That Soulmate Thing Chapter 1, a young justice fanfic

That Soulmate Thing

by Watashinomori

Chapter 1

Wallman says: Can I tell you one secret, dude?

Dick watched the words on his screen. What should he answer? 'Yeah, sure, can I tell you one too? I hope you are my soulmate and I love you!'. He could see how that would work it out.

brdmn_rbn says: Sure, thing, dude. Spill it!
Wallman says: Man, I'm just telling you this because, we know each other since when? Ninjas vs. Cowboys 3?
brdmn_rbn says: 2, Ninjas vs. Cowboys 2. That's ancient.
Wallman says: Still a classic!
brdmn_rbn says: Absolutely
Wallman says: And we're making plans to buy the Nin vs. Cow 8 together, camping at store and shit.
brdmn_rbn says: That game will be epic! But, yeah, we've been planning that.
Wallman says: I know it will sound weird, but when we meet, can you not touch me?
brdmn_rbn says: DUDE! I'm no homo, I will not touch you!

At that moment Dick could almost see the word LIAR blinking in front of him.

Wallman says: I'm not saying you are. It's just...

And the three dots stayed for a while. He was typing a lot. Richard Grayson, the stupid rich kid from Gotham had just fallen in love with his virtual best friend. He didn't speak to no one else, Wallman (Wallace West he knew) was his only true friend, one that played nonsense games that everybody else hated, like Ninjas vs. Cowboys. They talked about everything and before he could notice he couldn't stop thinking about the red head on the other side. Wally was too trustful, he gave his name, his image and his address. What if Dick was a rapist (Wallace sure was cute enough to attract certain kinds of perverts) or some lunatic. "But you aren't, dude. I can tell". Well, sure thing his thoughts weren't pure. Now they were about to meet for the first time, and finally he got his foster dad to say okay for him to tell his best friend who he was. Being a billionaire was a sure to make you paranoid. And having a son kidnapped as frequently as can be also didn't help.

Wallman says: You see, when I was a kid my dad did things to me. He used me to keep himself satisfied. I don't live with him anymore, so don't worry, and Im only telling you this bc your a good freind and i think u should know why Im saying this things and... well... im already misspelling the things... words... I meant words... I was saying, I panic when people touch me. So if you could please please not even, you know, greet me shaking hands or hugging or whatever, I sure would be thankful.

Dick was rereading all of it. He couldn't believe what he just read. He felt infuriated and happy at the same time. Happy because Wallace could trust him. He felt a slight hope about all of it. You wouldn't just say something like that to a stranger, or a slightly friend. Wallace thought of him as a friend, a real one.

Wallman says: Dude?
brdmn_rbn says: You didn't have to tell me why. I wouldn't touch you if you just asked.
Wallman says: I know, but still I wanted to share that with you. You help me so much and you don't even know.
Wallman says: I'm bullied at school, but having you to talk to... make everyday worth it. And you make me feel confident about myself. I keep thinking, if such awesome dude wants to be my friend, I must be awesome too!
brdmn_rbn says: Please don't be frustrated when you meet me, I'm pretty normal.
Wallman says: Nah, you're awesome!

Richard blushed as hard as he could be and kept talking to him. They talked, as usual, through almost all the night long. Bruce came twice to sending him to bed. But Dick just couldn't turn off the console and chatting app to go sleep.
Only when was almost the weekend, and the release of the game, he went after his foster dad to have a talk. He thought he should.
"Bruce?" asked softly from the doorway, looking shyly to the man in the study.
"Come in" and gesture towards a seat.
"I think... We should... you know... talk..."
"Is this about the guy from Central, the one you met over the internet?" he landed his paper and looked directly at him. Dick started to regret this.
"Yeah... about him..."
"Are you in love with him?" and he gasped. His eyes were wide open and he couldn't breath. "Dick?" the man hurried to his side. "Hey, kid. Breath! Slowly, please! Don't do this to me. I'm already a bad parent as I am, I don't need you to have a panic attack to prove me right" it took him a little while before he could calm down. Bruce was holding him against his chest chanting some ensuring things. "I don't care about your sexuality I'll love you whatever you are, you're my son and nothing can change this. I won't be disappointed in you because of this" and then Dick realized he was muttering all his insecurities.
"Sorry, Bruce" said between pants. "I didn't mean to break in front of you. Sorry" he was squeezed in his arms.
"Don't be. Dick, you're my son, you can break and whatever you want in front of me. You don't need to be afraid to be who you are. I won't return you to wherever because I didn't like some small thing. That's not how a family works, family doesn't send away their own."
"But... you took me in... I'm not yours... I'm just..."
"My son. That's all you are" he pulled the boy to his side on the floor and hugged him more lightly, just an arm around his shoulder. "Now, let's talk about this young man you will see this weekend. Are you in love with him?" Dick gasped again.
"Yeah" he said at the end. "I am. I don't think he loves me back."
"How couldn't he? You're cute, smart and funny" Dick laughed, hard.
"You're my father! That doesn't count!" Bruce smiled, which was a small miracle.
"You called me father" squeezed a little. "Now I'm happy. But I meant it. You are a catch. If that boy doesn't love you back, he's crazy."
"He isn't crazy. But..." he told his foster father all Wallace told him. Bruce's smile faded away. He was obviously worrying about what would come out of that. "I won't overdo anything. It's just a small crush."
"Dick, I know you think I didn't realize. But I saw how you stopped seeking for your soulmate since he showed up. If you're in love with this guy, how will you cope with not knowing if it is him?"
He averted his eyes. It was a very important thing, touching. When you first touch your soulmate you would know, no one could tell how, you just would. Some said hearing bells, or seeing fireworks, others just knew. Dick was searching for his soulmate. He touched everyone he could, bumped when walking on the street, shook hands, hugged, kissed on cheeks. Every single one. And now he couldn't touch Wallace.
"I'll handle it."

Wallman says: Where are you?

Dick made a grimace after reading it. He was already having second thoughts. He could feel the butterflies flying around in his stomach. He was late. Of course he was late. He was in a freaking limousine trying to cross the city. Damn you, traffic, damn you! His lateness gave him time to want to give this whole thing up. He couldn't do it. He couldn't see the most cute guy ever and not touching him, and not try to see if he was his soulmate. And, oh, he feared the most to get too nervous and burst a confession.

brdmn_rbn says: Almost there. Stuck in a damn jam. I'll be there real soon.

Typed blushing. He needed to get himself in control. Just as he said, the limousine parked in front the store and he could see the prettiest redhead he ever met. He didn't want to leave.

Wallman says: There's a freaking limo here. You missing it.

"Alfred, can I go home?" he whined.
"No, master Richard. You will go home when my time to pick you up comes. No sooner and no later. Let's remark the 'no later'. Now go!"

Wallman says: IT'S FUCKING RICHARD FREAKING GRAYSON! DUDE, WHERE ARE YOU TO SEE THIS?
brdmn_rbn says: Right here
Wallman says: where?

"Here. Hey, Wallace" muttered shyly, stopping before the redhead. He dropped both his jaw and his cellphone.
"You the fucking Richard Freaking Grayson?" he asked still surprised, picking his cellphone back.
"Keep whelmed, dude. And call me Dick" smiled gently, blushing even more, averting his eyes. Dick wasn't that shy. Not naturally.
"Oh my gosh! I'm Wally! Ah! Hey! And wow! Ah... er..." and he also averted his eyes. They stayed in line silently. "So, Ninjas vs. Cowboys 8, ahn?"
"Yeah" Dick wanted to bump his own head on the wall. What did they naturally talk about? "Nice weather" okay, now bump your head on that wall as hard as you can, Grayson. Wallace glared at him for a while and laughed. Hard.
"Nice weather? In Gotham? This is the second time I visit the town and even I know there's no nice weather in Gotham!"
"Shut up! I don't know what to say. It's weird finally meeting someone I type to talk to!" he gave out a tiny smile, while avoid willing to hit him with his elbow.
"Want to type, then?"
"That would be dumb" did a grimace.
"I saw you do dumber things. Like choosing ninjas to play the game. And I hope you are totally waiting to have your ass handed to you when we get home!"
"Like that's possible!" and they finally started to talk.
Dick was mesmerized by Wally. His voice, his gesturing, his laugh. Damn, his laughter was so beautiful he could die only listening to it and would die happy. And Wally was so pretty. His red hair, his face, his body (to someone who was bullied at school, he wasn't expecting such nice body). But what was killing Dick were the freckled nose. It was so cute. But SO CUTE! He did not see that in the pictures Wally sent it over the chat. More than once he had to hold his hand down to not touch him.
"Here, twelve dollars" the attendant said while handing the game. Her fingers barely touched Wallace hand, and he run away. Dick threw the money on the counter, more than the two copies of the game worth it, and ran after him.
"Wally?" he panicked. "Wally, please don't be lost in Gotham having a panic attack. This is not funny!"
"Dick?" he heard a whisper behind him. "I'm so sorry! I..." he ran to him, longing to hug him, but resigned to just stop in front of him. Wally already was scared from that small touch.
"No, don't need to be sorry. Are you okay?" looked around. They were really close to the shop, a small alley beside it. It wasn't dark and empty, but this was Gotham, better go back.
"I'm... not. I'm not fine."
"Can you move? It's not safe here. Let's go back to the shop, I'll call Alfred and he'll pick us up. Okay?"
"Okay, I guess" he stood up without help and moved really slowly, like his leg weighted tons. "I have to pay this yet..." showed the game.
"I've payed already, Wally. It's fine, you give me the money later if you want" he shrugged walking by his side.
"You sure are the best friend someone could want" Dick blushed and kept silent.
They reached the store. Wally sat on the sidewalk and waited for his friend to call. When Dick sat beside him West wasn't so jumpy anymore.
"Alfred's coming. He'll be here in a minute."
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Next time I'll grab the game, it will be safer that way! What do you want for dinner? Alfred can cook anything!"
It was only later that night he realized how screwed he was. Wally was sleeping in his bed while he was sleeping on the floor. He was sitting beside the bed, arms crossed on the mattress, head laid over his arms, willing so hard Wally was his soulmate. Just inches away to find out. But he couldn't betray his trust. Sighing, he went to sleep.

It was the first time he was considering that whole soulmate thing. That boy, whoever he was, was making him reconsider his whole character. Wally hated to be touched, but sometimes he dreamed about brdmn_rbn, or Birdman Robin (how the boy said his name should be pronounced), or just Robin. He had this picture of him in his head. A boy of his age, with a beautiful voice and eyes as sharp as his remarks. He knew little things about him. He knew he was from Gotham, so Wally was expecting the whole city boy style. He knew he was a Mathlete, but he was also good at gymnastics, so slender body. He wished he was pretty and a petite. And blond, Wally had a thing for blondes. And hoped he couldn't see how gay was Wally about him.
He didn't know what to do. He wanted to touch his dream boy, but he was afraid. What if he hated him for being used, second hand, impure, stained, broken, dirty, filthy, a whore.
"UNCLE!"
Barry was by his side in a second. Holding him tightly, the only person he ever let touch him.
"It's okay, Wally. What did you think?"
"His words, I... I was thinking about my soulmate... I never do it... and I remembered father's words" his uncle was rocking him smoothly. "About how my soulmate will not want me because what he did to me" cried.
"I told you already, kid. You the most cute and charming kid ever! Your soulmate will love you. No matter what, because it's impossible not to!" kissed his forehead. "Your father lied to you" Wally's phone buzzed.

brdmn_rbn says: You there, dude? Can't find you in the game

"Is this the boy you've been talking about. The one you are hoping to be your soulmate?" teased a little. Still rocking him slowly.
"Shut up!" sniffled parting from his uncle.
"It is him! Hey, let me talk to him!" Wally started to push him out of the room. He closed the door, but not locked. He never locked it. He used to have nightmares and Uncle Barry would always check on him, and comfort him if needed. It was weird having a man entering his room only for Wally's sake and not to harm him. Perhaps was time to try this soulmate thing.

Wallman says: Can I tell you one secret, dude?

It took a while until he answered.

Not that they need to camp out the store. The game wasn't that known. It was an indie game sold only by that one shop. It was a miracle Wally knew about it. He bought his first copy during some garage sale and ordered the other ones online, which most of the small fan base were doing, buying online. But he chose to go to Gotham so he could meet Robin.

brdmn_rbn says: That game will be epic! But, yeah, we've been planning that.
Wallman says: I know it will sound weird, but when we meet, can you not touch me?
brdmn_rbn says: DUDE! I'm no homo, I will not touch you!
Wallman says: I'm not saying you are. It's just...
Wallman says: You see, when I was a kid my dad did things to me. He used me to keep himself satisfied. I don't live with him anymore, so don't worry, and Im only telling you this bc your a good freind and i think u should know why Im saying this things and... well... im already misspelling the things... words... I meant words... I was saying, I panic when people touch me. So if you could please please not even, you know, greet me shaking hands or hugging or whatever, I sure would be thankful.

And done. There it was. If Robin hated him now he would give the whole soulmate thing forever. If he asked to not meet him anymore he would delete his contact info and move on. If...

Wallman says: Dude?

Why did he need to be so impatient?

brdmn_rbn says: You didn't have to tell me why. I wouldn't touch you if you just asked.
Wallman says: I know, but still I wanted to share that with you. You help me so much and you don't even know.
Wallman says: I'm bullied at school, but having you to talk to... make everyday worth it. And you make me feel confident about myself. I keep thinking, if such awesome dude wants to be my friend, I must be awesome too!

Why did he need to be so damn obvious?

brdmn_rbn says: Please don't be frustrated when you meet me, I'm pretty normal.
Wallman says: Nah, you're awesome!

He bumped his head on his pillow, wishing it was some hard surface. He felt the week pass by so slowly he thought he would die on the waiting. He arrived at the only store would be selling the game pretty early. He couldn't care less for that game. He was about to meet Robin. He blushed. He never called Robin by Robin. The first time he did was when he was touching himself and thinking of him, he whispered the name while coming. And since that he would always whisper that name when alone.
The time they agreed to meet came and gone, and Robin didn't show up. He was frustrated. He wanted to yell at the boy and say if he didn't want to come he should have said. And...

Wallman says: Where are you?

You're so brave, Wallace. So brave...

brdmn_rbn says: Almost there. Stuck in a damn jam. I'll be there real soon.

Oh! So that was it. He forgot the traffic. He waited more calm now. And then a limousine stopped there.

Wallman says: There's a freaking limo here. You missing it.

Richard Grayson, the finest of the finest of Gotham got out. His expensive Wayne Phone in hands. He searched to see if someone was trying to reach him or Grayson. That would be a good ice breaker. 'Hey, did you see who Grayson was talking to?'

Wallman says: IT'S FUCKING RICHARD FREAKING GRAYSON! DUDE, WHERE ARE YOU TO SEE THIS?
brdmn_rbn says: Right here
Wallman says: where?

"Here. Hey, Wallace" Robin was Richard Grayson? ROBIN WAS RICHARD GRAYSON? Not even in his wildest dreams Robin was Richard Grayson. He spent a lot of time picturing his dream boy and Robin could still be better than that. Except they should do something about the age. Thirteen was a kind young.
"You the fucking Richard Freaking Grayson?" picked up his cellphone, hoping wasn't broken. He wasn't that rich. Apparently was fine.
"Keep whelmed, dude. And call me Dick" smiled gently. He was blushing and that was the most cute thing Wally ever saw, and that made him nervous. Even more than he already was.
"Oh my gosh! I'm Wally! Ah! Hey! And wow! Ah... er..." averted his eyes. They stayed in line silently. "So, Ninjas vs. Cowboys 8, ahn?" That's all you could come up, Wally? REALLY?
"Yeah. Nice weather" Wally glared at him for a while and laughed. They were so stupid.
"Nice weather? In Gotham? This is the second time I visit the town and even I know there's no nice weather in Gotham!"
"Shut up! I don't know what to say. It's weird finally meeting someone I type to talk to!" he gave out a tiny smile. Wally was itching to touch him, but still couldn't overcome his own issues. What if does his touch disgust him?
"Want to type, then?"
"That would be dumb" Grayson made a grimace, he did this a lot.
"I saw you do dumber things. Like choosing ninjas to play the game. And I hope you are totally waiting to have your ass handed to you when we get home!"
"Like that's possible!" and they finally started to talk.
Wally observed every little movement he made, smiling softly. He was happy he had the courage to take that leap. Richard was even more awesome than he ever dreamed. His eyes made the world stand still more than once. And so distracted as he was, he went to pay for the game they picked. Dick was talking about some amazing combo he managed to do last time they played together and Wally was looking at him almost in adore.
"Here, twelve dollars" the attendant said while handing the game. Her fingers barely touched Wallace hand. But that did the trick. Wally halted, he could hear his dad in his mind 'You pathetic filthy creature. I hope you meet your soulmate and be left alone. You're mine, and I'm the only one brave enough to touch you, dirty boy. Be pleased I'm fucking you! You whore!'. He clutched his hand around the game box and ran as fast as he could. He hid between dumpsters in an alley and started to rock his body, he tried to scream but his voice didn't come out. Then he heard a soft voice calling his name and he snapped out of it.
"Dick?" his voice came out in a whisper. "I'm so sorry! I..." the boy came running, but didn't touch him, he was probably the most considerate person he ever met. Everyone always tried to comfort him by hugs and squeezes and that always made it worse.
"No, don't need to be sorry. Are you okay?"
"I'm... not. I'm not fine" he couldn't lie to him. Not to those sapphire eyes.
"Can you move? It's not safe here. Let's go back to the shop, I'll call Alfred and he'll pick us up. Okay?"
"Okay, I guess" he stood up without help and moved really slowly, felt like his leg weighted tons. "I have to pay this yet..." showed the game.
"I've payed already, Wally. It's fine, you give me the money later if you want" he thanked him silently. Dick wasn't making a big deal about all of that.
"You sure are the best friend someone could want" Dick didn't answer.
They reached the store. Wally sat on the sidewalk and waited for his friend to call. When Dick sat beside him West wasn't so jumpy anymore.
"Alfred's coming. He'll be here in a minute."
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Next time I'll grab the game, it will be safer that way! What do you want for dinner? Alfred can cook anything!"
Wally blushed furiously at the 'next time'. Dick saw that petty little thing he did because a brush of fingers and still wanted to be his friend. They went to a manor almost outside the town. It was giant. But the boys promptly ran inside to play the new game. The redhead needed to beg to his uncle to spend the night, Barry was really reluctant to allow that, and asked to talk to Dick's father. That call lasted almost all afternoon and the man was locked inside his study the whole time. When he came out he carefully handed the phone to Wally.
"You can stay, I'll be sleeping in a hotel in Gotham. Anything, any little thing, you call me, okay?"
"Yes, uncle."
"Call me before you go sleep" Wally rolled his eyes.
"Yes, uncle. Bye."
"Bye, my baby" Wally blushed.
"UNCLE!" and hung up.
He woke up from a nightmare. He realized how much he wanted Dick to be his soulmate and how that terrified him. He shut his eyes firmly and laid down. Then it happened. Dick was sleeping, head over crossed arms on the bed. When laying down Wally's arms brushed against Dick's hand and nothing. No electrifying sensation, no sparkles, no colors, nothing. Wally jolted sitting, he gulped and with all his courage he tried again. A touch so light he practically didn't feel. Yet that was almost enough to race his heart so fast he thought he was dying.
He laid back again, tears streaming down his face. Richard Grayson wasn't his soulmate. And he still couldn't say if he was happy or sad. Dick was an amazing guy and Wally was obviously in love with him. But his dad had said his soulmate would hate him. He didn't want Dick to hate him.

Dick hated the USA. Why should a country be so damn big? Why couldn't Central City be closer to Gotham? Every damn weekend was the same thing. Wally wasn't rich, as some other kid, so Dick would every single weekend travel to Central. He would by helicopter, private jet, commercial flight, walking if needed. But every weekend he was there. He had made a promise to his foster father to not let his grades drop and hand every homework in time. But those weren't things he needed any effort to do. Just to be more emphatic he raised his grades from A- to A, because he always had kept the A- to try not to brag about it to the other less smart kids ("And that's why you ARE a dick" that's what Wally said to him).
He rang the bell and Wally was in a second opening the door, he could listen to Wally's aunt commenting how 'Dick wouldn't figure out that you are waiting for him behind the door peeking through the peephole'.
"Shut up, Aunt I!" yelled to inside the house. Turned to him and grinned. "Hi."
"Hi" replied also smiling broadly. They went silent for a while, only looking in each others eyes and smiling.
"Let him come in, sweet" Iris pretended to whisper in Wally's ear.
"Yeah, ah, sure. Wanna come in?"
"Baby, he came all the way from New Jersey. Do you really think he doesn't want to come in? Move around" she bumped his shoulder. Dick laugh quietly. Since Wally mentioned his laughter was weird he tried his best to do it silently.
He entered the house and marched into Wally's room. They played all day, eating junk food and the weirdest soft drinks Dick could find. The end of the day Barry Allen got home. He brought, to Dick's surprise, some old friend from the Wayne family.
"Iris, Wally, Dick, this is commissioner Gordon and his daughter, Barbara. Their flight was canceled so I offered them to spend the night" Barry said with his usual gentle smile.
"I know the young Grayson, I didn't know he knew you!"
"He's Wall's friend. Internet is making this world small!" the adults laugh. Barbara approached the boys.
"Hi, I'm Barbara, you can call me Babs" she offered a hand to Wally. Dick watched how the horror grew in the redhead's face and took her hand.
"I'm Richar..." and then his world ended. He looked in the girl's eyes. Widening his own. He pulled his own hand and ran away.
Barbara stayed there, looking at the empty spot while Wallace ran after him. No one was understanding what was happening.
"NO! NO! NO! THAT CAN'T BE!" He stopped at a small park. Sat on a swing trembling. "I won't accept it! I won't! That's a lie!"
"What is it a lie, Dick?" Wally was in front of him. He barely was seeing the boy. He was crying and panicking.
"NO! NO! NO NO NO NO! NO! GET AWAY FROM ME!" He grabbed his hair and shook his head breathing soundly. Wallace was the last person he wanted to see that moment. "GET AWAY!"
"Dick..." he gave a step forward.
"GET AWAY!" he tried to slide from the swing, but miscalculated and fell onto the ground. "GET AWAY!"
"I WON'T! At least until you tell me what is wrong" Wally seemed scared. He was trying to reach for him. For the first time ever.
"Get... away... please" Grayson curled crying loudly. He was screaming. Then he felt two hands trembling hard holding him and his head being buried in a chest.
"Please, don't send me away" that was great, now both were panicking. "Please. Please. Please. Please. Please, don't hate me because I'm used, I'm dirty, I'm filthy, I'm tainted, I'm a whore, I'm hideous-" he was hugging him and crying and whispering.
"Wally" muttered and hugged him back. He was calming down. But Wally kept saying bad things about himself, crying even more.
"I ever, EVER, only feared my soulmate would hate me about those things. About how impure I am. But now I can only think about how I can't go on if you hate me. Please don't. Please don't leave me. Please. I'll get clean. I'll figure out. Don't hate me, Robin!"
"Walls..." oh, he got it wrong his claim to him to get away. "I don't hate you. I don't think any of those things of you! I... it's just... I'm the impure here. I've been... I've been wishing you were my soulmate... I... I'm in love with you... and..." he resumed to cry. "Right there... at your living room... it's her. Not you... her...THAT'S SO UNFAIR!" he tightened his arms around the redhead. "IT HAD TO BE YOU! I'VE BEEN WAITING SO LONG FOR MY SOULMATE AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW HER! I DON'T LOVE HER! PLEASE ANSWER ME ANYTHING!"
"I- I-" he tried to breathe deep. "I love you too" his breath started to fasten and be shorter. "I love you. I love you. Love you" his shaking worsened. "Please... don't choose her... I know she's your soulmate, but... stay with me... please... please" he crushed the smaller boy in his arms and buried his face on his shoulder, rocking both of them while keeping muttering 'please'.