Chapter Two: Coffee for Two

Renly's Point of View

I am going to be late. I can't believe this traffic. Brienne is going to be so mad at me if I show up late on her again. If the professor hadn't have kept us so long I would have been here sooner. I park my new car a block from the coffee shop and walk the rest of the way, getting sick of being stuck in traffic.

Brienne is sipping something hot in a cup the size of breasts. She would probably like that. I'm not sure. I mean, I never asked. Brienne has never showed any interest in men, she very well could be into women. Maybe I should get one of those mugs for Margaery.

"You're late," says Brienne.

"Sorry, I was stuck in traffic."

I take the seat across from her. I order a double latte with chocolate and a cookie. Brienne pushes a portfolio in front of me. I spill its organized contents out onto the table.

"Did you get the information like I asked you too?"

"Yes. There are twelve states where this type of marriage is legal." She hands me a list. I add it to the rest of the information I have gathered.

"Thank you, Brienne. His Grace would rather the marriage be performed in his own country to uphold the tradition, and I know that's what Loras would want, but that's not what I want."

"Is there any way to compromise and both get what you want?" Brienne asks, sipping her hot beverage.

I sip my hot beverage and maul over the contents of the wedding information Brienne and I have been gathering since June when I first made plans to propose.

"If there is I certainly haven't it found it yet. Either way the ceremony is going to be televised the same as Garlan's was. I am afraid that is out of my control. Loras will have a fit when he finds out but if I want to marry him I have to do what his father wants, it was part of the agreement."

"Are you sure you want to marry him?" Brienne asks.

She has asked me this question many times since June. She has asked me even more now that Loras said yes when I popped the question. I don't know what's gotten into her. I really thought she would be supportive. I guess I should've figured she'd try to talk me out of it. I can't wait to tell Stannis.

"Ask me again right before the wedding," I tell her, biting into my cookie.

"Why are you making arrangements without your beloved around?"

"He's at school where he belongs. This really isn't his thing. I thought I would plan and then ask his input later. So I want an outdoor wedding. It'll be August, so it'll still be warm enough to have an outdoor wedding. His Grace wants priests and churches and great halls. He makes everything so difficult. Of course he is paying so I might as well humor him."

"The King is paying for your wedding?"

"Yes. As if I could afford an elaborate wedding. You should have seen Garlan's. It was breathtaking. I want the same thing for my little flower. It's his day. I want him to always remember it."

I look over color samples that Loras's family designer sent over with notes on the color palettes of all the Tyrells and what clashes, what compliments their skin tones. They have preapproved 156 different colors for me to choose from.

I like magenta, its Margaery's best color, it would clash horribly with Robb Stark's hair and that wouldn't be so bad. Neither Loras nor I look good in yellow and it would completely wash Brienne out. Cerulean would make Robb's eyes pop, but I don't really want to flatter him on my wedding day.

"No orange," Brienne comments.

"No orange. I made it clear to the Tyrell designers that there will be absolutely no orange. What do you think of kelly green?"

"It's a good color. May I suggest royal purple?"

I flip through the catalog and find a sample of royal purple. It is on Margaery's check sheet and Loras's too. I know I look good in purple and so does Gendry. The maid of honor and best man need to look their best.

"Royal purple it is."

"Did they show you the sketches of the dress designs for Margaery and the Stark girls?" Brienne asks.

I sift through the portfolio and find some dresses designed with the measurements of all the girls including Meera Reed. I have no idea why she is included. I never gave the designers her name or information. But I look at Margaery's dress idea.

"Imagine this dress in royal purple. She will be absolutely stunning. I can't wait to see her in this dress. Look at this, tux designs for me and Loras. They want to trim my black tux in whatever color I choose. Loras will be in white with accents in the color I choose. And here is Gendry's suit design. He's in black. It was always his color. Look, Brienne, they designed one for you too. Do you want white or black?"

"I will take black. I am standing on your side not Loras's."

We end our meeting and go shopping. Margaery asked me this morning to pick her up some personal items. It's on my check list. Chocolate catches my eye. My flower loves chocolate. I buy three boxes, a teddy bear, and a dozen tulips.

"You spoil that boy."

"He's mine to spoil."

"Why do you love him?" Brienne asks.

"Why do you want to know?"

"I just don't think he's the right person for you. He seems hung up on that Stark boy, and frankly, I think they're made for each other."

I burst out laughing. Brienne is right about one thing. Loras is hung up on Robb. He says he's over him, but I know that's not true. Loras talks about Robb way for it to be true. Robb Stark will always be an issue in our relationship. But like every obstacle it is meant to be overcome.

I do not intend to lose the love of my life to Robb Stark. It shouldn't even be a factor. Robb is madly in love with Meera Reed. I have seen them together. He's insanely in love with her. He has no romantic attachments to my flower.

"Robb Stark is engaged to Meera. He is not an issue. Even if he were, I would not lose to him. Loras would pick me."

"How can you be certain?"

"It's just a feeling."

Loras would pick me. We're soul mates. Our love is written in the stars. We are meant to be together. But if he has any doubts I haven't heard them. It's a year until our wedding and anything could happen.

It's four in the afternoon when I get a call from my flower. He wants me to pick him up at Torrhen's doctor's office. Something came up and Robb's plans changed at the last minute. Not that I am not enjoying Brienne's questioning company, but my flower is calling.

"Brienne, I must pick up Loras."

"We were going to spend the day together."

"I'll take a rain check."

"He calls and you jump," she says.

That's right, because I am in love with that boy and his wish is my command. I killed a man for him and I'd do it again if I had to.

Robb is waiting with Loras outside the doctor's office, with little Torrhen asleep in his carrier. When Robb sees me drive up he takes the baby back inside to check in. I must remember to thank him for waiting with Loras until I got here.

Loras slides into the car. I give him the tulips, chocolate and bear I bought for him. He kisses me on the cheek as a thank you.

"I missed you today."

God, I love his accent. That cute little way he pronounces his words drives me crazy. The way his lips always curl into a smile when he says he misses me makes the blood rush to my groin. He's so cute.

"I missed you too, my flower."

"I'm not a flower any more. You watered me remember?"

"You'll always be my flower and I'll always water you."

No one else will though. He is mine to water. That's such a silly little metaphor, but Loras is uncomfortable talking about sex so casually. It was the way he was raised. I laugh. His innocence is cute. He's cute. I've never met anyone so agonizingly cute.

"Renly," Loras says. Gods, I love the way he says my name. It eats me alive, but I wouldn't have it any other way. "Am I mature enough to marry you?"

"No, but I don't care. I'm going to marry you regardless."

"Why?"

"Because I am hopelessly in love with you and if we're married I get to introduce you as my husband, and I could kiss you anytime I want."

"You can already kiss me anytime you want."

"Not like the way I can when we're married."

To prove my point I kiss him. Then I kiss him again because I want to. I wanted to kiss Loras three seconds after I saw him the first time. He was so cute in that book store. He looked like he was sculpted from angel tears. I put my hand on his face and give him another kiss. Loras moans beneath the kiss and shaft starts throbbing for him.

I can't wait until I get home to take him. I drive to the nearest deserted lot and push him into the backseat. I climb on top and begin removing his clothing. Loras bites my neck. I let a deep moan escape my lips. We frantically pull the clothes off each other.

Half way through the lovemaking there is a knock on the window. It's a cop. Shit. I look into his face and I pull out and try to find my clothes. I roll down the back window.

"Let's keep it behind closed doors," the officer says with a smile on his face.

I laugh, "I'll keep that in mind."

Loras and I laugh as we get dressed. The officer sits in his car until we're both dressed. Loras climbs out of the car before I do. The officer is still laughing.

"May I see your identification?" He asks us both.

I show him my driver's license. Loras takes out his identification card from back home. It's the only ID he has.

"You're Prince Loras Tyrell," he says surprised looking at Loras.

"Yes, so I would appreciate it if you didn't write me up for this," Loras says.

"You are a minor and normally I would have to call it in, but I don't see why His and Her Grace need to hear about this. Just keep it behind closed doors from now on."

"Yes, sir," Loras says.

"And you know better."

I laugh. The officer pats me on the shoulder. He shakes his head and gets back in his car. When he leaves Loras and I share a good laugh. I stop laughing before he does and just listen to his sweet laugh.

"I thought he was going to arrest us," Loras says catching his breath between laughs. His accent is really thick now. I kiss him.

"I love you," Loras says.

"Until the world explodes," I wrap my arms around him and kiss him. He laughs beneath the kiss. I pin him against my car and deepen the kiss. Loras winces and I pull back fearing I may have hurt him somehow. "Are you alright, my flower?"

"I slipped in some water and fell into my locker. I hurt my back."

"Oh, poor thing let me see," I ask.

"No. It's not a big deal, really."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, let's just go home."

The apartment is empty when we get home. Loras walks to his bedroom and shuts the door. I find a note from Gendry taped to the coffee maker.

Renly, I took Margaery out for dinner, we'll be back around seven—Gendry

The time on the microwave beeps ten after six. I guess I could get started on dinner for me and Loras. As I stick my head in the freezer I hear a door open. There must be something in this freezer worth cooking. Pizza sounds delicious. I feel a pair of hands tugging at my belt loops. I smile to myself and pat the hands. I can feel Loras's warm breath on my neck.

"What would you like for dinner, my flower?"

"I'm not hungry," Loras says, releasing me.

I spin around and envelop him. I wrap my arms as tight around his waist as I can and yank him close to me. I stare into his honey colored eyes. There is something in his eyes that makes me uneasy, like pain, or like he's harboring a secret.

"What's wrong, my flower?"

"I don't feel so good, I'm just going to go lay down."

I press the back of my hand against his forehead. He does feel really warm. To be certain I get a thermometer and stick it in his mouth. When it beeps I notice his temp is normal. What's going on? I guess I will humor him.

"Okay, go lie down; I'll bring you some soup."

"Thanks, I love you."

"I love you too."

I watch my flower disappear into his bedroom. I search the cabinets for some soup. I think chicken noodle will do fine for now. I really don't feel like making anything else. I cook a grilled cheese to go with his soup.

I know he is faking this illness but he doesn't know I know that. I put all this stuff on a tray and carry it to his bedroom. Loras is lying on his side in his pajamas. I pull his blankets up to his neck and kiss his forehead.

He is so beautiful when he's sleeping. I can't believe how lucky I am to have someone as lovely as him as my life partner. I take his soup and sandwich back to the kitchen just as Margaery and Gendry come in. I ask Margaery to be quiet in her room because Loras is sleeping.

"Why is he in my bed? We never share anymore since you two consummated."

She has a point. Whatever the problem is I'm sure he'll tell me when he gets over this fake illness he is plagued with. Until then, I will just accept his odd behavior.