The Unkindness of Strangers and the Kindness of an Angel

Chapter 25 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks, glad you liked it, yeah, he is.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; glad you liked the Starks reaction and yeah, it's good Meera managed to reach Bran and convince him to seek help, now things should hopefully get better for him.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin

Chapter 25

Bran sat upright in his hospital bed; he had been checked over, his hand had been properly treated and bandaged and they had done all they could for him just now. He knew there were CCTV cameras in the room to keep an eye on him, to ensure he wouldn't try to kill himself again. Right now however that was the last thing on his mind. He still wasn't ready to deal with real feelings, but the knowledge of what Meera had confessed had given him a reason to go on living, he hoped to find more soon. Right now he simply sat quietly, Meera sat next to his bed, she held his hand, both of them smiled, neither of them said anything. Meera could see that Bran still held some turmoil, but for now he was safe. She just hoped things would be resolved soon; it hurt seeing him like this, but she knew he needed to talk to his parents. Meera had told him that she had called his parents and that they said they were on their way. He had nodded, smiling and they were simply waiting for them to arrive.

'He looks a lot calmer now.' Meera noted with some relief. 'But there's still suffering in his eyes, he still hasn't fully opened up. Hopefully, he will now, if not to me, at least to his parents, his siblings.'

It was then they heard some conversation taking place outside; they knew then that Bran's family had arrived.

Bran trembled as he heard them; what would they think of him, knowing what he had done. He would soon get his answers; the door opened and his parents stepped in. Meera stood up, letting go of his hand.

"I think it's best if your parents talk to in private; Bran." She said softly.

He agreed and watched as Meera left the room. She stopped briefly to talk to his parents and he heard them thank her for saving his life. They then hurried over and sat down on either side of him, Bran felt a surge of guilt as he noticed the tears streaming down his mother's face; the look of anguish in his father's eyes.

Ned cleared his throat but his voice still caught in it as he asked. "What happened son?"

Bran trembled again, his mother gently squeezed his hand; finally the words burst out. "I'm so sorry…"

"Shhhh." His father gently soothed as he hugged him. "I'm sorry I wasn't there, that I let things come to this."

"It's not your fault." Bran choked out, tears in his eyes.

Catelyn saw the tears and joined in the embrace; before gently trying to convince her son. "Just tell us what happened Bran."

Bran however shook his head; he wasn't ready, not yet, he needed a little more time.

"I-I can't."

Catelyn however was not deterred and asked. "Did something happen at school?"

Bran nodded. "Y-yes, but I can't tell you yet. I, I need a couple of minutes; get things straight."

They understood and accepted that; so, while Bran gathered his thoughts they spoke to him about other things, trying to keep his mood up.

Bran listened to their stories and smiled.

'I was wrong, they never abandoned me, all this time I thought they didn't want me, that I was a burden.' He thought quietly. 'But I was wrong, they do love me, they do care…I…'

He made up his mind and, during a lull, he spoke up and told them everything that had been happening to him. The constant mocking, the way he had been pushed around, beaten up, the incident in P.E. and all the other times he had been bullied. He didn't hesitate to name the culprits either; finally he reached the diner incident. He didn't gloss over it and offer any explanation, he simply told it as it was; he then explained about the incident in Gwen's house that dreadful Saturday. From there he progressed to telling them about what had happened that week at school, as a result of the incident at Gwen's house. His parents were shocked and outraged; he could see it on their faces. But they weren't angry at him, despite what he had done at the diner incident, clearly they knew that while what he had done was wrong, Gwen had completely overreacted and her actions were beyond comprehension. By the end however Bran just lay in his parent's arms, crying, as all the pain finally came out. As all the suffering and tension left him.

When he finally recovered and was once more seated upright, with his parents sitting either side of him, he felt better than he had in a long time. The terrible pain, the secret burden, all of it was gone, the great weight had been lifted and he felt much better. He wiped his eyes and calmed down. He could see the serious looks between his parents and knew, at last, something would get done. Right now however, there were some things he wanted to do.

"Can…I can I see Arya and Rickon now?" He asked.

They both smiled and nodded; Catelyn walked over to the door and called them in. The moment they came inside Arya rushed over to him and hugged him.

"Oh Gods, Bran, I'm so sorry, I should've tried harder, done more to protect you." She said all in a rush.

Bran smiled and returned the hug. "It's okay Arya, you don't need to apologize, I tried to keep it hidden remember, I'm the one who should have said something."

Arya managed a small smile and soon his siblings sat on the bed on either side of him. Ned then cleared his throat and explained.

"We already called the others, Robb and Sansa are on their way up; they should be here tomorrow. Jon's on his way too, he'll be here about mid-week."

Bran nodded; relieved, it was then he noticed something; the look on Rickon's face, it was clear his brother desperately wanted to say something.

Rickon finally couldn't hold back any longer and spoke.

"Oh, you'll never guess who is outside." He said with a smirk.

Arya however glared at him and warned him. "Rickon…"

Rickon shook his head. "No Arya, he's the only one who doesn't know, he has the right to know."

Arya sighed and nodded; Rickon was correct about that after all. Bran was confused but had a feeling it had something to do with what Meera told him about Arya and his family.

"Who is it?"

Rickon smiled and then revealed. "Arya's girlfriend."

Bran gaped and then turned to Arya, surprised. "So, that's what, you…"

Arya nodded.

"Yeah."

Now it all clicked, realizing that Arya was a lesbian, she must have only recently come out and the family were talking about it. Going by their expressions they all supported her, for which Bran was glad, he knew he would too.

Something seemed to click with his parents too as their eyes widened and Cat spoke up. "So, Myrcella's the girl you've been dating."

That was another surprise that caught Bran off guard; Arya was dating Myrcella Baratheon. Arya confirmed this and then, at Bran's request, went and called Myrcella in, along with Jojen and Meera who were also outside.

Bran had never seen Jojen look so scared in his life. He was really pale, his eyes wide, he looked as if he was having a hard time believing what he saw.

Bran sighed. "Jojen, I'm really sorry; you were trying to be a good friend and I…I lost my temper, I just…"

"No Bran, it's alright." Jojen replied; looking relieved. "I'm just glad you're alright."

Bran nodded and smiled, he also smiled at Meera who smiled back. He then noticed Myrcella, sitting on a chair next to the bed, conversing with Catelyn. The girl was blushing, Bran could see why, she was worried about being too forward; after all, she was here with her girlfriend's family and two people who were complete strangers to her, and she had her hand on Arya's leg. Arya didn't seem to mind the hand resting on her thigh; Bran couldn't help but smile; although obviously they'd have to be careful, this was a hospital after all.

He leaned closer to Arya and whispered. "Please try not to get too touchy-feely around here."

That prompted Arya to blush and mock-glare at him. But Bran couldn't be happier; here he was, surrounded by people who, despite what Joffrey and his crew clearly believed, cared for him. He knew with certainty then that he wasn't alone.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.