivette eyed the bed. "Wanna cuddle?"

"Do you even have to ask?"

They scrambled off the floor, ditching their work and clambering onto the bed, wiggling under the sheets. Ivette threw her legs over Kirishima's body, drawing him into her arms.

Bakugo rolled his eyes, but even they could feel the exasperated fondness seeping into their soulmate bond. "You two are so fucking annoying, you know? It's not that hard."

"Katsuki, babe, shut up."

"Huh?!"

Ivette stuck her tongue out. "We're cuddling."

Bakugo grunted, "Fall behind for all I care."

Ivette flipped him the bird, and Bakugo's eye twitched. Todoroki bit back a smile. "It's okay, Katsuki," he assured, placing a hand on his knee. "We can continue if you want."

All three of them spotted as Bakugo flushed a little. He wasn't used to the others calling him by his first name, nor was he used to their physical affection. "Yeah, sure, whatever."

Exhaling happily, Ivette snuggled against Kirishima, burying her face into his neck. She breathed deeply, the familiar scent of her soulmate doing wonders for her mind. Ivette felt like she was surrounded by a mystical clearing: the tranquil sways of a willow tree, the soothing chatter of what sounded like fairies (which, in reality, was just Bakugo and Todoroki mumbling things under their breaths). This is the best, she thought, curling into Kirishima's body. This blissful calmness that comes only by being near her soulmates.

Her head turned to the side, catching the endearing look on Kirishima's face. The smile on her lips grew as he leaned down to kiss her nose lightly before nuzzling it. An eskimo kiss. Kirishima hummed contentedly, running a soothing hand over her back, up and down.

They laid together silently, listening to the sounds of the world around them, just enjoying each other's company. It was rare that they were able to spend time like this without school getting in the way. In this bedroom, it was just the four of them. Heroes, villains, society—all of that was gone. Bruno didn't disturb Ivette here (even though he could). He took a seat in the back of her mind, letting her do as she pleased when around her three soulmates. He knew she needed them.

And he knew that, at this moment, to Ivette, they were more important than him. That would change, of course. But right now, seeing his master, his companion, his friend, so relaxed, so content...Bruno let it happen.

"Say, Ivette," Kirishima began.

"Yeah?"

"Can you really read our minds?"

She blinked. "Yeah. Why?"

"Just asking, really." She felt him shrug his shoulders, his arms coming to encompass her body. "I was thinking about it, and it's like, I still have no clue what your quirk is. Like what it really is, you know? Besides the mind reading part and the green shields you do."

"My quirk's just energy manipulation, and since basically everything requires energy, I can manipulate everything," Ivette explained her powers so nonchalantly as if it were nothing special. As if doing what she could do was nothing special. Kirishima stared at her, dumbfounded, and Ivette laughed softly.

She looked over at the table, and her eyes flashed a bright green. The energy she controlled encompassed the books on the table, lifting them into the air with a misty green light. They floated in the room, circling Bakugo and Todoroki's unsuspecting heads.

"See?" she gestured. "Like that."

"Oi!" Bakugo snapped, raising his hand in a failed attempt to grab the flying objects. "Give me my fucking homework back."

Ivette giggled, muffling the sound against Kirishima's skin, and placed the books down. She turned to her soulmate, observing how amusement lined his face, filled all his corners with mirth and joy. It made him look brighter, happier, and something about the sight warmed Ivette's heart tremendously.

"What else can you do?" he asked.

"Well, it depends, really. I can manipulate the energy into any shape and form I want. Whether it's simple shields or like blasts is up to me." She tilted her head, weighing the explanation in her mind. "Although, it does require great focus. If I get distracted, my powers will stop. That and I can get very sleepy if use it a lot. My quirk needs energy from both nature and myself, you see."

"That's so cool!" Kirishima complimented. His eyes were wide with awe, and Ivette practically melted into his embrace.

"What about your mind quirk?" she heard Todoroki ask. Ivette turned, looking over her shoulder to see him. "How does that work?"

"Well, on paper, my quirk's just neuro-electric interference and telekinesis. At least, that's what Aizawa-sensei deduced." Bruno knew she could do so much more. "I guess, to put it simply, it's like I can see into people's minds. Hear their thoughts and stuff."

"Wait. Does that mean you could possibly hypnotise people?" Kirishima wondered.

"If I focus enough, then sure, why not." She shrugged. Kirishima yelled out compliments, and Ivette blushed. Her soulmates softened at the sight; it was the first time their eyes caught it. The colour on her skin, the light shade of scarlet, was absolutely beautiful.

"Can you show me stuff?"

Ivette laid on her back, her head on Kirishima's shoulder, and she raised her arms into the air. Those daunting green wisps twirled around her fingers, sparking the energy around them to tangible life. Using her telekinetic powers, Ivette floated random objects in the room above them, simple things, just to pass the time. She grabbed a few empty cardboard boxes Kirishima had laying around, ripping them to pieces with her quirk before resembling them into different shapes. Some of the shapes made Kirishima chuckle, but for the most part, he was content just to lay beside her and watch.

Time ticked by, each second blissful. A frown soon wormed its way on Kirishima's face.

He glanced down at his own hands. They were trembling. Kirishima's tongue was heavy, ridden with something that tasted like desperation. Like insecurity. There were tears threatening to well in his eyes, blurring his vision, but one sharp inhale and a couple of rapid blinks diminished them. No one should see him like this. Not even his soulmates. Kirishima did not want to burden them with his emotions— the inferiority that seemed to crawl up his throat like a vicious monster.

He knew that his quirk wasn't as flashy as theirs. Wasn't as manly (regardless of the fact that Ivette was a female). He wasn't strong like them (he was the only one that failed their practical exam), nor was he smart like them (today made that point even more obvious). Kirishima was practically nothing in comparison. He knew that, and he thought he had accepted that. Bakugo was at the top of their class. Todoroki was the son of a pro-hero, for goodness sake. And Ivette, oh, Ivette—she didn't want to be a hero, but there was no doubt that she was stronger than all of them combined. They were all better than him, and truly, Kirishima was proud of them. So very proud. But like- there was a small furl of a detrimental desire churning in his chest.

Just why—

Why couldn't he be like them?

"Don't think like that," Ivette suddenly spoke, disrupting the silence between them and taking all of them by surprise. Her voice was serious, her eyes, too, as she turned towards Kirishima, floating the wooden pieces into his bin. She sat up, twisted her body and straddled his lap. Her hands came to cup either side of his face, forcing him to look right at her. "None of us think you're weak."

"H-How did you—?" Kirishima looked shocked, eyes wide with astonishment.

"Mind reading quirk, remember?" She brushed the strands of hair away from his face and leaned closer to kiss the tip of his nose. "You're stronger than you think, Eijiro. So what if your quick isn't flashy? It's still powerful." She kissed between his brows. "Every quirk differentiates from each other; it's what makes every hero so special." She kissed his temple—once on each side. "And you are just as special as they are."

Her eyes, beautiful like an emperor's royal jewels, bore into him. Kirishima could hear (if not feel) the confidence and adoration coming from Ivette. The truth, and the honesty.

And then, she smiled at him. "You'll be an amazing hero, Eijiro. I know it."

Kirishima's lips wobbled. The tears he had suppressed tumbled past his eyes. He rose into a seated position and buried his face into her neck. Ivette rubbed slow circles into his back, knowing exactly why he was upset and from where his inferiority stemmed.

Flashes of an old incident were present in Kirishima's head. Ivette saw it. She recognised the familiar face and voice of Mina, watching from Kirishima's perspective as she saved some students from being bullied. Ivette heard the thoughts Kirishima had then. Dull. Boring. Pathetic. Those words were frequent in his self-deprecation.

"It was one mistake, my love," she comforted. "They're fine now, and the only one who keeps thinking about that incident is you. You need to overcome it; you need to realise that you're better now. You have to learn how to move on from it without feeling guilty."

From beside the bed, Ivette caught sight of Todoroki and Bakugo putting down their pens and walking over to them.

"Why the fuck are you doubting yourself, shitty hair?" Bakugo demanded as he sat on the edge, shuffling closer to the sniffling redhead. He stretched his hand out, ruffling his hair as a form of comfort. "Just cause you can't send off powerful blasts doesn't mean you ain't powerful yourself."

Todoroki nodded, reaching over to join Ivette's hand. He rubbed Kirishima's back. "Katsuki is right. We've seen your power first-hand; none of us doubts your skill in fighting, and neither should you. You're an amazing hero, Eijiro. An amazing person and an amazing soulmate." The smile on his face was enough to send Kirishima over the edge.

"You guys..." he mumbled, trying to look away, so his tears wouldn't be seen by the others. Ivette laughed and rolled off of him.

"How about we sleep in?" she suggested, though she didn't wait for an answer as her quirk ignited, green wisps enveloping them all. Her soft giggles rang throughout the room as they made sounds of surprise in the back of their throat, suddenly elevated into the air.

Ivette lifted the blanket off the bed and gently placed her soulmates down, tucking them in. One quick look at the light switch, and it was flicked off, sealing the room in darkness.

"You're in the middle this time," she told Kirishima, pulling him to her chest while Bakugo spooned him from behind. Todoroki was behind Bakugo, and with one glance of permission to the blond, he quickly wrapped his arms around him, holding him close.

"Ive, I can't breathe," Kirishima said as she squished him to her chest. The green-haired girl realised and released her hold on him, mumbling a sorry as he shuffled upwards.

"Bet you liked that," Bakugo smirked into his ear, and Kirishima blushed profusely. Ivette chuckled at her soulmate and curled into Kirishima's embrace, reaching over with one arm to link her fingers with Todoroki's while her other one when to play in Katsuki's hair.

The four of them ended up falling asleep peacefully, their soft breaths echoing in the otherwise silent room. They were curled around each other, arms and legs tangled together. Even though the sun was just beginning to set, the soulmates rested.

From behind the scenes, a group of villains crowded around a dimly-lit bar. Two pictures were laid out on the wooden counter. One was of a boy chained to a pole, strapped in handcuffs and a muzzle, eyes wide in anger and fury. The other was of a girl, a school-issued photo. Her hair was tied back into a high ponytail, uninterested emerald-coloured eyes staring right at them (some even thought she was staring right through them).

"Her? Are you sure?"

"Yes." A boy scratched his neck. "As much as I hate to admit it, we need her."

"Then why the boy?"

"You saw how they treated him. He's better with us."

"They won't come willingly."

"A little pain never hurt anyone."