#joffron

Joffrey didn’t return to the room he shared with Lucerys until the crack of dawn. Lucerys was pacing around the room in panic when he heard the knock on the door.

“Joff? Where have you been?” Lucerys looked around the corridor to make sure no one was out there before dragging his younger brother inside and shutting the door, “Do you know how worried I am when I woke up and you were not here-”

Lucerys stopped when he saw Joffrey’s tear-stained face. Joffrey’s hair was a complete mess, his night gown distorted, exposing his neck and collar bone, and his eyes were puffy and pink, as if he had been crying all night. All words died in Lucerys’s throat. He couldn’t remember the last time he had seen Joffrey in such a distressed state. He wondered if there had even been such a time.

“Joff? Are you alright?” Lucerys asked gently, walking up and wrapping one of his arms around Joffrey’s shoulder, “You are freezing.”

Joffrey was in his night gown, the thin fabric cold and damp to the touch. He was shaking slightly, fingers clenching into a fist so tight that his knuckles all turned white.

Lucerys could tell that something must have happened for Joffrey to come back so shaken. Something dreadful. Lucerys let his eyes wander to Joffrey’s exposed neck, especially the omega’s gland as he continued to soothe his brother. To his great relief, Lucerys found no redness, no scratches, and no bite marks on Joffrey’s neck. Thank the Seven. At least his worst fear didn't seem to have come true.

When Lucerys woke up just before dawn and found the room empty, he nearly had a heart attack. Joffrey might not like following the rules, but he would never just disappear like this. He was too gentle to make his family worry. Not to mention they were in Dragonstone now, and they had to watch their behaviors carefully because one wrong move was enough to stain their mother’s name. Joffrey, an unmated omega, disappeared for the night and came back with a teary face and disheveled clothes. This was enough scandal to destroy Joffrey’s reputation as well as his brothers’. Jace’s betrothal would also be in jeopardy if the situation was not handled carefully.

“Can you tell me what happened? Where have you been?” Lucerys asked again, this time even more gently. He began to rub Joffrey’s arm, trying to warm up his little brother.

Joffrey sniffed as he tried very hard not to let the tears down. Lucerys’s worry grew because Joff was the toughest of them, always looking out for his older brothers and never showing any weakness, so Lucerys couldn’t imagine what had happened that made him so upset.

“Do you need anything? Tea? I can ring the bell to have some hot tea delivered for us.” Lucerys was about to reach out for the service bell but was stopped by Joffrey’s hand on his forearm.

Joffrey shook his head and whispered a soft no.

“Okay.” Lucerys said as he continued rubbing Joffrey’s arm until the boy stopped shaking. The sun was about to rise, and the Inn maid would come at any minute to tell them that breakfast was ready and Lady Rhaenys was expecting them downstairs. Lucerys didn’t want to make the good lady worry, so he had to make sure Joffrey calm down before their day of social meetings began.

“Any better?” Lucerys asked, brushing some dark curls from Joffrey’s face, revealing the omega’s red-rimmed eyes, “Your eyes are puffy. Let’s get you cleaned up, okay? You will feel better with a new change of clothes, I promise.”

“I am sorry, Luke.” Joffrey finally spoke, his voice hoarse from crying.

“You don't have to apologize. I am not blaming you for anything, Joff. I was just worried about what might have happened to you. It’s not like you to disappear without notice. What happened? Who did this to you?” Lucerys had forgotten all about his own discomfort after yesterday’s treacherous journey, for he was too busy comforting his brother.

“Nobody.” Joffrey replied, casting his eyes down, “And nothing happened. Nothing important, anyway. It’s actually good news, you know? I’ve learned that Uncle Aemond isn’t engaged to anyone. He has kept his promise to you, Luke. How wonderful is that?”

Joffrey tried to sound cheerful, but the feigned joviality in his tone only added to Lucerys’s worries.

“What are you talking about?”

“Lady Alicent is hosting the ball to celebrate her son’s betrothal, isn't she? I know you are sad because you think Uncle Aemond has betrayed his words and chosen another mate. You don't have to be, Luke.” Joffrey said, lifting his head, a crooked smile on his lips, “It’s not Aemond who’s engaged.”

Lucerys’s eyes widened at the unexpected news, his lips quivering slightly but he managed to keep his composure eventually. Joffrey hadn’t noticed how pale Lucerys was until now. SHIT. He should have been more considerate instead of just blurting things out. The news must be overwhelming for Luke, especially since he had been through so much.

“Sorry, Luke, I-” Joffrey tried, but was interrupted by his brother.

“Aemond has never promised me anything. We never got that far.” Lucerys said softly, a slight frown on his brow as if admitting the truth would make it real, “I understand your sentiment, Joff, but Aemond is free to choose his own mate. I am not here to accuse him of betraying, you know.”

“You wrote to each other almost every day. Surely he confessed his feelings to you in these letters?” Joffrey took Lucerys’s cold hand in his own and squeezed gently, “You don't have to hide from me, Luke. I am not a fool. I can see things.”

“We wrote about a lot of things in those letters, art, literature, music, history, but never about the future. I always have a feeling that Aemond is reluctant to commit, and I don't want to force him.” Lucerys sighed and squeezed back, “That’s why I was so certain our relationship was over after Aemond left without notice.”

Joffrey couldn't believe what he had just heard. Uncle Aemond had never confessed his feelings for Luke? After following Lucerys around like a lovesick puppy in every ball? Joffrey couldn't help but thought back to the night when Daeron had confessed his love for Joffrey. How ironic. Daeron, who had insisted that he loved Joffrey and wanted to marry him, was now betrothed to another, while Aemond, who had never put his feelings into words, remained free.

“It’s not over.” Joffrey insisted, trying desperately to convince Lucerys. Lucerys deserved the happiness that Joffrey could never have. “Aemond is not engaged. You are both free to choose, and I am sure he will choose you.”

He had to.

“How do you know about this? Is that why you disappeared for?” Lucerys asked, bringing the topic back, “Why did you come back crying?”

“I didn't cry.” Joffrey said lamely.

“Joff.” Lucerys’s voice lowered to a whisper as if he feared someone might hear them, “Tell me the truth. I can smell alpha pheromones on you. I need to know what happened so I can help you.”

“I-” Joffrey tried to think of an excuse, but he couldn't find any, “I didn’t mean to make you worry. I just needed some fresh air so I decided to take a walk to the courtyard.”

Lucerys sighed heavily. He loved his little brother, and never wanted Joffrey to change, but sometimes Joffrey’s free soul could make things so complicated.

“And? I assume your midnight walk didn't end peacefully.”

“I-I bumped into Sir Gwayne.” Joffrey said, looking down at the carpet to hide his burning cheek, “We were talking when Uncle Daeron and his betrothed emerged from the tavern.”

Joffrey left out a lot of details, such as the fact that Gwayne had clearly had too much to drink and that Daeron had saved him from Gwayne’s advances. Gwayne was all polite and proper when sober, but he couldn't keep his hands off Joffrey last night in the courtyard. His usual fresh scent of forest drizzle became intruding when mixed with the rich scent of wine. Joffrey’s heart skipped a beat when Daeron emerged from the tavern to tell Gwayne off. He was supposed to be angry with Daeron, for the alpha was the one who had convinced Aemond to leave, but all the accusations he had prepared died down the moment his eyes met with Daeron’s violet ones. Joffrey was secretly happy to see his youngest uncle again, until the cruel truth slapped him in the face.

Lucerys didn't need to know. Lucerys didn’t need to know how Joffrey’s world was shattered last night when Daeron’s beautiful bride-to-be leaned her soft body against the alpha. Why was Joffrey so devastated? Why was his stomach tightening? What was the tug on his heart and the lump in his throat? It couldn't be jealous, could it? Joffrey was the one who had rejected Daeron. He had made it clear that he could not return the alpha’s feelings and would never fall for someone so arrogant and inconsiderate. He shouldn't feel anything, right? Then why couldn’t he breathe?

“His betrothed?” Lucerys’s frown deepened, “I didn't know Uncle Daeron was engaged. Why was he here in the first place?”

“I don’t know.” Joffrey replied honestly. He never had the chance to find out what Daeron was doing in the tavern, because he fled the scene like a coward after seeing Daeron and Bethany together.

“Were you with Uncle Daeron the entire night?” Lucerys asked, leaning in to pick up the lingering alpha scent on Joffrey’s gown. He had only met their youngest uncle several times, but Lucerys could tell the scent was not Daeron’s. All Targaryen alphas shared the same undertone in their alpha scents, fire and ashes, but Lucerys smelled something sweeter and less harsh from Joffrey. Lucerys half hoped Joffrey would answer yes, because somehow Lucerys knew Daeron would never hurt his little brother.

“No.” Joffrey said after a long pause, “I, eh, didn’t want to interrupt Uncle Daeron’s time with his betrothed.”

“You were with Sir Gwayne, weren’t you?” Lucerys asked, though his knowing expression indicated that he already knew the answer.

“…yes.” It was impossible to fool his brother, so Joffrey might as well tell the truth.

“Oh, Joff.” Lucerys reached out to cup his brother’s face, “What happened? He didn’t do anything inappropriate to you, did he?”

Did he? Joffrey wasn’t sure. His memory was a little vague. The last thing he remembered was Gwayne dragging him away from the tavern, Daeron’s face slowly fading from his vision. The unexpected news paralyzed him; his mind went blank, his legs gave out and his chest tightened as the air was squeezed out of his lungs. Joffrey couldn’t even stand up straight, let alone walk back to his room on his own. Gwayne was saying something to him, but Joffrey couldn’t hear a thing. He had no idea where Gwayne had taken him or what the alpha did next. The next thing he knew, he was alone in the corridor leading to his bedchamber. Something must have happened. The burn around his eyes and the wet stain on his face showed that he had been crying. There was some dirt on his night gown, but he couldn’t remember where he had gotten them. Joffrey stood there for a long while until the morning chill knocked him awake from the trance. He practically fled back to his room. Fortunately, no one saw him on the empty corridor. At least not that he knew of.

“Tell me, Joff.” Lucerys wiped off some tear stain from Joffrey’s eyes before leaning in to press their foreheads together, “What did Gwayne do?”

“I-I can’t remember.” Joffrey placed his hands around Lucerys’s wrists and squeezed, “He dragged me away from the tavern, and then, then-”

Joffrey paused because he couldn’t think of anything to say. He knew why Lucerys sounded so worried. An unmated omega spending a night alone with an alpha was not only inappropriate. It was scandalous. If word got out that Joffrey and Gwayne had disappeared together for an entire night, Joffrey’s reputation as an omega would be destroyed. He would be seen as tainted, dishonorable, and utterly shameless. There had been cases of such omegas either joining the Silent Sister, or spending their lives in solitude to repent for their sins. Lucerys had even heard of someone committing suicide because of the unkind whispers.

“I can smell some alpha scent from you.” Lucerys said, taking a whiff, “Smells like watery plants. Is this scent Gwayne’s?”

“I guess. He told me his scent was forest drizzle, quite common in House Hightower.” Joffrey’s cheeks burned as he only realized now that his conversations with Gwayne before seemed too intimate.

“I don’t see any swelling on your gland.” Lucerys gently tilted Joffrey’s head aside to expose the younger omega’s neck, “Your neck is clean too. Do you feel any discomfort anywhere? Your lower back, perhaps?”

“No. I don’t feel anything.” Joffrey replied, his ears turning pink as he realized what Lucerys was getting at, “Really, Luke. I would know if someone stuck their dick in me.”

“Seven forbid, Joffrey.” Lucerys sighed helplessly. He knew his little brother had a careless way of speaking, but he didn’t have the energy to deal with Joffrey’s vulgar choice of words now. “This is not a joke. What will they think of mother if someone saw you slipping away at night with Sir Gwayne? What will they think of Lady Rhaenys and Lord Corlys? I can’t even start to tell you what kind of nasty things they will say about us.”

Joffrey bit his lower lip and fell silent. He knew he had made a mistake. He had screwed up. He didn’t think Gwayne had gone any further than groping, but having an alpha’s arm around his waist outside a formal social event was enough of a scandal. He wished he hadn’t been so careless. He wished he had kept his distance from Gwayne, just as he had done with Daeron. He had been so obsessed with Daeron’s attitude at their first meeting that he had failed to notice how Daeron’s gradual change since then. He had been blinded by prejudice that he refused to believe Daeron could change. He had been such a fool. By rejecting Daeron, he had somehow encouraged Gwayne to make advances towards him. The situation right now was all his own doing.

“I am so sorry, Luke.” Joffrey said after a long pause. He might have repeated the same sentence too many times today, but he couldn’t think of another thing else to say except to apologize to his brother. “I am so, so sorry. I will never forgive myself if I ruined your chance to marry Uncle Aemond. Tell me what I can do to repair the damage, please, Luke.”

“Silly.” Lucerys sighed again, this time with so much tenderness, “It’s not about me. I am worried about you and your reputation. You are brave, honest, and loyal, Joff. You deserve someone who loves for who you are. I don’t want you to lose that chance.”

Too late. It had already been lost.

“Never mind. I never want to marry anyway.” Joffrey replied, trying to sound casual, “Perhaps no one saw me out there with Gwayne last night except for Uncle Daeron and his betrothed. As long as they don’t tell, no one will know I didn’t sleep in this room last night.”

Joffrey didn’t know why he was so confident that Daeron would not spread the scandal, but somehow, he just had a feeling that Daeron wouldn’t purposely hurt him. How strange. Daeron had already hurt him by getting engaged to Lady Bethany, but then again, Daeron couldn’t have known how Joffrey would feel about the news. Joffrey himself didn’t know how he would react until he learned about the news. But there was one other person who knew what had happened last night. Sir Gwayne. How could Joffrey be sure that Gwayne would keep this a secret?

Lucerys’s lips moved before he pursed them into a thin line. His soft face slowly turned hard and determined as he made up his mind to protect his little brother no matter what.

“Let’s get you cleaned up, okay? We need to go downstairs to have breakfast with Lady Rhaenys.” Lucerys said, wiping off some traces of tears on Joffrey’s cheek. They didn’t have much time to waste. Lady Rhaenys was a wise and observant lady, so it would take a lot of effort to hide things from her. They needed to come up with a strategy before today’s social arrangements began. In fact, Lucerys was surprised that Lady Rhaenys hadn’t already sent a maid up to check on them.

Joffrey nodded, and followed Lucerys to the vanity. Lucerys poured some warm water into the basin and handed Joffrey a towel soaked in rose water. Joffrey had just finished washing his face when there came a soft knock on the bedroom door.

“Stay quiet. I’ll deal with it.” Lucerys whispered in Joffrey’s ear before hurrying to answer the door.

A maid was standing in the doorway with a tray loaded with food. Joffrey could smell the aroma of tea, freshly baked bread and jam.

“Good morning, my lord. Lady Rhaenys sent me up to bring you breakfast.” The maid greeted Lucerys in a sweet voice.

“Lady Rhaenys? I thought my brother and I were joining her ladyship downstairs.” Lucerys replied, clearly confused. Of course it would be best if he and Joffrey could stay in their room, but he just didn’t understand why Lady Rhaenys had changed her mind.

“I am sorry, my lord, her ladyship just told me to bring the food up.” The maid replied, “May I take the tray inside?”

“That won’t be necessary. Thank you.” Lucerys refused politely, “I can take it from here.”

“Why would Lady Rhaenys let us have breakfast in the room? Does she know something?” Joffrey asked as he slipped into the armchair opposite Lucerys, the breakfast tray between them. He had already changed out of his dirty night gown, now in a clean gown decorated with lace ruffles on the sleeves and collar. Joffrey wasn’t used to wearing delicate clothes like this, but Rhaenyra insisted him bringing the nicest outfit for the journey. The crimson color complimented his complexion and dark curls perfectly.

“I don’t know.” Lucerys shook his head, an equally confused expression on his face. He poured them both some tea, before piling the bread rolls onto a clean plate. After removing several plates from the tray, he noticed a carefully folded piece of paper on the bottom. The paper was tucked under the bread plate, hiding it from the view. Whoever had put it there clearly didn’t want anyone else to notice.

Joffrey noticed the paper as well. Lucerys exchanged a glance with his brother before unfolding it. It was hastily written letter addressed to Joffrey.

“It’s for you.” Lucerys said, handing the letter to Joffrey.

“Me?” Joffrey’s eyes widened in surprise. He rarely received letters at home, let alone here at Dragonstone. Few people even knew he had taken this trip. Who could have written him a letter?

Dear Joffrey,

I hope this letter finds you well. Forgive me for not being able to explain everything to you in person. I fear that all words will escape me once I meet your beautiful eyes. Last night was an accident. I wasn’t informed of your visit, nor did I expect you to stay at this particular inn either. Please believe me that it was not my intention to hide my betrothal from you. Bethany’s father has offered me a job in Old Town and I intend to accept it after the wedding. I wanted to write to you after I left for Old Town. You may not want to hear anything from the man who you have rejected, but I feel I need to let you know why I have made this decision.

As you might already know, my mother is very keen to secure a good match for her sons. Aemond is her favorite and she wants him to inherit the Targaryen fortune. You can imagine how horrified she was when she learned of Aemond’s involvement with your brother Lucerys. She demands that we return to Dragonstone and cut all ties with your family. Aemond refuses, and they had a big argument through letters. Aemond loves mother, but I think he loves your brother more. He made it clear that he would not be her puppet. I have never seen him defy mother like that. I wish I could be as brave as he is. Perhaps that’s why you have rejected me. I am not brave enough to confess my feelings to you sooner. If I could just

Mother wasn’t going to give in so easily, and neither was Aemond. I don’t have the heart to see my brother torn apart like this, so I volunteered to take his place. You would do the same for your brother, Joffrey. I know you would. Your loyalty to your family is what made me fall for you in the first place. Forgive me. You probably don’t want to hear this. Just know that I offered to marry cousin Bethany, so Aemond wouldn’t have to. Since you have made it clear that you will never return my feelings, I might as well make myself useful to ensure your brother’s happiness. I did this for you

I do apologize for leaving so hastily. Mother wanted us back as soon as possible, and both me and Aemond decided that it was better to comply with her on this. Once we are back, mother intercepts all of Aemond’s letters to make sure he cannot write to your brother. I am only able to deliver this letter with the help of Lady Rhaenys.

Don’t worry, dear Joffrey. I only revealed some of the details to her ladyship. I left out Lucerys’s involvement with Aemond, of course, but I suspect she had her own guess. Either way, she’s agreed to help me deliver this letter, and I can’t express how grateful I am. I told her that I bumped into you last night and escorted you back to your room. I think you might want to hide your relationship with my uncle for now. I don’t agree with my uncle on most things, but if it is your choice to be with him, you will have my wholehearted blessing.

I will leave it here. Tell Lucerys to have faith in Aemond. I will see you at the ball.

Yours,

Daeron

Joffrey’s vision blurred. A few teardrops fell from his eyes and landed on the paper, smearing the ink. Joffrey took a deep breath to calm himself before lifting his head again.

“Joff? What is it? Who is this letter from?” Lucerys asked, a deep crease on his forehead.

Joffrey didn’t answer. Instead, he handed the letter to Lucerys.

Lucerys browsed through the letter, his frown deepening as he read on. Aemond didn’t abandon him, which made his heart skip a beat, but the rest of the letter was too surprising to him to focus on himself. Why was Uncle Daeron writing to Joff? Since when did them become so intimate? What was this rejection he wrote about? And what was Sir Gwayne’s role in this?

“You have a lot of explaining to do, Joff.” Lucerys said, putting the letter down.