House of the Dragon One-shots - Volume 2

Just Like You - Aemond Targaryen

By: Heartysworld - Tumblr

"Aemond, we have a surprise for you." Your cousin said as his hand laid on Aemond's shoulder, leading him towards the centre of the Dragonpit.

"What is is?" He asked, his face showing no emotions.

"You're the only one of us four without a dragon, so, we found one for you." Aegon replied. The boys came to a stop while the younger of the Velaryon boys ran in the distance.

"How?" Your cousin asked.

"The Gods provide." Was his brother's answer.

You watched the interaction a few feet away from them, heart clenching as you watched a pig be brought out in front of Aemond, the expression on his face only making you feel worse.

"Behold!" "The pink dread!" The three other boys said in one voice, laughing at him.

"Make sure to mount her carefully, the first flights are always rough." Aegon whispered in his brother's ear as Aemond was left alone.

With uncertainty, you slowly made your way towards him, watching as his eyes filled with even more fury and jealousy than before. You noticed his feet started moving towards the stairs leasing to the dragons lairs underground.

"Aemond don't!" You called out for him, startling your cousin.

"Why should I do that! You saw the way they laughed at me! I'm going to show them I am not to be laughed at!" Aemond spat out.

"That's not the way to do this! Aemond! One day you will have a dragon I promise,now you will only anger your father more, Gods forbid he might take away all chances of you ever mounting a dragon! Please come with me outside!" You begged him.

Letting out a huff,the boy headed in your direction making you smile. You took one of his hands in yours, afraid he might run off again.

"Now,how about we go and sneak some lemon cakes in my chambers? We can eat them all afternoon!" You suggested, a big smile on your face as the thought of the delicious food flooded your mind.

"I suppose it doesn't sound so bad." Aemond replied, letting you pull him outside of the Dragonpit, towards the carriages that would take you to the castle.

Twenty years have passed since that day, Aemond just celebrated his thirty second name day a few weeks ago. This time his brother and nephews were not by his side to make fun of him. They had died long ago during the civil war that became known as the dance of dragons. Now,by his side stood you, his wife, and his twin sons who adored their father very much.

Daerhys and Aenys were two strong ten year old boys who resembled their father in many ways. The two had been gifted one of the few remaining dragon eggs on the day they were born. Aenys' egg ended up hatching months after his birth, giving the opportunity for the two to grow and bond together over the years. However, Daerhys' egg ended up turning into stone. Ever since then your oldest son had made it his goal to claim a dragon,no matter the consequences. Just like his father decades ago, Daerhys sneaked in the dungeons of the Dragonpit where the few remaining older dragons resided. This attempt of his ended badly, with both your son and husband getting out alive but with many burns over their bodies.

"What have I told you,Daerhys?! You shouldn't go there! You could end heavily injured or even worse,dead! Thank the Gods your father found you soon enough to get you out alive! My love I wouldn't be able to bare losing one of my children, please, stop with this!" You said while your son laid on his bed,embraced by your arms as you sobbed.

On the other side of the bed Aemond stood with Aenys in his lap as the two watched your interaction.

"But everyone in our family has a dragon! I feel like I'm not worthy ! I want to be like you and dad and my brother! " Daerhys said as his own eyes filled with tears.

This time it was Aemond who spoke first, one of his hands going to his son's head as he caressed his hair.

"It is not necessary for a Targaryen to grow up with a dragon by their side since the moment they're born. Sometimes it takes longer than you might want. Look at me, I remained without a dragon until I was twelve years old,and now I ride the biggest and most dangerous one that lives on this world." He explained to his son.

The boys loved hearing the story of how their father became a dragonrider, they thought it was brave and courageous,you on the other hand though it was a stupid childish move.

Daerhys nodded at his father's words as he snuggled closer into your embrace, making you and your husband chuckle. Despite talking about how he wanted to be brave and strong he was still a boy who loved his mother dearly and sought her presence.

A few hours later both of your boys were now asleep, which left you and Aemond to finally spend some time alone.

"Are you feeling better,my love?" You asked as one of your hands went on Aemond's cheek while the other fell to his left shoulder that was covered in bandages alongside parts of his neck where he was burned.

"With your touch, I could run a thousand miles and fight a thousand soldiers, my dear wife." Your husband answered as his forehead fell against yours.

"I got so scared today, Aemond. This happens for the fourth time since he could walk on his own! What if one day there's no one to get him out?" You exclaimed as you thought of the accident once again. "Gods I should've never told them the story of how you claimed Vaghar. Daerhys wouldn't have gotten this idea inside his head then." You added as your eyes closed shut trying to stop the upcoming tears.

"It is in no way your fault for what happened today or the times before,Y/N. I was never told such thing and I still did it on my own. They're boys,they still have no sense of what's right and what's wrong. You,my beautiful wife,are in no way to blame for this." Aemond said as his hands cupped your face. Slowly,he leaned in, pressing his lips to yours in a comforting kiss, sending a sense of peace and comfort through your body.

"They're so much like you, husband." You said against his lips as your beloved let out a chuckle.

"They're their father's sons,my love. What can I say?"