Fetish / Larys Strong

10. Second Son

If being a secondborn son was not easy, being a cripple secondborn son was almost impossible. Or, at least, that was how Larys had always seen it.

Since the very first moment his father and the realms acknowledged his condition of clubfoot Larys was constantly casted in Harwin's shadow. There was no cure and he would forever be deformed. He could have been the most handsome man. The smartest man in all the realms but all anyone would ever see was his deformity.

Firstborn sons inherit titles and lands, they get married and carry on the family name; secondborn sons, instead, usually become knights and prove their value serving the king or winning battles.

Maybe if Larys had been a firstborn, his disability would have been neglected, ignored, a different story told. A lie perhaps saying he was wounded in battle at a young age. But since he was not the first born his condition was simply unforgettable.

Not that his father ever said that explicitly but Larys could see it. Lyonel never made him feel like he was any less out loud but larys could see it. Never claimed Larys was not his always said he had two sons but it still was Lyonels undeniable preference towards Harwin who was, after all, the perfect son in everything. Larys saw the way Lyonel spoke of Harwin verses how he spoke of Larys. The high praise going on and on of Harwin achievements then Larys his second son. Larys could hear crickets. Larys is studious. Loves to read. Lyonel would offer. It was true. Larys did love to read but that was all his father could think to say of him when he went on and on about Harwin?

Where Larys lacked in strength and title privileges of birth, Harwin shined in comparison. Harwin was every fathers dream son with bold strong features that a noble man should have to succeed.

Harwin was the future Lord of harenhall and a warrior. Rising in the ranks at the capital. In the guard he could become commander of the nights watch and then Lyonel would surely forget Larys existence.

And, as if it was not enough, he knew how to speak well not just proper talk but he knew how to woe. With a face like Harwin and a sweet talker he always knew what to say in order to get the attention of others, lords and women. To get what he wanted with a charming smile that Larys was sure made women swoon.

Larys on the other hand spoke little, smiled even less it seemed for what was there to smile about until Blyana came that is, and he read he loved learning. At every social occasion for as long as he remembered, he was simply ignored and the only thing he obtained was, if lucky, a look of pity for his disability. That was something he remembered from Aegons second name day before he met Blyana officially. Alicent had offered him a seat among the chattering ladies that proceeded to ignore his existence. But the queen was kind. It made sense her sister would be even more wonderful.

Another young man with his deformity would have probably suffered in his place among the high born lords and ladies, but not Larys. He tried to make the best of his situation. He had learnd how to vanish in Harwin's blinding light, pretended not to notice the pitiful looks in his direction or the not so discreet looks of disgust. They knew who he was and accepted his position in court even if they didnt like it without asking to know more because larys had deduced that everyone was self conceited and only cared about their egotistical lives.

But in truth Larys did not hate his father, did not envy his brother entirely, did not blame gods he did not believe in that made him this way. He had accepted a long time ago that he would never be what the world wanted him to be.

Larys had always watched and listened in silence and settled for that, but meeting Blyana he wanted more, even if just the thought of kissing her loving her made him feel like a fool for even thinking she would want the same from him.

When she looked at him, Larys felt the need to touch her, to place his hand in her hair, on her lips, on her neck and keep kissing her in places he did not know had never seen or touched before. He hadnt ever cared to before but suddenly larys was very interested in exploring.  But the moment he asked he knew his fantasy would fail and she would run but he had to ask. He needed to try because Blyana Hightower was the woman for him. He knew it.

"I would like to take you to supper." Larys declared.

He had literally thrown those words in the air, almost shouting them, because sudden his words and mouth failed him. Giving him the inability to speak proper when he needed it most. But a smile curved Blyanas face.

"Tonight?" Blyana questioned.

"If you are free." Larys agreed. "I would like to take you out." His tone settling but his heart pounded.

"I would like it if you took me out." Blyana agreed smiling back at him. Larys looked at the woman before him and thought how on earth was he making this woman blush? How did she look at him and see what no one else saw? How was she so perfect?