Disclaimer: I recently got obsessed with Game of Thrones, but doesn't mean I own it!
Story: Shireen has a hard time with people, but Sansa has always been there and parents her more than her actual parents. She doesn't even know where her mother is and her father tries but ends up awkward or distant. But she has Sansa and band, so it's alright, she supposed. Sansa had been taking care of Shireen for a long time. She's been to each of the girl's band concerts. She also makes sure Stannis gets the invites and pictures. He just hadn't realized how much a part of their lives she was until she was practically gone. These two awkward Baratheons have had their lives entwined with Sansa's so much that they couldn't picture life without her.
Set as a modern day AU.
Spoilers: No.
Warnings: No, I don't think so. Cursing and maybe sexual situations?
Pairings: Stansa (Stannis/Sansa)

March to My Heartbeat
Chapter One: The Band Invite

It was a long day, he could predict that. But as COO of Baratheon Enterprises, Stannis had always had a good work ethic and knew that he had to be able to work through the messes Robert inevitably got them into.

The myriad of emails greeted Stannis as he settled in for work that day. As per usual, he went through them diligently before stumbling across an email that looked like it belonged more to his personal email. He cautiously opened it up, despite the label saying only "Band Invite!"

Hey, Mr. Baratheon! I sent you an email through personal too, but I think you checked this one more often so I sent one to here. Shireen's high school band is having a showcase and she's performing. She'd really like you to be there, so please come! I sent the details through text so it'd be easier for you to check with. Hope to see you there!

He blinked, caught off guard. A niggle of guilt bothered him. He hadn't even known Shireen was in band. He vaguely remembered her asking some years ago for some sort of instrument, but he hadn't asked why.

He didn't even know what instrument and if that was the one she was currently playing for band. Had he received similar invites before? Gods! He'd probably hadn't even paid attention and ignored them. Knowing he was more prone to cleaning up and managing his business email, he checked his personal and searched up 'band', flinching at the number of 'invites' he'd received.

Horrified, he realized he'd had three years worth of band invites and hadn't read a single one. He'd ignored all of them, except the first few, but he couldn't recall anything about even seeing them.

Checking his phone, he found a recent text that did indeed give him the details of Shireen's showcase. Moving up, he realized he received just as many texts from this unsaved number. Resolved to attend his daughter's showcase this time, he finished checking his business email and then left his office.

Showing up in front of his secretary, he informed her of his early departure and to leave a message on his phone if something urgent comes up. His strides were rapid in his hurry to leave and make time, and he nearly bowled over his younger brother in his haste.

"Stannis! What's the hurry?" Renly smiled at him, making him agitatedly push passed him.

"Not now, Renly! I have somewhere I need to be and I don't want to be late," he said in a short tone.

Renly raised an eyebrow, following after him casually. "Where's that?"

"Shireen has a band performance today," Stannis walked faster. "I just found out this morning."

"Oh! That's right, her showcase is today," Renly said, making him stop short and stare at him. "I couldn't make it today, but I'll get a recording and some pictures later."

Stannis missed most of that last part, still stuck on the fact that Renly knew. "You know about her concerts?"

His younger brother rolled his eyes, already grabbing his phone to check. "Yeah, of course I do. I'm her favorite uncle! I go whenever I can, which isn't often unfortunately. I still keep up though, get all the pictures and videos. I make sure I at least get a recording of her performance to watch."

The guilt intensified in Stannis. He'd always, even before the divorce, tried his best to do right by Shireen. He'd tried to teach her to be independent and while he hadn't spoiled her, he'd gotten what she wanted within reason. He'd given her space and let her grow into her own person.

But it was also true that he'd always been an awkward and distant parent. Shireen had inherited that from him. Interacting with others was just a problem, even if he had the inclination to. And even if she was his daughter, he had just as much issues connecting with her and not knowing what to say. He just left it well alone.

Yet now he found out his youngest, immature (though not as irresponsible and reckless as Robert) brother not only knew about Shireen's concerts, but cared enough to try to attend or at least have pictures and videos for them.

He felt like a useless father.

"I'll send some pictures," Stannis murmured and Renly actually beamed at him. "Thank you, Renly," he surprised the other. "For being a good uncle."

Renly clasped his shoulder. "It's no burden —Shireen's tons better than Joffrey anyhow!"

That pulled a snort out of Stannis, before he looked at his watch and realized the time. "I have to go!"

"Go, go! Tell Shireen good luck and I love her," Renly sent him off.

Stannis, for the first time in a long time since he could remember, felt a fondness in his heart for Renly.

Stannis found himself irritated as he tried to drive as fast as he could to Shireen's high school. Time was running out on him and he hadn't even reached her school! The Gods know he still had to worry about parking, much less find a damn seat. Trying not to earn a ticket, he sped as fast he could and lucked out on parking, beating out about two other cars that entered behind him and had to go searching for other available parking.

Seeing the long line (that was thankfully moving at a steady pace), he resigned himself to getting in line and waited. In the meantime, he took out his phone and tried to finish up some business through it, glancing at the time every once and a while. He was cutting it close.

Once he was nearer to the front, he purchased his ticket and then headed in. Ignoring the food and merchandise being sold, he went to the stands and grimaced as he realized how full it was. If he wanted to find a seat, he was going to have to make due with being squashed between people.

Gazing over the massive crowd, he almost missed the shout of his name.

"Mr. Baratheon! Mr. Baratheon, over here!"

Confused, he searched out the caller, trying to find them —only to stop and go into shock at a familiar (and yet not familiar) red head standing up and waving at him.

A very beautiful, matured, older Sansa Stark was excitedly waving at him from her spot.

Started 1/20/20 – Completed 1/24/20

A/n: Ah, this is pretty short, but I wanted to get this chapter done and out so I can get a groove on this story. The story'll probably be pretty short overall anyway, I believe. In the meantime, I hope you guys enjoyed it and please remember to review! Cute times ahead~ If you have a suggestion for the instrument Shireen uses, let me know!