Robb was on his way to school when he passed by Robert's study. The door was ajar, and he saw the man hunched over his laptop; papers strewn over his desk and a small box of pizza on one side of the desk. Robb thought about going on his way, but he thought talking to Robert about Bran and Rickon was the proper thing to do.

Robert looked up on the third knock, a smile spreading across his face upon realizing it was Robb. "Come in, come in! Are you off to uni?"

"Yeah. I just thought I should drop by to say thank you for letting my brothers stay a couple of days."

Robert waved a hand in dismissal. "Bah! I've already told you Starks that friends of the family are welcome to our home! It makes me and Cersei calm and reassured to know that you boys and Arya are keeping my boys company. You know how it gets when Cersei and I get swept away by work."

Robb nodded. "I know. It doesn't mean you had to take us all in, but you did. One Stark after another, you took us in. Thank you."

The man chuckled. "You know, you remind me so much of your father. Very honorable and always striving to do and say the right things."

"We learned from the best."

"Indeed."

Before Robb turned to leave, he said to Robert, "So Mom and Dad are flying in this weekend to pick up the boys. I assumed you've spoken to them about it?"

Robert nodded as he signed several documents. "Yes! Your parents insisted to stay in a hotel, but I insisted too that the only logical thing is to spend their stay here, catching up with you and your siblings. Too bad Sansa had to return to the Vale."

"She's bummed about it," Robb said with a chuckle. "Well, I have class in an hour so I might as well leave. Thanks again, Robert."

"The thanks are unnecessary, but you're welcome all the same."

"So it's twice a week of guitar lessons since I'm still on summer break, otherwise, it's just every Saturday," Tommen said as they walked out of Jaqn's.

"Your guitar teacher is pretty cool," said Bran. "I just don't understand why he has to talk in third person?"

Tommen shrugged. "I don't know why, either. For a time, I was speaking in third person that Joff and Gendry stopped talking to me for a while."

Bran and Rickon laughed. "It was funny, though!" Tommen added.

The three boys walked down the length of Trident Avenue and onto the huge water fountain in the middle of the business district. In the middle of the fountain and right on top of a pedestal, was a statue of a man who probably had an important role in King's Landing's history. But Tommen knew nothing about him as much as the Stark brothers did.

"So Gendry's picking us up here?" asked Bran, as they took a seat on the fountain's ledge. He dipped his fingers into the cool, refreshing water and wiggled them around.

Tommen nodded. "His class ends at 2 pm, so he'll be here in about 10 to 15 minutes after."

They spent a while watching the busy crowd go about their daily business, but time lagged long and slow when there was nothing else to do.

"I'm hungry," said Rickon.

"Gendry said he's taking us to Castle Darry for late lunch, so we have to wait just a little longer before we could eat," said Tommen.

"I'll just grab something to drink, then. Be back in a few," Rickon said before crossing the street and onto the small café right across.

"I see Arya in Rickon," Tommen commented as soon as the younger boy was gone. "He's just as opinionated as she is."

Bran laughed a little. "By opinionated, do you mean wild and stubborn? That's a subtle way of putting it, but yes."

Tommen smiled. "I like Arya. She and Gendry complement each other really well."

Bran chuckled. "Are you sure you're only 11? I'd think you were older than me and Rickon. You're very mature about how you see things."

"Well, if you have brothers named Joffrey and Gendry, there must be someone who must take on the role of the mature one."

"Hey! No fair!"

Both boys turned around to see Gendry standing there with both hands on his hips. Bran looked sheepish at being caught talking about him behind his back, but Tommen only rolled his eyes. "Well, you're more mature than Joff, but still immature."

Gendry laughed. "Alright, Gramps. Want me to take that to the car first before we go?"

Tommen handed over the guitar case to his brother.

"Where's Rickon?" Gendry asked when he noticed the youngest Stark was missing.

Bran pointed towards the café across the street. "He got something to drink. He was hungry, though."

Gendry nodded and patted Bran's shoulder thrice. "I'll just be quick. Go get Rickon and we'll head over to Castle Darry as soon as I get back."

Gendry watched as Bran and Rickon nodded their heads with every bite they took of their burgers. He grinned as both boys voiced out their approval of the food and the restaurant's set up.

"This is so cool!" Rickon exclaimed for the umpteenth time since they walked in. He kept looking around at the castle-themed establishment. The staff added a medieval feel to the place by donning costumes of knights, prince and princesses and court jesters. He kept running his hands over the wooden structure they were sitting on that was made to look like a wheelhouse.

"And the food is awesome!" Bran said, simultaneously shoving two potato fries into his mouth.

Gendry laughed. "It makes even a grown man like me excited about eating here. Pretty cool, huh?"

"Very!" Bran and Rickon said at the same time.

Gendry let the boys eat and talk for a while; watching them as they happily recounted stories about Winterfell and Tommen sharing his own stories about what it was like in the Baratheon household.

"So I went up to my dad and I said, 'A boy must have money to buy a new guitar for his lessons. A boy must hold claim to a Gibson Les Paul.' And my dad said, 'A man must tell a boy that the answer is no' and everyone started laughing!" Tommen said as he relayed a story about his third-person-Jaqn-speak phase.

"You were so annoying," Gendry said, reaching over to his brother's plate of fries and popping one into his mouth. "I swear I wanted to smack that guitar of yours over your head."

"Child abuse," Tommen said as he did the same with Gendry's plate of chicken nuggets. Taking the biggest one out of the rest and biting onto it, he added, "Joff walked around the house with his iPod just so he wouldn't hear me talk."

"Arya went through a similar phase when she and Edric were into this Beatles phase?" Bran said, oblivious to the fact that Gendry's back straightened when Edric's name came up. "They hung out a lot in her room," Bran went on. "And they played these records over and over again until Sansa lost it and broke every single one of her CDs. They got into a fight after that and I think Sansa lost a few clumps of hair because Arya had a pretty strong grip on it."

All three boys were laughing except for Gendry, who kept silent until he said, "Did they ever go out?"

Rickon's forehead creased. "You mean, date? Did they every date?"

Gendry shrugged as he took a sip of his iced tea.

"No. They're just friends," said Bran. "But I do think he was her first kiss."

Gendry choked on his iced tea. "So they've kissed?"

"If he was her first kiss, then obviously, they've kissed," said Tommen.

"Shut up," Gendry said before turning back to the Starks. "Did it happen many times or was it just that one kiss? Were you there? Did you see it? She said they're just friends and that he's harmless. Do you think he's harmless? Why didn't she tell me this?" Gendry babbled on as all three boys stared at him like he grew two heads.

Finally, Rickon said with an incredulous look on his face, "You're crazy."

Bran and Tommen laughed.

"You boys done?" Gendry asked instead, completely dropping the Arya-Edric subject. "Where do you boys want to go?"

"Tommen said you currently hold the top score for House of the Dead," Bran said with a smug look on his face. "We'll see about that."

"Long day?"

Gendry opened his eyes and found Arya standing there with a knowing grin. She must have heard about how Bran kicked his ass at the arcade, as well as his pride and dignity out the door. He patted the grass beside him, silently asking her to lie on the freshly-mowed lawn, and stare at the night sky much like the first time all those months ago. Arya got down and stretched out beside him, smiling as she tried to find the Big Dipper.

"Have you seen the Cassiopeia?" Gendry asked as soon as she was settled.

"Seven stars, right? Almost directly opposite the Big Dipper?" she asked.

"Right. So, have you?"

"That would be a no."

Gendry laughed softly. "Here," he said, taking Arya's left hand with his right and pointed it towards the seven star formation. "Others see it as an inclined chair or throne."

"Hmm," Arya hummed, as she let his hand trace the stars in the sky with hers. "If you could show me Draco, the Dragon, I'd make out with you right here, right now."

"Arya, that's like fifteen stars that make up Draco. I have no idea where it is," he complained.

"Well, better luck next time."

Gendry raised himself up and leaned on his elbows. "That's it? I don't get a consolation kiss or something? At least I knew there were fifteen stars that made up Draco!"

Arya shook her head. "Nope. Sorry."

Gendry exhaled noisily and laid back down. "Alright. How about we play a truth for a truth. I'll ask you a question, which you have to answer truthfully, and you'd get to ask your question and I'd do the same. Are you game?"

"Are these questions supposed to be wholesome only or anything goes?"

"Anything goes."

"Bring it."

Gendry placed an arm under his head and shifted to a more comfortable position. "Did you hate me back then when I stuck gum to your hair?"

"Nope. Just half angry."

"I don't believe that. If it were me, I'd go caveman crazy!"

Arya laughed. "But you see, I was more sad about cutting my hair than being angry with you. For some reason, I don't know why. Okay, my turn. Have you ever dated a girl whom Joffrey liked?"

Gendry tilted his head in thought. "I think there was one girl, ah…Jal? Joff had the biggest crush on her and we found out she had a crush on me. We went on a date once, but that was it. I felt bad for Joff afterwards. And besides, it just didn't feel right to hurt your brother like that."

"I'm impressed at the level of maturity."

"Ye of little faith," Gendry chuckled. "Okay, my turn. Have you ever had anyone go down on you?"

Arya sat up abruptly, making Gendry laugh out loud. "What the hell kind of question was that?"

"Hey! We've laid out the rules, remember? Anything goes."

"Um…no?"

"Are you asking me?"

"No, you idiot! The answer's no!"

"Which reminds me," Gendry said with a cocky grin on his face. "I haven't returned the favor yet."

"We'll get to that," Arya said, clearly embarrassed. "Shut up now, it's my turn. How old were you when you lost your virginity?"

"17."

"No shit?"

"Yes shit. And don't even ask to whom because it's not one of my proudest moments."

"You do know that that's the best way to get me curious about something, right?"

"Your turn's up. Last question of the night…"

Arya smacked his arm. "Last question?! I still have a lot to ask you!"

"We'll get to that," Gendry said, trying to hold back laughter. "So, since we know very well that it was I who took your virginity and taught you all you know right now about sex…"

"Oh, please!"

"Sshh, you're done talking. Arya Stark, who was your first kiss?"

Arya froze. Shit. She turned her head to the left and held his stare. The light moment was over and she knew Gendry found out something and wanted to find out for himself.

"I'm waiting."

"Edric Dayne."

"Talk to me."

Arya sighed. "It was just a first kiss, you know. Nothing serious! We were hanging out in my room and listening to music and then suddenly he leaned over and kissed me. We didn't get into that kind of relationship, we didn't even date, nothing. I guess Edric realized it too after the kiss. End of story."

Gendry was silent for a while until he said, "Hmm…'kay."

"So we're good?"

"That's all I need to know, Arya," he answered as he got up and brushed the grass off his clothes. Reaching a hand out to help her up, he said, "Come on. I'm hungry. I think there's left over spaghetti from dinner."

Arya woke up to a busy household. Everyone seemed to be rushing about, considering it was a Saturday. She found Nymeria sitting by the window, watching Ghost and Grey Wind run around the lawn with whom she hears to be Bran, Rickon and Tommen.

"Nymeria, to me," she said, patting the space beside her. At the command, her pet jumped on the bed and buried her head underneath the covers, making Arya laugh. "You're getting bigger everyday, baby. You're taking up most of my bed space now, hmm?"

Knock, knock, knock.

"Arya? Make sure you have clothes on and that Gendry's not in there with you, because I'm coming in at the count of five."

"Come in, you dork! I just woke up," she called out.

The door opened and Jon walked in with Ghost at his heels. As soon as Nymeria saw Ghost, she jumped off the bed and play-wrestled with her brother. Jon commanded both pets out of the room before turning back to Arya.

"Hey, so Theon and I are driving to the airport to fetch Mom and Dad, so get your ass out of bed and get ready. We'll be back in about thirty minutes to an hour, tops."

Arya got out of bed and padded on to her closet, picking out one of Gendry's worn out shirts that she stole from his drawer, and her blue denim shorts. "Could you tell Bran and Rickon to get ready and then come up here, please? I want to talk to them before Mom and Dad comes," she said before going into the bathroom.

"Will do," he said before turning to leave. "Oh, and Arya? Cersei and Robert planned an impromptu barbecue party tonight. Remember, Mom's meeting Gendry for the first time. Make sure you warn him."

"I'm on it!" she called out over the sound of the shower.

Well…this is going to be interesting.

If Gendry was able to get her dad's approval, well, her mom was a different case. She was stricter and usually had the upper hand when it came to discipline around the house since their dad was usually out there working. Add to that the fact that while growing up, her mom usually favored Sansa more, even if she wouldn't admit it. Maybe because she was always the rough and rugged type compared with her sister, and her mom was usually frustrated over her lack of grace and refinement. Arya was more like her brothers, and Catelyn didn't hesitate to voice out her frustration about it.

When she was dressed an ready, she went downstairs and found a few of the staff rushing to and from the kitchen, preparing what seems to be a barbecue feast fit for kings. She wondered if Robert and Cersei had other guests coming because it seemed like it. Shrugging the thought aside, she walked straight out the back and found her brothers and the Baratheon brothers playing dodgeball, while the wolves were running around in excitement over the game. She sat on one side and watched them outlast each other, laughing along as they laughed and trash-talked each other out there. It was a while before Gendry found her sitting there, a huge grin plastered on her face.

"Hey," he said as he sat beside her.

"Hey," she replied, watching him as he took off his shirt and wiped his sweat with it. He looked so hot without his shirt on, watching the play of muscles as he rubbed the shirt around his chest and arms before handing the soaking wet shirt to her.

"Eew."

Gendry laughed. "Wipe my back, please."

She made him turn his back to her and did her best to dry his back. She could feel the corded muscles as she dried his lower and upper back before moving on to his nape and then his hair.

"That feel's so fucking good," he mumbled as he titled his head back and let her rub the shirt to dry off the sweat in his hair. "I think I need a massage."

"Maybe Loras can help you find a masseuse," she joked.

"Haha, very funny," Gendry said, remembering the incident back in Highgarden. "But I wouldn't say no to a massage if you were to do it."

Arya playfully smacked the shirt behind his head. "Wow. Your own personal masseuse, how charming," she said before turning serious. "So, um, my parents are coming and obviously you've met them before. Well, my dad you've met when he came here, right? But you must remember my mom from trips back when we were little?"

"But I barely know her. She was a little scary for me, being strict and all."

Arya exhaled loudly. "Exactly. Which is why I'm a little nervous right now."

Gendry turned around to look at her. "Are you kidding me? I practically live with your brothers, I've met your dad, I've fed your wolves…seriously, Arya. How hard can meeting your mom be?"

He wanted to die.

Catelyn Stark was not everything she appeared to be. No one should underestimate her slim stature and short height and soft voice. Because beneath the petite appearance, Catelyn Stark was a dragon.

"So you're studying Structural Engineering," Arya's mother said as she regarded him with sharp eyes.

Gendry took a shaky breath before replying. "Yes…ma'am?"

Fuck…was that too formal? That was too formal, right?

He heard Robb and Jon snicker beside him and saw Arya roll her eyes from across the table. Good thing for him, Robert piped in at the right time.

"Gendry's very good with designing and analyzing. I may have to make use of his preferred profession once he finishes at university. Stark and Baratheon might have to push through with the building of hotels in the future, we'll never know," Robert said, his laughter booming around the dining room.

"I heard there are different specializations for every field. Why not bridge engineering? Why not industrial structures, mechanical structures like aircrafts, ships…why building engineering?" Catelyn inquired.

"I, ah, I've always been amazed with how a building is made right from scratch up until the design is in place. Just looking at a structure and thinking about how amazingly something was built out of nothing into something just piqued my fancy," he explained before taking a long sip of water.

The conversation jumped from their studies to business and onto a more boring subject of politics, until the adults let the younger ones go take a rest before tonight's barbecue party.

"Do I look medium rare or well done to you? Because I swear your mother was grilling me to perfection!" Gendry muttered as soon as they were out of earshot.

"You did fine, Gen. She's just like that, it isn't unusual of her."

"I was ready to die right there, Arya. And if she questioned me some more, I don't think I could make it past this weekend!"

Arya took pity on him and pulled him in for a kiss. "Relax, Gen. Remember, she isn't here to interrogate you. And right now, those two runaways are the ones who are going to get grilled."

They watched as Catelyn and Ned entered the privacy of Robert's study, with a nervous Bran and Rickon in tow. Arya's heart went out to her brothers, but at the same time she knew those two had to be told off for taking a plane-ride out of Storm's End.

"Come on," Arya said as she tugged Gendry towards the tv room. "The guys are back here. Just stop thinking about my mother for a while and relax."

"What were you thinking, boys? Why did you two run away?" Ned said as he sat on Robert's chair and faced his sons. "I'm sorry about missing the game, I truly am. But I would have preferred a kicking and screaming Brandon and Rickon to an empty bed at 7 am!"

"You don't know how crazy I went, running from room to room around the house and calling all the possible people you could have run to! Haven't we talked about Dad's problem at work?" Catelyn said, her voice rising a bit.

"You told us, Mom," Bran answered back. "You told us that if Dad says he's coming, he's coming. Well, that was the third time he said it and the third time he bailed out! At least now I know that Dad's consistent about things."

Catelyn's hand went smack across Bran's cheek on instinct before she took a step back in horror at what she'd done. Ned went and made her sit to at least calm her down, before Ned approached Bran.

"Bran, I'm sorry. You know how it is at work, we've explained it so many times already. And Mom's sorry too," Ned said, nodding in Catelyn's direction. "That Mom didn't make it either. We had an emergency to attend to and then a dinner meeting that night."

"You could have called, Dad," Rickon said. "We would have been disappointed, but we would have understood if only someone talked to us."

"I'm sorry. Both of you. But never do this again, boys. It's not something a parent would wish to find out at 7 in the morning. We thought something bad had happened to you," Ned said in a soft but firm voice.

"We're sorry too, Dad," Rickon said, nudging Bran on the side.

"We're sorry," Bran said at last.

Catelyn walked towards both boys and took both in her arms. "I'm sorry."

"You know what, I've been really stressed out at work and I probably need to spend more time with all of you. How about we make the most out of it?"

"Head!"

"Top?"

"Migraine!"

Arya smacked Jon's arm and cried out, "What do you mean migraine?"

Jon raised both hands. "Dad was pointing to the top of his head, I don't know!"

"Come on, guys! We've got ten seconds!" Ned resumed the gestures, pointing to his head and making actions of flattening out his hair, until Robb jumped from his seat.

"Toupee! Toupee!"

"Yes!" Ned shouted out in victory, hugging Robb as the Starks shouted their joy at their first win.

"Come on, babe!" Cersei called out as Gendry went in front and picked a card from the pile. "Let's show these Starks what Baratheons are made of!"

"Wow, Dad!" Joffrey called out to Robert. "You're married to a trash talker!"

Everyone laughed when Cersei nudged Joffrey's side with her bare foot. "Come on, babe! Strut your stuff!"

"Yeah! Strut your stuff!" Arya called out from the back of the room, earning more laughter from everyone.

Gendry winked at her and placed a hand over his lips to keep her quiet. "I hope you guys are ready for me because…"

He looked at the card he got and exclaimed, "What the fuck?"

The Starks burst out in laughter.

"Dead! Gendry's dead!" Robb said in between laughter.

He clapped his hands with renewed energy and cried out, "Alright! Let's do this!"

Everyone stared as Gendry made chewing actions, which he alternated between puffing his cheeks up like he was blowing something. After several failed attempts and more taunts from the Starks, Gendry looked around the room until his eyes fell on Arya, and then suddenly it clicked.

He almost laughed at himself when he resumed the chewing and blowing gestures, and then acting out something that had to do with something sticky and then pointing to his hair.

"Glue?"

"Ah! Ah! Conditioner?!"

Gendry kept up with the sticky gestures and pointing to his hair until finally, Joffrey jumped up and shouted, "Oh my god, bro!" Joffrey pointed to Arya while mimicking Gendry's gestures.

"BUBBLEGUM! BUBBLEGUM!"

Gendry raised his hand in victory and cried out, "WINNER!"