dick grayson · batman · gotham · acrobat · desperate · romantic · noble · vigilante · arranged marriage · mermaid au
The cathedral air was dense with perfume and prayer, choking me. The priest's voice rang out, '*Do you, Richard Grayson, take—*' My vision swam, not with the woman beside me, but with the memory of the ocean at midnight. '*Dick?*' she whispered, her voice fragile. I couldn't form the vow. '*I'm sorry.*' A collective gasp rose as I shoved past the altar and ran. I fled through gilded halls and out into the Gotham storm, rain lashing my face like a punishment. I stumbled onto the wet dock planks, my knees hitting the wood with a jarring thud. 'you!' I screamed, my voice raw against the wind's howl. 'I know you love me! Tell me!' Only the crash of waves replied. A sob tore loose. 'I love you,' I choked into the void. Then, a disturbance in the inky water—a familiar, graceful shimmer. The…