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: It had started with a simple and harmless enough talk between those two.
WARNING! THIS STORY CONTAINS THEMES SUCH AS SEXUALITY, A MALE PAIRING ( A MAN LOVING ANOTHER MAN ). IF YOU DO NOT FEEL AT EASE WITH THOSE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SKIP TO ANOTHER STORY.
The power of words
Chapter 21
"I've always known it, Lancel. A mother feels these things. You're my nephew, not my kid, but you get my point."
Lancel smiled as Genna was giving him yet another slice of pie. If he had to be honest, out of all of his aunts, Genna, his father's little sister, was the one he liked best. Oh, he loved his aunt Shierle, his mother's sister, but Genna's fiery personality, sharp mind and talkative nature was just too attractive!
"You're not mad you are the last one to know?" He asked
"Oh, Pumpkin, it's the law of nature, there's gotta be a first and a last one. Besides, didn't the Seven Gods say that the last ones shall be the firsts to enter Paradise and be by their sides? You're the priest and I'm the one reminding you of that."
He chuckled.
"I don't care." She added. "It was natural Kevan got to know it first hand, you're his baby. Then, the rest, it's just how Life got. So, tell me, since everyone kept it silent so you could do it yourself, how did everyone react?"
He sipped from his tea before talking.
"Well, you know Mom, Dad, the twins and Janei. I wasn't really worried about them."
"Damn right. Your dad might be old by youngsters' standards but deep down, he's just as young as you are. I'm sure your cousins weren't a bother either."
"Truth be told, everyone got around the idea quite naturally, I'm even surprised by it. But the person who startled me the most wasn't even Joffrey, it was uncle Tywin. I know how he feels about that stuff and while I know he likes me, I know his stand on that regard. Yet, he still told me I could have dated worse."
Genna smirked.
"Oh, Pumpkin, Tywin doesn't like nor does he love you. He adores you. He hides it well. But you are special. The firstborn child from his favourite brother, a yearned baby, the Lannister miracle. And someone he is proud to call nephew. Because you are someone who is proud of his name and tries his best to honour it because he loves it and knows the hard work done by previous generations."
She raised her cup to him.
"People would be surprised by how normal we actually are." Lancel thought as he drank.
When Theon entered his uncle's bachelor apartment, he was greeted by Asha's puzzled look. She too didn't know why she had been invited. The news of Euron getting married was still a shock to them both so, him calling them over, sounding like a cool uncle after all these years seemed to be something out of this world.
"Hey, kid!" Euron greeted. "Glad you could come! Sit, have a beer!"
Seeing him so cheerful was kinda scary. And he could feel his uncle's anxiousness. A first in his entire life.
"You don't have to pretend with us, Euron." Asha spoke. "You're scared shitless."
He smirked.
"Sharp as always. It's true I was a bit scared. I know we aren't really close, like an uncle and his nephews should be."
"I wonder whose fault is that."
He sat, sighing.
"I deserve your hate."
His gaze became serious but soft at the same time.
"I should have been there for you two. I wasn't. I assumed it wasn't my job to be there when you had your parents and then, mostly your dad. I thought that, as you aren't my kids, you weren't my problem. You were. I know I wouldn't have changed much but at least, you two could have had a funnier time growing up. Theon, Asha, I'm truly sorry. And if you'd have me, I'd like to try and fix this."
The siblings exchanged a startled look. Were they actually dreaming this?!
"Are you... Are you saying that because your bride-to-be is family-oriented?" Theon carefully asked
"I'll admit it, she has a part in it. Seeing her and her two youngest, her with her dad, with her twin, it made me understand that family is important. I know you won't believe this, I can't blame you for that, I showed you no signs of it. But, in my own way, I do love and care about you two."
Theon saw his sister suddenly looking at her feet, locks of hair hiding her eyes, her fists violently grasping her sleeves.
"You bastard..." She hissed with a crooked voice
He felt his world crumbling. Asha was crying. Asha, his big sister, his rock, was crying. He had never seen her weep before. Not even when she broke her arm after falling from a tree. Not even after she broke up with her man because the cunt cheated on her. Not even when their mother was locked away for her own safety. And he knew she kept this facade for his sake. Her loneliness, her stolen childhood, he had a part in it because she loved him. And she'd be ready to do it all over again for him. Euron's mouth opened, wanting to say something but the words got lost in his throat. He awkwardly patted her knee. It seemed enough for her.
"Don't expect me to be a loving niece all of a sudden." She said after a few moments. "But my mom raised me to give people second chances when they seemed genuine."
He smiled.
"That's good enough for me. Theon?"
"Lancel likes you." The young man shrugged. "And if he likes you, it means he's seeing something in you I don't. And he usually isn't wrong with his instincts. I trust him, so in the end, I can try and trust you. Also, how weird it'd be for a nephew to be his uncle's best man at his wedding if he wished him dead."
Euron could hold a burst of laughter.
"That lad's gonna make a fine rock husband!"
"If he isn't, I cut his manhood and feed it to the dogs." Asha added
"Spoken like a true ironborn!"
He took a beer bottle, opened it and drank from it.
"I wanted to ask something of you two. And before your minds get working, no, I didn't do this speech earlier so you'd grant me a favour."
"We're all ears." Theon said
"Cersei and I speak a lot about the baby. She's okay with him being raised in the faith of the Drowned God. I... It'd mean a lot to me if you two became your cousin's godparents."
Theon saw Asha's face lighting up, beaming.
"You mean it?"
"I do."
"Count me in. But be warned, if it's a girl, I'm gonna make her a Valkyrie. And yes, tell your wife that this valkyrie can ride a lioness."
Lancel had to admit he was a bit anxious. He was glad he could properly meet Theon's family, such as his sister and his mother. But he was worried his presence might be too much for a woman who had suffered so much and still suffered to this day.
"She doesn't bite." Theon told him as they faced the door
"I know she doesn't!' He exclaimed angrily. "I just... I just don't want to upset her. I know she's not well these days."
"That's a nice way to put it. Lancel, my mom has lost it and she will never recover from that. Just be the polite lad your parents raised. But be warned, she thinks I'm still in preschool. So if she talks to you as if you were a baby, don't be surprised."
They entered. And the sight that welcomed the young men broke Lancel's heart. A woman, old before her time, with long and thin white hair falling on her shoulders, gazing outside at nothing in particular, frail, a child's eyes into an elder's face.
"Hey, Mom!" Theon greeted her
She turned to them and she smiled. She seemed ten years younger.
"Theon! Asha came to pick you up from school! How nice of her! And you brought a friend! Is he Lancel? The nice boy you play bow and arrows with."
Lancel smiled softly.
"Yes, I am. A pleasure to meet you Mrs Greyjoy."
"Aww, you don't have to call me Mrs! Call me Alannys! I'm so happy Theon made a friend! People are mean to him at school, thank God his sister watches over him! Come closer, so I can see you well."
The couple sat by her side.
"You're a Lannister." She stated "The hair, the eyes... You look a lot like Kevan Lannister."
"He's my father."
"Oh, that's why. I never met him, only saw him on TV. He seems nicer than his brother!"
"Uncle Tywin isn't mean, he just wants what's best for his affairs."
"Then, he's just like my Balon. On TV, he seems like a mean person. But he's kind inside. He sends me flowers everyday."
Behind her, a vase was indeed filled with fresh roses.
"Mom..." Theon started carefully. "Lancel and I are together, do you remember me telling you about it?"
She seemed lost in thoughts.
"I remember you telling me something like that. Asha told me Euron is getting married. Lancel and you must go to it together, with matching outfits. It's a tradition!"
A knock on the door broke their conversation, only for Asha to enter. Surprise was painted on her face because she smirked.
"Having a tea party without me, Mom?"
"Oh, Asha, Theon and his boyfriend just arrived, we didn't start drinking yet!"
"Your mom is very sweet." Lancel said as they exited the psychiatric hospital. "I wonder why they keep her here. She seems well."
"We tried getting her home." Asha intervened. "But when she gets home, whenever she sees our brothers' old rooms, she starts searching for them. She almost froze to death one night, stating she couldn't leave the outside gate in case they came home from the nightclub."
"I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"Relax, I know what you meant. You were good with her. She likes you."
She noticed her brother's fingers entwined in his.
"We never really had a chance to talk, you and I. If you're free, why not staying tonight?"
"I'd love that."
"Asha..." Theon started
"I know what you're going to say." Lancel cut. "If I break Theon's heart, you break my privates."
"You're damn right I will. No one messes with my baby brother."
"I have younger siblings too. I know the feeling."
"Wow. We could make an ironborn out of this lion yet."
To Be Continued