Arya woke up with sunlight streaming across the bedroom. She opened one eye, squinting at the clock on the wall. She bolted upright when she saw that the big hand was in 6 and the small hand was in…
Oh my effing god! It's 10:30 in the morning?!
She tried scooting to the edge of the bed but she winced at the pain she felt below. She felt sore, considering she and Gendry went as far as round 2 before he finally crept back to his room at 4 am. A smile slowly crept across her face when she thought of Gendry and his amazing skills; a warmth flushing through her as she recalled how he loved her with eager lips and tongue, and skilled hands and nimble fingers. She could still feel his mouth as he sucked on her breasts, his hands as he clutched her thighs, the silky smooth hardness of his cock as it pumped in and out and around her.
Shit! I could get addicted to this…to him…
She took a couple of deep breaths before trying to get out of bed again and successfully making it out this time. She took slow steps towards the bathroom, still wincing at the soreness she feels. Avoiding looking at the mirror, she went directly to the shower and set it at the hottest she could handle. The hot water did wonders to her sore muscles. She felt a bit more relaxed; loving the feel of the water as it cascaded down her shoulders and back. She twisted her head and neck gently until she heard a crack before bracing her palms on the wall and just let the water soothe her once more.
After her shower, she stepped into a green-colored swimsuit; a push-up halter top and a double string bottom Cersei bought for her during one of their shopping sprees. Donning some shorts and a tank over her suit, she decided that she'd been holed up in her room for almost half day already and just walked down to find the others. She ran into Tommen on her way to the kitchen, where he'd just been to devour a hearty breakfast. He told her that the others are out there having a little surfing competition, but she knew her brothers and cousin are probably just wading in the water as opposed to actually surfing. They were men of the North and are used to the cold, Northern winters perfect for skiing and snowboarding, water sports were most likely a Baratheon expertise. She wondered if Gendry knew how to surf.
The kitchen was empty, and for a minute, she found the silence a little calming. Taking this opportunity to eat her late breakfast - or brunch, actually - in peace, she ate some heavenly-tasting waffles, crispy bacon and some fruit on the side. She'd been ignoring going to the gym since she'd been to King's Landing, and maybe she should let the guys take her with them the next time they go in for their work out. Drogo's, as they say, was better than their old gym, and the instructors were more capable and credible. "You'd have to learn how to talk some jibberish, though" Jon once told her, as they explained that the owner is a foreigner only knows "Drogo, very good? Yes?" in english.
When she couldn't hold off seeing the others any longer, she walked out of the house and found them at the beach, cheering some of the guys who were out in the water. Since it was just Cersei, Robert, Renly, Loras and Tommen out of the water, she squints into the sunlight and laughs when she sees Theon and Jon wiped out into the crashing waves. Joffrey and Rob were sitting on their boards and clapping their hands and laughing at Theon and Jon's expense. And then she found Gendry as he rode a huge wave; his perfect form meant this wasn't the first time he's done this. She walked closer to the water, holding a hand to shade her eyes from the sunlight so she could get a better look at him.
Everyone started hooting and cheering as he finally let go and jumped into the water after being on the board for the ride. He swam a few more strokes until his feet could touch the sandy bottom, before resorting to walking towards them the rest of the way. He was lugging the surfboard at his right, a smile plastering on his face when he saw her standing there, watching him with a half-surprised, half-amused expression. He jogged directly towards her, ignoring the others' teasing.
"I'd kiss you right now, but I'm pretty sure your brothers are watching my every move," he murmured close to her, a goofy grin showing on his face.
She peeked over his shoulder and found Jon and Robb looking in their direction. Arya laughed, making Gendry grin wider. "They don't look angry at all. Just…just watching."
Trying to ignore the fact that he was standing there shirtless, his skin wet from the water and bronzed by the sun, Arya tried to think of something to say but Gendry beat her to it.
"You okay? I didn't hurt you, did I? I mean, I probably did…no, wait. I know I did, but I hope I didn't hurt you much?"
Arya just stared at him like he grew two heads.
Gendry's brows furrowed. "I'm babbling, am I?"
Arya laughed this time. "Yes. Yes, you're babbling and it sounds stupid."
They heard Renly clear his throat and they jumped at the interruption.
"Okay, lovebirds," Renly called out to them. "We've got a party tonight and there's still so much to do! No time for eye-fucking now…I'm sorry, Tommen...okay, come on! Hustle, hustle, work those muscles!"
"You're kidding, right?" Joffrey said incredulously as Gendry held out the infamous grass skirt. "I thought Uncle Renly said we're not doing luau this year!"
"Well," Jon said as he crossed his arms on his chest and leaned on the kitchen island. "Renly changed his mind. We're doing luau this year because…what were his exact words, Theon?"
"The ocean is a perfect backdrop to a luau. Let's go with luau! Chop! Chop!" Theon said in perfect imitation of Renly.
Everyone laughed except Joffrey, who looked like he was with a bad case of diarrhea. Arya took pity on him and said, "Don't worry, Joff. I'll take the extra grass skirt if that would make you feel better."
Joffrey didn't ease up on the scowl, though. Everyone gave a collective "awwww" before Arya added, "But we have to wear it with coconut bikini tops for full effect."
The group erupted in laughter again until Joffrey stood and got ready to leave. He was genuinely annoyed at them right now and wanted to take a break from them. The guys were okay, but it was usually Joffrey who was the butt of jokes. And right now, he was feeling tired of it and he just wanted to stay away for a while.
"Joff! Hey," Arya said as she touched his arm to keep him from walking further. "Those guys can be dicks, you know. Don't mind them."
Joffrey glared at her. "You even suggested the coconut bikini top, Ar. That's like, Gendry kind of mean."
Arya laughed. "Your brother's not mean! Well, not since he was 11."
Joffrey sneered. "Whatever. You hang around him too much."
"You want me to hang around you more?" Arya asked with a raised brow. "He's my boyfriend. Of course we'll hang around each other all the time."
"What about when you go back to Winterfell? How would you guys go about that?" Joffrey asked with genuine interest.
The question gave Arya pause. They haven't talked that far ahead. It was a take-it-one-day-at-a-time thing with Gendry, and right now, they're trying to make the most out of their time together.
Until the inevitable happens.
Shaking herself out of the stupor, she said with a softer tone, "Joff, I was thinking…how'd you want to surprise your brothers at the party tonight?"
Joffrey's eyes squinted. "What did you have in mind?"
"Just something that'll bring the spotlight on to you. Like, the good kind of spotlight," Arya replied with a grin splitting from ear to ear.
Joffrey took her arm and entwined it with his, leading Arya out into the beach and away from the others. "Let the planning commence. Chop! Chop!"
The beachfront looked amazing.
Everyone did a great job with the décor and lighting, although the artistic talents were more from Arya, Renly and Gendry (whom Arya discovered has an extraordinary talent in the arts), the others provided the muscle and helped carry the dinner and buffet tables and chairs, set up the lighting and whatever else that needed to be carried or installed. Loras had a small stage and sound system installed on the side, making everyone curious and equally nervous about why there was even a stage set up.
Robert called Renly to say that they were on their way back from Cersei's pampering session at a local salon right in the middle of town, which was about half an hour's drive back to their place. Everyone hustled twice as fast, even if everything seemed to be in place.
Arya looked around the setting; hibiscus blossoms, orchids and palm fronds decorated the area; colored paper lanterns were hanging all around to provide brightness in the place. It brought about a festive mood to the whole party, and they all started feeling especially excited and anxious for Cersei's reaction.
"Niiiiice…" Gendry whistled in appreciation as Arya stepped out wearing a cute little yellow and white floral dress and a white lei around her neck. Her long hair was loosely tied at the nape, and a single, pretty white orchid became a hair accent.
"Thank you," she said with a smile. She helped fix his blue and yellow Hawaiian shirt; a similar design as the others except that it they differed in colors. Now that she thinks about it, Loras and Renly must have planned a luau after all, since they appear to be ready with all the party preps. "You're looking mighty dapper yourself."
"As always," he grinned.
"You're so humble," she teased. "Kiss me," she ordered as she pulled him closer to her by the collar.
"Do you want me to get killed? Your brothers are out here with us," he slightly argued, although Arya thinks he's close to doing it anyway.
"I don't care. Kiss me."
"I heard that," muttered Robb as he passed by them to carry the microphone stand over to the stage. "Just try, Baratheon. Or I'll…"
"Shut up, Robb. You're not the Eddard Stark," she said before turning back to Gendry. "Kiss me, stupid. I know you don't really need convincing."
And Gendry did kiss her, but he kept it soft and sweet and long enough until they heard Jon call out, "Three…two…don't make me count till one… " before Gendry pulled back. Arya was grinning widely and so was he, much to Robb and Jon's chagrin.
"Mom and Dad are pulling up in the driveway!" Tommen ran out to announce it to everyone, and they started rushing about making last minute touches. Chef Baelish and his staff were ready with the food, the lights and décor were in place, the sound system playing some cool beach party tunes.
As soon as Cersei stepped out to greet them, everyone started singing her a slightly off-tune birthday song. She started laughing and crying at the same time, and clapping her hands like a little girl when she saw how the place was set up.
"Oh my goodness! This is beautiful!" she gushed, as everyone gave her hugs and birthday greetings. "You all did this?"
All heads nod enthusiastically. Cersei teared up a few times until her sons pleaded for the tears to stop. The guys started chanting for Food! Food! until the buffet table was announced ready to serve.
"So," Renly called out as everyone settled down to eat. "I'd like to propose a toast to my beautiful sister-in-law, whose beauty only surpasses mine by a few facial peeling sessions at the dermatologist."
Everyone laughed, including Cersei, even as she adamantly denied getting any treatment done. Renly raised his glass and called out a toast. "To Queen Cersei!"
"To Queen Cersei!"
"I'm going to hell," Robb groaned as he took a seat beside Tommen. He looked to the other table and saw that Cersei, Robert, Renly, Loras and Chef Baelish were talking over wine, enjoying the late hours into the party.
"What for?" Tommen asked, as he bit the last shrimp from the skewer.
"Gluttony," Robb answered.
"Me too," said Theon. "I've never eaten this much since Thanksgiving at Winterfell."
"Where's Arya?" asked Gendry, who was fidgeting in his seat as he searched for any sign of her.
"Where's Joff?" Tommen asked when he noticed that he was missing to.
"Ouch," Theon said to Gendry. "Little brother's M.I.A., and so is big brother's girlfriend."
"Shut up," Gendry laughed. "My brother? Totally not her type."
"Really now? I don't even think she has a type," Theon teased, earning him a playful punch on the arm from Gendry.
"Ahem."
Everyone looked around to see Arya standing on the small stage, tapping the microphone to check if it was working. Joffrey went up on stage too, carrying a stool in one hand and a guitar in the other.
"Hi! Sorry to cut your chit-chats for a bit, but I just want to say happy birthday to Queen Cersei, make up and fashion guru, cool mommah and businesswoman extraordinaire."
Everyone called out in agreement, much to the delight of the birthday celebrant.
"I guess everyone's wondering what our business on stage is," Arya continued, pointing to herself and Joffrey as she spoke. "We have a little surprise for the birthday girl, and I'm guessing everyone will be surprised too. I heard this one's your favorite, my Queen."
Rob and Jon's faces beamed proudly as they realized what Arya was about to do. They leaned back on their seats and fist-bumped each other, leaving the others even more confused.
"What's happening?" Gendry asked, leaning towards Jon.
Jon smirked. "You'll see."
Then Joffrey started plucking the strings of his guitar, indicating the intro to a song so familiar to everyone. Everyone listened to the sounds of the guitar strings as it squeaked and hummed and ting-ed under Joffrey's fingers, accompanied only by the soft hum of the night breeze, the swishing of the leaves as the breeze touched the trees, and the soft crashing of the ocean waves towards the shore. Joffrey had their complete attention, that was, until Arya started to sing.
Holy. Shit.
Gendry was dumbstruck. Arya's voice was soft and sweet and so right on the melody that he found it sort of hypnotizing. He looked at the others and realized that he wasn't the only one who found it to be so. She had their eyes and their ears under her spell; as if her voice pulled them in and led them to float away with her to some kind of enchanted place. Gendry had to literally close his mouth after his initial shock, before turning to look at Robb, Jon and Theon, who looked mildly amused at everyone's reaction.
"She sings like an angel, doesn't she?" Jon nudged his side to get his attention.
Gendry could only nod.
Blackbird fly…blackbird fly…
Into the light of the dark black night…
Blackbird fly…blackbird fly…
Into the light of the dark black night…
The guitar was the accompaniment to her voice. The squeak of the strings and the mellow melody was all that was needed to make Arya's voice stand out. They complemented each other, as if the sky was sucking the sound of Joffrey's strings and Arya's soft, soothing voice and pulling them up to disappear along with the night air.
All your life…
You were only waiting for this moment to arise…
You were only waiting for this moment to arise…
You were only waiting for this moment to arise…
The song ended but everyone remained silent. Arya and Joffrey looked at each other warily, trying to figure out if they killed the song - the good kind of kill or the bad kind. They would have just walked off the stage and bury their heads in the sand until Cersei walked up to them and gave them each a tight hug. Just then, everyone started clapping and shouting out their approval and both Arya and Joffrey felt slightly embarrassed by the attention.
"Was that okay?" Arya asked as she walked back to where Gendry was, pulling the empty chair beside him and tried to sit on it, but Gendry tugged her to him and onto his lap.
"Are you kidding me? That was amazingly, astoundingly beautiful. Like you," he answered.
"Shut up…" she mumbled, blushing once more.
They stared at each other for a while before Gendry held her head in both his hands and pulled her in for a kiss. He kept it soft and sweet, but that didn't mean he didn't feel a familiar stirring inside him that made Arya pinch his shoulder.
"Gen…" she whispered. "Not here…"
"Ahem."
They turned to see Jon staring at them with raised brows. "In public? Really?"
"If you don't stop watching over me and your sister the whole fucking time, you're going to end up old and wrinkly and a so very lonely man who missed his chance to meet girls because he was too busy playing personal bodyguard," Gendry pointed out.
"He's got a point, bro," said an amused Robb.
Jon rolled his eyes. "Shut it! I wasn't talking to you." He turned back to Gendry and Arya, pulling them apart. He took his chair, placed it in between them and sat on it. "Okay, let's go! Let's save room for Jesus! Chop! Chop!"
"I hate you," Arya whined, although she was trying to keep herself from laughing.
"No, you don't," replied Jon. He started waving his hands to indicate an invisible line between the two and continued, "Okay, we want room for Jesus right here. He has to be in between, come on people!"
"So annoying!" Arya laughed along with everyone, even if Gendry didn't find anything amusing.
"Jon Stark," Theon said. "Tonight's designated cockblocker!"
"That's right! We're blocking cocks right now because it's going towards the direction of my little sister!" Jon exclaimed enthusiastically.
A/N: Come on, guys. It can't be smut all the time, you know. There has to be cheese, too :)
I didn't know what song to use, and Blackbird is one of my favorites by The Beatles. But I came across a cover on YouTube by Natalie Ramsay, and she did an amazing cover.
I'm super stoked that this story's getting more and more follows and favorites. Thank you for the reviews, especially those who have been with me since the 1st chapter and keep sending those reviews. It helps when I write, since I consider your suggestions too. Keep those reviews coming please :*