A/N: I'm still stuck on "The False Winter" and I had this chapter pretty clearly in my head, so I went ahead and got it out. It ran a little long... D: opps... I tried to give a nod to Martin by taking a stab at "gratuitous feasting" and could've done more with it, but I figured most of a paragraph was enough for a fanfic. :P I hope you enjoy this chapter! There isn't as much Gendrya as in previous chapters, but that will come soon. ;) Thanks as always to everyone reading this!
Gendry was anxious. He ran his thumb across his phone, ignoring CSI: Oldtown on the television and debating whether or not he should text Arya. He'd wondered if she might text him during the day, but she hadn't. Maybe she's waiting for me to text her first, he went through the same debate in his head for the dozenth time in the past few hours. Jon was in the shower and Ygritte was due back any moment so they could all go over to the Stark house for dinner. Impatient and unable to restrain himself any longer, he gave in to his desires.
Gendry: Hey!
Stupid, he thought to himself, why the exclamation point? Way to sound eager...
M'lady: Hey, what's up?
Gendry: Not much. Watching tv. You?
M'lady: Helping Dad get the grill ready. You still coming?
Gendry: Yup. Starving.
M'lady: You won't be once you get here. Dad bought steaks.
Gendry: Really? That's awesome!
M'lady: Jon told him you were coming and he felt the need to impress you.
He stared at the screen, confused.
Gendry: Why would he want to impress me?
M'lady: Dunno.
His anxiety escalated into full-fledged worry.
Gendry: Okay... that's odd.
M'lady: Dad is weird like that. I've got to tend the grill. See you soon?
He frowned at the conversation's brevity.
Gendry: Yup. See you!
After waiting a few moments for her to respond and realizing she wasn't going to, he got up and went to the fridge, grabbing a beer and draining half of it in an attempt to quell his nerves. He heard the shower stop running and thought, Well, Jon should only be another twenty minutes while he fixes his hair. He walked back into the living room and plopped down on the couch, turning his attention to the television and wondering how plausible it was that a man could die just by biting on a poisoned coin.
The front door flew open and Ygritte came in, throwing a bag off her shoulder and onto the floor. "Hey Gendry." She smiled at him and he waved back. "Snow!" she hollered. "I'm home! Are you ready yet?"
"Ten minutes!" he yelled.
She shook her head, sighing, and walked over to the couch, sitting down next to Gendry and taking the beer from his hand. "That boy and his hair. Sometimes I think he loves it more than me." She took a swig and handed it back to him. "How was your day?"
"I slept, mostly." He took a drink himself. "You?"
"Glad to be home." she smiled and sunk back into the seat. "And I've got to piss like an aurochs." She turned her head and yelled, "Hurry up, will you‽"
"I said ten minutes!" Jon shouted back.
Ygritte rolled her eyes as the doorbell rang. "I'll get it." She got up and crossed to the door, opening it and giving a surprised smile. "Hey! You here to see Gendry?"
His eyes shot over to the door and he leaned over to see who it was. Fuck me... "Yes," Willow replied, "if you don't mind."
Gendry jumped to his feet and quickly crossed to the doorway, forcing a smile. "Hey." He gave a slight wave.
"Hey." She smiled shyly and asked, "Can we talk?"
Gendry nodded, "Sure." and stepped outside. He said to Ygritte, "I'll be right back." and shut the door behind him. He sat down on the steps and she joined him. "Why didn't you call?"
"I wanted to talk to you in person." She looked at him, a sadness in her eyes. "Gendry, I... I'm sorry about everything. It was wrong of me to get mad at you like I did." She began to tear up. "It's just that... I was so upset you weren't going with us to the beach and then not only did you stay at their house, but you stopped answering your phone, and..." She wiped at her eyes, careful not to smudge her eyeliner. "I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?"
He gave her a weak smile and nodded. "Sure. I forgive you."
She sniffed and smiled, crying now. "Thank you." She put her arms around him, hugging him tightly, and he lightly returned her embraced. They remained that way for a moment before she pulled back and happily asked, "So we'll get back together, then?"
He took a deep breath and looked away from her, blinking, thinking the decision was easier than it should have been. "Willow, I don't think so."
"What?" she cried. "But just the other day you wanted to."
"I know," he carefully continued, "and I've thought about it and I don't think we should see each other anymore." From inside the apartment, he heard a muffled squeal. Willow looked as though he'd broken her heart. I probably have...
She pleaded, "Gendry, I said I was sorry. Truly, I am! It was wrong of me and I know I was a bitch and," she looked around her, as if searching for her words, "and I promise I'll be better from now on. Please."
Gendry frowned. It hurt him to see her like this. He didn't love her, but he still cared for her and wanted her to be happy. He knew, though, that there was only so much he could do to make that happen. He shook his head and whispered, "I'm sorry." Willow took a calming breath and stood. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but shut it and walked across the yard to her car. Gendry watched, but didn't call out after her, didn't say anything at all. Slowly, he stood as well and turned, opening the door. He heard a raucous and saw Jon and Ygritte flying onto the couch, immediately doing their best to look nonchalant. "Were you two listening?"
Jon glanced off to the side avoiding his gaze, but Ygritte looked directly at him, her face full of faux innocence. "No. We were just sitting here."
He frowned in disbelief, "I just saw you sitting down."
Ygritte nodded, "Yes. We just sat down and now we're just sitting here." A smile began to creep across her lips. Gendry sighed and turned, rubbing his face with his hands. "Gendry, it's for the best! You're much too nice of a guy for her. I mean, it's one thing to be passive but you just lie there and take it."
He turned back around, "I do not just lie there and take it." Jon stifled a laugh, grinning. "What?"
Jon turned up his hands in mocking incredulity. "I didn't say anything!"
"She doesn't deserve a guy like you." Ygritte became more serious. "You're like ice and fire, never a good combination." Gendry just looked to the ground, finding his boots to be a satisfactory resting place for his eyes. "Look, just come on with us to Jon's dad's house. You'll get over it soon enough. I know you don't love her."
Gendry rubbed the back of his neck and finally nodded. "Alright. Let's go, then."
As they pulled up to the Stark household, for the first time Gendry found it to be intimidating. He'd once called it a mansion, but Sansa had scoffed at him, "It only has six bedrooms. Well, seven if you count the attic." He'd only given her a wide eyed, doubtful expression as she explained, "Baratheon Manor is three times as big. Joffrey and his brother have their own wing." Despite her detachment from reality, he still hadn't felt quite like he did this evening.
Ygritte knocked on his window. "You getting out? The food's out back." He undid his seatbelt and exited Jon's car, following him and Ygritte inside.
Jon called out, "Hello! Anyone home?"
Rickon appeared at the top of the stairs. "Jon!" Snow's little brother smiled like an idiot as he bounded down the stairs to greet them.
Sansa appeared in the hallway. "You're late." she looked at Jon disappointedly. "Hurry up, they've just taken the steaks off the grill. Come on, Rickon. It's time for dinner."
The little boy darted down the hallway past his sister. Jon asked, "Are Robb and Jeyne here? I didn't see their car."
"No." Sansa huffed. "She wasn't feeling up to it. The pregnancy's been rough on her." She gave him a catty smile. "But Theon's here with Ros. Mother is absolutely thrilled about that."
Jon laughed. "I bet she is. And now I'm here. Icing on the cake!" Sansa laughed with him, squeezing her brother's wrist as he and Ygritte followed them out into the backyard.
Gendry was relieved to find that this occasion was about as informal as they come. He'd envisioned them all sitting around a table, each with more silverware than he could use in a day and speaking properly, minding manners he'd never been taught. Thankfully, all the food was set out buffet-style along three picnic tables, dressed in white tablecloths adorned with direwolves, by the pool. Rock music was playing out of speakers built into the side of the house. He spied a pile of steaks, bowls of chips and baked beans and desserts, a large salad bowl, platters of deviled eggs and shrimp cocktail and fruits. At the near end, paper plates were stacked next to plastic-ware and a bag of napkins along with hotdog and hamburger buns, condiments, salad dressings and pickles. At the far end, styrofoam and Solo cups sat next to two coolers, one overflowing with sodas and the other with beer. There were even bottles of chilled wine and champagne with fancy wine glasses that, upon closer inspection, he realized were plastic.
Taking in the site, Lord Stark was at the grill prodding and turning hot dogs while he and Theon talked and laughed about something. Lady Catelyn and Bran sat at a small table with a boy and girl about Bran's age, though he didn't recognize them. His eyes traveled over to the far side of the pool where Arya and Ros sat in lounge chairs, picking at their plates piled high with food while they talked. Arya was barefoot, her hair down and slightly mussed, wearing a pair of tattered blue jeans with a faded Iron Maiden t-shirt. She looked over and caught him staring, grinning slightly and waving, fork in hand. He drew his hand out of his pocket and waved back as Ros saw him and waved as well.
"Come on, Gendry!" Jon encouraged him. "This food won't eat itself!"
Gendry walked with Jon and Ygritte to the picnic tables, grabbed a plate, and piled it as full as he could. They each took a beer from one of the coolers and walked around the pool to sit with Arya and Ros.
"I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever get here." Arya stood up and hugged her brother. "We couldn't wait any longer to put the steaks on the grill."
"Sorry." Jon apologized. "Gendry had a run-in with Willow at the last minute."
Gendry noticed Arya's brow raise in interest. "Really?" she asked.
"Yup." Ygritte beamed. "She tried to get him to take her back and he wouldn't have it. She was crying and everything!" She raised her hand to give Gendry a high-five and he only shook his head.
"Try not to be so happy about it. She has feelings too, you know." he muttered.
"That's wonderful news, Gendry." Ros leaned forward. "And I'm sure Ygritte's only happy for you, not happy that you," she stifled a laugh, "that you broke that bitch's heart."
"Guys..." Gendry shook his head.
Jon slapped him on the back. "Cheer up, mate. She never treated you right. It killed us to see what she put you through."
"He's not wrong." Ros agreed, looking at Gendry. "Remember the time she blew up at you down at the bowling alley just because you offered to help me with my math homework?"
"Yeah, but that was-"
Ros interrupted him, "And the day we went to the beach and you put sunscreen on Sansa's back?"
"Well, still, she just wasn't-"
"Oh!" Jon chimed in. "What about when we played spin the bottle?"
Arya gawked at her brother. "You played spin the bottle? What are you, fourteen?"
"She got upset over who he had to french kiss." Ros grinned.
"Was it Sansa?" Arya asked. Gendry detected a bit of jealousy in her eyes.
"No," Jon sighed, "it was me." Ygritte and Ros both turned red-faced from laughter.
Gendry cocked his head and admitted, "Yeah, that was pretty ridiculous."
Arya's jaw hung open in shock and amusement as she looked between he and Jon. Gendry felt his cheeks flushing red. "The two of you kissed? With tongue?"
"I thought it was pretty hot meself." Ygritte grinned from ear to ear. "Don't know what got Willow's panties all in a wad. Mine would've gotten wet if I'd been wearing any." She bumped her shoulder into Jon's and he blushed.
As Sansa walked over, Gendry hushed them. "Alright, alright. Enough about that." He would've given anything to change the subject. "Arya, who are those two sitting with your mum and brother?" He gestured over to them.
"That's Meera and Jojen Reed." she answered.
"They're friends of his, come to live with us over the summer." Sansa added as she sat down. "Though I suspect Meera may want to be more than friends." She popped a chip into her mouth with a grin. "And maybe Jojen too."
"Really?" Arya was wide-eyed. "What makes you say that?"
Sansa shrugged, "Just some things he says now and then. At the very least, he's odd."
"Hmm." Arya bit her lip. "Well, I'm getting a fresh beer. Anyone else need another while I'm up?"
"Yes." and "Sure." Jon, Ygritte, Gendry and Ros all replied in unison.
"I only have two hands." Arya said with annoyance.
Gendry got up. "I'll come with." They walked the long way around the pool and Gendry asked her, "So, um, you have no idea at all why your father would want to impress me?"
"You're new is all, I guess." She shrugged. "He likes meeting our friends." She shot him a curious glance, "Why, are you nervous?"
Gendry chuckled, "No. Maybe. Yes."
"Well, don't be." Arya assured him, "It's my mum you need to be afraid of."
After getting the drinks, Gendry allowed Arya to formally introduce him to her father. Gendry was relieved to find that Lord Stark, or Ned as he insisted Gendry call him, was very warm and friendly. For the next two hours, everyone ate themselves full, talking and laughing and drinking. Gendry stole glances at Arya and found her looking back at him more often than not, immediately turning her eyes away and blushing. He found this evening to be much more enjoyable than the typical night hanging out with the gang at Jon's apartment. Though the majority of them didn't have Stark blood, it still felt like one big, happy family, and family was something of a foreign concept to Gendry.
Eventually, the sun began to set and the sky darkened, turning into a deep purple and casting wild colors along the clouds in the distance. Lady Catelyn turned the pool lights on and one by one everyone started getting in. Jon and Arya had forgotten to tell Gendry to bring a swimsuit, not that he had one anyway, and Ned had offered to let him borrow some shorts but Gendry declined, saying he didn't feel like it. Truly, he didn't. He wanted to sit in the lawn chair and watch everyone, save Lady Catelyn, Ned and himself, playing and laughing and fighting in the water. He'd had friends all his life, but this felt like something so much different. Like family.
He heard footsteps beside him and looked to see Ned sitting down in the lawn chair next to his. "You enjoying yourself?" Ned asked him.
"Yes, sir. Thank you." Gendry smiled. "I've never been to anything like this before."
Ned offered, "Like I said, if you'd like to go swimming I can get you a pair of shorts. It's no trouble."
"That's fine, thanks." Gendry wondered what it might be like to have a father like Ned Stark. "I'm just not in the mood for it."
Ned nodded thoughtfully. "How is your mother?"
Caught off guard by the question, Gendry stammered, "She, um, she died." He cleared his throat. "Four years ago."
"Really?" Ned looked surprised. "I'm sorry, I hadn't heard. She was a very nice woman."
"Thank you." Gendry said, confused. "Did you know her?"
"Aye." Ned replied. "Robert Baratheon and I used to go that bar she worked at years ago." With the look Ned was giving him, Gendry felt almost as if he was being cross-examined. "Did she ever mention either of us?"
He found that question peculiar, but answered, "No, not that I recall. I'm sorry."
Ned smiled. "Don't be sorry. We were just two of the regular drunks." Ned took a sip from his cup, presumably scotch or whiskey by the color. "Jon tells me you got kicked out of your flat. Black mold, was it?"
Gendry nodded, "Yes, sir."
"And you're crashing at Jon's?" Gendry nodded again. "Have you found a new place just yet?"
"No, sir." Embarrassed at being homeless, Gendry stared at his feet. "I've been looking, but no luck yet. Nothing I can afford, at least."
"Well, our attic's vacant if you'd like to stay here." Gendry looked up at him, shocked and unsure if he'd heard correctly. Ned chuckled, "It's not what you're thinking. It can get a bit hot in the summer, but we've got fans and a separate AC unit up there."
"I, um..." Gendry didn't know what to say, "I really appreciate that, Lord Stark, but-"
Ned got up. "Now, none of that Lord Stark stuff. Call me Ned." He beckoned him. "Come on, let me show it to you." Gendry followed him inside, hard pressed to believe what was happening. Ned explained, "Jon and Robb shared a room for years, but once Theon moved in we were running out of space, so Cat and I had the attic remodeled. Robb and Theon shared it until they went off to uni. It's a very large space, actually."
They reached the second floor and went to the end of the hall opposite Sansa's room. Ned reached up and pulled down the fold-out staircase. "The door behind it here is just a closet we rarely use, so you can leave the stairs down as much as you like." They climbed up into the darkness. Ned reached around for a light and finally found the string. When the room lit up, Gendry suppressed a gasp. The space was bigger than his entire flat with furniture and two beds at opposite ends.
"As you can see, it really doesn't look anything like an attic." Ned pointed above them. "We had the ceiling, the walls, floors, everything redone so you don't have to worry about insects or spiders." Ned walked over to a door at the side and opened it. "There's a bathroom with a sink, toilet, stand-up shower, everything you'd need. Just be careful, it borrows water from the line running to Sansa and Arya's bath downstairs, so you can get scalded in the shower if they flush the toilet."
Gendry shook his head, amazed and nearly speechless. "Lord Stark, I... Ned." he corrected himself. "Are you sure?"
Ned smiled warmly. "Positive."
"Thank you, truly."
Ned patted him on the pack and rested a hand on his shoulder, looking almost regretful. "It's the least I could do."
