Disclaimer: All characters and settings in the below piece of fiction belongs to George RR Martin, and I am in no way profiting off of this

Warning: None

Authors Note: This chapter is very short, and I apologize for making you wait for such a short one. But in order to have the story flow properly this needed to be placed in the middle. I make up for it in the last two chapters- I promise! Here is just a little bit of Renly's inner thoughts on Loras and the budding feelings.

"Do you think Stannis had a squiddly little underwater creature stuffed up his arse?"

"E-Excuse me, my lord?"

"I think it would explain his somewhat pinched expression with the occasional burst of anger. I think the vein that throbs in his forehead can be attributed to when the creature makes a desperate attempt at breaking free."

"I… I don't know how to reply, my lord."

"It's probably best you don't say anything." Winking at his guard, Renly shifted on his saddle before stretching his back out, a loud pop accompanying the action. It was a warm summer afternoon on the path, and Renly was glad for the shade the trees provided down the well-worn trail. He had almost died in the sweltering and unrelenting heat in Dorne, having forgotten how hot it could get, and was more than happy to return to the Storm Lands where rain and shade were a common occurrence. It wasn't as if he didn't like Dorne, he just much preferred not having sand everywhere.

He left to return to Storm's End a week ago, and was happy to be finally going home. The meetings had gone well, at least. Renly did his best to smile and charm the 'Sand Snakes' as some of their women were so affectionately called, and tried to please Prince Doran and let him know that he was still a valued allies despite this family's autonomy from the realm. They all knew the trip was not going to create stronger ties of allies, but it was still enjoyable despite a few awkward moments.

The least of which were caused by the princess Arianne.

Renly could admire a beautiful woman—it wasn't as if his preference of sleeping with other men meant he was blind to the beauty of a woman. She was small and petite, but a strength rested underneath that told all those around that she was in control of herself. Her olive coloured skin and dark ringlet hair shone under the brightness of the sun, and her dark eyes had a desire for power hidden beneath.

She was also young, however. Barely a woman, and awkward despite her strength. All of her advances were untrained and the talent it took to seduce a man just budding. Renly spent most of his time confused as to what she was attempting to do. He felt bad, of course, but there was little he could do. He was not interested in women, and certainly not such a young, petite Dornish princess.

He had been approached by ladies before—it was not uncommon for one woman from a smaller house to try and seduce him in hopes of marrying into the Baratheon family. Whether it was the wishes of her family or genuine attraction that made her attempt to court him he was never sure, but what he did know was how to kindly deflect their attention. Unfortunately, Arianne's attention was a little more direct than he was used to.

"It is nice to be out of the heat, is it not, m' lord?"

Letting out a happy sigh, Renly nodded. "Terribly nice—I thought for a moment I was going to be consumed by sand. I really have no idea how anyone can live there." Turning around in the saddle, Renly watched the troop of men and those women who decided to come along follow behind one of the larger wagons at a leisurely pace. Renly's caravan had started out relatively small, but a few stragglers were allowed to join, and soon there were ten men with fifteen women and six children who had come to walk with the guarded caravan. Strength in numbers—especially when bandits stalked the roads.

"Did you… have a good time, m' Lord?"

Giving his guard a quizzical look, Renly arched a brow. "I did have a good time, thank you for asking… Why are you asking?"

"I just thought—I did not mean any disrespect but I thought I could speak freely, and I was—"

Chuckling, Renly shook his head. "Stop, stop—do not worry yourself. I was simply curious, it was not meant to be accusatory. Believe me, if I was displeased you would know."

That seemed to ease the guard, and he relaxed a little more in his saddle, one hand constantly hovering over the pommel of his sword. "Thank you, m' Lord."

"Do not thank me for letting you speak like a human being. In any case, I did have a rather enjoyable time, although those Dornish women are certainly a breed of their own. I think… fiery is the best term to describe them. So many women in the Storm Lands are so meek and polite as if they actually believe they have no brain in their heads and are not allowed a thought of their own. I suppose it is to be expected though. Men do like to stick their pricks in whatever they can and if it's a pretty face that does not talk back it's all the better. Give me a competent, strong, intelligent lover any day. Tell me, do you have a wife?"

The guard shook his head at that and he seemed pained for a moment. "I did, but… it is a harsh life out there, sometimes, m' Lord. She grew ill shortly after we were wed, and she was not strong enough to fight it."

Frowning, Renly fiddled with the silver ring on this finger, sympathetic to the man. He had never lost someone to an illness, and he probably never would. He was fortunate to live in a place where all of his and those whom he loved needs were met—a sickness of any sort could be cured with the right maester and the right amount of coin. It wasn't fair that those with special privileges lived a longer and healthier life, regardless of if they deserved it or not. "I am sorry for your loss," he said, and reached over to pat the man's shoulder. "She must have been a good woman."

"Ay, she was. She had hair like wheat and a smile that light up the room… she was a special one." Coughing, the solider straightened up and lifted his chin, seemingly intent on changing the subject. "Do you have a… what would you call it, a lady in waiting, m'Lord?"

Shaking his head, Renly smiled softly to himself, amused with his own private life. Oh what would they say if they knew he preferred knights in shining armour rather than ladies in silk dresses? "No, not yet, but I imagine I will be betrothed to someone in due time. Perhaps have a few kids of my own, even! Three sons, all of differing ages and personalities, who will squabble and fight and completely disregard the youngest, until they've fought so much they realize they never really loved each other like brothers are supposed to," Winking, Renly gave the guard a roguish grin, entirely out of place given what he had just said. "Baratheon's are very good at producing tight, family bonds as you can well see."

"I… yes, m' Lord."

"Of course if I ever have children I'd want them to be the exact opposite of my own family. Hopefully they will take after their mother, whoever that will be…" Sighing, Renly ran a hand through his hair before patting the neck of his mare. All of this talk about his supposed future family life and partners made it impossible for him not to think about Loras, a fact that was making him more upset than it had any right to.

Loras wanted him, Renly wanted him in return, but Renly also realized that it was an infatuation on Loras' side—nothing more. He would be taking advantage of him, or so Renly continually told himself anytime Loras was in the room looking so bloody elegant and striking. Loras knew he was attractive, but he couldn't possibly know exactly how beautiful he was.

"May I ask you a question?" Renly asked, gaze forward as they ambled down the road, the sun moving out from behind a cloud.

"Of course, m' Lord."

Nodding, Renly coughed softly in his hand, clearing his throat as he thought about how he wanted to phrase the question. He supposed it was strange asking a servant about advice with relationships, but it was safer than asking a nobleman or lady. Gossip was always in fashion. "Let us pretend for a moment that you have a lady friend whom you adore very much. She is your friend, but you thought of taking things a little… further. But the only trouble is that she is younger than you, she tends to jump into certain situations without thinking, and she works for you. Or, she assists you with every day chores, and you feel that the only reason she would have any interest in you is because she admires you and feels a bit… obligated to like you back should you show interest. What would you do?"

The guard said nothing for some time, and Renly watched him out of the corner of his eye. His mouth was turned downward, bushy brown eyebrows furrowed as he pondered the question. Time stretched on, and Renly was just about to tell him to not think about it too hard before he finally replied. "Well, I think I would ask her how she felt about me, and tell her my fears. If I liked this lady enough, than I would trust her to tell me the truth and I would also trust her to be able to decipher her own feelings."

Sometimes the most daft things came from the mouths of those who were supposed to rule, while pure brilliance and simplicity were uttered by those who served for a living.

Once again Renly was struck with how utterly turned upside down the world could be.