#jacaerion

“The prince Jacaerys has not left his chambers the past two days.” 

Aerion continued to fiddle with his blade between his fingers, his eyes lingering against the servant girl before him.

He already knew that, that was not what he was asking. He wanted to know what Jacaerys was doing and if by chance he was feeling better and more coherent than he had been. 

“And?” He prompted, the tip of his finger tapping against the edge of the blade. He wondered how it would look slicing across the lowly girl's face.. 

Would she scream? She looked like a screamer. She looked like she would collapse at the slightest of pressure. 

Surely this girl had more information than that, she had been the one attending to his brother whereas Aerion had been kept away from his ill Jacaerys. 

“A - and?” She echoed, sputtering out. Her voice sounded meek and pathetic to Aerion's ears, grating on his patience. 

Gods above, this woman was stupid. 

“Think. You've been in his chambers. Is he resting?” Aerion prompted, his voice growing colder with each folly from the servant. 

Surely, his father could hire more competent servants. Ones that did not need everything spelled out for them.

The servant hesitated, her gaze lowering to the floor before answering,

“No, my prince. Reading the histories.” 

Of course he was. His brother had always been quite fond of a particular era that Aerion never cared for. While Aerion was more fascinated with ‘Maegor the Cruel’ and the story about taking the throne, his brother seemed more content with reading about his namesake. 

That era Aerion always found quite depressing.

The extinction of their House's symbol and power all because of one king's weakness. Truly if that old fool believed his daughter should be heir then the least he could do was spill his seed in whores instead of taking another wife. 

Regardless, if that was what calmed Jacaerys down from that strange fit then so be it. He only wished their father would stop keeping Aerion from those chambers. 

Surely, the past few days were punishment enough? Why should he and Jacaerys continue to be punished by being kept apart?

Aerion knew his brother more than anyone and he wanted Aerion by his side even if the fever did cause him to say otherwise. 

“He seems quite moved by one of the books. It is always in his grasp when I walk in.” The servant girl spoke once again, her voice sounding far too excited for Aerion's liking. 

His stomach churned at the thought of such a lowly girl making eyes at his Jacaerys.

Aerion should plunge his blade into this stupid girl for making him lose his appetite, but he was to be on his best behavior according to his father, so he opted not to. Luckily for her. 

“Shut up. Do not act as though you know what he likes.” He managed to keep his tone calm as he chastised the stupid girl. 

Aerion tilted his blade downward burying it into his table, causing the wood to splinter underneath the strike. 

A pleasing wave of emotion washed over the prince as he watched the servant flinch, her eyes immediately dropping to the floor, all of the color draining from her face. 

Like it should have been already. 

“A- apologies, my prince.” 

Aerion felt his eyes roll in the back of his head, so much so that the prince was surprised he did not see a flash of purple from his own eyes. 

He waved the girl off with a flick of his wrist watching her scramble to leave. It was almost laughable how skittish she was. Almost, but Aerion found it hard to laugh at much when his other half was being kept away from him. 

Two days. He had not laid eyes on his Jacaerys in two days. Surely, that was punishment enough. Even the pain of his nose had faded away, albeit it was now crooked slightly to the right. 

He missed the lingering smell of salt that clung to Jacaerys and truly it would only be fair to let him return the hit, though he'd rather not break anything on his brother's face, perhaps he should strike him elsewhere on his body. 

Jacaerys had quite a pretty face, prettier than any maiden, and he would rather not ruin that face. The face that had light freckles dusted over his nose, that had a strong jawline and still managed to be prettier than all the ladies of court with eyelashes that fluttered against his skin with every blink. 

Aerion rose from his seat with a soft scoff escaping his lips. 

Despite knowing he may be scolded or even confined to his chambers for disobeying, he found himself leaving his chambers and heading towards Jacaerys’. 

His stride was swift in the halls of the castle, expecting to see the same two knights guarding his brother's door, what he wasn't expecting was seeing his younger irritating brother, Aegon. 

The young boy was stood in front of the doors, staring at the heavy wood. Perhaps he had been trying to convince the guards to let him in and failed. 

The corners of Aerion's lips lifted at the thought. 

Serves the little rat right for trying to ake his place. Always scurrying over to Jacaerys side, trying to take a place that would never be his. 

That puny boy would never be as close to Jacaerys as Aerion was. He was made for Aerion, created in the same womb from the same blood.

The only mistake the gods made was not giving Jacaerys a cunt for Aerion to sink into, to pump his seed into and watch the brunette’s stomach swell with their heir, but no matter. Cunt or not, Jacaerys was his either way. 

The boy mumbled something under his breath that did not reach Aerion's ears. It could not have been too important, because Aegon did not dare repeat it. 

Regardless, Aerion turned his attention towards the two guards, expectant. 

“Well?” The prince prompted before tilting his head towards the doors, “let me through.”

“Prince Maekar has ordered us not to let you in, especially, my prince.” 

“That was days ago.” Was Aerion's response, his voice snipping out. 

Still neither of the armed men seemed to care for his answer. 

They were fools who could not see that Jacaerys would only worsen without him. 

“The order still stands.” One of the knights spoke up. 

Cunts. The lot of them. 

“What about me?” The sound of Aegon piping up all high-pitched and grating, nearly caused Aerion's ears to ring, “May I go in?” 

A pitch that only Aegon and the wild mutts on the streets could muster. 

To Aerion's absolute shock, the guards who prevented him from entering, parted and opened the door for Aegon. 

Aerion eyed the boy carefully, watching the little whelp enter the chambers that Aerion should be entering. It took all of his strength to prevent himself from barging in regardless of what anyone thought. 

The thump of the heavy doors echoed in the vast halls, leaving Aerion behind. 

That little rat better sleep with one eye open from now on. Mayhaps Aerion should have held that pillow against the boy's face for longer, to make the boy truly fear for his life, then surely Aegon would be more mindful.

Aerion shifted his gaze towards the two guards, a scowl cementing on his features. Of course, none of the men commented on it nor did they stop him from leaning towards the doors. 

The prince shifted, pressing an ear against the hard wooden surface. He could not manage to make out the low voice belonging to Jacaerys or his younger brother's shrill voice. 

All he could hear was the floorboards creaking underneath the weight of their footsteps, two sets so Jacaerys must also be standing. 

Frustration built inside of Aerion, his hand falling against the handle of the door, his palm pressing against the cool metal. 

“Prince Aerion.” Warned one of the guards, his voice nearly sounding patronizing. 

Aerion almost wished he would cross the line to patronize him, it would be nice to make an example out of the man.

Or, he could make a show out of being offended and bring it to his father. That would distract his father from not allowing Aerion in Jacaerys' chambers, surely. 

The thought sounded rather pleasant, more pleasant than being abandoned in the cold hall, while Jacaerys gave all his attention to Aegon. 

His fingers curled tightly around the handle, his head tilted towards the knight that spoke. 

The corner of his lips twitched upward before he jerked the door ajar, just open enough for the knight to slam it closed with his forearm and just enough for it to be possible for his finger to find its way through. 

It did not matter whether or not Aerion's finger was truly caught between the two doors or if it was truly even harmed in the process. All that mattered was that it was possible. For it to be believable that he was harmed. 

Aerion forced a hiss to leave his lips, clutching a finger into his hand. He made an effort to howl like a man that had just had his finger jammed into the rough edges of a door or two.

He could see the guard’s face pale.

Perfect. 

“You've wounded me.” Aerion gasped, dropping his jaw to look shocked, appalled even, “my father will not have this.” 

“I was only -”

“I think you've broken it.” Aerion interrupted swiftly, raising his hand that was still clutching a single finger. 

“Don't fret. You can make it up to me, then I won't have to inform my father of your act of violence towards me.” He added, trying to hide the slight glee that slipped in his tone.

His eyes shifted from one guard to the other, before tilting his head forward towards the doors that led to his brother, Jacaerys. 

None responded, but they did, thankfully, stand aside to allow him to pass by.

Once Aerion arrived inside of those familiar chambers his attention immediately fell on his dark haired Jacaerys, curls messy across his face.

His lips were tugged into a pout while Aegon rambled to Jacaerys about whatever was happening in Aegon's insignificant little life. 

However his little ramblings stopped when Aerion entered the room. The boy seemed to subconsciously slink towards Jacaerys, hiding himself into the taller one's side. 

It made Aerion's stomach twist. The little rat was doing this on purpose. 

Aegon knew how much Aerion hated when people invaded the space that belonged to the older prince, that was why he was doing it. Not because he found Jacaerys’ company enticing or comforting, no, it was to slight Aerion. 

The little whelp was always insistent on trying to take Aerion's place. 

It was selfish, he was selfish. Aegon had his choice of sisters, he did not need Jacaerys’ company. 

Jacaerys belonged to Aerion that was why the gods chose for them to share a womb. To deny that is not only foolish but selfish to the highest degree. It should be punishable. 

Of course, there was nothing Aerion would do to the brat in front of Jacaerys. His brother loathed violence, or he used to before that night where he struck Aerion. 

“Why are you here?” The words were hissed from Jacaerys’ lips. 

An overreaction truly. He must not have been feeling better, or his mood had been dampened by Aegon. 

Still, Aerion did not allow that to dampen his own mood.

“To visit you.” Aerion responded simply, his hand raising to gesture to his nose as well, tilting his head to the side to show how it crooked slightly,

“And to have an apology. For the maiming.” He added. 

He did not miss the way Aegon's lips twisted into a brief smile, the boy's eyes flicking, presumably towards the obvious difference in Aerion's nose. He would be sure to return the favor later on.

If Aegon wanted to mock Aerion could give the rat a matching injury. 

His dragonic eyes lingered on his brother's expression, who did not seem pleased nor humored at his words.

Aerion could see the other's jaw clenched, a muscle jumping somewhere in his cheek. He could not help but allow his gaze to linger against the hard line of Jacaerys’ jaw. 

“Whatever I had done to you was warranted as you accosted me in my sleep.” Jacaerys snapped, his nose scrunching up in a snarl in a way only Jacaerys would be allowed to do towards Aerion. 

The corner of Aerion's lips twitched, his tongue swiping against the bottom of his lip in thought before his gaze fell down towards Aegon. 

A response laid against the tip of his tongue, debating whether or not he should say it aloud in front of company. Especially, company that would surely run off to their father at any jest that upset the boy's sensitivities. 

“Hardly.” Aerion settled. 

Jacaerys’ expression twisted, his eyes darting around the chambers like he could not believe his ears. 

For once in Aerion's life he could not tell if Jacaerys was acting or not. Usually, it would be easy to figure out if he was playing the fool or teasing, but since the fever..

Perhaps it was because he did not want Aegon to know that they shared a bed.

That must be it, because there was no way in all of the seven hells that Jacaerys would want to sleep alone. Especially when he wasn't feeling well. 

Knowing how their mother died, Jacaerys was not one for sleeping alone, unless he was still delirious?

Aerion was not sure what was going on in his Jace's head. 

“Daeron wanted to know if he -” Aegon's puny voice paused before adding a, “we,” with great reluctance, “wanted to come fishing.” 

An interruption but for once Aerion would allow it. He was a kind brother after all, even if Aegon was a nuisance. 

Besides, he did enjoy fishing and so did Jacaerys. It should bring his usual joy back to him.

“We'll come.” Aerion stated for the both of them, since Jacaerys still seemed to be in a pouty mood. 

“Do not speak for me.” Jacaerys grumbled underneath his breath, those dark eyes dropping down to Aegon for a moment before adding a softer, “I already said I would.”

Jacaerys always had a soft spot for their younger siblings before, but now Aerion could not help but notice there was a hint of.. mourning in his eyes. 

He wasn't tearful, not anymore, but those dark brown eyes that always had so much life in them had dulled, similar to how they did weeks after their mother's funeral proceedings. 

There was no reason for it, especially not to look at their younger brother like that. They had never lost a sibling, not that Aerion could recall. 

Aerion eyed Jacaerys carefully, allowing his gaze to travel down his rumpled night shirt. It hung loose off his frame. Not in any appropriate attire to venture outdoors.

Was it possible that he lost weight in these few days? Aerion hoped not. He'd hate to be prodded and poked with bone next time he accompanied his brother to sleep. 

“You should wait outside, Aegon. Give Jace privacy.” 

Aegon cut his eyes up towards him, his small face scrunching for a moment before walking behind Jacaerys to leave,

“He prefers Jacaerys now.” The rat quipped over his shoulder before he slipped out the doors. 

He waited until he heard the doors click shut, leaving his brother and him alone in the silence of the chambers.

He took his time to rove his gaze over Jacaerys’ expression which was still pulled into an angry pout, a line had formed between his brows. 

A soft breathy chuckle left Aerion. 

“Careful, you're beginning to look like our father.” Aerion teased, but the light tone did not last when he watched his brother grimace and turn away, the pout on his lips everlasting. 

What in the gods name was wrong with him? Still ill or was it something else?

“You have not been the same since you fell ill.” His voice dipped lower than he meant it, but he wouldn't back down. 

He stared, keeping his line of sight steady, watching how Jacaerys stared back at him with too much rage to make sense. 

His attitude had been entertaining for a short while but now.. now it looked like he hated Aerion. 

His chest clenched at the idea and he swore pain erupted throughout his being. He hated feeling like this and only Jacaerys could manage it, though his brother had never caused him such pain before. 

His mind spun, flipping through all the possibilities that could have caused such change.

Could it be the servant? No, she was not much of a beauty, not Jacaerys’ type surely. 

His vision began to blur until he could barely even see Jacaerys anymore. In fact, everything began to blur and bleed away from his sight. His head pounded with what felt like hundreds of canons firing in his ears. 

His fingers twitched with every second they remained empty. 

He needed to grasp something, anything.. where the fuck did he leave his dagger?

Was it Aegon? Had he told Jacaerys something he ought not have? That little rat, that puny little fucker -

A single sigh brought Aerion from his thoughts, returning him to his senses. The sigh sounded heavy and weighed down with something unknown to him. 

“Our mother..” His brother trailed off, his voice tightening. 

Oh. Oh.

Of course, their mother had passed from illness. Of course the reminder would have caused him to act different from his usual self. 

Aerion's mouth grew dry. Any response he could have said flew from his mind. 

He never knew what to say when it came to their mother, though perhaps that was the few things he had in common with their father. Their father never knew what to say on that matter either. 

“With your energy you were never in danger of succumbing to the same fate.” Aerion managed, his voice dropping to an almost monotone voice. 

The thought of Jacaerys following their mother into death was.. not an option for Aerion. 

His tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth, glancing away from his brother for a few moments. He would rather not linger on the subject of their mother, not even for Jacaerys. 

“Her fate..?” 

Aerion shot Jacaerys a warning glance. He knew very well what happened to their mother, he did not need to hear Aerion say it aloud.  

“Right. Th - that is why I am acting..” His brother trailed off, his voice dipping into sounding vaguely confused then accepting..

More strangeness with Jacaerys. Grand. He hoped it wore off soon. 

“I gathered.”

For once in many days Jacaerys’ lips lifted into a smile, however brief and anxious looking it was. 

The urge to nip against his soft lips had never been stronger, but he would hold off while his brother was recovering. 

“I still want an apology.” Aerion added. 

“I still think it was warranted.” Jacaerys countered, a scowl returning to his plump lips. 

“You'll issue me one at a later date. That we both know.” Aerion took a step closer, his weight creaking underneath the floorboards. 

Jacaerys blinked in response, his lashes fluttering against his pale ivory skin. His mouth parted in response, before clamping it shut like his words had escaped him. 

“Nevermind that for now,” Aerion waved it off, not wanting to dampen the mood once more, 

“You should dress. Our father would be none too pleased if you waltzed out dressed in your night clothes.”

His hand reached out, fingers only just barely reaching the soft fabric of his tunic, smoothing out the wrinkles to it. 

He could feel the way Jacaerys stilled under his touch and he just knew that his brother's face was surely redder than the dragon on their banner was. 

He pressed forward until his palm was resting against his tunic, against his abdomen feeling the defined muscle beneath it. 

Good. It seemed he did not lose that muscle like Aerion thought. 

“I can dress myself.” Jacaerys hand shot out to wretch his grasp from his clothes, only releasing Aerion when he, himself, took a step back to withdraw. 

His grip had been firm but not painful. Perhaps he was done with his fits. 

“As you say.” Aerion stepped back once more to gain a better view of Jacaerys. The entirety of his face was indeed flushed red. 

Jacaerys stared at him, dark eyes widening like that had any chance of scaring him away. A dragon did not scare, especially not away from his chosen mate. 

“I will do so, alone.” Jacaerys claimed his voice firm and yet Aerion did not move, however it did earn a chuckle from him. 

“Do not act a maiden, Jace -”

“Jacaerys.” 

“Jace.” Aerion reiterated, tutting softly, “we have seen each other in a state of undress many times.” 

“For what reason?” Jacaerys croaked, his face growing even hotter. The faint freckles were nearly hidden underneath the reddened flesh now. 

Tease. 

“Do not play the fool.” He chuckled softly, before trailing over towards his brother's bed, the sheets rumpled. Aerion could nearly smell the scent of Jacaerys pouring from them. 

Ah, there's that book the servant talked about. Sprawled against the sheets, with the pages crumpled, some even torn from it. His eyes landed on the spare pages that scattered the edge of the book.

Now, that was strange. Never in all their lives had his brother ever treated anything with such disregard. The way some pages were torn in more than one piece was.. very unlike him, it almost seemed rageful. 

“I - er.. saw a bug.” Jacaerys called out to him, his voice sounding unsure of it even as he spoke it. 

“Must have been quite a frightening one.” Aerion quipped, his hand dropped down to collect the scattering pages and place them back inside of the book, before carefully closing it. 

He would make sure to have it mended and fixed before their father could notice the damage done. 

The things he did for Jacaerys.. he truly was a good brother. 

“Right.” Grumbled his brother from behind his back. Aerion could hear the shuffling of fabrics. 

Jacaerys must have taken the opportunity to change when he wasn't looking. He would allow that this time, keep his eyes on the tattered book before him. 

Aerion tossed it against the bedside table, hearing it softly thump through the quiet chambers. 

“Are you done yet?” Aerion questioned, growing bored of staring at the leathered worn book. 

A pause lingered in the air before Jacaerys finally responded, “yes.” 

Aerion turned to face him, eyes roving over his brother's form, now dressed in the fine fabrics of their house. 

Their house colors always suited him even with his dark hair and eyes. He looked akin to a bronze dragon, ferocious and untamable, especially with his mood as of late. 

“Good. I'm sure that Aegon's growing more impatient by the second.” Aerion said, tilting his head over towards the heavy oak doors. 

Jacaerys gave a single nod. 

The boots, that Jacaerys must have slipped on and tied very quickly for Aerion to have missed it, clacked against the wooden floor. 

Aerion followed soon after leaving from the same doors that his brothers had, letting it thump closed behind him. 

Of course, Aegon was waiting just right outside the doors, being the nosey rat that he was. 

Aerion remembered when he, Daeron and Jacaerys used to fish together. All three of them were close then, before the death of their mother and the complexity of manhood. 

Some part of him missed Daeron, the boy he was back then when he would grin and tousle Aerion's hair, before he distanced himself from the younger prince. 

It was not that much of a great loss though, Aerion had Jacaerys, like he always had. That was all he needed. 

Aerion followed Jacaerys closely while the two.. well three, including Aegon, walked through the halls. 

He watched each measured step Jacaerys took, the line of his shoulders tense even now, after speaking of his worries. 

Aerion rose a brow at the way his Jacaerys snapped his head towards every single servant that passed them by. 

They were meant to be ignored. He needn't spend time to look at them. 

Right when Aerion was about to question where their drunken brother was waiting for them, he caught sight of the dark messy blonde locks of Daeron. 

Unkempt as always Daeron stumbled down the hall to meet them. Dark circles rimmed below his eyes, his expression seemed none too pleased to be awake and dressed.

Rude, as he was the one to invite them to fish.  Unless Aegon lied, he would not put it past him. 

A strangled gasp caught his attention, turning his head towards the direction of Jacaerys, who seemed absolutely shocked at something Daeron did, or so he assumed. There was nothing else he could think of to cause that reaction. 

Whatever it was Jacaerys’ eyes were wide, nearly bulging as he looked the drunk up and down, his nose twitching from what Aerion assumed as the heavy scent of wine. 

Aerion turned back to the stumbling Daeron who paused in the middle of the hall, also staring intently at Jacaerys. 

How grand. Now two brothers were acting strange. 

“Back to the land of the living, I see.” Daeron finally spoke, his voice almost bordering on accusatory. 

“I never stopped.” Jacaerys immediately responded, his voice snipping through the air that had grown tense between the two. 

“Right then. I assume you're no stranger to the pole.” Daeron spoke, his eyes squinting as he continued to stare at their dark haired brother. 

Aerion blinked. 

Strange thing to spout off. Perhaps Daeron drank himself so silly he did not remember their previous trips to the pond or the many creeks, lakes and even the sea. 

“No more than you're a stranger to drink.” Jacaerys quipped, his nose twitching, now Aerion was certain, from the smell of alcohol. 

“Good then.” Another strange response from Daeron. He sounded awfully accusatory bordering on cold. 

“You sick too, Daeron, or just drunk?” Aerion piped up.

If he was indeed coming down with something Aerion would rather not breathe the same air, he would rather return to Jacaerys’ chambers or even his own and spend his day there instead.

“Always drunk, brother.” Daeron responded, his tone switching to a more familiar one.

“Can we go now?” Aegon spoke, his tone impatient as he always was. Aerion could only assume what face the boy was pulling now, he was far too busy watching Daeron eye Jacaerys.

He knew Daeron had no interest in Jacaerys. Their older brother preferred to drink himself stupid and fall into the nearest whore, but still.. Aerion found himself growing irritable at the prolonged eye contact.

Perhaps Daeron was finally bored of whores. Aerion's jaw clenched, teeth grinding against teeth at the mere idea that his eldest brother would forget himself. 

Aerion was aware Jacaerys was pretty but he was not a whore and Daeron should know better than to look too long at something that wasn't his. 

“For once Aegon is right. We should go, before you forget where you are.” Aerion announced, his hand grasping ahold of what was his. 

It only tightened further when he felt Jacaerys’ arm begin to writhe. His grip tightened until his nails surely made an indent into the other's arm through his sleeve.

He hoped so. He hoped the other's flesh would permanently hold the shape of Aerion's nails, to show everyone who might come across his dark-haired Jacaerys in a state of undress would know exactly whose marks those belonged to. 

Even once Daeron's eyes retreated and once they all continued on their way Aerion kept his hold on his twin, refusing to let the other stray a mere few steps away from Aerion. 

Once they were out of the indoor castle walls of summerhall, he loosened his grasp but did not release him.

Aerion did not know why Daeron loved drinking the slop found in taverns, the wine was bitter and cheap. He found himself wondering why he decided to squander his time there. 

Oh yes, it came to mind now. A simple warning that his younger brother was surely blowing out of proportion, it was not as though Aerion went through with smothering the boy to death. Aerion merely.. placed it upon his face for a brief time.

Aegon, of course, could not prove Aerion did so. Not when he was careful with telling the guards where he was headed and making a show of leaving the castle grounds. 

What prince would be so carefree to drink in a tavern where all knew who he was if he was capable of bothering his own brother? None that would come to mind to their father if the quivering rat scurried to spill the news. 

Aerion swiped his fingers across the table he sat at, wrinkling his nose in disgust at the sticky residue that had been left behind on the surface. Without hesitation he reached out to wipe his fingers against the dress of a serving girl to rid himself of the residue that had the gull to dirty his fingertips. 

She dared not correct him for using her dress as a cloth, of course not, he was a prince. She was nothing compared to him, a prince of the blood, a dragon.

Jacaerys came to mind once he caught sight of the serving girl’s hair, dark just like his, but not as pretty, not as luscious nor curly as his proud Jacaerys. 

He stood from his seat. He had endured this establishment long enough. It would be enough to provide an alibi, if Aegon was foolish enough to cause him to need one. 

It was a short ride back to the castle, his expert riding on the back of his horse made sure of that. 

Aerion made quick work of his walk, his feet already knowing where to go towards the chambers of his beloved twin. He felt as though he could already smell the other’s familiar sweet scent. 

He was met with a pair of guards posted outside of his brother’s chambers. 

Aerion cocked his head to the side. 

This was unusual. Very unusual. His chest twisted with something awful that he could not even name. 

“The Prince Jacaerys is ill. Delirious with fever. Prince Maekar has ordered not to allow any to enter nor leave.” One of the fools informed him. 

“He did not mean me, I assure you.” Aerion scoffed before pointing towards the doors, signaling for someone to open them. 

Neither moved. 

“He was very clear.” 

Aerion’s jaw set. 

“My father would not keep him from me.” Aerion took a step closer, gesturing to the doors once again. His eyes flicked from one knight to the other, daring them to refuse him. 

“The prince commanded that none -”

“Will you stop me?” Aerion inquired, his head cocking to the side once again, “will you lay hands on me, a prince, to stop me?” 

“Well, no -” 

Aerion yanked at the door, nearly smacking one of the guards with it at that response, a smirk squirking onto his lips at how the man dodged then moved out of his way, finally. 

Aerion easily slipped inside of his brother’s chambers, eyes immediately landing on his Jacaerys, fast asleep underneath numerous furs and blankets. 

The floorboards creaked underneath the weight of his boots with each step. Aerion crossed the room, but despite the creaking of the floor growing louder, Jacaerys did not stir. 

Was he truly that ill?

Aerion's stomach dropped. 

He crept closer until he towered over his sleeping brother, casting a shadow over Jacaerys’ peaceful features. 

His fingers swiped Jacaerys’ curls out of his face, before Aerion laid his hand against his brother's forehead and still, Jacaerys did not stir.

He did feel hot, clammy against Aerion’s palm. 

Aerion bent down, his nose brushing against the soft curls of his brother before inhaling the undeniable scent of Jacaerys, a sweet scent that also vaguely held a hint of salt that always seemed to cling to Jacaerys no matter what oils he bathed in.

Aerion soon crawled into bed, the mattress dipping underneath his weight, arms snaking around the brunette’s torso, face burying into the crook of his neck. If he was truly ill then he would find comfort in Aerion’s company, if he was not then he still would, Aerion was sure of it. 

His lips skimmed against his brother’s soft skin resting against his pulse, close enough to feel each pitter patter beat of Jacaerys’ heart. Aerion’s eyes fluttered closed, he always slept better when Jacaerys was within his grasp. 

It was unfair for Jacaerys to share a womb with Aerion just to come out a brother. If only he was born a sister then Aerion could marry him, bring back the old customs of their house. That would surely please their ancestors. 

An inaudible broken cry fell from Jacaerys’ lips, cutting through the comfortable silence of the room. 

Aerion opened his eyes, his head tilting to the side, keen eyes trying to decipher his brother's face on what was possibly causing him to whimper like a maiden when he had Aerion by his side. 

Dark brows pulled together, only for a brief moment, on Jacaerys’ face, but Aerion had noticed. 

Aerion hoped he was at least dreaming of him. He would be very displeased if his dark-haired other half was whimpering whilst dreaming of another.

He would hate to have to yank some sense into Jacaerys, especially when he was feeling so ill.

His fingers threaded through his twin's curls, feeling the soft texture. Aerion quite liked his brother's curls, it was easy to grab if need be. 

It felt like Aerion had been watching him for hours, keen eyes watching how his eyelids fluttered with each moment that passed, how the dimming candlelight glowed against his skin. 

“Mother..” The word practically whimpered from Jacaerys’ lips before the boy suddenly started thrashing his head back and forth, yanking from Aerion's grip before continuing to flail against the sheets. 

The wooden posts of the bed groaned beneath the frantic movement of Jacaerys. The boy's expression twisted until he was nearly snarling in his sleep, jaw snapping at something Aerion could not see. 

“Dracarys!” Jacaerys roared, his voice breaking slightly, curls now covering half of his enraged face.

Aerion could not help but snort. The pronunciation was alright, but Aerion's was better. 

He leaned over his sleeping brother even as he thrashed, Aerion's shadow enveloping the other. He reached his hand down, perhaps to grasp onto those soft curls to still his fits once and for all..

It happened all too fast. One moment he had his brother's head pinned still and the other his own face was coated in crimson, pain erupting from his nose, a sharp crunching sound reached Aerion's ears. 

Before he could even turn his head to see who did it, another hit landed against his head, then another, then another, each one landing harder than the last. 

His arms had shot out to shield himself, blocking a few powerful hits. His arms ached, they burned like he had been lit on fire. 

His vision blurred. All he caught was dark hair and fists landing against his arms. 

Jacaerys? But he had just been sleeping, but could he move so swiftly? 

He had scarcely been interested in fighting or tournaments like Aerion had so how had he gained the upper hand? Besides, Jacaerys had never struck Aerion before, not ever. 

Something in Aerion burned at the realization, though he could not tell if it was anger or.. excitement? That Jacaerys shared his spirit, though Aerion would prefer it not directed at him. 

A grunt escaped him, a heavy weight had been thrown onto him. The hands of his brother ceased his violent onslaught only to catch Aerion’s arms, slamming them against the plush surface below them. 

“How dare you. You do not, you will not dare lay your hands on me.” Jacaerys hissed through his teeth, his eyes blown wide. 

His eyes were so dark, even with the dimming flame of the few candles that were left in his chambers, they nearly appeared black, like the abyss itself.  

Jacaerys’ nails dug into Aerion's wrists, urging him to let out a hiss of his own. 

A laugh caught in Aerion's throat. He managed to cock his head to the side, ignoring the sharp pain radiating throughout his entire head - no, not just his head, his entire upper body. 

“How dare I,” Aerion echoed, his tongue tasting metallic, surely from his blood that trickled onto his lips and into his mouth, staining it red, “You're the one who attacked me. Unprovoked.” 

A crooked grin spread across his lips. 

“What would father say?” 

He watched for the inevitable shrink, for the mumbled apology, but what came from Jacaerys’ mouth shocked him.

“That man is not my father.” Venom spit from the darker haired Targaryen's mouth after a moment of pondering, like something had clicked in the other’s mind. 

Aerion blinked.

The dutiful son, Jacaerys disowning their father? 

All knew he was the favorite.

Perhaps it was because he looked more like Dyanna than any other son, perhaps it was because he was deemed more reasonable than the rest, the reason did not matter. 

“My father is dead.” 

Aerion blinked a few more times. Confusion overwriting anything else he had been feeling at the moment. 

“What are you babbling on about?” Aerion clipped out. 

His patience was beginning to waiver and run dry. He hated when others played the fool, especially when he knew they weren't and he knew his brother was no fool. 

“Tell your father that no amount of restraining and poisoning me will keep me prisoner.” Jacaerys continued on, his tone growing more angered by the second. 

What was he playing at? He was the least likely to be poisoned by their father or anyone for that matter. Aerion could not think of a single soul that misliked Jacaerys, even their uncle, Baelor seemed to like him better than he did the rest of Aerion and his siblings. 

Aerion’s arms twitched underneath the grip of his brother, which only led to the boy above to tighten his grip. A sigh escaped from him.

This had grown dull. 

Aerion slammed his head upward. A heavy thump echoed in Aerion’s ears as well as a dull, low ring. 

The grip that had kept him restrained loosened, enough for Aerion to take his chance to flip their positions, throwing one leg around his brother, pushing the entirety of his weight against the darker haired one until Aerion was the one on top.

Aerion hand fisted inside of those dark curls, yanking Jacaerys’ head to the side while ducking his head out of the way of his warring fists. 

“Enough with that. I came here to comfort you, because I’m a caring brother.” Aerion spoke, ignoring the snarls from below. He shoved his knee against one of the arms that was attempting to assault him, rendering it useless against the mattress before throwing his free hand to slam down the other arm. 

It was more difficult than he thought it would be, more than once he nearly lost his grip, but he managed.. barely. 

“Is this how you repay a brother’s care, Jace?” 

“Jacaerys.” 

Aerion rolled his eyes, not bothering to hide the fact. 

“I call you what I like.” 

He could see his brother’s eyes flash wildly at his blunt response, lips curling in a snarl. 

“Not that. Only my true family calls me that.” Jacaerys spat.

Aerion stalled. He felt as though his mind had been dragged through the mud. Jacaerys had no other family. 

Unless he managed to sneak off and start one.. did Aerion’s brother have bastards running around? It did not seem like something his chivalrous Jacaerys would do. 

Aerion leaned down until his bloodied nose was inches from his dark-haired brother’s. He paused a moment watching the other snarl and twist like a wild beast. 

“I am your true family. We shared a womb, you cannot be rid of me.” Aerion corrected, his voice lowering. 

“Lies -”

Aerion twisted his hand within the curls pulling until he heard a whimpered growl escape. 

“I am in no mood to be called a liar, Jace.” Aerion’s lips twisted before adding a, “Jacey.”

The name was cooed out taking great care to pronounce every syllable and as expected Jacaerys started to thrash underneath him once again, nearly bucking Aerion off in the process. He ground his knee down against Jacaerys’ arm, not enough to break it just enough to remind the other that he could. 

He had always been able to call Jacaerys, ‘Jace’, until now, but the name that his brother despised was ‘Jacey’. Even when they were children Jacaerys could not stand it.

It was only fitting to bother him with it now that Aerion was now disallowed from using the shortened version. 

“Mongrel!” Jacaerys shouted, his voice full of misplaced anger, he should have been angry at himself, truly. He then started screaming, louder than he had when sleeping, his voice ricocheting off the heavy stone walls, his head thrashing once again. 

What the fuck was wrong with him?

Of course, it was not long until the chamber doors were thrown open the guards running in like his brother was in any danger. They were fools to think so. Aerion would now allow any foul fate to befall him. This was only a tantrum, despite Jacaerys not usually being one for tantrums. 

Aerion released his grip, ducking off to the side in case his brother intended to strike him again. 

“He hit me first, as you can see.” Was Aerion’s only reasoning, gesturing his hand towards his bloody mess of a nose. His arms ached as well, but he simply did not care enough to lift his sleeves to check if there was bruising. 

“We’ve sent for your father.”

The screaming stopped.

Aerion snorted at the knight’s response. He was hardly in danger of any true punishment not whilst he was all bloody and injured. He might be lectured for bothering Jacaerys this late at night, but surely he could get off with a warning. 

“That man is not my father.” Aerion heard Jacaerys’ raspy response next to him. The bed creaked beneath their weight. Aerion cut his violet eyes to the side, watching Jacaerys slowly rise to a sitting position, his dark eyes nearly blending into the dark even as he stared towards Aerion. 

Aerion could see the hands of Jacaerys pat the sheets around him. He wondered what his brother was even searching for. 

Muffled footsteps echoed the hall before stopping in front of the doors. Aerion could tell it was their father from the exhausted sigh that huffed from the other side of the wooden doors. 

Aerion hunched forward, grasping onto his arm. His expression twisted to show pain, just enough to avoid his father's wrath. 

It was fair. His word was up against the favorite, the sweet Jacaerys, he had to at least try to make it clear that he had been attacked first. 

Jacaerys would be fine. Their father would not dare punish him as he would punish Daeron. 

After the doors had opened then shut with a thud, firm footsteps thumped with purpose before pausing in front of Aerion, who was still seated on the bed.

Aerion kept his gaze lowered on the floor, catching sight of their father's boots. He mustered a pained groan, letting his head roll to the side, showing off the bloodied nose that he had been given. 

“What have you done?” He demanded, his tone already clipped. 

Before Aerion could even open his mouth to respond his father raised his hand. A small huff left Aerion at already being silenced before he could even defend himself. 

He watched his father turn his head towards the knights, expression stern as it always was. 

“What has he done?” 

Aerion fought the urge to roll his eyes. His hand gestured towards his face once more. 

“I am not sure, my prince. We only heard screaming. Neither of us witnessed the incident, but,” One of the gaurds glanced briefly towards Aerion. 

Little cunt was planning on throwing the blame onto him, Aerion knew it. He would regret that later on. 

“But, when we came in, Prince Aerion was on top of Prince Jacaerys. The boy was screaming.” 

A frown tugged onto Aerion's lips. 

Why did the fool have to go on to make Aerion sound like the aggressor? 

Their father's head turned sharply towards Aerion, his jaw clenched so tightly that Aerion could see a muscle jumping in his cheek. 

“Your brother is ill, Aerion. Information I am sure you had been informed of. What part of Jacaerys being ill tells you that you should harass him in his bed?” His voice was stern, bordering on anger. 

For some reason the man seemed to be holding himself back from truly showing the anger that resided in his gaze. 

“Thought he could use the company, didn't know he was to beat me.” Aerion responded, lounging back against the mattress on his elbows causing his brother to jerk back. 

His former show of pain seemed to no more soften his father than Daeron's drunken antics did. 

“Jacaerys is..” His father trailed off, his eyes drifting behind Aerion, possibly over to Jacaerys. 

Aerion tilted his head backward, eyes landing on Jacaerys, jaw clenched and turned the other way.

Petulant is how he was acting, like he hadn't just been screaming moments ago. 

He returned his gaze to his father before him. 

“Is acting a fool.” Aerion finished for his father which earned him a heavy glare and his father mouthing something that was surely a threat of punishment. 

A firm hand grasped tightly onto the collar of Aerion's shirt before he was hauled off the bed and pushed towards the doors. 

“Out.” 

“I'm the wronged party here.” Aerion added, only to be grabbed by his sleeve and dragged out of those chambers by an enraged father. 

“I will speak to him once he is right of mind.” His father grumbled out, though his voice was no less stern. 

He wondered if it was for the benefit of Jacaerys or a prevention of the next tantrum. 

Either way, this behavior was unlike Jacaerys. Almost so, that it was like something else had possessed him, if Aerion was a halfwit like Daeron then he might truly believe that. 

They did not even get a few feet away from those heavy doors before shouting filled the air, muffled behind the thick doors. 

His father immediately turned on his heel and stormed back into Jacaerys’ chambers. When the doors opened, Aerion could see a glimpse of a hand grasping a hilt of a candlestick, before it shut again. 

Aerion paused, waiting there in the hall for what felt like hours, listening to the muffled shouts and sounds of sobbing.

His stomach twisted into knots. It sounded like Jacaerys, but he had not cried since their mother had passed. 

Something felt off.. 

Aerion slowly crept back over to the door, pulling it slightly, just to peek through the gap to see what was happening. 

The candlestick laid abandoned on the floor. The two guardsmen stood uselessly to the side. 

Aerion turned his head to the side, placing his eye directly against the gap. His violet eye flicked left, spotting his father kneeling on the floor and in his arms, cradling a sobbing Jacaerys. 

He was hunched against the older man, face blotched and puffy, fists landing against their father's arms.

It did not seem to be doing any damage, judging from how their father only shushed him in response, shifting a hand to cradle the back of Jacaerys' head. 

Aerion couldn't hear anything his brother was spouting, it was slurring and overwhelmed by the heavy sobs that wracked his shoulders.

Aerion's chest clenched. He didn't like this. It felt wrong, no one else had died for a long time so he shouldn't be crying. 

Why was he crying? It wasn't because of Aerion surely and it could not be because of an illness. 

Who would sound so broken from an illness? 

Aerion leaned away from the sight, slowly and carefully, easing the door fully closed.

He stayed by the door for several moments more before he wiped his bloody nose against his sleeve.