A soulmate AU where everyone has a black mark somewhere on their skin that will only turn vibrant with color when touched by their soulmate for the first time. Hobie's mark is on his chest and people assume things. Yours is on the outer parts of your upper arms- strange, sure, but maybe not unheard of.

—

He's had it since he was thirteen.

Right in the center of his chest, where his heart beats loudest. That inky black mark all deep, dark, and constantly feeding rumors. His mates joke, the tabloids speculate (he might've stoked the fire once or twice), and Hobie? He shrugs it off with a lazy grin and a raised middle finger to fate. "Prob'ly means I'll meet 'em halfway through shaggin' in a mosh pit," he'd say, smirking like it didn't actually keep him up at night sometimes.

But that night at Camden venue, brick walls, busted speakers screaming punk righteousness- You came crashing through the back hallway like a fever dream. You tripped over someone's forgotten amp cord, arms flailing like a cartoon. His reflexes? Spider-fast, of course. Chest, meet your palms. His hands? Gripping your biceps like he's catching a falling angel.

And then it happens.

The stain on his chest blooms into a riot of colour. It's like someone detonated a rainbow. Yours flare too... both arms glowing like stained glass in a cathedral, lit by fire and fate.

You're breathless. He's blinking like someone just slapped him with the truth.

"...Well, bloody hell"

Hobie breathes, a little awestruck. Finally discovering the haunted curse of all his dreams main events was a misunderstood mark...

"Was not expecting that t'night."