HELLO MY BIG HEART

Ok so let me set the scene :

__________________________________

Set right after the trial of seven, Baelor has just instructed for the Maesters to tend to his brother Maekar.

He turns to Duncan and gives his speech about the realm needing good men. People crowd around them to listen in rapt attention as he removes his helm (unharmed) and smiles down at ser Duncan gently.

Duncan pledges himself to Baelor with loyalty and the shimmer of admiration in his eyes.

The people around them, knights , squires, lords and servants are in awe of Baelor's presence and demeanor.

This man will one day be their King and ruler of the seven kingdoms, and they know they couldn't be in better hands.

In his short period spent in Asford, he has shown time and time again that he is fit to rule over them, with humility and a kind but firm hand, with a strong sense of justice.

The perfect Heir.

That is, until a maester rushes into the scene, covered in blood, sweating and babbling incoherently.

Baelor turns to him, rests a hand on his shoulder and tries to calm him. He let's the maester gather his thoughts before asking what is wrong.

The maester seems slightly less agitated but worried all the same. He wrings his shaking hands nervously and mutters quick apologies.

It's Prince Maekar. He says

The maester feel the crown prince's hand, once comforting suddenly still. He winces as he feels the hand on his shoulder grip and squeeze with an iron grip.

When he looks up, his his heart drops and blood runs cold.

The man before him no longer wears a gentle soothing smile.

His carefully curated mask has slipped.

In his place stands a man with the eyes of a dragon. Cold and dark mismatched eyes, ready to burn any who should anger him any further.

He asks what the maester means, looking him up and down, he asks whose blood is on his robes.

When the maester takes too long to answer, he feels the hand once placed on his shoulder lift for a moment. In the blink of an eye, Baelor's hand is wrapped tightly around his neck.

He pulls him close, dragging his frail body up until the tip on his toes barely graze the floor. He asks once more. Who's blood is on his robes?

The maester chokes with tears streaming down his cheeks. He manages to scrape out that Prince Maekar had removed his armour and had collapsed. He had been pierced in the side by a longsword.

Just before the maester looses all consciousness, due to the lack of air, Baelor releases him and lets him crumple to the ground.

The poor maester coughs and trembles at his feet. When he looks up, Baelor is looking down at him with something akin to a glare, he tells the maestar to pray for his dear brother's recovery, the threat clear in his voice as he turns and rushes to the castle.

The previously admiring onlookers now watch the prince leave in horror and dismay.

Perhaps they were wrong to place their faith in this man.

This monster.

_________________

Baelor makes his way to Maekar's chambers and enters without warning. He freezes on the spot.

The scene before him makes him feel nauseous.

He watches as the maesters move and work in a frenzy to stop any more blood from leaving the prince's pale body.

Baleor doesn't remember ever seeing his brother look this weak. Not since they were much younger, when he had the pox, and when Baelor would sit outside Maekar's room to keep him company as he regained his strength.

He looks too still and far too small for the bed he lays in. He's pale, so very pale. A stark contrast to the vibrant blood pooling under his body.

Baelor tries to move in, he needs to be close to his brother. He needs to feel him. Feel his heartbeat. Anything to indicate he's alive.

But something stops him. He feels resistance. Hands trying to push him away.

Away from Maekar.

The maesters try to make Baelor leave. He grows furious and tries to shove them aside, tries to reach his valonqar.

A painful wheeze can be heard from Maekar, and all hell breaks loose.

Baelor starts shouting, demands to be let through.

More hands wrap around him.

Guards are trying to pull him out of the room as maesters return to Maekar's side.

Baelor screams and wrenches as he tries to get out of the kingsguards sturdy hold. They haul him out of the room and close the doors.

Once they secure the latches they let the prince go.

He turns to them slowly and tells them to step aside. They refuse.

He threatens to have them removed. How dare they deny a prince, their future king, entry to his brother's room. Their captain steps in and asks him to see to reason.

Prince Maekar needs to be tended to, and Prince Baelor needs to gather himself and turn his attention to the people.

Baelor calms for a moment, looking around he can tell he's not getting into his brother's chambers without a fight. And as much as he would like to cut all these treacherous vermin to the ground he knows the maesters must focus on healing Maekar.

He turns and walks off.

________________

Baelor walks and walks, and then walks some more.

Lost in his own dark thoughts, he does not notice the way everyone around him avert their gazes to the ground. Or how they stumble to get out of his way, fearing the wrath he may impose on them should they cross his path.

He eventually reaches Aerion's chambers. No one is guarding the room. Baelor enters slowly and closes the door behind him.

He walks up slowly, watching his nephew sleeping soundly.

Aerion's face is a mess of bruises and cuts. Baleor can tell from the bandages around his body that he must be in a great deal of pain.

He does not quite seem to care though.

He leans in and watches Aerion sleep for a moment. He looks so peaceful, so content in his slumber.

Baelor reaches out and places his hand on a particularly nasty looking injury.

He presses down.

Aerion wakes with a painful gasp. He looks around blearily and finally focuses in on his uncle.

He tells him to let go. He's hurting him. Baelor looks at him with a cold detached stare and presses down even harder.

Aerion lets out a stifled screech but Baelor stops him from calling for help.

He lifts his hand from the wound and grips his face, squeezing as Aerion winces and tries to pull away.

Baelor leans in and drags Aerion's face to meet him halfway. Aerion trembles as he tries to hold his failing body up.

Baelor tells him that Maekar has been mortaly wounded. That he may not make it through the night. He blames Aerion for Maekar's injury.

If he hadn't demanded a trial of seven, Maekar would be fine. Only Aerion was supposed to get hurt after all.

Aerion, even in pain tries to argue back. Who's longsword pierced his father? He could not control the favour of the fight.

And, was it not Baelor who fought against his own family? Against his nephews? Against his dearest little brother? He spits out.

And for a moment, Baelor wishes his wretched devil spawn of a nephew dead.

He lets go of his face and shoves him back down. He glares at him with hatred seeping from his very soul.

Should anything happen to Maekar, he whispers, Baelor willl not hesitate to end his nephew's life.

He leaves a trembling nephew behind and continues to walk, and walk and walk.

Aerion gasps once his doors are closed and lets a few loose tears fall. He had never been so terrified of anyone in his entire life.

He felt, for a moment, that this is what being in the presence of a wild and unclaimed dragon must've felt like for his ancestors.

He hides under his bedsheets and prays to gods that may or may not not exist, for his father's swift recovery and return to the land of the living.

_______________

The days that follow become overwhelmingly somber.

Maekar is stable, but his body needs rest before he can wake.

Baelors demeanor worsens with each passing day that his brother remains asleep.

Servants run past his chambers in a hurry, guards posted around sigh in relief when he is not near.

The lords of the lands try to get through council meetings as quickly as possible to avoid the prince's attention and wrath. Even lord Ashford, who had once welcomed them kindly, tries to avoid the volatile prince.

That is until a serving maid rushes in with a smile on her face. She informs them of Prince Maekar's awakening.

Baelor all but rushes to his brother's chambers. He enters without interruption and stops at the sight before him.

Maekar is leaning against big, fluffy pillows, looking toward the light streaming in through the windows. He turns to look at Baelor as he enters and relaxes a little.

He cracks a small smile and asks if everything is alright. Baelor walks up and sits at the edge of the bed. He reaches out slowly and tucks a stray hair behind his brother's ear gently.

He smiles for the first time in days and envelopes him in a tender embrace. Maekar pulls him in and lets him cry against his neck.

Baelor apologises for all the pain Maekar has been through. Maekar doesn't blame him, simply stroking his hair, and letting his brother air out his troubles.

He asks about his sons, and about what will be done now that all is well. Baelor smiles as he holds him.

He will let Maekar decide on what to do with his children, though he does recommend sending Aerion away, perhaps to the wall. Maekar laughs at the thought and Baelor couldn't be happier.

A maester tries to interrupt their reunion by advising that Baelor should leave so Prince Maekar may rest in peace.

Maekar tells him to fuck off.

Baelor smiles into the crook of his neck and sighs in relief

His Maekar is ok. He pulls him in even closer and simply breathes him in, feeling a strong heartbeat in his ear. He's ok. That is all that matters.

__________________

A sense of normalcy returns to Ashford with Maekar's wake.

Baelor has returned to the picture perfect heir to the throne, treating everyone around him with respect and understanding.

People breathe a sigh of relief knowing they no longer have to tip toe around the grounds of Ashford.

Baelor happily walks the grounds with his brother as they make preparations to return to Summerhall for a while.

Lord Ashford is more than happy to send them on their merry way, as soon as possibe, which confuses Maekar a little.

He asks Baelor if there is anything of importance that happened while he was abed. Baelor simply smiles and assures him that all is well.

The people bid the royal family farewell as they ride into the distance. However, a unanimous thought seems to cross every person's mind as they watch them leave.

They pray nothing bad happens to Prince Maekar anytime soon, and that he lives a long and healthy life, so they may live in peace under the future kings reign.

They pray.

_____________________

Whoooie that was a long one, so what'dya think? You like?

Ok, so, I can't stop thinking about Maekar and Lyonel Baratheon as an unlikely but fun duo, so let me set the scene!

Maekar (omega) is in love with his older brother, Baelor(Alpha).

Lyonel (Beta or Omega) is obsessed with royal drama, especially if he's the one stirring the pot.

------------—-----------–-------------—-------------

Set during the Turney of Ashford meadow,

Lyonel is walking around tents trying to find something to cure his endless boredom as he waits for the tourney to begin.

On the other side of the meadow, prince Maekar paces around the halls of lord Ashford's castle.

Its been years since his Alpha, Dyanna passed away. He spent years grieving his wife and best friend.

Now, it's seems the omega in him has stirred once more, and it's set it's eyes on his older brother.

Maekar has always loved his brother, however, growing up he knew he would have to choose duty over love. He was lucky to have met Dyanna at the time, he grew to love her, and gave her 6 beautiful pups.

Now though, he wished for companionship once more.

He has spent months trying to subtly seduce his brother, leaving clear signs of his interest.

Baelor, being none the wiser, does not see Maekar's flirtatious tone at all. He is just happy his younger brother seems to be showing more affection as of late.

No matter what he tries, Baelor only seems to be interested in this random hedge knight that seems to have appeared from thin air.

Maekar doesn't know what to do, and he frustratingly leaves the castle to cool off and walk around.

Lyonel and Maekar happen to stumble across eachother, both quite hostile upon their first interaction.

They soon realise the other is no threat and end up walking together.

One thing leads to another and they somehow end up drunk in Lyonel's tent, with Maekar ranting about Baelor being a dumb, stupid oblivious Alpha.

Lyonel, comforting the omega, suddenly has a wonderful, stupid idea.

He and Maekar are going to make Baelor jealous. A drunken Maekar nods and agrees, not quite sure what it is he's agreeing to.

They dance and laugh and for once, Maekar rids himself of all things that trouble his mind.

Lyonel lets the prince share and sleep in his bed (platonic) and helps him return to the castle in the morning. Baelor is waiting for them at the entrance.

He had worried when he couldn't find Maeker the night before, and had sent guards to search for his missing brother.

When he heard that Maekar was in the company of Lord Baratheon, an ugly feeling seemed to stir within him. Why his brother was entertaining the laughing storm was a true mystery.

He watched as Lyonel escorted his brother back to the castle, and he didn't miss the way the stag had his hand dangerously low on Maekar's back, the other steadying the prince by holding his outstretched hand.

As they reach the castle, Maekar thanks Lyonel for such a pleasant night. Lyonel smiles, and watches for Baelor's reaction as he steps closer and lifts Maekars hand to his lips.

He presses a gentle kiss to the back of his hand and very loudly proclaimes he hopes to see the prince soon. Maekar smiles and a small blush graces his cheeks.

Baelor decides it's the perfect time to intercept their odd interaction.

He thanks Lord Baratheon for keeping his brother company and all but drags Maekar into the castle, placing a possessive hand on his brother's lower back, where Lyonel's had been moments ago, for all to see.

Lyonel watches them leave with the biggest grin on his face.

-----------—----------

The tourney takes place, knights and champions joust over and over. Baelor and Maekar sitting side by side watching everything unfold.

Maekar grows bored after a while, that is until a familiar knight rides up to their stand.

Lord Baratheon removes his antlered helmet and sends a dazzling smile his way. Maekar grows intrigued and approaches the rail to speak to him.

He does not notice Baelor's demeanor change. He does not see how his eyes grow cold, how his back straightens and how his jaw seems to clench at the sight of the stag.

Lyonel publicly declares he'll be jousting for prince Maekar's favour. This bold declaration shocks the surrounding onlookers. Gasps and hushed chatter fills the surrounding stands.

Maekar is surprised, but not unhappy. He tells Lyonel he does not have a favour to give. Lyonel simply smiles and says that the prince need only give a kiss upon his brow should he win.

The crowd is in a frenzy at the demand. Maekar thinks for a moment, then nods, agreeing to his request.

Baelor forgets his own strength for a moment, he doesn't realise he's growling, or that he has snapped his wooden armchair, his hand clenched on the broken wood still.

Maekar, suddenly very interested in the tourney, watches with rapt attention.

Joust after joust, the crowd watches with anticipation, waiting to see which knight will win.

The last joust begins, the finalists being Lyonel Baratheon and the hedge knight, Ser Duncan the tall.

Everyone holds their breath as they watch both knights clash spears. Round after round they go, until.....

Ser Duncan the tall unhorses Lord Baratheon.

Some of the crowd errupts in cheer while others boo at the laughing storm's loss.

Baleors demeanor relaxes and for the first time that day, he smiles at the stags embarrassing loss.

He congratulates ser Duncan for his victory.

Lyonel approaches with a gentle smile on his face, he apologises for not winning in Prince Maekar's name. Baekar could almost gloat.

Almost.

Maekar stands up and leans forward, he gently pulls Lyonel's face forward and kisses his forehead.

He pulls back slightly and smiles, Lyonel watches him with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. Their faces are still close, and Lord Baratheon has been known for leaning into his intrusive thoughts one too many times.

He just can't help himself, he's just a man after all. As Maekar leans back, Lyonel reaches out and pulls the prince back in by the neck.

Their lips slot together for a moment.

Maekar gasps.

A moment passes. Time stops

Silence everywhere.

A loud growl breaks the silence as Baelor yanks his brother away from the antlered animal.

He pulls Markar behind him, his sharp teeth bared for all to see. His scent roaming loose, making most around them submit.

The Alpha's scent does not seem to affect Lyonel at all, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he grins at the prince wildly.

Maekar tries to calm his brother down, before he does something he'll regret.

The crowd is in shock, then all hell breaks loose. People shout and others taunt. Distress is in the air.

Lord Ashford tries to settle the situation before another fight begins.

Maekar drags his brother back to the castle, struggling as Baelor seems to want nothing more that to jump and attack the stag.

----------—----------

Once Maekar is alone with Baelor, he confronts his behaviour.

Baelor is furious, how can Maekar not be angry?

That horrid animal had laid his claim on him, had kissed him in front of all to see, without his consent.

Maekar watches him for a moment and stops.

Is....is his brother jealous?

He steps forward and gently taunts, he enjoyed the kiss, he promised Lord Baratheon a kiss, he was simply doing his princely duties.

Baelor snaps and says Lyonel lost, that his brother owed him nothing.

Baelor pulls him close, his pupils blown so wide, they almost look black. Maekar shivers.

He asks what's so wrong with another vying for his attention, how he is a lone omega, how perhaps, it is time for him to find a new mate.

Baelor freezes for a moment.

Maekar is his. His alone.

He takes action. He lifts his brother and dumps him on his bed.

He claims Maekar in that room, just as he had always wanted him too.

They stay in that room for days.

When they finally emerge, Baelor is more than content. His claim on Maekar clear for all to see, as if the noises they had made for the last few days hadn't been proof enough for all within earshot.

They eventually see Lyonel again. Baelor, in a much better mood, pulls Maekar to his side, almost taunting the other man.

Lyonel simply smiles and congratulates the new couple.

Makear smiles and goes to hug him, as they stand near, Maekar whispers a gentle thank you into the other man's ear and Lyonel smiles as he wraps his arms around the prince's waist.

He lets the prince know he enjoyed riling up his brother, causing such a strong reaction from a usually calm man.

He also lets him know he enjoyed their short daliance, and how, should Baelor ever upset him, Storms End will always wlecome him with open arms.

They both laugh as Baelor coughs and pulls them apart.

They bid their farewell and part ways.

Lord Baratheon sure loves causing a stir, especially when it affects the crown.

Lyonel wanders around the meadows and comes across the knight that unhorsed him.

What was his name again? Ah yes, Ser Duncan the Tall.

A smile crosses Lyonel's face as he approaches the unsuspecting Alpha.

The laughing storm has been known for always searching for amusement.

Perhaps this giant of a man may find a way to entertain him.

__________________________

SO...what do you guys think?? 👀

I wrote this with hammeranvil being the main couple, but I'm kinda starting to like the Lyonel/Maekar pairing.

You can see towards the end that Lyonel is kinda into Duncan, this man is on this earth to have a good time and some fun!

Baelor being super possessive once he sees others are interested in Maekar is a must.

Maekar being lovely as always.

Both Lyonel and Maekar lowkey enjoyed that kiss.

I kind of see their relationship as BFFs/platonic soulmates who kiss eachother in the most casual way possible.

Duncan crumbs in there, just trying his best, he'll have his hands full with Lyonel's antics.

Also! I didn't know if i should make Lyonel a Beta or Omega, I think both fit him really well.

Like, as a Beta, Baelor's scent doesn't affect him, but as an omega, Maekar would feel really safe around him.

Saw this and just cackled, Imagine the faith hailing him like the westerosi version of the Virgin Mary 💀 (to Maekar’s eternal chagrin)

Maekar is annoyed af cause he knows why and also is low-key like ‘well fuck all you you said I was infertile’ and Baelor is fucking sweating bc he knows EXACTLY who the father is but he can’t exactly say because they’re not married and that would be a scandal and a half or whatever (maybe because they didn’t realise in time for a quick marriage to stow any rumours until Maekar was actually showing bc everyone was saying he was infertile so he internalised that and just kinda went ‘huh strange that I’m so sick these mornings’ etc etc)

And then the baby comes out looking like a carbon copy of Maekar with all those Valyrian genes - the faith is hailing this as the virgin birth, clearly the seven intervened here somehow, the maesters are theorising whether Targaryen omegas can actually reproduce on their own like some old lore/rumours around dragons that could do so, Westeros is calling this a miracle baby bc everyone knows the fourth prince was rendered barren by the pox, the family is a shambles, the baby gets the Targaryen name bc clearly as a spontaneous mitosis baby this is a TRUEBORN TARGARYEN, Daeron II is staring daggers into Baelor’s head cause he knows exactly how this happened, Baelor is punching the air bc he can’t claim his baby as his - extra funny idea: Blackfyres losing support because well clearly the gods favour Daeron’s line.

The chaos would be so funny

oh this is so perfect, dear Anon 🩷

the worst part is, Daeron II can't even scold Baelor for shaming his younger brother because ultimately it all worked well for Targaryens PR 😭

also, imagine people around the Kingdom starting some sort of Maekar's cult, making figures and paintings, telling made-up stories about him, like, they're obsessed so bad that at some point people want to raise a statue for him and Maekar is so fed up because he didn't sign up for all of this shit

He lets it burrow under his shirt. His chest covered in deep wounds where the hatchlings claws dug for security into pale flesh. It sleeps at his bed, not at his feet but upon a pillow. The prince speaks softly to it, as he would his daughters. as it grows he seems to not notice the weight of the creature as it pushes itself on his lap to rub its rough face against his neck and lick at his beard like a cat. The prince is quick to anger with lords who flinch at his affection to the creature.

I NEED A FANFIC OF THIS 🕊 dyanna MY MOTHER

anncmalie on tiktok

There is this rather popular headcanon that he'd been lonely before Maekar was born — which I don't really agree with, since the four brothers were apparently born in a fairly short stretch of time. And Baelor is about five years older than Maekar — which means Baelor was still a small boy, but already a boy acquainted with the basics of handling a wooden sword and horse riding when Maekar was born. Baelor was a very busy small boy, by all accounts, and Aerys being too bookish and Rhaegel being too withdrawn would not have been very much apparent yet at that point.

Still, the youngest children often end up being special, and as for Maekar, fairly soon he turned out to be promising, too — difficult, but promising. And for him, this basically meant he was destined to become Baelor's spare. And at a certain point, rather early on, the intelligent and conscientious Baelor would have realized this. And then he would have realized that the love he felt for his brother, who loved him back, was not a solution to the problem they were presented with. Oh no, mutual love only made things much more complicated.

Now, as for the brothers' dynamic of "the one who loves versus the one who accepts the love", my unpopular opinion is that, in fact, the latter was Maekar (hehe). Yes, Baelor is "perfect", and "beloved by all", and "unreachable", and all that. But what can possibly compare in its power with the undertone of the ultimate sacrifice ever present in his younger brother's very existence? Wouldn't you feel obliged to ensure his happiness at all costs, especially if you were as inherently good and honorable as Baelor? Wouldn't you be terrified at the thought of him dying because of you, in one way or another, especially when you've already become so irrevocably close — and not just brothers, but brothers-in-arms?

And if he also ends up being your lover (probably blood of the dragon demanding its thing, well, you know) — then oh, boy. The brotherly and unbrotherly love mingled and intertwined can form an extremely powerful and rather strange mixture.

Maekar is the strong fighter Baelor admires — and the tiny child he remembers. Someone who invokes in him a brotherly tenderness — and a completely unbrotherly passion. He's powerful and dangerous. He's trusting and vulnerable. He doesn't want to be patronized and is getting more formidable by the day. He needs brotherly care and protection. He's often harsh, he can be aloof, but he's so deeply and selflessly in love. (The major hook for Baelor being — his brother needing him desperately, to the point of self-abandonment, when he is convinced he has to be a caregiver and a savior. And he takes it very seriously... because it feels so good.) He knows quite a lot, but still lacks certain experience. He'd fight and die for Baelor, and he's made it abundantly clear. And he's still so young. If he died, it would be so unfair. And the Targaryens fought brutal wars over much lesser things than the brother-lover of a Targaryen prince being killed — because, indeed, by all accounts, the Targaryens are a savage race. And perhaps, Baelor is, in truth, no exception. Or is he?

Getting injured or even killed at a tournament was a very real possibility for any knight, and — in theory — even for a prince, by the way. (And this is one of the few things House of the Dragon got absolutely right.) Tournaments were rather brutal and often dangerous, and gave people like Maekar — those who had little else to their name besides their prowess as fighters, that is — a place to shine.

Yes, of course there were plenty of knights who would reasonably decide to play it safe with a royal, who would win anyway just because of his status — but at the end of the day, it depended on the royal. Like, what do you mean you are going to spoil this wonderful tournament for me by refusing to fight me like you should. You'd better collect yourself and fight me like a man, you dog — otherwise I may get really displeased. Some Medieval kings and emperors were famous for this kind of attitude — and it certainly fits Maekar (and Baelor) perfectly.

But Maekar is the one less protected by his status and more vulnerable to any kind of a conspiracy that could be conceived to weaken King Daeron's position. And while it's known that Baelor didn't want the war to happen, something tells me that if Maekar fell victim to a conspiracy, at the very least, Baelor would want revenge with the whole of his heart. The dispute over the throne was bad enough — Daemon Blackfyre's party questioned Baelor's own legitimacy, and almost certainly would not have spared him if it had the opportunity. But if Maekar were killed — simply because he was regarded as "one dragon less", and Baelor (as well as their father) was the real target — the question of whether or not roping the whole realm into a matter of personal revenge was an honorable or even a worthwhile thing to do would truly emerge for Baelor.

Maekar losing Baelor is so tragic because, among all the other things, he ends up being a man getting suddenly pulled out of his more or less predictable life path, forever changed for something completely different he is understandably not prepared for. If it were the other way round, though, Baelor would still have his position, his power, his reputation, and all of his duties, all intact. But he would be faced with the question of what in the seven hells he's supposed to do with them, now that none of these things have been enough to protect the man he loved the most. And none of them can bring him back, no matter what he decides.

And "a good man suddenly turned bad because of a great loss" would certainly be far too unoriginal for him. But let's just say, I think in this case the idea "the septons say we must love our brothers" would have been taken to a whole new level in his family. If Aerion ever started a fight, it would only be because he assumed Daeron (or any other of his brothers/cousins) was in danger or being offended by someone. Aemon would not have received the treatment he got as the family's unspoken black sheep. And Aegon would not have been born at all, sorry, because he was born after the Blackfyre Rebellion.