[Bonus Chapter] The Promises (Not) Kept

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Note: A sweet moment Diane and Rhaena shared in the 1st timeline after the Fall of King's Landing. This was supposed to be a flashback but it did not make the final cut so I rewrote it as a stand-alone for you to enjoy on its own 🥰

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'Do you wish to have children one day?'

The question sounded loud in the quiet of a room, even though Rhaena could swear she barely whispered it out loud. She did not plan to ask, really, it just happened to be on her mind.

They were lying on the bed, covered only by a thin blanket, and even in the dim light of candles Rhaena could see the scars on the uncovered parts of Diane's body. She did not find them repulsive. Most of the time, she did not mind them at all. But when she thought about them, she thought they were quite symbolic. Diane went through so much just to be able to be there with her at that particular moment.

Diane opened her eyes, clearly surprised by a sudden question, and turned to face her. Rhaena smiled a little, hugging her pillow a little bit more firmly, and added, 'I hope I did not wake you up.'

'I wasn't sleeping,' Diane answered.

It was hard to fall asleep, no matter how tired she was. It was just... weird. Weird to be in King's Landing, weird to have a room in the castle, weird to think that Rhaenyra actually sat on the Iron Throne earlier that day. The war was far from over... but it started to seem that finally, maybe, they had the upper hand.

Otto Hightower was dead - for a man who caused such a ruckus his head separated way too easily from his body in Diane's humble opinion. Alicent Hightower and the girl that had the misfortune to be Aegon's sister and wife and whose name Diane hadn't had a chance to memorize yet were secure in their rooms. They were captives, there was no denying that, but Rhaenyra had all the intentions to treat them with dignity. Which might not have been Diane's approach if she was honest with herself but whatever her Queen said went. Aegon and Aemond were still unfortunately alive somewhere and the Greens still had houses and armies who were ready to fight for them but that would be her headache in the morning. They had a win, her father was finally back, Rhaena was by her side and Diane felt like being optimistic that night.

But she still had too many things on her mind to fall asleep as easily as she wished to. And maybe it was for the better. It gave her an opportunity to enjoy Rhaena's company for a while longer.

Rhaena propped her head on her palm and smiled, her braids falling down and beautifully framing her face, 'So?'

Diane turned on her side to face her. Her right hip stung - a nasty wound from the Battle of Gullet was still letting itself be known here and there - but she ignored it. After so many years, she got used to ignoring the pain.

'I don't know.'

Rhaena let out a laugh, 'How can you not know?'

'I've never thought about it.'

'Never?'

'Never.'

'Why?'

'A child doesn't really have a place in the life of a kill-for-hire, sweetheart.'

'But you are not a kill-for-hire anymore.'

Diane chuckled, 'So you want me to think about it?'

'Yes,' Rhaena answered, looking serious all of a sudden.

Diane studied her face, trying to understand what was the true meaning of this conversation. Because Rhaena did not look like she was just curious. She looked like it was important for her to know.

'Maybe,' Diane offered because it was as good as she could do right now.

'Maybe?' Rhaena questioned.

'Yes, maybe. I am not opposed to it but it depends on a lot of things.'

'Will you want to have children with me?' Rhaena asked and, of course, there it was. The reason why this conversation started in the first place.

They weren't together long. A few months, really, ever since Rhaena came back from Vale on the back of Sheepstealer. Now that she had a dragon neither Rhaenyra nor Daemon could justify sending her back to safety so she stayed. A dragon definitely gave her a booster of confidence and now Rhaena wasn't afraid to ask for what she wanted. Diane was just very lucky that Rhaena seemed to want her.

'Do you wish to have children?'

'Yes.'

'Then yes.'

Rhaena looked up from where she was fumbling with her dragon bracelet to look at Diane, 'You mean that?'

'Yes,' Diane smiled and reached out to pull Rhaena closer to her. 'Is this what you want? A life with me? A bunch of children?'

Rhaena smiled, bit her lip, and nodded. She had been fascinated with Diane ever since she could remember and loved her since she was old enough to understand what love was. The fact that they shared a bed right now already felt like a blessing, but she was greedy. She wanted more.

Rhaena always wanted a big family of her own. Baela was always a free spirit with a lot of fight and adventure in her and Rhaena loved her sister for it, but such a life wasn't for her. She was ready to fight for Rhaenyra's claim for as long as was necessary but deep in her heart she dreamt about settling down and creating a big, happy family.

When she was promised to Lucerys, she knew she could have it. She didn't love him in a way that she loved Diane but they could have made it work. And being Lady of Driftmark wasn't the worst prospect either. But then he was killed. And she had to mourn not only the boy who was her dear friend but also the life they could have had together if not for that one-eyed fucker who stole her mother's dragon. Her hope for that life died with him.

But now, lying in bed with a woman she loved, Rhaena felt hopeful again.

'Then I shall provide you with exactly what you want, my love,' Diane smiled, stroking her cheek. 'As soon as the war is over. As soon as our enemies are buried in their shallow graves and Rhaenyra's position is secured, I shall take you to Dragonstone and make you my wife. We will wed in Valyrian traditions so our souls will be bound forever. I will find us a house. Big enough to be worthy of a lady like you. And then we will find a way to have a bunch of nosy, white-haired babies. How does it sound?'

'Perfect,' Rhaena smiled and leaned forward to kiss her. 'I can't wait.'

Diane looked at her, her eyes softer than Rhaena had ever seen them be, and said, 'Me too, my love. Me too.'

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