Pain shocked my entire body upright as a bolt ran through me. The unpleasant sensation caused me to rise from my sleep in a panicked start, a metallic taste heavy on my tongue.

"Kespus daor! Aemond!" I shot dazedly in alarm, panic dripping from my voice.

"Easy now Prince Lucerys! Easy now."

Darkness covered both my eyes and I realized a delicate material had been carefully bandaged around my head. Only my left eye had been damaged… maybe the maester thought it would hold better tied as such?

spinning thoughts coiled and smoked in a tangled mess of confusion…

A deep fog weighed heavily on my mind… a familiar fog that I recognized from the time i'd broken my wrist descending off dragon back.

'Milk of the poppy' I thought groaning to myself, realizing why I felt this way.

"I'm sorry… the Prince is—Gone…" the maester finished hesitantly.

My stomach sank as I weighed my foolishness through the jumbled mist of pain and poppy. It had been a total waste then…

"No… I… I hoped he would stay… I only wanted us to be friends again… well if we ever were that to begin with."

The maester dipped a cool rag into some water and dabbed it onto my forehead softly.

"You blinded yourself for the friendship of one who sought vengeance against you?"

"Doesn't make a lot of sense does it?" I chuckled, the throb in my eye gripping me as I did. A new thought came to me then and I shifted towards the presence of the maester beside me. "How badly did I wound myself?" I asked, sitting up against the pillows.

"Your vision… might have been saved had we been at the Red Keep or the citadel in Oldtown… but alas it was not within my skill to mend. Your knife did not plunge very deep however. There is almost no damage to your face aside from the eye. You will heal very quickly, if infection does not take."

Sadness swelled in me, threatening to push me off a ledge in my heart. "Good… I owed him the eye… it would not do… If I had cut too shallow…"

I started to sniffle as tears formed beneath the bandages. The pain was excruciating as i did.

"No my prince, try not to cry! It will open the wound."

"He really left Maester? After all that? Is he so heartless? I thought maybe he would… hoped maybe… that all this time he was only teasing… I so wanted to apologize…"

"Just try and rest my Prince…"

A strange silence engulfed the chamber and I thought for a moment that we might not be alone.

"If I may… young prince… what had you wanted to apologize for?" It was an impertinent question but I had never been one for formality. Least of all towards those who tended my health… I sighed, my mind still swimming.

"It was always Aegon and my brother Jayce who made me go along with it… i never wanted to ridicule him. We were friends when we were very little… but that changed when Aegon and Jayce got older and started to torment us… Now there's likely to be a war and no chance of fixing any of this. I may never see him again…" I cried, not able to stop myself.

"Leave us Maester, you've done your duty well enough. Here, the gold I promised you. For saving his sight and for deceiving the prince." A familiar voice shot from the corner of the room.

"You fucking prick!" I cursed, realizing my uncle had enlisted the maester to trick me.

"Your uncle never left your side young prince. I thought you should know he was worried sick—"

"—I said leave us fool. Your usefulness is done."

I tried to unwrap the binding on my uninjured eye but strong hands came to stop me half way.

"You should rest Luke. The Maester saved your sight but the wound will still need time to heal."

"I owe you my eye, uncle, that was my agreement. It's what you wanted from me isn't it?"

"Are you really that stupid? Keep your eye boy. Did you really think that an eye would fix everything? My mother has crowned Aegon. The mere sight of a second son means nothing in the game of thrones."

"hobrenka lîve issa! Nyke gōntan bisa syt ao! (You goat faced whore! I did this for you!) I don't care about the game. I wanted you to know… that I'm sorry. I should have stood up to Egg and Jayce… instead I turned against you to make it stop. I was craven. I told myself that If I helped them it wouldn't always be me at their mercy. I should have been braver Aem."

"Be quiet Luke. Its a little late for all of that…"

"How can you think I did this for mother? Or loyalty to the crown?" I raged, my tears returning.

"The maester said not to cry! Damn it Luke you might really damage your sight if you don't stop!" Aemond chastised, his hands pressing softly against my chest to keep me laying down.

I grabbed his hands in mine the moment i'd felt them. "Please believe me Aem. I wanted to make things right. I want things to go back to before the teasing, to before I hurt you."

"Ok! alright! I believe you! just calm yourself. Please." He commanded, sighing to himself exhaustedly. I heard the sounds of scraping as my uncle dragged something to my bedside. He sat himself on whatever stool or chair he'd carted over so that he could rest beside me.

We were silent for a few minutes as i managed to calm my breaths and slow my heart.

"Why then Luke? If you didn't do this for Rhaenyra … why would you care so much about making things right? If not for my sister and your claim. Why did you need me to forgive you so badly before this war?"

"I…" the question gave me pause… I was so unsure if it was wise to reveal my motivations at all, but in the end the drugs won out. "Ha… if you really want revenge on me I'll tell you. I'll be a laughing stock throughout the seven kingdoms… beyond just that of the 'second bastard Strong' if you repeat it to anyone else."

"Then maybe you shouldn't tell me."

I blushed despite myself, thinking on the real reason for my rash behavior. It was a stupid boyish courage that had led me to act the way I had. I felt embarrassed suddenly by the overwhelming need to impress him.

He withdrew his hand as soon as he noticed the crimson tinging my cheeks.

"I'm a Targaryen alright. We… have issues where family is concerned… Kespus (Uncle)."

"Surely you don't mean…"

I searched for his hand again, seizing it bravely in mine. He laughed, but to my surprise, didn't recoil.

"Aōha muña emagon nykeā mirre syt Kespusoti, ziry vestra, ao gūrogon tolī zȳhon. (Your mother has a thing for uncles, it appears, you take after her/ so too do you)."

"Half uncle. Your mother and I share no blood." I argued back defensively. "Now your turn. I've revealed my secret affection like some mooneyed maiden… Why were you so intent on revenge all this time? You said it yourself all those years ago, Vhagar was a worthy and equitable trade for the cost of your eye."

"He was. I didn't seek revenge for the eye Luke. It was for your betrayal. I protected you, I was your friend. You and Aegon and Jayce giving me that pig, tormenting me year after year when all i wanted was for us to get along…"

He trailed off without finishing.

"Do you accept my apology then Uncle? Knowing how much i mean it?" I asked in Valyrian, sitting myself up. The sheets fell away and I realized the maester had removed most of my clothing aside from my short like under-breeches. I managed to pull the bandages off of my working eye, wincing slightly in the process.

My vision came back into focus and i found him observing me strangely, his sapphire exposed to the light.

I drowsily bent over the edge of the bed to him, reaching my fingers tenderly towards the gemstone orb his mother had given him.

I knew the milk of the poppy was still clouding my thoughts, but I didn't even try to stop myself.

He caught me before they could make contact and I gasped at the sudden shock of the quick movement. 'He's so fast' I marveled, a kind of boyish awe striking me.

"I've never seen you… like this Luke." Aemond whispered, our one eyes locked together.

"Please say it. That you forgive me." I whispered back, leaning even closer. Pain pounded in my face as the pressure of hovering where I was built in my skull.

"I forgive you." Aem replied, his expression like stone.

I smiled and pressed my soft lips to his, savoring the result my bravery had won me. A few moments of contact elapsed before I felt him pushing me back into bed. "Not now. You'll hurt yourself more if you continue."

"Please Aem, at least sit beside me."

"I am sitting beside you."

I shifted myself to make room on the large feather bed. "Not like that."

The handsome Valyrian undid the sash holding his hair, letting it fan out casually in the process. He removed his belt and over tunic, followed then by his boots. It wasn't a moment later that he slipped into the decadent bed of our guest chamber. I realized suddenly the extraordinary opulence of the room Lord Boros had furnished me with. I was not in an infirmary… what that meant I couldn't say.

"Are you ok like this?" Aem asked, his arm snaking around my shoulder. I shifted so that my head lay on his chest. I knew it surprised him to see me this way… I was more surprised that he had allowed the contact… or my earlier kiss.

I nuzzled him childishly before issuing my foggy reply. "I am now Aem."

I remembered that we lay like that for a while, his fingers trailing little circles on the naked skin of my shoulder. I could tell he was lost deeply in thought. He was a calculating man and doubtless was thinking on the coming war.

"You know… I had this horrible dream while the maester worked on me. I dreamt that I said no when you asked for my eye… I dreamt that I fled… you flew after me and Arrax on Vhagar… then we both lost control… and Vhagar… he killed us… tore Arrax to shreds as you shouted for him to stop. My last sight as I fell to earth was of you on dragon back as it all went dark."

I looked up at the striking purple iris of Aem's one working eye. For the first time in his adult life he looked sad, maybe even afraid.

I gulped, ignoring the pain in my head and pushed myself upwards. I shifted so that I was straddling him, my legs pinning him in place.

My hands I used as braces, placed on his chest to stabilize myself as i swayed under the influence of the narcotics. As I leaned forward I almost lost my balance. He snatched my arms up, holding back both my wrists above my head with but his left.

"No fair…" I smirked, now unable to lean forward.

"I said not now… you'll only hurt yourself." He ordered flatly, showing no sign he was even interested. A swell of longing hit me then like smokey dragon breath.

"I don't care." I whined, pushing against his grip as my head tried to get closer to his. I wanted to seize his mouth again, It was all i could think about. "See, you knew a fight would hardly be a challenge." I teased as he had me vice like under his control.

"You're drunk Luke." was Aemond's simple reply.

I began to shift my hips in a writhing motion to try and rouse the member in his pants. Maybe that will get his attention.

"Stop that now."

"But I want to kiss you Aem."

"You shouldn't. You're betrothed to Baela."

"Its just us here… are you afraid you'll change your mind?"

"Change my mind about what?"

"Killing me." I whispered darkly, trying to kiss him again.

"What are you on about, I'm not going to kill you."

"Not today… but I refuse to fight you or Aeg or Aunt Haelena… and if this becomes a war… your mother and grandfather will have me killed. Some day it will be you… against me… so right now… just let me have this… please."

He recoiled a little but released his hold on my wrists. His right hand moved to my chest both to feel the smooth skin there and to brace me should i lose my balance. I didn't. I leaned forward slowly so that I could grab the right side of his face.

"I can't believe you're letting me do this." I mused aloud.

I kissed his full lips, annoyed at the sight of his striking Valyrian features. Those same features that I had not inherited. I was soft and boyish despite being seventeen… but I had neither the delicate purple eyes nor silver hair of my mother and grandfather.

"I always thought you had the nicest hair of all of us. More platinum than even mothers." I commented, running my hand through the soft silver locks.

"Do you know what you even look like right now? what you sound like? This isn't a good idea at all."

"I look like a Strong… I always do…" I groaned absently.

"Don't ever say that. We can all tease but you can never say that again. Do you understand? Never." Aemond barked, scolding me.

"What do you think I look like then? What do I sound like to you?"

"A bitch in heat. You're practically begging for it. Like i said. I have never seen you like this. It must be the milk of the poppy at work."

I shook my head, smiling. "I hide it well enough. For you i've always had… this feeling… I probably shouldn't be telling you this…" I droned out as my head swam. I began to trail soft kisses down his jaw and neck not a moment later.

"Have you ever been with a man?" Uncle asked me in his deadpan voice.

Aemond Point of View

Lucerys shook his head cutely from side to side, a permanent red tinge still spread across his cheeks.

"I've lain with Lord Celtigar's youngest daughter… and also the sister of one of Bar Emmon's banner-men… although in truth I would have preferred the brother. They were from Lys and very striking." Luke explained, grabbing my hand and pulling it towards his mouth. He wasted no time licking the digits, moving to suck on my index finger when after several moments, I had not pulled away.

"Cerise Celtigar? She's quite stunning. Celtigar and a Lysenii girl. Both the Celtigars and Lysenii are steeped in the blood of old Valyria." I noted. I could feel the blood flowing to my cock as his delicate tongue roused me to attention. As I hardened I inadvertently pressed harder into Luke's rear, where he sat… the sensation only provoked me more.

Still I refrained from taking the initiative. I did not want to lose control and hurt him.

"And you Aem? I assume you've been with countless maidens."

"A few maidens, although you have an overly generous view of the ladies at court if you assume them to be mostly maidens."

He chuckled, pausing from his work on my fingers when he felt the stiffness growing beneath him. His hand extended downwards to disappear behind him. My eye closed as I let the pleasure wash over me.

"Have you ever… thought of being with a man? I mean no offense Aem." He was honest and careful in his question.

"A man? No. There was once a time when a boy caught my eye though. I was training in the yard with ser Cole and these two handsome black haired princes came to court. I had not seen them in a long time you see. They resided on Dragonstone with their mother for many years."

Luke froze, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on me. His face reddened even brighter and I almost flipped him beneath me then and there.

"If you say Jayce instead of me I'll have to push you out of the window. Besides I don't believe you. You've always only hated me."

'Should i tease him more? No… not now.'

"I caught you watching me train. You hovered for hours in the shadows along the parapets, like a lost puppy."

"You were the best I'd ever seen. So dashing and graceful. I almost tripped when i first passed you sparring on my arrival. You caught the better of the lord Commander and then disarmed ser Cole right after."

"You going to stop?" I teased, reminding his behind what sat snaked beneath him. His hand did not resume its work.

"You really thought the same of me?" The question took me by surprise.

"I did hate you. For a long time. But we were best friends before Aeg and Jayce started their cruel games. You're still family."

Emotion swelled in his chest and face and without waiting to hear more he slipped his under breeches down below his ass.

I watched his hands move to my trousers to unlace the fabric tied there. He slipped the material down and guided me to his exposed rear.

I leaned in to kiss him, instigating contact for the first time. It lasted a few minutes before I pulled back, my hand still cupping his face. He nuzzled at the calloused fingers, elated by their presence. I realized finally how serious Lucerys was about this and knew we had to stop.

"I ordered you, not tonight. I won't hurt you Luke."

He groaned his disappointment loudly, removing himself from his position on top of me. Instead he lay so that his head rested on my thigh, very close to my throbbing cock. He looked past it towards my face, tempting me with a smile.

"I just know if I fall asleep… or if I can't sway you now… I'll wake up and you'll have gone. You'll come to your senses or change your mind or remember you still utterly hate me."

This time emotion swelled in my chest at the possibility. Its true this was not a good idea…

"If i… promise to stay with you tonight… will you stop? Wait until the milk of the poppy has worn off? I want you totally aware of everything I'll be doing to you."

"Oh fine!" He barked, releasing me. I slipped my erection back beneath my trousers and patted my chest.

"What do you think will happen If mother rejects Aegon's claim. I don't want any of us to fight."

"I don't know. My grandfather is intent on keeping the useless cunt on the throne."

"It should be you or Mother not Aeg." He hummed against my skin.

"You would see me on the iron throne, over Jayce?"

"I think you'd be rather good at ruling. I think you'd be rather good at conquering too. Want to run away with me to Essos? We could fall upon Myr or Tyrosh with fire and blood. The Targaryen way. I could be your hand somewhere in a new land."

I balked at the audacity of his suggestion. I looked down at his still naked rear, admiring its perfect roundness. I grabbed it with a squeeze.

"I haven't decided if i like this flavor yet. You'll forgive me if I wait to sample you before agreeing to fly off over the narrow sea to set up our own kingdom?"

"You're the one who insists we wait. Why though I'm not sure."

"I don't want you to damage your eye… Otherwise I would not have restrained myself."

"I owe you the eye. You shouldn't have let the maester save it."

I shifted his head by the chin so he had not choice but to look at me. I could tell he was serious. My heart pounded harder at the thought. How angry I had been at him not hours ago. How I had called him craven and bastard in Lord Boros's hall. I wanted to carve it out of his head… If I was being honest with myself.

He added a line as an afterthought and I could tell he was beyond addled by the maesters draught.

"If it were you and not Aeg… I might put on green and stand by your side in king's land—"

I squeezed his mouth, shifting my thumb so it pushed its way between his parted lips. It cut off his crazy rambling and had the unintended consequence of bringing heat back into my pants.

"You're very stupid like this Luke. Sweet, but stupid."

I released him then but kissed his forehead.

To my strange delight he blushed at the attention.

"Why? because I could never get you to put on black and red? Can you imagine the look on Rhaenyra's face if you landed with Vhagar dressed in our colors? I'd say 'Mother, look who i've brought back with me?' Oh but he's only agreed to join us because i've promised to be his whore."

I laughed at that. It was the first thing in a long time that had amused me so.

"The iron throne… such a stupid chair… remember how it cut grandfather? It injured him so often I thought he might die of blood rot."

"Aeg's already cut himself this morning. Its an Ill omen if you believe such things."

"Stupid chair for a stupid king."

"He is rather a cunt my brother isn't he?"

Luke laughed this time and this time it was my turn to delight at the sight.

"I hope I taste like peaches and honeyed cream. Maybe you really will run off with me if i do." he teased, closing his eyes. It did look like a peach, I had to admit.