mentions: wlw angst, love at first sight, break up, death, no happy ending ( i kid you not i was sleeping in class and i immediately woke up after i got this idea like a scientist having an 'ah ha!' moment)

—————————————————————————

love doesn’t come easy for talia al ghul. to her, it had always been sharp-edged

her father taught her that affection was possession, loyalty, usefulness. bruce taught her love was war

but you? you loved her quietly

she will never forget the moment her eyes landed on you. rain had just begun to fall in gotham, slightly glistening under the night sky with the city glowing beneath the neon signs and dirty headlights

talia had come to gotham for business— for blood, for bruce— but as she stood beneath the awning of a cafe, her ears picked up a soft laugh that almost sounded like a melody. and when her eyes lifted and her head instinctively looked toward the sound, there you were

you stood across the street beneath a flickering train station, an unbrella tilted crookedly above your head as your phone was pressed to your ear, talking to a friend about a funny workplace incident that happened to you

you were smiling like the world had never hurt you, and talia’s green eyes— the same eyes that had seen it all— were hypnotized by you with only one thing that could explain it all, love at first sight— something talia didn’t believe in at first

she hated how long she stared at you, watching you cross the street after the light changed. but due to being sucked into your story and your attention on your friend on the other end of the call, you weren’t paying attention when you nearly walked straight into her “oh— hold on, let me call you back” you ended the call immediately to look at talia and apologize quickly. “i didn’t see you there, im so sorry!”

she just observed you in silence, her green eyes staring and taking you all in. the silence made you blink twice and quietly gulp, especially since it was coming from a beautiful woman like her

you looked at her for another second before offering your hand. “im heading inside before i freeze to death” you broke the silence, mentioning the cafe. “you can join me if you want”

“and if i decline?” the first words she spoke to you, and her voice made your heart skip a beat “then i’ll assume you enjoy standing in the rain”

talia should have refused with a polite excuse and walked away, but instead, she smiled from your words. “i suppose i can spare a few minutes” she agreed before following you inside. 

and god, she always thought to herself everyday where would she be if she didn’t follow you in, if she didn’t meet you, if she didn’t fell in love with you

at first, talia tried not to love you back. but it was difficult— not when you brought her coffee exactly the way she liked it without ever asking, not when you touched her like she was something breakable despite the blood stained in her hands for years, not when you listened without trying to fix her

there were nights in your apartment where your head rested against her shoulder, rain pouring outside the windows. and as talia’s eyes were dazed at the window, she realized that for the first time in years, she felt at peace

but of course, that peace didn’t last for long— not with talia al ghul anyway

because soon, you’d find out the truth three months later when she stumbled into your apartment at two in the morning, barely able to stand. your eyes noticed the blood staining her shirt and the knife wound under it, staring at it in silence “talia—" “it is not your concern” “the hell it isnt, now lay on the couch and i’ll get some supplies”

talia’s eyes were carefully on you, watching you stitch her up with shaking hands and silent anger that burned behind your eyes. she was waiting for fear, disgust, revulsion

instead, tears gathered on your eyelashes. “you could’ve died” a whisper leaving your lips, knowing your voice would crack if you spoke up. and that shattered something inside of her, not used to anyone ever saying that to her before

once you finished and placed the supplies down, you looked up to meet her eyes. and that, that made talia slide her hand to cradle your jaw and meet your lips in a kiss that spoke more than words ever could, words that only you could decipher

and when you did decipher those words from her kiss, it made the tears slide down your cheeks as you kissed her back with the same softness she was giving you— rare from talia al ghul, who always kissed you like she meant it. from there, you felt the vulnerability she always kept under wraps for her entire life now slowly unfolding to reveal itself to you

after that, things unraveled quickly. the league became suspicious of how often talia disappeared to gotham with no explanation and bruce noticed how her appearance was more evident in gotham these past few months, though he said nothing at first

but as for ra’s al ghul, he noticed everything— he always did. and once he learned about you, the women who had softened his daughter, your fate had already been sealed in his eyes. and talia tried to protect you the only way she knew how— by pushing you away before the league could use you against her

“this cannot continue”

her words made your face fall immediately, staring at her with widened eyes as she stood outside the entrance of your apartment. “what?” “you heard me” “wait— where is this even coming from?” “does it matter?” “yes! it matters!” your voice slightly cracked. “you disappeared for days without telling me anything, and now you’re standing in my doorway acting like im just— just supposed to accept this?!”

talia’s jaw tightened, her eyes darting away from yours to look at the ground because if she looked at you for too long, she would stay— and if she stayed, they would kill you

so she looked up and forced four words out of her throat, four words that sounded too smooth, four words that weren’t true at all:  “you are a distraction”

and all talia got was silence from you, silence that felt both complete and suffocating as you stared at her like you didn’t recognize the woman standing in front of you anymore, the woman you loved. and someone that hurt more than anger would

“..oh” was what was able to leave your lips, soft and quiet like something inside you had cracked without making a sound— yet talia felt it straight through her chest

you looked down for a second, swallowing hard to keep tears in your eyes before stepping back from the doorway. “if that’s really how you feel” you whispered, the lump in your throat becoming difficult to swallow down. “then i wont stop you”

talia wanted you to yell at her, to hate her, anything except the look in your eyes because you still loved her, even while she was breaking your heart. and truth be told? she did too

she forced herself to silently turn around before her resolve shattered completely, hearing you close the door and the small sobs that were muffled from the other side of your door. and as talia walked away, she closed her eyes in realization of what she had done— letting go of the person that truly loved her for who she was

yet that was never enough for the league of assassins

which was why talia showed up to your apartment— months after ending it with you with your face being the only thing in her mind— with your cold body on the floor and crimson blood staining the carpet under you. 

to the naked eye, it looks like an accident— which was the league’s expertise

she dropped to her knees beside you in the living room, hands trembling and eyes shaky for the first time since childhood. your blood soaked through her gloves as she gathered you against her chest. “no, no no no—" she murmured to herself as a plea

but it was too late. your body was cold, your pulse was gone, and your eyes had that blank emotionless stare— a gaze that was unfamiliar to talia, as she was used to the warmth of your eyes that were only for her. 

and what made it truly the cherry on the top was a dried tear stain on your cheek, as if you had cried right before you died. talia’s breath hitched from the sight of it

slowly and almost afraid to touch you now, she took off her glove and brushed her thumb over the stain beneath your eye. what almost made her flinch was the skin feeling freezing cold, unlike the body heat that talia could never resist not touching

talia al ghul never cried— not when she was beaten bloody during training as a child, not when she was killed for the first time, not when she watched people die in front of her— but now? tears blurred her vision so badly she could barely see you anymore

and suddenly, talia noticed how untouched everything looked around you— your favorite mug still sat in the sink, a blanket folded neatly over the couch, the candle you always lit when she came over now rested half melted on the table— it looked like you had been waiting for her. 

and the realization nearly destroyed her. because despite everything, despite the cruel words she forced down your throat months ago, despite leaving you alone, despite breaking your heart in the name of protecting you, you had still loved her until the end

talia pulled you closer against her chest, her clothes and bare hand now slowly getting stained by your blood. she should be used to it, considering the life she grew up with. but now, it was as if it was her first time seeing red this bright on her

her lips pressed a shaky kiss against your temple, lingering there far longer than necessary and remembering all the times she shared a kiss with you. she closed her eyes tightly to prevent tears from falling and resting her forehead against yours as grief swallowed her whole

soft morning kisses against sleepy smiles and bare bodies, desperate ones after arguments, quiet ones beneath rain and city lights— every single kiss talia has ever shared with you now flashing in her head

and now the last one— final and cold. just like your eyes, the same ones that were previously warm and soft. the same eyes that talia al ghul fell in love with

—————————————————————————

masterlist! ⤷ 2k event !

(a/n: was supposed to be a drabble... aaaaanyway how are all of you doing in this fine day)

main taglist: @sweetpeasosweet @lcvgty-4929 @fratbrochrisgf @wrldbloom @arabellas-barbarella-swimsuit12 @champagnesbiggestproblem @edawgz @hottubnda @onlyfeng @lucky-clover13 @tragicfiend @nyx-of-night @missmontiopath @bloomfaery @booksrcool @jaydennicole @gglouise23 @sicklyhana @klauvy @pocket-fish0 @romancedawn333 @sashadonat @uxavity @batslilwhore @oh-sheetcake @boo-123456 @ydivine @the-star-rover @slutfordpr @vradalinerv @arfemiz @freakkay09 @i-gotta-go-so-much-bigger @hernersworld @starrydustedwinter @inejskywalker @seeker2028 @ksiazkowaxx-blog @kh4dij7 @vanillakirstein @lillie1320 @t1mbits @branchesofmagic @devilslittlehelper @starr-jazz @nightwingblvd @yukimaniac @freddiweasly @devorator666 @dadump @ftkats @st4rl1ghtgrays0n @st4rstuddedreblogs @em12021 @heleneae @darkxwolfsstuff @imintoomanyfandoms14 @littlelightbearer (tags are open)

okay i always think about this so i will rant under it!!

talia’s whitewashing have been a problem but i think the problem is not her having light skin, because arabs can be pale. pale skinned arabs do exist!! the problem with her skin color is that when she helps the plot in a good way, for example when she helps batman, she has pale skin. when she is a villain in the story she has darker skin. this is actually what disturbs me. not her having pale skin or dark skin, i am fine with both,, but i get sick when i see her skin color change according to when she is “good” or “evil”

✎⠀⠀pairing ⦂ dick grayson x ex!reader l smau

࿐ synopsis ⦂ a second chance romance told entirely through instagram follows, late night diner texts, and the chaos of mutuals who saw it coming before either of you did.

꒰꒰ involving contents ⦂ reader x platonic! jason todd, wally west, roy harper, donna troy, fluff, banter, friends gossiping, teasing, implications of sleeping together, use of timestamps and your.username.

masterlist . . . . . ↷

dick.grayskies: posted a story 09:23pm

࿔

your.username: posted a story 09:49pm

📍downtown's diner, gotham

࿔

wally.west.is.fastest sent you a message: seen

wally.west.is.fastest: hey!! haven't heard from you in forever omg 10:12pm

wally.west.is.fastest: saw your story, you're at downtown's diner?? 10:13pm

wally.west.is.fastest: dick's may be two blocks from there btw. just saying 👀 10:15pm

your.username: i swear to god 10:16pm

wally.west.is.fastest: oh so you do respond, only to the mention of he who shall not be named

your.username: you literally just mentioned him 10:19pm

wally.west.is.fastest: oh well 10:20pm

wally.west.is.fastest: you can calm down!! it's not like he has been checking your profile every single day for two months 🙂

wally.west.is.fastest: completely unrelated information! 10:21pm

your.username: goodnight wally 10:22pm

wally.west.is.fastest: okay okay. but for REAL be careful out there, you won't want him to have to save the day 💛

࿔

dick.grayskies started following you

[5 mutual followers: jason.tee, roy_harper_realguy, donna.megatroy, wally.west.is.fastest, starryeyed.kori]

࿔

your.username sent a message: seen

your.username: really 11:06pm

dick.grayskies: what

your.username: the follow, grayson 11:07pm

dick.grayskies: it's a follow. relax 11:08pm

your.username: after two months of nothing 11:10pm

dick.grayskies: i saw your story

your.username: i know you saw my story

dick.grayskies: you look good 11:11pm

dick.grayskies: are you still there? i'm just saying 11:15pm

your.username: don't 11:16pm

dick.grayskies: alright

your.username: alright?

dick.grayskies: you gonna be out long 11:17pm

you.username: grayson.

dick.grayskies: i'm in the neighborhood 11:18pm

your.username: that's literally the worst thing you could have said to me right now 11:19pm

dick.grayskies: probably yeah

dick.grayskies: so? 11:23pm

your.username: so what

dick.grayskies: so are you gonna be out long

your.username: i despise you 11:24pm

dick.grayskies: do you really?

your.username: i'm here until last call 11:28pm

dick.grayskies: cool 11:29pm

dick.grayskies: just so you know

࿔

[GROUP CHAT: the most normal guys ever 🚨]

wally.west.is.fastest: WAIT 12:53pm

wally.west.is.fastest: WAIT WAIT WAIT

roy_harper_realguy: what happened now 12:59pm

wally.west.is.fastest: i just saw that dick followed (y/n) again 01:00am

roy_harper_realguy: NO HE DIDN'T

wally.west.is.fastest: CHECK. HIS. PAGE. 01:01am

roy_harper_realguy: no way he did

roy_harper_realguy: jay did you know about your brothers doings?!

jason.tee: i plead the fifth 01:10am

wally.west.is.fastest: JASON!

jason.tee: look alright they're adults!!! why do we care 01:12am

roy_harper_realguy: they are absolutely not going to act like adults

jason.tee: no probably not 01:18am

wally.west.is.fastest: someone should warn her 01:19am

roy_harper_realguy: warn her or warn HIM

roy_harper_realguy: last time those were in the same room dick walked into a wall

jason.tee: he did NOT walk into a wall 01:21am

wally.west.is.fastest: aww. look at you defending your older brother. so cute

roy_harper_realguy: bro he ABSOLUTELY walked into a wall. i was THERE

wally.west.is.fastest: 💀💀💀 01:22am

jason.tee: okay he was distracted. it was a stressful night 01:27am

wally.west.is.fastest: 🪦🪦🪦

jason.tee: enough with the emojis. did your word keyboard go missing 01:28am

roy_harper_realguy: he was distracted cause she was wearing that red dress

wally.west.is.fastest: THE RED DRESS INCIDENT

jason.todd: we don't call it that 01:30am

roy_harper_realguy: we literally all call it that 01:31am

wally.west.is.fastest: i'm manifesting chaos tonight. i can feel it

roy_harper_realguy: pour one out for whoever's couch he ends up NOT sleeping on tonight. hers or his 🙏🏻

jason.tee: ROY 01:41am

roy_harper_realguy: what!! i'm just being real!! 01:42am

wally.west.is.fastest: and why does it take you so long to respond

wally.west.is.fastest: could it be cause you're too busy trying to find the right emoji 01:43am

wally.west.is.fastest: so mad that you told me to cut it out with my own emojis or? i’m cool and you’re not, face it

seen: jason.tee

࿔

your.username sent a message to donna.megatroy: seen

your.username: okay so there's more to the story than you think 01:38am

donna.megatroy: oh no

your.username: you haven't even given me time to explain anything yet 01:39am

donna.megatroy: you always say there's an explanation, and it's just stuff i already have figured out

your.username: that is so not true

donna.megatroy: did grayson text you 01:40am

donna.megatroy: YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!! answer and stop hiding 01:46am

your.username: he followed me first!! that's basically HIS fault

donna.megatroy: what did i say. the exact same thing i say to him as a good friend would. WHAT did i say when you posted that story

your.username: you said 'don't post that story' 01:47am

donna.megatroy: AND 01:48am

your.username: and 'dick will see it'

donna.megatroy: AND

your.username: and 'this is going to be a whole thing'

donna.megatroy: SO 01:49am

your.username: okay but listen. he said i looked good

donna.megatroy: i'm going to pass away

your.username: what do i DO 01:50am

donna.megatroy: you go HOME is what you do 01:51am

your.username: he's like. two blocks away 01:52am

donna.megatroy: ABSOLUTELY NOT

your.username: i told him i'm here until last call

donna.megatroy: i can't believe you

donna.megatroy: you know i can't

donna.megatroy: no trust in you whatsoever 01:53am

your.username: the heart wants what it wants 😭

donna.megatroy: don't quote britney spears at me right now i'm serious 01:54am

donna.megatroy: he broke up with you two months ago!! and i've been stuck in the middle, trying to be there for both of you 01:55am

your.username: he didn't BREAK UP with me it was mutual

donna.megatroy: it was not mutual and we both know it

your.username: he has that jacket on. the leather, striped blue one. 02:03am

donna.megatroy: you SAW him already???

your.username: he just walked in

donna.megatroy: lord give me STRENGTH

your.username: okay i gotta go 02:06am

donna.megatroy: DO NOT DO ANYTHING STUPID 02:07am

your.username: lol

your.username: 😇

donna.megatroy: THAT EMOJI MEANS NOTHING COMING FROM YOU 02:08am

࿔

your.username: posted to close friends story 03:49am

no comment, other than we’re heading back to my apartment now, where it all began.

࿔

[GROUP CHAT: the most normal guys ever 🚨]

wally.west.is.fastest: I CALLED IT 03:51am

roy_harper_realguy: SHE PUT IT ON CLOSE FRIENDS

jason.tee: why are you two on her close friends list and not me 03:54am

roy_harper_realguy: because we're loveable jay tee

wally.west.is.fastest: chaos has been manifested. my work here is done

roy_harper_realguy: dick owes me twenty bucks 03:55am

jason.tee: when did you bet on this 03:56am

roy_harper_realguy: feburary. on valentines day

jason.tee: it's APRIL 03:57am

roy_harper_realguy: i'm a patient guy todd

wally.west.is.fastest: thought you were a real guy. see what i did there

wally.west.is.fastest: you know what this joke needs?!?

jason.tee: don’t you dare!! i can see you taking long to type like you’re searching for something

wally.west.is.fastest: 😭😭😭

jason.tee removed wally.west.is.fastest

࿔

your.username sent a message to dick.grayskies: seen

your.username: hey 06:14am

your.username: you left your hoodie behind at my place

࿔

dick.grayskies: sent you a message: seen

dick.grayskies: i know 06:31am

your.username: okay 06:49am

dick.grayskies: keep it for now

your.username: yeah?

dick.grayskies: yeah

your.username: this was a bad idea

dick.grayskies: the worst idea

your.username: you busy tomorrow 06:57am

dick.grayskies: you really want your tomorrow to be a repeat.

dick.grayskies: i can be there all days of the week if you want me to. all you gotta do is take me back

your.username: i know 07:01am

dick.grayskies: i know you know

your.username: so?

dick.grayskies: probably not busy 07:09am

your.username: cool

dick.grayskies: this is still a bad idea

your.username: yeah

your.username: worst one i've had in a while 07:10am

your.username: worth it though 🙄

dick.grayskies: yeah

dick.grayskies: maybe 07:14am

࿔

[GROUP CHAT: the most normal guys ever 🚨]

roy_harper_realguy added wally.west.is.fastest

wally.west.is.fastest: good morning!! to you especially todd 09:26am

wally.west.is.fastest: no time to swiftly humble you right now. anyone heard from dick

roy.harper.realguy: his location hasn't moved since last night 09:27am

jason.tee: WHY DO YOU HAVE HIS LOCATION 09:34am

roy_harper_realguy: safety reasons todd. your city is DANGEROUS. to think you of all people would understand

wally.west.is.fastest: 💀

jason.tee: i'm going back to sleep 09:55am

wally.west.is.fastest: yeah. humble yourself to sleep

roy_harper_realguy: tell alfred we said hi when you get home 🙏🏻

all dc and dick grayson works, tags are open

࿔ ✎ @starr-jazz, @champagnesbiggestproblem, @i-gotta-go-so-much-bigger, @rosieposiediditagain,@vanillakirstein

Last song:

Currently watching:

Current obsession:

Currently reading:

Currently working on:

Last Internet search:

Last Song: Carousel by Michael Jackson (one of my favs and soooo underrated)

Currently Watching: Kevin Langue videos 😭

Current Obsession: Jack Wolfe singing I’m Alive, anddd learning how to play the piano

Currently Reading: Can’t Get Enough By Kennedy Ryan

Currently working on: Clark kent drabble, Ony drabble and Music Producer Stack x Singer Reader

Last Internet search: fonts ( wanted to see if i would use them for a title in my drabble)

Last Song: Speed Demon by Michael Jackson

Currently Watching: Summer House

Current Obsession: God of War: Laufey (can't wait!!!)

Currently Reading: Monsters We Make

Currently working on: donna troy x black!fem reader, trans!male diana prince x black!fem reader, trans!male kate kane x black!fem reader

Last Internet search: Loverboy... (iykykyk)

last song : blue gangsta — michael jackson

currently watching : succession season 4 finale (again lol)

current obsession : sakura haruno (all day every day)

currently reading : a dialogue — nikki giovanni and james baldwin (1973)

currently working on : with love, birdy (tim drake) + the summer i met the graysons (mark grayson x reader x dick grayson) + unnamed barbara gordon phone sex fic

last internet search : catfishing : the wikipedia guessing game (i take this very seriously btw)

last song : dirty diana -- michael jackson

currently watching : modern family s8

current obsession : bruce thomas wayne 4eva and ever

currently reading : moonwalk by michael jackson

currently working on : hal fic (2k event), def more when i finish with 2k event i promise

last internet search : oceanofpdf BYE 😭

last song : losing you by solange

currently watching : rewatch of interview with the vampire!! It's the best series’ I've ever watch, hands down!!

current obsession : claudia de lioncourt (iwtv)!! even thinking about writing her fanfics but idk

currently reading : superman, birthright

currently working on : going back and forth between a wally west drabble and a koriand’r drabble

last internet search : check date?!!

-🫧

im so sorry this took so long, bubble anon! i've been so tired lately, but finally gathered the energy to complete a single request today—i hope this lived up to what you wanted!

hold your peace - j. todd

dcu masterlist | main masterlist

gn!royal!reader x knight!jason todd

summary: jason is forced into silence as he watches you walk down the aisle—towards someone else.

warnings: arranged marriage, no happy ending, lots of angst, mentions of decapitation

UNEDITED!

"you called, your highness?"

you don't turn. you keep staring out the window. at the thick streams of sunlight spilling over the kingdom—now your kingdom. or soon to be. in about a few hours, in fact.

"today is my wedding day," you say blandly.

jason swallows, gently setting his helmet down on your nightstand. he dared to grow closer, but watched as your shoulders tightened. watched as your hands clenched around each other.

"i'm aware," he said, sympathetically. then, to maintain professionalism, added, "congratulations, your highness." he bowed his head.

finally, you turn. bitterness contorts your face into an expression he's unfamiliar with. you don't look yourself, dressed in your crown and your beautiful wedding outfit.

the fullness of your appearance makes up for the emptiness in your eyes.

no, jason thinks. nothing can compensate for that emptiness in your eyes. he feels a fool to think such a hollow thought. he had no right to feel pity for you. no right to hope he could try and save you.

"hm." a tiny puff of air is the only sound you make as you cross the room. he lets himself follow you. allows you to see that rare yearning flicker on his face. to show you he's sorry. he's sorry he didn't choose you.

"you look...beautiful."

"i feel beautiful," you whisper, face still solemn. "no other man could give me these things."

jason knows you're prodding. knows you're trying to kick him to make him say something. do something. anything to show you he cares. beyond the emptiness in your gaze, he sees a need for control so powerful it twists into hatred.

resentment.

"you're right," is all he says, feeling bitter now himself. "no one else can."

you stare at yourself in the mirror. he stares at you, too. and he watches as water builds in your eyes, watches as that resentment crumbles and shatters entirely.

he doesn't reach forward.

doesn't give in to the temptation.

"why...?" you ask, finally breaking. you whip around, lips quivering into a frown. "why couldn't you choose me?"

"you have no clue what i need," he says breathlessly. "i want you. i've never wanted anyone or anything as terribly as i want you."

you nearly spit at him. "whatever you wanted, i could've given it to you! why...why couldn't you have just asked me to run away with you? why couldn't you have taken me away?" you rush to his chest, slamming a hand into it. the metal armor there clattered, the impact barely causing him to stumble.

"why?" you beg. "take me away! take me away now! you still can!"

he's not sure what to think of you right now. one moment, you were cold, pretending to hate him. pretending you couldn't care less whether he married you or not.

and now you're begging him to save you. begging him to take you far away. far from the fat streams of sunlight—somewhere he can bury you in winter and force the world to forget your name.

somewhere he can have you all to himself.

"there's still time!" you fall to your knees, hands cradling your face. "there's still time, jason. if you take me now, i'll never say a single word. please. please, jason. just ask me to go with you. anywhere. i can't marry him." you turn back, as if your husband would be watching or listening. "i can't. i don't love him."

jason kept his chin high, ignoring the tears brimming his eyes. "you will grow to love him."

you ball your fists, much like a spoiled child would. you tear the blankets from your bed and toss them to the ground. "what do i need to do to make you choose me? or...what's keeping you from me?" you scramble to your feet, your wedding outfit now wrinkled.

you cling to his arm for a brief moment, then rip away. "what is it, jason, that terrifies you so much that you cannot choose me?"

jason has fought on the sea in the middle of a storm, has saved his own kingdom from invaders with nothing but his bare hands. never has he felt so afraid of looking someone in the eyes than he did now.

"i...i cannot tell you, your highness—"

"and the whole your highness thing!" you throw up your arms. "my name, jason. you're acting like you don't even know my name."

guilt bubbles in his stomach, threatening to boil into his throat and come out.

he's about to reply—is even tempted to tell you the truth—when a knock sounds at the door.

you grumble, opening it to find a nervous servant. "your highness?" she says. "it's time."

"thank you," you mutter, then close the door. you turn slowly. jason stares at you blankly. "jason," you sigh. "please."

he ignores the panic in your eyes. the desperation in your voice. then he bows low—at the waist, like he never used to do. "i will leave you to get ready, your highness."

he can't watch you as you walk down the aisle. you're so beautiful, but the hollowness of your features repulses him more than anything ever has.

he keeps his head down respectful, trying to ignore the guilt of his own cowardice.

there are bigger things, he thinks, bigger things i need to protect them from than a man who just wants their kingdom's money.

you stand at the altar, petrified, a lamb to the slaughter as your husband eats you up with his stare.

for a moment, jason thinks he might move. his hand is already inching towards his sword, fingers twitching madly. it's second nature, really. protecting you.

he grips the hilt of his sword and prepares to lob off the head of your greedy new husband, but then he drinks in how terrified you look.

and he imagines your head on a platter. and he remembers what your father told him the moment he found out you were negaged.

"you can have their hand," you father had said, "but know that it will come off with their head."

he knew it was an empty threat—deeply hopes it was, anyway. your father needs you politically. and jason...jason was the only thing standing in the way of that.

it's not like he cared for his own life, but to threaten yours? that was perhaps the only thing keeping him at bay, and your father knew exactly how to exploit that.

if jason rejected his bold nature and allowed the wedding to persist, he'd lose you, but not entirely. your father gets what he wants, and you stay alive.

and if jason ignored the warnings, if he stole you away like you'd wanted and like he'd promised to do, he'd watch your head roll off your shoulders and onto the ground.

your father's political alliance would be tarnished, but not his reputation—not completely. and if you'd run away with jason, he would've lost both.

so he stares at you, knowing his silence is now the only way he can keep you safe. not by his sword, not by his hand.

by distance.

your eyes find his, wide with longing. with desperation for your freedom. you strangle your bouquet—a last call for liberty. your last act of resistance, last hope that he might storm down the aisle and pull you into his arms.

jason locks his body and stares forward.

he was trained to be a soldier, after all.

the priest smiles between you and your betrothed. "speak now, or forever hold your peace."

jason lets the numbness consume him. it eats at his courage.

and it washes his voice away.

betrayal solidifies on your face. there is no peace to be held in the space between you two. it simply cannot exist.

there may not be peace, but there is silence.

and silence has, and always will be, better than a war.