Oberyn

Oberyn had originally intended to just wait outside for Lyanna rather than making a scene by actually ringing her doorbell. He'd never seen Rickard Stark but he'd heard stories that made him want to avoid Lyanna's father this early on in whatever was going on between the two of them.

The Stark estate was just as impressive as he'd remembered from the epic Stark Spring Break Bash that the siblings held every year. He'd sent a text to Lyanna to tell here he was outside and had started to play a game of 2048 when she replied.

~ Not quite ready yet. Come have breakfast? Btw that's not actually a question. Come have breakfast.

He was slightly offended that she hadn't signed this one "Lya" as she had done the night before but after some thought he figured that was tedious anyways.

He killed the engine and climbed out of the Porsche.

He rang the doorbell and before "ding-dong" was even done sounding throughout the house, he was face to face with Lyanna's oldest brother. Brandon watched him, he supposed waiting for an explanation.

"I'm here for Lyanna. I was going to drive her today. She told me to come in for breakfast. I don't know if she told you. I can just wait in the car."

Oberyn didn't want to get on her brother's bad side just like how he didn't want Lyanna on his sister's.

"Yeah, I'm just messing with you. I texted you. Lya's still getting ready. I'm pretty sure Ned's cooking something. If not there's cereal."

Oberyn was shocked. Ashara was there, sitting at the Stark family's kitchen table with Ned, eating bacon and toast like it was normal. How did she even get all the way up to the northernmost part of the city so early? And when had she ever talked to Ned Stark?

"Oberyn? Wow what time is it? We definitely weren't supposed to be here this long," his best friend's little sister stammered, taking her attention away from Ned.

Ned was looking down, like he'd been caught doing something he shouldn't have been. "I, uh, went out to get the paper this morning and I found Ashara Dayne, of all people, admiring the flower garden. It was kind of cold outside so I invited her in. Then I cooked breakfast. That's all that happened."

Oberyn chuckled, still slightly confused, "You don't have to explain yourself to me. Ashara is obviously having a great time. My question is just why is she here?"

"She rode up with me. I came to make things right with Lyanna."

He turned, smiling at the sound of his sister's voice coming from the stairwell. "Ah, sister. I suppose I should've been able to put the pieces together. I don't think you've ever left the house so early. Doran was worried."

"Well it was fun running into here, but Ashara and I are supposed to be meeting Arthur before school so we should probably go." She quickly kissed her brother's scruffy cheek. He'd been growing out his facial hair lately. "You ready, Ash?"

Ned gave a small, disappointed smile. Ashara looked in between him and Elia. "Uh, actually you can go on without me. I was in the middle of something with Ned. Just tell Arthur I'll see him later and not to worry about me."

Elia's and everyone else's eyebrows rose questioningly. "Alright. I'll see you, Ash." She whispered, "Good luck," in Oberyn's ear as she brushed past him on her way out.

He wondered how he'd missed seeing his sister's car outside.

Oberyn, who had already eaten, simply poured himself a glass of orange juice and Brandon, recognizing that one less person needed food, piled his plate high with enough for two.

Brandon had been laughing at something on his phone while Ned and Ashara whispered quietly amongst themselves. Oberyn had declared it the most awkward breakfast he'd ever experienced. He'd usually been very observant so he was surprised to notice another Stark sitting at the table with them. He must've been the little brother that Lyanna had mentioned a few times. Benjamin - or something like that.

He was watching him so Oberyn decided to speak. "Hi, I'm Oberyn. You're Benjamin, right?"

"You're the Red Viper? My friends at school talk about you all the time. You're my favorite driver! I've never actually been to any of the races but my friends go and I like you best. They all say that you're way better than even Brandon and Brandon says he really good. This is so cool! Why are you at my house? And actually my name in Benjen. But I don't care. You can call me whatever you'd like. Can I have your autograph? Can I at least take a pict-"

"Benjen! Please stop acting like such a fangirl. I think you're scaring him." As usual, Lyanna Stark was positively enchanting. She approached her little brother, putting her arm on his shoulder. "And no. He will call you Benjen." She looked into her brother's eyes intently, "Ben, you can't let people call you whatever they want. No matter how much you think you love them. Okay?"

The boy nodded in response before returning his attention back to Oberyn. She did the same.

Oberyn studied her face, trying to read her emotions from that last statement.

"Sorry I kept you waiting. I was kind of thrown off by El-"

"Wait," the younger boy interjected. "He's here for you? I thought you hated him. Just last week you called him a cocky bastard. You said he al-" She clamped a hand over the young boy's mouth.

"I think I heard dad call you. It' best not to keep him waiting." She turned an interesting shade of red that clashed terribly with her button down. He'd never seen her wear the button down before. He thought it did a better job showing off her frame than the polo did.

"No he didn't!"

"Go." She was trying hard to look stern but Oberyn could see the love in her eyes as she spoke with her brother.

"But Lyanna!" her brother indignantly responded

This time she just gave him a look that spoke louder than any words. Benjen left.

"Sorry about him. You ready to head out?"

"Aren't you going to eat something?"

"I'll just eat a banana in first period."

Oberyn wouldn't have minded seeing her eat a banana.

"You sure? There's no rush."

"Yeah I'm sure. We're already twenty minutes behind schedule. Let's go." He felt heat go to the area where she grabbed his arm.

By now, Brandon was actually talking on the phone. Oberyn found it strange that he was the one who had invited him in. He expected to be drilled with questions and threats. Although, he was relieved that that didn't actually happen.

Lyanna grabbed the banana that had been mentioned earlier and pulled him towards the door. She glanced up at him quizzically upon noticing Ashara and Ned. Good. So he wasn't the only one who found the pairing odd. He just shrugged.

At the front door, she collected her things and they walked out to begin what would be a long day.

Oberyn stopped suddenly. "Oh! I almost forgot. I have a surprise for you." Her face broke out into one of the biggest smiles he'd ever seen from her. "Permission to cover your eyes, my lady?"

"Of course."

He moved behind her and put each of his hands over her eyes, leading her out to where he parked his car. Her braided hair smelled amazing - like strawberries and chocolate.

"I'm gonna move my hands but don't open your eyes yet. Alright?"

He could feel the smile still on her face as he took his hands away from her eyes. Oberyn quickly retrieved the bouquet of blue winter roses that he'd gotten for her. He'd heard they were her favorite. They were also the same kind that Rhaegar had presented to her at Homecoming along with her crown. He hoped she wouldn't think of that though.

"All right. You can open them now." He found himself holding his breath, unsure of how she'd react.

Her jaw dropped. Her mouth then formed a smile even wider than the one she'd given him when he'd initially told her he had a surprise for her.

He handed her the roses. "I also wanted to take you for ride in my Porsche. That's why I was coming so early. But we can always go another time."

She regarded the roses for what felt like forever. When she looked up, he'd never seen happiness so obvious in a person's eyes.

She kissed him. It was chaste at first but became deeper with each passing moment. Soon, Oberyn found himself pressed up against his own car with Lyanna's tongue fighting his for dominance. She tasted like mint. It mixed weird with the orange juice he'd just had. It was perfect.