Game of Thrones: Crossroads

Chapter 31 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks.
Marina Ka-Fai: Can you really blame her, this goes against everything she thought after all.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed both chapters; and the families reactions, especially Alyssa's :)

Now onto the story.

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

Chapter 31

Arya sighed as she observed herself in the mirror. She was clad in a simple black dress; thankfully it wasn't too short, reaching down to just below the knee. With it she wore a simple pair of black heels, black tights and black fishnet fingerless gloves. She was getting ready for her first official date with Gendry. When he had mentioned going on the date; she had initially resisted, until he reminded her of the recording. She hated the thought of it but she had agreed and finally they were going out. Shaking her head she made sure she had everything she needed and headed downstairs. When she reached the bottom of the stairs she could hear the rest of her family in the living room; however she stopped when she saw Sansa standing near the door, clearly waiting for her. Sansa immediately approached her.

"Arya; you can't be serious, you're actually going out on a date with him." She cried. "I thought…"

Arya shook her head. "Thought what, I was lying about dating him; well that's not the case. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Sansa shook her head. "I can't let you."

Before she could say anymore there was a knock at the door. Sansa froze and Arya pushed past her and opened it. Gendry stood there; smiling lightly. He noticed Sansa glaring at him but said nothing.

"Finally." Arya remarked. "About time you got here; let's go."

Gendry smiled and agreed and, before Sansa could offer any further complaint, they left the house and headed to his car.

They drove in silence to wherever Gendry planned to take her for the date.

Gendry seemed to think for a moment before speaking up. "Sansa still giving you trouble?"

Arya looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "What was your first clue?"

He sighed and nodded.

"Okay, fair enough. Well, we're nearly there."

Arya did not reply; she was still in a bad mood and wanted to ensure he knew it.

'He has to know; I cannot and will not ever forgive him for blackmailing me.' She thought bitterly.

Gendry meanwhile sat focused on his driving, his mind wrestling with his guilt. Yet, his strong love for Arya was also in his thoughts. Finally, however, before he could dwell on things for too long, they arrived at the restaurant. Arya stared wide-eyed when she the restaurant.

"No way, are you kidding, you know how expensive this place is?" She remarked to him. "You better not think I'll be paying for this."

Gendry laughed and shook his head. "No, Arry, it'll be fine, I can afford it, don't worry."

She merely shook her head and they got out of the car. While reluctant, knowing they were in public, Arya took his hand. They had to keep up appearances, or rather, she did. Soon they were inside the restaurant and were shown to their table. Despite her anger; Arya couldn't help but admire the effort Gendry was putting into all this. It seemed to her that, even if he was forcing her into the relationship with the blackmail; he truly did have feelings for her. She sighed; it was clear things were just getting too complicated; she wished there was a way to simplify things.

After giving their orders they sat quietly. Finally, after an awkward silence, Arya decided to speak up. Not about their date, or anything 'romantic' but something that was much on her mind.

"I…I heard about what happened with your father and Cersei. How are, how are Myrcella and Tommen?"

Gendry looked at her for a moment and then smiled. "They're doing okay; Myrcella's got Trystane to help her through it and she does her best to keep Tommen's spirits up."

She nodded as she listened to this; it was better than she hoped.

Another pause, longer than the last, before she finally asked. "Have you; managed to talk to your brother or Shireen?"

He sighed and cleared his throat. "Yeah actually, Edric's doing what he can but…It's hard to convince them. Shireen wants to help us too; but she's conflicted, all the same she's trying to convince your brother."

Arya sighed; it was pretty much what she expected.

"So, you're still no closer to getting back with your friends, and I've got no chance of doing what I need to do. At least you've got a chance."

Gendry was about to reply when finally their food arrived. So they decided to drop the conversation and continued instead with their meal.

Finally the meal was over and they had paid and left the restaurant; Arya was amazed when Gendry had indeed been able to pay for the meal. Now however, as they left, Arya wondered if Gendry was going to drive her home, or if he had something else in mind. Unfortunately, before Gendry could reveal his decision to her; a familiar voice called out.

"Well, well, look what we have here." It said mockingly. "The traitor and her pathetic boyfriend."

They turned around, Arya glared when she spotted Margaery and her group. She immediately took Gendry's hand and spoke quietly to him.

"C'mon, let's get out of here."

But it was too late; Margaery's group had walked right up to them. Margaery looked amusedly at them and the restaurant. "I'm surprised to see you in a place like this; I wouldn't have thought a pathetic loser like you could afford it, Waters. Unless of course you had Arya pay for you, not very gentlemanly I must say."

Arya glared and began to step forwards; but Gendry held her back. "Screw you bitch; you don't know anything!"

Margery and her friends merely laughed at Arya's outburst and then she spoke again.

"Oh but of course, I'm forgetting, he could probably pay for it; living off his father's money after all."

Gendry scowled at that; true his father paid child support, but that was only for Edric now, with him being eighteen and Mya twenty, by law they were adults now. He shook his head.

"C'mon Arya, let's go." He said; trying to keep the anger out of his voice.

They hurried back to his car, ignoring further taunts and Gendry quickly drove them away.

Gendry had only driven a short distance away, enough to lose sight of the restaurant and the jeering group. Then suddenly he pulled over and stopped the car. Arya looked over at him and saw he was leaning back in his seat; his hands covering his face as he exhaled slowly. She realized he was trying to calm himself down; her own anger was still bubbling away below the surface too. Finally, acting on impulse, she reached out her hand and touched his shoulder. He looked at her and saw her sympathetic expression. He smiled lightly, understand that she understood his anger; they were in the same situation, more or less, after all. Without hesitating he took her hand, leaned over and kissed her.

"Thanks, Arry." He said softly. "I just…I wish things weren't so fucked up right now."

Arya nodded. "I know what you mean…how about; do you mind if I…come around to your house tomorrow?"

She didn't know why she said; it just came out, but the strange thing was, she meant it. Gendry smiled and accepted her offer before finally starting the car again and driving her home.

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