She gripped her sister's hands tightly as she led her back to her room. They had just arrived to Pentos and were taken in by the Magister Illyrio. Her need to protect her fragile little sister was the only thing keeping her strong. The shelter given so graciously to them was a kindness that they hadn't experienced in a long time.
"Daeny, where's our brother?" her sister asked as she was set down on soft cushions, her eyes bleary with want of sleep.
Daenerys bit her lip to stop herself from frowning and instead managed a taut smile. Not knowing what to say, she fussed around her sister, helping her wash up and prepare for bed. It had been a tiring journey, having wandered around the Free Cities for quite some time now.
"We're going to be safe here, right? We can stay?" her sister persisted.
"Of course. We're going to fine now," Daenerys replied, "You're safe."
Thaeserys barely heard the last of her words as she slipped into unconsciousness, the darkness taking over her, Daenerys left to her own thoughts with only silence to keep her company.
Thaeserys was the baby of the family, being born minutes after her twin sister, Daenerys, at Dragonstone. She looked relatively similar to her sister, with beautiful locks of snow-white hair and fair skin, but they weren't identical twins. Thaeserys was a tad bit shorter than Daenerys, slighter in build, with soft lilac eyes. Perhaps it was her eyes that were her saving grace from Viserys' wrath.
Their brother had grown bitter over the years, with his reputation as a 'Beggar King'. It was the last straw when he was forced to sell their mother's crown, which slowly drove him into desperation and anger. Daenerys remembered when he first lashed out at her, accusing her of killing their mother. The occasional abuse followed throughout the years, although he never did so in front of Thaeserys. Thaeserys was blissfully ignorant, a fact that Daenerys was thankful for. Thaeserys was a rose waiting to bloom, one that was pure and untainted as snow. It was because of her eyes. Her eyes reminded them of mother.
Daenerys didn't want to admit it, but sometimes, she was envious and bitter towards her sister, although she never let those ugly feelings out. If Viserys was to blame anyone for killing their mother, it should be Thaeserys. She was the one born after her, when their mother had been exhausted and a great storm raged above the keep. It was at that thought that Daenerys stopped herself, feelings of self-loathing creeping into her.
Despite everything, she loved her little sister, more than anyone else in the world. They were made from the same mold, and while Thaeserys never understood the reasons behind her sadness, she could read her emotions like a book. Thaeserys always comforted her, be it by simply sitting next to her, holding her hand, or embracing her with soft words reminding her that she had family who loved her. While the rift between Daenerys and Viserys grew bigger, with only her docile attitude keeping her in line, Thaeserys was holding them together best as she could. They were family, ravaged and broken by war, but they were still family, and family takes care of each other, as Thaeserys liked to say.
Daenerys snapped out of her thoughts and smiled softly at the sight of her sister, curled up like a kitten, sound asleep. Thaeserys mumbled something incoherently as Daenerys tucked her under the heavy covers. She looked outside, gazing at the waning moon, sighing softly, before silently shifting out of the room to get her own rest.
It was late in the night when Viserys finally returned to the doorstep of their new shelter. The Magister was a loyal supporter of their House and it was with great relief that he had taken them in to prepare them. Soon he would discuss his plans with the Magister and strategise in obtaining his army to reclaim their home in Westeros. And when he did, they would not have to wander around like vagrants. When he took back the Iron Throne, he would rebuild their House and make it strong like it used to before that traitorous Kingslayer killed their father. He would provide his sisters with a home again.
He strode in purposefully despite his drunken stupor, his ambitions stoking a fire that burned brightly in his eyes. In his inebriated state, he stumbled into a room and plopped unceremoniously on the bed before started to remove his boots. He paused in the motion as he realised the bed was currently occupied. He shifted his eyes to stare at the figure bunched up between the sheets and exhaled slowly, his gaze softening as his eyes refocused on his sister. He deftly moved his hand, gently caressing her cheek as he took in the sight of her, so innocently beautiful, even as her bangs had been swept unruly in her sleep.
Thaeserys was never a light sleeper, but she did wake easily whenever her siblings were near. It was a strange connection, something like an innate attraction, a soft beacon of light telling her when her siblings came by. Her eyes still closed, she shifted slightly, her senses still dulled from sleep. She lazily opened her eyes, blinking a few times, her eyelashes fluttering.
"Viserys?" she mumbled, "When did you get back?"
She stretched like a cat before getting up slowly, leaning in to hug him. She stopped short when the smell of liquor and smoke pervaded her system, jolting her fully awake. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"You've been drinking," she accused.
He stiffened, not denying it. He had been drinking afterall. All of a sudden, he felt somewhat dirty, put-out by himself being caught like that by his innocent little flower. A desire to clean himself properly before spending time with his sister rushed through him, propelling him towards the door despite the want to remain by her side.
"Viserys," she called again, softly, temporarily stopping him in his tracks.
He heard the soft thump of something coming into contact with the floor and moments later, found his sister hugging him from behind, as she rested her forehead on his sturdy back.
"I've missed you," she whispered.
He turned around, holding her by the small of her back, his other hand running through her locks the colour of snow. "And I, you," he whispered back, as if it were some forbidden words that he would never dare to admit to her.
She closed the gap between them as she buried her face into his chest, her body flush against his. He could feel her smile against him as she tried to cuddle into him further.
"Welcome home, Viserys."
