Burn The Ships / Viserys Targaryen / Larys Strong

26. Wandering

Larys rose up as the door opened and Lucia appeared. Relief filled him at the sight of her. Then harwin came in throwing his cloak on the hook.

"Look who i found wandering."

"I wasn't wandering i was coming home." Lucia objected.

"Very late."

"Says you. I lost track of time," lucia added.

"I was working." Harwin reminded her "why were you at the castle so late?"

"None of your business." Lucia sassed.

"Wow she sounds like a real teenager. When did that happen?" Harwin mused. He sat down and piled his plate. Larys pulled out his chair for Lucia. She thanked him as she sat

"Its a bit cold." Harwin mumbled through a mouthful "you make any more food?"

"I didn't realize i would be feeding you brother." Larys countered.

"You only cook for Lu?"

"Yes." Larys agreed pulling the plate away from Harwin. "You hungry Lucia?"

"Famished."

Larys stared back at her as she ate debating before harwin finally left and they were alone again. Larys took a small sip of wine as lucia drowned her water.

"I was worried about you love." Larys informed her.

"I'm sorry I lost track of time. Viserys wanted me to stay- in the castle- in like... another chamber because he didnt want me walking home in the dark but I told him I had to get home you would be worried and then I saw harwin so it all worked out." Lucia offered. "I'm sorry I worried you. I should have left sooner... supper was delicious."

"I'm just glad you are okay."

'i'm sorry, Larys."

"It's okay." he repeated kissing her temple.

"Im tired its late.... Thanks for supper."

"You go to bed. I will clean up."

"You cooked I clean." Lucia countered moving her plate to the basin. Larys sighed glancing to her as she stumbled back to the table her leg getting caught on the table leg.

"I got it Lu. You are tried. Why dont you get ready for bed. I will be in to help you with your leg in a moment." Larys assured. Lucia nodded hobbling to her room. Her leg dragging behind her tiredly.

When larys came in lucia was reading a book in bed. He worked silently moving her skirts and pulling at her leg. She put her marker in her book and sat up.

"Larys?"

"Yes Lu?" He sat beside her putting her leg beside her night table.

"The king and i have gotten closer. I... I wanted you to know." Lucia whispered.

"Why?" Larys pondered.

"Because i dont want you to find out from your whispers if the wall hear it." Lucia offered. "I want you to know from me. I... I kissed him."

"I figured it was the king that caught your interest." Larys admitted. "But he is married."

"I know." She agreed softly.

"It's dangerous"

"I know." she repeated. "But i think i might be falling in love with him". Larys thought his heart might have just stopped. "But i cant be me around him like i am with you." She added and larys felt alive rejuvenated once again

"What do you mean?"

"Confident without my leg. I dont feel comfortable around him to take it off." Lucia admitted. 

Thats because he isnt the one larys wanted to demand.

"With the right person you will feel comfortable and confident my darling." Larys answered instead

"And if i only feel this way this safe with you?"

"Then i will be the luckiest man alive." Larys assured. 

"Will you stay?" Lucia questioned. 

"I would love that." Larys agreed laying down beside her. She sighed leaning into him. She closed her eyes listening to the sound of his heart. 

Larys was usually up before Lucia but unlike normal when he got up before her and started getting ready, today he just laid there beside her, his arm wrapped around her, loving the feel of her cuddled up next to him. He stroked her hair and kissed her gently. 

There was something so magical about this moment before sunrise, before Lucia put on her brave face for the day. When she was so vulnerable and fragile and trusted Larys completely. Even if she didnt realize thats what this was. Her loving and trusting him completely. 

When her eyes popped open and she yawned out rubbed at her eyes. Larys closed his eyes feigning sleep. Lucia grumbling about it being to early and burrowing back into Larys side.

One day, Lucia would marry and Larys would be alone. They wouldnt have these moments, these innocent and sweet moments. They used to do this often, it didnt have to mean more. But when she was married she wouldnt live here she would be gone and he would lose the one person he loved more than anything. Lyonel however was not talking of unions for Lucia but for Harwin and Larys instead. He wanted his boys taken care of neither sons wanted any part in it. 

Harwin liked his bachelor life and Larys was nothing compared to his brother. Who would want him? No one. No one but Lucia the one woman he could not truly ever have.