FAITH OF THE ROTTEN, house of the dragon

𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈. candles

Aeryn and Aegon were sitting in Aeryn's room.

Aegon had taken a seat on an armchair and Aeryn on the sofa under the window, where the models were lit by candlelight, making the little Balerion figure seem almost alive. Aeryn had actually expected his brother to leave after he had helped him to his room. But Aegon had stayed. At first, he had also wanted to watch one of Orwyle's maesters dress Aeryn, but he had sharply ordered his twin to turn his back on him. And Aegon had obeyed.

Now the maester had finally removed and replaced all the bandages that he had bled through. Aeryn now wore only a silky, feather-light robe over his bandages. His mask had also been cleaned and he was wearing his usual veil again.

"May I look again."

"The maester has gone."

"So yes?"

Aeryn rolled his eyes, but answered in the affirmative. Aegon turned to him.

"Māzīs, Aegon."

"Huh?"

"Come here, Mittys."

"Gods, I hate it when you do that," Aegon muttered, but settled down on the sofa at Aeryn's feet and scrutinised him curiously. "Why can't I see you?"

"No one is allowed to see me."

"The maesters are."

"That's their duty."

"I don't even know what you look like, Ryn. Underneath the miserable mask."

"I'm your twin. I look like you, if you'd wandered through the seven hells once. Is that enough for you?"

"Mittys."

Aeryn laughed. "You're pronouncing that wrong."

His twin brother just sighed, took the Balerion figurine and turned it between his fingers before carefully placing it on Aeryn's stomach.

"Do you think I would make a good king?" he finally asked quietly, sounding surprisingly sober. Aeryn scrutinised him, then looked at Balerion on his stomach.

"Of course, Egg. You'll be greater than the first Aegon."

"And you really believe that?"

"I know it."

"What if I don't want that? Father didn't name me heir anyway. He wants Rhaenyra."

"Nonsense," Aeryn said sharply, "You're the firstborn son, so you're the rightful heir. And you will be a good king, I will see to that. I have your back. Always. You will never be alone in this." He mustered the last of his strength and leant towards his twin, placing his silver lips long and softly against his forehead. A cold kiss. Aeryn felt cold.

He could hear Aegon's heavy breathing, felt his brother's trembling through his mask, aching uncomfortably on his sensitive flesh. Aegon wanted to reach out and put a hand on his upper arm, but Aeryn wouldn't be able to take anything more today, even though he knew his twin wanted it badly. So he sidestepped and limped to his bed, sinking onto the mattress.

Like a loyal dog, Aegon wanted to follow him.

"Daor... Umbās, Egg. I am tired. Go to your chambers."

His twin looked at him pleadingly out of his tired eyes. But Aeryn couldn't give him the comfort Aegon wanted. He couldn't give him anything right now. It took him an incredible effort not to drop his calm demeanour and grumble at him, to finally leave him alone with his pain so that he could cry and whimper, let out everything he had been holding back all day. These undisturbed hours at night belonged to him and his suffering.