Disclaimer: Game of Thrones is D&D's property, after being GRRM's property. Or else, Lancel would be the happiest kid in Westeros, should it be mine.

Summary: Bowed, bent and broken, Lancel had tried so hard to be who everyone wanted him to be! But in the darkest of times Life can take some interesting twists.

Author's note: This story is the sister story of Not so different – Arya. Assassin Master Ezio 91 came up with the idea of having this double story, him focusing on his precious Arya, me focusing on my beloved Lancel! Please go check him out!

Author's note 2: 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 CONTAINS MATURE THEMES SUCH AS DEPRESSION, SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IF THESE TRIGGER YOU, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SKIP THIS FANFICTION. THANK YOU.

Not so different - Lancel

Chapter 6

Kevan Lannister wasn't a man known for getting angry at the slightest inconvenience or at the smallest insult. So, to see him read a letter from the clinic, then suddenly crumple it with an angry expression on his face, loudly stating that the nurses were a fraud surprised his children. Martyn seemed to understand something was off, gave a small nod to his twin and the brothers took their little sister upstairs to play with her, leaving their parents to talk between grown adults. Dorna took the paper, uncrumpled it but didn't read it.

"They believe Lancel wants to kill himself and will actually do it." Her husband ended up revealing

She sighed.

"They didn't study his case at all. To hear that Lancel is suicidal isn't new. But it was clearly written, by his own confessions, that while he considered it, he never went through it everytime it crossed his head for various reasons."

Dorna kept silent, letting him vent.

"I wonder if it was a good thing, sending him there. What they complain about, even I, who isn't a pro, understand why he does it."

"His departure was needed, Kevan." She ended up saying

She gently took his hand.

"For him, obviously. For the first time in a long time, his words mattered and something was made for him to feel better. But it was needed for us too. We were blind to his misery and we needed an eye opener. A sad and brutal one, but one nonetheless."

As much as he hated to hear it, Kevan knew Dorna was right. They were part of the reason Lancel fell so sick. Of course, depression had a root in the brain. It was a mix of so many things it could get overwhelming. And in the peaks of his pain, despite his mind screaming to end it all, Lancel had always backed down, thinking of them. When they should have been thinking of him more. He was their son and they had failed him. The bitter taste in his mouth hadn't vanished since the day Lancel didn't go home.

"He even said that he once backed down because he knew, deep down, that he didn't actually want to die. He just wanted his pain to stop. Lancel is braver and wiser than anyone, even himself, gives him credit for." He thought

He also remembered another part of his son's case, how he said that the only place where he didn't suffer as much, where he could even feel his pain vanishing was home. Just him, his parents, his siblings, in his favourite cocoon. A place where he could drop the masks almost completely and being himself for a refreshing change. Kevan wondered if Lancel wouldn't be better at home. Surrounded by people who loved and cared for him, who didn't judge him and most importantly, he'd knew about those facts. He'd remain home, relaxing, doing whatever he felt like doing, not caring about the outside world. Under medicine, true, that was needed, but home. He could even tell his studies to go away, it didn't matter if he had to retake a year or a part of it, he could even stop school for all he cared. All that mattered was Lancel's health, his children's health, in body but also in spirit.

"When can we visit?" Dorna carefully asked

"Today."

XXXXX

The place was so well arranged that it didn't look like a mental clinic at all. Dorna was still amazed by that even if she knew the truth. It was a good thing, she thought. While there was no shame in being followed by specialists for mental health, some people were prone to mock others and thus, creating a place that didn't look like an asylum was an idea she approved of. She couldn't wait to see Lancel at last, having missed him so much it actually hurt.

"I hope the children will be allowed to see him soon, they miss him so much." She thought

Locking their car up, the couple, hand in hand, started to walk to the entrance. While they were thrilled to finally see Lancel after so long, they were both scared of how they'd find him. Of his reactions.

"Isn't it..." Dorna suddenly said, in a low and unsure voice, her eyes spotting familiar figures

They approached, making her realize she was right. Eddard and Catelyn Stark were about to enter too. And they seemed as surprised as they were to see them here. She greeted them with a smile.

"I didn't know you were visiting someone here." Catelyn carefully said

Dorna nodded.

"I could say the same." She tried to joke

"We... Our daughter Arya is here." Eddard said, his voice betraying his worries

How they understood! In this place, petty fights or arguments didn't matter anymore.

"She... She tried to take her own life." Catelyn added

"By the Seven! Is she okay?" Dorna asked

"Her best friend Gendry saved her. She's resting since that day." Eddard explained

"We're truly sorry for Arya." Kevan declared "We hope she'll return home soon."

The Starks thanked them.

"Who are you visiting?" Catelyn wondered

"Our son Lancel." Kevan softly replied "Nervous and mental breakdown."

Dorna held his hand tighter, hoping to pass to him some of her strength.

"Poor Lancel. We hope he'll recover soon. Seeing your child suffering and being unable to help... Is a horrible feeling." Catelyn stated

Dorna thanked her before they took their leave.

Lancel was waiting.

To Be Continued