Hey Stephen / Larys Strong (3)

4. Harass Me

A step you can't take back / Aegon Targaryen out now!!

"What do you mean? I have been working here for years... I do a good job, I can do double shifts, I'm always here when you need me. I would like to discuss the possibility of a slight raise... I-"

"You are a woman, you need a husband. Not a job."

Willa didnt want to rely on a man. She fit into that mold once before and it still landed her here.

"I work really hard. You fired three other servants in the castle because I could do their work better than them yet I'm still being paid for one persons work when I'm doing everyones work." Willa countered.

"Thats just the sacrifice we make for the royal family."

What sacrifice did you make? As you fatten yourself up on power and sweets.... Willa wished she could say those words out loud. This monstrous bitch of a woman that had no compassion in her body was in charge and willa couldnt lose this job.

"I dont need you today, I just decided. Go home Swann."

"I-"

"Go home. It's a slow day I'm sure the castle will be fine without your assistance." she hissed out like a snake.

"I can stay, It's not a -"

"Dont harass me!" Willa flinched back. She kept her tone calm and composed and yet this is what always happened with her boss. She turned the tables and acted like Willa was being the irrational one for just wanting to help.

"I will go." Willa rasped turning around, she felt the wicked smile on her managers lips as she headed off. Willa held in tears as she headed out and ran into Larys. She was just really winning today. "I'm so sorry!" Willa declared as she righted herself, she barreled into him in her hurry.

"It's quite alright." Larys assured. "Whats wrong lady willa?" He noticed the tear in her eyes threatening to spill.

So willa told him everything over a big glass of wine.

"Was I harassing her about it? I was inquiring and she was shouting at me. Of course I wanted to shout at her. I want to punch her in the face on a daily occurrence." Willa added. "But I dont because I have self control."

"She sounds awful, I'm sorry you have to deal with her." Larys offered gently.

"She expects the world and yet when I ask for one little thing she blows up and takes away my hours. I can't afford not to work these extra days while she is being a pain." Willa murmured.

"I could give you the money-"

"Oh Larys, thats not why i told you. I can't take your money." Willa corrected quickly.

"Why not? I have Tully and she is basically a princess." Larys reminded her. "Let me help you."

"I wouldnt feel right about it."

"Well how about a name day gift?" Larys queried.

"What?" Willa countered.

"A gift. Willa I am lord of Harrenhal. Let me help you."

"I dont want you to think less of me."

"You are a woman on your own in the world." Larys corrected. "You are so brave."

"You think I'm brave?"

"I think you are amazing, and brave and... if you are stuck in a position at work that you dont like... I would like to help because money is nothing compared to your happiness." Larys assured.

"I will think about." She whispered.

Willa just stayed there, tucked under larys arm, her legs bent over his, her head cradled against him. Could she be as reluctant as he was to end the night?

Larys didn't say a word just continued to hold her. She sighed reluctantly.

"You have to go dont you?" Larys realized. Willa nodded into him.

"Its getting late." Willa agreed.

"You cant stay? You could stay." Larys assured. "We could just stay like this..."

"A little longer." Willa agreed.

Her touch was the sweetest surrender. He decided long before ending up here that if she wished for him to die, then he would lie down at her feet. Larys had no interest in fighting her. No interest in living if she didn't wish for him to be. No longer did he thirst for the throne for power for anything that wasn't Willa Swann.

No more did he wish for vengeance on those who have wronged him and that number seemed to be a multitude throughout the years. It all pales in comparison to her.

She's an absolute vision in her rage in her sadness in her vulnerability, and when she dropped and fell into his arms, his chest imploded. He felt her tears on his chest and worried he did something wrong.

"Lady Willa?"

"I'm sorry." She whimpered sitting up and wiping at her eyes. It had been a long while since felt this way before.

"Show me your pain, Willa. Give it to me so you don't bear it alone," Larys rasped against her mouth as he sucked down her cries. His lips hoovering above hers.

"I should go."

"I wish you wouldnt." Larys countered. But Willa got up and fixed her dress. Thanking him for a lovely evening, he asked to walk her home but she shook her head already heading out. Larys felt deflated, impaled.

She leaned against the wall and cried, covering her face with her hands. She never knew someone to be so good and so kind before. So of course she had to fuck it up. She couldnt let someone that made her heart flutter in because if and when she gave him her heart, he had the possibility of breaking it. They always broke her heart. But it wasnt entirely her heart that she cared about. Her heart could break a million times over, she couldnt handle it if Stephen's heart broke too.