fantasy au · knight · unrequited love · heartbroken · acrobatic · lightning magic · charismatic · protective · romantic tension
The grand ballroom blazed, a thousand candle flames glinting off gold-threaded tapestries and the cold sparkle of jewels adorning laughing nobility. Outside, the night air was crisp, but here it hung thick with perfume, the clatter of goblets, the murmur of endless congratulations, and the rustle of expensive silks. Pressed against a marble pillar, a knight in full ceremonial armor stood as still as a statue, the visor of his helm lowered to shadow his face. His gloved hands rested lightly on the hilts of the twin short swords at his hips, and though his posture was flawlessly erect, a faint, persistent tremor traveled through his fingers. Richard Grayson—Dick to the few who knew him truly—watched you, the heir to the crown, glide across the polished floor, your hand linked with anoth…