Perfection was an illusion and Blyana Hightower had her own demons she was struggling with when she arrived at the capital. She felt broken from her past and didnt want to be defined by her diagnosis. Perhpas a man deemed as broken could be the one...
Blyana hated saying goodbye to her father, she loved being at old town. She had many memories of sadness, of sickness but she also had good memories of her and Otto together. Of her mother. Of learning and experiencing, discovering her passion for nature and the plants around her. She loved showing Helaena the gardens.
Larys and Blyana had a competition, naming the plants, Blyana warned him that she grew up in this garden and knew it better than anyone else.
"Challenge accepted." Larys declared kissing her quickly and Otto scowled but then he saw Blyana light up and he was petrified. Larys? Larys Strong? Otto shook his head at the thought, why? Out of all the men in kings landing did she have to like Larys? A second born cripple. He should be considered an enemy really. His father stole Otto's position after all and yet Blyana clung to him laughing gleefully.
So when they headed home Otto was very concerned. He had to speak to Alicent.
"He likes her, Blyana likes him, hes really sweet to her." Alicent said as she packed up.
"But Larys Strong?" Otto countered not understanding.
"Yes Larys Strong." Alicent agreed. "I dont understand it either but Blyana likes him and he takes care of her."
"How?" otto questioned skeptically.
"Like on the way here, she was dizzy from the trip and then she was nauseous and Larys just knew and he prepared, he brought this little candied gingers that I think helped for a bit." Alicent remarked. "It was sweet and Blyana adores him."
"But Larys?"
"Daddy," Blyana called out. He turned to her smiling. "The kids things are all packed up, Criston is very strong."
"Strong, no he is very Cole." Otto teased and Blyana giggled as he hugged tight to her. "Do you have to go?" Otto questioned unwilling to let her go.
"I would gladly stay forever but the king wants to have... something for Alicent and Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra is pregnant too apparently and he wants to have a joust or something." Blyana remarked. "The guest of honor needs to be there."
"And I need Blyana." Alicent added in because she knew that Otto was sure to ask if Blyana would stay longer than, just Blyana.
"I miss you already daddy." Blyana declared kissing his cheek.
"I miss you already." Otto echoed pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Love you baby."
+
"Yes well she's a... bitch." Blyana whispered and Alicent chuckled. "Didnt want to share a tourney, such a... a lot of bad words, let me just say that." Blyana offered.
"I love you Blyana." Alicent declared hugging her sister.
"But we can focus on you while everyone else is in the Rhaenyra show." Blyana assured. "I want to have a party for your name day, oh shoot I wanted to have a surprise party but I just told you I wanted to have a party... brain fog." Blyana offered. "Can you just forget and act surprised?"
"Of course." Alicent agreed "Thank you Bly, you are too sweet to me."
"Anything for you." Blyana assured. "You are my sister."
So the next week Blyana was trying to find a lemon cake for Alicent's name day and Larys smiled saying he knew just the play. Larys took Blyana to the bakery just outside the capital. He held onto her hand, their fingers interwoven together she bumped her hip into him every few steps. He focused on the sound of her voice but the click, click of his cane with every step made him self conscious. He saw the way other knights, guards, welders, every man with eyes looked at Blyana as they passed. He figured they were all thinking the same thing. What is a gorgeous woman like that doing with a man like Larys. But then he looked to Blyana and all his self doubts faded away with that smile that was reseved just for him.
"This is the place that made my name day cake." Blyana realized when they got in.
"Yes. I'm so glad you liked it I thought her grace would like one too." Larys agreed.
"Love. I loved it and I love..." you, Blyana thought. But she knew it was too soon for such things, such words to be said. "-this place. It's so cute." Blyana offered as she walked around.
"Hello, we are picking up a lemon cake." Larys remarked limping to the front while Blyana looked around.
"Yes, I have it right here." Blyana turned around rushing towards him. Blyana rested her chin on his shoulder hugging him from behind as she peered in at the cake.
"Oh, Ali is going to love it." Blyana declared happily.
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Blyana took a step back as the woman boxed it up, she rummaged through her bag for her coin.
"How much?" Blyana questioned finally finding her money but Larys passed over his own coin. "Larys no, I was going to pay." Blyana corrected.
"Too late." Larys corrected smiling back at her. "I pay you carry. How about that?" He offered.
"Thank you, and thank you. The carrot cake was beautiful!" Blyana called as they headed out. "You didn't have to pay. My father sends coin for me-"
"For your medications." Larys corrected. "For the different herbs."
"He sends extra." Blyana added.
"I wanted to." Larys assured.
"You are so sweet to me." Blyana remarked as she kissed him. His hand moved to her hip and she smiled into him.
"we should get back." Larys whispered resting his forehead against hers. She nodded but neither of them moved.
