"Come on Loras" Renly implored. "It'll be fun." He gestured towards the open window and smiled. It was almost dark outside but even by the dim evening light it was evident that the sea was unusually calm, the water a smooth sheet of glass under the light of the setting sun. It was the perfect night for Loras to make some real progress in the water and Renly wasn't about to pass it up.
Loras however didn't move, remaining motionless on Renly's bed. "You say it will be fun every time Renly." He scowled. "It never is."
"Please?" Renly walked over to Loras and bent down to his level. "For me?"
"Nice try Renly." Loras said, laughing. "Every day this past week I've indulged you and yet still you refuse to give me what I might want. So the answer is no."
Renly sighed. Loras was being stubborn just to prove his point it seemed. Everyday Loras would ask him the same question and every day Renly would give him the same answer, telling him he was too young. It was an odd feeling Renly had found, saying no to Loras. He was so used to giving Loras everything he wanted and yet on this particular matter he had surprised himself by remaining firm, even in spite of his own selfish desires that told him in no uncertain times that giving Loras what he wanted would be a gloriously wonderful idea. "It's a lovely evening Loras." He insisted, smiling. "Perfect conditions. If you like I won't even make you put your head under. How's that for a compromise?"
Loras shook his head vehemently and propped himself up on one elbow, smirking slightly.
Renly took a deep breath. "Am I going to have to make this an order Loras?" He couldn't even remember the last time he had done such a thing, but regardless of all that had passed between them, he remained Loras' liege lord. Giving direct orders would be his last resort.
Loras glanced up at him. "Order away Renly." His smirk grew wider as if daring Renly to try.
"Fine then." Renly said. "Out of bed now." He poked Loras when his squire showed no signs still of moving. "Your lord commands it Loras."
Loras just raised an eyebrow and stayed put. "You genuinely thought that would work didn't you?"
Renly sighed. He had hoped that that would work, but he couldn't say he was all that surprised that it hadn't. Loras had been rather useless at following orders even before they had begun sharing chambers every night. He supposed that he could hardly expect Loras to take his authority seriously anymore, not when there was such intimacy between them. All the same though, he decided to try one more time. "I swear it Loras, if you don't get off that bed this instant, I will make you."
Loras snorted. "What are you going to do? Drag me?" He laughed and threw his hands up, smirking again at Renly. "Feel free. I won't stop you."
Renly had to fight to keep a straight face now. The challenge was too tempting to resist.
He shrugged, grinning slightly as he wrapped his arms around Loras' waist and hauled him up over his shoulder. He was lighter than Renly would have expected and put up less of a fuss, allowing Renly to pick him up with relative good grace.
"So what now?" Loras asked, his tone amused. "You're going to carry me all the way out of here like this?"
Renly shrugged as best he could with Loras over his shoulder and laughed. "If I have to."
"Carry away." Loras laughed too. "I'll be damned if you have the backbone to walk through the castle like this. You'll be a laughing stock for weeks if anyone sees us."
Renly grinned. "As if I don't know how to avoid being seen in this castle." He smiled. The back staircases were always deserted and he knew them like the back of his hand. He'd have thought that Loras would have realised that by now.
Loras just shrugged and deigned to let Renly carry him out of the room, even offering to carry a candle for him.
It was easy enough to carry him down to the back door. The only vaguely challenging parts were opening the doors Renly found. The door out of his chambers wasn't so bad and he managed it with only a little awkwardness, shifting Loras slightly as he grappled with the handle. The back doors of the castle however posed more of a problem. The lock was less stiff now from his and Loras' regular use, but even so Renly could have done with two hands to turn the rusty key. Instead, he was forced to keep one arm holding Loras in place and try with just the one, ignoring Loras' dry remarks and jibes at how useless he was at it.
Loras was beginning to feel much heavier as he descended the path, and Renly almost dropped him several times.
It was with some relief thus that Renly deposited him less-than-gently down on a rock when they finally reached the sea shore.
"You're stronger than I thought." Loras said, grinning up at him. "And more naïve too if you think bringing me down here is going to make me any more inclined to get in that water."
Renly grinned back. "Who's to say I won't put you in it?"
"Feel free to try" Loras laughed and his hand moved to his sword belt. "I won't go without a fight." He grinned up at Renly, challenge in his eyes.
Renly sighed and sunk down on the rock next to him. "Can we not negotiate this like civilised people?" Knowing Loras however, his squire would insist on the swords. He had very little head for negotiations.
To his surprise though Loras took his hand off the hilt of his sword and grinned. "Fine." He laughed. "In fact as it happens, I have the perfect proposition for you."
Renly rolled his eyes. He had a feeling he knew what path Loras was about to go down. "Let's hear it then." He said, not particularly hopeful that it would be a proposition he would be prepared to listen to.
"If you stop insisting I'm too young for certain things, then I'll indulge you with the swimming. I'll go willingly, I won't kick up a fuss, hells I'll even try. Alternatively…" He laughed and his eyes met Renly's before he continued. "...If you agree never to ask me to get into that water again, we shall wait until you think I'm old enough and I will not complain once, even though we'll probably be grey and bearded by then."
Renly laughed. "Tempting Loras but not good enough."
Loras shrugged. "Your choice." He grinned. "So where does this leave us then?"
"At an impasse it seems." Renly laughed and held out his hand. "Come on then, fancy going for a walk instead seeing as it seems unlikely I'll be able to coax you into that water."
Loras smiled and took it, letting Renly pull him to his feet. It was not near so useful as teaching Loras to swim, but Renly would enjoy walking along the beach all the same.
…...
It was one of those glorious days Renly had managed to escape from his lordship duties early and as his reward Loras was bent over him, his mouth hot and warm around him as he took him further into his mouth.
He'd improved over the past few weeks Renly thought as his breath hitched. They both had, learning slowly what the other enjoyed and learning how to replicate it. He panted as Loras' fingers dug into his hips. He was almost there Renly knew, teetering precariously on the edge. It would only take one more push from Loras to tip him over entirely.
His hands knotted themselves in Loras' hair in anticipation and he closed his eyes, seeing stars.
It was then that Loras sat up, kissing Renly gently on the lips.
"Don't stop" Renly breathed, arching his back and straining for Loras' touch. His cock ached almost painfully and he reached out for Loras' hand thrusting it downwards to try and get some release.
"Hmmm." Loras hummed against Renly's cheek. "I don't think I will actually."
Renly whimpered. "What have I done now?" he asked. He hadn't tried to take Loras swimming for several days now, not since his last failed attempt. Surely this couldn't be retribution for that.
"You know what you've done." Loras smirked and leant down to kiss him again, his lips brushing Renly's for a brief tantalising moment before he pulled away.
"I really don't" He clutched at Loras' shirt. "All I know is that I want you to carry on what you were doing or I might very well go mad."
"Is that so?" Loras leant down to kiss Renly's stomach. "Well then all you need say is a few words."
"I'll say anything." Renly would probably beg at this point.
"Well then. Let me see." Loras sat back on his heels. "I want you to tell me that I'm not too young to lie with you and that nothing would please you more to do that right now"
Renly raised his eyebrows in disbelief, laughing despite his desperate need. "You'll never make me say it." He insisted. "I've told you. We'll see after you've turned fourteen."
"No we'll see now." Loras trailed his hand down the inside of Renly's thigh.
Renly shook his head. "How weak do you think my resolve is?!"
"Very weak." Loras breathed, moving to sit astride Renly's hips. It was some momentary relief and it made Renly sigh softly. His need only grew worse however as Loras proceeded to sit as still as he possibly could, refusing to move against him even when Renly prodded him desperately.
Renly screwed his eyes shut. He couldn't afford to be blackmailed like this. Loras would never let him live it down. "Nice try Loras but still my answer is not yet." He pushed Loras off him. "When you're fourteen I'll reconsider." He repeated, just to annoy Loras more than anything else.
Loras took that in his stride however, merely rolling over and grabbing Renly's wrists and leaning in to trail hot wet kisses down his neck. "Now" he growled.
Renly was about to protest again when there was a knock at the door.
Loras hopped off the bed as calmly as anything, sitting himself down innocently on a chair with his hands folded in his lap while Renly hurriedly pulled up his breeches and went to the door, patting his hair to make it lie flat. He was still breathing rather heavily but he didn't imagine it was at all obvious what he'd been engaged in.
Penrose stood outside, his expression weary. "We have guests my lord who are requesting an audience with you."
Renly sighed, and glanced briefly over at Loras. Usually he'd turn guests away at such a moment but when Loras was in such a mood he'd no doubt get no satisfaction from doing so. Perhaps Penrose's interruption was for the best. He turned back to the older man. "Guests? Who?"
"Ser Ronnet of House Connington my lord."
Renly groaned. "What's that fool doing here?" He ran a hand through his hair. "Can't you tell him to go away? I can't be bothered with him."
Penrose laughed. "A fool he is my lord. I believe he's paying a visit to thank you for the work you helped him do on Griffin's Roost. It's only just been finished apparently."
Renly sighed. "Those stonemasons took their time about it." He shrugged, failing to find any decent excuse as to why he might be unable to receive the young knight. "Very well then, inform Red Ronnet that I'll be with him in a few moments."
Penrose nodded and shut the door.
Renly turned back to Loras. He was hopeful Loras would suggest that he finish what he'd started in light of the circumstances, but one look at Loras' face told him otherwise. It was an expression Renly recognized well, the particular one Loras wore when he was feeling particularly stubborn. Loras would concede nothing this day.
"Who's this Red Ronnet?" Loras asked, getting up and leaning in to kiss him, his hands finding the small of Renly's back and lingering teasingly there.
Renly batted away his hands. He could do without getting riled up again with no hope of release. "He's the knight of Griffin's Roost." He told him. "One of the Conningtons. An utter fool at that."
Loras didn't attempt to tease him again. Instead his eyes had lit up. "He's a knight. Can I challenge him?"
Renly laughed. "If you like. He's probably quite good though, and he's a good six years older than you. I won't have you sulking if I have to pick up the pieces of your broken pride later."
Loras snorted. "Before you assume that I'll no doubt lose to this knight, when was the last time you actually saw me fight Renly?"
Renly cocked his head, thinking about it. Loras had helped him prepare for the jousting before the tourney, but as for actual sword work, Renly had probably not seen him at practice since he himself had fought him in a friendly match in the yard. That was probably over a year ago now and Renly smiled, remembering how he'd bettered Loras. "Probably when we fought that time." He laughed. "Red Ronnet will no doubt be a lot better than me though. He's got two years on me and I dare say he actually practises."
"I hope you're right in that he's good." Loras grinned. "I've been so bored as of late."
Renly rolled his eyes and straightened his shirt, pulling the door open and beginning the descent down the many steps. Loras' arrogance ought not to surprise him he supposed. Even as a child Loras had had no lack of confidence. He could only hope that Loras would do well enough against the knight for him not to sulk later, assuming Red Ronnet accepted his challenge of course. He couldn't be bothered to soothe Loras' ego later.
Red Ronnet was waiting in the entrance hall, flanked by several guards and with his sister at his side. She had her hair piled up about her head as if she were a woman rather than a young girl who'd been laced so tightly into her bodice that it gave the illusion of maturity.
Renly bit back a sigh. He had no doubt that the sister was the real reason for this visit. Nevertheless he approached the knight and shook his hand warmly. "Ser Ronnet. It's a pleasure."
Ser Ronnet bowed and ushered his sister forward who also curtsied. Renly offered her his arm as was polite and ushered Loras forward in turn. "Ser Ronnet, Lady Alynne, this is Loras Tyrell, my squire. I'm sure he'll be pleased to make your acquaintance."
The pair turned to greet Loras. Usually squires would be all but ignored in such occasions as this, but with Loras being so high born and the Conningtons being merely a knightly house nowadays, courtesies were quickly extended.
"Let us take a turn about the gardens." Renly suggested, falling in line with Red Ronnet, his sister still clinging nervously to his arm. Loras followed behind, looking mildly put out. Renly guessed he wasn't used to having to actually act like Renly's squire. Renly's own household were so used now to the two of them being on such informal terms that no-one even batted an eyelid when the two of them walked together with no thought to their differences in rank.
He listened as Red Ronnet droned on about Griffin's Roost, imputing words when necessary and remembering to nod when was appropriate. Indeed Red Ronnet claimed to have called in order to thank Renly for his aid in fixing the roof of Griffin's Roost. Renly accepted his thanks gladly, even though privately he was quite sure the stonemasons he had sent would have finished months ago. He changed the subject and eventually the conversation turned back to that unfortunate maid, Red Ronnet's former betrothed.
"How did you find the maid in the end my lord?" Red Ronnet asked, a sly grin on his face. "I'm sure you see now why that engagement was broken."
"She seemed courteous enough." Renly offered simply before commenting mildly on how nice the weather was today. He hoped that Red Ronnet would grasp that he had no desire to talk ill of the various maidens Ronnet had slightest, particularly in the company of a lady.
"The weather is indeed lovely my lord." The girl said, agreeing meekly.
Renly bit back a sigh. He could have probably insisted that winter was upon them and she would have agreed just as sweetly.
"Why don't we sit a while?" Renly gestured to a bench and took a seat, the other's joining him. "The gardens aren't much here, but we can at least enjoy the sun."
"We visited Ashford a week past my lord." The girl said, surprising Renly by speaking an entire sentence of her own. "The gardens there were beautiful. I've never seen such wonderful arrangements"
"I've never had the pleasure of visiting." Renly said. He glanced over at Loras. "But I imagine my squire has, being of the Reach himself."
He nudged Loras pointedly.
"What?" Loras evidently hadn't been listening.
Renly resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Lady Alynne was just telling us how lovely the gardens are at Ashford at this time of year. I said no doubt you'd had the pleasure of visiting?"
"Ashford?" Loras sounded unimpressed. "I guess their gardens are tolerable."
Renly bit back a sigh. Loras could be unbelievably rude sometimes. If he wasn't in a mood for courtesies then he could be an utter nightmare in polite company. "It seems my squire has been spoilt by the beauty of Highgarden." He said, smiling at the young girl. "I dread to think what he thinks of the poor excuse for gardens here."
Red Ronnet spoke up now, laughing. "Let the Reach keep their gardening. We have more important things to occupy us here. The best knights of the realm have been born and bred here for centuries."
Renly was about to agree amiably but Loras spoke up first, scowling. "Is that so Ser? He asked tightly "Which knights are you referring to?"
Red Ronnet laughed. "Many. We have Ser Barristan the Bold now, whilst Ser Balon Swann is said to be destined also for the Kingsguard. We've had King Robert himself, Ser Harlan Grandison, Ser Willem Wylde... both of the Kingsguard too. And of course my own ancestor, Ser Alyn Connington." He smirked. "You might know him from the history books as the Pale Griffin. He was one of the best Lord Commanders in history.
Loras snorted. "The Pale Griffin the best Lord Commander in history? Don't make me laugh. The White Bull was much better than him."
Renly sighed. At this rate Loras wasn't going to need to challenge Red Ronnet. The two were scowling at each other so much, their discussion looked like to become a full blown argument. Lady Alynne seemed nervous beside him, her eyes flicking from Loras to her brother and back again. Renly bit back a sigh as he saw that the young girl's eyes lingered on Loras more than would have been usual.
"The white bull was killed in the rebellion." Red Ronnet declared. "He can't have been all that good or he'd still be here."
Loras took this badly, standing up in indignation to defend what Renly remembered now was one of Loras' relatives, if a far removed one. If Renly remembered correctly, Ser Gerold Hightower would have been uncle to Lord Leyton, Loras' grandfather on his mother's side.
"Loras." Renly warned, putting his hand on his squire's arm as the argument continued. He could feel the tense muscles under his fingers, Loras was like a coiled spring and any minute now Renly could see him losing his temper. They were bickering now about Leo Longthorn and again Red Ronnet was scoffing and insisting that various other knights from the Stormlands had been better.
Red Ronnet was on his feet too now and Renly increased his grip on Loras' arm.
Loras ignored him. "It seems we disagree" He glared at Red Ronnet. "Why don't we put both the Reach and the Stormlands to trial? Me, you. Here and now."
Red Ronnet laughed and turned back to Renly. "I do believe Lord Renly that your pup of a squire is challenging me!" He drew himself up to his full height. "How old even is he? Thirteen?"
Loras just scowled, not letting on that Red Ronnet had indeed guessed his age correctly. He responded though to Renly's insistent grip and took a deep breath. "Ser Ronnet." He said as politely as he could through clenched teeth. "Would you do me the honour of a friendly match between the two of us?"
Red Ronnet bowed mockingly and accepted, taking a few paces back and unsheathing his sword with a flourish. His sister ran up and tucked one of her handkerchiefs in his pocket and Renly smiled as he wondered quite how strange it would look if he were to do the same with Loras.
He felt rather nervous as the two circled each other, their gaze locked and disdain plastered on both of their faces. Neither was armoured and yet both had real swords in their hands. Renly frowned, thinking that this could turn out to be a very bad idea indeed. Red Ronnet was six years Loras' senior and of a height with Renly himself. He had more reach and power behind his blows that Loras could hope to have at just shy of four and ten. The young knight could do a lot of damage to Loras very easily. Renly could only hope that Red Ronnet was disciplined enough to handle his steel carefully. He was said to be skilled in combat and he would no doubt know that injuring one of Mace Tyrell's sons in what was technically a friendly crossing of blades would be a bad idea. The worst that would happen no doubt is that Loras would come away with a few bruises and an even more bruised ego. Most likely Renly would have to spend the evening watching Loras sulk and lick his wounds. Penrose would no doubt call the defeat good for him, and as he watched Loras now, Renly had to admit that the older man would probably be right. Loras reeked of over-confidence and there wasn't even a hint of wariness in those lovely golden eyes Renly loved.
For the moment though, Loras seemed to be holding his own. He was parrying the Griffin's blows effortlessly and seemed to have lost none of his agility with age. His legs were longer now than when he'd faced Renly but his steps were just as quick, and he was as light on his feet as if he were dancing.
The sound of steel on steel soon rang out, echoing around the gardens and bouncing of the castle walls. It must have reached the training yard for several knights came up the path before long, standing around the duelling pair as they looked curiously on. The master at arms was among them, leaning on a lance as he studied the pair's movements, his trained eye flicking between the two and picking up the intricate details Renly knew he probably missed.
He returned to watching them, his heart in his mouth as he watched the pair clash again and again. He couldn't help but wince slightly every time Red Ronnet raised his sword too close to Loras' face and he glanced anxiously at the master at arms, feeling slightly reassured when he saw the old knight was still watching intently. He would no doubt step in if things got out of hand and Renly tried to relax.
Loras was no doubt beautiful to watch Renly thought. He was all finesse and grace and beautiful long limbs. If it weren't for his anxiety over Loras getting hurt, Renly no doubt would have enjoyed watching him. Loras' curls flew out behind him as he ducked under blows, and Renly could understand why now Loras had seen fit to cut his hair. It had grown some since then and whilst it fell over his face, it wasn't quite long enough yet to obscure his vision.
Renly held his breath anxiously, waiting for Red Ronnet to turn the tables on his young squire. It had to happen soon Renly reckoned. There was no way a self-respecting knight could allow a squire to hold up against him much longer without there being injury to his pride. Any minute now Red Ronnet would stop messing around and put an end to it with a well-placed blow and Loras would be sent sprawling to the ground.
He had to close his eyes as Red Ronnet lunged and indeed he heard the distinct thump as Loras hit the ground.
He took a deep breath as he opened his eyes to see the damage, and had to do a double take when he saw Loras' blade at Red Ronnet's throat and Red Ronnet with his face in the dirty, his hands up to yield. He was quite sure he'd seen wrongly. He'd known Loras was good for his age but Red Ronnet was a fully trained knight, six years older than him who Renly had been led to believe showed some talent with a blade.
Loras wasn't smiling but Renly could tell he was pleased with himself all the same. He didn't help Red Ronnet up as most opponents would in friendly matches and seemed to take pleasure in watching Red Ronnet scramble to his feet, his cloak soiled from the dust.
The other knights seemed riled up now and several walked up and challenged both Loras and Red Ronnet to another match. Both accepted and Renly got to his feet, with a quick smile at lady Alynne.
"That was poor of Ser Ronnet." Renly commented to the master at arms. "I'd have expected the knight of Griffin's roost to best a thirteen year old. Even if Loras is exceptionally good for his age."
The master at arms laughed gruffly. "He never stood a chance that red bearded fellow. I could have told you as much from the beginning."
Renly smiled. "Is Loras really as good as he makes out then?"
The master at arms sighed. "I don't know how good Loras claims to be, but I dare say he is. I've no idea what to do with him now. Save Ser Guyard perhaps, there's not a knight in Storm's End that could even give him decent sport."
Renly stared at him, his mouth slightly open. "But Loras is not yet fourteen. Surely he's got a lot left to learn."
The master at arms shrugged. "Not that I can teach him." He frowned. "At least not with a sword or a lance. At the moment I'm insisting he perseveres with a mace so that he has at least something to do. I can't have him flouncing around defeating knights left right and centre."
"Couldn't you challenge him?" Renly asked. "Just to give him something to work towards?"
"I could." The master at arms shrugged. "But as shameful as it is, I'd be no real challenge for him either nowadays."
Renly stared at him in disbelief. "You're telling me that Loras is better than you?"
"Aye." The master at arms admitted gruffly. "I hope you don't mind me saying my lord, but the boy's wasted as your squire. The new Jaime Lannister that one is."
Renly didn't really know what to say to that. Instead he laughed, his chest swelling with pride.
It was only later, lying in bed with Loras panting underneath him that the full implications of the master at arm's words sunk in. Loras was better than most knights. The master at arms had nothing left to teach him. Loras was wasted as his squire. The words ran through his head until he could no longer think straight.
He rolled off Loras agitatedly, more frightened now than he had been even watching Loras fight that afternoon. Loras wouldn't be his squire all that much longer it seemed. From the sounds of it he had long had the skill to be knighted.
"Loras." He whispered. "I've changed my mind."