A/N: Hey all! In the next few chapters I want to focus on the development of Arya and Gendry's relationship and them becoming reacquainted. Also, as an attempt at an apology for ditching you all for so many months I made this chapter longer than any of the rest… much longer :D. This chapter is about 2000 words longer than my longest chapter and about 3500 words longer than my average chapter. Finally, I don't usually thank individual readers publicly, but two of my readers really gave me some great advice/feedback and I want them to know that their contributions did not go unnoticed. So thank you Strawwolf & QuirkyMolly, you both are really great!
Cheers! Please leave reviews, I love them!
Gendry:
In the early hours of the morning Arya found him; just after dawn. The merchants lined the streets along the canal with their makeshift carts and products. Twice every moon the natives of Braavos gathered along the cobbled roads to sell their goods. At least that is what the barman of the Foghouse explained to him when he retrieved him this morning to say a visitor waited for him upstairs.
Only one person knows where I am staying, he thought to himself. The mention of Arya deterred his grumblings about being woken so early. In his haste to see her he nearly tripped and killed himself… multiple times. The man thrust his legs into the first underclothes he found on the floor. No, these wont do… they're all sticky from the previous evening, he thought. He blushed a fierce color of red at the memory. Next he haphazardly fumbled with his shirt until it was over his head and pulled his pants up his legs and ran up the stairs two at a time. So eager to see her and make sure she was really there, he dragged his boots on as he climbed the steps. He took a few calming breaths to prevent himself from looking like a giddy buffoon and strode purposefully over to the bar.
She must have heard his arrival because she looked up at him and smiled. He responded with his own widespread grin that left his cheeks aching even now a few hours later. Arya's smile turned into raucous laughter after she glanced him over. Gods, did I forget to put on pants or something? He hadn't even peeked at his reflection in the looking glass in his room. He looked down at his legs and saw he indeed was wearing pants. Gendry looked at the small girl across from him and gazed at her questioningly while she nearly snorted from laughing so hard. Her laugh was quite endearing he thought, it was an actual laugh; not at all demure or reserved like most of the ladies he knew. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes from laughing so hard and huffed out, "It sounded like there was a bull below while you were getting ready. Have you ever heard of the saying, 'a bull in a pentoshi china shop?' So excited to see me that you put your shirt on backwards, huh?" She fingered the lining of his shirt and he saw that she was indeed right. Gendry smirked back at her and grabbed the hem of the cloth and pulled it over his head. The sinew of his back and the chorded muscles of his arms rippled with the movement. As he reversed his shirt he looked at her and saw that she averted her eyes. He quickly put the garment back on and replied; "I can say the same for you. You must be excited, otherwise why else would you show up at this godforsaken hour?" The witty banter, the mutual teasing, it all felt natural and familiar to him. But, Gendry felt that it was fascinatingly new at the same time.
"So where are we off to on this fine morning?"
"I'm taking you on a proper tour of Braavos," she replied.
As they left the Foghouse's dank interior and overwhelming smell of mildew, Gendry nodded at the barman, who in turn smiled at the exiting pair.
It was now a few hours later and Gendry walked along the cobbled streets of the waterway with his companion. Most of the time they walked in companionable silence, but he didn't mind that in the slightest. The knight was a bit unsure of what to ask the girl at his side. He did not know how much she could actually tell him, and how much she willingly would. So, he decided to take his lead from her. He never inquired about anything too personal, but persisted in showing his interest by listening attentively to whatever little nuggets of information she bestowed upon him. He didn't want her to think him disinterested.
Along the channel, the booths were covered in vibrant cloths shading the vendors from the sun. To his left, an orange hooded booth wafted the smells of sweet sugars, and syrups, and individually sized pastries. He asked her if she was hungry and led her over to the booth. The lively merchant smiled at his approaching customers and asked in the cadence of his foreign accent if they wanted anything specific. The hunched over baker had hands caked with flour and a smear of the white powder across his right temple. The man looked at the two of them and jovially said to Arya, "Well hello there little Cat." Arya smiled back at the man and gestured for Gendry to pick a sweet. As the two companions surveyed the desserts, the man instructed Gendry on how all his products were baked daily and that he had foods from across all the seas. The knight saw little lemon cakes from Westeros to his left. The tray next to them housed a large mountain of cookies doused in Arbor wine. In the center of the table eastern delicacies littered the table. A layered dessert filled with different kinds of nuts and dough caught his attention. He picked up the food and dug into his pocket for some spare coins for him and Arya. Arya stood at the other end of the table talking to the trader about the news of the Targaryen Queen.
"Ay little Cat, they say she comes on the backs of her three dragons. The lot of us are lucky that Braavos is one of the largest free cities." He looked to Gendry, "We Braavosi are descended from those who fled Valyria and the wrath of its dragon lords. We do not jape of dragons." The Braavosi heard stories of the Queen who liberated the servants and slaves and put the masters to the sword.
"You're right at that Cossomo. I bet her army will not even stop through Braavos on their way to Westeros though."
"That's not what I heard from that Ghiscari butcher Gael. Man was a former slave that escaped Yunkai after she put the slavers to the sword there. He swears that she'll be here soon and wants to replenish her stores before she heads to the Iron Throne."
"You two gossip like old maids."
Gendry saw Arya nod her head non-committedly in her assent. As he went to place the coins in the hand of the vendor, the man jovially laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Any friend of Cat's is welcome to a treat."
Arya swiped a small lemon cake off the table and smiled at the man called Cossomo and traipsed away with Gendry in tow behind her. The streets filled with bustling shoppers and Gendry heard the loud voices of many tongues trying to call in the many customers.
"You like lemon cakes?"
"Not so much, truthfully I prefer chocolate. But, my sister loved them, and they remind me of home… He's a very kind man," Arya muttered. "He helps feed the street kids in Ragman Harbor. He used to feed me all of the time when I posed as a homeless street urchin a few years back; even gave me some old clothes from one of his daughters a few times."
Up ahead Gendry saw a booth filled with various artifacts and trinkets that looked like they belonged in a Westerosi castle. They intrigued him and he went to walk over to the booth. Arya grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
"That man gets all of his goods from the ransacked and abandoned Keeps in Westeros. I will not allow you to spend your money or time on him. He has a pirate friend from Lys named Salladhor who smuggles the artifacts into the port for him," she snarled.
Gendry looked at her in awe and a little fear, if he was completely honest with himself. "How do you possible know all this?"
"It's my job to know everything that happens in Braavos."
He thought to himself, never lie to Arya, mate.
"You're a little scary, you know that, right?" he said only half joking. Arya chuckled at that.
The final booth they stopped at housed an old woman hunched forward with age. Small wisps of white hair clung to her wrinkling scalp and liver spots dotted her arms. Her bulbous nose was two big for her face, and she looked as if she had a permanent scowl marring her tiny head. At the sight of Arya she broke into a face splitting toothless grin. She embraced the girl in a bone-crushing hug and Gendry saw Arya kiss the top of the woman's head. Arya beckoned him forward and introduced him to the elderly woman in front of him. A mountain of medical supplies surrounded the lady. The table contained various poultices, and herbs. The fragrance was almost too pungent. Various sized bandages hung from the rafters of the booth. Packages of needles and pills lay in piles.
"Gendry, this is Mysha, a very good friend."
The knight held out his hand and began to say, "It's a pleasure…"
Mysha, who was half his size, slapped his hand away and embraced him around his middle. The frail woman grabbed him much tighter than he thought possible, and a gush of air left his chest as he huffed out in surprise. Arya giggled at the quizzical look on his face. The miniature old woman said, "It is very nice to meet you Ser."
His companion purchased a large parcel of medical supplies and hopped onto the table and crossed her legs. She engaged Mysha in conversation for a little while. Gendry perused the various bottles and saw a few labeled "moon tea". He overheard Arya asking about the woman's husband.
"He's a fighter that one, but, I fear he won't make it passed the next moon's turn."
Arya responded, "With a healer like you? I bet he'll have to try to die, and I know you won't let that happen."
The old woman smiled at that and Gendry saw the hope in her wise eyes. He thought Arya was kind, not only nice, but generally just a good person. There weren't many people like her.
"So Gendry, what brings you to Braavos? I haven't seen you around this little lady before."
"Just looking for a change of scenery, and the scenery here is quite nice." He looked over to Arya, and thought, there isn't a prettier sight than her. Mysha looked at him knowingly.
"Cat here has been my friend for a very long time. I found her on the street once soaked in blood and barely conscious. I brought her into my home and stitched her up and nursed her back to health for a few days. Ever since then she always brings me food. Whenever the market is open she buys my medical supplies and brings them over to the orphanage by the Drowned Town. If I could afford to spare some of my items, I would. But, Cat here always takes care of that for me."
Gendry looked over to Arya and saw her fidget nervously. She looked embarrassed, what for, he couldn't imagine. The comment about Arya covered in blood did not go unnoticed though. He would have to remind himself to ask her about that later, and the fact that all these people called her Cat.
He saw her try to change the topic from herself, "We best be going Mysha, lots to do. I'll pass by in a few days time to check in on you and your husband." She shoved a large handful of coins into the woman's hand, many more than looked necessary for the things she purchased. Arya hopped off the tabletop and kissed the woman on the top of her head again. "Come on Gendry, I want to show you something." Gendry waved at the elderly woman again and promised to see her soon.
Gendry felt her small hand slip into his and pull him forward and into the mass of people. Gendry's insides felt light at the feeling of her fingers intertwined with his. After pushing their way through the suffocating crowd for a few minutes Arya dropped his hand and walked forward. A heaviness compressed his chest at the loss of contact. He quickly schooled his features to remain neutral so that Arya wouldn't think him a sappy maiden pining after her, or something.
"Did you know that they call Braavos the bastard son of Valyria?"
Gendry smirked and replied, "Well I guess I fit right in, don't I?"
Arya grinned back, "I see you still make the same tasteless jokes."
"Why ruin tradition?"
She chortled at that. He liked when she chuckled, it was so out of character for her. In that moment, Gendry silently vowed to always try make her giggle.
Arya:
Arya couldn't remember a more pleasant day in all of her time on Braavos, or a day in which she laughed more. Being around Gendry made her feel like a normal girl of one and seven. But, the lighter she felt, the more nervous she became as well. She didn't want to lose this feeling of wholeness quickly filling her chest, and she truly feared the coming events with the Faceless Men. Every time she though of the guild, she was reminded of the fact that she wasn't a normal girl of one and seven, and she shouldn't behave in such a manner.
She wanted to show him the Titan of Braavos and the other statues of old sea lords of Braavos. They walked along the main waterway in the direction of the monuments. The cobbled street here was painted in various colors; each block a different bright hue. She liked the different dyes; they almost looked like a complex puzzle or intricately woven tapestry. The many colors almost resembled Braavos in her mind. The people from all around Essos fled to Braavos, the original free city, to escape their old lives, generations earlier. The colors represented the eclectic mix of the different people of all distinctive colors speaking many languages. She explained this thought to Gendry, who snarkily replied, "When did you get so profound, mi'lady?" That got him a hard punch on the shoulder and another one of the many laughs he drew from her lips that day.
After leaving Mysha, the stubborn man insisted on carrying the parcel of medical supplies for her. She relented only after he refused to move any further unless she relinquished the items over to him. Secretly she thought it was nice to have her hands free. But, she wanted to hold onto the medical supplies in order to busy her hands. If she was occupied with the items than she wouldn't be able to do something like impulsively grab his hand again. Gendry made her feel extremely unguarded and giddy, which wasn't a good combination for a trained assassin. They quickly neared the sculptures.
"These statues are of previous Sea Lords," she explained.
She saw him nod in understanding. He looked quite comical to be honest. All day he listened attentively as if he was trying to commit everything to memory. He almost looked like Bran when he listened to their old Maester back in Winterfell. Her younger brother was always the studious learner when they were kids. She noticed that rather than an aching hole being punched through her chest at the thought of her family she still felt whole. Arya had a suspicious feeling that it was all because of the man beside her.
"See that one there has a dagger and the one behind it a war hammer. The one next to it is holding a few books. Further down there are two more. That one there is holding a gold star, and that last one on the end has an upturned flagon of continuously flowing water."
She looked to Gendry and he said, "I like that first one with the hammer."
Arya thought, typical man, almost disappointed in his answer. To him she responded, "Most warriors do, I can imagine you with a war hammer."
"That's not what I meant Arya."
His statement confused her so she waited for him to elaborate.
"Not all hammers destroy. Some are used to build and create things. Think of it like art. Instead of paints, and charcoals, you actually build something. Before we met on the Kings Road, and after I stayed behind with the Brotherhood, I worked as an apprentice to an armorer, and then as an armorer. I never felt more relaxed than when I created the swords with my own hands in the forge. So, yes I do like the one with the hammer. But, not for the reasons you were thinking."
Arya liked his answer because it was unexpected. Then again everything about him was surprising.
"Which is your favorite?"
She looked at the row of statues in front of her and thought for a few moments. After a bit of deliberation she answered, "The one with the books."
"Why?" Gendry asked.
The girl thought of giving him a general answer. She didn't usually open up so willingly. But, then she thought of Gendry's explanation for his favorite and changed her mind.
"Well, I think he's most powerful. As a kid I was always so quick to use a sword to prove my strength. I realize now that a sword does not show power, but a dependence upon violence in order to control those weaker than you. Knowledge is a much more formidable weapon, especially for an individual who has the knowledge and the ability to use that information to their benefit. Someone who understands that can use it for either good or evil. I like to think that knowledge has the ability to show who we truly are based upon how we use it. We can use it either for enlightenment or for control."
She looked over at Gendry after a very long period of silence lasted between them. Arya saw that his mouth was open and he looked flabbergasted.
"You're bloody brilliant, did you know that?"
Arya's cheeks flushed red in embarrassment from the compliment, but then smiled and shook her head in denial.
"You are Arya. How can you not see that? You're intelligent, and witty, and kind, and you're beautiful, and you're funny." She saw Gendry almost choke on his embarrassment from his long-winded declaration.
Arya stopped paying attention after the word 'beautiful'. She was ashamed that was the word that pleased her most. The man across from her took the time to know her and all the best qualities about her, and she was happy that he complimented her looks. Gods Arya, get a grip, she thought. In an attempt to cover her own embarrassment she asked if he wanted to know the stories of the actual Sea Lords these statues were made for. He smiled at her and nodded. She plopped herself on the ground with her feet hanging over the wall into the canal. Arya motioned for him to do the same. The girl was so consumed with the man in front of her that she didn't notice the tuft of orange hair slink into the shadows of the opposite side of the canal.
"Which one first?" she asked.
She watched Gendry as he looked at the five monuments and waited for his deliberation.
"Well since we already talked about the one holding the books and the one holding the hammer how about you tell me about the others? What's the story behind the one with the flagon?"
"Perfect," she said, "That one is the best story." They both smiled at the other like a crazy person.
"So, as you can see, Braavos is made up of hundreds of little of islands surrounded by water. Water means everything to us. It provides us with a majority of our food. It's our only means of travel and protection. It really offers the people of Braavos everything. We use it to cook, and bathe. Our children play in it. Our merchants sail through it. We wouldn't be able to sustain ourselves without it. The water is our life source."
Gendry nodded to show that he listened to her.
"This particular Sea Lord obsessed over water. The man was a bit batty for his time, very philosophical. He used to tell the people of Braavos that water was everything. In one of his formal addresses to the citizens he once tried to explain the nature of the human condition and how we should try to be more understanding of one another. He said, 'In terms of experience, all change is a function of antecedents and consequents. An antecedent will come along as a consequent for bumping into the previous thing. Which leads it to becoming the antecedent or consequent of something new; therefore everything is efficiently and experientially caused. The entire process is cyclical in nature, just like water. To better understand this, think of the analogy of a river. If two individuals stand in the same river at different points in time, is it truly still the same river? The flowing of water, the changing of the rock formation, the shifting of the actual sand bed, all lend to the idea that it is not. The human condition is very similar in that way. Two individuals truly cannot have the same experience; therefore it is difficult to quantify humanity and understand one another.'"
Gendry looked at her then, he seemed a little confused.
"Like I said, a complete nutter, but actually brilliant."
"Anyway, he became obsessed with trying to limit the small wars occurring between all the different populations in Braavos. You have to understand, it is very difficult to keep the peace when all of your citizens come from different parts of the world with various customs and opposing beliefs. So, he started this project revolving around water, saying that it had a way of bringing people together. He mandated that all the men of working age help to build an aqueduct. He paid them all fair wages and compensation for their work. You see the waters from the lagoon are all briny and brackish. You cannot drink it without boiling it first. He made the men build an aqueduct above the houses and canals. Look up. See that grey stone roadway above those three tiers of arches?"
Gendry nodded and said, "Yes, I see it."
"Yes, so that's the aqueduct that was built under his rule. We call it the Sweetwater River. It brings fresh water from the mainland across the mudflats and the briny shallows all across the islands of Braavos. The rich men pipe it directly into their homes, while commoners gather at the public fountains to fill their buckets. We haven't had a war since. They say it's because the Sea Lord forced his subjects together and since they created this together it formed the first feelings of comradery between all the different foreigners."
She sat back and leaned her upper-body weight on her arms as she tilted her head up to the sun. Her delicate upturned nose caught the light above and the freckles spattered across her nose were illuminated. She took a deep breath, feeling completely relaxed as she waited for Gendry to speak. She surprised herself by how much she spoke in front of him. Very rarely was she this verbose. But, she felt like she had to catch up on four years of not seeing him. She looked at him from under her lashes and watched him watch her. Arya did not know how she felt about Gendry, whether she had romantic feelings for him or if she was just glad to have her friend back. She was leaning towards the former rather than the latter though.
"You're a great story teller," he said. "I could listen to you speak all day."
"Thank you," she murmured.
"Arya, this has been the best day of my entire life. I never thought that I would see you again. Yet, here I am spending a lazy afternoon with you. I don't want to ruin it, but I also have to ask you something."
She said nothing. Arya watched him look at their surroundings to check if anyone was in listening distance. He must have been pleased with the fact that they weren't surrounded by anyone for he asked his question.
"I don't want this to come off in the wrong way, I'm just curious. Why are you part of the Faceless Men?"
She thought that she should feel angry or upset, all she felt was an extreme desire to tell someone how she wanted to get out and explain her reasons for joining in the first place. So she did.
"When I joined I was angry. I was young and afraid and full of hate. I had no family left and the only person I trusted abandoned me to stay with the Brotherhood." She gave him a pointed look. He went to interrupt her, but she held a finger up to silence him.
"In the beginning it really helped. They taught me to control myself, and to understand myself fully. I didn't have anywhere to go and they took me in. At first I was so blinded by rage that I relished in the killing. It made me feel complete. Then I got some distance from all that went wrong in my childhood, and the anger dulled and I just didn't feel anything. I felt like an empty vessel. Then I saw all of the greed and manipulation and the power hungry people in charge of The Order. It made me realize that I wasn't like them. I didn't kill just for the sake of killing. Every time I am on a mission I think of how these targets have families, and wives and children, and friends, just like I did. Now, I'm just here because I have nowhere else to go. The Guild wasn't always so bad though."
Arya felt Gendry stretch out his calloused hand and wrap it around hers. He squeezed her fingers reassuringly and scooted closer to her. He held her hand in his on her lap and used his other arm to circle around her shoulders and pull her into him. Instinctually she leaned into his body and rested her head on his chest. The embrace reminded her of when they used to sleep next to each other as children. She smiled fondly.
She whispered to him, "You really like my stories?"
His head, which was lying atop hers nodded.
"Would you like to hear my last one of the day?"
"Of course."
She began the tale of the Faceless Men while he rhythmically rubbed little circles on the back of her hand.
"The House of Black and White worship a god of death called The Many Faced God. But the entire Order has become bastardized because of greed and a desire for power. When we enter the Guild we are taught of its origins. Supposedly it originated in the volcanic slave mines of Valyria. It was rumored that the Faceless Men led the escape of slaves from old Valyria to Braavos. Allegedly, the first faceless man heard the slaves begging to their many various gods for the gift of death. He concluded that it was just really one god with many faces depending on where a person came from and the religion they followed. For example, in the Light of the Seven it would be The Stranger. While in the mines, the assassin killed the most desperate man and gave him death as a gift. He then killed the masters as well for good measure. After he came to Braavos he started the Guild. Faceless Men are taught and trained to use all of their senses to root out deception and create disguises in plain sight. Every month we gather around a round table to dole out the tasks and assignments of the month. The table is supposed to be symbolic. Since it is round no can sit at the head. Therefore no one is truly in charge. But, that's not really true. We all respond to Him. He's the one who controls the money, and has the ultimate decision of whether we take a case or not. The power has gone to his head in recent years."
As she finished her story Gendry trailed his fingers along her shoulder in a calming gesture. She felt comforted. All of the seriousness of their discussions began to tire her, and she was growing weary of being the only one who talked.
"Want to go do something fun, and forget all about this serious talk?"
"What did you have in mind?"
"How would you like to see an eel fight? I know a place, and I have to drop off these medical supplies by the Drowned Town anyway."
They walked hand in hand oblivious to the man following behind them. After a fifteen-minute walk they reached the gates to the Drowned Town. To the left sat the Spotted Cellar, their final destination. To the right was the building Arya and Gendry scaled the rooftop of when they first met after she revealed her identity to him. Arya tugged him in the direction of the building and knocked quickly on the door. A small boy came to the door wearing the rattiest clothes Gendry ever saw, including the garments they wore on the Kings Road for months. The young boy sheepishly smiled up at the two of them and said, "Hiyah, Cat!"
"Hey there little one. I'm here to drop off some supplies. Can you give them to Noreen for me?"
"Sure, but aren't you going to teach us to water dance like usual? I've been practicing. You should have seen me beat Larqen the other day, and he's two years older than me," the young boy explained excitedly.
"Not today little soldier, but I promise to be back soon. Make sure to keep practicing."
The boy looked crestfallen. "Okay Cat. I'll see you soon."
As the boy closed the door, they heard him scream after Larqen happily, "Cat will be here in a few days and then I'll be unstoppable."
Arya and Gendry looked at each other and laughed at the child's enthusiasm.
"How do you have so much time to help so many people?"
"I don't really."
"Then why do you do it?" he asked.
"It makes me feel better, almost as if I am making up for my job in a small way."
"So, are you taking me to this eel fight or not?"
They crossed the street and entered The Spotted Cellar together. The time passed quickly with Arya cheering for the eels she bet on; her shouts louder and more boisterous than the sailors lining the walls. Gendry laughed at that. She noticed that he had one hand placed on her hip all night and his other hand occupied with a glass of mead. Every bet that Arya made she won. This caused Gendry to lean into her and whisper into her ear, "Do you know so information that the rest of us are not privy to?" She smelled the sweet taste of beer on his lips while he murmured his question. His inquiry caused her to laugh and she whispered back, "Watch this."
Arya stared at the next two eels to enter the pool and their owners. She knew that Roggoro spiked his animals' food with a stimulant to make them over aggressive and stronger. But, she also was aware of the fact that the other man Qarotee starved his animals till the point that they were crazed. She also remembered that Roggoro's eels were more seasoned in fighting. Arya bet her money on Roggoro.
The eels swam out of their cages and towards each other at an alarming speed. This battle was the bloodiest by far and the entire establishment was in an uproar. The shouting hurt her ears. After a few minutes of the eels circling in the water Roggoro's animal lunged at the other with a death strike. Usually, the mediators attempted to pull them apart before either of the animals got too injured. It was bad for business if they died. But, it was the last battle of the evening and the crowd was screeching for death. In one final bite Roggoro's eel delivered the deathblow. Qarotee screeched manically. "No, my prize fighter. What have you done?" he thundered. Two men in charge of keeping the fighting between patrons from getting too dirty grabbed the man around the middle and dragged him back as he lunged at the other trainer. Arya went to collect her winnings with a smug look plastered on her face. She saw Gendry just shake his head at her in disbelief. He leaned into her to ask her something. This time he was closer and his lips brushed against her ear as he asked her if she wanted to leave. She nodded her agreement and they left.
The light breeze was refreshing after the cramped and rowdy atmosphere inside. Arya pushed her sweaty hair from her eyes as they walked away from the establishment. After a few moments she felt Gendry pull his hand out of hers and she felt overwhelmingly disappointed at the loss of contact. Just as quick as he let go of her grasp he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to face him. His face was flushed with drink and his blue eyes were sparkling with delight. His black hair was unruly and sweaty. But, it was his smile that caught her attention. She looked at his lips a little too long, and she noticed him notice her doing so. He placed one hand at her waist and pulled her closer to him. She went willingly. She felt him raise his other hand to her face as he traced the line of her cheekbone with his finger. Arya's head swam with drink and excitement. She boldly leaned into his touch.
He murmured, "Arya, this has been one of the best days in my twenty one years of living." She felt him rest his forehead against hers as he closed his eyes and took in a contented sigh. After a few moments he opened his eyes and their blue depths pierced her. Her arms were on fire with something akin to desire and she just kept thinking, kiss me. Arya felt him lean into her. She snaked her arm around the back of his head and threaded her fingers into the back of his hair. Her other hand she let rest on his chest. She felt his warm breath fan across her face as she looked at him. Gendry grasped her chin and tilted it up with the hand that was stroking her cheek. His lips were about to brush hers softly when they were both dragged out of their fantasy by the sound of a clearing throat. Arya wanted to kill whoever interrupted them. Her whole body was alight with desire and her heart was pumping in overtime. She dragged her face away from Gendry to see who disrupted them.
She turned her head towards the sound and saw a familiar head of red hair streaked with white. Anger and embarrassment coursed through her veins. Arya wasn't sure which she felt more heavily, but she was pretty sure it was her irritation with him that outweighed her discomfort.
"What?" she growled.
She didn't mean to be so aggressive to her partner. But, Gods of all times for him to interrupt, she complained to herself. Arya watched, as Jaqen looked her and Gendry over.
She hadn't realized how much of a disarray she and Gendry were in. Her face was flushed; she could feel the heat in her cheeks. One sleeve of her shirt hung off of her shoulder a little too loosely. She reached her hand up into her hair and felt it all over the place. Arya gave a sideways glance over at Gendry and saw that he wasn't in much of a better state.
Jaqen said to her, "A man must talk with a girl."
"Now? Can't it wait until I come back to the House of Black and White?"
"Now."
She looked at him petulantly and told him to wait one moment. Arya dragged Gendry off to the side a little.
"Is that…?"
"Yes, it's Jaqen," she cut him off. "We've worked together for the last few years. Listen, I have to go, he wouldn't have called upon me if it weren't important. She leaned up on the tip of her toes to reach his much taller face and placed a soft peck on his cheek. It was much closer to the corner of his lips than the side of his face. Arya squeezed his hand and as she turned her back from him she whispered, "I'll come fetch you tomorrow. I have the day off and I want to teach you something." She saw that he looked as surly and crestfallen as she felt. Arya stomped off in front of Jaqen and grunted, "Let's go."
A/N: Muahaha. I know; I am evil. *Runs and hides* Please don't kill me.