HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO AGREE TO THIS . a night of merriment had been promised to his crew ; the first in months , with their captain and lord mainly trapped upon dry land , within the high walls of the Red Keep . all within the bounds of the law ( uncommonly so ) , they had moved from tavern to tavern , brothel to brothel , splitting up and meeting again , spending whatever monetary compensation Maron had received for his seat on the council , or bartering trinkets and treasures collected on journeys . the city itself feared them still and most refused to approach the strangers from the west . . . no better crowd to hide a king , supposedly .
a few hours into the night , the cups of wine shared with Aegon slowly addled his mind . still aware , still alert to his surroundings , what with the precious but concealed cargo Maron was hauling around the city , his senses remained heightened and every stranger passing by turned into a potential enemy . the comforts of pillows and drink pulled at the young captain nontheless ; and so long as he could feel Aegon leaning against his side , oozing warmth into his chest , they would be alright .
bright blue eyes had settled on the pair of onlookers for a while now . watching them chatter , look over occasionally , then putting their heads together again . they looked more a pair of libertines searching for someone to join whatever fun they had in mind for the night , than traitors to the crown - and still , their attention on Aegon unsettled him . ( concern for his king's safety ? annoyance at someone intruding on their night together ? possessiveness ? who the fuck could tell . . . )
Aegon's arm sneaked around his own , the warmth pressing in a little closer still and when Maron turned his head to look at the king , he found himself near nose to nose with a grinning , flushed face . his brows ticked up in subtle amusement . " what am I , your guard dog ? " in a way he undoubtedly was . with no Kingsguard around , the other man's protection fell on Maron's broad shoulders . for some reason , nothing felt easier . nor more natural . a sigh , another sip of wine while he , in turn , leaned into Aegon more . . . staking a claim to the couple at the other table . " I'd prefer not to . too much attention will cut this night shorter than I'd like it to be . " than his men would want it to be . " but yes . " a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips . " I would kill them for you . like most other people . . . "