A/N: First off, happy new year everyone! It's the longest chapter so far, and I might have gotten a little carried away in the end but I hope you'll like it anyway!
When Thirrin Woodley appeared in his life, he never thought their thing would go this far: the casual come-over-have-sex-and-watch-something undefined relationship turned into smoking in the balcony of the Royal Opera House, drinking champagne from crystal glass in the interval of the Christmas ballet, and most importantly, into love.
Theon could definitely say it was his best Christmas ever. The Tyrells had been amazing people, in fact, in his eyes Thirrin's family seemed more American than British, with their open and free manners and always-smiling faces. Everything went smoothly and he had to realize that upperclass life is actually kind of bearable once got used to the dresscodes and rules.
Cliché or not, he considered Thirrin the best Christmas present he'd ever got. On Christmas Eve all the walls they'd built up fell, leaving their souls undefended, but there was no need for walls anymore. As he was watching her falling asleep in his arms, her hair smelling like peppermint candy and smoke, her skin as soft as silk, her breath calm and quiet, he was simply and genuinely happy, like never before.
As they'd been together officially only for some weeks, he didn't expect any presents, even though he got her a nice silver bracelet and a beautiful set of lingerie. But he was wrong…
"And… This is for you - Thirrin finished giving her presents, handing him a steel blue envelope. - Go ahead, open it, I want to see you reaction!" - she winked excitedly.
He ripped the paper carefully. There were two pieces of paper inside and a minimalist, but nice Christmas card. First he read that: "I've realized recently we've never gone to parties together yet, but now I make sure we can recover everything and beyond. Merry Christmas! Your Snowflake"
He smiled and took out the other papers. He had to read them twice to make sure he wasn't dreaming: he got two 5-days passes for the Glastonbury Festival. He couldn't say a word, just stared at the tickets and Thirrin with wide eyes and dropped jaw.
"There's no announced line-up yet, but Glastonbury always seems lots of fun and I've never had anyone to go with before, so I thought…" - she started but he cut in:
"How could you get these? I heard all the tickets were sold out in 20 minutes!"
"Online shopping is something I'm really good at. Do you like it?" - she asked.
"Like it? LOVE IT. Also, I love you."
After spending the day chilling and planning the summer trip, late afternoon all got read and left to the theatre. With Thirrin even the ballet seemed a bit interesting, but he was glad the upcoming act was the last one.
They were standing alone in a small balcony, smoking, leaning over the railing. She looked very hot, as always, wearing a long grey velvet dress with long sleeves, closed front and wide open back. Her dark red waves were pinned to the side, so literally nothing covered her beautiful, flawless neck and back.
"Can I ask you something?" - Theon broke the silence suddenly.
"Go ahead" - she nodded.
He leant closer to her:
"Are you wearing anything under your dress?"
"Nothing at all" - she whispered back.
He bit his bottom lip.
"You're a terrible creature, Thirrin Woodley."
"If you see the same play for the millionth time, you must try to spice things up."
"Well, I think we have 15 more minutes… " - with that, he kissed her deeply, pulling her closer, caressing her back. Her skin was even colder than usual. While still kissing, holding her with his left hand, his right hand carefully slid under her dress. Barely touching her flat stomach he found her small boobs that fit into his hands perfectly. He cupped the right one, and still very careful, his thumb started playing with her erected nipple in circular motion.
She moaned into his mouth, gently pinched his bottom lip with her teeth, her breath became faster and heavier.
He was about to reach under her dress with his other hand too, but his phone started vibrating in his pocket. He broke the kiss and looked at the screen surprised: it was Robb.
"Just a minute" - he promised. She nodded and he answered the call:
"Hey, Stark, what's up? I have to tell you first that I'm in the delightful state of healthy booze since like December twenty-something. I've been swimming in champagne, mate!"
"Theon, I…" - Robb tried to speak.
"Seriously though - he continued - , Thirrin was right when she said we would drink all the time. Maybe that's the reason why the Tyrells are into me. Have I mentioned that we're going to Glastonbury in the summer? Got it, GLASTONBURY! It's like heaven, I have the best girlfriend ever…"
"Greyjoy, could you please shut up for a second?" - he cut in.
"Ohh sure… What's the matter?"
"We broke up" - Robb said shortly and bitterly.
"What?! Now?! - he asked confused. - Today's Christmas Day and you were planning on breaking up with her AFTER Christmas…"
"That's the thing! SHE broke up with ME, on CHRISTMAS EVE!"
"WHAT THE FUCK?! - he exclaimed. - I never thought Jeyne could actually screw up your Christmas, you must have done something really stupid…"
"Thanks for the comforting words, Greyjoy."
"Sorry… How are you?"
"What do you think, honestly? Even though I was planning on breaking up, it simply sucks and I don't know what comes now."
"Well… Breakups are like that, I guess. But what happened exactly?"
"Actually… That's why I called you. It's not something you can tell by phone. Can we meet later? I'm still at home but I can take a train to London."
"Ohh… Look, I'm at the Royal Opera House now, I don't know if I could..."
"Theon, please, I really need to talk to you, and I need to do it tonight unless I'm going insane."
"Okay, I see what I can do."
"Thank you - he sighed. - In like two hours at the pub of the corner of our street?"
"Good. I'll text you if I can't go. See you later!"
"What happened?" - Thirrin asked after he hung up.
"Robb got dropped last night and he wants to see me."
"On Christmas Eve, seriously? - she raised her eyebrows. - Poor Robb… What kind of bitch does that?"
"That's the problem, I have no idea… - he shook his head. - Jeyne was boring but nice, and as far as I know she loved Robb, so… Babe, would you be mad at me if I met Robb after theatre?"
"No, not at all, he's your best friend, I'd do the same with Margaery… In fact, I'll make up some excuse for you."
"Thank you - he whispered and hugged her. - I don't know how long I'll stay but I promise I'll go back to Highgarden, we have something to finish…"
"True... - she winked. - I'll wait for you!"
Later, already in a taxi on his way to the Northern Zone he still was thinking about what the hell could have happened between Robb and Jeyne on CHRISTMAS EVE. He knew Robb had already been full of this relationship, but he wouldn't risk a breakup in front of his family, Theon knew that too. He had a feeling there was a long long night ahead of him.
After a solid 30 minutes he arrived, walked into the place and after ordering a pint of beer started searching for Robb. Soon he found him in a booth: he looked exhausted and so sad he'd never seen him before. He had dark circles under his bright blue eyes, like he would have spent the night awake.
"Hey, Robb!" - he greeted him and sat down in front of him
"Hey… Wow… You look fancy!" - Robb looked down on him, from his crispy white shirt through his finest black suit to his polished leather shoes.
"Royal Opera House, remember? - Theon shrugged. - You, however, look like trash. Especially considering that YOU wanted to break up with HER at the first place."
"There's a difference between breaking up and being dropped."
"Though the result is the same. So, what happened? Why did she break up with you?"
"I need something hard for this - he sighed. - Whisky?"
"Any time" - Theon nodded.
After ordering two Scotch on rocks, Rob drank it up like a shot and started:
"Okay, it's fucking stupid, I have to tell you first. Mainly because it happened kind of because of… You."
"WHAT?!" - he exclaimed with his eyes widened. He followed Robb's example, emptied his glass and immediately asked for another round.
"Wait, I'll explain. So while having dinner Dad asked me why you didn't come to us for Christmas this year too. I said you were staying at your girlfriend's family now, and everyone got very excited that you have a girlfriend."
"Right, it isn't a common thing… - he nodded. - Go on!"
"Dad asked if I know your girlfriend, I said you're with Thirrin, like I told her name too, and long story short, turned out that my father and her mother were classmates at university, just like Thirrin and me now."
"You gotta be kidding me or the world is really getting smaller and smaller… Jesus, she won't believe it… I mean, how many people used to study in London in the late '80s - early '90s, like two or three millions, right?"
"I think it's crazy too, but it isn't important now. Anyway, they were asking me about Thirrin, which didn't necessarily have to turn into breakup, but Jeyne had this ridiculous idea that I'm still into her and she basically threw it into my face after dinner."
"Are you serious? - he raised his eyebrows. - Your girl… Sorry, ex-girlfriend is a med student, therefore she has to be some kind of genius. The question is why the hell she thought you're into MY GIRLFRIEND?"
"That's the point, Greyjoy! I have NO IDEA! I told her that I'm obviously not into Thirrin, but she didn't believe it. And listen, the best
part comes now. She said that I should kick you out of the flat because you're with Thirrin who's obviously a slut - which she isn't, of course - you're a careless idiot anyway and you have a bad influence on me. I said she can't make me choose over her and you, she freaked out and said she'd leave, I was like "Fine, I wanted to break up anyway!", she was like "Okay!", and… That's it."
"Sorry, but… Not sorry - Theon said sipping on his whisky. - I guess her exams turned Jeyne crazy. She's never been like this! Seriously Robb, I think it's better for you without her. You needed some freedom anyway."
"I'm trying to convince myself about it but doesn't seem to work."
"Look Stark, I've always told you don't be a pussy. You should've broken up with her before Christmas."
"Don't you think I haven't already figured it out? One more round, please! - Robb waved for a refill. - Plus some days before Christmas I had a fight with Mom, because we heard that Jon proposed to Ygritte and Mom wanted me to marry Jeyne..."
"Do you know what should you do now? - Theon cut in. - Stop being the perfect son of your mother and live a little. The real world sucks, but it also can be fun. Another round. Don't give a fuck, just do what you want. It's been working for me."
"Fuck, Ygritte told me quite the same when I called Jon earlier today but she took over the phone."
"Maybe because it's true - he pointed out. - You're going to get over Jeyne, and you're going to do it now. Wait, I have an idea!"
He reached for his phone and texted a message quickly:
TG: Would it bother Margaery if I invited Robb for New Year's? Relieveing after break-up parties always work!
TW: I don't think so, 200 or 201 guests, it's quite the same… Don't forget to tell him it'll be a themed party! Ohh, and either don't give him vodka or you have to hold his head this time.
TG: I live with him, Snowflake, I know exactly how he functions. Thanks!
TW: No problem. Is everything alright?
TG: Kind of, I'm trying to do my best!
TW: Cheering for you Greyjoy! ;)
"Okay Stark, you're spending New Year's with me" - it was a simple statement, not a question nor invitation.
Robb looked at him with wide, kind of filtered eyes:
"I thought you were going to Thirrin's cousin's party…"
"Well hello, that's the point! You're going too! Trust me, it'll be the most epic party in the city! World War II theme, Moet champagne and Thirrin's model cousins, what else do you want?"
Agent Tyrell needs her Captain Britannia anyway and vica versa - he added but didn't say out loud.
"Fine… - he agreed. - If you insist… But I guess I need some warmup. I haven't been out for the longest time."
"As you want. We're going out now. I don't accept excuses! What's your poison of tonight, Young Wolf?"
After several shots of tequila they ended up in the nearest club they found. Robb got even surprised that places like this are open on Christmas Day, but didn't care much about it when a hot blonde girl who was just as wasted as him basically pulled him to the dancefloor and in the next moment they already were making out intensely.
Theon, however, didn't get drunk at all, maybe because he knew one of them had to stay sober enough to go home and obviously it had to be him. He was sitting by the bar, sipping on whisky, looking over Robb who was still with the same girl. Others would try to hit on him too when they noticed he was alone but he refused all of them. Though it felt extremely strange.
Earlier, when he would go out, he would always return home with a girl, always with a sexy and easy one, just like the girls who filled the place that night: short dresses, thigh high boots, swinging hips and scent of cheap, sweet, sugary perfumes. He thought how easy would be to get one of them into his bed: a few touches here and there, his accent modified to appear more American than Irish, and…
He slapped himself mentally.
Are you insane Greyjoy?! - he asked himself. - You have GIRLFRIEND now, mate, who's beautiful, clever, wonderful, everything you've always wanted, who's only yours! She loves you and YOU LOVE HER! You finally have a secure point in your life, you don't want to lose her, right?!
A message woke up from his daydreams:
SS: Theon, is my brother alright? He wouldn't answer our messages, we just want to know if he got safely to London and didn't end up under a train or something.
TG: Calm down Sansa, your brother's too busy trying to bang a hot blondie. He's got kinda drunk but he's alright.
SS: Great. Mom says tell him to go back home in the morning. Ohh and please cure him from hangover because we have a family gathering to go to!
His eyes widened looking at the screen. Family gathering?! Mrs Stark would kill him if he sent home his son still wasted. As they mixed up everything he simply knew Robb would have a terrible hangover the next day. He looked around: he found his friend leaning to the bar, still kissing roughly the blonde girl, beside them four empty shot glasses. To make everything more complicated, it was already almost 3 AM.
I give you half an hour Stark. Fuck her and let's go home.
TG: I'll do what I can but I don't promise anything.
SS: Okay. Thank you!
He put his phone back to his pocket when Robb suddenly appeared:
"Lucy or Lacey or whatever will be back in a second, let's have a drink until then! Two tequilas, please!"
Theon rolled his eyes.
"I'm glad you're having fun!"
"I surely am! - his smile was way too wide and his sound way too excited. - I've never had this much fun in my life! I almost forgot how…" - while talking he looked at the screen of his phone and he saw the messages his family had sent him. His blue eyes narrowed, seemed he wasn't able to read them.
"Lunch… Riverrun… You have to be there… - he muttered. - THEON! I HAVE TO GO HOME! LIKE TO OXFORD HOME!" - he exclaimed.
"I know, Sansa texted me too - he sighed. - Looks like party's over, you'll continue it on New Year's. Can you walk?"
Robb nodded but right in the second he released the bar he almost fell backwards.
"Okay, let me help you… - he put his arm around his shoulders and let him outside.
Small snowflakes were falling from the sky, but it wasn't that cold.
"Listen to me, because I'll tell you only once - he said. - We're going to our place, we're walking because it's like three corners. You're sleeping there. I set your alarm, you HAVE TO get up in time, then you take a taxi or whatever and you're going to your Uncle's place tomorrow on your own. Understand?"
He nodded again, his eyelids slowly closing down.
"Thank you… For this… And you were right, I don't need her in my life… I could get so much better girls… All of you were right, all the time…"
He let him talk while slowly leading the way. He knew exactly how to handle drunk people: be patient and let them talk.
"Arya and Ygritte and Jon and you… - he continued. - So fucking right… Hey, wait a second!" - he suddenly stopped under a streetlamp.
"What is it, Robb?"
"I've never actually told you how fucking glad I am for you. Like really. You fucking deserve Thirrin, even though few people believe it, but you DO deserve her! - he was looking into his eyes seriously. - You needed to be happy, and you're happy now and I'm happy for my best friend's happiness. What, you're not just my best friend. You're my brother. Not by blood, but you get it. My brother, now and always."
"Well… Khm… Thank you"- Theon patted him on the back. Honest drunk Robb was a new side of him, he didn't really know what to say.
When they reached their flat, the large amount of alcohol defeated Robb with a final shot, who literally fell to the couch and fell asleep immediately. Before Theon left, he went to the kitchen, quickly mixed an anti-hangover drink he'd learnt to do back in America and left a note beside it:
Don't care how it looks like, DRINK IT UP! It'll help you and you'll be very thankful. Text me when you woke up. T.
With that, he closed the door, flagged down a taxi and drove back to Highgarden.
Exhausted and tired, he got off the car and dialed Thirrin's number. She answered the call relatively quickly:
"What time is it, Greyjoy?" - based on her voice she'd already been sleeping.
"No idea. Would you let me in?"
"Sure, I'll be down in a second."
Soon he could open the gate, walked through the way to the main entrance and entered the house. Thirrin was waiting for him in the hall, already wearing leggings and his tshirt. After guarding his best friend and taking him home he couldn't imagine anything better than spending the night with Thirrin.
"I thought you'd changed your mind and you'd spend the night at your place" - she murmured while hugging him tightly.
"I almost did… At least I literally had to take Robb home" - he said, taking off his coat and following Thirrin upstairs.
"How is he?"
"Totally passed out. We had some drinks, ended up in a club where he hooked up with the first girl who crossed his way, had more drinks and you know how it goes when you're sad and have available shots… So I took him home and left him some hangover emergency stuff."
"That's so nice of you… Did he tell you why they'd broken up with his girlfriend?"
"Yes, it's kind of a long story… - he sighed. - Look, would you mind if I told you all of that only in the morning?"
"No… - she rubbed her eyes. - You must be tired too…"
"A bit… - he admitted. - Snowflake, I'm so glad you're not a drama queen."
"Trying not to become one…"
She untied his bowtie and started unbuttoning his shirt, one by one. Suddenly all the tiredness disappeared: maybe because of the large amount of whisky he'd drunken earlier, maybe because things just become more simple at night, the only thing he wanted was Thirrin. When she reached the last bottom, she rested her cold hands on his naked waist and chest for a second. It was like pushing ice cubes against his rather warm skin, yet it felt so good…
He didn't hesitate for a moment to kiss her hard and rough. She seemed a bit surprised at first, but she adjusted herself quickly and in less than a minute their tongues were fighting for dominance, as usual. He threw down his shirt, with a quick move he pulled off her top too. While gently sucking and biting her neck his hands moved up to her breasts, squeezing and massaging them.
"You're mine… - he whispered. - All mine…"
She moaned with her eyes closed, pushed him to the bed gently, her lean fingers were sliding down his upper body all the way into his pants.
"And you're mine… "- Thirrin smiled looking into his eyes, her glance filled by lust.
He gasped when he felt her fingers tightening and releasing around him, first slowly then faster and faster. Catching his breath of pleasure he started licking and sucking on one of her nipples, holding her by the waist.
"Babe… - he sighed. - Don't finish me off yet…"
"Am I that good?" - she smirked but stopped and slowly pulled down his pants.
"The very best" - he answered, with his hands on her hips, removing her leggings and panties. He pulled her to his lap by her rounded butt, she wrapped her legs around his waist and he buried himself into her. She was rocking herself against his thrusts, he was kissing her boobs again while she was kissing his neck. It was so intense he knew he wouldn't take for long:
"Come with me, Snowflake…" - Theon muttered against her skin.
"I'm not there yet… But you can help me…" - with that, she grabbed his hand and lead it between them. He knew what she wanted: he moistened his fingers with her wetness and started rubbing her while his thrusts became faster and rougher. Soon she wrapped herself tighter around him, he felt his whole body shaking, cried out her name, she cried out his name and finally both collapsed into the bed.
"I hope I wasn't dreaming… - Thirrin sighed and curled up to his side, resting her head on his chest. - I love you so much..."
"Then we had the same dream - he smiled. - I love you too."
What is dead may never die but rises harder and stronger. - Even considering certain not that pleasent circumstances, he was sure he rose harder and stronger: after many years he felt his life lowkey completed.