Disclaimer: Game of Thrones isn't my property, it is HBO's and GRRM's. Because if it were mine, Lancel would be still alive and kicking, the king of the Seven Kingdoms, leading them to an era of prosperity and peace while having a long and happy life.
Summary: She thought she knew him until she got under the face he put on.
Author's note: Just a huge huge huge thank you to Assassin Master Ezio 91, who helped me a lot with this, from listening to the idea to even helping out with the chapter guide! Hope I'll do well, I'm not used on having such a long fanfic :)
Author's note 2: I know I am about unusual ships and that's not everyone's cup of tea, and that's a-okay with me. And I am all about being constructive. So if you come here just to bash me because I love Lancel, or to bash the ship of this fanfic ( Lancel/Sansa ), be warn that your comment will be moderated.
Author's note 3: English isn't my first language, it's french. If you see any mistake or issue with the language, feel free to tell me so that I can improve.
WARNING! THIS FANFICTION CAN CONTAINS HEAVY THEMES SUCH AS BULLYING AND SEX ! IF YOU ARE ILL-AT-EASE WITH THESE SUBJECTS, FEEL FREE TO SKIP THIS FANFICTION.
Behind the masks
Chapter 1
Sansa was sitting next to her boyfriend, Joffrey Baratheon. Boyfriend… She wondered why she was still with him despite the fact that he turned into an abuser after she became his. He had never hit her, he asked his friends to do so, and his violence towards her was pretty much verbal. Deep down, she knew why she wouldn't leave him. She was scared. Scared of his reaction, as he had a very short temper. She always expected the worse from him. If she freed herself, she was afraid he would hurt her more, he would hurt her family to get back at her. It sounded pitiful, an insult to all the women abused in the world, and she was ashamed to think that way, but she preferred being abused than freed, at least, she ensured herself some safety. She asked herself why Joffrey became the man he was. Because, in his good days, he could be the sweetest person. She remembered Myrcella telling her he cared for her when she was six, when she broke her leg. While he could have been playing with friends, he had their father set up his game consoles in her room so they could play together.
"But according to the same Myrcella, Joffrey wanted to push Tommen down the stairs, aged eight, because he dared report he insulted him at school…" She remembered
A new arrival took her out of her thoughts.
"Ah, Lancel! Just the man I wanted to see!"
Sansa looked at him and was still amazed by the resemblance between the two. Joffrey was said to look like Jaime, his maternal uncle, which wasn't a surprise, after all, his uncle was his mother's twin brother. It was said Lancel resembled him even more, though his features were softer than Joffrey's. His hair wasn't the same colour. Joffrey's hair was golden while Lancel's was sandy. Joffrey mocked him for looking a bit effeminate.
"As if he can control the genetics his parents gave him…" She reflected
Lancel was Joffrey's second cousin, as he was the first cousin to his mother, Cersei. Kevan Lannister had his first born child shortly before his brother, Tywin, became a grandfather, causing confusion among people.
"The Lannister family tree is so complicated!" She thought
Lancel nodded to his cousin and greeted him politely. That's something Sansa could give him, he was always polite, even when angry. However, she didn't think much of him. He was part of Joffrey's crew and he took part in her misery. Not actively, never when not asked by Joffrey. Usually, he just did what he was told to, he repeated what Joffrey wanted him to say, he added a bit to please him. When she saw him first, she thought he'd help her out, but he disappointed her. He was just a yes-man.
"Nevertheless, he doesn't seem to enjoy it. Or at least, he doesn't take pleasure in torturing me. That redeems him a bit… I guess." She imagined
Joffrey's voice took her out of her mind.
"I must thank you again for the great dinner we had the other day at your house. I didn't know you were a woman in disguise!"
Lancel just stared at him blankly, untouched.
"Sansa, honey, you will find it incredible! The other day, my family was invited to eat at Lancel's place and guess what? He was the one who cooked!" Joffrey mocked
"I helped out my mother who was sick." Lancel simply stated
XXXXX
"If you are unwell, we can cancel." Kevan told his wife as she was laying in bed, pale and tired
"I'll be fine, don't worry." She tried to reassure him
Lancel had heard them by accident. That night, they were going to receive his uncle Tywin, his daughter's family, and his cousins, Jaime and Tyrion. And it seemed to him that his mother came down with a cold. Kevan kissed his wife's forehead and left for work. Lancel knew what his mother had planned on preparing for that night. He asked one of his brothers to watch over Dorna, the other to take care of their three years old sister Janei and without telling anyone or saying anything, he took his mother's place and cooked instead of her when the time came. And if the dinner was to be annulled, well, at least, she wouldn't have to cook either, all she'd need to do would be to sit down and enjoy her meal. And he had to admit he loved cooking. He wouldn't make a career out of it, it was an environment in which he'd get, ironically, eaten alive. But he enjoyed spending time creating something out of scratches, something edible, that smelled and tasted nice, to see the people he cared about regaling themselves as they ate what he had made. And it could be so much fun, especially when Janei asked him to bake cookies together. When Kevan got home from work, if he was surprised to see Lancel instead of Dorna, he hid it well, simply saying that it smelled nice, making his son smile. He was relieved to see that his wife seemed better, she had regained some colours.
"Oh, Lancel, you shouldn't have!" She said when she saw him
"I wanted too. And you needed your rest, Mom."
Later, the family arrived and soon, they ate.
"I must say, aunt Dorna, you surpassed yourself, this is delicious." Tyrion complimented her
"Why, thank you, but I must admit I am not the one who prepared all this." She replied
"Then, who?" Jaime asked, surprised
"Lancel did all this." She said with pride in her voice
Lancel could feel everyone's eyes on him and it made him uneasy. He wasn't used to be put in the spotlight and the spotlight made him feel nervous anyway.
"You did all this by yourself?! Lancel, you're awesome!" Tommen exclaimed
Lancel felt relieved.
"Wait until you see the apple cake." He replied with a smile
"You remembered I liked it?" His young cousin asked, surprised
"Just as much as I remembered that I didn't need to put beets on your plate."
"You're the best cousin ever!"
He laughed.
XXXXX
"Gosh, listen to yourself, Lancel! I did only helped out my sick mommy! You sound like a child, that's embarrassing!"
Sansa could see he was upset, he tried to hide it but she could see beneath his act. The anecdote had made her see him in another light. Why was he the way he was at school when he seemed to be a sweet young man at home? Why bother with two appearances? It was certainly tiring to switch between two personalities, so why? Was it so that he had an armour to protect himself? It intrigued her. He was more than he appeared to be. She felt ashamed for misjudging him. She thought she had learnt her lessons about appearances, it seemed she needed a new course.
"Was it good?" She asked
"What?" Joffrey replied, confused
"Lancel's dinner. Was it good?" She developed
"Actually yes… He acts like a woman and he manages to recreate their talents."
She looked at Lancel, tried to offer the ghost of a smile.
"It's a good thing Lancel can cook. Should you find yourself in need, you know you can ask him, your belly will be filled and you will enjoy a good taste."
She could see Lancel's emerald eyes filled with gratitude. It wasn't much help but he didn't feel alone anymore.
"Ah Sansa, always the sweet but weak heart of women." Joffrey stated caressing her cheek
His touch disgusted her. He grabbed her hand discretely but hardly, it hurt her.
"Do not contradict me ever again! If I want your opinion, I'll ask for it!" He whispered angrily in her ear.
It left her frozen. He got up and left, along with his men. Only Lancel remained behind, pretending to check his phone for messages. Once alone, he went to her and asked:
"Are you okay?"
His voice was soft, warm and filled with a genuine concern. She had never heard him speaking to her that way.
"I'll be fine." She replied, trying to sound neutral
He nodded.
"Thank you." He told her
He left her and until his form disappeared from her sight, she wasn't able to take her eyes of him. He was a myserty she needed to resolve. Perhaps she could even gain a friend in the process. But she was certain of one thing:
Lancel Lannister was one unusual guy.
To Be Continued