“ — sometimes i wish i’d never become lord of winterfell. ”

                      “ —— is that so? ”

                   “ i gave it a chance when you walked into the room! i hate it! ”

                  “ my brutally honest opinion? i hate it. ”

i’m making a dionysus no one can stop me!!

                 “ james! good timing. seen bran around by chance? ”

                        it’s already RESOLVED within his mind that if he has to put up with jaime lannister to become an auror, he’d consider it done. merlin, he’d rather work with old walder frey than this man, all smug grins and boasting about his abilities. surely, he was decent enough at his job -- robb had never heard otherwise -- but his morals were... questionable. besides, the lannisters hadn’t exactly been CLOSE to the stark family. the two pureblood lineages couldn’t seem to find a single era where they might get along. he only wore a smile for them during christmas for UNCLE ROBERT’S sake.                         yet lips hold no smile now, chin held high in pride and eyes steady, not letting them waver from the other’s. “ with the PROPER TRAINING, sir. ”

                         “ ---- you’re such a piece of shit. ” though the words are accusing, it’s only meant to tease, shaking his head with the softest of laughs. though he’ll ADMIT, that if it came down to it, brynden would do the very same. he simply wouldn’t trade his brother best friend for anything in this world. though it’s rare that this sentiment is voiced.                          “ how ‘bout whether you like it or not, you’ll be going. HELL, if we both don’t turn up soon, mother is bound to have a fit and visit us here. where she’s bound to find certain items which should never be found in our possession, according to her. ” a pointed look, and he collapses to the lower bunk just beside his twin, too lazy to climb to the top. “ and what a SHAME you won’t be able to make it to another one of your shitty parties. ”

                        robb can still feel the way his heart continues to drop within his chest, lip trembling slightly as he bites back anything that might betray his real feelings. it’s better if he’s just happy for being ALIVE with his husband at his side. it’s better if sore arms covered in bruises and cuts hold ramsay close as he feels tears wet his shirt fingers gently combing through dark hair.                         “ i’m okay. i’m okay, see? i’m right here. more or less FINE. ” he murmurs softly, lips pressing to the top of his head. “ ‘ve just got a few cuts and bruises -- ” never mind the giant gashes going through his torso, “ -- i’m okay. it wasn’t your fault. ” he reassures quietly, nuzzling against him.

                       he leans forward, brushing their noses together with a smile. “ perhaps you’ll simply be named my personal guard. you are honorable, a capable soldier, and LOYAL. a good man. ” he doesn’t move any closer than a simple hair away, simply basking in the warmth that radiates off northern skin and the furs that rest over them, entrapping any heat that might think to escape. gentle fingers run up along snow’s chest, exploring. “ you are aware that if i should have it my way, we might NEVER leave this bed. unfortunately... even a wolf king has his duties. ”

                       OH. he hadn’t gone looking...  at all. had truly thought robb wouldn’t come home like that. that he might go running off with someone else without any reasoning or perhaps thought he’d been ANGRY with ramsay again. but just that morning, he remembers sharing their usual good-bye kiss, smiling against each other’s lips and robb yearning not to go. and he remembers being excited to go back home. hell, he practically had been ready to run all the way home. and maybe if he had...                       “ what? no... no it’s not your fault. ‘s alright. you couldn’t have known... ” and despite the obvious hurt in his voice, and the ache in his limbs, arms extend up, hands soothing back dark locks of hair in an attempt to calm his husband. “ it’s not your fault -- ”