Silence
A/N: This chapter will focus on Jason's perspective of the first chapter. I initially wrote the first chapter about a year ago with the intention of adding on to it later. I do intend on continuing this story, but I do not know when more chapters or installments will be written and published.
Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.
Chapter Two
Quiet. But he likes the quiet. He sighs, leaning against the wall. Quiet means everything is good. Everyone is safe. And that's all a guard really wants, no matter how much they may live for the thrill of battle. Suddenly, the lights flicker out in the castle. He straightens, and so do the other guards with them. But before they can figure out what just happened, there's a scream coming from the direction of the princess's room.
Once they get to her room, the princess is on her knees on her floor. Her window's curtains are left open, the window itself is also open. Tommy's tangled in a mesh, his guard's uniform is in shreds, leaving his bruised and scratched up skin exposed. His eyes are closed, his mouth wide open. They get him free as quickly as they can, paying no mind to how their own hands were getting cut up by the mesh wiring.
As the rest of the guards carry Tommy out of the room and to the infirmary, he stops himself upon seeing the state the princess was in. Tears were freely falling down her cheeks, and she hadn't moved from her position since they first got to the room. He places a hand on her shoulder, kneeling down in front of her. "He's going to be fine. Tommy's a tough guy."
He's not just saying it to her, but also to himself. "You saw him! Who would do this?!"
He wishes he had an answer for her.
The next few weeks are a blur for him. His fellow guards spent the majority of that time going back and forth with the queen over her decision. But the queen had made up her mind, and there was no convincing her. Then came the day of the ceremony. He makes his way to the infirmary, looking inside of Tommy's room. Kat's sitting on the edge of his bed, feeding him something with a spoon. Her hair is down, even though guards with long hair were supposed to have their hair up. But something told him that was the last thing on her mind.
Any other time he would just leave her be, but this wasn't any other time. And he knew better than to keep the queen waiting. He enters the room, clearing his throat to make his presence known. Kat looks over her shoulder, before looking back at Tommy. She whispers something that Jason doesn't catch, then gets up from the bed. Jason and Kat leave the room, closing the door behind them.
They met with the rest of the guards in the throne room, which was where the queen always held meetings. With the exception of meetings where what was discussed was meant to be confidential. They take a seat, as Adam and Rocky get up from their seats. They return with the princess, the queen entering the room shortly after. The queen starts speaking, the princess looking over at them.
They try to keep their expressions emotionless, but that only serves to worry her more it seems. The queen keeps speaking, beckoning him to step forward. The wedding is awkwardly silent, except for the queen, who is still talking. It felt like forever until it was finally over. On the walk to her room, he tries to keep a safe distance from her.
"Let's just go to bed."
"Right. I'll take the couch."
"You, you don't have to do that. If this is going to be long term, you should be comfortable too." Even though her bed was big enough for the both of them, he was already invading her personal space. And her couch was about the same size as his mattress in the guards' living quarters.
"It's fine with me." He smiles, for what feels like the first time in years.
"And you sharing my bed is fine with me." She grabs his arm, and even through his guard uniform, his skin still tingles beneath her touch. It had been so long since he'd been touched by a woman, when he wasn't training or in battle. Something unrecognizable flashes in her eyes before she lets him go. "Um, I'm going to take a shower. You can get comfortable."
She walks into the bathroom, and he walks over to her bed. He removes most of his guard's uniform, getting up under her covers. The shower starts, and he pushes away the thought of her wet and naked body. He finds it hard to sleep that night, which is only made worse by the princess joining him in bed. The smell of her shampoo in his nose.
"Jason?"
He mumbles something in response, sleep only now deciding to affect him. "How long do you think this is going to last?"
He rolls over, looking at her. "I don't know. But I promise you we will find whoever is behind this."
"You promise?"
He brushes a stray strand of hair behind her ear, but keeps his hand on her cheek. "I promise, princess."
She bits her lip, before suddenly kissing him. And perhaps against his better judgment, he kisses her back.