Chapter Forty-Four: Valentine's Day

Loras's Point of View

I am sitting in the bathroom crying. I have never been more embarrassed. I have my knees pulled up to my chest and my hear resting on them. I spot a pair of shoes I recognize. I look up at Robb. He squats beside me.

"Hey," Robb says.

"Go away."

"No. I'm where I need to be. Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay. Quentyn Martell just embarrassed me in front of the entire school."

"Not the whole school, the students in B lunch didn't see."

"You're not helping," I say. I wipe a tear from my eye.

Robb sits beside me on the floor. He keeps quiet and just sits there to let me cry. He pats me on the back a couple of times but otherwise does not touch me.

I stop crying and Robb looks at me. I take out the card he gave me. We both laugh. He tickles me. I swat his hand, but it does make me feel better.

"Why did you give me this?" I ask.

"You're my best friend."

"You made it for Margaery didn't you?"

"No. I actually made it for you."

I look at him. He smiles. I punch his arm.

"You're pathetic."

"I couldn't give it to her. I swear I am trying very hard to get over her."

"Not hard enough, apparently."

"I'm sorry."

"Tonight is Margaery's date with that Kettleblack. I don't really trust him." I look at Robb.

"You want to crash it?"

"Do you?"

"Sounds like fun."

"Our dates are tomorrow night anyways," I say.

"Loras, how about a date with me tonight?"

"I'd love to." Robb and I discuss ruining Margaery's date. I wonder what kind of "date" Robb will be. We are stopped in the hallway. Several girls swarm around Robb begging him to ditch Meera and date them. Quentyn and a couple boys I do not know drag me aside and offer me gifts.

They declare they have had crushes on me since I first walked through he halls of Winterfell. They are cute, but I have Renly. One of the boys is bold enough to kiss me. He's a really good kisser, but that makes Quentyn and the other boy jealous.

"Stop it. I don't deserve your love. I'm not worthy," I say playing along. I believe its the only way to get them to let me go to class. Robb has no chance of escaping the nest of girls he is stuck in.

"But you are worthy, my prince. You're kind, and beautiful, and sexy," says the boy who kissed me. I bet they are in B lunch because I have never seen them before.

"Please, my delicate angel, take this ring as a token of my love," says the boy who kissed me. He puts the ring on a chain and hangs it around my neck.

"He's mine," says Quentyn.

"I think you're all pretty great. Must I chose only one. I want to love you all."

"Me first," says the boy who kissed me. I kiss him for a moment, and when the other two are fighting with him I sneak away. Robb breaks free of the girls and we make a run for it. We run for Ned's office.

"That boy was a really good kisser," I admit.

"Girls are crazy. Absolutely crazy."

"Boys aren't much better."

Robb and I decide to skip the rest of our classes and go play video games at the local arcade until its time to pick up Margaery. Margaery comes to the car carrying the roses Robb gave her and her gift from Gendry and Renly.

I watch her put on lipstick. She smacks her lips together. I wonder if she is doing it to tease Robb. He doesn't seem to notice.

We go back to the house. Robb's nanny gives him Torrhen and goes home for the day. Margaery heads right for the shower.

Robb and I play with Torrhen while Margaery gets ready for her date. Renly comes over with Willas, Gendry, and her dress. Margaery comes out with just a towel on, I look at Robb, he is trying not to stare.

"Thank you, Renly, its beautiful," says Margaery.

Renly hugs her. I wait patiently for my fiance to notice me. He finally does. He pulls me in close and gives me three kisses. I melt in his arms.

He holds me from behind while we wait on Margaery. Robb is trying to make Torrhen laugh. Margaery comes out of the bathroom in her new dress. Willas whistles.

Robb does a double take. His face turns red. She looks stunning. Renly did an amazing job. Gendry is smiling. Robb looks like he is struggling with something.

"You look beautiful," says Willas hugging Margaery.

"You don't look beautiful, you are beautiful," says Robb blushing.

"I agree," I tell her.

Osney arrives ten minutes late to pick her up. He seems startled by all of us opening the door. I look him up and down.

"Loras, this guy is huge," says Renly.

"I can see that," I say.

"Ready to go, Princess?" Osney asks Margaery.

"Before I let you take out my darling sister I need to know where you're taking her," I say.

"Loras, don't embarrass me."

"We're going to dinner then maybe a movie," says Osney.

"Its a school night I want her back by 11."

"Whatever," says Osney.

I kiss Margaery.

"Listen, this girl means a lot to me, if you hurt her, I will harm you," says Gendry.

"Whatever," says Osney.

Margaery leaves with him. I look around for Robb. He's leaning against a wall deep in thought. He snaps out of it and picks up Torrhen.

"I don't trust him," says Renly.

He leaps over the back of the couch to sit down. Gendry leans against the wall. Willas sits down. I sit next to Renly.

"I doubt any of us do," says Gendry.

We all get quiet. We have the same idea. Willas drives himself and Renly. I ride with Gendry and Robb. Gendry sits in the back with Torrhen. We follow Osney.

He takes her to a restaurant. While they are in the fancy place Robb swings through a drive through and gets burgers. We park in the lot of the restaurant Margaery and her date are. Willas pulls in beside us. We get out. Robb sits on the hood of his truck wih Torrhen and eats his burger quietly. Renly and I share my burger. We take turns feeding each other.

"Can you see them, Willas?" Gendry asks.

I shiver. Renly wraps his arms around me to warm me up. It starts snowing. I let Renly kiss me.

"My little flower is turning into an icecicle."

"He is making her laugh," says Willas.

"Seriously, I think Loras is frozen," Renly says.

"I'll be alright," I say.

"Let me keep you warm, my flower."

"Renly, I don't want to have sex in the car," I whisper.

"Alright, we won't."

"He just touched her face," Willas says.

Robb climbs off the hood of his truck and gets inside with Torrhen. Renly encourages me to get in to when Robb starts the engine. I climb in. He is quiet.

"Are you okay?" Robb asks.

"Yes, thank you, are you?"

"No, I'm not. I don't deserve Meera. I can't even keep myself from falling for other girls. I should be with my girlfriend tonight, instead I'm crushing on your sister and jealous that she's on a date with someone who isn't me. Meera deserves better. I am a terrible boyfriend."

"We can't help who we fall in love with. I'm not saying you're in love with Margaery. I know you're not, but, crushes are the same concept."

"I'm such an asshole."

"Don't throw yourself a pity party, Robb. This isn't about you. This is about Margaery. I just want my sister to be safe. Yes, you are an asshole, but not for the reasons you said, but because you're making this about you."

"You're right."

"Stop sulking. None of us are judging you for your crush on Margaery, except Renly. He's judging you, but the rest of us aren't. So buck up and let's be here for my sister."

Robb grins. We sit in the car to warm up. Torrhen goes right to sleep. Robb puts a blanket over him. He turns off the vehicle and we get out. Robb stays close to his truck to watch Torrhen.

"They're done. Okay. Everyone in their cars," says Willas.

Gendry climbs in the backseat with Torrhen. We wait until Osney and Margaery are well on their way before we start up and follow them.

"Where is he going?" Robb asks.

Osney's car is three cars ahead of us. We didn't want to follow exactly behind because Margaery would see us. We should have used Gendry's vehicle.

Osney takes Margaery down a deserted road. Robb takes a parallel road so we can get behind Willas. It would be suspicious if the same vehicle followed them the whole way.

"Where is he taking my sister?" I ask.

We lose sight of Osney and Margaery. Finally we find the car. No one is in it. Willas kicks the car. His breath can be seen in the air.

"Damn," says Willas.

"They have to be around here somewhere," Robb says. He shields Tor from the wind. We hear a girl scream. That has to be Margaery. I take off running without a second thought. I run in the direction I heard the scream.

"Margaery!"

"Loras!" She screams back. I hear sounds of fighting and grunting and Margaery's voice, but I have no idea what she is saying. I slide on some ice, but I stay on my feet. I run faster.

I see my sister fighting with three men. One of them is Osney. A woman is there too. Cersei?

"Ah, there's the little prince."

"What?"

Someone tries to grab me from behind, I throw them over my shoulder. Joffrey. "I knew I didn't trust you."

Margaery's mouth his gagged. She is struggling. By the look of her she put up a fight. I hear footsteps behind me. Renly and Gendry and the guards of the royal family have shown up.

"You alright?" Renly asks.

I nod. He hugs me. I point towards Margaery. I deck Joffrey as he comes at me. Gendry fights off one of the Kettleblacks. A police vehicle shows up and Willas gets out. That was quick. I untie my sister. She hugs me.

"What shall we do with these people, my prince?" The office asks Willas. Willas looks at me and Margaery. He limps over and hugs Margaery.

"Arrest them. I am pressing charges. This is kidnapping."

I watch happily as the Kettleblacks and Lannisters are arrested. Joff spits in my face so I trip him. The officer laughs.

"This isn't over, Tyrell. A Lannister always pays his debts."

"Good, I'll be waiting," I say. Margaery bumps me with her elbow. I grin. When they leave and Willas fills out the police report Margaery, Renly, Gendry, and I walk back to join Robb. He had to stay with the cars because of Torrhen.

Robb gets out of his truck and hugs me first. I embrace him. I can feel his heart pounding in his chest, "I was so worried you wouldn't come back."

I smile. Robb hugs Margaery next. Its a tight, albeit short hug. Robb kisses her on the cheek. She jumps in his arms. He looks surprised, but accepts her. He carries her to his truck.

"Are you okay?"

"Just a little shaken up. Thank you for coming after me."

Robb nods. I am behind him when he turns around. Margaery watches Torrhen who is sleeping. I pull him away from earshot.

"Thank you for driving me to rescue my sister," I tell him.

"She means a lot to me too."

"If things were different, I'd give you my blessing to be together."

"I'm touched. You could give me your blessing to be with Meera."

"I don't think so. Maybe I am still waiting to claim you for myself," I say jokingly. Robb throws a snowball at me.

"You'll be waiting a long time."

I hit him in the face with a snowball. And suddenly I am tackled. Renly shoves snow in my face. I laugh. As I try to get up he and Robb attack me with tickles and snowballs.

"I yield," I say, laughing so much my abs are cramping.

"Gods, you're cute," says Renly, tugging on my coat and pulling me close. I would kiss him, but my lips are freezing. He laughs. "You have blue lips, my flower."

"I think you just found your blue rose," I say through chattering teeth. I shiver.

"I think I did."

Willas comes back. The police cars and guard SUVs zoom by. Willas had them on standby. He must have. He knew about Margaery's date. I need to give my brother more credit.

Margaery is asleep when we get in the truck. Robb unfolds a blanket and has me put it over her. He did not trust Gendry with the task. I sit in the back with Margaery and Gendry sits up front. I fall asleep on my sister.

When I wake up I am staring at Gendry's butt. I am being carried. Gendry puts me down on the couch in Robb's house. Renly is carrying Margaery and Robb has Torrhen.

"Tor's tired. Aw. Daddy will put you to bed," says Robb. He kisses Tor and disappears into the dark hallway.

"Happy Valentine's Day, my flower," says Renly. He puts Margaery down and hands me a card and a blue rose. Its made of glass, but it's beautiful.

"Renly, this is magnificent."

"You once told me that a blue rose means impossibility, I wanted you to know that nothing is impossible when you're in love."

"Give me a break," says Willas.

"That's so romantic," I say.

"Really?" Willas says.

"Shut up, Willas."

I kiss Renly. I have never been more attracted to him. I give him my Valentine's gift too. Its just a card I made and some flowers.

"You're the only flower I want."

"Will you be my Valentine?" I ask Renly.

"Let me think about it. Hell yes. Will you be mine?"

"Yes."

We kiss. I notice that Renly is crying. He never cries. I am too. He kisses my tears and holds me close.

"Its been quite a night," he says.

"Hmmm," I say, leaning against him. I fit here in Renly's arms. I catch Robb's eye. He's smiling at us. He seems genuinely happy for me. I am happy. I really am.

Willas is ready to leave. I say bye to Renly. Renly gives Robb a lecture on how to treat a princess in bed. Robb gives him a rude gesture and Renly leaves laughing.

"You're fiance is a jerk," says Robb semi-seriously.

"He's the best."

Robb playfully punches my chin. He carries Margaery to our room. I follow. I turn down the blankets and we tuck her in.

"I like having you here. You were right before when you said it only because of Margaery. But I want you to know, I enjoy having you around all the time."

"Can't you just say 'I love you' without all this?"

"Its not easy for me to say that to a guy."

"Try."

"I love you."

I smile. I hug Robb goodnight and crawl into bed. I roll over and look at my sister. She has a few bruises, but she is unharmed. I have no idea what I would do if I lost her. I kiss her cheek, put my arms around her and go to sleep.