Authors Note: Well yet another late chapter. This semester is so crazy! I will change the updates to once a week, on Monday. Enjoy!
It would be a while before Gendry's shoulder healed completely, but in two weeks, Arya has seen his strength. The shoulder hurt Gendry more than he let on but never let his men see him wince from the pain. Arya had only barely caught it herself at dinner that night. Though she wasn't sure if it was the injury so much as the topic of conversation.
Daenerys Targaryen had already begun her journey to King's Landing. Arya didn't understand why the queen refused to wait and rider her dragons there for all seven kingdoms had heard of their size now. Either way, Gendry didn't feel good about the visit and neither did Arya. Jon was more content about it then most, though it worried Arya that her brother didn't see the threat a visit from a Dothraki Khaleesi could be.
The ship was farely quiet aside from the sound of the ocean waves and the creak of the boat. Except the necessary soldiers and the Kings night watchmen, everyone was sound asleep. Arya simply couldn't rest her eyes. She blamed the gods for her restlessness and decided to watch the stars from the deck.
Lying on her back, Arya studied the constellations in the narrow sea's sky. To the North she saw the Ice Dragon and to the East, the Great Other. Both beautiful and both a signal of nearing home.
Arya heard a chuckle and sat up immediately slightly frustrated that someone was watching her and she hadn't noticed. When she saw Gendry's blue eyes, the anger lowered, "Spying My Lord? Not wise considering my brother is a neighboring King of your own lands." she teased, laying back to her original spot.
"I apologize m'lady." the Bull King added. A glare was all Arya needed to show her disapproval of the name. Gendry raised his hand in defense and lay down beside Arya. "Star gazing. An unusual hobbie for a she-wolf." Gendry joked, pointing at Nymeria who was lying comfortably beside her person.
Turning her head back to the sky, Arya laughed. She had forgotten what it felt like to be good friends with Gendry and was glad the two weren't being so awkward all of the time.
They lied in silence for a while and Arya was thankful for the lack of conversation. When it was just Gendry and she, Arya didn't have to try so hard to constantly come up with a good topic.
After a while, Arya was the one to break the silence, "Do you remember the first night traveling with Yoren, when the Red Comet appeared in the sky?" she wondered.
Gendry rustled beside her and Arya saw he had turned on his side to look down at her, " 'Course I do. One of the men called it sorcery but Lommy said 'it was just plain pretty'." he replied. Arya looked away from him again and played back the soldiers taunting Lommy, 'Says we have to carry him.' she remembered.
Suddenly, Lommy's face as they stabbed him flashed across Arya's memory. "He was just a boy, Lommy." she whispered. Gendry must had heard her for he scooped Arya near himself and placed his arms around Arya. Gendry put a soft kiss on her forehead.
Arya let her head nudge into his one good shoulder and wrapped her arms around Gendry's torso. She must have been comfortable for Arya could feel her eye's get heavy. Arya was going to get up but Gendry was fast asleep and she didn't want to wake him. Gendry was probably twice as exhausted as Arya.
Someone was tapping Gendry's shoulder. He opened his tired eye's to see Jon standing over Arya and he, "I suggest you get up so your men don't suspect anything since you are sleeping with my little sister in your arms, Your Grace." Jon added. Gendry remembered watching the stars with Arya. He had only embraced Arya to comfort her.
"Jon, nothing happened." a sleepy Arya said. Shocked that she had awoken so quickly, Gendry put his arms back to his sides and sat up. Arya rubbed her eyes like a child and Gendry couldn't keep the grin off of his face. Arya returned the smile and was the first to stand up.
Nymeria had been up for a while Gendry guessed, for the direwolf already wanted her morning meal, "I should feed her before Nymeria feasts on the crewman." Arya said, walking away.
Once Arya was no longer in earshot, Gendry looked up to see Jon glaring with a raised brow, Gendry shook his head as he stood, "Jon, it is as Arya said, nothing happened." Gendry assured him. The statement only caused Jon to raise the eyebrow further, "If you have a problem take it up with Arya. She was the one that started us sleeping together as children." Gendry continued.
Jon lowered his brow and looked as if the Raven would poke Gendry's eye's out. Realizing how suggestive the statement sounded, Gendry put up a bad defense, "I mean we slept close to each other. We never actually slept- you understand, Jon." he finished.
The Crow laughed and put his hand on Gendry's shoulder, "I should hope not, otherwise you would be a dead man and my sister lover-less." Jon joked.
It took Gendry a moment to understand but then quickly nocked off the comment, "Arya is not my lover Jon. I do not trust her enough to be anything more than a companion. She still grieves for people lost years ago. I know it disappoints you but it would also be impractical. Arya's place is at Winterfell and mine at King's Landing. It would be crazy." he rationalized.
Not wanting to debate with Jon, Gendry went below deck to study the maps. It's not as if Gendry hadn't thought about it. He did, but Arya had a home with a family that loves her.
Gendry's mind flashed back to when he was a young boy. His mother had scraped and saved to get Gendry a name day present. It was probably their rent for that month but when Gendry saw the leather boots, he didn't mind. His boots were old, too small, and had holes in them.
What Gendry remembered most was the smile on his mother's face. It was such a rare thing to see her smile that Gendry almost treasured that grin more than the precious boots.
Yes, Gendry had a home once. Even had a small family. There were no such things now. Gendry doubted he would ever have a real home again. Maybe if he has children he would. Gendry didn't want to marry but if he did have kids, Gendry would be there for them.
Not see them once a week at dinner and let Septa's take them like most highborn's but, really be there. Teach his son's to fight and his daughter's to read. To be the father to them that Gendry never had.
Note: Well there's the chapter! A bit short I know. Also, I DO NOT hate Dany and I added her in the storyline for a reason. Emilia Clarke had done a beautiful job with her character and honestly I like Dany better in the show than in the books. The song I listened too while writing this chapter was Homeless by Maria Mena. Till next time!