Chapter Sixteen: The Change

Renly's Point of View

The guy that Robb and Gendry brought outside just won't quit. We just spent twenty minutes listening to him talk about how is going to get back at Loras. He will find a way back into the Ambassador's mansion and will fight the kid or something. I don't know I stopped listening. He just went on and on.

"I will harm every hair on his pretty head."

"Sure you will," says Gendry looking at the clock on his cell phone. Arya is asleep in the limo that is going to take her and Robb home. Robb pulls a napkin out of his pocket. Inside is shrimp he saved from dinner. He offers us each a shrimp. I am pretty sure you're not supposed to eat seafood while it's cold.

"Why do you have to be such an ass?" Daenerys asks.

None of us saw her walk up. Her dress is cut very low exposing her very ample bosom. Robb is too busy eating to check her out, but I notice Gendry's eyes lock on her butt for a moment then back to his date before she caught him.

"He embarrassed me, Dany," says Viserys.

"You tried to hurt that little princess. What did she ever do to you?"

"She laughed at me when I asked her dance. No one laughs at me. I am Viserys Targaryen. I am a Lord."

Robb chokes on a shrimp trying to laugh. Gendry thumps him hard on the back.

"Is something funny, rusty?" stupid jerk asks.

"No, but this shrimp is delicious."

"Do you ever stop eating?" stupid jerk asks.

"Robb, I am so sorry. Try to ignore my brother," says Daenerys. She touches Robb's arm.

"Why are you shaking?" Robb asks her.

"I'm cold, that's all," Daenerys says.

And Robb being the stand up guy he is takes off his jacket and puts it around her shoulders. No wonder Loras adores this guy. I can't hate him if I wanted to. Rob buttons the jacket so it won't fall off her shoulders.

"Is that better, Dany?" He asks.

"Yes, thank you," she says staring right into his eyes.

Robb continues eating the rest of his shrimp like nothing happened. How does he do that? No one is that nice for nothing. Still Daenerys and her brother argue about what happened tonight. I would leave but like Robb and Gendry I fear this guy might actually do something to Loras and Margaery.

"One of us needs to stay tonight," says Gendry.

"I can't, I need to get Arya home and I have a baby," Robb says looking at his wrist watch.

"I have to work in the morning," I say.

"I guess I could stay," says Gendry.

"I don't think that's necessary, Jon is still here," Robb says.

"So are your girlfriend and Aegon."

"Right so you're staying," Robb says finishing off the last of the shrimp.

"Young master, are you ready to leave, this little girl has started to snore?" asks the limo driver. Robb laughs and says bye to us. Dany tries to give his jacket back but he tells her to hang on to it for a while. He will get it later.

"He's so kind," says Dany.

"Oh, don't tell me you're falling for Stark."

"I'm not. I just think he's nice."

"You need to leave the grounds, my lord," says a security guard to Viserys.

So this guy really is a Lord. A lord of what? Bitching? He does a lot of that. I should go in and say good night to my girls but their lights are off so they might asleep. I really do need to work tomorrow. After that I have a lunch date with Stannis. Joy.

I leave Gendry twenty dollars. He might need it tomorrow. I wave bye and hop into my limo. I must have fallen asleep on the ride home because the driver has to tap me when we get to the apartment.

The apartment is empty. I kick off my shoes by the door and plop down on the couch and turn on the television. The late news has a video of Viserys going crazy at the Ambassador's Ball. I chuckle to myself.

I wake up on the couch, the TV still on but showing recaps of the Ambassador's Ball on the morning news. Loras is dancing with Margaery. He is smiling from ear to ear. The news anchor comments on how handsome Prince Loras looked. Several fashion critics go over the looks of the evening. They start with Margaery. They like her over all look. They say she kept it classy, but added her own touch of modesty. The overall opinion was she looked like a total princess last night. Her parents should be proud.

Sansa and Meera had their outfits critiqued too. While Sansa stood praise Meera was merely just mentioned. They thought the color was wrong for her and said it was hideous. The boys were next. I was mentioned because I was the Princess's date.

I get their approval. Of course I do, my little Princess planned my outfit. She helped her team design it specifically for me. Robb Stark got praise for looking hot. No one really commented on his tuxedo, just how good it looked on him.

Jon, on the other hand, was a stud muffin in his tuxedo. He out-hots Robb by a wide margin. Even the women on the news thought so and a couple of the men. The consensus being they wouldn't kick him out of bed. The way he looked last night, neither would I.

When the news turns to world issues I turn it off. I need to get ready for work. I shower, and get dressed. I won't have time to cook breakfast so I will get something on the way.

I pick up a breakfast pastry and a cup of coffee and head to work. My paid internship at the fashion company is going great. My boss usually loves my ideas. Today I sit at her desk eating my breakfast while she talks about the Ambassador's Ball.

"We had an idea about a hot chic new look in formal wear for teenage girls. I call it 'Faux Princess' inspired by Princess Margaery. We could market her look. I must, must find out who her designer is."

This is going to be a long day.

I am sort of happy when I am released for lunch. If I hear one more person talk about that Ball I am going to scream. I leave my designs on my boss's desk. There is a photograph of Loras on her desk with a sticky note attached to it that reads: New Face of Male Fashion

I am not sure how Loras will like that. Loras never expressed any interest in wanting to be a model. I should talk to him, or at least find out what it means. I just can't right now, my brother waits. It would be a crime to keep Stannis waiting.

The restaurant is within walking distance of my company so I take a stroll. Stannis is sitting inside with a scowl on his face. Does he ever smile?

"Renly, you're late," says Stannis.

I look at my phone. No. I am one minute early. I take a seat across from my older brother.

"How's it going?" I ask.

"I heard you broke up with your little pansy."

"You just get right to the point, don't ya?"

"I have to say I am a little proud that you have come to your senses. My brother was marrying a child. I couldn't stand the looks I was getting a work. I am so happy you saw sense."

"We're still getting married, Stan. We're just taking a break."

"You're a bigger fool than I thought. You never change do you?"

"Stan, you wound me, why would I change?"

"You need to grow up, Renly. You're a grown man. Stop chasing after little boys."

"He's not a little boy. He's seventeen."

I have a feeling this lunch will not go well. Nothing I ever do pleases Stannis. After my lecture on my love life I bet he is going to ask me to convince Gendry to live with him. I'd die first.

"How's Gendry?"

"Good. He's healthy. He's happy. He's huge. He's not living with you."

And that starts another lecture. Will this day ever end? When lunch ends I go back to work for another two hours. I endure a few hours of wedding dress discussions and discussion on new bridesmaid dresses. By the end of shift I want to kill myself.

I am so happy to go home I don't say bye to anyone. I clock out and head to the parking lot as quickly as I possibly can. On my way home I stop by a pet store. A cute little kitten is staring at me through the window.

I find myself going in. The little kitten from the window is watching me. I scratch his head. Aw. He's sweet. I could get a cat. This one likes me. He has brown hair like Loras.

"I want this cat," I tell a worker.

"What will you call him?" asks the employee as he writes up papers on the cat.

"Peaches," I blurt out.

The man hands me Peaches. It licks my hand and then purrs. I can't believe I bought a cat. I carry the little thing with me around the store while I look for a cat bed and supplies. I end up spending $200. I begin to regret my decision while I am driving until Peaches crawls on my lap and lies there purring.

He reminds me so much of Loras. Why did I buy a cat? Gendry is never going to let me live this down.

"You bought a cat," says Gendry.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"You bought a cat."

"Don't judge me. He's really soft and furry. Look at this face. Look at it. He's so cute."

Gendry stares at the little kitten then scratches it behind the ears. The kitten purrs and meows at him. Gendry laughs and gives it a little rub under the chin.

"He won't replace Loras you know."

"How did things go last night?"

"That weird Viserys tried to sneak in a few times. It was pretty funny. I'm sorry you left. I got to sleep on Loras's couch."

I pour my new cat some food and scratch him behind the ears while he eats his kitten chow. I know that getting a cat will not replace Loras or even make me happy, but I need to give my love to something.

I sit down on the couch; Gendry gets a glass of milk out of the fridge and sits down beside me. He turns on the TV to a sit-com of some sort. I only pay a little of attention. Mostly I listen to Gendry laugh. The kitten climbs up on my lap.

My cell phone chimes. I receive a text. I eagerly check it hoping its Loras.

Oberyn: Hey darling. I was thinking about you. May I come over?

I am single now, I guess. Would it hurt to see Oberyn? It's not technically cheating because we are not together. I wouldn't want Loras to think I dumped him for Oberyn. He would never come back to me.

"Uncle Renly," says Gendry.

"What?"

"Just do it."

"Do what?" I ask.

"You obviously want him. You and Loras aren't together."

"I still feel like I am betraying him."

"Then don't do it."

"Gee, you're supportive."

Me: I'm busy.

I hope I don't come to regret my decision.