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: Mending took time and healing took trust. The thing was, Lancel didn't love nor trusted himself.
Author's note: A huge thank you to Assassin Master Ezio 91 who helped in making the chapter guide and in brainstorming with me !
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 HEAVY THEMES SUCH AS DEATH, BULLYING, DEPRESSION, ABUSE ETC. IF YOU ARE ILL-AT-EASE WITH THOSE SUBJECTS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CLICK ON THE RED CROSS ON THE RIGHT TOP OF THE SCREEN.
Broken Things
Chapter 14
Lancel found himself staring at the family phone in his hand, a taste of frustration in his mouth. For a moment, he had forgotten he couldn't speak and it was only when he was about to compose the number than he bitterly realized he wouldn't be able to speak back. He felt some rage building inside of him. Why was his muteness still alive? He wanted to speak. He had so many things to say! He yearned to speak again. Why was he still blocked? From the corner of his eyes, his father had spotted him and had told him, with the hint of a smile that textos had an advantage, you were certain it would reach the person you sought.
"Aunt Genna doesn't have a cellphone." Lancel wrote
That was one suprising thing about his sister, Kevan knew. Genna lived with her time, she had always loved new technologies, she knew Facebook better than Willem ever had and yet, for some odd reason, she had never been able to understand how to use a cellphone.
"Amerei has one, I assume." He replied to his son
Lancel smiled.
A few hours later, Dorna received a call from her sister-in-law, announcing she had bought a cellphone, it was a pain in the ass but she prefered being butt-hurt rather than having her baby nephew unable to communicate directly with her.
Kevan had laughed.
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Lancel hadn't returned to school. His parents thought it was too soon for him and it wouldn't be of any use anyway. They knew Lancel would have the honours with his grades and the school year was almost over. If he could be spare some unecessary pain, they were willing to take it. To be fair, Lancel himself didn't feel like going back. He knew Amerei wouldn't be there and school without her, well, it would have been the Seven Hells all over again. His parents didn't even speak of college for him yet. They simply wanted him to be better. University, it could wait. His health, no. Deep down, Lancel felt happy to see his parents so concerned for him. He knew he was loved dearly, that he always mattered, but after feeling so alone, feeling so loved was warm, sometimes even overwhelming.
"Do you mind if I see Amerei often?" He had written
"Why would I be against you going out after months of being inside?" His father had replied
When Lancel texted Genna to ask if it was okay with her, her response made him laugh internally.
My home's your home, Pumpkin. You know the way, you know the place, I only need to tell you where the condoms are, in case you two hook up.
He had the perfect excuse: To teach Amerei how to draw and how to paint.
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Lancel sitting by her side, Amerei took time to study him. His cheeks had regained colours and shapes. His eyes were more alive and no longer accompanied by dark circles. While she knew he was still under some treatments, he had regained some weight but more importantly, he was always smiling. He looked peaceful. She didn't know what was inside of his brain. Was he still blaming himself and aching? Possibly. The loss had been so hard and horrible. But he was smiling softly, drowned in his lessons, and she had to say, he looked like an eighteen years old again. It was a lovely and heartwarming sight. She thought back on how they got so close, how they became so important to one another. Was it because they were both alone, aching, believing no one could help them? She didn't know. The french said that who looked alike or seemed alike hooked up. They also said that opposites attracted one another. They were a mix of both, she realized. They had hooked up because they shared a pain. They were stil hooking up because they were so different. Before all this mess, when Willem was still alive, she remembered herself finding him cute and wanting to have him in her bed. Now, the mere idea of bedding someone made her ill and men kinda scared her. Lancel was the only one who didn't cause a fear in her guts when she saw him. He would never hurt her, she knew. He respected her. He saved her. She could remember his red cheeks when he had seen her in her underwear. It had been an accident, he had arrived early, Genna didn't know she was dressing up, so she let him go to her. He had been unable to look at her for hours, and he had apologized multiple times. No crude jokes. No hints. Just a man sorry he entered her privacy and saw something he wasn't supposed to see. It amazed her, how they seemed to understand each other completely, even with his muteness. They didn't need words. They just needed each other. She came to realize how dependant she had grown, but also a truth she had hidden, to protect herself during her personal hell. She had feelings for Lancel. She was in love with Lancel. Her ache to see him better, happy and how she had wishd for him several times when she was down... She had never given up and she had been rewarded by his friendship. He too seemed attracted by her but it didn't mean anything. He was alone and she had been the first to offer a hand.
"You're doing good." He wrote as she was slowly advancing on her project
She smiled at him, he smiled back. They were so close she could feel his warmth, it was soothing. It came out of nowhere. It had been quick, chaste, and when they had realized what had happened, they hd been stunned. She had been even more surprised when he happily sought her lips again, making her giggle.
Kevan received a message later that day, from his little sister, with a picture. His son kissing a woman.
For my pumpkin to print and paint. PS: Told you she was going to be your daughter-in-law!
He didn't know if he had to feel uneasy seeing something from his son's intimate life or if he had to laugh at his sister's joke.
PPS: They remained well behaved children, no grandbabies on the road.
Too much information, Genna.
However, he couldn't help smiling.
If Lancel was allowing himself to love, it meant he allowed himself to live. Dorna and him would have to celebrate that.
To Be Continued