Requested by: @-TheKnifeQueen-

Warning: Straight, Soulmate AU.

Daniel watched the bland scenery pass by as he rode the usually crowded bus pass by. He checked his watch. In 1 minute 2 seconds, they would reach his regular stop.

He liked his regular stop. It was walking distance from his house. He was sure there were closer stops, but walking was good for him. And then, there was something else about the walk, something that filled him with hope every time he did it.

Soulmates were people you have kissed, and possess the right qualities to become bonded to you for eternity. As if that wasn't enough of a bonus, you also got to see color. That was oh-so-important to everyone around him. He didn't understand the big deal.

Colors were unknown to him, so he didn't care to miss them. The grey scale was what he saw, what he'd memorized in grade school. Then, by middle school, people had started miraculously meeting their soulmates.

He believed he was too young for an serious relations, so he kept himself away from the people who went around kissing anything that could breath in hopes the world would become more colorful. He'd kept that attitude for maybe a bit too long.

He was always worried he had missed her, his soulmate. He was in college now, after all. She could've gone by him in the blink of an eye, and he would've never known true happiness.

Daniel sighed as they pulled up. He exited the bus into the downtown area. He would only have to walk a few blocks to his house, not to mention all the scenery he got to pass, and of course the people too.

None of them caught his eye, as usual, but a sign did. A big one, with bold letters saying 'Library Now Open'. That must've been the one they had been working on for a few months now. He'd never been. Couldn't hurt to go off the yellow brick rode once.

Julchen sat at the back table of the library, as she had since it re-opened. Before that, it had been a regular spot for her to spend her day. Then they had closed it for some unknown reason. Today, it had re-opened and it looked better than ever, with more books than ever.

If Julchen didn't have as many classes and so much homework, she'd be there all day. It was usually empty now anyway. She didn't understand why, the library was such a magical place to her, why didn't other see it the same way?

The sound of the door squeaking on its hinges alerted her of another person's presence. She woke up from her world of fantasy. That particular book was a child's book, but it brought her back to simpler times, so she adored it.

A prince saving a princess up in a tower from an evil witch. She had been close to the happily ever after, until he walked in. She looked up and felt her eyes scan him unconsciously.

His hands were stuffed into his pockets, giving the impression that he really didn't care, and his hair sat in a ponytail over his shoulder. A flower was tucked behind his ear. She pouted slightly when she realized it was probably the result of a flirty girl.

His leg was cocked, once again giving the impression he didn't care. His build was tall and very buff, but his face was one of childlike wonder. His eyes studied the titles of some of the books as if they were his next meal.

Daniel tore his eyes away from the books as he felt eyes on him. He turned to see a strange looking girl watching him from the other side of the small library. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure she was really looking at him.

He didn't know what it was about her that drew him in, but it felt important. She was so. . . Interesting looking. Her hair was white and her eyes were a shade of grey people have tried to tell him was red.

He refused to listen, though, until his soulmate assured him of those colors. He didn't know anymore, who to trust. But she drew him in, until he was standing in front of her without breaking eye contact.

He blushed slightly, only just realizing what his feet had brought him to do. He scratched the back of his neck, laughing nervously. " H-Hi. I'm new to this library. Do you know where the books on Hungary might be?"

He silently cursed himself. Hungary? Really?! It was clear by his accent, that was were he was from. She raised an eyebrow, pointing in the direction of the books, then putting a finger to her lips. " Shhh, idiot." She whispered. " Zhis is a library."

He blushed even more and tried to bring the flirt in him that had been compressed for so long. This girl seemed like one who would give him a good reaction, yeah, he loved their reactions.

He slid into the seat next to her, smirking. Julchen was forcing down the blush that was threatening to rise to her cheeks at how close he was to her. " I-I told jou vhere zhe books are zhat jou're looking for. Go on." She waved him off.

He didn't move, instead, he draped his arm around the back of her chair casually and looked at her book. He was a bit surprised at the fairytale. He'd been particularly fond of this book when he was smaller.

" Whatcha readin'?~" He purred, though he alread knew. She glanced a the book, realizing he might think her weird. She didn't understand why this stranger made her nervous, but there was something about him.

" A-A book. Duh." She responding quickly, snatching the book away and hid it behind her back. He raised an eyebrow. She observed his muscles, which could be seen thanks to his short sleeves.

He followed her eyes and decided to mess with her a little by flexing. " So what's your name?~"

She was barely able to answer as her face finally turned red and she drooled slightly," J-Julchen." He released a quiet breath of satisfaction. The name, it suited her. It was just as beautiful and unique as she was.

" And your last name?" This line usually got them, but her answer surprised him a bit.

" Depends, what's yours?" She whispered, probably not meaning for him to hear. He looked away to hide his face.

" H-Héderváry." He stuttered out. She was taken aback by his act of shyness, so she looked up at his face. Her heart started pounding faster. She wanted to hold his hand, to feel how it fit with hers. would his grip be strong or gentle?

He waved a hand in front of her face. She jumped a little and realized she'd missed something he'd said. " Ja." She answered, still unsure of the words he'd exchanged with her.

He chuckled and she got lost in his eyes again. She wasn't sure what color they were, but she loved them. His laugh was like musical notes to her ears. She smiled a bit and he became bewitched by her as well.

They sat that way, staring at each other for what felt like eternity. But it wasn't awkward. Daniel finally decided to break the silence. " I'm Daniel." He quietly announced. She nearly let it slip past her.

" D-Daniel?" She hummed, still slightly entranced. " T-That's nice."

He laughed again. " Thank you. I enjoy my name too I suppose." Such a strange girl. Why was he being such an extrovert suddenly? Was it her aura? It was intriguing, wasn't it? Now it was frustrating. It was a question that bothered him, and it seemed to be on her mind as well.

He checked his watch, unused to the sudden schedule change. " Oh shoot!" He jumped up. " I have to go! I have homework and then another class! Bye!" He rushed off before she could get his contacts.

Or perhaps, shush him for yelling indoors.

The next day, he returned to the library in hopes of finding the same girl. He did and they made steady conversation until he had to go again.

This continued for weeks on end. Julchen always had a book on her, but Daniel never saw her reading it. She was constantly talking and smiling with him. Eventually, they got each other's phone numbers and started hanging out more often.

Daniel called her one night and waited for her to pick up. When she did, she had a hint of eagerness in her voice. She never missed his calls. " Hallo?"

" Hallo Julie! Would you like to come over! We can watch a movie or something!" He grinned.

She smiled lightly on the other side of the phone. " Ja, sure. Vhy not? Is it in black and vhite?"

He sighed, a bit sadly. " As usual." She nodded, though he couldn't see it.

He smiled. " But that's okay! One day it'll all change."

She saddened a bit herself, knowing he was talking about finding his soulmate. They'd known each other for what? A couple months now? Sounds about right. She'd developed a crush, and he'd developed confidence.

He was now extremely flirty in public, like she'd sparked a flame that hadn't been there before. She was sure he'd seen her red with rage as he tried pick-up lines on several girls right in front of her. But his bubbly personality and tendency to trash the phone numbers he'd get, made her unsure of what was on his mind.

Julchen ended the call shortly after they'd said goodbye. She always waited a little longer to hang up, like he might want to say more. They could talk on the phone together for hours if they wanted to.

She stared down at her hands, biting her lip. She'd been hanging out with him so often, but he was getting on her nerves with his cluelessness. For a flirt, he really couldn't pick up on flirting.

Like hugs or pecks on the cheek when saying goodbye. She'd even sat on his lap for a horror movie once, granted that was almost an accident. He never caught on, and she had yet to make him blush. He'd blushed a little the first week they started hanging out, bit after that, nada. Nothing. Zero.

What was his deal?! There was nothing inside that tiny brain of his! She knew that much, at least. She sighed and moved to go change.

Meanwhile, Daniel was rushing around his house, as he had forgotten to clean up something from the night before. Pizza stains really were a mess, and oh! The faucet knobs just had to fall off! He spent ages fixing that.

He heard the doorbell ring and quickly checked his hair in the mirror and did a sweep of the house. He was about to open the door when it swung open, hitting his nose. Julchen opened it, saying," Yo looser I found jour spare—" She quickly tucked the keys back into their hiding placing before fretting over his bleeding nose.

She tried to touch it but he hissed. " Ow! Don't!" He pushed her away and rushed to the bathroom.

She frowned and sat on his couch, feeling a little more unwelcome than she had before. He eventually returned to her and sat down with the popcorn, smiling at her. She let out a sigh of relief and took some. She clutched the book she was always carrying with her.

Always, especially when she was with Daniel. If she forgot it, she didn't arrive. She'd turn around and go right back for it. Before he started the movie, she went to the bathroom, leaving the book on the couch.

He smirked and started flipping through it, but the cheeky smirk was soon replaced with a frown. " There's nothing here? It's all blank pages. . ."

He slammed the book shut when he heard her walking back. " Hey! Don't touch my stuff!" She picked up the book and started checking it for wounds. " Jou might damage it!"

" What is there to damage? There's nothing in there." He shrugged. She felt her cheeks heat up.

" W-Well, it's a book of colors. Every page is a different color zhat I can't see. I carry it around so I make sure zhat when I find my soulmate, I can see all zhe colors as soon as possible." She explained, gazing at her feet like they were the most interesting things since toilet paper.

He snorted. " That's rather cheesy, don't you think? Do you seriously carry that around everywhere?" He chuckled at her embarrassment.

Julchen shook her head. " Only around my soulmate."

Daniel blinked, confused. " But you're carrying it rig—" She didn't let him finish and instead leaned forward, gently connecting their lips.

The Hungarian's eyes widened as he had no idea what to do for a second. This was his first kiss after all, and she seemed so skilled compared to him. He sealed his eyes shut and carefully kissed back.

He could feel his finger tips sparking with electricity. He felt like he was flying. They pulled away a second later for air. The two stared into the other's eyes lovingly as they caught their breaths.

The German girl's eyes became large as she took in his eyes. They were the most vibrant color she would ever see. Bright green and sparkling with kindness. He matched her expression as her ruby eyes stared back at him.

" Beautiful. . ." They whispered together, before turning their attention to their surroundings. The colors were calm and soothing in Daniel's quaint house.

Julchen scrambled to flip through her book, searching for the same green she had seen in his eyes. Her soulmate. She'd found her soulmate, and she loved him. He slowly pulled her into his lap and looked over her shoulder at the book.

" Jou've filled the blank pages of my heart."