Holy hot damn! I finally finished. This chapter. hahaha. Only 3 more left.

…'I wish you knew this illness that I have—you'd want to have it too—
It pleases and enchants us—
There's nothing good, this side of heaven, to match it…

She answered straight away: 'What is this illness called? It has a name, I guess?'
'Amour.'
"A pretty word. Tell me some things to know it by— the symptoms more or less.'
'You get such pains the ecstasy of kings is dull and boring in comparison with this condition.
You quite forget yourself… You don't see you, you only see this dream
Which recurs everywhere and endlessly.'

from Thyrsis and Amanranta (Fables, VIII, 13) by Jean De La Fontaine

Tyrion

†

Things were going good. Better than good. Tyrion couldn't believe his luck.

Tyene was stealthier than he'd expected and Tyrion felt certain no one knew of their little tryst, save his friend of course. He still looked at her with interest, maybe flirted more heavily than he had before their thing began, but certainly no one could deny him that. It would be more suspicious not to, he told himself, more in character as everyone knew of the many escapades of his philandering cock. Contrarily, they knew nothing of his steadfast heart, but that was to be expected as he'd only ever fallen in love with whores, and society as a whole seemed to think that impossible.

Still, this fling with Tyene was better than any night (or day) he'd paid for, so good he couldn't even be bothered by the fact that it was the first affair that hadn't cost him anything. He was even happy about it. It was a secret and still, it was the truest relationship he'd ever had.

Nothing was hidden between them, and though they didn't live in each other's pockets they spent hours a day together preparing kingdom and country for winter. As for their nights, though they did not sleep together, they spent enough time between the sheets becoming familiar with one another.

But that was not all they did together. Sometimes, like now, they sat side by side under one of the many trees in the godswood, close enough that they could tangle their fingers together inconspicuously as they waited for Viserion to appear.

Tyrion still wasn't sure how this had come to be a somewhat regular occurrence, it almost seemed as if Viserion knew when they were there, though he didn't always show. Such as today it seemed.

The most obvious reason for these visits was likely that the dragon was starved for company, and remembered Tyrion as the one who'd unbound his chains, who was often with his mother, or used to be anyway. Oddly enough the thought didn't bother him.

"We ought to go. I don't think he is coming," Tyene said then as she stood, eyes still focused on the sky.

"I'm beginning to think you only want me for my dragon."

He'd meant for it to be a joke, but instead his voice fell flat, and he made a last ditch effort to masquerade it with a smile.

By the tone of her responding smirk he knew she'd noticed of course.

"Is this what we have decided to call it?" She quiped back.

Tyrion stood, "I think that'd be rather confusing, it'd be hard to tell if you wanted the dragon or my not so little friend?"

She laughed, loud and abrupt, "Which one is Viserion in this question?"

He felt the grin on his face take root for real, the sound of her laughter like a fuse inside him.

"You see my point then," He answered.

She took his arm then, so they could head back inside.

"No, but I would like to."

This time, he laughed. The silence lingered a moment before Tyene broke it.

"Why do you say this? About the dragon?"

Tyrion turned to look at her, only to find her gazing over at him, the expression on her face serious and concerned, and entirely unfamiliar. For a second he didn't speak, unsure himself of the answer. Why had he said that?

Before he got the chance to reply, they were suddenly not alone.

Though it had been some time since he'd seen Queen Daenerys last, she looked much the same, down to the sharp edge in her gaze, as he remembered her the day she'd faced the masters in Mereen. Surely that was not a good sign.

"Your grace," He said then, unable to hide his shock.

"Lord Tyrion." She looked down at him for a moment, a slight rise to her brow, before she turned to his companion, who was still holding onto him.

"Lady Tyene. I'd not expected to find you here."

The words were not said with any kind of hidden meaning, but Tyrion knew Daenerys was genuinely confounded. He looked over at Tyene and should not have been surprised by the steady look on her face. Slowly enough for the movement to feel casual, she let go of his arm.

"Your grace," She bowed lightly to Daenerys. "It comes as a shock to me as well, but I have grown fond of the godswood. Lord Tyrion and I come to visit Viserion, he is visiting sometimes. He is lonely I think."

It was the right thing to say as Daenerys' expression softened, "That is kind. It is good then, that we are back."

"We, your grace?" It was a loaded question, one she'd be able to answer without giving too much away.

There was a moment of hesitation as she turned serious once more. "Drogon."

She gave him no chance to say more, as she turned to Tyene instead.

"Lady Tyene, would you please excuse us? I need to speak with my Hand in private."

"Yes of course your Grace. Shall I fetch Lord Varys and wait in the council's chambers?"

Daenerys thought it over for a moment before she answered, "That won't be necessary."

Tyene nodded and with a bow and not another word, she left.

Tyrion wanted to watch her leave, but forced himself to stay focused on Daenerys. He waited until they were alone, before he asked his next question.

"Why are you back?"

It was not exactly good tidings that she was here, having recently been married and her new husband notably absent. She didn't answer at first, instead she took a few steps away from him, forcing Tyrion to follow. It seemed he was taking another turn through the garden.

"I'm here to check on the capital," Daenerys said then uncertain, in a tone utterly unfamiliar.

The heavy feeling in his chest pressed tighter.

He took a moment to find the right words, feeling entirely out of his depth with this Daenerys; it was a side of her he'd never actually seen. She was trying to hide it, but he could see her anger and sadness plain as day. He decided not to address it though, knowing she likely didn't want him to. So Tyrion aimed for his usual levity instead, thinking she might prefer it for once.

He raised a brow at her, letting her know without words that he wasn't convinced by this answer, but leaving it up to her whether she'd tell him the truth. He had little hope of that happening however.

"I needed a break," She said after a long moment, her voice heavy and earnest enough that he knew it was true, in part at least. "It is too cold in the North for my Targaryen blood."

Though Tyrion suspected she meant it as a platitude, it too seemed genuine, if he interpreted the words more as a metaphor than literal truth.

"And for everyone warm-blooded I suspect," His voice was light, and though she didn't smile, her expression softened in gratitude when she looked over at him.

"So tell me, how long have you and lady Tyene—" She trailed off for a moment before continuing, "been taking walks through the garden?"

"Godswood." He corrected.

She smirked knowingly at him, but said nothing, only waited for him to answer.

"Not long," He answered vaguely, trying to sound casual.

Daenerys' expression shifted once more, now serious, though her tone was not stern exactly.

"You know her mother will not approve."

He smirked unhumourously, "I have considered it."

"So you expect her to find out then?"

"What? No! Of course not your grace, I only meant, we are keeping it secret, not that there's anything worth keeping quiet, I mean it's only—just two people, enjoying—"

Tyrion was never this shy about sex, in fact he tended to gloat about it, but for some reason he just couldn't bring himself to say the words.

Now Daenerys was smiling, and though it was at his expense he found that he didn't mind really.

"The moment?" She finished for him when he said nothing more.

Tyrion cleared his throat before answering, "Exactly."

There was a momentary pause, as if Daenerys was considering something else.

"As long as Lady Ellaria remains unaware, I see no problem."

†

It didn't take long for her feelings to change however.

Though in retrospect, that may have been his own fault. It hadn't been his intention, but he now realized he'd begun to put less effort into hiding his relationship with Tyene, at least in front of Daenerys and Lord Varys, considering both knew the truth.

As the days, and council meetings passed, Queen Daenerys began to grow restless, and irate. At first, Tyrion chalked it up to the trouble she'd brought with her, which he still hadn't broached. He'd tried of course, asking first of her time in the North, then of her husband, but her answers were always clipped and brief.

But now he wondered if he had not exasperated the issue, since it was likely his relationship with Tyene only helped to remind her of whatever was not working with Jon. She'd yet said anything about him, but Tyrion knew.

It was on such an evening, when he'd been too busy caught up in Tyene, that he hadn't noticed the solemn expression on Daenerys' face, not until Lord Varys indirectly pointed it out.

"Your grace, was there not something you needed to speak of with Lord Tyrion in private?"

Daenerys' face cleared as she seemed to realize she was giving something away. She smiled politely at him.

"Yes, thank you Lord Varys for reminding me."

The way she spoke, made Tyrion suspect if she truly had, or was just taking advantage of the opportunity Varys had given her.

"Come Lady Tyene, I would be glad to escort you to your chambers."

With those words, Tyrion had no doubt left that Varys had clearly orchestrated all of this.

As for Tyene, she seemed shocked by this offer, but didn't refuse it, despite how much Tyrion knew they both disliked each other. She smiled softly and he knew she wasn't clueless either.

"That would be kind. Good night your grace, Lord Tyrion."

Tyene's dark eyes caught his, and flashed at him in warning, as if to say 'be careful what you say', before she left the room with Varys at her side. It was quiet for a long moment.

"Are you going to tell me finally, what is the matter your Grace?"

Daenerys held his gaze for a moment before she spoke.

"There are so many answers to that question, but I will start with the easiest."

There was another long pause before she spoke again.

"Lady Ellaria has been pushing me to accept Obarra as Queensguard. I know I have already agreed to this, but I've been putting it off because I am still not certain. Not of their loyalty exactly, but of their brashness."

Of all the things he'd expected, it was not this.

"The Sand Snakes are dangerous, and with a will of their own, I cannot deny that I am wary of putting one at my back."

Tyrion wasn't entirely oblivious to her concern of course. Still. "They have no reason to betray you—"

"And no reason to be loyal. Not truly."

He could see where this was going.

"But if you and lady Tyene—"

Tyrion didn't let her finish. "Just because you've been on a marriage spree as of late, does not mean I am going to let you add me to the list."

"You misunderstand me Tyrion. I am done with that."

She looked almost sheepish, as if she'd learned this lesson the hard way, and Tyrion wondered how badly Jon had reacted to Jaime and Sansa's betrothal, though it could not have been bad enough since both unions had still taken place. It was this that gave him hope. All was not lost.

"I do not wish to ask that of you," She continued, unaware of his thoughts. "If they wished to betray me I doubt a union of marriage would stop them."

"So what is is then?"

"You care for Tyene, it is clear as day. It will not be long before Lady Ellaria recieves word you two are courting, if she has not already—"

"We aren't courting," He almost exclaimed, managing to tamper his voice at the last second.

"It is only during council meetings when I let myself get carried away. But I will stop."

"That is not the issue and you know it."

"You said yourself, Lady Ellaria would never permit it."

"But I will. If it is what you want."

Tyrion understood now. It was an offer of support.

With a sigh he answered, now it was his turn to sound sheepish, "What I want? I've been too busy giving in to what I want, I haven't really been thinking of much else."

"That much is clear." Her tone was serious, yet there was the hint of a smirk in the corners of her mouth. It was gone a moment later, though there was still something soft in her expression.

"Think upon it. I am not suggesting you need to marry soon, but if it is not— a consideration, then it might be wise to put an end to it. "

†

Later, when he'd chosen to hide in his chambers instead of seek her out, Tyrion let himself mull it over with a cup of wine. Since the beginning, he'd been aware of his attraction to Tyene, and though so many of their trysts had consisted mostly of their bodies tangled together (hers more than his, and he loved how flexible she was), there was more to it than that.

He wanted her, but he liked her as well. Sometimes they would bicker, a back and forth of words, both playful and taunting, and he would get so wrapped up in it, he sometimes lost sense of everything else. After, they'd sneak off and meet somewhere inconspicuous, and pick right back up with touches instead of words, until they were both a mess. And throughout it all, he felt light and easy, and warm, as if he had not a care in the world.

But was that love?

He didn't get a chance to consider it further, as the door to his room opened, and Tyene slipped in, effectively ending further thought as she made her way over to him.

"You missed our meeting," She said when she reached the foot of his bed and raised a knee to the mattress, and crawled her way over to him, until her hands and knees bracketed him, so he could not escape. Not that he planned on going anywhere.

"You managed to reschedule," He answered playfully, raising a hand to her waist, sliding it up and down hoping to coax her down to his lap like a cat. She didn't though.

"The Queen knows then."

Tyrion looked up at her and nodded. He didn't say anything though, afraid anything he said might disrupt this tenuous moment. His hand stilled, but he kept it firmly at her waist, fingers dipping to the small of her back.

She looked down at him, eyes hard and discerning for a second, then resolved before she pressed into him, sealing his mouth in a searing kiss. He let himself move finally, raising his other hand to her back, holding her to him.

The blanket trapped between them prevented them from doing little more than grind into each other as they kissed.

After a long moment, he finally pulled back to look at her. Her elbows dug in a little at his shoulders, but she kept her hands in his hair.

"You're not going to ask me what she said?" He asked.

She smirked, and voice heavy with innuendo Tyene answered, "I believe there are more pressing matters I must attend to first."

Tyrion couldn't help the disbelieveing chuckle that slipped from his lips. "Is that all you think about?"

She pretended to think about it for a moment before she dipped her head once more, close enough he could feel the whisper of her lips as she spoke.

"Is there more worth thinking of?"

Tyene didn't let him answer, instead pressed her lips to his in a fierce kiss,

As she effortlessly slipped in under the sheets Tyrion wondered to himself, was there?

†

They were in the Godswood when the answer came to him. It was not some great epiphany, more like a moment of clarity. They'd been in their usual spot, watching Viserion fly away. It was late, almost time for supper, the sun low, painting the sky in hues of colour. Tyene looked down at him elated, eyes shining bright, her mouth painted in the sweetest smile, and Tyrion knew.

He loved her. And maybe, she loved him too.

"Marry me." He said then, the words seeming almost to burst from his mouth.

Her brow furrowed more in surprised amusement than with true concern, and half supressed a laugh.

"Is this a joke?" She asked, though her usual smirk slipped from her mouth.

He opened his mouth to answer, not exactly sure what he was going to say only that he knew he had to make it clear that it was most definitely not. He didn't however, get the chance.

"Yes I agree, it must be a joke."

Tyrion didn't have to look over to know who'd spoken, but he turned to her anyway. Queen Daenerys stood next to Ellaria, and though he vaguely noted her, he focused on the other woman.

"It is not."

To his own ears he sounded calm, and was suprised to find he felt it as well. Tyrion knew he should be worried for his life, since he was sure Ellaria had had it out for him ever since Oberyn died for his cause. Tyrion really didn't blame her, but on the other hand, he liked living. Wanted to continue doing it for a long time yet. And still, the only thing he was afraid of was losing this chance.

"It makes sense, does it not? There has always been enmity between all of the houses, and yet much of it has been overcome. With the Queen's marriage to King Jon, and Lady Stark's to my brother, a Baratheon reinstated in the Stormlands, only House Lannister and Martell have yet to make amends."

This was all true of course, but not anything he'd actually considered.

"But none of this is why." Tyrion sighed. "I love her."

He looked over at her and Tyene was already looking at him, "I love you. I think i've loved you since the moment I first laid eyes on you."

Tyrion reached out for her hand, and she met him half way, her fingers tangling easily with his. Her eyes were shiny and glazed, as if threatened to overflow, but she smiled.

"I think it was all that wine," She said, moving closer, and cupping his face with her other hand. "When we toasted to fucking, I knew I had finally found someone who could match me."

"I will never allow it."

The sound of Ellaria's voice broke the spell, and Tyene finally looked over at her mother. She looked resolved.

"I do not need your permission Mother. I love him. You could not stop me, you trained me too well. You may as well accept this."

Ellaria glared at her daughter, and stepped closer.

"It will not happen."

There was tense silence, as they faced off, Tyrion knew neither would back off, as did Daenerys because she spoke, her voice serious.

"Perhaps it is time to forge new bonds—"

Ellaria interrupted in a burst of ire, "Since his father murdered Elia and her children! Oberyn died because of him—"

"Oberyn made his own choice, as we all must. As for Elia, Tyrion holds no blame in his father's actions, just as Myrcella had not."

Daenerys' voice was steady, but firm, and there could be no illusions to her inference.

"I think it is time we leave the past behind us, do you not agree Lady Ellaria?"

Ellaria's withering glare turned to Daenerys, but it slipped off the moment their eyes locked, as if she were just remembering who was talking to her.

"Yes of course, your Grace," She answered, sounding reluctant but also resigned.

"Your daughter will marry for love, what greater blessing is there?"

It was so slight, Tyrion was sure no one but him had noticed, but Daenerys sounded envious.

He'd still not brought up what was troubling her, he rarely saw her aside from council meetings, and it wasn't as if he could say anything then. It was time for Tyrion to bring it up, and the prospect seemed daunting. And he would, he told himself. Soon.

But for now, Tyrion was getting married.

†

"I hear congratulations are in order."

Despite his moniker, Tyrion never failed to be surprised when Varys managed to sneak up on him—in his own solar, of all places. On the other hand, he was not at all surprised that the man already knew.

"I suppose they are," Tyrion answered, finally looking up at him, the quill in his hand stilling.

Varys made his way over to the chair across from him.

"Congratulations," He said simply, before taking a seat.

Tyrion smirked. "Somehow I suspect that is not what really brought you here."

His face shifted, enough that Tyrion could now tell he'd been at ease before.

"It is not."

He paused a moment, and something unsettled in Tyrion's gut.

"I have received word—The Mountain has been seen in the Westerlands. It seems he is on his way to Casterly Rock. I think it likely, he's already there."

Tyrion froze. His brother. Lady Sansa. They'd been there for some time already.

"Casterly Rock is a fortress. I'm sure your brother and Lady Sansa are safe," Varys said then, seeming to intuitively know Tyrion's concern.

"Besides, he'd been making his way there long before even Lord Jaime."

"I ought to go. If there is some plot, I'm not sure my brother could handle it."

"But his wife can. Lady Sansa is not the little bird you remember—

"She never was." Tyrion interrupted.

"Besides," Varys continued as if there'd been no interruption. "You're about to be married. I doubt a trip to the Westerlands will fit in your schedule."

"Something must be done."

"I could go in your stead, to keep the matter quiet. No one would miss me here, I rather think your new family might prefer my absence."

Tyrion took a moment to consider the offer, thinking Varys might have ulterior motives, but he couldn't immediately see them. If there were, then why would his friend have told him about the Mountain in the first place? And Varys was right too, Lady Sansa could handle her own, Tyrion had little doubt she could handle his friend.

Besides, as Tyene often liked to say, he had more pressing matters to deal with.

"I would not say you're wrong," Tyrion finally answered. "Fine. As long as you keep me posted."

Varys smiled and stood. "Of course. I'll leave in the morning."

He left then, and Tyrion briefly wondered if he had played right into the Spider's hands.

a/n:

I feel like I ought to mention that this is Tyrion's last POV chapter. Though he will still be appearing in the story, I just can't write as him anymore.

I know it's silly, but season 8 really screwed with my head, and I am just so over it. BUUUT I wanna finish this, I didn't invest all this time not to, and I will not let their narrative be MY canon. So in order to make that happen, and make it easier on myself and get the story moving, sacrifices had to be made. I am sorry about it though.

Anyway, if you're still sticking with me, despite my horrendous posting schedule, I thank you.