Chapter Twenty-Four: I Hate My Boyfriend

Loras's Point Of View

Renly was right. Robb could not stay mad at me for kissing him. The following Monday I was right back in my usual spot at our lunch table. And he invited me to sleep over at his house this weekend. I have to sleep in the guest bedroom alone, but at least he wants me around.

I will have to help him wih Tor, but that's not an issue. I love that kid. I canceled my trip to Alaska for this. I was cordially invited to dine with the governor of that frozen tundra.

Being the governor of Alaska is like being a body guard to an iceberg. Its November. I am not freezing my nipples off to eat whale blubber and sea prunes. No thank you.

So I am sending Viserys to dine with them in my place. I wrote them a letter explaining that Margaery and I both have chicken pox. She is going on a date with some bloke named Osney something. I do not have all the details.

"Robb, why doesn't Renly want to hang out with us?" I ask at dinner. We are out for dinner my treat. Robb feeds Meera a bite of his pasta. She licks her lips. He kisses her.

"Because he has friends his own age," says Robb. Meera puts Torrhrn on her shoulder to burp him. Robb is staring at the pair with so much love I could gag.

"That's stupid. He should spend time with me."

"Loras, He's almost twenty-two, he doesn't want to spend all his time with teenagers," says Meera.

"He spends time with Gendry. They went to a professional sporting event together last week, I wasn't invited."

"Gendry is his nephew and they live together, it makes sense," says Meera. Robb feeds her another bite. She is the only person allowed to feed him.

"Well, I feel left out."

"You're not together," Robb reminds me.

"Thats true, aren't you sort of in a relationship with Quentyn Martell?" Meera asks.

"Don't remind me. I need to find a way out."

"Is he hurting you?" Robb asks. He has asked me this everyday since Quentyn decided we are a couple. Gendry asks me everyday too and so does Margaery and Jon and my mother. Why does everyone ask that?

"Only in bed," I answer.

"Loras, remember when we talked about what's socially acceptable and what isn't?" Robb asks.

"I'm sorry. We're open in my family."

"Yes, I don't share a bed with my sisters and we shower separately," says Robb.

"People don't do that here?"

"No. Its not normal," says Robb.

"Regardless, lets get back to the matter at hand. How do I make myself more appealing to Renly's friends?"

"You don't. You accept that he has his friends and you have yours."

"But I miss him. And if he took me back Quentyn would go away."

"You want Renly back to drive off your boyfriend?" Meera asks.

"Yes and no. Robb refuses to get rid of Quentyn for me."

"Yep. Its your problem, you fix it."

"Please."

I give him a pouty puppy face. Robb shakes his head at me.

"Fine. Only because I don't want you going to his house alone."

"Thank you. You're the best."

After dinner Robb drives to Quentyn's house. Meera is sitting in the front seat and I am in the back with Tor. Tor is wide awake playing with his toes. Babies are strange.

"Meera, when we get out slide into my seat and lock all the doors. Keep the truck running."

"Why?"

"I don't trust this guy."

Robb and I get out at Quentyn's house. I knock on the door. Robb is behind me. He winks at me. When Trystane opens the door he immediately calls for Quentyn. Quentyn tries to kiss me.

"What's the problem, Peaches?"

"I don't want to see you."

"What?"

I have never broken up with anyone before I feel nervous and nauseous.

"I am breaking up with you."

"No you're not, Sweetie. You're just upset with me. I understand. I can give you space if you want. I love you."

He pulls me in for a hug. I wiggle free.

"No. I don't want to be in a relationship with you."

"I don't understand."

"Of course you don't," says Robb.

"Oh its you. Peaches, has this idiot been putting ideas in your pretty head?" He kisses my forehead. Now I am starting to get mad.

"No! I just you want to go away and let me be. I don't want your sloppy kisses or painful, I can't even call it lovemaking, I just want to be rid of you."

Robb claps.

"No. I love you too much. Unlike that loser you almost married I will fight for you."

He takes hold of my wrist. I struggle to get free. He has my right wrist. I am right handed. Hitting him with my left will not do any good.

I try to kick him until he pushes me against a wall. He starts to touch me inappropriately thats when Robb intervenes. He knocks Quentyn to the ground and throws me over his shoulder. Robb opens the door of his truck and puts me in. He climbs in the passenger as Meera drives away.

"You're really strong," I tell Robb admiringly when we are several blocks away from the Martells. I reach up and squeeze his muscles. Meera slams on the brakes. She pulls over.

"Let's get this settled, I don't mind sharing Robb with you, but he is mine. You will not touch him or kiss him or make googly eyes at him. If you do, you will face my wrath. I have been patient with your crush on my boyfriend, and I have had it. He is mine. Do you understand?"

"Meera."

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am," I say.

"I love you," Robb says admiringly, "you're so cute when you're in charge."

"I have one question," I say.

"What?" Meera asks.

"May I still hug Robb? I hug everyone, even Arya. I'm a hugger "

"That's not the touching I meant."

Tor coos in agreement then giggles. He shoves his foot back in his mouth to suck on his toes. I take a picture to show Margaery.

"Ooh, I know, let's go to the toy store. With Christmas coming, I want to get Rickon a train set," says Robb eagerly.

"No, you just want to go to the toy store," says Meera.

"I do."

"I love it when you say 'I do'."

"I'm practicing for us," says Robb.

Oh for the love of gods. If they were any cuter I would cut my eyes out with a spoon.

"Meera Stark does have a lovely sound," I say.

"It certainly does," agrees Robb.

They talk about what they want to name their future babies. I wish Margaery was here she and I would be laughing at inside jokes right now and ignoring the happy couple.

We do go to the toy store. Robb finds some age appropriate toys for Tor. Several women stop to admire little Torrhen. Robb turns into an overprotective father.

"He is the sweetest little thing. Look at that red hair."

I keep my face low to avoid being recognized. If I look people in the eyes they will know who I am. I would rather not be chased out of the store by screaming girls.

"Thanks."

"We would like to photograph your baby," says the store's photography studio when we pass. Robb gets all excited and makes an appointment for Tor's Christmas pictures.

We spend an hour in the clothes section looking for Tor's Christmas outfit to wear in his pictures. I roll my eyes. I have never been this bored.

Meera and Robb act like a newlywed couple, as they dolt upon Torrhen when they try the clothes on him. Robb keeps asking if I think Tor looks good in red.

"This isn't fun for you, is it?" Robb asks as we pay.

"No. I'm beyond bored."

"I am very sorry. I will make up to you."

"You better."

"Meera, will you watch Tor at your house this weekend? I owe Loras my attention," Robb says.

"You bet."

"Thanks, doll."

"You're a good friend," I tell Robb as I lean against him.

"Nah, I just want you to be happy."

Robb takes Meera home first. I stay in the truck with Torrhen while he walks Meera to her door. I open Robb's dashboard console and look at the rejection letters from Universities. There must be a dozen. They all same the same thing, he qualifies with his grades, but they refuse to admit an unwed teenaged father it would look bad for them. This is stupid. I must talk to Willas about this.

"Having fun?" Robb asks.

"Sorry, I-I have no explanation."

"Don't go through my business."

"Robb, let me help you."

"Just drop it."

"Robb."

"Jon already tried they won't change their minds. Let's just drop it."

"Is there anyway they would accept you? There has to be a loophole."

"Yeah, if I sign away my rights to Torrhen they will accept me."

"I'm sorry."

"I said forget it. College is stupid anyways."

I know he does not believe that. Robb loves school. He loves learning. He's just frustrated. His education or his son. No one should be forced to make that decision.

"Did you know that you're my hero?"

"Oh really why is that?"

"Because you always do the right thing even if it means sacrificing your dreams. I admire that. Its very honorable. Any man can be a father, it takes someone special to be a dad. Choosing to raise Tor at eighteen takes courage."

"Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"Stop admiring me so much."

"I can't help it."

Robb punches me in the arm for making him emotional. I smile at him. He shives his hand in face, then tickles me.

"Don't get so emotional."

"Thank you," I say, putting my hands on my hips to cover my ticklish spots.

"For what?"

"Helping me today."

"You're such a girl."

"Shut up, I am not a girl."

"You look like your sister."

"No, she looks like me."

Robb pushes me playfully. I push him back.

"You still look like a girl."