Game of Thrones: Crossroads

Chapter 15 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Marina Ka-Fai: Yup, he is, and a creep too, considering what he's doing with Myrcella.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks.
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks.
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, glad you like the family and Myrcella, yes, but of course, we all know who put it there and why.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 15

Arya sighed as she smoothed down the skirt of her dress; she was once again out with Sansa and all her 'friends' at the nightclub. She was listening to the multiple conversations going on around her. Margaery's cousins gossiping fervently while Margaery listened and added an occasional comment, when she wasn't talking to Loras. Joffrey bragging about something or other to Dickon Tarly, Bella and Ros, Sansa sitting next to him, smiling and occasionally speaking up when Joffrey spoke to her. However Arya could see in Sansa's eyes she was not enjoying herself, but trying to keep it hidden. Her words were empty, she was saying only what Joffrey wanted to hear, not what she really thought.

'Dammit Sansa, just come out and say it already.' Arya thought desperately. 'I know it's bad, but you'll not be alone, you won't lose everything, just tell the truth, to, to…anyone really.'

Arya sighed again; she needed Sansa to see that everything would be alright, that she could tell the truth, then Arya would know her work was done. She didn't care how many grovelling apologies she might need to do to get back with her old friends, it would be worth it if everything could be fixed for Sansa.

She heard the laughter a few booths over and she turned and looked. She fought to keep a straight face when she saw Gendry, Shireen and all the others, sitting together talking and laughing. She even noticed the two new additions to the group; Myrcella's boyfriend Trystane and another boy, Podrick Payne. She couldn't help but notice that Shireen hadn't once come over to ask her to re-join them.

'They've given up on me.' She thought sadly. 'They could have basically anyone who has just joined replace me…look at them, they don't need me.'

She wanted so badly to walk over to them and talk to them; but what would she say, she wasn't the time to beg, but if that was what it took to earn their forgiveness maybe. She could hear them laughing again and she shook her head, turning away. Even if she wanted too, she couldn't go back to them, not just now, not until things were sorted out. All the same, what she saw was just upsetting; it left her feeling hollow and then, suddenly a strange desire to get completely off-her-face-drunk overcame her. Without any hesitation she started; ordering up vodka and beer without even considering any consequences. She can see Sansa looking at her worriedly, while the others just look amused.

Sansa leans over to her. "Arya, I really don't think…"

"Ah, leave it Sansa." Joffrey cut across her with a wide smirk. "She probably needs the liquid courage to help her get laid tonight."

Arya shot Joffrey a scathing glare and kept drinking.

Gendry took a sip of his drink and checked his watch, soon many of the people would be leaving, including those in both groups. He considered what he had seen with Arya; having positioned himself in the booth so she was in his line of sight.

'Well, she at least saw us, hopefully that's a start.' He pondered.

The plan had been simple but hopeful. It was clear trying to appeal to Arya wasn't working, so they decided to try and different tactic and guilt her into coming back, if only to get her out of the toxic 'friendship' she was now in. Gendry had explained the plan and, in response to Shireen's worries, remarked he would find a way to make amends to Arya later for their underhanded tactics. So they had done their utmost to enjoy themselves and have a good night, making sure Arya could hear. Unfortunately Arya didn't move from her seat; although she did look in their direction.

"Maybe it didn't work." Lommy remarked. "I mean, she's not moved."

Gendry shook his head. "C'mon, you don't honestly expect something like this to work in one go. We'll have to keep trying, it might take a few times."

The others agreed; unfortunately however; Gendry found that, the more he drank, the harder it was for him to focus on the plan. The more he drank that night, the more the old anger at Arya's actions began to resurface, he would have to keep that under control.

Arya shifted in her seat; she was still bothered by what she had seen. Now however she was feeling it less, in fact, she was hardly feeling anything. Her vision swam and she had to hold onto the table for support. She vaguely registered everyone else leaving; Sansa wanting to change their initial plans and take Arya home, but Joffrey insisted on sticking to the plan, which involved Arya getting a taxi home. Arya didn't even feel like arguing and the others left. However Arya was not alone at the table; agreeing to keep an eye on her, Loras remained behind. Any other guy in the group Arya would've been worried, the alcohol would've made her unable to defend herself as well as she usually could. But with Loras she knew she didn't have to fear anything like that. She knew his secret after all; was probably the only one in the group apart from Margaery who knew. She heard them talking again and turned her head; although it took a few seconds from the room to catch up with her eyes. The rest of the group was leaving, Shireen was saying goodbye to Gendry, he was the only one left behind. He looked over at her, a concerned expression on his face.

'I can't take any more of this.'

With that she forced herself to her feet, made a quick excuse to Loras and hurried as best she could to bathroom.

Once there she immediately hurried over to the sinks and washed her face. The cold water helped and her vision cleared slightly. Just as she felt she was calming down she jumped as the door slammed open. She turned and glared, it was Gendry, this wasn't the first time he had cornered her like this.

'Well if he wants an argument I'll damn well give him one.' She thought viciously.

Yet there was no trace of anger on Gendry's face; still she shakes her head.

"What the hell are you doing, I told you before…?" She began but he cut her off.

"Making sure you're okay." He replied. "You're well over your drink limit after all."

She scoffed at that. "Fuck off Gendry, like you've never gotten wasted."

He looked at her seriously and shook his head. "Not when I'm in a place I don't know, alone, with people I don't know."

Arya bit her lip, where was Loras, it was this sort of thing he was supposed to be protecting her from. But he had said alone, had Loras left after she went to the bathroom. Maybe not, maybe he had simply gone to the bathroom and if she returned now the table would be empty.

"I can deal with myself." She snarled at him. "I don't need a 'babysitter' especially not you."

Gendry sighed. "It seems to me that maybe you do."

She tried to storm out but he reacted quickly and caught her arm. While strong his grip on her arm was surprisingly gently and didn't hurt.

That didn't stop her however; she let her temper loose.

"Get the fuck off me, let go of my arm!" She found herself yelling. "You have no right to treat me like this, I'm not your daughter, not your girlfriend, not your friend…"

Her tirade would've continued but, acting on impulse and fuelled by alcohol, Gendry decided to shut her up and did so, by kissing her. As he kissed her he simply acted and she found herself pushed up against the wall. She fought for only a couple of seconds before her alcohol induced state decided not to resist, but rather to respond. She began hungrily returning the kiss, bringing her legs up until they wrapped around his waist. She heard a muffled moan and wasn't sure if it came from her, or him, maybe they both had moaned at the same time. She could feel his arousal and smirked. Without breaking the kiss, her hands moved and began fumbling with the buttons on his shirt. At that point however, Gendry pulled away from the kiss.

"Arya." He gasped out.

She glared at him. "Gendry, you stopped…"

He shook his head. "We can't do this here, anyone could. Wanna come over to my place?"

She stared at him and then pointed out. "Your mum…"

"She's out for the night, working late. We'll have the house to ourselves."

She smirked widely at that and agreed and so together they left the bar. Both of them fully intent in carrying on what they had planned when they got there.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.