Avalanche [24] - Subtlety
A.N: Hi my loves! π©· Thank you so so much for your wonderful support, you've made me so happy! π©·I hope you'll like this one as well, and please let me know what you thinkπ©· ILYSM, kisses! π©·
Pairing:Β Robb Stark x F!Reader
Summary: Ladies of the southern court are taught to wield words like weapons.
Word Count:Β 4,4k
Warnings: Explicit language, adult themes, suggestive themes. MDNI- Do not read if you're under 18.
Series Masterlist
Even when he was young, Robb knew very well that his parentsβ marriage was more fortunate than anyone elseβs in the north. Many lords and ladies who were wed either despised each otherβs presence or had a distance between them; only talking to each other when they needed to in public. Those who had been blessed with mutual love and respect seemed to have put a lot of effort and time into growing such affections, and though he used to hope for the same, it all came down to two options:
He and his future wife disliking each other or putting some deliberate effort into making themselves love each other.
That felt like such nonsense now.
Because he had been a husband for less than a week, yet he already couldnβt even imagine the possibility of not being utterly in love with her.
βYouβre doing it wrong.β
Robb tilted his head even though his lady couldnβt see him. βOr perhaps you keep moving.β
βIβve been still as a statue!β she defended herself with a huff. βIβm telling you, youβre doing it wrong.β
Fine, perhaps he had been distracted just a little.
But that was more than expected, considering the state they were in. The room was hot βtoo hot for his taste, but his lady liked it that wayβ and she was completely naked except for one of the furs she had pulled up to her chest while she sat in front of him in the bed, hugging her knees. Robb couldnβt help but lean forward to press his lips to her bare shoulder, biting back a smirk.
βYou canβt even see what Iβm doing.β
βI can feel it.β Her hand shot back to feel the braid he had been battling with. βAnd itβs supposed to be tighter.β
βI tried to make it tighter, and you said it hurt.β
βBecause that was too tight,β she whined. βAnd my skin is sensitive, you know that.β
βDid we not put that behind us whenββ He let out a laugh as she reached back to push at his arm. βIt was a mere question.β
She made a noise of disagreement, then took a deep breath and cleared her throat.
βSpeaking of questions,β she said. βIβve been meaning to ask you something.β
Robb hummed, still trying to decide which section of hair went above which.
βIs Jon by any chance sad that Malory left?β
βI donβt think so.β
βBecause it came to my attention he was rather happy at our wedding, and he was actually talking to people.β
βIt came to your attention even though you were drunk beyond words?β he taunted her, dodging her hand when she reached back to push at his shoulder. βI donβt think he is interested in Lady Malory, my love.β
βIs he interested in anyone else?β
βI doubt it.β
βBut how do you not know for sure?β she insisted. βHeβs your brother.β
βDo you know everything about Silasβ affairs?β
βYes.β
βIs it not difficult to keep track when there are so many people?β
She shrugged her shoulders while he put a section of hair on top of other, then undid it and put it under the other.
βI have so many friends who were rather interested in him,β she told him. βAt our wedding. And I was wondering, if his heart doesnβt belong to anyone alreadyβ¦β
βSansa used to make me do this with three sections, not two.β
βThis one is more difficultβso he has never fallen in love?β she asked. βNobody has captured his attention all this time?β
βNot really,β he muttered, his whole attention on the braid while he pulled the two pieces apart. βBut things are more complicated for him, you know that. Him being in love with a lady would bring many things to consider if there was any courtship.β
She scoffed. βThe North is so different than what Iβm used to.β
βIβm certain itβs the same in the south as well.β
βNot in the Reach, and definitely not in Dorne,β she said. βBesides, youβre telling me Jon simply decided not to fall in love because of the circumstances of his birth?β
He tried to untangle the knot of his own doing as subtly as possible. βMm hm.β
βI used to think differently, but I donβt believe matters of heart can be controlled.β
βNot in the south perhaps,β he taunted her with a grin, causing her to look at him over her shoulder with a frown. βItβs not tangled, I just put the wrong piece onββ
βSo you would not love me if we met and werenβt betrothed?β Β
Β A huff of laughter left him, but his heart dropped to his stomach when he saw his ladyβs frown deepening as she pulled back to see him better, no sign of playfulness on her expression.
βWhβno!β he said in a rush. βWhy would you think that?β
βThatβs what youβre insinuating.β
βI donβt insinuate things, weβve been over this.β
βFine, then youβre directly telling me that you would notβRobb!β The rest of her sentence was swallowed by a surprised screech when he grabbed her by the waist to pull her under him, a wide grin pulling at his lips. She bit back her smile and scrunched up her nose, trying her hardest to glare at him as he brushed her hair off her face.
βIf we were not betrothedββ
βIt wouldnβt change anything,β Robb finished her sentence for her. βMy heart belongs to you, you know that.β
βBut if, letβs say, your family had betrothed you to someone else, and then we met?β she insisted. βWould you have gone through with that arrangement?β
He couldnβt.
He knew he couldnβt.
Despite his upbringing, despite the honor and duty, despite the expectations placed upon him before he was even born, he couldnβt spend his life with anyone else but her. His life was already divided into before and after her, and the idea of spending his life with anyone else when she was the rightful ruler of his heart was nothing short of a nightmare, so he shook his head, looking down at her.
βNever.β
βNever?β She narrowed her eyes like she was trying to see whether he was lying. βAnd what of duty?β
He swallowed thickly, then shook his head again.
βIt leaves the room when you enter.β
That seemed to coax a smile out of her, every sign of her anger from earlier washing off her beautiful face like waves of the sea on a shore. He dipped his head to brush his lips against hers, the sweet taste of her more enticing than air itself as her fingers curled in his hair, desire dripping down his spine and stirring back to lifeβ
A frustrated growl left him when someone knocked on the door, pulling them both out of the haze.
βLeave!β he called out as she squeezed at his arm.
βBe nice!β she whispered, but then turned her head when the familiar voice of her maid carried into the room from behind the closed door.
βMy lady, I apologize for the interruption but your presence is required.β Her maid paused for a moment. βItβs your father. He has fallen ill.β
Lord Greenstedβs voice assuring everyone he was alright could be heard from the hallway even before they reached his door, which Robb figured was a good sign, but his lady was in too much of a hurry to even notice that. She rushed through the door and made her way to her father without sparing a glance at the rest of the crowd, crouching down by his chair to grasp his hand, her skirts fanning around her.
βFather?β
βIβm alright, my flower.β He pinched her cheek in an assuring manner while Robb nodded at his parents in the room, clasping his hands behind him. βI told them not to alarm you.β
βWhile youβre ill?β
βIβm not ill,β he told her and turned to Robb with an amused chuckle. βItβs your responsibility to pull her back from distress now, you know.β
βShe loves you way too much to listen to a word I say, Lord Greensted.β
βBut whatβs happened?β she insisted, her eyes darting between Silas and Arys while Cliff squeezed Perceonβs shoulder like he wanted to remind him he was still there. Braxton went over to the window as if he wanted to get some air, and Silas cleared his throat.
βHe got dizzy after breakfastββ
Β βOnly for a moment.β
βAnd this is exactly why Iβve been telling you that you need to try to be healthier,β Arys pointed out and Lord Greensted waved a dismissive hand in the air. βSo that you donβt get dizzy.β
βMaester Luwin is preparing something for him,β his mother assured her as Elinor muttered something in Altonβs ear that made him look over his shoulder, but before he could do anything, Silas made his way to join Braxton by the window. Whatever he said to Braxton was too soft and low for anyone else to hear it, and Braxton swallowed thickly, then nodded his head. βHe says thereβs nothing to worry about.β
βIβm also saying thereβs nothing to worry about.β
βYouβre not a maester,β she told her father before turning to Arys. βWhat do you think?β
βI think itβs a sign for him to take better care of himself,β Arys said. βAll this eating and drinking whatever you want, fatherβ¦β
βLet me live, will you?β
βI told you it was too early to leave, Garmund,β Robbβs father said. βThis is your gods giving you a sign.β
βCanβt they send a more pleasant sign?β
βSurely youβre not planning on leaving before youβre fully recovered,β his lady said and Lord Greensted squeezed her hand.
βThereβs nothing to recover from, Iβm alright.β
βNot to worry, weβll keep him here until heβs recovered no matter what he says,β his father gave her an assuring smile. βIβll put men by his door if needed.β
βLord Stark?β A footman entered the room with Maester Luwin. βLord Glower asks for counsel if youβre not busy.β
βGo,β Lord Greensted said. βPlease. Iβm fine, and do tell Lord Glower Iβll beat him on our next hunt.β
βFather, youβre not going on a hunt!β his lady insisted while his father chuckled.
βHeβll take it as a challenge, just so you know,β he told Lord Greensted. βRobb.β
βIβll be there in a minute, father.β
His father walked out of the room, and his lady watched Maester Luwin give a cup filled with some sort of draught to Lord Greensted.
βHeβll be alright, will he not?β
βHe just needs some rest in his bed, my lady,β Maester Luwin said. βThat is all.β
Β βWe should all leave you to rest, Iβm certain the crowd isnβt helping,β his mother added, making Lord Greensted nod fervently.
βThank you, my lady.β
βCome, everyone. Your father needs some peace and quiet while he rests.β
Once Lord Greensted made his way to bed, all the brothers left the room one by one even though Robb could tell they didnβt really want to. His lady stole a look at the door, then took a deep breath and stepped closer to Robb.
βIβll stay.β
Lord Greensted heaved a sigh. βBlossomβ¦β
βIβll tell you all about the rumors Iβve heard at the wedding, father,β she said. βEvery house of the Reach. You like hearing tales of scandals, itβll be like the old times!β
Β Robb nuzzled into her hair, cradling her cheek in his palm. βWould you like me to stay as well?β
βYour father requires your presence, Robb,β Lord Greensted reminded him. βAnd youβve heard my daughter. Weβll gossip about the Reach, apparently.β
Β Robb bowed his head with a chuckle.
βIβll leave you to it then,β he said, and traced her cheekbone with his thumb. βSend for me if you need me, alright my love?β
She offered him a small smile and squeezed his wrist. βI will, thank you.β
βGet well soon, Lord Greensted,β he told him before he kissed his lady on the forehead, walked out of the room and closed the door behind him to join Silas and Arys. Cliff led Braxton and Perceon out of the hall while Elinor and Alton stood by the corner, talking in whispers. Any observer could tell Alton was shaken, but the tension on his shoulders seemed to dissipate a little when Elinor lifted their joined hands to press her lips on his knuckles, a tiny smile flickering over Altonβs face. Robb averted his gaze immediately and cleared his throat.
βMaester Luwin is really good at what he does,β he told Silas. βIf he says itβs not dangerous, I doubt it is.β
βNo I know.β Silas bit inside his cheek. βI know.β
βHeβs not used to northern food,β Arys told Silas. βAnd youβve been here for a month. And he goes on hunts yes, but thatβs the only exercise he does. With all that eating and drinking as if heβs still a young man, itβll catch up to him eventually.β
βHeβs not travelling until he feels better, I donβt care what he says.β
βOf course not.β
βMy mother can tell the cooks to make whatever dish he eats back in the Reach,β Robb said while Alton made his way to them. βWould it help?β
βIt wouldnβt hurt,β Arys said. βThatβs actually a good idea, Iβll ask Lady Stark. Thanks Robb.β
βDonβt mention it. I told you before, my ladyβs family is my family.β
βHey.β Alton greeted them. βSilas, do you know if there are any letters from the Reach that needs fatherβs attention? He mentioned an issue in one of the smaller fields, which one was it?β Β
Silas gawked at him for a couple of seconds in complete silence, then scoffed a laugh and shook his head.
βIβm gonna walk away before I punch you,β he muttered and stormed out of the hallway without sparing him another glance. Arys raised his brows while Alton let out a breath, then threw his hands up in the air in frustration.
βWhat did I say now?β he asked Arys. βItβs my responsibility to step up while father is ill. What does Silas expect me to do?β
βShowing any sign of concern would be a good start.β
βOf course Iβm concerned!β Alton defended himself. βHave you forgotten heβs my father as well?β
Arys shrugged his shoulders. βHave you?β
It seemed like Alton wanted to retort, but then he changed his mind and stomped away from them both, turning the corner that led to the stairs. Arys clicked his tongue, then gave Robb a grin.
βWelcome to the family.β
βListen, I get it,β Robb said. βI really do, but he does have a point. Thatβs what heβs supposed to do right now as the heir, my father would expect the same of me if he were ill.β
Arys heaved a sigh, then leaned back to the wall and stole a look at the end of the hallway Silas had stormed off to.
βI donβt know,β he muttered. βI canβt help but agree with Perce sometimes. In our family, the gods chose the wrong son to be the firstborn.β
Thankfully his fatherβs meeting with Lord Glover hadnβt taken that long. Maester Luwin had said Lord Greensted was feeling much better after the draught he had given him, so Robb decided he would sit with Theon and Jon in the yard until his father sent for him again. He was pretty distracted from the conversation while he tried to figure out when he could see his lady, yet Theonβs comment about one of the girls he had danced with back at the wedding snapped his attention back to them, his head whipping up.
βJon,β he cut Theonβs nonsense off while Grey Wind and Ghost playfully chased each other in the yard. βHas uhβ¦has anyone caught your eye at the wedding?β
Jon blinked a couple of times, gawking at him.
βWhat do you mean?β
βI mean, Theon danced with people, so have you.β
βBarely.β
βBut the whole Reach was here,β Robb said while Theon leaned back with a grin on his face. βAnd you know, since Iβm wed nowβ¦β
βWhat, that means Iβm supposed to wed as well?β
βAye.β Robb nodded while Jonβs eyes widened. βYour time is coming.β
βMy time is not coming!β
βI donβt understand why everyone is so terrified of marriage,β Robb mused while Theon gave him an incredulous look. βItβs the most perfect thing anyone ever came up with.β
βJust over a moon ago, you were sitting right here and whining about your betrothal,β Theon reminded him. βYou were terrified.β
βI was not terrified!β
βDo you remember his face when you asked what heβd do if she turned out to be ugly?β Jon asked Theon, making him let out a laugh.
βIβll remember it forever.β
βAnd look at me now,β Robb said. βSheβs the most beautiful woman Iβve ever seen, and Iβm happy beyond words.β
βWe got that Robb, you barely let the poor girl out of your bedchambers.β
Robb ignored the remark.
βWhat about Lady Malory?β
βSheβs nice.β
βWho was that other lady you danced with, Snow?β
βLady Florys,β Jon answered Theon. βSheβs nice too.β
βCome on, thereβs no way no one was to your liking.β Robb paused, frowning at him. βJon, is thereβ¦is there a lady already? Here in the North?β
Jon averted his gaze to look around the yard, rubbing the back of his neck. βJust because youβre in love, doesnβt mean everyone else has to be in love.β
βWhat my lady and I have is deeper than such simple terms,β Robb said. βBut thatβs not what Iβm talking about.β
βA lot of girls caught my interest at the wedding,β Theon said and Robb grimaced.
βThatβs no news, Theon.β
βNo seriously, there was this really pretty one, from House Lyberr or something?β
Jonβs eyes caught something in the yard, but by the time Robb turned his head to see what he was looking at, the only familiar person in the yard was Silas who was making his way into the keep. Jon pursed his lips, then feigned a cough and stood up.
βIβll find you two later.β
βWhere are you going?β
βI have thisβthing.β Jon motioned vaguely in the direction of the keep. βIβll talk to you later, alright?β
He walked away from them without so much as a glance back, and both Robb and Theon tilted their heads at the same time while Jon caught up to Silas.
βWe would know if he had a lady, would we not?β Robb asked and Theon hummed.
βFor sure.β
βYou think heβd tell us?β
βEven if he didnβt, itβd be very obvious,β Theon said. βHeβd probably follow her around like a lost pup.βΒ
Robb shrugged his shoulders and scratched at Grey Windβs head when the direwolf stepped closer to him.
βI guess youβre right,β he muttered as Silas and Jon entered the keep. βI mean, when has Jon ever been subtle?β
Later in the afternoon he had to drop by Wintertown per his fatherβs request, and by the time he was back, it was nearly dinner time. He caught the sight of his lady talking to Wylla Manderly after one glance into the Great Hallβhe was beginning to think finding her in a crowd was a skill he was developing fastβso he immediately made his way inside, gave Wylla an acknowledging nod and touched the small of his ladyβs back. She was quick to excuse herself, a happy smile lighting up her face before she tugged his wrist so that he would follow her to a far corner of the hall, away from the crowd.
βYouβre back!β
βI am.β Robb cupped her cheek in his palm and kiss her temple, her sweet scent like a remedy to the torturous hours he had spent away from her presence. βHowβs your father?β
βHeβs alright, butββ She frowned up at him with a pout. βArys all but kicked me out of the room!β
Robb had to control the laugh threatening to climb his throat upon her petulant whine. βDid he?β
βMaester Luwin was being so nice, letting me stay there while my father slept, and then Arys came and said father had to rest and I had to leave. And I wasnβt even making any noise while he slept, I was just sitting there reading my book!β
The corners of his mouth twitched in amusement. βIs that right?β
βAnd Cliff took his side.β
Robb shook his head in a solemn manner. βBetrayal.β
βIt really is!β she insisted and huffed out. βAnyway, what about you? What did you do whole day? I asked around when I left my fatherβs chambers, and Sansa said you had gone to Wintertown.β
βMy father sent me,β he said. βAnd hey, guess what Iβve learned before that?β
βHm?β
βJon isnβt in love with anyone.β
She tilted her head. ββ¦Oh?β
βI asked him,β he said. βWhich wasnβt even needed, to be honest. I would know if a lady caught his interest.β
She raised her brows, then blinked a couple of times and pursed her lips like she was trying not to smile.
βWould you?β
βCertainly.β
βSo uhββ She stole a look around the room as if she was trying to find a familiar face before she turned her glances to him. βSo no one at the wedding was to his liking?β
βHeβs not the type toβno offense to the southerners in the room,β he added with a grin, βbut heβs not the type to like a southern lady.β
She heaved a dramatic sigh.
βVery well. Not a southern lady then.β
Robb let his gaze slip to her lips, then down to the soft swell of her chest, pushed up by the tight laces of her gown. His hand found hers again so that he could drag his fingertips over her soft palm, his mind far away from the hall and the crowd, the memory of her gasping underneath himβ
She dug her nails into his hand as if warning him.
βRobb.β
He gave her a mischievous grin. βIβm not doing anything.β
βI can see you doing something in your mind.β
That coaxed a chuckle out of him while he reached out to play with the small pendant of her necklace. βAnd what am I doing in my mind?β
βSomething very improper.β
βFunny, I remember you singing a very different tune last nightββ
She flailed her hands, her eyes widening. βShh!β
βOr this morningββ He gave a laugh when she pushed at his arm and he caught her hand, pulling her closer to him. βIβm merely reminiscing!β
βMy lord.β A servant approached him. βYour father requests your presence.β
Robb managed to not groan in annoyance before he found his eyes fell upon his father who was now talking to one of the few remaining southern guests. He had no idea who the lady was, but he nodded anyway and laced his fingers through his ladyβs.
βYour father didnβt request my presence,β she reminded him and he winked at her.
βI could barely see you today, Iβm not letting you out of my sight.β
When they reached his father, he only gave them a nod of acknowledgement before he turned to the lady.
βThank you for your kind words, Lady Bulwer.β
βOf course!β Lady Bulwer said. βMay the seven give him rest. Jon Arryn may have had his flaws as the Hand of the King, but the gods know any man would crack under such pressure.β
Robb looked from Lady Bulwer to his father, whose annoyance flashed on his face at the mention of Jon Arrynβs flaws. His lady rested her head on his arm, a pleasant warmth spreading in his chest at the simple gesture, distracting him from the conversation.
βThe Kingβs Landing could make a septon question his ways, and I for one believe as long as the Hand does his job, his vices should be judged by noββ
βLady Bulwer!β His lady gave her a bright smile. βHow is Ser Medwick? My brother talks of him being such a worthy opponent in the jousts, yet we havenβt seen him for a year! Heβs alright, I hope?β Β
Lady Bulwer stared at her for a couple of seconds as if she was taken by surprise, and opened her mouth to answer, then closed it again and cleared her throat.
βHeβs alright.β
βSer Loras was asking the other day how long his vacation would last,β his lady stated. βHeβs such a beloved knight among his peers, theyβre all looking forward to his return Iβm sure.β
Lady Bulwer let out a nervous laugh.
βHe is,β she said and feigned a gasp. βOh! I see that my husband is looking for me, if youβll excuse me.β
She made her way to the other side of the hall, and both Robb and his father turned to look at his lady at the same time. She raised her brows at the sight of their quizzical expressions, then shrugged her shoulders.
βWhat?β
βWhat was that?β Robb asked and her lady rolled her eyes.
βI just donβt believe one should be throwing around the word βvicesβ when her own firstborn and heir owes money to every single person in the Reach because he loves gambling too much,β she said silkily. βTo the point that he had to be sent away to the Free Cities so as not to bring any more dishonor to his house.β
His father looked as if he was battling with a smile and his lady turned her head when Sansa called out her name.
βOh I almost forgot, Sansa wanted to talk to me about her new gown,β she said and pecked Robb on the cheek. βIβll be back. Have a nice evening, Lord Stark. Do send for me if anyone else from the Reach bothers you.β
She walked away from them, her steps light and smooth like a dance, the skirt of her pretty gown gliding on the floor. Robb felt a grin curl his lips and his father let out a chuckle, then clasped his hand on Robbβs shoulder.
βYour lady wife wields a dagger behind her words.β Β
Robb nodded, still grinning.
βShe does,β he said, unable to drag his gaze away from her. βI think she is the best warrior in the realm when it comes to that.β
Chapter 25














