Full Bloom / Alicent Hightower x OC Male

3. Outfit Repeater

Where have you been?

It's all his brothers and father had been asking. He told them it was none of their business. They didn't like the answer so he said he was working. Which wasn't a lie.

Not technically.

He was working but also working strategically where alicent was or where she was finishing lessons so she would put down her book and come to him.

He put his pruning sheers away as she approached.

"What a lovely surprise." Miguel said leaning against the trellis.

"Is it?" Alicent questioned. "You have been staring me for the past hour," alicent added. Miguels face flushed. He thought he had been more discreet, apparently not.

"Have I?" He rasped.

"Seemed like it." Alicent agreed.

Fucking idiot.

"Well you are hard not to stare at." That sounded wrong. "I mean you are so lovely like a... like a..."

"Flower in full bloom?" Alicent offered. He nodded. "I love that by the way. I didnt get to tell you last time. You ran off. But i love that. Its so romantic and beautiful and elegant." She added fondly. Miguel let out the breath he had been holding in a whoosh.

"It is the best way i find to describe the beauty that is you."

"You are so charming." Alicent said as her feet twisted in the gravel.

"When learning common tongue I learned the most romantic lines from the plays." Miguel informed her. "Because i wanted..."

"Wanted what?"

To know how to tell you that i adore you completely.

"To talk proper." Miguel offered. "Thought they would do me good."

"Well. Do you Well." She corrected. "I could teach you if you want to learn, but I think you are quite good at common tongue."

"I practice." Miguel agreed. He spoke to himself, having conversations with himself, pretending to have conversations, make up senecios and picture what Alicent might say to him if he said this or that. It was sad but it gave him hope in a hopeless situation.

"It is getting late..." miguel realized. Alicent sighed glancing to the fading sun. "Might I walk you home?"

"I would enjoy that very much," alicent agreed

"Who was that?" Otto questioned when alicent came in blushing. She jumped at the sound of his demanding voice.

"What? Who? Nothing!" Alicent squeaked back.

" you are not allowed to court yet." Otto told her before lifting back up the book and turning the page

" who said anything about courting?" Alicent countered, slipping off her shoes.

" look on your face. The blush in your cheeks tell me you were not with the princess, but with a boy." Otto told her. Alicent turned her cheek so he couldn't see her face, embarrassment filled her. " and I do expect when the time comes that before you start seeing anyone they come to me and ask for permission. I won't let you have someone like a commoner they linger like fleas in the capital."

" my future husband doesn't have to be a nobleman, a ser or a lord... does he?" Alicent countered. Otto laughed out as that was the most ridiculous question he had ever heard.

" oh daughter," he chuckled " do get some rest, it's quite late."

" yes father good night, father." Alicent slumped off to her chambers. Her father would never approve of the man that had stolen her heart.

☀️

The king didnt need a reason to throw a party.

Rhaenyra didnt need a reason to show up disrespectfully late smelling of dragon smoke.

Aemma didnt need a reason to scold her daughter about riding that beast at night.

Miguel didnt need a reason to sneak in to check on the flowers.

They need to check up on of course they did because what if the vases needed more water? Or what if someone rearranged the bouquets and they just didn't look right? Or what if he just had to see what beautiful green dress the woman of his dream was wearing that night.

" you look absolutely beautiful." Alicent turned at the smooth voice behind her. " I shouldn't even be here. But I had to see you. I had to see you looking so beautiful. But you always look beautiful, but I think you look even more beautiful. And I didn't think that was possible."

" it's a new dress." she admitted. She felt silly that her household allowed her to buy new dresses for the occasions when she saw Miguel in the same few outfits every day. But he was also a boy so she supposed boys were different. They weren't held the same standards as girls were. They weren't expected to wear a new outfit for every occasion. But she wore the same dress to an event like this she would be labeled an outfit repeater, and the women of the capital would look at her with this taste.  They would roll their eyes and think that house hightower Is weak, failing even. Rumors flew too easily around here. She didn't want to give them a reason to think anything bad about her.

"Do you ever get used to this? The parties the people the noise?" Miguel questioned. "Its all too loud for me." He admitted.

"Ask me again in 20 years." Alicent countered. "Its why i hide out here. I hate being the center of attention. Not that i would ever be the center of attention-"

"I dont know how anyone could possibly take their eyes off you." Miguel countered.