Game of Thrones: Not So Different – Arya
Chapter 13 of my collaboration story, enjoy.
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Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Chapter 13
Arya smiled lightly to herself as she approached the cafe that she and Gendry had arranged to meet up at. She wasn't alone either, Sansa was with her.
"Really, Sansa, this isn't exactly..." Arya remarked.
Sansa smiled softly. "It's cool Arya, really, I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable, I'm just here to give moral support. I'll even make sure you guys get some time to yourself so you can both talk."
Arya sighed. "I guess; alright then...Thanks."
Sansa nodded and together the sisters reached the cafe, Gendry was standing by the door, waiting for them.
"Hey." He greeted cheerfully.
If he was surprised by Sansa's presence, he didn't show it.
"So, shall we?"
They both nodded and headed inside; it was at that moment they spotted someone unexpected.
"Lancel?" Arya gasped.
The young man started and looked up. "Oh, hey...I, I'm surprised to see you."
Sansa nodded slowly. "Us too..."
"Are you alone?" Gendry asked. "You can join us if you want?"
Lancel bit his lip but then shrugged. "Sure, why not."
Arya felt awkward too, this was turning out to be a bit more than she thought. But she could handle it; she was sure of that. So they all managed to find a table and ordered their drinks. While seated they all lapsed into a companionable silence.
Finally, after a pause, during which their drinks arrived and they ha taken a few sips, Sansa broke the silence.
"So, Lancel; how have you been since we talked that day?"
Lancel smiled. "I'm pretty good, getting there. Oh the, picture you asked me to do for you...I've almost finished it."
Arya raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh, getting a portrait done, Sansa?"
Sansa laughed. "Well, I liked the one that Lancel did of you; so I asked him if he could do the same. How's the other one you're doing for Arya?"
Arya turned to Lancel hearing that; recalling asking about the other picture.
"It's nearly done; should hopefully finish it in the next few days."
Arya grinned at that. Gendry looked lost.
"Sorry, um, what's gong on?" He asked.
Arya and Sansa quickly explained about Lancel and his artwork. The young man looked uncomfortable at hearing the two girls talking about his skills.
Gendry however grinned. "Wow, nice."
"I, thanks..." Lancel muttered.
After a brief pause, during which Lancel went to order something else from the counter and Sansa was at the bathroom, Arya considered her options, now seemed like a good chance.
She shifted in her seat, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.
"Um, Gendry." She said, awkward.
He turned to her. "Yeah?"
"I, um...I want to say..." She began, stammering, much to her annoyance. "I mean..."
She couldn't believe it was so difficult; she was beginning to feel overwhelmed, everything inside her just seemed to keep rushing around in her head. Unsure but seeing Arya's turmoil, Gendry spoke quickly.
"Hey, Arry..." She looked up at him. "Just relax, I...I don't know what you intend to say, but, don't force it, just relax and let things come naturally."
Arya shook her head. "But, but I..."
He smiled softly. "Don't worry, it's alright. Remember what I said, that day...Don't rush things, it'll be alright and I know what this is about but, don't force yourself."
She sighed but then nodded. "Alright, alright, you're right."
She managed to smile, yet inside, she couldn't help but feel disappointed. This was supposed to be her chance, and yet, she had missed it; unable to get the words out. Then at that moment, both Sansa and Lancel returned to the table too; and so she missed her chance completely. Still, she maintained a good outward look, not letting her disappointment and frustrations show, at least not yet.
It was a short while later, while Gendry and Lancel were both away from the table, that Arya finally found herself.
Sansa turned to her sister. "So…?"
"No." She replied. "It just, it didn't..."
She growled, letting her frustrations show.
"I couldn't tell him; I...I do like Gendry, no, more than that...I love him, the way he feels about me...and yet I, I..." She began explaining, venting her frustrations to her sister. "But there it was, my best chance and I let it slip away; I just couldn't tell him."
Sansa bit her lip. "So, um...what did, Gendry say."
Arya sighed. "That's the part that still gets me, he was so...damn understanding. He's still willing to wait, for things to 'come naturally'."
"Well, Arya, that tells me he's worth it. Don't let this get to you, just...take your time and it'll come."
Arya nodded slowly, as Gendry and Lancel returned. So they continued to enjoy their time together, Arya taking Sansa's words to heart and calming down. She could wait, eventually she'd figure it out and then, no matter what, she'd tell Gendry the truth.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.