18 years old - Some time later
Garnet laughed, so carefree, as Jason twirled her around the ballroom, the classical music a background hum. Her amber eyes trained his teal blue eyes. They twinkled in mirth as they floated around the floor. Not a care in the world.
Jason twirled her out then in, spinning her, Garnet's long crimson hair creating a flaming halo around her as she laughed, such a lovely sound. Jason smiled widely, holding her close with his hand on her waist, her hand playing her the hairs at the nape of his neck, while their free hands entangled as they moved so naturally around the room.
"I missed our dances Mr. Todd." Garnet hummed, a genuine smile playing out on her lips as she allowed Jason to lead her around.
"I have missed them too Ms. Hagen." Jason agreed, smiling back, an emotion Garnet didn't know swam around in his eyes, as he gazed so softly at her.
"Then we should dance more often." She suggested and Jason chuckled dipping her slightly.
"That we should." He hummed as he brought her back up, brushing his lips against hers. Garnet's smile grew, becoming a little mischievous.
"You know what else we should do?" Garnet asked, looking to Jason, lightning flashing in her eyes.
His eyes widen and he instantly let go of her. Garnet's eyes widen then narrow, her brows knitting together in confusion.
"What's wrong Jason?" She asked, easily masking the hurt and rejection, with concern.
Then suddenly the ballroom faded away to show the underground prison Garnet was locked in for over a year and a half, instantly Garnet felt sick.
"No, no, no." Garnet muttered under her breath as she looked down at her hands. Scarred flesh around her wrists and forearms. Tiny, barely there electrical scars littering any bare skin that Garnet could see.
Without out her consent, Garnet felt the electricity begin to raise out of her bones. It quickly formed in ever-growing arches along her skin, while causing no harm to her, Jason was backing away. The expression on his face was a mixture between disgust and fear.
Garnet whimpered softly as she felt the rejection and hurt crush her. She wanted to fall to the ground, but she stayed up, though not with her own strength.
There were barely seeable strings attached to her joints and in pure horror, Garnet slowly looked up to see Novak grinning like a maniac down at her, holding the strings in his hands. Each string attached to a different finger.
When he moved his thumbs and pointers, her arms raised like Frankenstein, and the lightning began to build behind her fingertips. Which were aimed at a frozen in place Jason as he stared at her in horror.
Garnet opened her mouth to shout at Jason to move, to run away, but no sound came out of her mouth. Terror wrapped its icy fingers around her heart as the sound of Novak's crazy laughter echoed in the stone dungeon.
"...no... No... NO...NO!" Garnet screamed as she yanked with all of her strength against the strings.
They snapped, releasing her, but so her non-existent control over the lightning as it raced over to Jason, aiming straight for her heart.
Garnet, panting hard, gripped on tightly onto the lightning ahead of her, commanding it with her entire being to stop. But it was lightning, while hers, it wouldn't listen to anyone except when it wanted to.
"JASON MOVE!"
Garnet bolted up, panting heavily and sweating hard as she trembled. Her nightmare still playing out in front of her eyes.
But then there were concerned teal blue in front of her, warm hands on her shoulders, a soothing voice telling her to just breathe in her ears.
The redhead reached out shaking hands and grasped Jason's face, watching as it finally came into focus. "You didn't leave." She whimpered, the first tears started to fall.
A small, sad smile appeared on his face. "No I didn't. Looks like you're stuck with me." Garnet let out a small, wet huff of a laugh. Her eyes falling shut as she leaned her forehead against his. Jason sighed in relief, she was a normal temperature.
"Stay with me please." She requested, though it was more of a plead. Jason pressed a kiss to her forehead, making her look at him, smiling softly as he whispered.
"Always."