I had notes but I accidentally lost them, so without further ado... As promised, Tyrion.
She speaks always in her own voice even to strangers;
but those other women exercise their borrowed, or false, voices…
She can walk invisibly at noon along the high road;
but those other women gleam phosphorescent… down every lampless alley.
She is wild and innocent, pledged to love through all disaster…
Here… gazing sidelong at me, the hair in disarray, the young eyes pleading:
'And you, love? As unlike those other men as I those other women?'
from The Portrait by Robert Graves
Tyrion
†
Tyrion had been overseeing the last details with the throne room on his own, as Varys was settling some matters at the docks, and Tyene had gone for her daily ride and had not yet returned. Consequently, he was bored out of his mind when his squire arrived with a letter. It was from the North, the boy had told him, but the wax was sealed in the shape of a dragon. Tyrion left the throne room so he could read it alone, and away from any prying eyes, as it surely had to be laden with information. Considering he still had some time to kill before the council meeting, he made his way to the godswood since it was not far and he could use the fresh air.
In the end, he was sorely disappointed for more than a few reasons. As the note—because letter it was not—was short, informing him only of the two Northern weddings he'd missed, hers and that of his brother's, and specific instructions for the crownlands and the other kingdoms as well, on what was needed from each to prepare for winter. It ended with a few other tasks for him, and that was it, no request for him to write back, nor inquiry on his state nor the capital, impersonal in a way he'd never known her to be. The brevity of it though, was just as telling, if not more so. Something was not going well, he was almost certain, and as there was no quarrel between kingdoms, it had to be closer to home.
He breathed deeply, feelings of resentment resurfacing, being left in the capital, away from everything that was happening in the realm. He was of no use here, removed from the board he considered the purpose of his life.
"Lord Tyrion?" The cadence of a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. H e looked up, letting the scroll roll shut.
There was an amused look on her face as she gazed down at him, something infectious that made him smile too and suddenly he was not so bothered anymore.
He was right where he needed to be.
"Lady Tyene," He answered, sliding the scroll into his pocket, and his worries for later, "How many times must I ask you to call me Tyrion?"
Her smirk deepened, "I will when you do."
Tyrion shrank a little at that, he wasn't sure why he hadn't yet, he wanted to drop the formality of course, once she did first. It was a game from the start, one it seemed neither wanted to lose. He was going to cave though, sooner or later, if the way he couldn't focus when she was around him was any indication.
To that effect, he started moving once more, and she easily fell into step beside him.
They did not speak, instead it was quiet, the mumble of the city mostly held at bay by the canopy of trees around them, and he felt the jumble of his nerves settle a little in that comfortable noiselessness.
"How was your ride?" He asked, remembering she had to have just come back.
She shrugged unenthused, "It was alright."
When they reached the Heart Tree, she turned to him, the look on her face somewhat elated as she broke the silence, "Has Viserion visited you today?"
"Not yet," Tyrion replied, purposely keeping the answer vague, because while that was true, there was no guarantee he would.
This reply did not seem to satisfy her, as she pressed on, "You think he is like to come soon?"
"You truly are your father's daughter," He chuckled heartily, the kind of laugh few could muster from him.
"Or my mother's," Tyene replied mischievously, moving to sit at the foot of the tree.
"Join me?" She asked, her voice silky, as she patted the spot beside her.
The smirk dropped from his face as quickly as the chuckle had appeared, the bundle of his nerves finding root in his stomach once more.
Tyene seemed to notice as her brows went up a little when she spoke, "Let us wait for the dragon a little. See if he will come."
Tyrion had not seen Viserion since the last time they were together in the Godswood, about a fortnight before. He wondered for a moment if maybe the person Viserion was visiting was her, since she tended to be around the few times the dragon had appeared.
Thinking to test this theory—or at least that's how he rationalized it—he gave an almost imperceptive nod and let another moment pass before he finally moved, and took a seat beside her hesitantly. Though Tyrion understood the cause of his nerves, why they were so out of his control still baffled him. It was not as if she was the first woman he'd ever courted, and yet he felt as green as a boy around her.
They sat like that for a little while, eyes upward, looking for Viserion, or at least she was, Tyrion was far too aware of her to notice anything else. He was busy trying not to stare when she finally looked away.
"I must admit, I am beginning to understand why you like it here. You can almost not hear the city, it is nice."
Tyrion smiled, "I am fond of that as well."
He expected her to turn her gaze to the sky once more but instead she stretched out, making herself more comfortable.
"Come, let's sit a little longer."
When he didn't answer nor move, she reached out a hand to his shoulder, gently tugging him back. Tyrion leaned back as she'd requested, though he felt as stiff as the wall of ice he'd once pissed off of. She let go but her hand didn't travel far as it now moved to his thigh. He looked over at her then, slightly shocked, but Tyene was smiling provocatively, despite his reaction.
"There is no need to be nervous," She said, still smirking, though almost mischievously now, as her hand slid further down his thigh.
He was not unfamiliar to this sort of behaviour, but it had only come from the kind of women who needed paying to do it. Even though Tyrion had his own repertoire of flirtatious behaviour, it seemed entirely ill-suited to use any of it on Tyene. Not to mention, it had been a long time since he'd even flirted with a woman, especially one he'd immediately been attracted to. So it should be no surprise really, that he felt completely out of his depth.
Tyrion decided to come clean, mainly because it seemed preferable to possibly blowing it with her altogether, and she was clearly not against the idea.
"It's been a long time since i've done this," Tyrion admitted with a sigh.
Tyene softened a little at that, almost imperceptibly, he only caught it because of how close he was to her. She lifted her free hand to his neck then, pulling him even closer as she answered, "Leave it to me."
Tyene was going to kiss him, and he didn't fight it, by gods, he wanted it, more than he'd wanted anything for a long time, but seemed entirely incapable of doing himself. She was near enough that all he could look at were her eyes, as they glittered enticingly at him. With her mouth close, he could feel her breath on his lips.
"I hope i'm not interrupting anything," A familiar voice said then, familiar in its unassuming tone, which though the same, felt heavier somehow.
As if he'd just been caught stealing gold dragons from his father's pocket, Tyrion pulled back, forcing Tyene's hand to drop and her to follow suit. He was almost certain she rolled her eyes before turning to their new companion.
"It is not easy to escape a spider's web."
Varys didn't flinch, "Not when that spider is waiting for your return."
"I planned to tell him," she answered testily. "After we were done waiting for the dragon."
Varys frowned, "Is that what you call it?"
Tyrion sputtered, and might have choked on his wine, had he been drinking any. Tyene smiled at her play on words, but didn't explain herself, seeming to prefer the innuendo to the truth.
Varys did not wait for an answer in any case, and turned to Tyrion instead, "Council meeting. I take it slipped your mind?"
Tyrion smiled embarrassed, "It might have."
His friend seemed to want to scold him, but held back, likely considering their present company. Instead his arms locked in a manner Tyrion was well familiar with. This worried him of course, as it rarely meant nothing, more often than not it was an indication of a much deeper concern.
"Shall we get to it then? There are other matters I still need to attend to, as do you. As for the lady, i'm sure her matters can wait until after our meeting," Varys said, a sharpness in his tone Tyrion contrarily felt quite unfamiliar with.
Varys spared Tyene a short glance before he left as quickly as he'd appeared, as spiders often do in fact. Tyrion couldn't help chuckle, though it was more to ease the tension his friend had left in his wake.
"We should go, I'd rather not push him too far," He said then, finally standing.
When he looked back at Tyene, she was still sitting, but as his eyes found hers, she lifted her arm, silently seeking his help. Taking his hand she stood, and bent forward to wipe her dress off . It was clear what she was doing, but it did not stop Tyrion from staring stupidly at the column of skin exposed by the cut of her dress.
"We will finish this later," She said, looking up at him, seemingly knowing where his eyes had been focused.
He flushed, caught, but also elated at the thought of what that meant exactly. As usual he didn't answer, but thankfully she didn't seem to expect him to, as she just took his arm, and began leading him out.
"Come let us get it over with, my matters can't wait much longer either."
†
At the meeting, after Varys had apprised them of his own news regarding the port and his earlier business there, Tyrion shared the contents of the note he'd received from the Queen. In light of this, the council meeting drew on longer than usual, as it was no small task readying a kingdom that had not seen winter in ages. It was late by the time they called it a night.
"I just need to finish up these orders," Tyrion said, his focus drawn to the scroll he was writing on.
"Feel free to head out," He said to the room at large.
There was no reply,
"Try not to stay up too late," He heard Varys answer warily. "We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
There was something in his voice that made Tyrion look up, only to find the man staring expectantly down at him.
"Is there something else you need Varys?"
He hesitated a moment before he spoke, "I should like to speak with you a moment."
There was another pause as Varys turned away from him and towards Tyene.
"Privately." He added, looking at her.
Tyrion realized suddenly that she was still sitting, seemingly waiting for something. With a jolt, he remembered it was him and felt his face flush. Tyrion thought back to their interlude in the godswood, and how he could have forgotten shocked him a little, with how fast it all came rushing back as his eyes found hers.
She smiled, almost as if she could read his mind but stood.
"Of course," She answered smoothly, still smirking like a cat, but there was something distinctly dangerous in the turn of her lips, and Tyrion realized she was snake more than just in name.
Tyene's eyes held his until she exited the room and closed the door behind her. Reluctantly, Tyrion turned his gaze back to his friend.
"What is it then Lord Varys?" He asked.
The man hesitated a moment, likely by the use of the formality Tyrion had not used in a long time. His hands were already drawn together, hidden by the long sleeves of his tunic.
"It is not my place to interfere in your life, nor is it my intention to dissuade you, but as your friend, I feel it is my duty to remind you at least, of your history with her family, from her late father, to your late niece, but most importantly, between you and her mother, before you make any rash decisions."
Tyrion sobered at that. He had not forgotten any of it, only he hadn't exactly considered any of it either. Tyrion had only let himself muse, not thinking on the past or its many complications, only on the fantasy, as a beautiful Dornish woman like her, could never find interest in him. Now that it seemed even Varys thought she had, everything he hadn't let himself consider quickly overrode the illusion so as to leave it non-existent. But he was still not ready to face the truth.
"Lady Ellaria will not take kindly to this union," Varys continued, unaware of the turmoil in his head.
Tyrion said the only thing that came to mind, "There is nothing to speak of."
"But there will be," His friend countered, as if it were only a matter of time.
Tyrion opened his mouth to speak but Varys held his hand up to stop him.
"I am not telling you not to—act on your emotions, only to think on it carefully. You are hand of the Queen, and though Lady Tyene is not of noble birth, she is still a Martell in blood, as you are a Lannister. These are not matters you, not her, can ignore."
"Yes, yes," Tyrion answered, since he knew all this.
"I'm not entirely unaware," He added causticly.
Varys raised a brow at that but said nothing to it.
"Goodnight then," His friend answered instead.
Tyrion stared absently at his friend's back as he left, then at the door closed behind him for a few moments, before finally turning back to his message, deciding he'd think about it after he was done, when he had a large glass of wine in hand to help him mull it over.
Finishing the note, Tyrion signed it with 'Hand of the Queen', and began to seal it shut.
His focus drawn to the task, he did not hear anyone come in, so he was startled when Tyene's voice interrupted the silence.
"I hope you did not forget my matter."
Tyrion looked up, and saw her standing at the opposite end of the table, looking at him with an amused expression.
He had not forgotten of course, only now he had a lot else in his head too, and so he only answered, "I did not."
The smirk slipped from her face.
"I was not lying when I said we would finish it," She said as she made her way over to him.
Tyrion leaned back into his chair and smiled, almost nervously, then cleared his throat, but couldn't find the words to speak.
"Shall I escort you to your chambers… or mine?" Tyene said then, smiling mischievously.
Tyrion froze for only a moment, managing not to choke on the air in his lungs, before he laughed it off as a joke, though he wasn't entirely sure she meant it as such. Deciding it was safer not to answer, he deflected instead, raising his hand with the small bundle of scrolls before he spoke, "I'm on my way to find my squire in fact."
Tyrion made to leave and pushed his chair back so he could stand, but this turned out to be the wrong move as she took full advantage of the fact that he was now facing her, and placed a hand on each arm rest, effectively trapping him.
"First things first," Tyene answered, inching her face closer to his. "I believe this is where we left off."
Knowing he did not want to escape, he let her mouth find his. Her lips parted almost immediately, and his did too, the kiss deepening until it was all tongue and even a little teeth, but he had to pull away, feeling the telltale signs of his interest.
"Let's take this slow," He breathed heavily, unable to look away from her very kissed lips.
Tyene's movements stilled.
"We are not children Tyrion."
He looked up and raised a brow at her, his lips turning up slightly as he realized she'd just given in, and he'd won. Tyene, however, did not even react, at least to that.
"I'm tired of games," She pressed on, her hands leaving the grips and settling instead on his shoulders.
"I want you, don't you want me?" She inched closer as she spoke, so her chest lay along his and her hands tangled into his hair.
"You know that I do," He relented, not wanting to lie to her, his hands moving to her waist almost of their own accord.
"Then what are we waiting for?"
Her mouth was but a breath away and suddenly Tyrion wasn't exactly sure himself.
"The right moment," He finally answered, feeling as if it were the right thing to say, but her brow wrinkled.
Tyene pulled back, her hands settling on his shoulders once more.
"And when is that?" She asked, seemingly not convinced by this answer as she did not move away further than that.
He didn't immediately reply, again not knowing what to say, only now feeling less grateful for his clever tongue. When he still hadn't answered as answers eluded him, Tyene raised one knee then the other to either side of his thighs, so she was now straddling his lap, and spoke again.
"Can we not see how it goes before we bring our kingdoms into the bedroom with us?"
Not waiting for an answer she pressed closer, her mouth finding his in a heated kiss. Her fingers moved back up to his neck pulling lightly at the hair near his neck. When he opened his mouth to taste her again, she tilted his head back and suddenly she was devouring him. His hands tightened around her waist when she rolled her hips slowly.
He pulled away again, in an effort not to lose his head, which was becoming increasingly harder to avoid.
"If we were not who we are, perhaps. But in my experience, sex while good—very good, complicates things, and everything is so complicated already."
Tyene grumbled distastefully at this, but remained in his lap.
"The spider has gotten into your head I see. You men like to talk. Fine let us talk. I want this, and it is clear you want it too. What about that is complicated?"
He chuckled only half amused, suddenly feeling irritated at her obliviousness, intentional or not.
"Either you are being purposefully obtuse or did you honestly forget that your father died being my champion? How do I know you're not just looking for revenge?"
Tyene sat back on her haunches, looking at him as if he were the one being obtuse.
"May I not make the same question? For what we did, my mother and sisters and I, to your niece—"
She stopped, unable to say the words. He winced at that. A few moments passed and neither spoke, the silence heavy and thick, almost as if there were a third person in the room with them. With a pang, he realized it was Myrcella.
Tyrion still didn't know how to address that, both in what happened and his role in it. He had played his part, there was no denying it. Gambling with his niece's life as if she were just a piece in his play, and not his flesh and blood.
Knowing he might never assuage his guilt with any of it, but as he held Tyene in his arms, only one thing seemed to make sense at the moment.
"Why don't we just call it even and never mention it again?"
It was not nearly close to the right decision, but Tyrion had once told his brother to leave the past behind him, and now it was time for him to follow his own advice.
"I can agree to this," She finally answered, her voice serious.
Tyrion took a deep breath, knowing there was still one more thing they needed to discuss. His fingers slid idly along the small of her back in an attempt to memorize the moment, and the feel of her, should she react negatively to the words he was about to say. She started moving forwards again, likely with the intent to pick back up where they'd left off, only he didn't let her.
"There is also the matter of your mother," He said finally.
She paused, her brow furrowing as if she did not understand.
"What of her?" Tyene replied.
Tyrion managed a weak smile, "I'd rather she didn't kill me when she finds out."
She returned the expression, though with more strength before she spoke, planting a soft kiss at the corner of his mouth.
"I won't let her," She cooed resolutely, letting both her lips and hands trail down to his neck and chest respectively.
Tyrion wanted to believe her and though he didn't doubt the tenacity of her words, something told him not to discount what her mother was capable of.
"Perhaps it would be better if I tell her myself, then at least I'll be able to deal with it head on."
This seemed to alarm her, as she suddenly sat up, looking him in the eye once more.
"She would kill you for sure then. You are a Lannister, and while I let go what happened with my father, she never will."
They sat like that for a few moments, and in spite of the compromising position they were in, and how quickly they had fallen into it, Tyrion felt oddly at ease.
Whereas before, he'd been all nerves, now he felt more himself, it was as if a single kiss had settled all his afflictions, and here, under her power, was exactly where he was supposed to end up.
She smiled, looking as if something brilliant had just occurred to her.
"Instead of slow," She began, her fingers pulling at the laces of his doublet. "Why do we not keep it quiet instead?"
Now Tyrion did laugh, purely with amusement, "Keep it quiet? In the capital? Impossible."
But he didn't stop her.
Tyene's grin widened, her fingers pulling with a little more urgency as she continued, "I can be very sneaky. No one will know, save your friend, but he will not speak. When we know, what it is between you and I, then we can face my mother's wrath, together."
It was as her hands began to dip lower, that he knew he could resist no longer. Letting himself give in, Tyrion raised a hand to cup her neck and pulled her in for another kiss.
a/n:As mentioned, I had notes that are now lost in the ether, and i've been meaning to post this some time ago, so i'm just going to skip it this time. One thing I do remember is that this is only a taste of Tyrion and Tyene, in order to get the story moving forward.
Thanks again for reading!