Birdflash Soulmates AU

Like Lightning

| When your soulmate turns 16 a small band, starting from the wrist, around your arm, and above your heart appear in their favorite color |

Dick woke up feeling happy and excited, but not for him. oh no. Today was one Wally West 16th birthday! He hops out of bed and hurries to get changed. If he knows Wally, and he does, this will be the only day he'll actually wake up early. Finding a warm shirt to put on and a change of pants and underwear he starts heading towards the shower.

Starting to strip he catches a glimpse at himself. He didn't instantly take notice to the change, but a slight tilt of his body and he got a glimpse of something red with a yellow glow around it. He freezes and just stares, now facing the mirror completely in nothing but his underwear. 

From the inside of his wrist, around his arm, to his heart, there's a band. Not just any band, his soul band. 

He was transfixed by it. It was a shockingly dark red, a yellow glow surrounding it. It seemed to take on the physical appearance of a lightning bolt. Circling around his arm and down to his heart, it would look like the "lightning bolt" was piercing his heart. 

He lightly traced over it, a feeling of excitement and giddiness taking over. But then his mind started kicking in. Pushing out the thoughts of his soul band, but focusing on who his soulmate was. Your soul band only appears when your soulmate turns 16. So who turns 16 today-

"Wally?" the name was out of his mouth before he could even comprehend who he just said. But when it did dread took over. Would he accept it or turn him away? Wally was positive his soulmate and he quote was, "a hot chick. Because there's no way the Walman's soulmate isn't going to be as hot as him."

Knocking himself out of the thoughts, he hurries up and continues his routine. Hopping in the shower he instantly got to work, but every time he'd brush against his soul band a slight smile could be seen poking past his lips. 

~~~~~~~

He was going to tell Wally today, but seeing him flirt with M'gann left and right just left a hole in his chest. It's obvious he's straight, how could he possibly change that? Martians don't get soul bands, M'gann is done way past 16 too. So why does Wally even bother? She's into Superboy. 

Artemis, noticing Robin's annoyed face, nudged him before smirking and walking towards Wally. Robin started to panic, what was she up to? 

He watches as Artemis leans close to Wally's ear before whispering something to him. Robin felt a surge of jealousy hit him, but concealed it, watching Wally's face drop as he watched M'gann and Conner interact. 

Artemis smiled at him which he returned with a smirk before grabbing an extra piece of cake and walking towards Zatanna. He was going to tell Wally... Eventually.

~~~~~~~

It was Dick's 16th birthday and honestly, he forgot. He was so busy with Robin duties, school, and other things that it just slipped his mind. If he had remembered he probably would've either A.) talked to Wally or B.) avoid him at all costs. 

When Wally entered the mountain minutes after he arrived he was not expecting the redhead to survey the room before his eyes landed on him. Nor did he expect him to run at him full speed before scooping him up and carrying him to his room. He's hit a growth spurt and was almost taller than him so this was just embarrassing.

The moment his feet touch the ground he whirled on Wally, "what the hell!?"

The glare he received was so unwally like that he had to back-peddle his next words. 

"How long-no wait, stupid question, obviously since I turned 16. Why didn't you tell me?" Wally questioned instead. His body was tense and breath ragged.

He must have taken to long to respond cause soon Wally was ripping his mask off and staring him in the eyes. "Why didn't you tell me, Dick!?"

"What are you talking about...?" He honestly didn't know what was going on. What happened when he turned 16 that he should know about? The only thing he could think of was- "how did you figure it out?"

Wally gave him a bemused look before rolling up his sleeve. In neat cursive marks starting from Wally's inner wrist all the way up his arm, before disappearing behind the clothed covered arm in bright blue, almost like his eyes, was his soul band.

"I don't.. I don't understand. It's not my birthday," Dick mumbled to himself before looking up alarmed, "is today my birthday?"

Wally looked just as shocked as he was before bursting into laughter. "Dude, you forgot your birthday? Your 16th birthday! Gosh Dick, how many times are you going to forget your own birthday?" 

Dick had the decency to look embarrassed, before looking up with a slight smile. "So.. you know?"

Wally sighed, "yes I know.. can I?" He gestured towards Dick's arm indicating he wanted to see. Dick hesitated before slowly nodding his head, the only people who saw was Bruce, Alfred, and Barbra.

Wally's fingers ghosted over his skin as he slowly rolled up the sleeve, letting out a soft gasp as he saw the lightning marked soul band. 

Wow.." he breathed out, "and you've known since my 16th birthday... Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"I could never find the right time," Dick half confessed.

A chuckle slipped passed his lips, "how about my birthday."

Dick got a sad look which Wally was quick to notice, "Dick?"

"You were all over Meg.. and any other girl. I just-you was straight, are straight. I-"

"Let me stop you there," interrupted Wally with a smile, "I'm bi. Have been since I was 14. How you never noticed I don't know, cause it wasn't just girls I flirted with. Also, those girls meant nothing to me. Meg, yea I had a serious crush on her, but even I knew I wasn't going to get anywhere with her. Anytime would have been a perfect time to talk to me. And anytime I would have been just as ecstatic as I am now."

There was a long pause before Dick spoke up, "so.. you're not mad?"

"Oh, I'm livid that you had me wait two years to find out you were my soulmate. That's 2 years wasted, so I better make up for lost time."

Before Dick could comprehend what was happening, Wally done threw him on the bed and kissing him with a fiery passion he didn't know Wally possessed. His arms wrapped around Wally's neck while Wally had his hands on Dick's hips. His body hovering over the bird-themed hero.

After many minutes later both of them finally came up for air, panting softly.

"Wow.." breathed Wally with a chuckle. Glancing down at Dick he noticed the conflict going on behind his eyes. "Dick?"

"You're not mad it's me? Or that I'm a guy?"

Wally stared perplexed before laughing once more, "of course not! I'm happy it's you. If I'm being completely honest I have been noticing you since last year." Noticing the blush on Dick's face he winked before continuing, "and dude I done told you I'm bi. As in I like dudes too."

Looking into each other's eyes Dick finally calmed down and breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, now.. How are we going to make up 2 years' lost of being soulmates."

Wally smiled, "cuddles!" before letting all his weight on Dick as the poor bird groaned from underneath him. He might as well get used to it since he is going to be taller than Wally soon. Which Wally will continuously refuse to believe.