Full Bloom / Alicent Hightower x OC Male

16. Death Bed

The roof is leaking again

Why are you skipping meals?

Why are you reading in the dark just light another candle.

But Miguel couldn't because he was trying to save up enough money so the less he used the less he contributed the less everything the more he had saved up for something special

The more jobs he took the more he stayed at the castle doing extra for the staff and the towns people the more he built up until he had a nice pocketful.

Miguel has saved up and found the perfect gift for Alicent. A promise ring of sorts. The weight of the ring felt heavy in his hand as he handed off his hard earned coin that could have been spent on anything else of actual value like food or new shoes but he wanted Alicent to have something that was from him that she could hold onto forever. Even when this inevitably ended. Flowers died and wilted, but this ring would last forever at least that was the hope.

Miguel looked at the little ring before pocketing it as he got to Alicent's house, her father was in a meeting and she was cooking for him. 

He helped her prepare the veggies and it felt like it was their house, their home, their life. 

Alicent knew something was off, maybe he was worried about Ottos return. 

"He wont be back for hours." Alicent informed him, setting the table, he looked up from the cups. "My father. You need not worry."

"Oh its not..."

"What?" Alicent questioned. "Tell me, please."

"Well... I have something for you." he admitted. "I... feel silly giving it to you now though."

"You got me a present?" Alicent questioned moving to his side. 

"It's more expensive than anything I have ever held and yet it feels insignificant looking at you." Miguel agreed. 

"Oh Miguel," Alicent grabbed his hand. "You dont need to buy my love."

"I know but... I wanted you to..." He pulled it out. "I wanted you to have something that reminded you of me, something that didnt fade, something that was always in bloom."   

"I will never take it off!" Alicent promised kissing him. "I love it I absolutely love... you."

"You really like it?"

"I do." Alicent agreed. "Can you put it on me?" Miguel was eager to slip the ring on her finger. 

"I should have gotten this before our fake wedding." Miguel whispered. 

Alicent brough Miguel to her room and laying down on her bed it was the most comfortable thing he had ever laid on. He closed his eyes not realizing he fell asleep with alicent wrapped up next to him, arm wrapped around his waist. 

"Alicent?" Otto's voice traveled down the hall and Miguel thought this is the moment he died. 

"Shh," Alicent whispered. 

"He's going to kill me." 

"We didnt do anything." Alicent reminded him. 

"I'm in your bed." 

"Fully clothed... unfortunately." she added with a grin. "He will leave me alone, when he thinks I'm asleep... you can stay." 

"I'm going to be murdered on sight." Miguel rasped. 

"Nonsense." Alicent corrected. 

"i'm going to lay here and it will be my death bed but it will be worth it because I will have died in the arms of the woman I love." Miguel decided. 

"I wont let him kill you." Alicent whispered snuggling into him. She had wanted him to stay over for a long time, just the two of them wrapped up like this. She didnt think it would ever happen, it was a good supper and inviting him up to her chambers was just innocent and it remained innocent. 

Alicent relaxed into him picturing forever as dreams took over her mind. 

Miguel survived the night but did sneak out the window at first light. 

Alicent peered out the window seeing Miguel behind the weeping willow tree like usual, he blew her a kiss before running off. Alicent came down with the biggest smile on her face that otto thinking she got drunk with Rhaenyra last night but her breath was minty with mint leaves and her vision was clear. 

"What has you in such a good mood?" Otto questioned. 

"Love is in the air father, can you feel it?"