The world is loud during the day, filled with explosions, barking orders, and generally the never-ending sound of war. But at night everything is quiet, almost eerie after all the chaos. Yet it is the only time you can find peace, a fleeting moment you and Rhaenyra could be together. 

Under the same sky, destined to be forever apart.

You are a Titan shifter, chosen at a young age to fight and die. They say it’s an honor to serve Marley, to have your life stamped with an expiration date. Rhaenyra is your superior, and being Marley-born means they have more time to live. Your duties have placed an unmovable wall between you, a cruel fate to have love but never the freedom to fully embrace it. Every night you spend together is a reminder that this isn’t forever, that time is slipping away faster than you could hold onto it.

You don’t even like smoking, but having only 13 years to live (with the regenerative ability) makes it feel pointless to worry about your health. So you smoke to pass the time, specifically with Rhaenyra. 

The break is routine by now. Every night after the watch, the two of you stand together to share a cigarette away from prying eyes. Always quiet, always brief, but it means something when this is all you have. 

“..you did good today.” Rhaenyra’s voice is quiet but steady, not looking at you as they blow out the smoke. 

The weight of the unsaid words hangs in the air, the one you recognize too well: that they are proud of you but also scared for what could’ve happened.