Sun Bleached Flies

I tried to be good. Am I no good?

The shirt was a bit too small for him. Eyes glued to his mid section as he reaches up, painting the wall just above his head. His face twists with concentration. Lower lip tucked between his teeth. She assumes it's harder for him to focus, considering how much she's seen him drink. It's been a bit since her own brush touched the wall. Paint already drying to it. Surprised he hadn't noticed. Certain that he must've felt her staring.

For the most part she'd been trying to think of how to start a conversation. Not wanting to say the wrong thing and have him shut down completely. Hopeful with the little she'd been able to get out of him. He already seemed more at ease around her. Around the rest of their family he was on edge. Keeping his head down, shoulders square and ridged. Always on guard. Here, with her, he was relaxed. Wishing she could be certain that it had something to do with her and not just the house.

"You're slacking off. I'll be forced to fire you."

Aegon's voice pulls her from her thoughts. A playful grin tugging at her lips. Fond of the way he bantered with her.

"You'd fire me?" Dipping the brush into the bucket before returning to the wall she'd been assigned.

"Oh, for sure. You're by far the worst worker I've ever hired."

"Funny. You're undoubtedly the worst boss I've ever had." Reaching out to trail the bristles of her brush over his cheek. Leaving a heavy streak of white paint in its wake. "I have not once been offered a break."

Aegon's jaw drops, playing it up dramatically. Trying his best to look offended, but he's unable to force away the smile that creeped its way into his face. Reaching down to dip his fingertips into the paint.

"Aegon, do not!"

Their laughter mixing as she pushes past him, fleeing up the stairs. He's faster, catching her at the top with ease. Wiping his hand over face, white covering her cheeks and nose. Rhaenyra is still laughing as his breath catches in his throat. Holding her back against him. She's slightly bent, using his arm as support as she tries to control her laughter.

Realizing that for the first time in years someone is close to him. Touching him and he didn't mind. It's was very welcomed. Feeling the warmth travel over him. He was happy. It was all so innocent and normal. For once he was actually having fun. Wanting nothing more than to wrap himself around her and enjoy the embrace for a moment longer. Not getting the opportunity to decide if that was something he could handle. She'd turned, arm now around her back as she looks up at him.

It's suddenly all too real. Too close. Intimate. He pulls away and it wasn't lost on him how her face falls. Teeth biting down on his cheek. Willfully ignoring the look of longing he's receiving. Not allowing himself to feel wanted. It was Rhaenyra. He must've been imagining it.

"I'm serious. I'll fire you."

He doesn't get a response. Watching as she wipes away a bit of paint, brushing it over his nose before climbing down the stairs.

"No you won't."

Leaning over the railing to look down at her. Finding that's already looking up toward him. Smug as if she knew something he didn't.

"I won't?"

"You're having too much fun. You'll miss me when I'm gone."

That's right. She'd be gone in a few days. Leaving him alone once more. Fearing that this house would feel empty. That the silence he once craved would suddenly feel just as uncomfortable as the home he shared with his family. He would miss her and it terrified him. Missing her was dangerous for the walls he'd built up to protect himself.