Author's Note: Okay so I need to stop coming up with more fic ideas but I can't help it. I saw this tumblr post a long time ago and I was reading another fic and I just thought of this. I'm procrastinating working on other fics for this one, oops? So... enjoy! ;)

Warning: Graphic sexual content, underage (they're both underage), language, and this is a slash! M/M. Don't like it? Don't read it.

Disclaimer: I wish these were my characters but they're not... *sigh*


Third POV

It was odd, Dick supposed, that when you're born the world is only in black and white. That through some crazy evolution or design that the human race did not have it's ability to see the world in the colors it thrived in. The world was dull and lifeless, but you got used to it. Until you met your soulmate. Through some mystical force that's how it happened, one minute you're going about your day as usual and the next colors you couldn't dream of exploded across your vision.

Richard John Grayson missed those colors.

Blues and reds had been his favorites, and in his younger days he had a hard time choosing a favorite, but he eventually did. It didn't matter what age you were or what gender, if your soulmate touched you, that was it. Colors were your's. Some didn't want to be with their soulmate, and some never found theirs. Dick had been one of the lucky ones. He had found and kept his, until he couldn't.

Sitting alone on the rooftop in the chilly, night sky of Blüdhaven, Nightwing sighed as he looked at the streets below. Tears stung at the corners of his eyes and he rolled his eyes at himself, pinching the bridge of his nose as he took off his mask to wipe at the wetness underneath. Every year got worse it seemed, the longer he went on without his soulmate. His mate that had been unfairly taken away from him.

All his life, ever since his parents in the circus has taught him about soulmates, he had been obsessed with them. He had no interest in anyone who didn't bring the color to his sight. When he would walk down the street he'd brush against everyone he could, in every city he could, hoping to get what he craved. In everything he did he made it a point to touch everyone, his parents watching on in silent adoration, but he never found what he was looking for.

Then his parents died, and he no longer cared about finding his mate.

Bruce Wayne had adopted him, and instead of focusing on colors, he focused on fighting crime. Thinking about it now, Dick still felt sorrowful about those times before that one day came. That specific day that he remembered everything about. Despite himself a small smile formed on his lips as he went over it in his mind. It felt like yesterday, and definitely not nearly five years ago. It wasn't even a good day, but it was the day he had met him.

At that time he had been only sixteen, and yet leading his own team, the Teen Titans. He was still Robin, until that one day when he went back to the manor and he suddenly wasn't. Bruce informed him that he wasn't Robin anymore, and that he had a replacement. You could call him shocked when his adoptive father introduced to him a boy who was two years younger than himself at the age of fourteen. Dick hadn't even introduced himself before he got angry at his mentor for just deciding he had to give up everything he had devoted his life to up until this point, the thing he held most sacred.

All his father had done was say "Get to know your new brother first, and then we'll talk," before walking away and leaving them alone in the cave.

Jason had stood there awkwardly before saying "I didn't know he hadn't told you."

With a sigh Dick raked a hand through his hair, offering the boy a forced smile. True he wasn't mad at him, but it still stung knowing that this was who was being replaced by. Dick didn't even stop to think how Jason must've felt. "It's alright, I'll yell at him later. Anyways, um, what was your name again?"

"Jason, Jason Todd."

"Right" the older mumbled, sticking out his hand and offering it to the other, "I'm Dick, Dick Grayson."

Somehow he managed to make the other smile as he accepted his hand. However, as soon as the younger's hand brushed against the other's, suddenly the world changed. Colors that they could have never comprehended or known the names of swirled into their sight as they both jumped apart with a gasp. Both of them stared with wide eyes at each other before looking around in awe. It took a minute for what this meant to register as the weight finally settled on their shoulders. They were soulmates...

And Jason wanted none of it.

Dick had been devastated. Of course his soulmate would be his new adoptive younger brother, of fucking course. His younger brother who hated him and had declared that this mystical shit was just bullshit and that he'd be happier alone. It wasn't fair to the older, but he never tried to talk the younger out of it. It became an unspoken rule between them that they never mentioned it, and they never told anyone.

Most of the time Dick was away with the Titans, and he really did enjoy the new colors he could see, but it only made him sad. The person made for him didn't want him, and it made him feel like there was something wrong with him. When he was back at Wayne Manor things were really awkward. He was now Nightwing, and he had to patrol with Jason alone sometimes or train. The worst thing about them being soulmates was that occasionally they could feel practically feel the others's touch, just a ghost of pressure on the most sensitive areas of their bodies. Whether it was from jumping and punching to taking a shower they could feel it, and it was really hard to control themselves.

Even if they didn't have a relationship.

After a particularly long shower that Jason apparently took, probably just to torture Dick, he had enough. He sought out the person he knew he could always confide in; Alfred J. Pennyworth. The butler was in the kitchen, cooking dinner for everyone when Dick found him. The tidy old man was surprised by how debauched and depressed his young master looked. It took the sixteen year old a total of three seconds before he was hugging the butler, everything tumbling out of him as the older man simply listened and patted his back.

Alfred turned the stove off and guided the young man he viewed as a sort of grandson to a smaller table tucked away in the corner of the kitchen where he preferred to eat. Sitting him down, Alfred took the seat across from him and offered him a smile as he patted his hands. All the younger could do was listen as he was given advice that he took completely to heart. He couldn't make Jason love him or want him, but he could at least be his friend. It was better than nothing at all. The thought made him feel much better so with that he thanked the man and ran off to find Jason.

After a minute of pacing and trying to think of what to say he had knocked on Jason's bedroom door, fingers twisting anxiously as he heard footsteps. Then the door opened and Jason stood there with a raised eyebrow, obviously confused as to what Dick was doing. Well, that made two of them.

Somehow the acrobat managed to find his voice as he stammered "Oh, um, I uh, can I come in?"

Jason seemed to contemplate it for a moment before sighing and stepping aside, allowing his older brother to enter his room. Offering him a small smile, Dick walked into the room and stood there awkwardly as he heard the door click shut. He took a moment to look around the untidy room, having never been in it before, and it was so incredibly Jason that he couldn't help but smile. Finally looking over at the other, he continued to smile as he saw how uncomfortable the other was as a blush rose to his cheeks.

Was that what the color was called?

"I just, I wanted to ask you something. Well, more like propose an idea to you" Dick rambled, watching as his soulmate rose an eyebrow. His soulmate. God this was so weird.

"What would that be?"

Taking in a deep breath, he managed to get out in a somewhat steady voice "I know that you don't want to be my mate, and I understand. You're fourteen and don't know me and this whole thing is weird and unexpected. But, even if we aren't going to be mates, I'd still like to be friends. What do you say? Can we just, get to know each other?"

The younger teenager thought the proposal over, watching the hope and longing flick through the other's eyes. Whatever color that was, it was quickly becoming his favorite. Oh boy. "Okay" he finally agreed, nodding his head and even offering a small smile, "I'd like that."

Looking back on it now, Dick remembered how nervous they both were. They had started off slow, spending some time together when he was around by watching a movie or playing a video game, occasionally patrolling together. Ever so slowly they grew closer, and began to actually bond. On Jason's fifteenth birthday they had been friends for nearly four months, and as a birthday present Dick had given him, in private, a big book of different colors that included their names along with different color theories.

Every day for a week they looked at the book together, pointing out colors they either did or didn't like. On a Saturday evening they had been watching a movie, looking at the book in Dick's room. They had decided to go with more blues today, and finally Jason found a name to call the other's eyes.

"This color right here is my favorite."

Dick looked down to the circle of color on the page before reading the title aloud "Sapphire. Why is sapphire blue your favorite?"

A splash of red flared up on Jason's face and Dick found the burst of color contrasted with the other boy's pale skin and light freckles to be beautiful. "Because it's the color of your eyes" Jason mumbled, embarrassed as he looked down and picked at the blanket below them.

Now it was Dick's turn to blush, but he couldn't help but grin as well. Nerves twisted his stomach into knots as he scooted closer to the other boy, both of them sitting against the headboard. The older worked up his courage and lifted Jason's face with a finger, making him look him in the eye. Slowly Dick leant forward, allowing Jason the chance to push him away, but he never did. Their lips connected, and it felt like electricity struck his nerves at the gentle embrace that the younger returned.

It only lasted for a few seconds, but it left both of them breathless and wide eyed. Dick reached up and cupped the other's face, a grin tugging at his lips as Jason returned it, albeit a bit more shyly. Again the acrobat leant forward, capturing the other's lips in his own. Inexperience shone through their actions, but neither cared. They giggled as they kissed innocently into the early hours of the morning, practicing their kissing and hands roaming over clothes as they explored.

Dick thought it was one of the best days of his life by far.

That night he had confessed to Jason how he felt about him, and the other boy had felt the same. It seemed almost too good to be true. Weeks went by and then months as they continued their relationship in secret. They'd go on patrols and spend all day together whenever Dick was around, and it was amazing. Even when they were apart they'd text and Skype each other, even trace little messages to each other on the sensitive skin of their wrists with their fingers. Both of them never knew they could be so happy.

One day the older had surprised his soulmate by coming to the manor unexpectedly, and the shocked look on Jason's face made it all worth it. The younger practically dragged him inside of his room, closing the door and kissing him passionately. Dick chuckled, hands coming to rest on the other's hips as he kissed him back, dropping the bag he held onto the floor as he pulled the other closer.

The fifteen year old pushed his soulmate back against his closed door, tongue slipping into the other's mouth. A smirk tugged at his lips as he earned a small noise from his boyfriend, and then Dick picked him up and threw him on his bed with a bounce. A bright smile grew on the older's face, that smile that Jason loved so much. It was so bright and beautiful, and the younger couldn't help but smile back.

"Jay, I brought you something" he said mischievously, going back over to grab the bag.

Jason sat up on his bed and watched with a raised eyebrow, saying "Something besides your gorgeous ass?"

Shooting his mate a disapproving look, Jason didn't miss the slight color rise to his cheeks and he laughed. The sound warming Dick's insides as he set the bag down on the bed, saying "Open it."

With a smile he grabbed the bag as the other watched him, and what he found inside made him grin. "You got me paints?" he asked before reaching out a hand to the other boy.

Dick accepted and climbed on the bed next to him, arms coming to wrap around his shoulders as he answered "I know how much you're into the color theories and stuff so I figured you'd want something like this. I only got you red, yellow, and blue. I hope that's okay."

"Dickie, it's perfect" Jason mused, excited about the paints, canvas, and empty color pallets he received along with some brushes. For the moment he set them aside and chose to kiss the other, which Dick returned as they both smiled.

They had been secretly dating for six months by then, and Dick's seventeenth birthday was coming up. It always made him feel weird if he thought about how Jason was only fifteen, but they were soulmates. Besides they didn't do much besides kiss anyway, at least for now.

For the next few days that Dick was there they slept in Jason's room, wrapped up in each other at night and not able to be apart during the day. They thought they were so secretive but Bruce was the world's best detective after all. He had known something was up with them. Of course Alfred had also hinted at it too, but Bruce decided that they would tell him when they were ready, and eventually they did.

They had been dating for a whole year and Jason had just turned sixteen when they finally decided to tell Bruce. Well Bruce and Barbara because let's face it the redhead probably already knew but she deserved to hear it anyway. It had been at their weekly family dinner, and Barbara had been invited so she came. Alfred of course already knew.

Dick and Jason had been so incredibly nervous, sweaty palms and butterflies as they ate dinner side by side. Once everyone had finished their dinner, Dick took in a deep breath and could only smile as Jason grabbed his hand for support. Clearing his throat, he stood up and said "Bruce, Barbara, I," he stopped, looking over at Jason and pulling him up to stand beside him, "we, have something to tell you."

"Dick and I are soulmates" Jason announced, not watching anyone else except his mate who was smiling at him with that smile he loved so much.

Of course Barbara was ecstatic and congratulated them both, Bruce was happy for them as well, whether he showed it or not. He gave them his blessing. The two soulmates were so happy and in love that when they all went their separate ways they collided together in Dick's bedroom. Love, lust, and elation was coursing through their veins and singing as Jason locked the door before pouncing.

The older landed on his bed with a bounce before the younger of the two was on top of him. Their lips met somewhere in the middle as Dick allowed Jason to pin him down to the bed, their tongues sliding together. The younger's hands crept up under the other's shirt and felt the muscle contract there. Soon both of their shirts were off as Jason lavished his mate's neck with attention earning him small moans.

In the very early part of their relationship Jason had been incredibly shy and Dick found it incredibly endearing. However, as they grew closer and Jason became more confident in himself he had wanted to take charge, and Dick was happy to let him. He didn't want to admit it but he guessed he was a bottom. Sue him.

Then suddenly things went from innocent to down right dirty in a second as Dick found the other's hips moving against his own. He'd be lying if he said they'd never done anything more than kiss by then, afterall it had been a year and they were hormonal and in love. It was never more than hips rutting together or hands slipping under clothes. In fact they hadn't even seen each other naked yet, but that night it all changed.

As the minutes ticked by, Dick found himself closing his eyes as he remembered that night. Maybe that was his favorite, their first time together. They hadn't intended it to happen, it just sort of did. Yet weren't those always the best? Clothing had just melted away as they kissed and touched until eventually both of them no longer had anything left to hide from each other.

In that moment everything was bare and in the open, and it was then in that moment where Jason's blue green eyes sparkled and shone like he had never seen as he leant down and whispered "Can I have you?"

Dick knew what he meant, and right then trying to be the responsible older one didn't matter as he nodded. The way his love smiled down at him just made him melt as he looked him up and down, a blush rising to his cheeks that Dick could only return as they looked at each other. Neither of them was quite sure what to do, but luckily the older had taken it upon himself to be educated on this.

After all his soulmate was another man, but neither could really care to be quite honest.

With rosy cheeks and shaking hands, the acrobat reached over into his nightstand and pulled out an unopened bottle of lube and a condom. Both things he had bought months ago just in case and stashed them away. Jason's blush darkened as he looked at the two items. Taking a deep breath, Dick leant up and kissed his mate before gently grabbing his right hand.

"Are you sure, Little Wing?" the older managed to ask, looking up into those gorgeous eyes of his mate. It was then, right there, with Jason above him and looking at him like he was the only thing that mattered where Dick picked his favorite color. It was the color of his mate's eyes.

Jason smiled softly, willing down his blush before kissing his lips gently and murmuring "I am if you are."

"I am."

"Then so am I."

Confidence rising, Dick opened up the bottle of lube and poured a generous amount of it onto Jason's fingers. The younger watched in silence, only blushing as his hand was brought down in between the older's parted thighs and dragged lower. He nodded once in understanding, watching his mate's face closely as his finger brushed against his entrance. The reaction was immediate, a soft gasp as his legs fell even further apart.

Using his free hand, Jason unsurely grabbed one of Dick's thighs and slightly pushed him off of the bed for easier access. The older ran his hands through his mate's dark tresses, a sweet smile filling Jason's heart and making it swell in his chest. As gently as he could, Jason ran his finger around the ring of muscle as a noise got trapped in the back of Dick's throat.

Jason leant down and kissed him as he slowly slid a finger inside of him. It was the strangest feeling he had ever had. It burnt and hurt and felt uncomfortable, but at the same time it felt good. "Does it hurt?" he asked, concern etched into his features at Dick's tense body and rapid breathing.

"Kind of" he mused, willing his body to relax and cupping his mate's face since he looked unsure, "but I think it's supposed to a little bit. I promise if it doesn't stop I'll tell you, Jaybird."

Pressing another kiss to his lips, Jason sighed "Alright."

After his body had relaxed, the younger slowly slid his finger out almost all the way before sliding it back in as gentle and slow as he could manage. The burn began to fade as Jason set a slow rhythm, and soon it melted and gave way to pleasure. A moan tore it's way from his throat as he put his head back against his pillow, Jason's pace faltering at the sound.

The sounds and sight of his mate like this was so incredibly intoxicating and sexy that it was making it hard to think. All Jason could do was watch, flabbergasted as his love slowly began to fall apart beneath him. When Dick started to fuss, he decided to add a second finger, and the response only made him ache between his legs more.

The pleasure his soulmate was feeling partially ran through his veins as well, and he really wanted to do something about it. Except the most important thing was he didn't want to hurt Dick, and that was his primary focus. Jason had tried to look up what to do as well but found it a lot harder than his predecessor had, but he did know that there was no way they were having sex if it was going to hurt his partner.

With that being said, Jason experimentally scissored his fingers. When it didn't seem to hurt Dick who was making some pretty distracting sounds, he occasionally kept doing it as he picked up his pace a little. The older boy was unable to stop himself from letting out little whimpers and the occasional moan as he was stretched and prepared.

Dick dragged Jason down for more kisses before asking for a third finger, to which Jason happily obliged. As even more pleasure and arousal swimmed through his veins, he continued to kiss Jason. Then as his mate crooked his fingers and explored with his finger tips he grazed his prostrate, and his back arched off of the bed with a loud moan of Jason's name.

A moan came from Jason himself at the reaction, and he continued to press his fingers against that spot with every thrust of his fingers. It only took a few before Dick was whimpering for Jason and for more. "What do you want?" he murmured, sucking a dark purple mark into the skin of the older's neck.

"I-I, I want, you" he managed to get out between sounds of pleasure.

Gently Jason pulled his fingers out of his mate and smiled at the small whimper he made. Dick was able to use his brain enough to grab the condom and then squeeze more lube onto his hand and reach down to spread it on Jason's erection after the condom. A moan espcaed Jason as he was finally touched, but he didn't let Dick pleasure him for too long before shooing his hand away and leaning down to kiss the other boy.

"Are you sure?" he had asked, and how loving and beautiful he was in that moment just made Dick fall even harder for him.

Kissing him, the older murmured "Yes, Little Wing."

At that Jason nodded, nerves obvious in his face. Dick grabbed his hands and intertwined their fingers on either side of his head, turning slightly and pressing a kiss to one of his wrists. He smiled, feeling a little more confident as he pressed a kiss to Dick's lips as Jason slowly started to push himself inside. First all Dick could focus on was the pain and burn as his body stretched to accommodate his mate.

Jason pressed kisses all over his face and whispered encouraging words of love to him as Dick tried to make himself relax. It took a few minutes but finally the younger was fully seated inside the other, and that's how they stayed. Kissing him, the younger of the two offered words of praise as Dick adjusted. The feeling was strange but oddly satisfying as the burn started to subside.

When his muscles relaxed and the want radiating off of his partner accompanied by his own became too much, Dick pressed a kiss to Jason's ear before saying "You can move, Little Wing."

Gingerly Jason tested the waters by pulling back slightly and then pushing back in. Both of them moaned, their fingers clenching together as the younger dropped his head into the crook of the other's neck. He kissed at the skin there and left more lovebites as he pulled almost completely out before again thrusting back inside. They couldn't help but moan at the feeling; it was almost overwhelming.

The first few thrusts were kind of clumsy and awkward but they didn't care at all. Soon enough Jason got in a rhythm, it was slower but just enough for them. Love and affection oozed out of every movement either of them made as they clung to each other. The pleasure threatened to carry Dick away, but Jason's fingers clutching his own and the sweet nothings being whispered in his ear accompanied by the occasional kiss and hickey kept him grounded. It was unmistakably the most incredible thing either of them had ever experienced.

However, it seemed to end too soon once he had found his predecessor's spot once more and started hitting it on every movement of his hips with a little bit of adjusting. The pleasure crashed and collided inside of him like the sea as Dick cried out. He came with a moan of Jason's name as he painted their abdomens and stomachs, and all it took was the tightening of his muscles and the look on his face for Jason to be gone as well.

They were lost in each other.

Together they laid boneless as they tried to catch their breath and come down from their high. After a few minutes Jason tenderly pulled out of his mate and smiled at the small sound the other made before walking into the attached bathroom and disposing of the condom and grabbing a damp washcloth. He cleaned himself and Dick off before tossing it back into the bathroom and lying down next to his lover.

Dick had started to get sleepy, his energy drained from their activities as Jason wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him close. "I love you" Jason murmured before pressing a kiss to his shoulder as their legs tangled together.

Smiling, the older sighed happily as his soulmate wrapped around his back. They settled beneath the covers before he replied with "I love you too."

It was all so wonderful back then, almost like a fairy tale. Everything seemed perfect as they stayed together for almost three years. Yeah they'd fight or argue occasionally but they always made up afterwards with cuddles and rushed words of apologies between kisses. They were perfect for each other; they were soul mates. Together they were a half of a whole, and Dick felt empty without him.

Next week was the day of the year Dick hated most, the date that marked when he had lost everything. The way Jason's smile was crooked or the light freckles that dusted his cheeks in the summer. How he smelt and felt and how much he loved him. It all hurt so much. This year was especially hard because he will officially have longer lived missing Jason than being with him.

Maybe some day he could be happy again, but Dick highly doubted it.

Nightmares still plagued him at night of the moment his world had turned grey. Of course his team had known that he could see colors, that he had his soulmate, and they were happy for him. That week he had been with the Titans on a planet not even in their own solar system, when it happened. They were in the middle of eating dinner together with Koriand'r's gaurdian when Dick knew something was wrong.

His body started to ache and his head felt like it was splitting open. Everyone tried to ask him if he was okay but their concerned words all jumbled together in his brain into loud noise and the lights were too bright. Clutching at his head, he felt the ghost of a touch as Jason traced 'I love you' on his wrist in a constant loop. Tears stung at the corners of his eyes as ever so slowly the world started to lose its color.

"No, no no no no, Jason! Jason please" Dick sobbed, screaming into the room as if he would be able to hear him. Only concentrating on tracing the words 'I love you too' on his wrist as he fell apart.

Raven was trying desperately to try and take away some of his pain but it wasn't working as they all frantically tried to help in anyway they could. Their leader crumbled to the floor with a blood curdling shreik as he passed out, the last thing he remembered seeing was the dark purple floor that was now black. He was out for two whole days, and when he finally woke up all he could do was sob and frantically try to write words to Jason on his wrist but nothing worked.

The world was once again in black and white, and Jason was gone.

Of course Dick hadn't known what exactly happened until he got back home, but it didn't change anything. The love of his life, his soulmate, was gone. Was taken away from him and in his last moments he had made sure to let Dick know that he loved him, and the thought always made him feel sick. He missed the younger man with every fiber of his being...

And it got worse every day.

Now Dick was twenty three years old, almost twenty four, and still he felt empty. What most considered to be the prime of their life Dick could care less about. What was the point in enjoying anything when the person you love most can't do it with you? He didn't see it. So he woke up, went to work at the police station in Gotham's sister city, came home and ate, patrolled as Nightwing, went to sleep, and did it all over again.

Every. Single. Day.

With a sigh he once again wiped away his tears before raking a gloved hand through his dark hair. It didn't help that he had started to get a headache, and the longer he went the worse it got. Deciding he had spent long enough crying alone on a roof top, Dick got up and put his mask back on as he walked across the rooftops, not feeling up to running or jumping.

He was going to go home and just sleep. Maybe he'd go visit Jason's grave tomorrow and bring him some flowers. Of course Dick couldn't see them anymore, but he knew a florist who could see colors and she always assured him that they were the most beautiful ones she had to offer. Dick made sure to name what were his mate's favorite colors to be included. Only the best for his Little Wing.

Dick was nearly back to his apartment a building away when his headache all of a sudden became unbearable. Dropping to his knees, he clutched at his head and sobbed at the blinding pain as his eyes skewed shut. Then as suddenly as it started it was gone. Desperately, he tried to catch his breath as he bowed his head to the ground. Resting his forehead against the cool cement, Dick took deep breaths desperately and tried to calm down.

What the hell was that? Dick didn't know. Wiping away the sweat from his forehead that had collected there, he took another deep breath before sitting up and opening his eyes. What he found left him in stunned silence on his knees on a rooftop in the Blüdhaven night sky. The colors, they were back. They were back and as beautiful as ever as Dick slapped a hand to his mouth, tears rolling down his face freely at the world around him until sudden realization struck. He could see colors, and that could only mean one thing.

Jason was alive.


Okay so, I love this. I mean just wow am I proud. I don't often love my own fics but man, do I fucking love this one. Yeah it's just another soulmate AU and this has probably been done a thousand times before but I really like it, okay? I got the idea while reading a different soulmate AU about tattoos not even for this ship and I remembered this tumblr post about all the different soulmate au's a long time ago and I just thought of this. I'm really proud of it. I don't often write angst, but everyone needs a little bit. ;3 I wouldn't mind writing some more but I'm not sure what I would add, but we'll see? *shrugs* If you guys liked this as much as I did don't forget to fave and/or review, or both! Please and thank you ;)