Chapter 13: Studio Making and a Confession
Gendry woke up early to talk to his father, as he got up, he went straight to the breakfast room to find Robert. He approached Robert and Ned who are having coffee,
"Erm, dad?"
"Gendry! Come here son, get some coffee and sit with us"
He grabbed his own cup and sat with them, then his father handed him a small envelop,
"What's this?"
"That's your debit card. Use that if you need money."
"Oh."
"Yes. If you need anything to buy, use that. How's your studio coming?"
"Erm, that's what I actually want to talk to you about before you leave for the office"
"Okay, tell me"
"Well Jon and I are going to work on it today, set it up. If Arya's stuff comes today, we can temporarily place some of her paintings and whatnot until she finds her own place. But Jon and I can't do it alone, so I was wondering if I can ask my friends to come over so they can help us?"
"Sure! I don't see why not. This is your house now; you can bring people you like."
"Thanks dad"
"Is that what you're going to do today?"
"Erm, yeah, hopefully we can finish it by tomorrow."
"Alright, well. You have to see this professor for your equivalency program, Ned and I talked to him he will come over next week, is that good for you?"
"I didn't know about that"
"Well I'm glad you're here. We went to KLU regarding the scholarship you received from them and we made some arrangements if you could be home-schooled. Because I know that you want to work at the auto shop, and if you go personally to the school, that would give you less time. But you will still attend there, for any practical lessons and exams. Is that okay with you son? Because if not we can always do something else"
"Oh wow. I really don't know what to say. I do want to make my own decisions, and I am not disrespecting what you have thought. But if you think it's the best, then I will do it. Mr. Stark, is my dad right about this?"
He saw Ned's surprised look when he asked him about his opinion, but he smiled at him,
"I think what your dad did is for the best Gendry. You would be able to focus on it, and besides, I want Jon to join you in this. But I still have to ask him about it. I want him to get a proper college degree and not just some military science. My question is, do you think this is best for you?"
"I… erm… I think so. At least I can still work on my sculptures, go to the shop, and study. I think I can do it"
"Good! Then that settles it. Now son, we have to go"
His father stood up and patted him on the back,
"Make me proud son!"
"I'll do my best. Have a nice day dad, you too Mr. Stark"
"It's Uncle Ned"
"Have a nice day Uncle Ned"
With that he was left alone in the breakfast room sipping his now warm coffee, when a short girl with messy hair came in,
"Hey babe, you're up early?"
"Yeah well my boxes are arriving today, so I have to. What are we doing today?"
"Will set up my studio. I still need to call the guys for reinforcements."
"Okay. I can help you with that, but I'm sure you already contracted my brother"
"Yes, Jon will help. Wanna have breakfast?"
"Sure, but I need my coffee."
"Okay let me get you some"
"Thanks babe"
He rummage in the kitchen to get Arya her coffee and some breakfast and when he came back, Arya is still sitting on the chair as if she did not move at all, he sat beside and handed the cup for her.
"So basically you're not leaving the house today?"
"Yes. And I will need to talk to my dad about us. I promised Jon about it. Plus I also wanna do it before we go back to Winterfell. Because I am sure Sansa and Jon will tell my other brothers about it."
"Okay. Is your dad going to threaten me like Jon did? Because I am honestly scared of Ned"
"I don't know, maybe. And yes you should be scared of him, but I think daddy likes you"
"I guess that's good huh"
They sat there in silence for a few good minutes, until he decided to take her hand in his, Arya looked at him and smiled.
"I guess, everyone in the office today. Jon's still sleeping. Who's our reinforcements?"
"Well I'm planning to call, everyone from the Brotherhood, then Hot Pie and Anguy. I will try if we can get the Hound here"
"I don't know about the Hound. I think it wouldn't be safe for him to come out yet"
"About that, what's up with Sansa and Sandor?"
"I think they're dating now"
"Oh wow! Really?"
"Yeah."
"That's interesting?"
"Why? You think Sansa is not up for a man like him?"
"Kind of. I just didn't see it coming."
"Yes well, I think Sandor is the kind of man that Sansa needs. I'd rather have her date Sandor than that prick Joffrey"
"Oh definitely. Your sister is too good for that shit"
"Yep, so I am happy for Sansa"
"Alright, I'm going to take a shower, can you wake Jon up?"
"Sure"
He kissed her on the forehead,
"See you in a bit"
He was already in the garage looking at it, still thinking what to do with it while he drinks his second cup of coffee; he looked at his equipment, they're old, hardly work, and incomplete. He needs a working table, welding equipment, some power tools, gas forge, and other things to make his work exceptional. As he walked around the garage,
"So what are we doing today?" Jon asked
He turned around and saw Jon standing with Arya,
"I need to buy a lot of things"
"Make a list and then we'll go," Jon added
"I'm coming with you" Arya said
"I thought you're staying?"
"Well I gave Selmy an authorization letter so I can come with you"
"Okay I will go to the chauffeur, I am taking the truck"
The three of them decided to go to a hardware store and buy everything that he needs. They packed his truck with the equipment they got, and drove straight to Mott's,
"What are we doing here Gendry?" Arya asked
"We need reinforcements. I also texted Hot Pie and Anguy"
They went in to the garage of the auto-shop and saw that Beric, Lem, and Thoros are just playing cards,
"No work today?"
"Hey! The Bull came back!" Thoros yelled
"Yeah. Oh you remember my girlfriend, Arya and her brother Jon"
"Hey man! You didn't tell us she's your girlfriend. How's he treating you Arya? Is he as bull-headed as he is?"
"Always" Arya laughed
"What brings you here?" Beric asked
"Well, I was gonna ask if you can help me set up my studio"
"Oh man, I can't. I have to stay here, I promised Tobho I will be manning the shop till it's closed" Thoros said
"We can go with you" Lem said
"Yeah, we're out of work here anyhow, so whatever we can do to help" Beric added
"Thank you man."
"Hey Gen, sorry I can't come" Thoros said
"It's okay. You made a promise to Tobho. It's cool. Next time then"
"Yeah"
"We'll just see Tobho now and if you all want to leave we can do so"
"Yeah we should leave, we'll have lunch at home I'm fucking starving"
He saw Arya and Jon looking around the auto repair shop,
"Hey Gen, could you get some scrap metal here today?" Jon asked
"No, not here, but I'll ask Tobho about his junkyard"
"It would be nice to test your new toys!" Jon exclaimed as Arya rolled her eyes on them.
"Okay wait here I'll talk to him"
He walked out of the garage and went to Tobho's office,
"Hello"
"Bull! You're here!"
"Yeah just recruiting Lem and Beric"
"What are you thinking?"
"I need help with my studio and they said they can, so I might as well drive them."
"Well they don't have anything else to do here anyways, so please take them away"
"Thanks. Oh, by the way, can I go scavenging in your junk yard?"
Tobho looked at him suspiciously,
"Is this a new project?"
"Yes, I want to make use of my new toys."
Tobho laughed at him, and threw him a key,
"Help yourself just lock up after you. That's your key now. I have a duplicate. Just make sure what you're getting is not something that I could sell."
"I know the rules. But if I find something, could I buy it from you?"
"Anything boy! Just let me know. Money is needed. Go and dive to that pile of scraps!"
Tobho dismissed him, not realizing that he has a goofy smile on his face, he went back to the garage and saw Beric, Lem, Thoros, Arya, and Jon talking,
"Alright. Ready to go?"
They all went out and got into his truck.
"We need to make a stop first at the junkyard and then we'll go home" then he turned to Arya,
"Hey Arry, can you call Selmy for me, tell him that we're having lunch and we're bringing company? Please"
"Sure, give me your phone"
He handed her his phone, and drove to the junkyard, he walked over to where Arya was standing and held her hand, he realized that he has been fond of doing that, he didn't care if Jon was around, for there is nothing sexual holding Arya's hand,
"You ready to go salvage this place?" he asked her
"Yeah! What about you Jon?"
"Definitely"
He immediately opened the gate and stopped them,
"Now before we start, I just want you to know that we are only taking the ones on the left, if you want to go beyond and go to the right, we have to pay for it. Anything that would fit in the truck and the garage"
All of them took their separate ways to find something that they can use, it took them almost an hour to get everything they want and needed and packed it in the truck.
"Alright, we're all set, let's go eat!"
"Yeah I'm starving"
Gendry drove them back to the Baratheon Mansion and parked the truck just up front of his new studio, when they got in, Arya was greeted by Selmy,
"Arya, there are boxes waiting for you, they're very heavy, so we just left it just below the stairs, we don't know which one to put in your room"
"Oh thank you, thank you Selmy! I will sort it out later. Is lunch ready?"
"Yes…" Selmy said and turned to him
"Master Gendry, I see you have brought some company, are they the one helping you with your studio?"
He heard Beric and Lem sniggering,
"Yes, and Selmy please don't call me 'Master' I sound like a pompous arse."
Selmy chuckled,
"Fine, Gendry. Your lunch is ready so I won't keep you. Oh Arya said that you prefer just having it in the breakfast room, is that right?"
"Yeah, I don't want to use the dining room, I mean look at us, that table is too large, plus the breakfast room is near the kitchen and the garage"
"Alright, go have lunch now"
They all went to the breakfast room, and had a seat,
"Did you text Anguy?" Lem asked
"Yeah he said he will be here around two with Hot Pie and it's just 12"
"How about the Hound? He could be a really good help" Beric added
"I know, but it's kind of complicated with the Hound. He can't be out of Flea Bottom yet. You know that"
"Oh right"
Then he felt a small hand touched his arm,
"Gendry, will you help me unpack my box? I have some of my paintings there"
"Sure, after we eat okay? I was thinking of putting all your stuff in the garage for you to keep it there till you get your own studio,"
"Thanks that's very considerate of you, despite your size"
"What is up with you and my size?"
"You're freakishly tall"
"And that makes you freakishly…."
"Nope, I'm not going to start"
"What?" then he leaned over to her ears and whispered,
"I never heard you complain the first time"
He smirked at her as he watches Arya's face turn red like a tomato, with that she punch him on the arm really hard, but he just kept on laughing. Then he saw Jon glared at them,
"Oh God, could you both keep it to yourselves. Gendry that's my sister"
"Sorry"
They enjoyed their lunch, once they're finished; Jon guided Beric and Lem to the garage while Gendry and Arya went to sort out Arya's boxes.
"Alright babe, which one needs to go to your room?"
"Those two small boxes and the large one should be in your garage."
"I think I need help with the guys on the large box, let's go settle this in your room"
They both picked each box and ascend the stairs and straight to her room, he sat on the bed while he watches Arya rummage the boxes as she sat on the floor.
"So what do have there?"
"Clothes, other stuff from friends. I can take care of this later, let's go sort out the last one"
When Arya stood up, he just couldn't help it and grabbed Arya by her hips, and made her sat on his lap,
"Hey there"
"What's up Gendry?"
Arya grabbed his face and kissed him; they made out and pulled her with him as he lie on the bed. Suddenly a throat cleared, they stopped and both looked at the door and saw Jon standing there,
"You guys are gross. Could you at least close the door?"
Arya jumped off of him and fixed her shirt,
"What are you doing here?" Arya asked Jon
"Well I was going to my room to change shirt and I had to pass by and saw you two making out"
"You're just jealous because you don't have a girl to make out with" Arya retorted
Jon rolled his eyes on his sister,
"Don't worry Jon, Dany likes you" Arya said while winking at her brother
"Shut up! Let's just work okay? No more time for that. Gendry I'm warning you, I know this is your house, but please don't let me see you in compromising position, I just had my lunch"
With that Jon walked away,
"Sorry Arya, Jon's right"
"Oh please he's just jealous"
"Well we have plenty to do; we have a lot of time for making out later"
"Ugh fine! Now I am beginning to regret that you two met"
He just chuckled and they both went out to the room, they waited for Jon, and when they saw him, both of them carried the large box while Arya went ahead of him.
They got to the garage, and went to unload the truck. They started arranging all the things they bought, the metal table was set in the middle while the other things were placed orderly.
"Gods Gendry! You're so OCD" Arya exclaimed
"Sorry, I like being organized"
"She's just complaining because she can't be an organized person even if she wants to, she's just a slob" Jon added
"Oh shut up Jon! You're the one to talk, remember your room? You can't find anything there"
"I had to step on things in your room, it's like a jungle!" Jon retorted
He couldn't help but laugh at the two, when Selmy walked in with Hot Pie and Anguy,
"Ahem, Gendry, these two gentlemen are looking for you"
"Oh they're my friends!"
He walked towards Hot Pie and Anguy,
"Hot Pie, Anguy, this is our Selmy, he takes care of everything here in the house, he's like the backbone here"
"It's nice to you meet you both, I am their butler, Gendry's too modest. I'll go now"
"Thank you Selmy"
"Nice to meet you Selmy" Hot Pie said
"Oh and Gendry, if you need anything else just let me know. I will tell the kitchen staff to bring some drinks here"
"Thanks Selmy! You're the best!"
He watched Selmy go back inside the house,
"Oh man you have guys have a butler?" Anguy asked
"Yes, he lived here more than I did"
"This is where you live now huh?" Hot Pie added
"Yeah. Come on let's do some work, we already started"
"Oh by the way Bull, I brought this for us here; my mum said I should bring you guys some pie"
"Oh thanks man! Tell your mum I said thank you."
They walked into the garage and saw everyone still working on arranging stuff,
"Hot Pie!" Arya greeted!
"Hey Anguy!" she added
"You live here too?" Hot pie asked
"Yeah. And my dad, my sister, and Jon"
"Cool!"
She walked over to Arya,
"So babe, open your box now so we'll know where to place it."
"Okay"
He helped her unpack her box, there were framed canvasses carefully wrapped in cloth, she helped her lay it down on the ground, as he take out some of her brushes and her other painting equipment.
"Where's your easel"
"I left it in Braavos. I can always buy a new one."
"Are these all of your work."
"Some of it"
"Where are the others?"
"In Dany's flat in Braavos. I left it there when I left my ex's flat. And some of the paintings I have, I left with Jaqen"
He frowned at this, "She lived with a guy?" he thought.
"Who's Jaqen?"
"He's my ex"
"Oh"
For some reason, he couldn't help but feel jealous about this Jaqen, even though Arya made it clear that he was an 'ex'
"Can I see them? I mean your paintings?"
"Of course, but can we organize my stuff first? Let's just leave it there in the meantime"
"Okay."
They were busy arranging and rearranging all the things. And when they finally got satisfied, it was already almost dinner time,
"Can we get pizza Gen?" Jon asked
"Yeah. I'm fucking hungry" Arya said
"Okay I'll make a call"
He walked away and made a phone call while watching them sprawl over the ground and some of the chairs, but most of all, he watched Arya, carefully uncovering the paintings that she laid on the ground, watching her look at every detail of her work. When he was done with his phone call, he approached her and sat beside her,
"So this is it huh?"
"Yeah"
He took one look at the canvas and was surprised to see the talent she has. The painting was surreal, same as brush strokes of the one painting he saw of her aunt. The painting he was looking was a picture of ruined castle, with lions approaching, but they were only presented as a mist like a wind, with gray skies and dragons approaching,
"What's this called?"
"Harrenhal; I've read the history of Westeros before I painted that, and I was inspired by it"
"This is really nice"
"Thanks"
"And this one?"
He carefully place the canvas he's holding, and pointed to another,
"Oh that one, there's this program back in the House of Black and White called, 'The Faceless Men' I imagined, this is what it should look like. I don't know, but I made it like this"
The painting is a blank face of a girl but depicted different faces emerging from it. The details were very intricate, and presented with darker colors.
"Is this girl you?"
"No. It's actually… erm, Jaqen."
"Your ex? Why would you keep it?"
"Because it's one of my best works. You see the red and white hair, that his hair. He was the epitome of a faceless man. He represents different faces when working. I had to paint him."
"I see"
There goes his jealousy again. He could not help but feel a little insecure about this Jaqen that seemed to inspire Arya, he wonders if ever he would be able to inspire her at all. Then he realized that maybe he really don't know her at all. He stood up,
"I'm just going to check with Jon"
"Okay I'll be here"
He walked over to Jon,
"Hey man, can we talk?"
"Yeah sure"
They walked over far from Arya,
"What's up Gen?"
"What do you know about this Jaqen?"
"That's Arya's ex-boyfriend in Braavos. She lived with him for three years. Trust me I don't approve of it, but she always did what she wanted and no one can stop her. If you did, she will only resent you and still do it. What's going on?"
"I don't know man. I just feel like, I really don't know her at all"
"Of course you don't. You've only been dating for what? Almost two weeks? There's so much to learn about her. If you really want to be with her, you have to ignore what she did in the past. Especially with Jaqen, I don't trust him. He's like 30 years old, man. She was so young, but Arya's ahead of her time and she's really mature. She was too far away from us, for us to stop whatever they did together. Are you jealous of him?"
"I don't know. I think I am. I mean, look at her. She painted him with utmost mystery, like he captured her in some sort of way that I don't think I could ever do"
"Look man, I like you. I mean, I know she's my sister and all, and I may not know you well, but I like you better than Jaqen. But I can understand why she was so enamored with him. Arya loves to learn, and Jaqen has taught her many things. And what he taught her, she took it by heart and memory. Don't give up on my sister, just because you feel jealous of an ex. It's not worth it. She's with you and that's what's important. And you might want to just let her tell you about him. Don't ask her."
"Okay. Thanks man"
"Anytime"
When the pizza came, they gauged out every piece of it, he ate beside Arya, and just watching her, trying to read her mind, there's something about her that makes him nervous and scared all at the same time. She only knew her for such a short time but he seemed to be under her spell. He tried to move away his thoughts from her by focusing on his food; he laughed with the teasing, and japed with them. Fortunately, they were able to only work few more things in his new studio. The night will end soon, and tomorrow will be another day for him, in this new world that Arya gave him. He knows, he's falling hard too soon. He knows he's in trouble for no one had made him feel like Arya Stark did. As their bodies tire them, he left Arya and Jon and drove his friends back to Flea Bottom.
She walked back into the house and went to the rec room to watch some telly. She decided that this would be the night to tell her father about her and Gendry. She did promise John to tell their father. She waited for her dad for a few hours until she heard the car coming into the estate. She got up the couch and went over to the main door. When her father emerged from the door, she jumped and gave her father a hug,
"I didn't expect that kind of welcome!"
"Well I missed you. Hi Uncle Robert!"
"No hug for me?"
She went over to Robert and gave him a hug,
"Hey Uncle R!"
"Have you guys had dinner yet?" asked her father
"Yes, me and the guys had pizza?"
"How's Gendry's studio?" asked Robert
"It's all done. We thought we would not finish today, but we did"
"Good. Where's that son of mine anyways?"
"He drove his friends home, he'll be back later"
"Alright"
"Erm, dad?"
"Yes sweetling?"
"Can I talk to you?"
"Sure, just give dad time to change okay? Then we'll talk"
She nodded and went back to the rec room. After waiting for a few minutes, her father found her.
"Hey dad"
"Hey yourself"
Her father sat beside her,
"What is it that you want to talk about?"
"Well, it's about Gendry"
"Ahh, are you finally going to tell me that you guys are dating?"
"What? Did… did Jon tell you?"
"What? Jon knows?"
"Yeah I told him, wait. How did you know?"
"Oh little wolf, don't you think your dad doesn't see everything?" Robert suddenly said as he entered the room
"You know too?"
"We both know" Robert answered
"I mean how?"
"Darling, don't you think we notice how you kept looking at each other like you both have a secret? And besides I caught you holding hands more than once"
She blushed furiously at her father's confession,
"Wait? Why aren't you angry?"
"Why would I be? Gendry's a good kid. He's polite and respectful, plus he's my best friend's son"
"But… but aren't you supposed to like, you know, talk to him or something?"
"What threaten the poor kid? No. I leave that to your brothers. Besides, I can see him every day here."
"Seven hells Ned, I owe you five dragons!"
"Yes, you do, now pay up"
"You made a bet on us?"
"Yes, you guys aren't the only one who can have fun"
"That's right little wolf, we were young once too you know. We made a bet as to who's going to confess first. I thought it would be Gendry, that kid is too honest" Robert said
"Ugh! You guys are the worse!"
"Yes but you love us both" her dad said.
"You ruined my confession!"
"Are you actually angry at us?" Robert asked
"No! How can I be? Here, I thought that if I ever tell dad about it, he would think I am not making a priority with my problems"
"Why would you even think that? I like Gendry. He's good for you. He's the kind of young man that will not take any bullshit from you." He dad said
"Ugh! Fine! You both win!"
"Just don't do anything to break this boy, understand?" Ned said
"Have you met him? Did you see how large he is? You actually think I could break him"
Robert was laughing as her fathered to do so, and then she thought of Gendry, she couldn't help but laugh as well,
"Dad…"
"Yes my love"
"Sorry to say this uncle, but dad, could you erm…"
"Scare him a bit? Make him see what he's really up to?" Ned continued
"Yeah. I think it would be funny"
Ned looked at Robert, her uncle nodded at her father,
"Alright. I'll do it"
She left them in the rec room, but she can still hear them laughing. She went to her room and readied herself for bed.
Gendry came home from Flea Bottom, tired from driving and working with his studio. He went straight to the kitchen to grab a glass of water when he passed by the dining room, he saw his father and Ned having dinner.
"Hey dad, Uncle Ned. Have you been home long?"
"About an hour."
"Alright. I'm just going to the kitchen, I'll be right back"
He did what he had to do and the kitchen and came back to where they were,
"Have you had dinner?"
"Yes dad, we've had pizza"
"How's your studio?"
"We finished it today surprisingly"
"Okay. I want to see it and your work tomorrow. You look tired"
"Yeah, I'm gonna go get some rest now"
"Wait, Gendry" Ned said
"Something wrong Uncle Ned?"
"No, sit down. There's something I want to talk to you about"
"Okay?"
"I talked to Arya today. She told me you're dating her?"
Suddenly all the blood from his face has been drained, his palms started sweating profusely,
"She…erm…she told you?"
"Yes, she did. Are you trying to keep it a secret?"
"No! No, definitely not. But…but Arya said she'll be the one to tell you"
"You didn't think it was important to let me know that?"
"Of course, I know it was important. I told her we need to tell you. But she said she…she wasn't ready. I don't want to force her to something that she doesn't want to do"
"I really expected more from you since you're older than her. I have to be honest with you Gendry. I like you. But if you hurt my baby girl, and this, your father knows. I will hunt you and I will make you a eunuch. Do you understand that Gendry?"
He swallowed hard,
"Ye…yes, sir"
"Now son, you better keep your word, Ned does not jest with his daughter's welfare"
"Yes dad. I promise"
"Good, you can go rest now" Ned said.
"Tha…thank you sir. Good night"
He stood up but as he walk out of the dining room…
"Oh Gendry" Ned said
"Yes, sir"
"Your father won the bet"
He was confused with what Ned said, then saw his father trying to keep himself from laughing, until he burst into it, then Ned started laughing too,
"I'm sorry, bet?"
"Yes son! We made a bet on who's going to confess first!"
"Confess?"
"Are you daft boy? We already knew you and Arya are dating!" his father exclaimed
The old stag and wolf are laughing at him really hard,
"Oh my god! You both…you" pointing at the old men
"You should have seen the look on your face son, you were so scared!"
"Don't get angry Gendry. We're just trying to have fun. No worries. Although what I said is true. I like you, I think you will be good for Arya" Ned said
He was finally able to breathe,
"Thank you Uncle Ned. I can't promise you I won't hurt her, not intentionally. But I will do my best to make her happy"
"Good! Now off you go we all know you're tired"
"Good night father, Uncle Ned"
But as he left the dining room he heard Ned saying "He's a good lad Robert. You better let him stay that way," upon hearing this, he could not help but smile. Finally he doesn't need to hide his feelings for Arya.