Chapter Fourteen: Ballroom Blitz

Renly's Point of View

Loras doesn't want me to be his date to the ball. But Margaery wants me to escort her. She sent over someone with some tuxes for me to wear so that I look handsome. I was under the impression she wanted us to match.

Gendry and I were just going to rent tuxedoes, but now we don't have to. The best part is that it's free. Aegon is paying for our tuxes. Good. Maybe I can convince him to pay my rent too.

"Who do you think Arya is going with?" Gendry asks as a woman pricks him with a needle trying to hem his pants. "Ow."

"I thought she was taking you," I say.

I bite into a juicy peach. I have developed an obsession with peaches lately. The smell reminds me of Loras. I can't seem to get enough of them. I bought peach scented shampoo and air refreshers for my bathroom. I even buy peaches every time I go to the farmer's market.

I grab a framed photograph of us off the end table. Loras is kissing me on the cheek. I smile and bite into my peach. I remember when this picture was taken. We went to the zoo. Loras loves the zoo. I never understood why, but he was so happy that day.

"Unlike you I don't have to come as a date. Robb and I were both invited by Daenerys. She remembered us from school and gave us our invites personally. I invited Bella to accompany me. Let's see how Arya likes that."

"You're going about this the wrong way," I say.

"I love her, Uncle Renly."

"Bella?"

"No Arya."

"I think you should tell her that."

"She'd punch me."

"Wouldn't it be worth it if she loved you too?"

"No. She hits hard for such a small girl."

I have to admit that I am glad Gendry decided not to live with Stannis. I like having him around. I am not much of a parent to him. He's more of a brother to me than my actual brothers were. I would do anything for this kid if he asked.

I stare at the photograph and admire the angles in Loras's face, and the way his thick hair falls to his shoulders in looping ringlets. I feel my eyes fill with moisture as my heart goes thumpity thump about a million miles a minute.

Have I made a terrible mistake? No. We both needed this. I wipe the tears off my face before Gendry notices them. I stand up and throw my peach pit in the trash. I walk into my room and slam the door shut. I bend my knees and reach for a cardboard box under my bed.

I take the lid off and pull out a shirt. I hold it my face and breathe in. I fall on my back breathing in the sweet peachy scent of my flower. Perhaps calling him 'my peach' would have made more sense in hindsight.

"I'm so sorry, my flower," I say into the neck of the shirt.

Loras's scent still lingers on the shirt. I slip it over my head and put my arms in the sleeves. It's very tight around the chest and I hear it starting to tear but I need to feel the warmth. What am I doing? I take the shirt off careful not to rip it and fold it gently and put it back in the box.

It's my turn to get fitted for my tux when I come out of my room. I take one look at Gendry and my jaw hits the floor. It's like looking into a very large mirror. So that's what I'd look like with muscles. His hair is brushed and styled; he is clean-shaven, shiny, and hot.

"You're definitely going to be the best looking guy at this ball," I tell Gendry hugging him.

"Thanks, Uncle Renly."

"No, thank you. It just gives me the motivation to out-hot you."

Gendry laughs. Even his teeth are perfect today. These people Margaery sent over work miracles. He looks like a super hero in disguise in that tuxedo.

"I have to pick up my date," Gendry says.

"Go get her, stud," I say. I smack his ass playfully he punches me in the arm.

"Are you going to make me that pretty?" I ask the people who dolled up Gendry.

"We're going to try, Mr. Baratheon," says a woman.

"Call me Renly."

It takes about an hour total for these people to finish with me. Gendry brought his date back here for me to see her before we leave. She looks gorgeous. Her dress is baby pink and has a slit that goes all the way up her thigh on the sides. It's cut low in the front exposing the tops of her breasts.

"You look handsome, Renly," says Bella.

Her hair is done up in curls all over her head. I am not sure that look says "formal ball" but who am I to criticize? She's gorgeous.

Margaery even took the liberty of sending a limo for us. It's snow white and stretches about a mile. I feel like a movie star riding in such luxury. I pour myself a glass of white wine and sip it in the backseat of the limo while Gendry and Bella flirt.

We jam to rock music in the car on our ride to the mansion because I am sure there is going to be classical music playing after all it is a formal ball. It's going to be a seven course meal.

As I expected the mansion has a very formal setting. I am met by Margaery by the entrance when I come in. She looks stunning. Her dress is silver and shimmers when the light hits it. Her long hair is curled and rolled into a long spiral that is tied with a white ribbon and dangling over her left shoulder.

"You look so handsome," Margaery says.

"You are so beautiful," I tell her giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Upon Margaery's head sits a small silvery tiara with real diamonds in it. She has a matching necklace and bracelet. She looks like a proper princess tonight. There is glitter on her cheeks. She will easily be the most beautiful young woman here tonight.

I let her take my arm as we prepare to enter the Grand Ball Room which on the second floor of the mansion. We walk upstairs together. The Ball Room is the size of a gymnasium only much, much nicer.

It is decorated so lavishly I nearly stumble not paying attention to where I am walking. When we enter a trumpet sounds right in my ear and a man introduces us.

"INTRODUCING HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MARGAERY OF HOUSE TYRELL AND HER ESCORT RENLY BARATHEON," he says. His voice sounds hoarse. He must be in charge of introducing everyone of importance.

I spot Robb Stark and Meera Reed standing near a table. I didn't realize that everyone was required to stand when the princess or prince arrives. Robb shakes my hand and I kiss Meera's. I notice their names are on that table. I wonder where Margaery and I are going to sit.

"Renly, come, I have so many people I want to introduce you to."

I let the princess drag me wherever she wants. I get my picture taken by the press and gods know who else. I shake hands and kiss cheeks and bow and do whatever she tells me. My feet are already killing me and we haven't danced yet. Margaery runs into a few of her cousins from back home.

I find our table with our names on the fancy little cards and get ready to sit down when the trumpet sounds again.

"INTRODUCING LORD JON OF HOUSE STARK, WARD OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF TYRELL AND HIS ESCORT SANSA STARK," the man says.

Lord Jon. Who's Lord Jon? Jon? Oh my goodness. I stand up for a better look. Indeed, on Sansa's arm is Jon. He looks like a proper lord, so much I didn't recognize him. Margaery takes me by the hand and we walk in their direction. For once I am not being forced to follow her.

Jon hugs Margaery first, but it's a short hug followed by a kiss to her cheek. He presents her with a white rose. He gives a yellow one to Meera. Jon hugs me briefly, but it's Robb who he sees last. Robb and Jon hold eye contact for a short moment before magnetically finding themselves in a tight embrace.

Their hug is long and drawn out and people are starting to stare, but I doubt either of them care. I know there is a lot they want to say to each other, but neither has the words. When they pull apart both boys have tears in their eyes, but they remain as stoic and poised as they can.

"You're a lord now, how does that feel?" Robb asks.

"I will never get used to it. How's Torrhen?"

"Growing every day," Robb says.

They gravitate into another hug only this one is shorter. Robb lets a tear slide down his face before he wipes it off as it's about to drip off his chin. He leans over and kisses Sansa on the cheek and then gives Meera a sweet kiss on her lips.

Meera looks radiant in her green dress. It was always her color and it matches her eyes. All my girls look stunning tonight. I wish I could hug and kiss each one and tell them how gorgeous they are.

Where is Gendry? He needs to come over here and hug Jon. Another trumpet sound and I turn to see Loras. My jaw hits the floor.

"INTRODUCING HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE LORAS OF HOUSE TYRELL AND HIS ESCORT QUENTYN MARTELL," says the man by the door.

"You're joking," Robb says.

"Robb, you didn't know?" Meera asks.

"Does this look like the face of someone in the know?"

"Why is he with him?" Jon asks angrily.

"I'm going to find out," Robb says.

"No. You're going to behave or I will have you thrown out. That goes for you as well, Jon," says Margaery.

"Mags," Robb says.

"No. It's Princess Margaery tonight. You will not embarrass me."

"Yes, ma'am," Robb says.

They hug it out. Robb looks a little startled by Margaery's boldness to be so upfront with him. I am glad. That's my girl.

"Jon," says Arya.

When did she appear?

Arya is wearing a dark gray dress that is actually quite gorgeous. She is wearing makeup and heels. She looks at least fourteen or fifteen instead of thirteen. I wonder if Gendry has seen her yet. Her escort is Edric.

"Holy crap!" says Robb and Jon looking at their little sister.

"Arya, you look like an actual girl," says Sansa in disbelief.

"Hi, Arya," says Gendry finally appearing.

"Hey, stupid," says Arya.

I notice Margaery has disappeared. I spot her laughing with some foreign diplomats near the orchestra. She is in her element tonight. I scan the room for Loras. He's chatting up some very cute boys who I assume are sons of lords and other foreign powers. A couple of them are young celebrities: a young movie star and a singer. Quentyn Martell seems to love the attention.

I join Margaery.

"Oh yes, I was wondering if you would sponsor our organization?" asks a woman who I guess isn't a diplomat due to her American accent.

"What organization?"

"Our organization is dedicated to giving young girls in poverty the opportunity to go to school and have opportunities that other girls have. We have programs to help their self-esteem."

"That's always been my dream. Oh I would love to sponsor your program. I would love to empower young women. That's my life's ambition!" says Margaery sweetly with tears in her eyes.

"Can we schedule a time to meet?"

"Oh of course, leave your contact information with my publicist. I am so glad that you picked me. I am truly honored."

And she is serious. When we walk to our table Margaery bursts into tears. She explains that was one of her goals upon coming to this country. She wants to make a difference in the lives of young girls. She wants to be a positive role model.

After the Targaryens arrive we get to eat. The food is fancy but delicious. I try damn hard not to embarrass my princess with my table manners. I watch her eat and try to be as delicate and graceful as she is, but I am not. Loras is at our table with his date, and watching him laugh at Quentyn's jokes makes me clumsy.

I steal glances at Loras whenever I can. I catch him staring at me as well, but we both pretend nothing happened. When the third course is served I am already stuffed.

"I bet you a thousand dollars Robb cleans his plate after every course," whispers Margaery to me. She has been the proper little princess tonight I am surprised she stopped her role long enough to bet me. I take her up on that bet. We shake on it.

"This shrimp is delicious," I tell her.

"I requested it," Margaery says.

"You have excellent taste, princess," I say.

After the meal is served we are given raspberry chocolate mousse. I have another glass of wine. After dessert the orchestra starts playing a slow classical number and I notice Aegon take the hand of a pretty girl I don't know. They begin the dance.

Loras takes Quentyn by the hand and they get up to dance. I lead Margaery onto the dance floor. We waltz around the Ball Room. Over her shoulder I spot Robb sitting in a chair in the corner with Meera on his lap kissing as if it's their last day on Earth.

"Looks like Robb is enjoying his dessert," I whisper.

"Well, they did consummate their relationship last night," Margaery says.

"You're kidding," I say.

"No. She told me."

"Way to go, Robb."

I watch Loras and Quentyn dance. Loras dances with a grace I have never seen in a man. Quentyn dances like a clumsy monkey.

"Mind if I steal your partner?" asks Jon.

"Only if I may have yours," I say. I bow to Sansa. She curtsies and we take hands.

She is wearing lavender. It's a beautiful color on her. I cannot get over how good my girls look tonight. I twirl her around on the Ball Room floor. She is a graceful dancer. She giggles when I spin her into my arms.

"You're so funny," she says.

After the song ends a faster one comes on and Sansa moves on to dance with Loras. I notice Robb and Meera are still kissing. Are they planning to come up for air? I guess they don't care where they are. After a while they stop and Meera pulls Robb onto the dance floor. They spin around a few times.

When the next slower waltz starts Aegon asks for Sansa's hand in a dance. I cut in with Robb and Meera. Robb moves on to dance with Daenerys Targaryen. I lose track of Arya and her date and Gendry and his. But my eyes keep coming back to Loras who is still dancing with Quentyn. Quentyn's hand is on Loras's ass. He better move that hand before he loses it.

"You look handsome," Meera tells me.

"Thank you, honey. You look radiant."

"Thanks. Robb said he wants to rip me out of this dress when we're alone," Meera says blushing.

"Congratulations."

"He's so sweet, and kind, and beautiful, and wonderful. Oh, I'm sorry; I guess you don't like to hear that."

"I love to hear it from you. I'm happy you think all those things about him."

I take a break from dancing and sit down with another cup of wine. Loras sits beside me. It's the first time we have been alone tonight. He wipes sweat off his brow and a servant gives him a glass.

"Will you have a dance with me?" Loras asks after downing his drink in two big gulps. I give my wine glass to a servant and take Loras's hand. "I'm sorry I broke our date."

"That's alright. Surprisingly I am having a wonderful time with Margaery."

"She's the best. I noticed Jon's here. I should say hello. He is my brother now."

"I miss you," I say.

"I miss you too."

I lean in to kiss Loras. He opens his mouth to welcome my tongue. We kiss like we were never apart. I feel so good kissing him. My hand finds his ass and gives it a seductive squeeze. He moans.

"You look so beautiful," I moan between kisses.

"I knew you would want me back after two days."

I wish he hadn't have said that. I stop kissing him. I push him away.

"No. That's not what this is."

"You just kissed me."

"Yeah but I am not ready to get together with you. Is that what you're doing, Loras? Dangling this stupid guy in front of me so I would get jealous and want you back? That's really childish."

"It worked didn't it."

"No."

I walk away. This is exactly why we are taking a break. I need to get out of here. But kissing him did feel really good. I miss those lips. I miss his touch. I start to shake. I feel lightheaded. I need to sit down. I make it back to my table where I find Gendry with his tongue down Bella's throat.

I need to find a different place to sit. Finally I take Robb's place at his table. He comes over and sits down in Meera's old seat. I notice Meera is now dancing with Arya's date.

"I don't feel so good," Robb says.

"Would you like some water, young master?" a servant asks Robb. He downs three glasses.

"Did you eat all seven courses?" I ask.

"Yeah. It was delicious but I am so full I think food is trying to kill me."

I am a thousand dollars richer.

"Loras thinks we're getting back together."

"I know. Are you okay? Oh I think I'm going to pass out."

"No. I miss him so bad I can't sleep. You should probably lie down."

"He feels the same way. Why do I smell peaches? No. I promised Meera we would dance."

"Don't hurt yourself. I kissed Loras."

"Why?"

"I couldn't help myself."

"It hasn't been enough time apart for you to get back together. If you take him back now nothing will change," Robb says.

"I know. But I should talk to him. I should tell him that we're not getting back together."

"And I need to go stop that Pretty Boy from dancing with my girlfriend."

We both stand up at the same time. We shake hands and pat each other on the back. I spot a large group of the really cute boys Loras was talking to earlier. Maybe that's where Loras disappeared. I walk over to them.

"Have any of you seen the prince?" I ask.

"I'm right behind you," Loras says.

I can't look at that face without wanting to kiss him, but I can't. I must control my urges. He's so beautiful.

"I wanted to say how cute you look tonight?" I say.

"Oh, thank you. Are you having a good time?"

"Yes."

"Prince, could I interview you?" asks a reporter.

And that's the end of that. I watch them drag Loras away. I realize I didn't get to talk to him. Oh well, I will have other chances.