Work Text:
The sun hasn't come out.
In one of those dark alleys, sounds of footsteps ring as the puddles stirred with friction. Haggard breath, heartbeat thundering in your chest - violently, like it's trying to break free.
You've been on the run for days - nothing but pure adrenaline and a few wrappers of processed food keeping you from falling back and losing momentum.
Your body threads over the alley, treating the throbbing pain in your right wrist as if it didn't exist. You hiss, quietly, begging God that they don't catch you.
Your breath holds itself in , fidgeting as you find an opening. A few trashbins, secular in place - like they belong there, you take the chance. Eyes roaming above and on the side, you duck down one of the large trash-bins.
Your elbow hits the edge in a loud crunch , pain hitting even louder. But it's quieter than running, than letting your drumming heartbeat and loud footsteps from getting you caught.
You hold it in,bringing your body closer like a rolling ball to reduce space.
Seconds pass.
Three figures stop at the corner.
Your soulmark throbs under your skin. Pricking you violently.
Drip
Blue eyes flicker to the trail of red at the edge of his shoes.
Drip Drip
You hold in your breath. Please.
Drip Drip Drip
Your fingers tighten into a fist. The pain increases with each passing step near you. It's as if the universe is forcing you to meet them. Telling you that you were wrong with what you did.
But you've made the choice and you tend to stand by it. “Not now-” You mutter, Please don't let them find me.
“ Fetitã.” the honey digging voice states suddenly, dragging you out of your thoughts.
You don't even get to shriek when the trash-bin is lifted and arms grasp you over your forearm. The mark glowing menacingly.
– – – –
“ Are you sure about this?”
Your friend asks while you sit on the semi-comfortable chair. “ This isn't a joke, Y/n. It's your soulmate's name.” She gives you a skeptical look, her brows arching into a frown.
You nod, pupils turning to the mark the universe had bestowed upon you. Nine sinister names staring back at you . It doesn't take a genius to figure out who your soulmates are.
They're plenty famous in your town. Even if it is in the middle of nowhere in England.
The glimmer of sadness doesn't escape her eyes as you unknowingly touch some of them with your fingers. “ They don't need me, Jess.”
“ Y/n.”
“ You've seen the articles. The tabloids, news and social media are filled with their affairs. They're infamous players. I-I don't want them as mine.” You mutter.
She hesitates, “ T-They-” , swallowing a good amount of words she was about to say before taking a seat right next to you.
She holds your hands, “ People change Y/n. Especially soulmates. Don't you want to give them the chance to get to know you?”
You shake your head, “ I'm sure I'll be fine without it.”
She stares for a good ten seconds before her shoulders drop and eyes become softer. She sighs, getting up.
“ I hope you don't regret it. ” she tears out a piece of antiseptic wipe and begins to run it over your mark. The cool sensation makes the skin over it stand.
She turns back after adjusting you highly but comfortably in the chair and begins her task.
It takes two to three hours before half the basic outline is done. Your friend takes off her glasses and gives another glance at her handy work. “This is going to take three more sessions before we can finish without infecting it.”
When you try to argue why it can't be done earlier she rubs her eyes and gives you a fixed glance, telling you that she can't take chances and that doing such work over something like a soulmark takes time.
“ Trust me on this.” She adds.
You finally agree.
She nods, opening the ointment container and gently applying it over the area. She then covers it with a bandage. “ Make sure to keep it out of water and covered with a bandage.”
“ Got it.”
Getting up, you bring your card out from your bag and swipe it over the machine. The machine rings, the receipt of your purchase coming out. You slide over your coat and make your way out.
“ I'll see you later.”
– — — –
It's the day of the final appointment when everything goes haywire.
You're late, rushing down the station stairs to make it to the train that you're frankly quite sure you're going to miss if you don't make it inside in the next three minutes.
People raise eyebrows as you squabble past them, out of breath and looking at your watch over your left wrist.
You desperately wish the train is still there as you step on the platform. Three trains arrive and two leave. Your eyes squander, looking for the familiar blue that's to take you to your destination.
You finally catch sight of it.
Running, you squeeze past inside mummering apologies as people give irritating looks.There's no place to sit in a crowded train, you're lucky that you find a spot to stand without falling.
The door closes and the train starts to move.
“ Thank God.” You think in your head. Your arm is over the handle, you take out your phone and begin to scroll past Twitter.
It takes little time for your algorithm to bring you back to your most recent searches. Your finger swipes down, your eyes move over the recent events as data. It continues till you stumble on news about them.
Your lips straighten into a thin line.
[ Dick Grayson seen kissing his two ‘friends’. Is he Bi-sexual or a slut ? ] 101k comments 50k tweets
[ Conner Kent and Young CEO Tim Drake seen looking at each other with lovey dovey eyes. When confronted, stopped by the second son. The dead son ‘Jason Todd’ says and I quote : Doesn't take a dead man to read the room boomer! ] 56k retweets
[ Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown dump another man. How many men will the twin witches have before they're done? ] 22k tweets
[ Bruce Wayne's youngest son involved in another fight? Celebrity going psycho or is this another young adult rebellion?? ] 30k comments
[ Duke Thomas spotted on one of the beaches in Maldives with his suspected girlfriend. Will he continue the Wayne legacy? ] 25k retweets
[ Barbara Gordon suspected of hacking into the neighboring country's military defense and rendering it useless. Some say it's but a conspiracy ] 70k retweets 40k comments
It's hardly a surprise for you anymore. You switch off your screen.
Your eyes unconsciously turning to your wrist, their names are almost completely invisible under the tattoo ink. You can't help but sigh in relief.
Even if your mind is screaming at you to stop, to reconsider - that abandoning your soulmates the universe created for you is wrong. This makes your decision even stronger in your mind.
You want nothing to do with them.
One of the stations arrives and the door opens just as quickly. A wave of people rush out, swiping you align with them. You fall to your knees, unable to keep hold over your legs due to the strong momentum of the crowd.
You use one of the nearby poles to help you stand and as you do a coin falls out of your pocket and rolls over at the ground.
It is one of the lucky pennies your aunt gave you as a gift when you were a child.
You walk to pick it up and as you bend down, someone else's hand grabs it before you. You look up to say thank you when a rush of something warm, happiness , adoration so bright that it makes you physically jerk back.
The stranger - no Terry McGinnis States at you shocked for a millisecond before his hands move faster than lightning to catch you.
The mark under your wrists aches, sending you throbbing pain all over your body as both of your skin's make contact. He's here! Your heart screams in joy. But your mind feels nothing of that sort.
It's dread, you think, that sweeps your veins as you stare at his astonishingly blue eyes. They're unsettling, razor sharp yet so bright - childish that you can't help but look the other way.
His grip is tight over your biceps, with such hold that you'd think a criminal was being held by the police. It's thrilling, agonizing and everything that you don't want anymore.
“ Y-You're hurting me..” You say, when the pain gets too much and he lets go without realising it. You just know it's going to bruise by morning.
“ Sorry, I – I didn't-" He swallows, running his hand through his hair. He's so clearly nervous that his hand fidges while he tries to close the distance. “ I didn't mean to harm you.” he says, giving you an apologetic look.
You nod, ignoring his hand when he tries to help you stand. You don't look at his upset puppy eyes.
Then before he can even get another word in, you dash away without thinking twice. Your mind is running thirty miles per hour, you only stop when you think you're very far from him and sure, possibly, that he won't catch you.
You breath out heavily on your knees and clearly out of breath. That's before the absence of something dawns upon you. You turn over your shoulder and can't help but cuss out.
The universe is playing with you.
“ Damn it.”
Your bag was at the platform.
– — – —
“ I'm telling you I found her, Jason. No this is not a false flag! We had a reaction, there's no doubt… yeah she ran in a hurry.” Terry says holding your bag in his hand. He'd already checked it from inside. Your wallet and citizen ID was inside it.
“ Look, I'll get Timbo to look into it. Happy for you little brat.” Jason says before switching off his comm.” Thanks..” Terry switches his comm off and can't help but stare.
You're smiling, tired and exhausted from work he presumes.
He whistles, swinging the bag over his head. You poor thing won't have to worry about anything when you're both together.
As for you running away.
You're probably shy. He smiles.
( Y/n L/n, what a cute name )
– – — –
Your friend gives you a cup of tea as you settle in the chair. Having already paid upfront for the whole three appointments, you didn't need to worry about having no money.
She takes a seat on the sofa at the opposite end, “So what are you going to do now?” She asks.
You blink, “ What I had already planned, obviously?”
She groans, smashing her face into her palms. “ Don't kid with me! This is serious. You've met one of your soulmates! What is the point anymore?”
The lights of the room narrow in anticipation.
You sigh, “ Claire. I told you. It has a point.”
“ The area is already red from one contact with your soulmate. Do you have any idea what would happen if they all find you and make skin contact? The tattoo is as good as useless now!”
You stare at her. You know she has a point but you've already decided. You're done being second place in someone's life or relationships.
You wink. “ I know, now do your job so we can put this behind us and never talk about it again.”
“You're impossible.” she verging says at last.
She gets up and begins the final session.
It's done in two hours, almost an hour less than the first session. Your eyes glimmer at the beautiful flower tattoo that completely covers from your wrist to the cubital fossa.
“ What are you going to do with your wallet and bag? Didn't he have it, won't he find you then?” she says.
You're too overjoyed with the tattoo's completion to think about anything else. “ It's fine, let him have it. I only had ten pounds in that bag anyway.”
Your friend rolls her eyes and goes to wash her hands. “ How is it, then. Do you like it?”
You grin looking at it, spreading it in the air under the light's touch. “ It's perfect , thanks.”
—- — – —
You take a seat inside one of the cafes ready to order. The weather today isn't too bad. The clouds are in the sky but today they don't make the sky feel as gloomy as usual. You almost forgot last week's events.
A shiver makes its way to the back of your spine.
Right Almost.
The waiter comes with the menu and puts it over that table. “ Tell me when you're ready to order.” He says walking away. You pick it up and start to turn the pages of the menu.
Your eyes finally land on something you like, you check the price, see another few possible lunch options and then call the waiter to order. The waiter nods after taking your order and gives you a wait time of thirty minutes.
You humm, legs crossed as you stare outside the window. You're currently sitting in one of the local cafe's , watching the bystanders be on their way. It's nice you think, your worries having lessened after the tattoo's completion.
Sure you might run into your soulmate or soulmates as in plural but at least they won't be able to help out the other if one of them unfortunately finds out you are theirs.
Twenty minutes pass easily in your dillydalling. You decide with ten minutes left on the clock, a quick trip to the washroom won't hurt.
You open the door to the washroom and stop dead in your tracks as the similar buzzing feeling takes over. Your eyes make contact with three others - one, a deep shade of black , another lighter and one in the middle shade of blue.
Blessed silence - nothing but the flow of blood in your body beats in your ears for seconds.
Everything fades out around you - the water gushing out from the sink, chatter of tens of customers sitting in the cafe, the sound of food sizzling. Nothing exists but the three pairs of eyes looking at you.
And you realise with dreading trajectory, they have to.
You run out with voices chasing behind you.
Quickly getting the bag and making a run for it. You run through the streets but unfortunately for you, this time they're faster and catch you. The one with black short hair grips you tight.
Her heartbeat quickens before resuming back to normal. You look at her with a raging gaze. It's Cassandra Cain in the flash. And not far behind her are Stephanie Brown with Barbara Gordon on the wheelchair.
All three of them have you surrounded and you know you have to face the three of them or get stuck being second place in all their lives.
You place your other palm over her hand and look at her. “...Let's talk.”
.
.
.
“ That can't be made possible.” Barbara says, fixing her glasses before asking the waiter to bring the check.
You stare at her annoyed. “ I already said I've no desire to be close to you. I have no faith in love or soulmate nonsense for whatever it is to you.”
Stephanie’s glass hits the table with the loud cluster. It startles you to look in her direction. “Sorry-” She says, clearly not meaning it. But that's not what makes you tremble, no it's her eyes.
You feel like a prey in front of an apex predator.
Her chin rests over her hand as she stares at you quietly. “ The three of us have no intention to treat you like we didn't find our soulmate.” She smiles.
Cassandra uses her fork to pick a piece of cinnamon roll and pushes it to your mouth. Reluctantly you take it.
“ As for your feelings, we'll consider them, Leng Nuí.” Cassandra adds.
" You-”
Stephanie and Barbara share a look. “ Don't you worry about anything.”
The waiter arrives bringing the check, Barbara pays. The three of them get up not letting you speak anymore. All three of them walk you to the station despite your constant rejection. And as the train comes and you enter it.
You hear your name said in a way that makes every single alarm in your head ring.
The train door closes before you get the chance to see their eyes.
– – – —-
“ It's really destined then.” Tim says out loud. His hand is over the mouse, clicking the information while he chats with Barbara over the Comm.
“ Can't say I disagree.” Barbara says at the other end. Tim presses over another hidden file and gains access to your government documents. “You sound fond of her already, Babs.”
She hums, as Cassandra pushes her wheelchair inside the elevators. “ She's a joy to be around, Tim. Scared, fidgeting and nervous. It was adorable seeing her try to refuse even if it did break my heart a little..”
Tim puts the notes at the back of his mind. Anxious. Easily overwhelmed.
That could be useful for later.
“ Whatever you say, Babs.”
“ No really!” Stephanie interrupts loudly. “ You have to meet her, Tim. I'm telling you she's gonna be your soulmate too! She is already the three of us and I have a feeling she's Terry's too!”
“ It's not a feeling. It's certain she's our youngest's soulmate as well.” Cassandra says.
Tim hums, questioning the possibilities. “ Did you check her body for any visible signs of our soul names?” He asks theoretically.
“ She is clear all over her body except around her right forearm.”
“ Forearm?”
“ She's got a big tattoo there-! Like it's really big.”
Tim narrows his eyes. “ There might be a chance our names are there. Maybe that's why we couldn't find her for so long.” You're quite smart for that even if you're stupid in the long run.
“ Precisely.” Barbara says, as she and the girls get out of the elevator and move toward their office. “ But the question is, Why would she be so desperate to do something like this? Soulmates are supposed to be sacred.”
“ She shows signs of discomfort over the soul names and desire to affiliate with us.”
“ Interesting.” Tim eyes land over your past relationships. He turns the screen off.
“..If it's you saying that, it's something worth looking into.” he says, “ Anyways, I'll see you guys tonight at dinner then?”
“ Sure.”
“ Yep!”
“ Hmm.”
— – — —
“ Oi Dickhead-” Jason yells as he walks into his oldest brother's room. He's greeted with the rotting smell of body fluid, sodas and sweet making his face tighten into a scowl.
The room is a mess with clothes thrown over the ground and over the sofas. Dim lights make it seem like a scene one would see in those adult films.
Over the bed, Dick lays asleep naked. Kori on one side while Wally on the other.
Jason wants to bleach his eyes. He really does.
He instead, throws a whole blanket over them and shouts even louder. “ Get the hell up, Circus boy!” He says, waking all three of them up. Kori and Wally greet him with a polite smile and joyful wave before getting up and leaving with their clothes.
His brother is the only fool still in bed at eight in the night.
Dick stirs lightly, arms running over at the side looking for bodily warmth but missing it by a margin. He lets out a yawn as he rubs his eyes. “What is it—it— Jason?... I'm tired.” He adds, his head hitting the pillow again.
Jason's vein pops.
The pillow hits Dick's face like a brick. “ Hey-!”
“ Get up before I put you to sleep forever.”
“ Fine, fine.” Dick says getting up, complaining, “ Where did my cute little brother go?” Jason ignores him.
Dick goes to the shower and comes out in his bathing robe. Jason, having already called the cleaning team, is standing over at the wall edge leaning against the frame.
Jason's eyes meet Dick. The earlier playfulness from them is gone, replaced with the brother he respects and fears all the same. “ Feeling better, now?”
“ Yeah.” Dick says with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.
He takes the suit that Jason tosses over to him and wears it. “ Have all the preparations been completed?” he asks.
“ Wouldn't put it past the demon brat if everything wasn't in tip top shape. You know how particular he gets.”
“ True.”
— — – —
“ This isn't— what you promised us, Wayne!” The man screams before his body is shot down with a bang. It hits the already red floor with a splatter of red everywhere.
“ Ugh.” The voice dropped in disgust says, shoe pressing over the head in shudder. “ Got all the disgusting blood over me.”
Shiny black skin almost as dark and pretty as the night sky with brown Hazel eyes turns back towards the other watchers.
Ten pairs of eyes with the same emotions, some amused, others bored, a few tired or uninterested look at him.
A man heighted at six feet, with tan skin and green eyes raises his hand and calls for the clean up.
Few workers rush in and carry the bodies away while the rest clean the bloody mess. In mere seconds it's as if a mass murder spree has not conspired at all.
The main door opens and the head walks in. His eyes are old, wrinkles dancing near the edge but pupils so dark one would think they belong to a lifeless man.
All of them bow their heads before raising them on his command. “ Bruce / B/ Old man / Father / B-man! / Dad.”
He takes the single large seat in the room whielthe others settle over multiple in sofas.
“ The girls informed me they're met their soulmate.” He says.
“ Yes.” They say, Duke grins with a thumbs up. “ You guys beat us to it.” his white teeth shine unfer the moonlight.
“ As we always do.” Stephanie said.
Duke chuckled, “ Whatever let's you sleep at night.”
Bruce let the siblings chat out before turning to his youngest. “ Terry, Jason told me you encountered your soulmate as well.”
“ I did.” He grins. Taking out the ID card that he found of you, he places infornt of his father. All of his siblings look at the card with multiple thoughts.
“ Y/n L/n is her name.” he adds.
Cassandra steps forward and picks it up. Bruce let's her. " This confirms our suspicions." She says looking at her two sisters and comrades.
She stirs, “ A coincidence. She's ours too.” she lays it into her father's hand who looks over your face. You're smiling, clearly innocent or at least untouched from their world of deception and bloodshed.
“ She ran away from me.” He says, furrowing his brow.
Stephanie smiles, “ she's not really original on that one.”
Barbara looks over at the card that's in Bruce's possession. “ She's been trying to not draw our attention for so long. It's truly unfortunate for her.”
Terry halts before smiling loud. “ Poor thing.”
Tim hands pulling out a projector. “ Not just them. All of us.”
Jason raises a brow. “ You sure, Timmy?”
“ Positive.”
Dick gets from his place. All of his siblings fall his sight. His face having changed from the usual cold during business to one they're all awfully family with.
“ Let's go hunting for soulmate and spoil the lot out of her.”
The end