Jason Peter Todd, the second eldest son of the King, sat alone in his room. He waited for his lover to show. Beside him on his desk, sat his shiny red helmet. He was currently residing in his safe house. Gotham was a dark place. A place a lot of people dared not go as there was crime around every dark corner and so many people had gone missing, never to be seen again.
The people of the kingdom was indeed in need of a hero. Someone who was willing to fight for their kingdom. Someone to protect it and stand up for their people. Lucky for Gotham, they had their protectors. Not just one or two but several people, vigilantes to be exact, who went out every night to fight for their beloved kingdom.
No one knew who these vigilantes were, for they never showed their faces. They wore masks that covered their eyes and a costume of sorts to hide their identity.
This was a great way for the royals to protect the kingdom. After all, no one would ever guess that the vigilantes who go out each night to fight crime and bring criminals to justice were their own royal family. The family had rules of course for even crime fighters need rules to follow. No one was to kill anyone, no matter the circumstances.
There was, however, one vigilante who didn't play by the rules. People of the kingdom knew him as Red hood.
Red hood was praised by some and resented by others.
Jason heard light foot steps in his room. Somehow he had failed to hear her come in through the open window. A smile formed on his lips at the thought of her. He missed her terribly. It had been three weeks since she had left.
His lover and partner in crime, Artemis Grace, had left to go help her amazon family as she was part of their amazon army and was the best warrior they had. (Other then their princess, Diana.
Neither Artemis nor Jason had it easy growing up as they came from poverty. They had a lot in common and had become close friends after working together as a team. It wasn't long before they both realized they had fallen in love and could no longer keep their feelings a secret from each other.
"Don't turn around." He heard her voice behind him and it sent chills through him. He couldn't wait any longer to have her in his arms. Her arms soon encircled him and he smiled once again. She was one of the very few people in his life who could make him smile. She placed a kiss on his lips and he could no longer hold back. He turned and toke her into his arms and kissed her back so passionately it toke her breath away.
"What kept you?" He asked after pulling away for air.
She smiled. "Maybe I like to keep you waiting."
"You would." Jason replied
"I had some things to take care of but I could not wait to see you." She said, leaning into him
"Let's not talk." Jason exclaimed taking her by the hand and leading her to the large bed. Their lips met once again and there was no need for words as they began to undress each other. They cherished each other and had missed each other more then words could say. They always looked forward to being together again after being apart, as the love making seemed to be more intense.
They fit together perfectly. It was like their bodies were made for each other. They couldn't get enough. Having each other around had always made them both feel at peace with themselves. They loved each other senselessly until they both reached that perfect blissful moment.
After an intense love making, they lay in each other's arms, feeling perfectly content. Nothing but the quite filled the room and they savored the moment. Jason caressed his lover's arm and gazed into her eyes. She smiled at him sweetly. They could talk without words and that was amazing to Jason. He had never had that connection with anyone and it felt wonderful to have someone in his life who made him feel complete.
Their relationship had been kept a secret but Jason and Artemis were a private couple anyways so it wasn't hard for them.
However, there were still times when they saw other couples holding hands and kissing etc and it made them wish they could be open like that. They loved being alone together but they often wondered what it would be like to just love each other openly. Jason knew his father would never approve of their relationship. Bruce wasn't too happy about outsiders coming into his kingdom and Artemis wasn't from Gotham. Bruce also didn't like her wild ways.
Bruce had made it known that he didn't think Artemis was worthy of his son. It angered Jason to say the least. Never mind that Bruce was being protective of him, Jason thought he was being a hypocrite.
"I missed you so much." Jason said, brushing her bangs back, that were now wet with sweat.
"I missed you too." She said sweetly
"Have you spoken to him yet? She asked.
Jason knew what she meant but had wanted to avoid the question.
"No, I'm not sure I'm ever going to. It is none of his business anyways." Jason said after a moment.
"I know what he thinks of me but I should be use to it by now. People have always saw me as an outsider. It's nothing new. I've never been good enough for anyone so how could I possibly be good enough for the king's son? She said, catching his attention.
It always bothered Jason that she didn't see herself as he saw her. Then again he also had his own insecurities. She had always acted tough and over confident but Jason knew her true feelings.
"It doesn't matter what he thinks. You're the only woman I'll ever love. I'll never love anyone else. Even if I wanted to I couldn't. You're the only one to hold my heart so I don't care what anyone else thinks." Jason stated, taking her hand in his.
"I'm sorry," Artemis apologized. She hadn't meant to remind him of what his father thought of her. She knew Jason strongly disagreed with him. The young prince disagreed on a lot of things when it came to the King.
"It's fine. I just wish.. Jason trailed off looking up at the ceiling. Artemis waited for him to continue.
"I just wish things were different. I wish we didn't have to hide how we felt. I hate that there are so many rules. Being royal isn't all it's cracked up to be." Jason said
"Do you regret him taking you in?" Artemis asked.
"No, if it weren't for Bruce, who knows where I'd be now. He literally gave me everything but the one thing I want I'm not suppose to have." He said, now looking into her eyes. Those mesmerizing eyes he always got lost in.
"So maybe it's my fault for falling so in love with you." He began playing with her long hair, twirling it around his fingers.
Jason had been taken in by the king as a child after being caught stealing from him. He was soon adopted by the king and later, trained to fight as a way to work off the anger and other problems he had.
He had once fought by his father's side until he left to be on his own. He traveled around the world, training with other people and learning new things. He had never truly agreed with his father's code of no killing as he believed some people needed to be killed to protect others.
That was one of the things Artemis admired about him. She loved how passionate he was about protecting innocent people no matter what the cost. He also had a wild side and Artemis loved that as she was a rule breaker herself, preferring to do things her own way.
"Well, then you should be more careful." Artemis teased
"Too late." He replied, gently kissing her while running his hand along the inside of her thigh. His soft kiss turned into something much more and he felt her arms pull him closer as they made love once again.
Jason awoke to sunlight pouring in the window. He tried not to open his eyes. He felt soft lips kiss his shoulder and he turned to look at his lover. He loved waking up with her by his side.
"Good morning, your highness." Artemis said, running her fingers over his scars. She knew he was insecure about them but she found them sexy. They both had insecurities that they had always made them self conscious but each of them had found a way to make the other's insecurities disappear.
"Good morning to you as well, princess." Jason replied, feeling totally secure. Artemis looked beautiful in the sunlight. He had been calling her princess since they met and it had bothered her at first but now it drove her crazy in a whole different way.
"I need to go soon. I have brunch with the family." Jason said as Artemis began placing kisses on his neck.
"Let them wait." She said as her hands roamed his body.
He placed a hand on her face and kissed her deeply. Artemis didn't know if Jason knew how much he meant to her but she promised herself she would make him know. He had been her rock and with him, she found perfect happiness. If only the circumstances were different. She knew Bruce didn't think she was good enough for his son. She hated the idea of coming between father and son, especially when they already had bad blood between them.
"I really should go now. I'll be back sometime this afternoon." He said kissing her one last time.
She smiled. "I'll be waiting."
Jason sat at the long table with his family at the palace. Brunch was something the family did every Saturday. Everyone just sat and looked around and noticed all his siblings were involved in conversation with each other. Each of them chatting away about something.
"Jason, how are things going?" Bruce asked, attempting conversation with his second oldest son.
Jason toke a deep breath without even realizing it.
"Good I guess. I managed to track down the traffickers last night and at the later I busted a drug ring so ya know, the usual. Nothing special." Jason replied but Bruce shook his head.
"I meant how are you?" Bruce looked straight at him and Jason wasn't sure how to respond.
"Same as I was last week." Jason said with a shrug. Not sure what else to say.
"Is there anything going on in your life I should know about?" Bruce asked, as if trying to get Jason to open up. Jason raised a suspicious eyebrow.
"Umm, not really." He said hesitantly, taking a sip of his drink.
"Why do you ask?"
"I'm only taking an interest in your life, son. You don't talk much about what's going on and you don't come around much." Bruce stated. Jason glances up.
"I know, I've been busy lately." He said, hoping his father would move on to something else.
"I heard Artemis is back. " Bruce said, catching Jason's attention.
"Yeah, she got back yesterday but had to stop and see her family." He tried to sound casual and he hoped it was working.
"Hmm." Was the king's reply. When Bruce didn't say anything else, Jason sighed with relief.
Later that day
Artemis let her long hair fall down her back as she got dressed. Her heels clicking on the floor as she walked to the mirror to get a better look at herself. She wore a short red satin dress with two small straps on the shoulders. She smiled a little just thinking of how Jason would react to seeing her in this. It was tight enough to show off her perfect figure and she wore silver heel sandals along with sapphire hoops.
She and Jason would soon be headed for a gala at the palace and she had bought this certain dress to tease him. She knew how much he loved her in red. She heard the door open and she knew it was him. She stood where she was as she awaited his arrival.
Minutes later, she saw him behind her in the mirror and felt a shiver run through her body as he put both hands on her waist.
He then whispered in her ear. "You are absolutely breath taking." Artemis could feel his breath on her neck and she turned her head to kiss him.
"I was hoping you'd like it." She said
"You're too good to be true. How did I get so damn lucky?" Jason wondered out loud.
"Frankly, I've wondered the same thing." Artemis said, turning to him and placing a soft kiss on his lips.
"This gala is very important to my father." Jason said
"I mean, I couldn't care less. I'm just glad I'll have you there to make it more interesting." He said, pulling her closer. He kissed her back and let his tongue explore her mouth. It was always hard for them to keep their hands to themselves when they knew they would be in a situation where they couldn't have each other.
The rain began to pour but the gala was still happening. There was no way the gala was going to be canceled. Not for some rain that fell from the heavens. People were already enjoying themselves at the royal Gala. Aristocrats and other royals from other kingdoms were gathered around talking. It was just your typical event at the royal palace.
Gotham's crown Prince entered with his wife on his arm. What a beautiful couple they made. The kingdom's golden couple. Prince Richard and former Lady Barbara, now known as duchess of Gotham, were usually the talk of these things but tonight, the people would have another couple to talk about for there was another couple who were just as beautiful and charming.
Prince Richard or as the family had always called him, Dick, was chatting with different people. Just going about his duty. He didn't like these things much. No more then his brothers.
Jason had been standing around, attempting to avoid people. However, being a royal doesn't get you out of shaking hands and talking with people you would much rather pretend didn't exist. Women looked his way and some seemed to talk about him and how great he looked but there was only one woman there he was interested in. He could see Artemis talking to someone a few feet away. She looked absolutely gorgeous. There was never a moment when Jason didn't think Artemis Grace looked gorgeous.
Everyone in his family could see how smitten he was with her and they only hoped she felt the same about him. His older brother knew about the young couple and their feelings for one another and he approved greatly. Jason was sure the whole family would soon realize that he and the Amazon were in a relationship. He hated to think of what his father would say. Surely Bruce knew by now. Jason saw the way his father looked at him. He knew something. Jason kept trying to avoid the subject and Bruce was waiting for Jason to talk to him about it.
Bruce wasn't happy knowing his second oldest was in love with Artemis. Bruce thought her to be too arrogant and selfish. Artemis wasn't one to care what anyone thought of her and Jason was avoiding having to tell his father about their relationship.
"Keep staring like that and you might burn holes into her." Jason heard his brother's voice beside him. He turned his head to look at Dick.
"Sorry," he said, feeling as if he had been caught.
"Don't worry. It's only me." Dick said
"Yeah and a million other people." Jason commented.
"No one suspects anything. You and Artemis just work together as far as they know." Dick told him as he toke a sip of his drink. It was true that Jason and Artemis both did humanitarian work together.
"It's not like we care if anyone finds out about us." Jason said, trying to sound casual. He knew very well what could happen if word got out about a member of the royal family being romantically involved with an Amazon warrior. People would certainly talk. Amazons were not meant to be with anyone outside of their homeland.
"Sure you don't." Dick said, turning to his brother.
"Look, I'm happy you're happy. That's all I could have asked for but please be careful."
"Careful of what?
"It's just I don't want you to get hurt. Not everyone will be as supportive as me." Dick said, attempting to smile when someone walked by
"Thanks for your concern but I think I'm fine."
Jason didn't like when his big brother got protective or worried about him, even though he appreciated it. Jason knew very well that him and Artemis shouldn't be together. Artemis wasn't the most admired woman in the world, although many respected her for the great warrior she was. Jason knew her well enough to know there was something in her past that still bothered her at night. Jason could relate but his problems had gotten much better since he had known her. She had also been his rock just as much as he was hers. The thought of someone attempting to destroy what they had made Jason hate being royal.
"There you are." Jason heard a voice call to him. He looked in the direction of the voice and found it to be Isabel Ardila. Jason and Isabel had a fling once but it was never anything more then that. After a few years, she had shown up once again in Jason's life and Jason was surprised to see her. She had gotten a job as an assistant for an aristocrat. Jason knew that if it wasn't for him, she would have never landed that job in the first place as she was a commoner. Since she had decided to make a comeback in Jason's life, it seemed to Jason that she was trying to be more then friends.
"Oh, hey Isabel." Jason smiled, hoping she wasn't going to talk too long. Dick gave him a look and whispered, "If you need me, I'll be around."
Jason nodded to let his brother know he understood as he saw the blonde woman walking to him.
"Why didn't you come and say hi. I don't bite." She said, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. She wore a sleeveless gown and Jason wondered just how she managed to get in. Probably the people she was working for was attending and she came along with them.
"I just usually like to be alone at these things." Jason replied, trying to avoid eye contact.
"Well, you're a royal. Shouldn't you be out there socializing?" Asked Isabel
"Not if I can help it." Jason said, scanning the huge room for anyone to take him out of here.
"What have you been up to? You never call or text and I don't know when to contact you because I know you're busy a lot. Are you so busy you can't make time for me?"
Jason almost cringed
"You know I'm busy, Isabel. I have a lot on my plate." Jason said
"Well, you seem to be avoiding me." she said, not taking her eyes off Jason.
"That's.. not it." Jason lied. He didn't wanna tell her that he was in fact avoiding her.
"I made an effort to see you again, Jason. I wish you would make time for me." she almost sounds hurt
"It's not that simple." Jason said, his voice low.
"Look, Isabel, I'm really sorry. It's just I have a lot going on and I don't have time for anything else." Jason said, hoping she would understand
She sighed and placed a hand on his arm.
"I know, I just hoped we could catch up a bit." She said before kissing him on the cheek.
"It's alright. I know your life is busy and complicated. I do understand."
Jason looked at Isabel and placed a hand on her back. "It's not your fault."
"It's nice seeing you but I need to see about something so excuse me." Jason said when he noticed a certain woman had spotted him and the blond.
Jason made his way straight to Artemis. He smiled as he approached her.
"Hey beautiful," he said, reaching out to touch her shoulder. She pulled away slightly and Jason frowned.
"It's not what it looks like." He said, knowing her reaction was because of seeing him with Isabel.
"You seem pretty familiar to her. How do you know her?" Artemis asked, eyeing Isabel from across the extremely large ball room.
"We are just friends. Nothing more." Jason stated but Artemis smiled
"She seems to be sweet on you. Does she know you two are just friends?"
"Don't worry about it, ok." Jason said, taking her by the hand.
"I'm sure she loves your title. That's all." Artemis said and Jason knew where she was going with it. He pulled her towards the dance floor.
"Let's have a dance. Shall we."
She let him lead her to the dance floor and they wrapped their arms around one another.
"Don't you think you're being a little..
Jason started but stopped what he was going to say.
"A little what?" Artemis asked, arching an eyebrow
"You know. Protective." Jason said with the half smile she loved.
"Why ? Because I know how people can use you?"
"I don't need you looking out for me but you are cute when you're protective... and jealous." Jason said, knowing he would get a reaction out of the woman. She hated when he called her out on being jealous. She couldn't help it. She knew her man was incredibly handsome and women fantasized about the second oldest prince of Gotham.
"Let's not talk about this right now?" Artemis said with an annoyed look.
"Whatever you say, princess." Jason replied. He couldn't help smiling at her. She had such a powerful effect on him.
Sometime later, Jason had left to grab them something to drink and upon returning, he found some stuck up aristocrat had taken it upon himself to talk to Artemis. Jason didn't mind that but when he asked for a dance and Artemis rejected him, Jason felt anger when the man, who was obviously drunk, tried to drag her to the dance floor.
Artemis wasn't having it, of course. She wasn't a delicate flower who couldn't handle herself and she wasn't going to be manhandled by some drunken idiot.
"I said no thank you and if I have to say it again, you're going to end up with a broken nose. Do I make myself clear?" Artemis stated, glaring at the man who had dared to be pushy with her.
"You heard her. Back off." Jason's voice cut through the air. His face showed annoyance.
"This does not concern you." The man said. Did this idiot not realize he was speaking to a member of the royal family.
"I beg to differ. She's with me." Jason retorted and Artemis rolled her eyes at the drunken man before her.
"I have informed this man I came here with someone but he doesn't seem to listen." She said to Jason then back at the man.
"Just leave her alone." Jason said, his tone threatening.
"Or what?" The man replied
"Let's not do anything stupid." Artemis said, placing her hand on Jason's arm. She knew how he could be.
"I'm not going to. I just want this fool to realize what he's doing. He has no idea who he's messing with." Jason exclaimed as he stared him down.
"Come on. Let's get out of here." Artemis said, pulling on Jason's arm to guide him away. As Jason began to follow, she turned around and said, "Next time, when a woman says no, that means no. Learn some respect."
The man glared daggers at her and opened his mouth. What he said was his undoing.
"I wouldn't want a bitch like you anyways."
Jason stiffened at his words. He felt a burning rage go through him. No one talked to Artemis like that. Not in front of Jason. Before Jason could stop himself, he walked right up to the man and threw a punch. The man went down hard only for Jason to yank him back up and punch him again.
He then felt Artemis pull him away and two other people stepped in front of Jason to stop him. One of them happened to be Lucius Fox. The king's long time assistant and good friend.
"Calm down, your highness. Please, people are staring." Lucius said, calmly. Jason toke a deep breath. He didn't bother looking around him. Lucious walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I suggest you don't make things look bad for yourself or your family. Your father will not like this once he hears about it."
"Does it look like I care?" Jason replied, his voice still filled with anger. A few seconds passed and Jason placed his head in his hands.
"I'm sorry Lucius. It's not your fault." He said. He then turned to see Artemis gone. His eyes searched the room for her but she wasn't there.
Jason hoped she wasn't angry with him. He hadn't meant to upset her. He headed for the kitchen where some of the cooks were still working. He didn't care, nor did they. They were use to the prince coming into the kitchen to hide out and secretly drink a bottle of liquor. He did exactly that. While he stood there drinking from the bottle, he thought about what had happened.
If it weren't for this drunken man being more then disrespectful to the woman he loved, he would have had no need to get violent. He didn't really have to anyways but as everyone knew, Jason had quite the temper.
He had wanted tonight to be interesting because Artemis was there and they usually made nights like these interesting. They always found a way to entertain each other. Jason hadn't brought Artemis to many of his father's galas but whenever he did, he knew the night would end with passionate love making.
While Jason stood there lost in thought, his phone went off and he toke it out of his pocket to see that it was Artemis.
'Your room. Upstairs." She said. She had gone to Jason's old room. Jason began to make his way up to his room.
-
Jason made his way upstairs without being noticed or if he was, no one said anything to him. He wondered what Artemis wanted to see him about. He just hoped it wouldn't become a heated argument.
Jason opened the door to his room and slowly walked inside.
"Artemis?"
She came out of his bathroom, wearing her dress and nothing but her dress. She had removed her strapless bra and panties. She still wore her hoops and Jason smiled.
"Hey, sorry about.. he started but stopped when he saw the look in her her eyes. He was all too familiar with that look. The one that told him she wanted him.
"Ok, I guess we're not talking." Jason said
Tonight was going to be interesting after all.