Feelings Sold Separately - Aemond Targaryen

Chapter Seven - The Mall Experience

Maysie Farrin

Maysie wasn't sure if people kept staring at her because she didn't fit in, or if it was because she was with Aemond. Already a few people had snickered under their breath about him, and everyone made sure to stay at least ten steps away from him as he walked through the mall, her hand in his. "Why do they do that?"

"Do what?" Aemond asked, as if he couldn't see the group to their left staring and pointing at him.

"Treat you like your entertainment." She frowned, watching as a few kids began laughing. "They either laugh or run away from you, it's sad."

"It's always been like that." He said in a cold tone. "I'm scary and funny looking." He tried to joke, though Maysie could hear the anger within his words, the sadness too.

"I think you're quite a sweet guy." She squeezed his hand like he had hers earlier, hoping it reassured him the same way. "And more handsome than scary looking." Maysie said the words quieter, but she still meant them.

"You think I'm handsome?" He teased.

"I said you're more handsome than you are scary." She reminded him. "No further comment." She shrugged her shoulders, enjoying the smile Aemond cracked, the view much better than his previous scowling. "Where are we going next?"

"Seral's, it's a box store." He turned them down a large hallway.

"What are we getting there?" She asked, wondering why he was being so quiet.

"Aemond!" A man's voice yelled from the upcoming store, ruining Maysie's chance at getting an answer. "And who is this?" He smiled, a genuine one, not like the shoe store lady.

"This is Maysie."

"Hello Maysie." He held out his hand for her to shake, his hands cold but soft. "I assume we're shopping for you today?" He scanned her outfit quickly, Maysie's shoulders caving in slightly.

"Oh, I'm not sure what we're shopping for." She turned to Aemond.

"Yes." He nodded. "Maysie needs some basics for her wardrobe, I assumed you would have the best selection." He said politely.

"Finally! Something other than Aemond's boring suits." The man laughed. "I've grown quite tired of Aemond's love of suits." The man slid his arm into Maysie's, separating her and Aemond.

"Me too." She mumbled as he pulled her further. "He's always wearing slacks." She complained, happy to have a partner in this debate.

"I've tried to get him to branch out." The man shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe you'll convince him to try something new."

"Oh, I'll try!" They laughed as he led them to the back of the store, fancy and casual clothing surrounding them, counters of makeup and jewellery lining some walls. It was fancy, but everyone smiled and seemed to not be judging her based on appearance alone. She already liked it more than other places.

"My name is Ellion." The man spoke as he opened a door to a room. "This is your fitting room, I'll be back with some choices in a few minutes."

Maysie Nodded and headed in. The room was a good size, a round couch in the middle, sat in front of a small podium she assumed she'd stand on. Off to the side was a curtained section, a few hooks inside, where she would change. Mirrors sat inside the little curtain room and in front of the podium, she had never seen a fitting room so fancy.

Within a few minutes multiple people came in, some pulling racks of clothing, the others bringing drinks and muffins, and fluffing the couch cushions. When the room cleared out she stood to the side, waiting for something to happen, or someone to tell her what to do. It was all so overwhelming. Was she supposed to just try the clothing on? Was she supposed to stand still? Was she even in the right room?

"Maysie?" Aemond's deep voice carried through the door. "Maysie?" It sounded like he had walked past her room.

"Here." She said, opening the door slightly so she could pop her head out. "Hi." She looked him over, his hair wasn't as neat, his half up half down look slightly dishevelled, and he looked out of breath. "Is everything okay?"

"Mhm." He hummed, walking in and grabbing a drink. "I couldn't find you, and then Ellion thought it would be funny to not tell me where you were." His eyes flickered over her. "I texted you, did you not get it?" He asked.

'Crap'. "Sorry, I didn't think to check it." She apologised. "Am I supposed to try all of this on?" She gestured to the four racks of clothing, each one stuffed full of clothing.

Aemond just chuckled and sat down. "Yes, Little Dragon." He smiled. "Give me a show."

✩ . ☽ . ☼ . ☾ . ✩

"Okay." Maysie spun around. "I think I like this one." She smiled, staring at the tiered skirt, the sheer dark green fabric laying atop a green slip underneath. "It's fun."

Aemond hummed, tilting his head. "It is fun." She spun again. "We'll get it in this colour and a black." He said to the attendant who was marking down all the things they were taking with them. 'Too many things' Maysie thought.

"No, I don't have anywhere to wear this." She laughed. "But, yeah, I'd like the green one, I think." She smiled, one she hadn't seen on herself in a while. She actually felt happy, truly happy, she was enjoying life again. Stress didn't surround her while she was with Aemond, and she welcomed that fact.

Aemond just hummed. "Why don't you wear that and one of your new sweaters? We have to go meet with Dalton." He checked his watch. "I'm going to pay, I'll be back in a few minutes."

Maysie had a fun time trying to pick which sweater went with the skirt the best. It was fall so a skirt was a little impractical, but she smiled anyway. After throwing on a soft black sweater she didn't want to know the price of, the door opened. "I'll be out in a second!" She told Aemond, gathering her old clothes into a small bag she had been given. "Oh."

Aemond wasn't the one who had walked in, instead stood a tall blonde woman with a grimace on her face. "So you're his new girl." She scoffed, crossing her arms. "He's never had a fat girl on his arm before." She smirked. "He's also never had a poor girl on his arm either." She took a step closer hoping to intimidate, but Maysie held her ground.

"Is the 'mean girl' routine really necessary?" Maysie did her best to keep her words as unwavering as possible. "I get it, you don't like me, or you're jealous or something." Maysie took a step forward instead this time. "But I don't have time, or the patience for this." Maysie smiled, scanning the girl up and down.

"Maysie?" Aemond opened the door, his eyebrows furrowing when he saw the woman inside. "Nera." He walked towards Maysie, his hand resting on her lower back as he led her out of the room.

"See you later, Aemond." Nera said in a sticky sweet voice.

"Bitch." Maysie said under her breath, causing Aemond to chuckle. "She's something." She said as he led her out of the store. "Real sweet and welcoming." Maysie scoffed.

"You're not very good at sarcasm, Little Dragon." He laughed again. "You almost sounded like you thought Nera was nice."

"I'll work on it," She frowned. "Because she was not sweet and welcoming." Maysie huffed. "Is it true?" She paused, watching as Aemond scanned her like an injured animal. "Am I really different from the other women you've had as sugar babies?"