Almost Home Pt. 8 (Robb Stark x Reader)
A/N: Ooof. The ending is kinda shitty. But this one was an interesting one to write. XD. I’m hoping to update much sooner than I did with this one after Part 7, but we’ll see how school goes. I have the basic outline all ready,so all I have to do is write it out. :) Anyway, hope you enjoy!
-----
Rest did not fall easily on me that night.
Despite being held close in Robb’s warm embrace as the hours of night faded away, the intensity of my fear of us being together made sleep an impossible reality. Instead of letting my eyes rest, even for a minute, I stared up into the ceiling praying that we would not have to get up from this bed and encounter the monster that waited before us: Catelyn Stark.
I could not even begin to imagine how awful today would be. The bitter resentment that would last between mother and son after this conversation would not be easily forgotten, and it was all because of me. Everything wrong… was because of me.
The bed frame moved slightly as Robb began to stir, and I closed my eyes, hoping he didn’t notice that I was awake. But the soft touch of his hand on my waist attempting to pull me closer and the nuzzling of his face in the crook of my neck signified otherwise. “How long have you been awake?”
“Not too long.” I lied quietly, smiling as I felt his lips press gently against the skin of my neck before moving to press against mine. His Tully blue eyes gazed into mine for several moments, before he spoke again.
“You were restless the whole night.” Robb’s hand moved from my waist to cup my face gently. “I could feel it. What troubles you?”
“I think you know.” I whispered, the lump in my throat preventing the words leaving me lips any louder than they had. His eyes flashed with understanding and he sighed gently.
“You have nothing to fear anymore.”
“What if she sent out the letter?” I could feel myself beginning to tremble, and I bit my lip to hold back my tears. “I am as good as dead. I-“
“Do not repeat those words ever again.” Robb’s voice was a gentle, but stern murmur as he gazed down at me. “Remember what I promised you last night? I won’t let anyone take you away.”
“What if its out of your control?” My eyelids fluttered shut as his scruff gently brushed against my face as his lips touched my forehead.
“I will do anything in my power to make sure that it will always be in my control.” I opened my eyes to find his eyes locked on me, soft but serious at the same time. “I can’t afford to lose anymore people that I love. I couldn’t save my father, but I most definitely will keep my family, and especially you, safe and sound. And that is a promise.”
“I know you will, Robb Stark.” I whispered, my eyes watery with tears before leaning in to kiss him once more. Before another word could be spoken, a harsh knock broke the two of us apart.
My heartbeat began to pick up, my mouth going dry and my hands starting to tremble once more. Robb kissed my forehead once more reassuringly before standing up and dressing in a appropriate manner before opening the door, to find no other than Catelyn Stark standing before us.
Her eyes immediately found mine, but to my surprise, I couldn’t find much anger or shock in her gaze. She pushed past Robb into the room, shutting the door behind her. I sat in the bed anxiously, my fingers clenching the bed sheets as I waited for her to speak.
“I can’t say I’m that surprised to see you here.” Catelyn’s voice was clipped, but calm, slight disgust on her face. “I am just disappointed… especially in you, Robb.”
“That’s enough, Mother.” Robb interjected, his tone also calm but stern as well. “You cannot control her anymore.”
“Excuse me?”
“Y/N tells me of the letter you wrote to her family, telling that she ran to avoid marrying the other Lord and found refuge here. The death sentence that you have used as motivation for her to follow your order to stay away from me.”
A slight smile cracked at the corners of her lips as she stared at me, and I couldn’t help but tense as she walked towards the bed before stopping to stand a few feet away from me.
“Is that she told you?” I shuddered at the sweetness in her voice, a thin veil over the venomous words that she really wanted to say. “I did not write such letter.”
“Are you accusing her of lying?”
“Are you accusing me of lying? Your own mother?”
“Y/N would not lie about something this serious!” Robb scoffed, moving to stand between his mother and myself. “Tell me, and do not lie to your King: Did you write this letter?”
The room was silent for a moment, before Catelyn sighed and spoke once more. “It was precaution that was much needed, Robb. You cannot marry her, no matter how attached your feelings are for her.”
“But somehow it is your right to toss her life away like it is nothing?” Robb’s body was beginning to tremble and I could sense how angry he was. “Where is the letter now, mother?”
For the first time in the months I had resided amongst House Stark, I witnessed fear and hesitation in Lady Stark’s eyes. And that was all it took for Robb to know the answer to his question.
“You didn’t.” His voice was bleak with disbelief and fury, and I stood to grab his arm to prevent him from moving closer to his mother. Robb shook his head before continuing. “When did you send the rider?”
“Robb, I did what was-“
“I said, When did you send the rider?” Robb nearly snarled, frightening both myself and his mother. I had never seen him so angry before, and apparently based on her reaction, neither did Catelyn.
“Late last night.”
“Oh no…” My grip on his arm relaxed, as my body slowly melted back towards the bed, my eyes focused on the floor as my control slowly evaporated. My heart was thudding rapidly, my throat closing up and eyes watering as I realized the reality of what was happening. My family was coming for me, or rather…. Ser Larris Smallwood. And I terrified of what he would do to me the moment he lay eyes on me again.
“Mother…” Robb shook his head slowly as he looked at Catelyn. “Since your actions these past few months have been extremely inappropriate and unpredictable, you are to remain in your bedroom at all times until I see fit. And to make sure you do so, I will be posting one of my guards at your door. “
“Robb…”
“I mean it, Mother.” His eyes were hard and his tone dark. “You have put Y/N’s life in danger by sending that letter, and you knew that. Until I know you can be trusted again, that is where you will stay. And now, I think it would be best if you would leave.”
With no more words to say, Catelyn Stark opened the door and left the room, the door shutting rather loudly on the way out. I closed my eyes as I heard Robb walk closer to where I sat, before kneeling down in front of me. Warm hands touched my own, causing my eyes to flash up to his own. His expression nearly caused me to burst into tears, which were only a few seconds away from appearing. Robb squeezed my hands gently before speaking. “You know that I truly meant what I told you earlier, right?”
“About keeping me safe?” I whispered, the highest volume I could speak without my tears spilling uncontrollably.
“Yes.” One of his hands moved to cup my face gently, and I leaned into his touch. “He won’t lay one single finger on you. And if he does, he will have to face me.”
I nodded slowly, before a tear trickled down my cheek, which were soon followed by more. I quickly ducked my head to hide them, but his finger tilted my chin up, keeping our eyes connected.
“You don’t have to hide from me.” Robb whispered softly, and wiped away the tears as they fell. “Not anymore.”
“I know.” I sniffled, before leaning in and pressing my lips against his gently. Our lips moved in sync for a few brief moments before he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close to him. My arms wove around his neck, and for the next few moments, we remained still.
Little did we know, that it would be one of the last moments of peace that we would have in a long time.
