Chapter Forty-Eight: Happiness

Loras's Point of View

Prom is right around the corner and I am dateless. Renly is too old to come, so I have no other options. I watch all my friends pair off. Aegon invites Margaery, who agrees, Robb and Meera are going together, Gendry and Arya, and even Dacey is going. She is going with either a Liddle or a Glover. Sansa is going with a Goodbrother.

"I can't believe she said yes," says Robb shoving his heavy math book in his backpack. He pulls out a bar of chocolate and bite the corner off. The smell of chocolate makes me drool.

"Who?"

"Margaery. I can't believe she said yes to Aegon."

"They're going out," I tell him casually wishing I had a date to prom.

"Since when?"

"Since today."

"What does she see in him?"

"He's got a title."

"So? That doesn't mean anything. You were with Renly before he had a title. I thought she preferred girls. What's this nonsense about her dating a boy?"

Wow, he really let his green flag fly. Robb continues at some pace about this. I knew there was no validity to his story about being over my sister.

"I mean, really, if she's going to date boys she should keep her options open."

"She is. Aegon is a really good boy."

"I disagree. He kissed my girlfriend. That's another thing. What if he's unfaithful? Is that the kind of guy you want with Mags?"

I stop walking. I cannot believe I am hearing this. I look at Robb.

"You're unbelievable," I say.

"What did I do?"

"You lied to me."

"When?"

"When you said you were over my sister."

"I am over her."

"No you're not."

Robb is silent. He looks in my eyes. I roll my eyes and walk away. Robb catches after me. I plug my ears when he tries to deny what's obvious. I sing to tune him out. He gives up, but keeps walking with me.

"I don't."

I plug my ears again. I bump into Quentyn Martell. We get tangled and fall over each other. I land on top of him. He blushes when he sees its me. Robb helps me up. I dust off my uniform.

"Hey, Peaches," says Quentyn.

"Hi, let's find Margaery and go home."

"Wait," says Quentyn grabbing my hand.

"What?" I ask trying to pull my hand free.

"Go to the prom with me?"

"Its a little last minute, don't you think?"

"Nah. Come on, go with me," says Quentyn acting all sexy. I am ignoring the cute way his hair falls in eyes and the deep resonance of his voice. I swallow a lump in my throat.

"I can't," I squeak.

"Why?"

"Renly," says Robb.

"Yes, my boyfriend, Renly."

"Fiance," Robb corrects.

"Right, Renly is my fiance."

"Too bad, I think we'd have a great time, Sweetie. See you there." He walks away shaking his ass. I close my eyes to not look. Robb claps me on the shoulder.

"You okay?" Robb asks.

"No," I say, "I'm still going to prom solo."

"I can't believe no other guys asked you."

"A lot comes with asking a prince, they have to get International clearance and the whole meeting my security and Willas and getting screened and probed and tracked, its a whole ordeal."

"You're making that up."

"Its easier than saying I'm ugly."

"You're not ugly."

Now I am the one following Robb. He does not think I am ugly, which means he thinks I am attractive. My interest has been sparked. Robb shoots me down when he says my excitement.

"I just mean you're a good looking guy."

"All I want is a decent boy to ask me. Is that so wrong?"

"How about him?" Robb points to a senior boy. He is nicknamed Alleras the pure. All the girls think he's attractive, because he is. His jet black hair is worn in closely cropped curls.

"Are you crazy?"

"What?"

"He's dreamy."

"So ask him."

"You're joking."

Robb walks towards the boy. I am still standing there. I run my hand through my hair. The boy looks at me, I look down. Robb nods and comes back to me.

"What did he say?"

"He said sure."

"Are you joking?"

Robb is grinning.

"No, what did he really say?"

"He said yes."

"There's no way."

"I gave him your number."

I have a date. Robb and I walk by the boy on our way out of the school. He stops me. When I stare into his eyes I melt. He smiles and gives his curls a shake.

"I don't usually date men, but your friend asked if I would take you to Prom. I just wanted to get a good look at you. So where should I pick you up tomorrow night?"

I write down Robb's address. He smiles. I sigh and feel stupid. I am going to prom with a gorgeous boy. I have to tell Renly. There is a spring in my step.

We see Margaery and Aegon flirting by the truck. Robb grits his teeth. I shake my head. I plug my ears again as he lists reasons why he and Aegon cannot be friends.

"Oh hi, Robb. Loras?" Aegon says.

I take my fingers out of my ears. I shake Aegon's hand. Robb ignores him and gets in the truck. He honks. Margaery and I climb in. She is excited to be going to prom as only a sophomore.

"I am not sure about Aegon," says Margaery.

"What do you mean?"

"He's so sweet, but I would rather have a girl," says Margaery.

"Then why are you with him?"

"Mother wants us to marry some day. He's good for the family. He's the only boy who has shown real interest in me."

I know my sister is choosing to ignore the fact that Robb likes her. That's what I love about her. Robb looks happy that she is not really into Aegon.

At home, Robb stretches his long legs on the couch while Torrhen plays near his feet. I watch Tor try to stand up on his own. Robb is watching him expectantly.

"And her hair is pretty. You know the original color, not the blonde," says Robb. I roll my eyes and groan. He gets the message.

"Ow!" Comes a scream from Margaery's room. Robb looks at me. I jump up to check on my sister. She is laying on the floor clutching her ankle.

"What happened?"

"I tried to change the light bulb but I wasn't tall enough so I got a chair and I fell," Margaery says. I help her up. I let her lean on me as we go in the living room. She retells the story to Robb. He loads Tor up in his truck and carries Margaery bride style.

"Your chariot awaits, my Princess."

If I roll my eyes any more they will roll out of my head. We get Margaery to the hospital, Willas meets us there. Her ankle is only sprained. She is given an ankle brace and pain killers and we are sent home.

"I am not usually this clumsy," says Margaery.

Robb changes the bulb for her. I kick him out of our room and tell him to call Meera. I sit on the side of the bed and pat my sister's hand.

"I'm fine, Loras," she says.

"Don't scare me like that again."

"I won't, I promise."

Renly and I have a date tonight. He surprises me with a prom of our own since he is too old to be my date. We cling to each other as we dance.

"You look beautiful tonight," he whispers in my ears. I hum. He kisses my arms that around his neck. I wrap his hair around my fingers and stare into his eyes. "I would give you the stars if I could, but you already have them in your eyes."

The line is cliche, but I appreciate the sentiment. I lay my head on Renly's shoulder as we sway our bodies to the music. I am happy. I am happy when he kisses my ears.

"You're so warm," I tell him sensually.

We sit down when the song is over. Renly kisses me quickly. Security surround us and someone tastes my food before I eat it as a precaution. Renly smiles. He holds my hand and rubs my ring.

"So you were telling me about your date?"

I take a bite of salad.

"He's a senior."

"Is he hot?"

"He's not you."

"I hope you have a great time, Loras."

"I will be miserable without you."

"Then cheers to a miserable time."

I smile and toast.

"Cheers."

He laughs. We smooch quickly. Someone snaps a photo from a nearby table. I just nod and one of my body guards takes the person's camera away.

"The prince wants privacy," he says.

The person apologizes but does not get his camera back. Renly and I enjoy our date. After dinner we go to a play. Then we get ice cream. Renly buys since the date was his idea.

"Having a nice time?"

I nod and lick my ice cream. Renly takes my picture with his phone.

"I always enjoy being with you."

That earns me a kiss. I get chocolate on my nose and that earns me a kiss. He licks the ice cream off. I grin, and that earns me a kiss.

"It doesn't take much for kisses, you should make me work," I say.

"But if I did that I wouldn't kiss you as often. You'd look cute struggling though."

"What if I make you work?"

"Role reversal. You're cute when you try to be in charge." That earns me a kiss.

"What if I refuse?"

"Then I will have to tickle you into submission," Renly says.

"No, you won't."

I get up and make a move to run away, Renly acts like he's going to chase me. I shove my ice cream in his face. He chases me. It does not take long until he catches me. He tackles me. Giggling, we fall to the ground. I lick the ice cream off his face and kiss him. He tickles my sides. I fight back.

"Feisty, I like that."

I lick his chin.

"Renly," I say.

"Yes, my flower," He says.

"You're crushing me," I squeak.

He shifts his weight so its not crushing my lungs. We both laugh. Renly nibbles on my neck. I bite his ear and lick chocolate off his cheek.

"How are things at home?"

I groan.

"Am I still crushing you?"

"No." I sit up. Renly gets off me. He sits and stares at me.

"What's up?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"If Robb hurt you I will kick his ass."

That earns him a kiss from me.

"He didn't hurt me. But I love knowing you care."

"Is it about Margaery?"

I nod. He nods. I kiss him.

"I don't care anymore. If he wants to ruin his relationship with Meera fine. I am done."

"Your angst is strangely arousing."

"I'm being serious, Renly. Nevermind."

"Wow, darling. I never meant to offend. I am serious and ready to listen."

"It makes me mad. Not because he still likes my sister but because he lied about it, not just to me, but to Meera too."

"Maybe he knew how you'd react."

"You're defending him now when you judged him before?"

"Oh no, I am still judging him. I shouldn't. I get it. I lusted after Oberyn while I was with you. But I chose you." He kisses my hand.

"I don't want them to be together."

"And the truth comes out."

"Don't," I say. I do not want him making japes.

"Sorry, continue."

"They're not good together. He's my...and she's my...it just can't work."

Renly does not try to kiss me, because I asked him to take me seriously. He stares deeply into my eyes and I know I have his attention and his respect. I kiss him his time.

"Who are you looking out for? Robb or Margaery?"

"Meera."

"Good answer," Renly says. He pokes me on the nose. He takes me by the hand and helps me up. Our body guards form a shell around us as we walk back to the car.

"Renly?"

"Yes, my flower?"

"Thank you for taking me seriously," I tell him.

"I always do."

"Really?"

"Yes. Loras, I love and respect you," Renly says squeezing my hand.

I lean against him and sigh. That's all I wanted to hear. I have doubts sometimes. I know Renly loves me, but sometimes I wonder if he respects me.

Back at home, Robb is standing outside my bedroom door. I hear muffled grunts and moaning coming from inside the room. Robb has his hand on his pants rubbing.

It takes me all of eight seconds to piece together what's happening. I clear my throat. Robb moves his hand and steps away from the door. I pull the door the rest of the way shut.

I pin Robb against a wall. He is red in the face and looks extremely guilty. I ready my fist and let it fly. He does not try to stop me. I stop after I have him three times. I pat his cheek.

I am breathing heavily and I am sure my face is red. Robb is watching me. He never tried to hit me back. I wish he had. I feel like crying, but I fight it.

"Loras," says Robb.

"Don't talk. I'm done with this. If you want to ruin your relationship with a great girl I won't stop you. Just don't drag me or my little sister into it. And if I catch you looking at her like that again our friendship is over. I told you not to put me in a position to choose between you."

"Loras?"

"Save it for someone who cares."

I knock on the door and Margaery tells me to come in. She just finished and is cleaning up. I drop on the bed face first and start sobbing. Margaery pets me.

"I didn't know he was watching me," says Margaery. I clutch my sisters skirt and sobb. She rubs my back.

"Loras," says Robb from the hallway.

"Go away," I shout between sobs.

"Loras, I'm sorry."

"Fuck you!" I scream and throw something at the door. He gets the message.

I lay there with my sister until I eventually stop crying. Robb is in the kitchen when I come out. He looks at me. I look at him.

"I'm sorry I punched you, and cursed at you."

"I'm sorry too."

"I'm still angry, but I want to be friends again."

"When did we ever stop?"

"I thought...nevermind."

That's all that is said. Robb hands me a slice of pizza and punches me lightly on the cheek. I smile. He gives me a playful shove. Margaery comes in and slaps him in the face then grabs a slice of pizza and leaves.

"I deserve that."

"I'm disappointed she only hit you once."

"Me too, actually. I did a bad thing. I'm sorry."

"You already apologized, Robb. I'm still angry, but I do forgive you."

"Tor pulled himself up," Robb says.

"And I missed it, I blame you."

"I blame me too."

I laugh. I pat Robb on the hand and decide to go to bed only finishing half a slice. I change clothes andcrawl under the covers next to my sister.

"I won't do it again," she says.

"You do what you have to do," I kiss her cheek and roll over.