@laquilasse I’m not too knowledgeable with fantasy, but I really like this AU! I tried to incorporate stuff like what you sad about how elven people’s physical/emotional/mental states are all very close and Dick is? Stupidly in love.
Dick sighed, tucking the hem of his robe back over his shoulder. One of the stitches holding it in place had snapped at some point during the ball, or had been caught on something and pulled loose. Now it kept falling over him instead of behind him. It wasn’t too noticeable, but it occupied his thoughts as he walked around the room. Perhaps it happened when had run into Bruce’s friend from the north, adorned in his metals and jewels from the sky? He couldn’t be bothered to really figure it out.
Normally he’d be the life of the party, but his heart wasn’t into it tonight. He had really wanted to go to his room, find his bird friend and see how her babies were growing. Maybe sing them a little song. But he had his duties to take care of first.
It was a strange, solitary mood that had taken over him the past few days. His heart ached to walk through the forests and lay beneath the trees, to ponder about and to feel life outside of the castle walls. He loved his home and the man who took him in so graciously, but the cold, dankness of the bricks never changed. They stacked so high it made him feel as though he were once again a small child running through its corridors.
Alfred had pointed out to him that he’d make an embarrassment of Bruce walking around so apathetically. He had apologized, trying to shake off this strange feeling overtaking him, but could not. The man he saw in his bedroom mirrors looked like he longed for something he couldn’t identify, and his hair drooped around his face and glassy eyes. He looked… unlike himself. Unable to do much, he had enlisted a servant girl to help him rub foreign oils into his hair in hopes to liven up himself.
Now, as he walked around the ballroom, he regretted it solely for the fact that he felt as though the smell was choking him. It had done its job well enough to make him presentable, but the smell was a thick sweet that had him feeling sick. He had grabbed a goblet of wine to drown it out.
Women were approaching him, tugging on his arms and laughing, smiling and getting close to him. He was always popular during these events, but the smell… he suddenly couldn’t stand it. Didn’t like that others liked it, didn’t want to be near anyone at all.
“Your hair, it’s so lovely tonight!”
“Thank you, madame. I figured I would try a new oil in it tonight. Is it to your liking?”
“Oh, very much so!” And another one titters, stepping closer.
Ugh. He’s just not in the mood to make small talk. He’s talking to a girl who is interested in him when he feels something prickling at the back of his neck. He tries to shake it off, but as she’s chattering about the castle’s architecture, he makes a few glances around the room. He knows this feeling. Someone is watching him.
“Your earrings are so interesting.”
“Huh? Oh, thank you. If you would excuse me-”
“I’ve never seen a man with earrings before, or so many!”
“Ah… it’s part of my heritage.” And she’s trying to keep his attention on her but something… someone is pulling him away.
“Oh! Goodness, your robe…” And she reaches out to fix it where it’s fallen over his shoulder again, but he swivels back just enough so she can’t.
“Nothing to worry about, miss. I must have snagged it on something while walking around, it’s an easy-” And as he turns to push it back over his shoulder, he sees her.
A woman so beautiful he can hardly believe she’s real. Not even a woman, an angel. A goddess. He feels as though his tongue starts to choke him in his throat. He chest tightens. He can’t breathe.
“…fix.” He finishes lamely. He’s staring, he knows he is, but he can’t help it. There’s something about her… past her radiance… something there…
The girl is talking again. He can’t hear her anymore, he’s staring at-
She’s looking over! At him!
Mercy be on my soul, I must be dreaming, he thinks as her eyes meet his. It’s like staring down a dragon.
“Uh…” The girl’s lost his attention. “Pardon, Sir…” She’s trying but he’s gone, blown away in the wind.
Across the room, the woman slowly bats her eyes and smiles over her shoulder. He looses all feelings in his arms, wine starting to tip over the edge of his goblet because the weight is suddenly unbearable. He stares at her in awe. He can feel his hair starting to curl like his heart is squirming in his chest. His skin flushes with a heat that feels alive.
“I’m… terribly sorry, you’ll have to excuse me.” It’s a miracle he can even speak right now. He’s offended the girl and he couldn’t care. Almost in a trance, he makes his way over to her.
She’s sitting on a plush bench, gown spilling over her feet. She takes a sip from her goblet as he swallows his tongue and tries to make himself presentable. He smooths a hand over his hair in an attempt to calm down. He stops by her side.
“Shall I fetch you another drink, Lady?” She turns her head slightly and looks at him through her lashes. A direct look might kill him.
“I’ve had my share, but yours seems to be a little empty.” She had seen him spill his wine, then. He chuckles.
“I think I’ve had my own share as well, then. There’s no other way a lady like you would be before me otherwise.” She raises an eyebrow at that statement. He quickly realizes what he said could have been misinterpreted. “Of course, by that I mean that I would have no business being here with you.”
“Ah, I-I simply mean, I can’t believe you’re here of all places.” No! He’s making a fool of himself, but he can’t help it, he’s overwhelmed by her like he never has been before.
“Er, that is to say, I… I, ah…” She’s confused, but she’s still listening. He can tell there’s a fire in her eyes and that if he says the wrong thing next he’ll never see her again. He takes a deep breath, straightens his posture and looks at her.
“I’ve never seen a woman more radiant.” He tries.
“I’ve never seen a man more tongue tied. I thought Dick Grayson would be a little more eloquent, having lived under Sir Wayne’s tutelage for so long.” He blinks as she moves to stand up, her fiery hair nearly aglow. He wonders if she’s made of fire from the way he’s burning inside.
“I, how did you know I was-”
“Your reputation precedes you.” With that, she flicks the tip of his pointed ear with a sly smile. “Perhaps I was wrong. I would need another drink to talk to a fool, but two for one as charming as you.”
“Allow me,” He tries weakly, reaching to take her goblet.
“I think not, good sir.” But she’s smiling at him, and reaching out to tuck his robe back over his shoulder with her wonderful hand. “If I let you do it, you would surely trip on your way back to me. But perhaps.. were you to trip I could watch you serve me for the rest of the night.”
“It would be my pleasure.” He reaches to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and she allows it.
“And what a pleasure it would be, on another night.” She sends him a final, almost playful look before pulling apart. “I must be dreaming for you to be so infatuated. It’s not everyday I’m courted by a handsome man.” And suddenly she’s walking through the crowd, with that smile on her lips, to refill her goblet. He watches her go.
He’s in shock. That’s the only thing that could describe the burning in his chest, the tightness, the way his fingers are trembling like autumn leaves. Should she return this… this feeling…
Of all the lush and songs of the trees, the flowers, rocks, streams and rivers. Of the animals who race and coo in the mornings at their children. Of the sky and her boastful clouds. None would compare to this full, hearty feeling other than that woman returning it.
He pushes his way through the crowd. He can barely keep himself from singing her praise to the room, of her fair skin and honey voice.
Later than night, alone on a balcony with her, he earns a kiss and he can feel his heart explode. He pulls her close while she threads her fingers in his hair, pulling him in to hold her. She whispers something about oil wasted on hair in a low voice in his ear and he nearly falls over.
“Like a goddess…” He murmurs when she pulls away, her father calling for them to take their leave. His heart aches.
He forgets to ask for her name.
blakekathryn
dailybridgerton
gummygunk
dededos
izzy806
origamiaround
andulkaphoto
titsay
