Chapter Text
Paint was littered all over your arms and fingers— some at your face and a bunch on your apron. You were painting, again… it was something you always did to pass time. In front of you stood a canvas, a soft forest scene painted across it— a fairy hut tucked between trees and ferns, and a small butterfly brushing a leaf’s edge. You hummed quietly, dabbing a thumbprint of color onto the curve of a painted leaf.
It looked good, you thought, but it wasn’t quite finished. The doorbell rang as you blinked, who was looking for you? Your footsteps padded softly across the paint-splattered floor as you opened the door— only to be met with a familiar smile.
He gave a quick smile, “Hey, I knew I got the address right.” You grinned back and embraced him, “Dick! It’s so nice to see you again.” you felt him pat your back as the two of you pulled away, “So you still up for dinner with the gang?”
You let out a nervous laugh, “I didn’t know that was today. I’m a mess.”
Dick had been your friend since high school. Even though college made the group drift apart, you all still made time for each other now and then.
You stepped aside to let him in. He looked at your living room, three or more canvases were laid on the wall with the one you were working on in the middle of the room. Paint with the randomest colors were all over the floor, layered over newspapers meant to protect the floor.
He crossed his arms as he examined your paintings, “Woah, the colors are getting better.” he complimented as you itched your cheek. “I had a friend who helped me pick colors.”
You then looked at him, “Why’d you visit?” you asked.
He shrugs, “I was driving around Gotham and I recognized your apartment so I decided to pay a visit.” he explained as he sat on your couch.
A soft smile played on your lips as you grabbed a towel to wipe your hands and face. “Hey, maybe you could come with me and we’ll head to the restaurant together?” he offered. “Awesome, thanks.” you said “I’ll just change if you won’t mind.”
After talking for a bit, Dick drove you in his car. You opened the door to the passenger seat and buckled the seatbelt, “Where are we going again?” Dick hummed— drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, “Remember that steak house Roy dragged us in back in highschool?”
You let out an ‘ah’ in response. It’s been too long since you went back to that steakhouse and fifteen minutes later, the two of you arrived. You could see the group already inside the building as Dick talked to the waitress about the reservation. You tilted your head a bit, you saw a man. You’ve never seen him before, white streak in his bangs, wearing a hood.
“Hey, Dick. Who’s that?” you asked, his eyes darted towards the man as he smiled.
“That’s Jason, he's my little brother.” he answered.
You’ve heard a lot about Dick’s family, but you’ve only met Cass. But you’ve heard about Jason less, he was quite the mystery to you but you never really thought about it. You entered and the two of you were showered with greetings.
The table consisted of Kory, Wally, Roy and Barbara. Jason was sitting beside Roy, with Barbara on the left. Dick went to sit beside Wally as you sat in front of Jason. “Hey! How are you?” Kory smiles as you smile back, “Great.”
“So, this is Jason.” Roy placed an arm around him as he rolled his eyes and shook him off, “Hello, I’ve heard a bit about you.” you said as Jason hummed, “I hope not too much.” he replied flatly.
“He’s a bit of a grouch but he’s easy to get along with.” Dick shrugs.
The night went on, all of you talked about the past, the present and the future. Hanging out with your old group of friends was something you enjoyed a lot. You’ve never expected to go this far. Jason was silent, occasionally giving his own comment or just listening idly.
Wally called out to you, “Hey, can you get the ketchup?” Barbara looked at him oddly, “On your steak?” he huffs, “Why not?” you chuckled as you reached out for the bottle, “Yeah okay, I’ll get it.”
You reached for a bottle—only for Wally to laugh. “That’s the oil.” Your cheeks flushed, a bit embarrassed “Sorry.” you nervously chuckled. Barbara smiled, “It’s fine, we don’t blame you.”
You were colorblind, the doctor claimed it was a part of your soulmate power… whatever that meant. Everything you saw was black and white, it was a bit difficult. Sometimes, when someone points you something in the distance— you’d often squint and take three more seconds to find it. You’d have to ask help from people finding the colors that fit your makeup. The light was often too blinding, your eyes get overwhelmed leading to discomfort or pain. One thing you were fond of was art. Since you couldn’t see, you would often take a bunch of paint you bought from the store and to others— your canvas burstingwith colors. Painting monochrome(ly) was easier after all… maybe.
“Hey,” Dick said with a nudge toward Jason, “he’s like you.” Jason stared back with a death glare, “Can you not?”
Apparently (from what you’ve heard) Jason too was colorblind, he didn’t have it as bad as you did, for his eyes weren’t as sensitive as yours. But still, another bond in the grayscale. Hoorah!
“Maybe you two are soulmates.” Roy teased as he nudged Jason, “Then I would’ve found out when I first saw her.”
He’s right, nothing happened to you the first time.. you’re seeing the same thing. But deep down, you were hoping it was true.
Though you weren’t in a rush finding a soulmate, you felt left out. Kory had Donna, Wally had Dick, Barbara had Dinah— hell, Roy had a platonic bond with his daughter. it was pretty much only you who didn’t have one. Most soulmates found theirs at seventeen or sixteen, and you thought you’d get yours around eighteen, it all varied from platonic and romantic. But no matter how many people you see, your world is still in shades of grey.
The night moved on, all of you went to the park. A few shops and stalls were on the side with dim post lights showing the way. There were gazebos on the left, a few people already sitting down in the area as well as people who sat on picnic blankets.
Ahead, led by Wally and Dick. Followed by Kory, Barbara and Roy with Jason and you behind. Since the others were immersed in their own conversation, you decided to talk to him.
“Hi.” you started with a smile. “Hi.” he says back. “Nice to meet you.” you said to which he replied, “Yeah, you too.”
Awkward..
You hummed for a bit, looking away at him and into the distance “I uh.. I heard you were colorblind too. Is it a soulmate thing?” you asked, you heard him sigh— as if he was annoyed at his own condition “Yeah, pretty much.” he confirmed.
“Are you waiting for your soulmate?” you asked again, he shrugs. “Not really, platonic or romantic, its whatever. My life would still be the same, I don’t think it would change once I have one.” he claims, “You?”
“Yes, but I’m not in a hurry.” you said “I’ve always wanted to see the world in color though.” you added.
Jason lets out an amused huff, “Yeah? What are you going to do once you see them?”
You hummed before answering, “Put them down in a canvas most definitely.” you replied, “Put them on a canvas. Ironic, right? I’ve been painting blind my whole life. Some people say my work is chaotic. Others say it’s unique. I just… I want to know what it actually looks like.”
He looks at you as you slightly tilt your head, “Is your job painting?”
You scratched your head, “I’m kind of jobless right now, I used to be an art therapist till the place shut down. So now I auction off paintings, they sell okay. Enough to pay rent and food.”
Jason crossed his arms, “Well, freelance is freeing. You’re your own boss there.” he says, you let out a smile as you looked at him “Yeah, it is nice. What about you? What’s your job?”
“English teacher, Gotham Academy.” he replies.
You blinked, him? An English teacher? Someone as tall and muscular as him? He lets out a scoff when he sees at your stunned look, “I'm not kidding, I really am.”
You chuckled, “Yeah? Quote a book.”
“Shine out a fair sun, till I have bought a glass, that I may see my shadow as I pass.”
Wow, okay he’s impressive.
“Richard III?” he looks at you, “Huh, yeah. Do you read?”
“Mom used to read me a lot of books.” You said, “That's nice.” in which he replied. You weren’t expecting to get along with him, the conversation flowed. He listens to you, and you listen to him. It almost draws you in, like a moth to a flame. It was almost weird why you felt this way.
Eventually, the two of you caught up with the group. Roy and Dick were talking to Jason while you and Kory walked side to side. You looked at Jason.. longingly? Whatever it was, your mind was internally telling you: ‘God, I really hope it’s you.’
Jason lets out a breath, amused at something Wally yelled to Dick ahead. You watched the way he lifts his mouth a bit when he smiles and the way his eyes squint ahead as he watches them in the distance.
He huffs, “You don’t seem like someone who’d hang out with all these lunatics.” you let out a quiet laugh, “Yeah, me neither.” you sighed.
The path opens up as the concrete ends and the seaside view takes over. The waves crash softly below and the horizon is a smudge of black and navy— lit faintly by the beautiful moon.
Kory smiles, leaning against Barbara “I forgot how majestic this spot is at night.” Roy lets out an amused sound, “Probably the only few places in Gotham where water doesn’t stink.” he said.
Wally whistles, “I can definitely swim from here over to that island over there.”
Barbara chuckled, “This is Gotham. A sea monster might pop up and swallow you whole.”
The wind rolled in, it felt cool and it smelled salty. You hugged your arms, you weren’t shivering though. The coolness meeting your skin felt relaxing.
Dick points at something off the distance, a yacht crossing under a bridge. The lights on the boat flickering in the distance as Dick tells everyone that Gotham yacht services were pretty cool. Everyone leaned forward to look, so did you. So did Jason.
And then.. it happens. Your world explodes.
Jason’s arm swings beside him when he shifted his stance— his bare arm accidentally touching yours. Just a single brief touch. It didn’t even last a second, but that’s all it took.
The color rushes in and you inhale sharply.
The yacht lights blaze like stars. The ocean below you turns indigo— frothing white where waves hit the stones. Your friends drenched in color, Kory’s beautiful curls flicker with copper fire, Barbara’s coat is pine green and Roy’s beanie is a loud maroon. The sky is black, scattered with small white stars.
And Jason.. he was all red and shadows, his hoodie the deepest rust and his skin warm in the golden lamplight. You blink, nearly stumbling as you grab the railing like it’ll hold your sanity in place.
But then you looked at Jason, staring at the distance like nothing happened.
You internally panicked.
He doesn’t see it.
He doesn’t feel it.
“You good?” he asks you absently, not even turning his head to look at you. You manage to nod, “Yeah, uh. Wind in my eyes.” you said nervously as he grunted in response.
Your knuckles, they go white around the railing. You looked back at the sea, it hums with millions of shades you’ve never had words for. You’re not sure what to do.
The rest of the night passed in a haze of color and effort. You hear your friends chatter. You smile on cue. You nod at jokes. But your eyes darted everywhere, your mind is caught in a world you never thought you’d see.
You peek at him now and then.
His world was still grey.
You went home alone. Your apartment is dim and quiet, still buzzing with color that won’t fade no matter how much you try to ignore it. They will never go away.
The world was blinding.
It’s too beautiful.
You sit on the floor, surrounded by all the paints you never understood till now.
You closed your eyes and saw Jason. His face nuzzling against your bare stomach as he whispered against it, his eyes— light blue drowning into yours, your hand— holding his, afraid he was going to let go.
He must be the one.
You opened your eyes and stood up. Your hands move without thinking. You took an empty canvas and dipped your bare fingers into the colors you finally know the names of. Your old palettes felt like a stranger now.
You paint the seaside.
And then, you paint him.
A man in a red hoodie, hair streaked with white. The background glowing, golden, washed in the seaside light. His beautiful blue eyes looked away.
You saw your soulmate. While he saw someone with paint in her hair.
A tear lands on your canvas before all the paint dries.