❛ BASTARD OF THE TIDES !

“Oh, Aeron..” Aerley mumbled with her fingers over her lips as her teeth began chattering out of fear. This cannot be happening. She thought to herself as she looked in every direction in search for Aerys. “Aeron! How many times have I told you two that you are to remain together if you get separated from me or someone else?” Aerley looked up and rolled her eyes, reminding herself that she needed to soften her demeanor. “Aeron, can you please tell me what happened again so we can find your brother?” The little ten year old stammered and picked his words carefully, almost as if he was cutting out pieces of the story. Aerley’s eyebrows raised as she only heard the gaps in his story. 

Aerley used a finger to pull up his chin to meet her eyes. “What happened?” She asked in a firm tone. “Truly.” She added, completely sure that he was leaving out an important reason for why the two separated and left their trainer. Finally, Aeron admitted their wrongdoings and what led to them running in opposite directions. “You what?” She asked, now more angry than worried. “You hit him with your sticks? And then you ran?” She looked away in an attempt to spot Aerys, but found herself rolling her eyes even harder than before. 

“Aeron, this way,” she said as she grabbed his hand and lightly pulled him in her direction. “If your brother has left the keep..” Aerley looked down at her little boy, who was clearly worried. She bit her lip as she thought of a different way to finish her ominous statement. “..Then it will be very hard to find him.” His positive words almost erased the awful images of her head of her son wandering around Flea Bottom aimlessly. 

After ten more minutes of searching, they decided to go check by the stables that were close by to where they had been training. “What kind of damned man runs from little boys with sticks?” She asked aloud, to which her young son replied, “A stupid one.” Had they been under different circumstances, Aerley would have chuckled. As they turned the corner, she saw someone on their knees attending to a young boy with black hair. “Aerys!” She yelled as she picked up her skirt with one hand and ran with Aeron’s hand in the other. As soon as they were close to him, she dropped down to her knees to get a better look at him. 

His face was red, puffy, and had snot under his nose, likely from crying. Aerley pulled her sleeve over her hand and wiped the snot off, not caring for her dress. The person who was attending to her injured boy had already done what they could to soothe his injuries, but there was still a bone protruding out of his arm. Instead of pestering her son with questions, she turned to the person that had been helping him. Her lilac eyes wide with concern as she hoped that the maester in King’s Landing knew how to handle broken arms. “Thank you so much for finding him. What happened?” She asked quickly before turning her attention back to her son. 

the  day  had  been  a  RARE  one  to  start  he  found  himself  unburdened  by  the  weight  of  the  tension  that  has  settled  over  the  red  keep  like  a  dense  fog .  today  he  felt  more  like  himself  than  he  had  in  the  past  few  weeks  and  he  was  a  man  DETERMINED .  he  would  not  carry  the  burdens  of  house  velaryon  upon  shoulders  that  seemed  ready  to  buckle  at  a  moments  notice .   just  for  the  day  he  would  return  to  his  ROOTS  allow  himself  a  freedom  he  dared  not  enjoy  during  this   momentous  stay  in  the  capital .  he  was  no  proxy  ,  no  puppet  for  a   house  that  had  only  seen  fit  to  reclaim  him  in  recent  years  ,  no  LORD .  without  worry  or  care  today  he  was  simply  LUCERYS . 

it  was  that   yearn  for  LIBERATION  that  saw  him  galloping  aimlessly  through  the  KINGSWOOD  on  the  spirited  destrier’s  back   ,  wind  whipping  through  the  mane  of  dark  curls  that  were  worn  loose  on  this  day .  the  goal  :  to  be  unhindered  in  every  way .  his  morning  was  dedicated  to  feeling  the  sting  of  the  cool  air  against  his  skin  and   his  heart  beating  in  time  with  the  horse’s  hooves  pounding  against  the  forested  floor .  thus  he  was  ill  prepared  for  what  awaited  his  return  to  the  stables  .   there  was  intent  to  run  a  brush  through  the  destrier’s  windswept  mane  and  a  few  carrots  with  it’s  name  on  them  as  a  show  of  gratitude  but  poorly  stifled  sobs  coming  from  within  an  empty  stable  saw  those  plans  pushed  aside . 

only  when  the  magnificent  beast  is  corralled  safely  within  it’s  pen  does  lucerys  venture  further  into  the  stables  in  search  of  the  source  of  the  broken  whimpers .  he  has  never  been  overly  fond  of  children  but  his  heart  leaps  forward  in  his  chest  ,  clears  a  beat  at  the  sight  of  the  child  the  cries  belong  to .  the  man  does  not  afford  his  own  child  as  much  comfort  as  he  does  this  boy  –––  for  the  child  is  one  of   his  dearest  cousin’s  twins  and  holds  a  special  place  in  his  heart  for  this  reason  alone .  any  child  of  aerley’s  he  would  protect  with  his  whole  being .  they  are  cousins  in  truth  but  aerley  is  more  a  sister  to  him  than  a  cousin  and  the  boys  take  to  seeing  him  as  an  UNCLE  for  it .  today  was  meant  to  be  title  free  but  he  sports  the  title  of  UNCLE  LUCERYS  now  and  is  at  the  boys  side  in  a  few  short  steps .  crouches   down  so  that  they  might  be  level  and  eyes  sweep  over  him  to  assess  the cause  of  his  TEARS .  worry  ,  like  one  of  his  titles  ,  reinstated . 

he  can  see  that  there  is  much  desire  to  spring  into  the  safe  haven  that  was   his  arms  but  the  bone  that  protrudes  from  his  arm  keeps  the  boy  from  making  any  sudden  moves .  “  it’ll  be  alright  ,  i  promise  ,  hush  now . ”  a  hand  is  smoothed  affectionately  over  the  boy’s  dark  hair .  “  we’re  going  to  get  you  to  the  maester  and  let  him  have  a  look  at  that  arm . ”  thoughts  of  aeron  and  aerley  rush  through  his  mind  but  he  doesn’t  want  to  BOMBARD  the  already  overwhelmed  child .  “  do  you  swear  it’ll  be  okay . . . ?  ”  aerys  chokes  out  around  a  mouthful  of  sobs  and  lucerys  gives  a  half-hearted  smile .  bones  could  be  precarious  things  ,  ran  the  risk  of  healing  improperly  and  that  could  only  double  in  children  with  bones  that  were  still  growing .  even  so  he  knows  better  than  to  speak  such  concerns  aloud  to  a  fear  filled  child .  “  i  did  promise  ,  didn’t  i  ?  ” 

aerys  offers  up  a  nod  in  a  silent  response  ,  tears  still  slip  from  his  eyes  but  he  seems  as  content  with  the  answer  as  he  can  be .  “  i  know  you’re  afraid  to  move  but  we  must  get  you  out  of  these  stables  and  back  to  the  red  keep .  ”  he  can  see  the  protestation  swimming  in  the  river  of  tears  that  perforate  his  nephew’s  eyes  before  he  concludes  his  thought .  “  do  you  trust  me  ,  aerys ? do  you  trust  that  i  would  never  seek  to  cause  you  pain ? ”  there  comes  another  wordless  reply  in  the  form  of  a  single  nod  and  it  unexpectedly  puts  lucerys  at  ease  himself .  “  then  that’s  all  you  need  to  do .  trust  in  me  and  i  will  make  sure  everything  is  okay  ,  i  swear  it .  i’m  going  to  carry  you  out  of  the  stables  now  and  once  we’re  out  we’ll  stop  and  you  can  tell  me  if  it’s  bearable . ”  

crouched  down  assessing  aerys’  arm  and  discerning  whether  the  copious  amount  of movement  aggravates  the  broken  bone  is  how  aerley  finds  them  and  he  breathes  a  sigh  of  RELIEF  at  the  sight  of  the  woman .  the  question  is  not  one  he’s  prepared  for   ,  he  hadn’t  bothered  to  ask  aerys  any  questions  about  the  predicament  that  lead  up  to  him  breaking  his  arm .  the  priority  had  been  to  put  the  child  at  some  form  of  ease .  “  i  haven’t  the slightest  clue  i  was  preoccupied  with  trying  to  calm  him  i  didn’t  want  to  further  his  state  of  distress .  i  just  happened  upon  him  hiding  in  the  stables  nursing  his  arm .  and  you’ve  caught  us  in  the  middle  of  me  trying  to  escort  him  to  the  maester . ”  lucerys  tries  not  to  let  the  amusement  he  feels  at  the  horrified  look  upon  aeron’s  face  take  ahold  of  him .  there  was  nothing  remotely  AMUSING  about  the  situation  at   hand  . . .  save  for  the  young  boy’s  clear  disgust  at  his  brother’s  protruding  bone .   “  don’t  tell  me  you’re  afraid  of  a  little  bone . ”  having  made  way  for  aerley  to  attend  to  aerys  allows  for  his  sights  to  be  set  easily  upon  the  other  boy .  “  i’m  not ! ”  the  words  are  resolute  and  luce  musses  the  hair  atop  his  head  in  approval  before  his  attention  is  redirected  to  aerley  and  aerys . “ we  really  ought  to  get  him  to  the  maester  even  if  only  so  that  he  can  give  him  something  to  help  manage  the  pain .  ”

╰ ˚・♔ —— for most of the voyage, valaena had spent the majority of her time between the pages of her book && and the ship’s deck. it was almost too quick. valaena was seldom allowed to leave the confines of driftmark, and she half-expected for her father to recall his inital request: accompany lucerys’ presence in the capital. however, the welcome she was granted was one of suspicion ;; valaena had little interest in the recent tragedy that uprooted the peaceful facade. there in, upon seating foot in the capital, valaena sought out a private space      a place of tranquil, in order to prepare for the onslaught of nobles. “pardon,” her voice rose as a passing face drifted by. “would you be so kind as to point me in the direction of the dragonpit?”

news  of  valaena’s  impending  presence  had  found  him  days  ago  by  way  of  raven  and  the  frustration  that  so  easily  accompanied  father’s  written  words  seemed  only  to  grow  in  the  days  preceding  her  arrival .  she  would  no  doubt  see  it  as  her  GREAT  ESCAPE  a  chance  to  be  without  the   firm  press  of  their  father’s  boot  ,  slip  from  beneath  the  confines  of  his  thumb .  but  her  FREEDOM  was  lucerys’  NIGHTMARE .  at  times  he  thought  his  house  should  oft  be  known  for  their  WASPISH  nature  as  opposed  to  their  extensive  naval  fleet  and  ties  to  the  dragon  lords  (  history  omitting  all  together  that  house  velaryon  ,  too  ,  rode  upon  the  backs  of  DRAGONS  ) .  valaena  seemed  ,  much  like  himself  ,  to  take  after  their  father  ––––   they  were  an  ILL  TEMPERED  sort .  and  the  two  butted  heads  most  probably  because  they  were  more  alike  than  they  knew  ;  kindred  in  the  most  unfavorable  of  ways .  “ no  need  to  trouble  yourself  i’ll  draw  the  lady  a  map  ,  ”  he  cuts  into  the  exchange  like  a  finely  sharpened  blade  through  flesh  ,  quick  and  severe .  

both  tone  and  gaze  challenge  the  passerby  to  let  even  a  word  fall  from  betwixt  their  lips  and  when  the  challenge  is  not  accepted  –––  that  is  to  say  they  all  but  scurry  in  the  opposing  direction  –––  a  gaze  colder  than  the  waters  of  the  FROZEN  SHORE  is  turned  upon  the  girl .  “  what  business  might  you  have  to  attend  to  in  the  dragon  pit ?  apart  from  business  that  will  later  see  itself  becoming  MY  business .  you’ve  only  just  arrived  and  you  already  mean  to  make  yourself  a  nuisance . ”    when  he’d  been  a  boy  he  could  understand  valaena’s  infatuation  with  the  creatures   ,   some  nights  he  still  dreamed  of  dragons  but  his  obsession  with  them  had  lessened  greatly  with  time .  “  do  you  think  they’ll  be  able  to  detect  the  BLOOD  of  OLD  VALYRIA  running  through  your  veins ?  surely  you  don’t  believe  the  tales  of  dragons  being  smarter  than  men .   they’d  sooner  roast  you  alive  and  if  it  weren’t  my  duty  to  see  you  unharmed  i  might  let  you  find  out  firsthand . ”  in  truth  ,  he  knew  not  if  dragons  could  sense  ties  in  the  blood  but  he  wasn’t  fool  enough  to  find  out .  and  under  his  jurisdiction  he  would  not  allow  her  to  be  either  ;  cruel  words   and  disdain  aside  valaena  was  his  blood  ,  his  baby  sister  ,  and  sworn  duty  to  father  or  not  he  would  not  let  harm  befall  her .    “  however  it  is  my  duty  and  i  will  not  see  you  step  foot  near  the  DRAGON  PIT . ” 

                      SHE  WANTS  HIM  TO  KNOW  that  her  non - answer  is  not  a testament  to  her  love  for  him , nor  is   it  a  statement of love lost .  it  is  for the  love , her  unyielding , unmeasurable  love  that  she  refrains.  perhaps  the  light  of  day  will  allow  him  to  see  that. –––– once  the  VELARYONS  see  sense  to  look  for  their  missing  part  , and  call  him  back from  the  safe  haven  created  within  the  confines  of  these  walls.  it’s  not  for  herself  that she’s  said  nothing.  she  wills  this  realization  into  her  touch , hoping  it  will  transfer  into  his  skin . hoping  beyond  anything  that  he  will  understand .  she  has  wanted  nothing  more  than  to  say  yes . it  will  remain  her  greatest  WISH. 

lips  against  skin  ,  fingers  in  hair  ,  prompt  an  EMOTIONAL  reaction  she  isn’t  prepared for .  it’s  his  unspoken  acknowledgment.  and ,  perhaps ,  the  shutting  of  a  door .  an offer made  in  haste  that  will  likely  not  be  made  again .  she  feels  a  pain  in  her  chest  ––––  an  absence ,  a  h o l l o w n e s s  she  now  recognizes  will  likely  never  be  filled .  she  will likely  live  the  rest  of  her  life  surviving  on  moments  (  or  the  memories  of  moments  )  like  these.  she  shuts  her  eyes  tightly ,  blinking  away  tears  from  her  eyes. it isn’t  until  he  grants  her  request  that  she  has  the  courage  to  open  them  ,  the  promise of  time  spent  together  ,  removed  from  anger ––––  removed  from  the world , reflecting  comfort  in  her  gaze. 

nodding  slowly , she   allows  herself  to  be  led  to  the  bed  ,  the  weight  of  exhaustion  &  sadness  making sluggish  steps . perhaps ,  it  is  also  the  realization  that  sleep  will  lead  to her waking  to face  the  REALITY  of  this  night   that  leaves  her  slow  to  yield  to it.  eyes  fix  upon  his  face  ,  effectively  melting   layers  of  steel  and  deception   from  her  own.  it’s  only  here , only  with  him ,  that  she  can  lower  guards  and  remove  facades  (  though  it’s  very possible  that  HERE  is  where  she  needs  them  the  most ).  her  heart  catches  in  her throat , threatening  to  spill  out  before  him - -  to  reveal  everything  all  at  once. 

the  term  of  endearment   breaks  her  heart  and  heals  it  in  its  next  beat . for ONCE , myriam  does  as  she’s  told , refraining  from  defiance  for  the  sole  sake  of  defiance , specifically  to  shield  her  face. she bites back  tears , tilting  her  head  up  toward  the  ceiling so  that  they  might  just  roll  back  into  her  head ,  away  from  where  lucerys  might spot them.   deft fingers reach up ,  quickly  pulling  jeweled  pins  from  her  hair and ridding  herself finally  from  the  intricate  crown  braid  that  had  helped  her  to  parade  as  a  westerosi noblewoman.  perhaps  it  is defiance that sees her  drop  them  on  the  ground.  fingertips quickly comb through loose , dark locks , twisting them over one shoulder so that the laces of her gown are more accessible.

she  nearly looks  over  her  shoulder  as  more  words  tumble  from  his  lips , but  stops  herself.  she swallows  the   selfless   protests  that  would  protect  him , too. is  it  so  very  selfish  to  need  him ? to admit to that need ? it  shouldn’t  be  too  much  to  ask to  spend  the  night  in   the  arms  of  the  one  person  you  love  ,  and  yet - - for  them , the request  is  so  costly.  ❝ very  well.  ❞  there’s  no  point  in  assuming  a  tone  of  neutrality … he’s  too  familiar  with  the  fact  that  every  word  uttered  to  him  is  tinted  with  her adoration. ❝ i  don’t  expect  to  start  any  more  riveting  discussions  this  evening  , so  i shan’t  keep  you  up  much longer …  ❞

            once the laces are loose enough , she steps out of the gown , next searching for the ties to her overskirt , until she’s left in a linen shift. with each layer , she  is  removing  the  influence  of  westeros.  braavosi fashion  had  little  use  for  laces  &  stays of this degree.  each  time  she  cinches  a  corset or dons  a  gown  designed  to   suffocate  her  in  the  heat , she  thinks  of  the  girl  that  had laughed  at  the  thought. surely  that  girl  would  laugh  at  her  now  ,  too.  would  laugh  at  the  woman  that  restrained  herself  - -  for  what  ? 

                               not  tonight , she  decides.  

            ❝ i  love  you  , you  know …  ❞             it’s  not  a  question.  merely  a  statement.  one  they  avoid , as  it  opens  up  wounds  and  reminds  them  that  their  overwhelming  emotion  has  a NAME.  tears  still  brim  her eyes. they  don’t  say  if  often  , and  it  is  far  better  for  them  that  way.   but  she  needs  to  say  it  as  much  as  he  needs  to  hear  it.  she turns to him , fingers first  instinctively lacing  through  his  hair , trailing  down  the  sides  of his  neck ,  wriggling between fabric and skin  , before  coming  to  rest  against  the  hollows  just  above  his  collarbone . her expression  is  an  indiscernible  mixture  of  tenderness ,  exhaustion  , and  grief .                     ❝  i  love  you .  ❞ 

                                                           he  watches  her  turn  as  requested  and  moves  nary  a  muscle  ,   enjoys  the   sight  of  her  slowly  returning  to  the  girl  he’d  met  that  fated  night  in  braavos .  if  he  really  focused  he  could  transport  himself  back  to  that  time .  when  life  was  free  of  care  and  worry .  when  his  life  was  his  own  and  he  lived  to  please  no  one  apart  from  himself .  when  he  was  seen  to  all  at  driftmark  as  the  raven  haired  bastard .  back  then  she  had  been  the  only  person  to  look  at  him  and  see  someone  who  was  worthy  of  love   –––   a  love  that  was  without  stipulations .  his  features  were  not  repulsive  to  her  ,  imagined  she  quite  liked  them .  had  liked  them  long  before  adulthood  saw  fit  to  trim  the  pubescent  weight  from  his  face  and  make  a  man  of  him   ;   for  the  ladies  of  westeros  the  same  could  not  be  said .  the  resounding  thud  of  her  jeweled  pins  hitting  the  floor  ,  dropped  without  care  ,  brings  him  back  to  the  now  with  her  and  it’s  like  sweet  music  to  his  ears .  loathes  that  she  must  parade  around  in  these  embellished  costumes   ,   play  dress  up  each  day  to  belong  in  this  world   ––––  in  HIS  WORLD .

the  tips  of  his  fingers  skim  up  the  length  of  her  back  and  with  expert  fluidity  unknot  the  laces  of  the  dress  that  works  to  constrain  her .  aids  with  much  desire  in  her  release  from  this  elaborate  masquerade  –––   an  intricately  designed  prison .  let  one  of  them  be  FREE  of  this  penal  institution .  her  immediate  concession  feels  like  the  first  VICTORY  of  the  night .  sees  his  heart  sprout  wings  so  that  it  might  soar  and  trepidation  fade  away  like  a  dream  upon  waking .  tonight  she  wouldn’t  place  his  well  fare  above  their  shared  yearning .  and  he  would  not  disentangle  himself  from  her  in  the  hours  that  preceded  dawn   ,    cementing  further  the  impropriety  of  their  union .  “  it  hardly  ever  feels  as  though  i’m  being  kept  from  sleep  when  i’m  in  good  company .  ”   sleep  hadn’t  come  easy  in  NINE  YEARS  why  should  this  night  stray  from  routine ?    supposed  the  difference  presented  itself  in  his  purposeful  elusion .  he  didn’t  want  to  part  with  her  ,  tonight  had  shined  a  light  on  HARSH  realities .  realities  that  would  become  harsher  still  with  the  breaking  of  day .  to  avoid  tomorrows  emergence  he  would  do  most  anything .  “  though  truthfully  is  it  not  i  who  has  kept  you  up ? ”

he  leans  back  then  palms  digging  into  the  mattress  beneath  him  ,  his  own  shirt  forgotten  as  he  resumes  following  her  disrobing  with  ravenous  eyes .  layer  after  layer  is  stripped  away  and  he  finds  his  fingers  curling  against  the  duvet  eager  to  reach  out  to  her  ,  bring  her  nearer  to  him  ,  but  trying  for  patience .  the  admission  of  those  three  words  puts  a  pin  in  his  growing  fervor  and  gives  his  heart  momentary  pause  within  his  chest   –––   skips  a  full  beat .  and  seeks  to  rectify  it  by  HAMMERING expeditiously  against  his  ribs  ;   ivory  cage  imprisons  his  heart  like  a  song  bird  ,  one  that  aspires  to  break  free .  it  is  framed  as  a  question  and  yet  it  requires  no  response .  there  has  never  been  any  doubt   ,   but  this  transcends  reassurance .  they  had  never  been  the  sort  to  need  it   ,   to  be  constantly  assured  of  LOVE  ,  and   as  a  result  proclamations  such  as  this  were  not  habitual  for  them .  it  is  so  intermittent  that  it  can  result  in  heartfelt  words  feeling   more   like  that  of  a  blow  than  a  comfort .  but  in  this  instance  it  slips   perfectly  between  the  cracks  in  his  heart  ,   fills  them  and  makes  him  WHOLE .   can  feel  those  words  wrap  around  his  aching  heart  like  an  embrace   ,   one  that  is  followed  by  her  embrace .

her  hands  are  everywhere  at  once   and  they  leave  his  skin  feeling  as  though  it  were  licked  by  flames .  they  find  respite  against  his  chest  and  he  wonders  if  she  can  feel  the  way  his  heart  responds  in  kind .  they  are  face  to  face  once  again  and  now  he  can  see  for  himself  the  tears  that  wade  in  her  expressive  eyes .  wrestles  with  the  swiftPAIN  the  sight  inspires  in  him .  there  is  a  DEAFENING  need  to  rid  her  of  this  sorrow .  “  and  i  love  you .  more  than  anything  in  this  world .  ”  this  world  that  he  should’ve  given  to  her .  tentative  hands  cup  her  face  and  the  pad  of  his  thumb  brushes  against  the  swell  of  her  cheek .  “  i  have  loved  only  you .   i  meant  what  i  said  that  night  in  braavos .  ”     the  words  are  whispered  as  he  inches  forward  ,  lips  no  more  than  a  hairs  length  away .  “ you’re  it  for  me .   ”  a  lot  of  things  had  changed  since  then  ,  but  his  love  for  her  and  the  space  she  occupied   in  his  heart  had  not  been  one  of  them .  punctuates  the  moment  by  capturing  her  lips  in  a  deep   ,   languid  kiss  that  steals  the  breath  from  both  of  their  lungs .  his  hands  trail  downward   –––   skim  over  her  neck  ,  flit  across  the  exposed  skin  of  her  shoulders  ,  and  drift  down  her  sides  until  they  grasp  at   her  hips .

she  is  pulled  without  much  effort  into  his  lap  and  only  then  is  contact  with  her  broken  –––  lips  part  and  hands  release  her –––  so  that  he  can  finally  work  at  removing  his  shirt .  the  crisp  white  garment  is  tugged  hastily  from  his  breeches   ,   pulled  over  his  head   ,   and  tossed  aside  carelessly .  just  as  quickly  as  it’d  gone  his  mouth  is  upon  her  again  bypasses  her  lips  and  goes  straight  for  the  warm  flesh  of  her  throat  ,   places  open  mouthed  kisses  along  the  column  of  her  neck  until  he  reaches  her  ear .  “   i  know  you  must  be  taken  seriously  in  court  ,  ”   a  wayward  hand  slides  up  the  expanse  of  her  abdomen  and  comes  to  rest  just  beneath  her  breast .  a  faint  smile  touches  his  lips   and   it’s  lascivious  and  playful  all  at  once . tries  to  push  the  MISERY from  before  down  ,  wishes  to  SMOTHER  it .  “  but  i  want  to  mark  you  where  the  world  can  see .  ”  he’d  never  left  a  love  bite  upon  her  neck   ,   but   everywhere  else  had  been  free  to   be  marked  by  insatiable  lips   and  teeth .  “  you  and  i  would  be  the  only  ones  to  know  the  truth  of  it .  i  can  see  their  flushed  faces  and  gawking  eyes  now .  would  envy  you  if  they  knew  whose  lips  had  been  pressed  to  your  throat .  ”  a  soft  laugh  escapes  him  at  the  APPALLING  idea  and  an  ARROGANCE  he  aggrandizes to  imbue  the  moment  with  needed  LEVITY .  

he  pulls  away  for  what  even  he  can  only  hope  is  the  final  time .  wraps an  arm  around  her  lower  back  for  support  and  slides  the  other  beneath  the  backs  of  her  knees .  without  warning  he  is  on  his  feet  lifting   her  in  a  bridal  carry for  the  moment    ––––    the  closest  he  would  ever  get .  before  turning  to  lay  her  down  properly  upon  the  bed .  helps  tug  the  duvet  down  pass  her  feet  so  that  he  can  cover  her  with  it   ,   places  her  comfort  above  his  own  and  prepares  her  for  a  bout  of  sleep  that  is  more  than  needed .  a  lingering  kiss  is  placed  upon  her  forehead  and  it  feels  like goodbye  but  it  is  the  furthest  thing  from  it .  rights  himself  and  rounds  the  bed  ,  all  the  while  pulling  at  the  drawstring  of  his  breeches   and  working  his  way  out  of  them  until  he  is  left  in  his  short  braies .  he  slips  beneath  the  cover  and  releases  a  sigh  as  the  pressures  and  stresses  of  the  day  seem  to  truly  leave  him  all  at  once   ;  such  profound  relief  only  found  when  they  share  a  bed .  his  eyes  drift  shut  but  he  is  light  years  away  from  allowing  sleep  to  take  ahold   ,   slides  this  hand  closer  to  her  beneath  the  blanket  and  curls  his  pinky  ‘round  her  own .  can’t  stand  to  be  near  her  and  not  touch  her   ,   the  entire  evening  had  been  just  that  and  it  had  been  a  true  test  in  durability  but  had  left  him  half-starved  for  the  feel  of  her . 

                             THERE  EXISTS  THE  BRIEFEST  OF  SILENCES  BEFORE  HE   TAKES  THEM  BOTH  ON  A  TRIP  DOWN  MEMORY  LANE :

                                “  gaomagon  ao  gīmigon  skoros  nyke  pendagon  nūmāzma  often?  se  jēda  nyke  sylutan  naejot  laodigon  īlva  lī  clams  se  ao  pālegīon  va  nyke .  ”

                                            LOVE  to  him  exists  not  as  a  concept .  takes  the  shape  and  form  of  a  woman  who  finds  the  time  to  teach  him  firsthand  that  the  emotion  can  be  pure .  falls  head  first  into  it  without  realization .  love  was  the  way  she’d  embraced  him  when  he  returned  to  braavos  five  years  after  their  first  meeting   ;   so  unlike  anything  he’d  ever  felt  before .  love  was  the  way  he’d  felt  himself  unraveling   ,  coming  undone  ,  in  that  room  as  he  bared  himself  and  his  soul  to  her   ;   found  hidden  heaven  between  her  legs   ,   soft  sighs  and  her  nails  grazing  his  scalp  lets  him  know  he’s  not  alone .  love  was  the  weeks  he’d  spent  in  that  city  just  to  remain  by  her   side   ;   they  walked  hand  in  hand  through  the  streets  fear  of  engaging  in  such  an  act  reserved  for  their  FUTURE .  

                                     love  was  the  nights  spent  down  by  the  water  when  the  sun  had  set  and  the  sea  reflected  the  obsidian  sky  ;  like  a  fool  time  and  time  again  he  would  dive  into  the  frigid  waters  and  beg  her  to  live  ,  the  sound  of  another  body  breaking  the  water’s  surface  and  the  taste  of  salt  on  their  joined  lips  is  a  memory  that  haunts .  love  was  the  first  time  they’d  communicated  the  emotion  without  breathing  a  word   ;   masks  were  peeled  off  and  the  titan  of  braavos  roared  with  life   ,   the  world  moved  slower  somehow  the  second  their  eyes  met  and  there  was  no  room  for  doubt .  

                                       their  love  had  evolved  with  time  and  not  for  the  better .  in  the  years  that  had  come  love  for  them  had  transformed  into  tentative  touches   ,    passing  glances   ,   and  polite  acknowledgments  before  the  world .   behind  closed  doors  it  was  yearning  hearts  ,  the  desire  to  revive  departed  dreams  ,  and  a  sorrow  that  had  settled  into  their  bones .  love  was  patience   ,   resilience   ,   quiet  strength .  

                                “  it’s  nothing  short  of  everything .  ”  it’s  her . 

*          ––––––     ›         TASK      001 .         :           CHARACTER           INTERVIEW         !

                 ❝ no , ❞ she does not wish to dwell on this unpleasant conversation       it has already resurfaced too many memories , but she MUST correct him on one key point. ❝ in that regard , we are no different. i never dreamed of a title. what i yearned for was made an impossibility long ago. i’ve lived a life different than this one , and i’ve seen lives of so many others. forgive me if i find it difficult to believe that you could sympathize. my life is not so easily understood as you sometimes make it out to be , lucerys. i do not SCRUTINIZE your choices - - i live with them. is it so much to ask that you do the same ? ❞

perhaps it IS too much to ask. their lives are so very different , it seems impossible that either of them would ever come to a level understanding of the other. their life experiences are so very different , and there are parts of them that are too similar - - to stubborn to see reason. just as he cannot seem to GRASP her reality - - the choices she has been forced to make , and the burdens she bears because of them , there are parts of his world that will always remain a mystery to her. there are parts of him that she will never be able to understand. 

the SILENCE between them indicates that her words, as she speaks,  are reaching their recipient. typically so quick to retaliate , she recognizes that she’s given him pause. they are  not intended maliciously ( hard as it might be for him to believe ; he who is too often her verbal sparring partner ). they reflect the heartbreak of a girl in braavos who was left constantly waiting on the tides. a girl who stared out at the bay and dreamed for the return of a man who had made her promises unlike any promise she had heard before. promises that felt genuine. promises that weren’t tied to what she could give of herself. promises that didn’t disappear in the light of the next morning.        she dreamed for the day that things would change. against all logic , she dreamed. and that dream died. 

her name reverberates in the chamber , striking a devastating chord in her HEART.  arms fold around her , and that unspoken , illogical instinct bids her relax into them. she DOES.  she rests the side of her head against his cheek , places her fingers over his , and listens - - basking in the comfort of touch until the inevitable parting. she’s been here BEFORE. he’s offered her the world before. outside of her rooms , the world is not so simple. his ties to his family are not so simple, her position is not so easily vacated , their promises are not so clear. 

she listens to him , wordlessly. she’s been here before. where once she might have leapt at the proposition , the pain of where it had left her previously stops her from asking him to help her pack. the fact that he’s more velaryon now than he ever was frightens her. his face, a frequenter of her brothels sparks a jealousy in her she wants more than anything to deny. still , it is difficult to find the words to REFUSE. not when the one you love stands before you , offering what you’ve wanted more than anything. ❝ lucerys … ❞ she turns around so that she might look at him. a sad , half-smile tugs at her lips - - acknowledging the fantasy , and how wonderful it might be. a hand slips between them , coming to rest just over his heart. she does not give an answer ( perhaps that alone is answer enough ), but leans in, pressing lips tenderly to the corner of his mouth. 

floods of questions once again surface. i agree , and what then ? she thinks. we leave tonight ? we charter a ship ? sail away - - spend our days on the sea , and our nights tangled together , like we said we would all those years ago ? we abandon your father , who will undoubtedly send after you ? when you’re asked to be a velaryon again ? would you refuse ? you , with the wife without a title , whose fortune derives from her reputation ? i would make you a bastard . could the love we bear each other withstand this ?

she voices none of them. she’s too TIRED. he may unearth them , if he wishes , but she will not be the first to pick apart the happiness they might have. instead , she lays her head against his shoulder , closing her eyes tightly. 

it’s not that simple. 

           ❝         stay with me ? ❞

                                eyelashes  kiss  the  tops  of  his  cheeks  when  his  name  escapes  her  like  an  entreatment .  she  shifts  in  his  arms  and  he  doesn’t  think  he  can  bear  to  look  at  her .  yet  his  eyes  drift  up  ;  his  heart  begs  this  time  around  for  him  to  keep  eyes  cast  down ,  but  to  deprive  himself  of  her  further  feels  like  impending  DEATH .  perhaps  she’ll  surprise  him  ,  perhaps  she  must  find  the  courage  to  answer  in  the  affirmative .  truthfully  ,  he  knows  better  by  now .  the  smile  she  wears  is  an  apology  and  a  confirmation   ––––   you  won’t  see  that  shared  dream  become  a  reality  today .  

her  hand  above  his  heart  and  her  lips  upon  him  bring  a  sudden  sting  to  his  eyes  ,  was  familiar  with  the  sensation  as  a  BOY  but  not  at  all  as  a  MAN .  there  are  tears  perforating  his  vision .  well  up  unexpected  and  uninvited  when  he  realizes  for  the  first  time  ,  in  earnest  ,  that  he  may  never  hear  a  yes  in  response  to  his  question .  may  . . .  so  much  of  him  still  would  like  to  dare  to  dream .  but  in  this  moment  he  thinks  he  has  come  to  understand .  this  is  the  extent  of  their  relationship .  everything  they  could  allow  themselves  to  safely  be  within  these  walls  was  to  stay  hidden  here  like  a   DIRTY  SECRET .  she  would  never  be  his  –––  not  before  the  eyes  of  GODS  and  MEN .  it  would  be  easy  to  continue  to  fight  and  misplace  blame  ,  but  the  blame  belongs  in  full  to  him .  in  braavos  is  where  he  should’ve  stayed . 

his  vision  remains  distorted  but  he  knows  better  than  to  let  tears  drop .  he  is  stronger  than  that .  or  so  he  likes  to  imagine .  he  had  not  been  allowed  to  cry  for  his  mother  and  thus  he  would  not  now .  what  would  she  even  think  of  him  if  he  displayed  such  WEAKNESS ?  her  head  rests  comfortably  on  his  shoulder  and  two  things  are  decided .  he  will  fortify  himself  for  the  both  of  them  ,   build  a  wall  around  this  emotion  that  seeks  to  debilitate  him .  and  for  once  he  would  be  what  she  needed  without  thrusting  his  desires  onto  her .  with  the  change  of  heart  he  cards  careful  fingers  through  her  hair  and  presses  his  lips  to  her  forehead  in  a  tender  kiss .  

the  request  is  one  he  would  never  refuse .  for  a  second  envisions  his  father’s  hulking  gaze  laden  with  disappointment  at  his  inability  and  unwillingness  to  see  to  his  siblings .  but  he  is  not  to  be  the  future  ruling  lord  of  driftmark  or  the  master  of  tides   –––  despite  how  blatantly  the  man  would  seem  to  be  wishing  he  were  as  of  late .  he  had  upped  lucerys’  responsibilities  and  without  the  knowledge  of  his  brother  had  secretly  designated  him  to  serve  as  a  proxy  and  overseer  in  his  absence .  he  shuddered  to  think  how  the  man  would  react  knowing  that  even  his  own  pull  over  him  paled  when  compared  to  the  pull  myriam  possessed .  everything  and  everyone  else  was  of  little  importance  when  posed  against  her .  “  nothing  could  keep  me  from  you .  ”  absolutely  nothing . 

“  come  ,  ”  he  covers  the  hand  that  resides  on  his  chest  with  his  own  and  backs  away  gradually  ,  as  with  earlier  in  the  night  his  feet  move  on  muscle  memory .  walks  backward  with  eyes  set  upon  her  and  her  hand  grasped  firmly  within  his  as  he  leads  them  to  bed .  “  let  us  get  you  to  bed .  ”  there  are  not  many  nights  spent  in  her  bed  that  don’t  end  in  him  leaving  her  alone  in  it  ;  ardent  and  enervating  love-making  having  come  to  a  close .  but  tonight  is  of  the  RARE  sort .  staying  overnight  in  her  chambers  is  a  heightened  risk  with  the  increased  number  of  guests  in  the  red  keep  ,  sneaking  out  would  be  potentially  arduous  but  it  was  nothing  he  wasn’t  prepared  for .  

                Florys was too delicate for the harsh environment of the capital, but no one had taken that into consideration when she was brought there. The crowd made her uneasy, the prying eyes gave her a sense of anxiety, and the turmoil of the past events didn’t let her sleep properly at night. However she was trying to make the best of it, as best as she could. She spent her time in the gardens among the flowers, it made her feel close to home. Florys was like a child, her face and smile illuminated a room if she was near blooming flowers. Her innocence radiated in her eyes. She was playing with a small narcissus in her hands when she heard the steps, quickly lifting her self from the ground. “I suppose I got to comfortable.” She spoke nervously. 

during  his  time  spent  within  the  red  keep  he  found  he  could  appreciate  the  magnetism  of  the  gardens  ;  it  was  a  seemingly  sacred  place .  not  free  from  prying  eyes  or  listening  ears  ,  no .  but  sacred  in  that  the  discordant  ways  of  the  capital  had  no  place  here .  life  thrived  in  the  form  of  lush  greens  and  vibrant  blossoms  ,  whereas  it  significantly  declined  outside  of  the  hospitable  environment .  came  to  a  grinding  halt  for  a  kingsguard  ,  even .  his  preference  was  the  sea  ,  nothing  compared  to  the  constant  ebb  and  flow  of  waves  that  would  continue  on  long  after  the  petals  of  these  flowers  had  fallen  and  returned  to  the  earth .  in  the  weeks  that  had  passed  it’d  become  increasingly  difficult  to  make  it  out  to  blackwater  bay  and  abide  by  the  duty  he’d  swore  to  his  father .  the  gardens  had  become  an  occasional  place  with  which  to  shut  off  his  mind  and  understands  it  has  to  be  the  same  for  the  lady  he  happens  upon .  watches  her  play  with  the  flower  at  hand  before  moving  nearer  ,  catching  her  attention .  “  if  one  were  to  find  comfort  anywhere  in  the  capital  it  would  be  right  here .  ”  her  nervousness  seems  to  take  ahold  ,  but  for  the  first  time  since  his  arrival  here  he  bears  no judgement .  “  you  may  relax  ,  my  lady  ,  it’s  quite  alright .  ”

@seasncke

in the recent days, nymeria had taken to walking through the red keep and the gardens surrounding it to listen to her thoughts. before she never was one to spend her time aimlessly walking through a castle to clear her head, but now she had a silent appreciation for it and was able to understand why people did so. it was soothing and so long as nobody interrupted her, she could make quite a few logical decisions in her mind.

the thought of the walk today revolved around what she’d do if her brother was responsible in some way or form for the death of the kingsguard. an uncertainty if she’d openly renounce her birth family was strong but she knew she’d condemn his actions. she was so lost in her thoughts that she stumbled into somebody, eyes glued to the scene outside of the window rather than ahead of her. she went to scowl but saw that it was her in the wrong, having collided into the backside of the person in front. “my apologies,” she said as she straightened herself, not wanting to appear feeble, “i didn’t see where i was going.”

                                                                                      to  say  he  was  anything  apart  from  vexed  would  be  a  gross  understatement .  dealing  with  his  siblings  ,  babysitting  them  more  like  ,  would  be  enough  to  drive  even  the  most  prudent  of  lords  to  a  state  of  open  indignation .  a  clipped  conversation  with  his  sister  about  her  dull-witted  display  during  the  feast  had  been  in  procession  mere  moments  ago  ;   heated  whispers  and  glacial  gazes .  he  spoke  not  from  a  place  of  genuine  concern  ,  not  as  a  brother  who  wanted  his  lady  sister  to  be  taken  seriously  in  court .  rather  ,  he  spoke  from  the  position  of  a  lord  worried  about  the  reputation  of  his  house .  channeled  father  –––  was  as  indomitably  severe  as  the  man  who  had  raised  them  both .  the  talk  had  ended  with  her  throwing  his  bastard  daughter  in  his  face  referring  to  the  child  as  a  true  stain  on  the  family  name  much  like  lucerys  himself .  

he  is  already  teeming  with  a  quiet  rage  when  she  bumps  thoughtless into  him  and  he  thinks  she  should  count  herself  lucky  she  is  of  noble  birth .  had  she  been  low  born  he  would  not  have  tried  to  temper  his  wrath .  she  is  a  lady  formerly  of  the  house martell  and  if  her  honeyed  skin  didn’t  give  it  away  the  pride  she  exuded  even  whilst  issuing  some  form  of  an  apology  surely  did .  there  existed  none  in  the  seven  prouder  than  the  dornish  ,  even  northern  pride  was  of  little  match .  “  you’ll  have  to  excuse  my  candor  ,  my  lady  ,  ”  at  the  very  least  finds  himself  with  interest  somewhat  piqued .  “  but  you  don’t  seem  terribly  apologetic . ”