I do not own anything. Just playing around with these character until the new season comes out in 84 years...

"No, no, no, Princess. You are doing it all wrong. You should be utilizing 14 count Aida cloth for your first attempt at counted cross stitch. Where is your head? Up in the clouds with your dragons?" Septa Marlow spoke with a pointed screeching tone.

Rhaenyra rolled her light purple eyes, rising from her seat to retrieve the correct item. As she passed by her best friend and classmate, the Lady Alicent, she leaned into her ear and spoke in a whispered and hush tone. "At least it's not up mine own arse, as hers is frequently. Wonder how she fits it up there with that big stick holding court for so long."

Alicent snorted loudly at that while Rhaenyra swayed jovially back to her seat. Septa Marlow whipped her head in her direction and narrowed her eyes questioningly, "And what pray tell is so amusing to you about this lesson, Lady Alicent?" Septa Marlow stalked over to her and snatched the needle point from her hands inspecting it. Alicent was disappointed with the lack of occupation of her hands and the anxiety-inducing situation she was placed in, because it automatically triggered her long coping mechanism of picking at her cuticles.

Rhaenyra reached out to Alicent and seized her hands before she could hurt herself at all, smiling at her friend after feeling the warmth of their hands exchange and moving directly through her arm and settling in her heart. Alicent answered with her own smile and a gentle squeeze in thanks. Rhaenyra looked up to Septa Marlo and distracted her by asking in a lilted voice dripping with sarcasm, "Is this one sufficient for this enthralling lesson?" Holding out the piece of fabric.

Septa Marlo turns on her heel to her. "Honestly, your tone is not leaving anything other than the interpretation that you find this work beneath you."

"Oh praise the gods, I feared I wasn't being forthcoming enough." Rhaenyra quipped back. Alicent held back her giggle as her eyes widened and began to tear up from humor. "Just because I am a princess doesn't mean I shouldn't be learning the actual tasks I will need if I rule. This is busy work!" Rhaenyra continued.

"For shame, child. This is imperative work. One of the most important for a woman of a certain birthright. All these stitches and designs will live forever. Each symbol inside the squares will relate to a thread color and family, and will show the histories of our land." Septa Marlow started with a matter of fact tone. "It is second only to childbirth and child rearing."

"Spare me." Rhaenyra spat out with another epic eye roll.

Septa Marlo narrowed her eyes and her one eyebrow crinkled. "You are so insolent and disrespectful. It's beyond me to be able to undo that from you. Just please continue to work in silence until the end of the lesson. Follow my directions." She turned to Alicent handing back her materials. "Your work is flawless, unsurprisingly. Though your nails and hands need tending to, so disgraceful. Your father is right to bring this up to me. Something needs to be done. I will give you some advice on your regiment." Alicent bowed her head shamefully, feeling a stab of pain knowing her father had brought her insecurity to her Septa.

Rhaenyra scoffed, "HA. Advice from someone with hands harder the dragon scales and a unibrow thicker than the narrow sea? Please…" Alicent widened her eyes.

Septa Marlo finally snapped. "Out. GET OUT! Lessons are over for today. I assure you this will be reported in great detail to both your fathers. Get out of my sight!" She screeched so loud it seemed she could break glass and some spit flew out of her mouth.

Rhaenyra smiled and grabbed Alicent's hand, dragging her out of her seat. "Thank you so much Septa Marlow, looking forward to the full report! By the way, there are great salves for your hands you can purchase at the market." Rhaenyra walked backwards with Alicent's hand and gave Septa Marlow one last instigating bow…not a curtsy before turning on her heel and running laughing out the septa's screams fading behind them.

Rhaenyra guided them all the way to the Godswood at a blistering pace. Alicent was hardly able to keep up with her shorter friend but she needn't since Rhaenyra always adjusted to stay in step with her. As they tried to catch their respective breaths while giggling, Alicent's breath hitched as Rhaenyra stepped into a dazzling beam of light with her head thrown back. Her light purple eyes caught the sun just right they seemed to sing to her. Alicent had never not been enchanted by her best friend's eyes, pools of lavender in the sun when she was excited or happy. There were darker tones they took on as well with different emotions, sadness, anger, and there was one time she thought she had read desire in her eyes. That memory was burned into her memory as she had the same feeling at that same time. Rhaenyra lifted her hands to the sky stretching and breathing in a long slow inhale of fresh air, keening with delight. Alicent at once missed the feeling of her delicate yet strong hand in hers.

"That worked out better than I expected. We have about 2 hours now until we need to report to the seamstress for our fittings. I love winning a free afternoon with you in the godswood. It is better than any other victory." Rhaenyra stated while turning her eyes to glance and smile at Alicent. She quirked her eyes while walking backwards to their tree and beckoned a confused Alicent to join her.

Once they arrived at the destination Alicent immediately beamed and laughed upon seeing what was laid out before them, a quaint little picnic. "You mean to tell me that was all planned? Angering Septa Marlow enough to dismiss us early so we could have a picnic?"

"Of course my Lady Alicent, you see I would never let this day pass without at least one adventure begotten from mischief. Not on the Lady Alicent's 10 and 6 name day!" Rhaenyra said while gesturing to the spread a huge grin on her face. "Today is a day that is meant to be memorialized in our memory…forever!"

Alicent's heart stuttered with the sweet and thoughtful gesture. Rhaenyra had thought of everything. The blanket, the color of Maroon. The drink, her favorite honey lavender mead. The small plate of cheeses and meats with crisp toasted bread and spreads. And of course, the candied lemons, oranges, and cakes. "This…you…thank you. To be honest, I thought you might have forgotten and would be reminded at dinner tonight. I think Father might actually need that reminder…" Alicent trailed off. Alicent stared distantly for a moment lost in thought about her father's lack of greeting this morning. It did sting but then she came back into the present moment, with this gorgeous, delicious picnic surrounding her, all planned down to the detail from her best friend.

Her heart swelled while she looked at Rhaenyra through her rapidly filling eyes. Rhaenyra furrowed her brows at her tears, reaching out to Alicent's soft cheek to catch one on her finger. "Why the tears?" She asked in a whisper filled with concern.

Alicent swallowed and took a breath, finishing wiping the rest of her tears away. "You are just so wonderful. No matter what, I always feel so seen, heard, and celebrated by you. I feel inadequate in some ways to spoil me with these priceless treasures. You are my best friend…thank you." Alicent finished by leaning over and pulling the princess into a lingering hug. They both buried their faces in each other's neck breathing in the scent of one another. Both girls were oblivious to how they affected one another. Both of their hearts beating more rapidly, yet feeling calm and safe, while also a smoldering fire building within them.

The girls stayed this way for a while eyes closed holding each other until Rhaenyra broke the silent praise they were gifting each other. "You are anything but inadequate to me. You are a jewel." Rhaenyra whispered into Alicent's neck sending shivers throughout her body in the most delicious way. Alicent needed to breathe, she needed some space to do that so she reluctantly pulled away shyly smiling at Rhaenyra while untangling from their embrace.

Rhaenrya clapped her hands together and proclaimed, "What shall we begin with?" Alicent scrunched her nose in the cute way that Rhaenyra always loved to notice when she was about to say something that she thought scandalous.

"Would it be bad if I said the cake before everything else?" Alicent's amber eyes shone with delight while she bit her bottom lip. Rhaenyra had to shake her head to stop staring.

"Of course not, cake before everything else is actually the best sentence I have ever heard strung together. Let's feast." Rhaenyra said, picking up the plate of assorted cakes and allowing Alicent to have the first choice.

Alicent picked up one of the lemon creme cakes and brought it up to her nose to smell it before tasting. She moaned, which made Rhaenyra almost drop the plate from her hands. "It smells divine…you must breathe it in as well." She said, pushing it out towards Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra dipped her head but kept her eyes locked on Alicent while taking a deep breath in through her nose, the tantalizing mix of flavors clashing together. "Mmm…the bakers outdid themselves with this one. I love the fact that you always savor the smell of your food before eating a bite." Rhaenyra finished leaning back and placing the plate down.

Alicent smiled shyly. "Smell is one of the most important senses adjacent to taste. It heightens the experience." Alicent brought the cake back up to her mouth and placed it between her full red lips to take a bit. Once she did, her eyes rolled back in her head and she made another throaty moan. Rhaenyra thought Alicent might have caught on to what those sounds of her do to her blood. "Oh yes…gods. So good." Alicent said through a full mouth.

Rhaenyra beamed, "Talking with your mouth full, Lady Alicent. Everyone will think I have corrupted you."

"Oh hush. You could never tarnish anything for me." Alicent said finally swallowing and allowing herself another bite.

Rhaenyra looked down thinking she mayhaps if she be honest about her growing inappropriate urges towards her best friend. It had begun, truthfully, from when they met the blooming deeper than friendship feelings for her Lady Alicent. But more recently, after the change in humors began within her and she began to bleed, those feelings had grown exponentially. At times, Rhaenyra thought Alicent might share those same feelings, when she caught her staring at her, especially at her eyes and body. Alicent would look her up and down and sometimes bite her lip, like she was trapping whatever was on her tongue in her mouth. Rhaenyra wondered for what seemed like the millionth time what her tongue might taste of… 'right now probably it would taste like that divine cake she was consuming.' Rhaenyra shook the thoughts out of her head. She needed something to do with her hands so she began pouring cups of the honey lavender mead for them.

Alicent finished the last bite of cake and gratefully accepted the cup from Rhaenyra. She took a long pull of the mead. Then promptly hiccuped. They both looked at each and giggled. "Excuse me, my princess."

"Oh you have gone too far now, my Lady. I can't excuse hiccups in my presence." Rhaenyra laughed and cleared her throat reaching for a candied lemon slice to pop into her mouth. She had a potentially dangerous question to ask and because of this she needed to keep her mouth occupied as she had not decided if she had the bravery to ask it of her friend. She must have been furrowing her brow because Alicent quickly noticed her struggle.

"What is on your mind? It seems like it might be weighing on you and I would love nothing more than to unload your burden." Alicent said while reaching out to her friend's hand to bring her eyes backup to connect with her own.

Rhaenyra sighed deeply. "You can always read me so well…"

"The perks of being your closest confidant." Alicent replied with a smile.

"And knowing and seeing me better than anyone else." Rhaenrya continued finally locking eyes with Alicent again. The intensity of the eye contact spoke volumes.

"Please share what plagues you…" Alicent whispered under her gaze.

"I just have been thinking…a lot lately about courting, betrothals, and potential marriages. It has been on my mind a lot as we come to the age where most ladies of the court begin that process…and it just makes me so frustrated. Because these moments with you…will be fewer and farther between. And I hate that. I don't want it. I don't want a husband. I really don't want you to have one as well. You know? Like thinking of holding their hands, dancing, ugh…kissing. I don't know, it just seems wrong to me…as though it wasn't meant for me…us." Rhaenyra spilled it all out onto the floor of the wood in one rushed breath.

Alicent's eyes were pensive while thinking of her response. Which did she address first? She thought to herself this may be a glowing opportunity to finally act on some of the feelings she had been trying to bury down inside her since the moment they met. She had always known…but the feelings and emotions she held in her heart for the princess always seemed to be about to burst forth from her nowadays. Alicent thought to herself…it's her name day. She should take after Rhaenrya's lead and give herself what she truly desires. Even if it was just for one moment. Alicent made her decision. Alicent smirked at Rhaenyra and waited for her to notice. She did a moment later.

"What are you smirking at? Are you laughing at me?" Rhaenrya said with a small tone of hurt.

"Not at all, I just find it a little peculiar you had such an adverse reaction to thoughts of kissing…" Alicent put forward gently with a touch of coyness. "I find it quite enjoyable."

Rhaenyra's eyes widened. "What? You have been kissing and not sharing it with me?"

"You want me to share a kiss with you, Princess?" Alicent replied with a sly smile.

"That is not what I meant and you know it." Rhaenyra's eyes were clouding over with that deep purple Alicent knew and loved so well. She was always looking for that color to come out. "I meant… well I mean who have you been kissing?"

Alicent contemplated letting this ruse go on for longer but she decided against it because she noticed a hint of hurt in Rhaenyra's eyes. That was the last thing she wanted. "I was having a kid on your behalf. I have not been kissed at all, Nyra. You are very easy to rile up sometimes. I must take note that speaking of me kissing someone was the quickest turn I have seen."

Rhaenyra's eyes narrowed but she breathed a sigh of relief. "What…what do you think it is like?"

Alicent beamed internally and proceeded with a sultry voice she didn't know she had in her, "What do I think what is like?"

"You know…a kiss. I have seen people obviously kiss. But at those moments it seems extremely chaste and boring. Like a quick peck and over. More ceremonial. But like kissing between people in private…what do you think it feels like?" Rhaenyra was so curious. She had imagined what it would feel like, many times, with the person sitting in front of her. She would supply her thoughts but she was thirsting for Alicent's point of view first.

Alicent's heart stuttered. She had also imagined what it may feel like, what her lips might feel like on her own. "Hmm…I'd imagine it feeling like a sweet pressure on your lips as they both come together. Sort of like when you massage something and a pleasant feeling releases like a spindle throughout that part of your body. And then when…" Alicent trailed off.

"Then what…" Rhaenyra seemed to have moved closer. A warmth spread at the proximity of one another.

"When you open your mouths and your lips move together the feeling and warmth spreads." Alicent said that sultry voice returned while maintaining eye contact. "What do you think?"

"I think once that happens I would probably be apt to want to move my tongue to see what they may taste like…"Rhaenyra's eyes were almost dark purple now, her pupils extremely wide.

"Yeah…that would feel nice. Moving them together. I am certain the nerve endings on our tongues would heighten the experience of pleasure." Alicent licked her own lips after finishing that sentence. Rhaenyra did not miss that moment, her eyes darting to Alicent's lips.

Rhaenyra cleared her thoughts and breathed in like Syrax. Her chest puffed out a bit and she looked back into Alicent's eyes, pleading with her. For what she did not know but truly she did know, she always knew this was her endgame. "It would be such a shame to experience something like that with a man we truly would barely know."

Alicent's internal body went wild, her mind rejoicing. Her princess just threw out the line she needed. Alicent's mind stuttered and her anxiety heightened. She cursed her nerves. She looked down at her hands and on their own accord they began picking at each other again. Alicent shook her head and took a breath looking back up to Rhaenyra whose eyes were still burning a whole through her. "I agree wholeheartedly, Nyra." She only used that nickname in truly personal conversations between them. This being one of the most vulnerable yet adult one they have had you. She took another deep breath and her hands separated. "You know, since it's my name day…I think I do have one more request for you…"

Rhaenyra's heart jumped. 'Oh please gods, let this be the moment.' "Anything, you can have anything and everything, Ali. Just ask." Rhaenyra said with a pleading throaty whisper.

"I'd like a kiss from you." Alicent said simply, honestly, truly. "I'd like you to be my first kiss."

Rhaenyra froze. She wanted that reply so much she was shocked she actually obtained it. It was for a moment too long because Alicent quickly started stuttering, "I…I…mean…you know…like you said...it would b-b-b a sh-shame for it to…happen with… a man…I mean…not a man…I mean not a friend…wait…someone like a stranger…you know?" Rhaenyra quickly shook her head and prayed for the confidence of a dragon in this moment. She put her finger up to Alicent's lip, silencing her and then traced them because they felt too soft to be real.

Rhaenyra then got to her knees and drew Alicent's hand into her own. She pulled both of them up to standing, wanting it to be exactly like one of her fantasies. Alicent's eyes never left hers through this process. Even though Alicent was a bit taller she did not mind the difference, she relished it because she could see every freckle, every inch, every part of Alicent's beautiful face. She stepped closer so their chest was a hair away from touching. She dropped one of Alicents hands and brought her right hand up to caress her face while pushing a tendril of her red hair behind her ear. She cupped it after that task was completed, took a breath and said, "As you wish, Ali."

Both of the girls leaned in while closing their eyes and they found each other. Their lips touched tentatively at first but the rush that accompanied it was thrilling. Heat ran down directly from the contact all the way down to their cores, connecting to their hearts. Alicent was the first one to move her lips, bringing her own hand to Rhaenyra's opposite cheek to guide her head with her movements. She caught Rhaenyra's bottom lip between her own and pressed it enough to send a shockwave of sensation through them both they both groaned seductively. Rhaenyra put her other hand on Alicents hips and pulled her in closer while experimenting with movement as well. She decided to return the favor and trapped Alicent's top lip between her own nipping a little, internally smirking at how it made Alicent shudder. Alicent was not to be topped though because she finally opened her mouth to entice the Princess tongue into her mouth, relishing at how it automatically answered her call. She massaged it and moved her own tongue together with it. The lingering taste of lemon and mead mixing together to form a delicious intoxicating nectar. Rhaenyra moaned and squeezed Alicent's hips which made her center brush against the princesses' buckle and the resulting moan that Alicent filled Rhaenyra's mouth sent her in a tailspin. 'This was better than riding on a dragon back. Oh wow…imaging having Alicent with me on dragonback so we can do this…and more.. Oh gods I want more.'

Alicent whimpered and moved her hip again searching for that friction again. She brought her hand which was on Rhaenyra's shoulder down over the princess's front brushing her chest along the way earning a moan from Rhaenyra. Her hand settled at the princess's back and pulled her even closer pushing their chest together. They both moaned at the contact. 'I want more…more…more of this flame…oh gods. This can't be wrong. This is so right. She is so right for me.' Alicent's mind raced.

Unfortunately the need for fresh oxygen became necessary so they slowed down to a comfort stop and leaned their foreheads together panting in air. Their eyes were still closed and their chest still flush together. Both sets of their hands met around each other's back where they locked in an embrace. A promise. A certainty. Finally after several moments they lent their heads back and their eyes fluttered open. Both of their eyes were dark with desire for more and certainty that this was something rare. Gratitude for each other. They smiled goofily and laughed.

Alicent was the first one to break the silence with a breathy, "That was definitely not adverse thought worthy." She smirked at her Nyra.

Rhaenyra's reply was serious and strong. "Anything but…however, I think we need more trials. Maybe one sitting back down?"

"Nyra…" Alicent trailed off looking deeply into her friends eyes.

"Yes, Ali…" Rhaenrya braced herself for heartbreak.

"Thank you for the best name day I have ever had. You gave me everything I needed and wanted…and yes…I'd like all you are willing to give. Every which way…" Alicent said with a bright smile but a sad thought behind her eyes that Rhaenyra noticed but chose to ignore at the moment. She could guess...that this couldn't last forever. It may well have to stay in the wood. But this moment - this first flame they ignited in one another was everlasting.

"As you wish." Rhaenyra replied, pulling Alicent down on top of her in the grass in a fit of laughter. Bringing their lips together once more.