GoT One-Shots Book 3!

Alchemist(Qyburn x reader*)

(*=This is NOT romantic. It is a father/child relationship!)

Qyburn wasn't a father figure. Never in a million years. At least, that's what he told himself until he met you. You were a promising young student of alchemy, a craft not many people appreciated. You were bright and willing to do just about anything to learn, though you greatly disapproved of Qyburn's revival of The Mountain. That was where you drew the line. Still, you had so much potential and Qyburn found himself eager to teach you everything he knew. But then, the secrets started.

You came in for your lessons one day, wincing. At first, Qyburn didn't think to ask, but as he grew closer to you, he began to worry. He was very quickly beginning to think of you as his own child. His child that was clearly hurt. Still, you never said anything. That worried him even more. It didn't seem to interfere with your studies though, so Qyburn kept quiet until he found out exactly why you were getting hurt so often.

He was walking through the Red Keep after gathering supplies for your lessons when he glanced down where the practice yard lay. While it was difficult to see who was down there, there was no mistaking your voice as it drifted up to him. You were learning to fight. Qyburn watched for a moment as you moved. He nearly flinched when the hilt of your opponent's sword hit you in the ribs. You let out a cry, but tried to keep moving. Now Qyburn knew why you were wincing all the time and why you tried to hide blood stains on your clothes from him. Shaking his head, he made his way to his study to wait for you.

It was as if you could sense his disapproval from the moment you walked in the door. Your brows were furrowed slightly and you looked sheepishly at him. There was a new red stain on your sleeve and it was obvious you were trying to avoid anything touching your ribs. You looked more uncomfortable than Qyburn had ever seen.

"Let me see," he sighed after a few minutes of watching you struggle to concentrate. You looked up at him and smiled slightly. "I'm fine. Really." Qyburn arched a brow. "Let me see," he repeated, holding out his hand. You reluctantly placed your injured arm in his hand, allowing him to roll up the sleeve. He removed the bandage you had somehow managed to wrap around yourself and examined the cut.

"I thought you were interested in alchemy, not swordplay," he commented, meeting your gaze. You shrugged a bit. "I am. But you know what's coming, Qyburn. I-I want to be prepared for anything. That means knowing how to fight." Qyburn hummed thoughtfully in response.

"You are angry with me," you stated. Qyburn paused tending to you wounds for a moment before he replied, "No. I am angry that you tried to hide this from me. In times such as these, we cannot afford secrets between us. Especially secrets that can and are harming us." He glanced pointed at your arm and then your ribs. "You are of no use in battle nor can I safely instruct you in alchemy if you're already injured." You were quiet for a moment before you spoke again.

"Why does it matter? I have never seen you this protective of anyone else. What makes me special?" Qyburn didn't reply as he finished tending to the wound on your arm. He let your arm go and rose from his seat, collecting the supplies you would need for the day.

"It matters because I realize that you are special. A rarity that I may never find again. I imagine that, if I had children of my own, they would have grown up to be just like you. You are like the child I've never had and I don't want to see you squander your future by not being careful." You must have seen how uncomfortable the subject made him, so you didn't make him speak further.

"I understand," you said and cleared your throat, "I don't remember much about my parents, but you make me feel cared for. This is a safe space for me and I think that's what parents should be. A safe place to land when the world has turned upside down. I think you're that for me. Like a father." Qyburn felt a sensation in his chest that he had never felt before. Pride for another living being. He was proud of you and proud that you seemed to see him as a father. The man was hardly ever made speechless, but he couldn't seem to form any words.

You saved him from having to untie his tongue when you smiled. "Shall we begin our lesson for today, Father?" Qyburn allowed himself a small smile. "We shall and then you may return to training or whatever you wish. Just...promise me that you will not hide injuries from me ever again." You beamed at him. "I promise. No more secrets. Now, can we begin? I've been waiting for this lesson since yesterday." Qyburn chuckled as he handed you a scroll and the two of you got to work.