Fragile Things / Alicent Hightower / Criston Cole (2.1)

17. Fool

"Hand?" Avalon questioned. Criston touched the pin.

"You think him a fool too?"

"I think i like you a million times more than otto." Avalon corrected. "You will do well. I hope at least."

"Thanks". Criston chuckled.

"It is ignorance and vanity." Otto hissed. "You know as well as I do that Aegon must be kept in check. As does Ser Criston. The two of them together... "

"Ser Criston is not temperate..." Alicent countered. "but his devotion cannot be questioned. If it does come to war..."

" He's ensured it. He's young and unschooled. His faith is in steel and bone. He has not the long view." Otto countered.

"None of them do." Alicent agreed.

"What did you do to make aegon thinknyou worthy of this honor or curse?" Avalon pondered sitting beside him. Criston sighed heavily realizing otto was right because it was foolish of him.

"I have just shown im a capable man. With a plan besides writing letters. I take action." criston offered.

"You certainly have."

"They wish now not for the good of the realm, but for the petty satisfaction of vengeance." Otto hissed.

"Aegon is still malleable. It is the death of the child that has unstrung him." Alicent assured.

"I can't stay here. Exiled from the council. Witness to the blundering of our plans." Otto admitted. "I'll return to Oldtown. The Hightowers still have strength,"  Otto added.

"Go rather to Highgarden. The Tyrells must be taken in hand." Alicent countered. "Their bannermen are wavering. While you're gone, I'll speak sense to him. His blood will cool. In time, you may yet return."

"The young are peacocks... all shrieking and feathers." Otto said grabbing her hand. "But we will yet prevail and bring forth peace, I still believe it. As long as you and I hold fast."

"I think... I dont know what I think." Avalon admitted. "I prefer Criston to Otto, of course I do-"

"I'm glad you agree mother." Aegon agreed kissing her cheek.

"My boy you will do well to remember that your mother and i know a lot about the council. Your mum feels you are scoffing her. Ignoring her. She is a smart woman. Thats why your father choose her."

"And he chose you for love?"

"My sweet boy you dismissed otto. Fine. But criston as honorable and worthy as he might be hasnt... dealt with something like this. Im just saying-" what the hell am I saying? "-be gentle with him if he doesnt get everything right on the first try. This is a learning experience for all of us."

"Okay mum." Aegon agreed. "Im glad you and the kids are alright." He added kissing her cheek once more. "Do you think me a fool?"

"A fool?"

"For hanging those men?"

"They werent all bad." Avalon admitted. "But we cant change the past let us not dwell on it."

"My hand." Avalon whispered when criston found her that night.

"My queen." Criston bowed to her.

When He rose up meeting her gaze again and she swallowed the lump in her throat.

Criston didn't think. He didn't consider. He just acted, he cupped avalons face in his hands, and kissed her. Avalons heart raced and how could a feeling like this be wrong?

Sometime in the second between his lips touching hers and his tongue sweeping across the seam of her mouth, everything changed. It morphed from a declaration of yes, I want you to a plea of I need you.

Avalon leaned into him, it was a protective action of no one will hurt you once you are mine to a promise of forever.

It went from a spur of the moment impulse to a need that went marrow deep as his lips didnt leave hers. Avalon let out a low moan as she melted against his chest and opened up for him. He didn't hesitate. There was no way he could have, he had imagined this for too long to turn back now. He pulled her closer a hand wrapped around her waist pulling her flesh to him.  It felt too perfect with her body pressed against him and her fingers gripping his shirt as if she needed to hold on or she'd get sucked under by the unexpected wave of lust, a similar lust that had avalon ready to strip naked right here and right now. He pulled back and she panted for breath.

Words raced through his mind but nothing came out. Instead her held her and avalon breathed him in. How was she going to tell alicent she was falling for criston?