GENDRY POV:
It's funny how the most mundane things in the world can make you happy. Going to work on a Monday morning, spending time with the girl you're absolutely crazy about and now taking her out to lunch? Pure bliss.
Gendry had set his mind strait; something that was difficult for him when it came to Arya. It was simple: She was the very first and only girl he had ever loved. Granted; somewhere in his path he screwed up royally and she left, but she was back, here now, beside him looking glorious and he wasn't going to let this chance pass.
The second he saw Arya that morning back in Stark HQ he decided he wasn't going to pull out the Ramsay topic. Gendry had thought about it long and hard all weekend and very stubbornly admitted that it wasn't his business… not yet anyways. He approached her with a smile and opted to enjoy her company. It certainly didn't hurt spending all morning reacquainting her with the company and showing Arya off in his arms. Grown men, old enough to be her father that had known her since she was a kid were blatantly staring at her. That's right fuckers, do – not – touch. She's with me!
So after learning that the news of Robb's marriage had gotten public he whisked her away from her father's office and planned to have lunch with her, speak up his mind and at the same time find out more about her life since they hadn't had a proper talk since they were in high school.
God's she's beautiful… While driving he would steal glances at Arya, sometimes she caught him staring and just smiled or gave him a playful punch. He was determined to let it all out so he could finally occupy a significant spot in her life, enough with pining from afar.
Finally he decided to take her to a small and quiet restaurant on the outsides of Winter Town that he went from time to time with Eddard himself when they had spare time to talk in between work. He quickly got out his truck and opened her door.
"M'lady…" He said offering his hand.
"Stupid"—She said under breath but he didn't care. Gendry was too busy looking at their reflection in the restaurant's windows. Hand in hand they walked like a couple who had been in each other's arms for decades, a familiarity between them that could only come with years of knowing each other. Their opposite's heights extreme but perfect and the touch… the touch! Since this morning he couldn't stop himself from giving her little touches. Patting her shoulder, casually tugging at her ponytail and finding a permanent spot for his hand on her lower back had him like a desperate man for her body. Touching her was like being connected to a live wire and he wasn't going to stand back. He wondered if she felt it has well…
"Hello Gendry how nice to have you back and in the company of such a lovely date"— They were greeted by an elderly woman.
"Hey Nan your food is always appreciated. This lovely lady is Arya; Ned's daughter" No need to correct the 'date' part; Gendry thought.
"What a pleasure to meet you Miss Stark!"—
"Please; call me Arya"—
"Such a delight to finally have a face to match the stories…"—The old woman said coyly speaking. Gendry blushed like a maid.
"I'll leave you two alone to pick your orders"—Said Nan leaving for the kitchen.
"So you wanna tell me what you've been talking about me?..."—Arya asked crossing her arms over her chest but her tone was playful.
"Your dad and I come here when we get a breather from the business. As you can see the place isn't exactly big so since we come here to escape from work I guess we end up talking a lot about you and Nan tends to hear… You know; a common topic for us"
"Ohh…"—Was all she said. A blush formed in her face but quickly faded away as if she had commanded it.
There was an awkward silence at the table, both wanting to talk but neither willing to be responsible to set the tone of conversation. Thank God Nan came back.
"What will it be Gendry? Arya?"—She smiled warmly at both.
"I'll take the chicken parmesan with spinach and a glass of white wine please"— Smiled Arya. Gendry however frowned. It's midday on a Monday. The last thing he needed was to take Arya back to the Manor all tipsy.
"Hey, 18 and legal over here!"—She smirked. "Nan; Gendry will have the lemon and herb roasted chicken with baby potatoes. No wine for him, he's my driver for the day"—Arya smirked. Nan smiled as well. Apparently something was funny.
"Wine pairing with food is essential back in Braavos. I guess I develop a liking to the custom. Don't worry; I'm not part of AA"—
"I'm sorry… I'm having lunch with the boss's daughter, I have to be careful"
"I'm not just the Boss's daughter… Am I Gendry?"—She asked. Well, Arya was never one to stall or run around the point.
Ok…this is it Gendry. Tell her the truth; she isn't the boss's daughter. If you'll have me you would be my girlfriend and let's be real; It would be for the long run. I'll never let you go Baby! Gendry was so lost in his inner monolog that Arya had already asked another question.
"…I mean. You seem so close to Dad. How did that happen?"—
Brain to mouth Waters, speed it up. You missed it! "Just working so close I guess…" She looked at him as if 'that's it?'. "Your Dad recruited me the second you left the North. I thank him; I needed guidance when you left. He paid for my studies, gave me a job and made me the man I am right now." Simple as that, Eddard Stark was the father he always longed for.
"I was meaning to ask; how's Storms End? I've always wanted to go"—
"I wouldn't know. Your Dad got me in a long distance scholarship program. Basically they sent me all reading material while I worked here, then they would send a faculty representative to grade me properly. It's was kind of messy and tedious but it was worth it"
"And your actual job is with?..."—
"Baratheon Corps 100%. After the deal was struck with Stark Industries they needed someone to be a liaison so your father picked me…" I can't tell her the fine details of my job. I don't think Eddard has told anybody but Jory and me. It was time for a new subject.
"We could go together you know…"
"Where to?"— Curiosity was always a good way to lure Arya in.
"Storms End! I'll have to go there eventually. We could go together, visit the country side." He was talking about the future; a future with Arya.
"I would love to…but first I have to go back to Braavos and finish with my studies. The Gods know I'm already all over the Free Cities with work"—
"Tell me all about that. Up until this morning I didn't have a clue you were in charge of all operations. Every time I heard from the Free Cities it was always from a guy named Jon Connington and a bunch of paperwork from some woman named Cat Canals…"
Arya smiled at his comment. She always did like to work with her father.
"Yeah; Connington and Canals…very interesting individuals"- She said taking a sip of her wine. "We work with a sister company; local one. It helps us to know the city better and cheapen the costs; Connington is their representative and Cat? Well let's just say Cat's my shadow, helping in any mix I can get myself into."-
Nan interrupted their Q&A with their food.
"Here you go. I hope you like it Arya, I know this one never says no to my food. He practically licks the plate!"—Nan said making Arya laugh.
"I have no doubt whatsoever Nan. Don't let my size fool you; I have the same appetite as our Gendry over here"—That comment made Gendry's heart swell. Ours… as in hers!
Lunch went by smoothly as always when in company of Arya. Neither of them could deny they were compatible in every way. Talking about the past three years made the awkwardness go away but the elephant in the room was still there.
"Damn that was good!" He exclaimed feeling at ease with how things were going.
"Nan was right; I swear you licked the plate a little bit!"—Arya said giggling. The best sound Gendry had heard in his life.
"Hey, I built things for a living with my bare hands. I need the strength! What about you? Do you still have space? I was thinking some dessert would be fitting for M'lady"
"Gendry there is always space for dessert!"— Arya beamed.
"Good, let's go" He said standing up and holding her hand. A gesture so simple yet enormous in significance. He simply belonged by her side.
"I hope you enjoyed your food Arya. I do trust you come back soon. Maybe you can help me insert some of those spices Braavos is famous for"—Said Nan, wishing them farewell. Gendry was so giddy he didn't let Arya respond.
"Don't worry Nan, our girl is going to be around for a while!"…
After they paid and said their goodbyes again; Gendry couldn't resist staring at their reflection again. A couple! We look like a proper couple; he thought.
"So where to?"—Arya asked as he started the truck up.
"Patience M'lady. You think you can stay still for a couple of minutes?"
"My kind Sir you have no idea what I can do…"—She replied while playing with the radio.
He had a plan; a picnic for dessert. He could have easily taken then to a bakery (you know who's) but he was selfish and wanted to keep Arya all to himself. That's why he parked the truck one street ahead, leaving Arya fuming inside the car because she hates surprises and walked to Winterfell's finest bakery: Hot Pie's Pierrific Jamboree. I know; the name sucks but the food is the complete opposite!
"I need a fresh batch of lemon cakes!" Gendry burst into the bakery not wanting to waste a minute of his time. After his request a loud noise came from inside the kitchen followed by Hot Pie covered head to toe in flour.
"YOU HATE SWEETS! WHERE'S ARYA!?"—Hot Pie squealed like a little girl making all the costumers and staff look at him.
"She's in the truck and don't start Hot Pie. Just get me the damn order, I'm in a hurry!"
"So… are you guys like on a date?"—He asked wiggling up and down his eyebrows.
"No…" Gendry mumbled. It really wasn't a proper date but he wasn't going to let the opportunity to spent time with Arya pass.
"Are you going to kiss her? You should totally kiss her! Did you brush your teeth? Hey, you should buy something chocolaty; I heard it does wonder to your libido. I have the perfect one for you guys: chocolate lover's cake! The house recommends it; I mean I had Willow going to hours doing…"—
"HOT PIE, DON'T! I plan on eating in the next 30 minutes so call me crazy but I do not want to hear you have a food fetish. Just give me the damn lemon cakes!"
"Well somebody needs chocolate in his life. Here, take your lemon cakes. They're on the house; I really do hope you get laid!"— Hot Pie said handing him the bag.
"Thanks HP!... Did you put in the chocolate cakes?"
"That's my boy! High five!"—
…..
"Ohhh Geeeeendry…"-
"Oh my God, Oh my God!..."-
"Gendry… The best one ever!..."-
Gendry didn't need chocolate for his libido; Arya was doing the job just by enjoying her lemon cakes.
They ended up enjoying a nice improv picnic in the Godswood, right under Eddard's favorite Weirwood tree. He was freezing his ass off but it was worth it, Arya loved being outdoors in the cold winds and in his mind what Arya likes - Arya will get.
"I have tasted lemon cakes from many, many, millions of places but this is just ugh… Sucks that Hot Pie was at the dentist. I would have loved to know his recipe"—
"Yeah… Poor guy had problem with his wisdom tooth." He smirked "So…"
"So…"—Arya replied while lying down on the blanket Gendry graciously brought.
"Tell me more about Braavos!..." He said lying next to her not being able to resist running his hands through her hair. "Sorry. You had a leaf... uhmm, so Braavos! I don't know, besides school and work, what else have you been doing? Hey, I was wondering; where's Nymeria?"
"Omh smhe's mbacksh mat mysh dormshroom"—She said devouring a lemon cake. "Sorry. She's back at my dorm room. My roommate takes care of her"—
"That's cool; normally schools don't allow animals on campus, let alone wolves. You and Sansa got lucky!"
"Uhmm, yes. I guess we did..."—
"What do you do for fun in Braavos?"
"Not much really, it's just school and work for me…"— just let it out already!
"And friends? Boys… who are friends?" Smooth, Gendry… Smooth!
"I kind of had a boyfriend. But I'm alone at the time being"—
"Oh" Of course she would have a boyfriend, look at her! Men must be throwing themselves at her! Shhhhh, even his unconscious can't focus! She said HAD as in: the past! ALONE AT THE TIME BEING. Get it together you oversized Idiot!
"What about you? You were blowing off girls that night at the club"—
"I had a girlfriend for a little bit under a year. It ended so I guess we're in the same boat"
Arya just nodded. Was it too early to bring the boyfriend question? Would he push her boundaries? They had spent all afternoon talking about everything just like when they were kids. Why did she suddenly zone out?
Gendry phone alarm sounded off.
"Wow. We lost track of time. Can't believe its 4.30!"
"Do you have to be somewhere?"—Arya asked.
"Yeah; work actually. I have to go over Hornwood and supervise a job"
"Can I go with you?"—Arya rapidly asked. She seemed eager to accompany him and he sure as hell wasn't going to say no to spend more time with her.
"What M'lady wants – M'lady gets!"
….
They found themselves riding in his truck yet again. It was a comfortable silence but Gendry couldn't get out of his head the last part of their conversation under the Weirwood tree out of his head.
Arya said that she used to have a boyfriend… ok, no surprise there; she was beautiful inside and out but still, who was the guy? Was he good to her? What was he like? Gendry knew it was ridiculous to be jealous of someone he didn't know but everything that involved Arya and excluded him made him mad with possessiveness.
The discussion was not over. First he really needed to know more about Arya; would she even want him in her life? And most importantly he needed to come clean about the past years when he ignored her and treated her so badly. But the conversation had to wait. He wasn't about to get all emotional around his crew workers… That is if they actually went to work!
"God dammit!..." Was all he could say. They arrived at Hornwood exactly at 5pm and no one was in site. Arya eyed him questionly while he dialed his phone. "Anguy where the hell are you?!"
It wasn't the eighth wonder of the word. It wasn't even a hired job! Three men, three men were enough to build a simple gazebo that the company had offered to build in the small town. Gendry liked to help the common folk whenever he could, give something back to the public spaces he said. So he put three men from his own personal construction crew to do the job.
"Ahhh Gendry. Punctual as ever. I didn't think you'd be showing around your handsome face today. Word is out that you have a girl."—
"Don't start Anguy! Where are you? It's not rocket science. I promised the town council that the gazebo was going to be up by Tuesday morning"
"Gendry you're right. It's a fast job so we'll go early in the morning and have everything in time before the rooster wakes up"—
"He's drunk isn't he?"
"He may be… slightly… perhaps. But other than that I'm sure you can appreciate the weather. We can't exactly go around walking in the mud with our tools. Safety first"—
Gendry just sighted. He didn't even know how he got anything finished with these guys to begin with.
"Don't bother, I'll do it myself! Tell Thoros to get it together and that I'll expect to see him tomorrow at 7. Sober!"
"Yeah…good luck on that one. So who's the girl? We thought you were allergic to them!"—
"Goodbye Anguy. I expect to see you tomorrow as well"
Ever since he started working with Baratheon Corps; Eddard had given him his own construction crew; seasoned workers he called them and they were, don't get him wrong. But they were lousy has hell and a bit aloof when it came to follow orders.
"So, it's a one man show it seems?"—Asked Arya.
"I'm sorry Ar but you're gonna have to go back to Winterfell. I need to finish this job and I don't think you'll like spending the whole afternoon sitting doing nothing. You can take my truck! I'll catch the bus later."
"Are you crazy? I don't mind! Besides, I'm not going to leave you here alone. It's a gazebo not a pyramid. I think we can build it together"—
He eyed her up and down; white from head to toe minus her blue blazer jacket. White does not go well with mud, rain, low temperatures and possibly snow. Gendry didn't have a chance to rebuff her since she was already out of his truck.
"So… where do we start Boss?"—Damn it she is going to be his ending.
It really was a no brainer; a plain size gazebo in the middle of the town's square and as suspected they worked perfectly coordinated. The rain started to pour heavily but they didn't mind, well Gendry didn't. Arya took off her blazer and was rocking a soaked white tank top that didn't do much to hide her bra; that image alone made Gendry slow quite a bit his pace and if he didn't know any better, he was 100 percent sure that Arya was doing the same since he took off his shirt while he worked his magic with his hammer.
The job was easy but they ended up working late do to the rain and that Arya had suggested that they plant flowers around the gazebo. By the time they were finished it was already dark and even Arya Stark; the northern princess, was cold.
"Well, not wanting to state the obvious but we do make a pretty great team" Gendry proudly stated as he high fived Arya. He really needed to get away from Hot Pie. "C'mon, let me take you home. You'll need help explaining to Catelyn how you got so dirty"
"Once she finds out I was with you she'll just assume we were rolling around in the mud like old times. Besides; your place is nearer. You dirtied me up; you clean, warm and feed me Waters."—
"You'll be glowing, hot and full once I'm done with you!" That just sounded awful, just awful. Thank the Seven it only made Arya laugh, a lot actually making Gendry frown. Once she finished she was in tears.
"So… what's the plan? If I get inside your truck like this it will get all dirty"—Arya was right, she was dressed in what could only be described as a combination of mud, leaves and dirt mixed with rain. There was no being more beautiful in the world by Gendry's standards.
"I have a bag with spare clothes in the back trunk. Just go in and change, then we can leave"
Gendry was waiting in the gazebo for Arya to change when the car window lowered and Arya peeked her head out just enough for Gendry to see her shoulders, she had taken her tank top off. Is she naked in my truck? Naked… Arya… Think of something else, something that will knock some sense off your penis. Sing a Justin Bieber song! Which was the one Hot Pie always sang?
"Here!"—She said throwing him a part of clean jeans. "Put these on. I'm ready to go"—
"It's ok, I'll clean my seat later"
"Gendry you already have to drive around shirtless since you only had one spare shirt. Just come inside and change your pants, I have seen you in just your underwear you know"—
You know Gendry was trying… reaaaaallyyyy trying to be a respectful young man and treat her like a lady but come on! The object of his affection was there at arm's reach, barely covered and he hadn't had sex in more than a year and it wasn't even that good to begin with. He deserved a medal.
He walked to the back of his truck inspecting his surroundings; they were in the middle of the town's square for God's sake! He quickly changed his jeans and adjusted his boxers. This was going to be a long ride home.
Torture, just torture… I am paying for all my sins!
When Gendry opened his door he was greeted with Arya sitting in the passenger seat with her wet hair down and his shirt. That was it! The simplest way to get a hard on in 2 seconds. Don't you dare open your mouth! Just drive. Look straight and drive. Justin Bieber, remember Justin Bieber; he chanted as a prayer.
And he did just that. The drive back to his apartment was silent. Gendry trying to act as if having Arya beside him half naked wasn't a big deal while Arya messing around on her phone.
When they got to the parking lot of Gendry's apartment complex they were hit with a sudden problem. One was missing a shirt and another was missing pants. How the hell were they going to get to his apartment? The thought of even putting back on their cold dirty clothes wasn't even an option.
"Let's just make a run for it Gendry. It's already 9pm on a Monday night. People are already tucked in watching late night shows"—
As always Arya was right but Gendry's ulterior motive was that he didn't want anyone staring at Arya. Any hot blooded male as him would look at her and eye fuck her in a second! A hot girl wearing nothing but a guy's shirt? They would start to undress her wondering what kind of underwear she had on. Boy shorts! Definitely boy shorts… not that he was thinking about it!
Unfortunately for Gendry his fears materialized when they got inside the elevator and at the last second some random neighbor walked inside with them.
"Hey Man…"—The guy just nodded. Gendry didn't know his name. Truth be told since Gendry had moved in he didn't interact with any of his neighbors since he only worked and slept. To the men he was just 'D-3 Guy', to the women he was 'Blue eyes' and to some old lady he was 'the nice young man who helps her with her groceries and had a nice bottom.' But this guy? Thank God the ride up was fast and the guy got out two floors before them. Gendry was five seconds away into smashing his fist on his face! He was blatantly staring at Arya trough the elevator mirrors.
Once they landed on his floor Gendry possessively held Arya's hand and led her to his apartment. He was definitely going to start attending the tenant's building meetings, maybe hand out sexual harassment brochures… Inside he quickly took off his muddy boots. He needed a hot bath immediately but he had to take care of Arya first, not that he minded.
"Welcome home!" Yours if you want to… You can take a shower in my bedroom. I'll use the spare one"
"Sure, thanks!"—She nodded looking around his apartment. It wasn't big but not small, fitting for a twentysomething guy who didn't like to clean and hardly spent any time home other than sleeping and working. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a laundry room, kitchen and a living room with a balcony. That was it.
They both left to take a bath, Gendry taking his in record time not wanting to leave Arya alone. When he came out he could still hear the water running from him bathroom so he went to the kitchen to see what they could eat. Old pizza and beer didn't look good so he took his car keys.
"Hey Ar…I'm going to go out and get dinner. Want anything specific?" He yelled from the living room. He had gone inside his room to change but then he saw the shirt Arya was wearing earlier on the floor. There's so much a man can take before falling into temptation.
"Anything's good. But red wine, bring red wine!"— She shouted back.
There was a little Italian place near his apartment so he went there. He ordered a white cheese chicken lasagna for him, spaghetti and meat ball for Arya and a sausage soup with tortellini they could both share. Next stop was the liquor store where he felt out of his comfort zone. If it wasn't whisky or beer Gendry was out. He decided to text Arya:
Hey Beautiful. Wine for Italian? GW*
Barbera! Cheap, good and does the job. AS*
Buying two bottles Gendry decided to go all out. He went back to the Italian restaurant where they had this little souvenir shop and bought some candles, he didn't bother on flowers since Arya wasn't a fan and only liked one kind. He planned on taking care of that tomorrow.
Returning home he could still hear her in the bathroom so he went in organizing the table, lighting the candles, dimming the lights, placing the plates and putting on some music.
"Well this is… Wow… Nice…"—She said leaning against his bedroom door. "I feel a bit underdressed"—The comment only made Gendry look at her from head to toe making her blush. Again; she was wearing another one of Gendry's shirts that reached under her knees, her hair was up in a messy bun and that was it.
"You look perfect as always Arya" He said walking towards her and holding her hand. He really did mean it. Tonight Gendry would come clean, put all his cards on the table. Some could argue that Arya had just come back home but he had waited long enough.
He led them to the table and began to eat. Not of them saying anything but enjoying the food and each other's company.
"Hey! Drinking on a Monday night?"—She smirked at him while he poured both of them a glass of wine.
"I'm not leaving your side so I have to up my wine game" Again the blush, Gendry loved that he was responsible for making Arya's skin change. He longed to see what else he could do with her body. Not today… talk to her first.
"Arya I need to talk about us…" To that she tensed and stopped her fork midair. "I need to tell you about us… years ago. Why I treated you so badly."
"Gendry it's ok. It's in the past and it really doesn't matter!"—She quickly brushed him off.
"No I need to… you need to know the truth!" He said holding her hand again, looking into her eyes. Blue to grey. Giving him with strength and fear at the same time.
"First off I need you to know that I was an idiot! You weren't that far off when you called me a stupid bull!"
"You still are!..."—She replied with a faint smile but at the same time didn't say anything else. She gave him freedom to talk.
"I was a kid! We both were. Young, trying to figure out what we wanted, who we wanted to be in life…You were my first friend here in Winterfell and I have always valued that. I was the new kid that hung out with a ten year old girl from a rich family. Hey, I wouldn't have blamed anybody if they called 'the catch a predator' but your family was awesome as well and took me right in!" Gendry sighed; this is when it all went downhill.
"Again… I think it's important to establish that I was just a kid. No mom, no dad to really give me guidance on normal stuff. You know; how to deal with things. School, fights, girls…"
Arya looked at him with wary eyes wondering where he was going with this. Hell, he didn't even know!
"I was an awkward kid whose only friends were the brothers of the little girl he had a crush on."
There, he said it. From there on words were pouring out of Gendry.
"It wasn't easy! At first I just brushed it off but then I couldn't deny it. It wasn't an easy choice Arya, not only the age difference but your family took me in. How do you think it would have looked back then? So I started dating other girls. It was the normal thing to do for a teenage boy you know? Fool around, go to parties. Having Theon and Robb manage my social life wasn't exactly peachy but it did the job. It took me away from you. I understand that ignoring you wasn't the best way to do it but you have to see my side of things Arya. The major thing was the self-doubt! Other than Tobho who isn't actually my uncle; I was just a poor kid from Flea Bottom. You were a Stark. Not exactly what you wish for your daughter… Your mother was the deal breaker."
"What do you mean my mother?"— Arya asked. This part of the plot was one that no one knew. Gendry needed to tread lightly since Arya never did have the most comfortable relationship with Catelyn. The last thing he needed right now was Arya getting into one of her famous angry fits.
"I heard her once… talking to your father. Obviously I wasn't meant to hear it but she was worried. She was worried that you were spending too much time with a boy who didn't know his father. A boy who didn't have a family name; a legacy that could be worthy of representing you"
"Gendry…"—Her eyes were filled with sadness, hate and frustration. She was going to speak but Gendry didn't let her. He needed to unload years of sadness, hate and frustration off himself.
"Don't Arya! Whatever you're going to say just wait till I'm finished." Surprisingly she did just that and gave his hand a squeeze.
"What your Mom said; as painful as it was, came from a good place. You're her daughter; she protects and wants the best for you. That is the truth. But it also helped me through the years. The idea that I wasn't good enough for you made me study my ass off so I could get a good job and be someone worthy of you. To have the respected name your mother wanted and to be able to give you whatever your heart desires. Arya what I am now? Right this moment? It is for you! When you left I realized how much of idiot I was for pushing you away. I was actually planning on making things right the summer you left for Braavos. Again I apologize for how I acted, being an insecure kid isn't exactly an excuse but it's the truth and you needed to hear because I'm not a kid anymore Arya and I know what I want" He took a deep breath.
"I want you Arya. I've always wanted you. I know that you just came back but I needed you to know where I stood. Today was the first day we've spent together in three years and though time has passed and we've changed the core is still there. Just Arya. Just Gendry. And don't tell me you don't feel it because I know you do!"
Dammit! If I were an actor I think I just made my Oscar clip!
Finally he had spoken out and told the truth to the girl he adored and it felt amazing… well not quite since the girl just sat there not moving a bone.
"Arya?..." If it wasn't for the death grip she had on his hand Gendry could have sworn that Arya just ignored him the whole time. "Arya… Please tell me something, anything"
"Can you fill my cup please?"—
"But it's still fu… ooook then!" She gulped the wine in one sip.
"Well that was a hell of a story."-
"It wasn't a story Arya… it was the truth!" This was the hard part, how was she going to react? "What's on your mind Arya?" Gendry asked her with all the tenderness in the world. No need on tiptoeing around his feelings for her.
"I just came back"—She said in almost a whisper.
"Hey, hey I know! I'm not pushing into a corner… I just needed you to know the truth. Whatever you decide I'm fine with it, I just needed to do my best and at least try for a shot with you" Utter bullshit! If you don't want to be with me I'll cry like a baby and throw myself off of The Wall.
"Gendry I have responsibilities! And I've done things. Things no one knows about … You don't know me; we still have a lot of things to talk about!"—
She was all over the place so Gendry went across the table and bent down on his knees in front of her holding her hands in his.
"Again; I'm not pushing you into a corner. Whatever I did here in the North, whatever you did in Braavos we can just talk about it, ok? Remember; Just Arya… Just Gendry. Trust me?"
He took her hand and placed it over his heart. Please Arya, follow your heart. I know there's a place for us.
Apparently those were the right words to say since Arya finally relaxed. Both just stared at each other for what seemed for ages when Gendry decided to break the spell they were under.
"Dance with me"
"What?"—She asked like he had told her to give her a pound of flesh.
"You heard me… let's dance!"
Arya and Gendry used to love dancing, an activity exclusive for each other (not so anymore if you remember Arya's antics from last Saturday) But it seemed fitting at the time being. After pouring his heart out Gendry felt light as a feather and in front of him was the girl of his dreams.
"It's not an order Stark!" He playfully said lifting his eyebrow.
"No need to get bossy Waters"—She said giggling taking his hand.
Their bodies fitted together perfectly and moved on muscle memory. She quickly melted into his chest and Gendry just held her, Relishing in having Arya in his arms again and full of hope that it could stay like that. In the background Bruce Springsteen fittingly sang about rough and tough love.
"You can't go wrong with the Boss"— Arya said.
"You know me. Always rooting for the underdog, the working class hero…"
They didn't speak again. The rest of the night was spent dancing, enjoying each other warmth. Gendry hands caressing her back and Arya's drawing imaginary figure on his chest with hers. With each second that passed Gendry's resolve got bigger. She has to feel the same way, she must. She can't deny the chemistry; she has to feel it too.
Before they knew it they were dancing in a dark room because the candles had died hours ago, the bottles of wines were thoroughly drunk and it was one am in the morning.
"Come on, let's go to bed"—Arya said leading him to his bedroom.
"No can do Ar. You have my bed. I'll have the spare one." In matters of seconds she was annoyed.
"Gendry I thought the whole point of this conversation was to try and go back to who we were. We used to sleep together all the time. What's the big deal?"—
"The big deal is that back then I most certainly couldn't do the things I want to do to you!" He said looking at her a bit suggestively to get to the point. Gendry thought Arya would back out but that was the thing with her; she never did what was expected.
She just smiled her patented wicked smile and pressed her body to him snaking her arms his neck, very slowing whispering in his hear…
"Well Gendry, the big deal is that whatever you want to do with little old me can wait because what I want to do you right now is… sleep. Now come along Bull!"—She said practically yanking his arm. Sleep? He need a cold shower in the North Pole!
As soon as his head touched the pillow Gendry was out. He was surprised to find himself so tired; he had his suspicions that the red wine had something to do with it but it really wasn't about him being tired, most of all he was relaxed. The best sleep he had in years all because of the amazing girl that was sound asleep next to him.
Gendry slept like a baby for the first time since she left only being disrupted about 4 in the morning when Eiffel 65 annoying 'Blue' song blasted in Arya's phone. Who the hell his calling her at this hour? It didn't matter. Arya turned around and cuddled his chest and he was a goner. He was never going to let her go again.
Hello Fanficfriends.
It's that time of year again, Thrones is slowly coming back so did you see the awesome trailer? What did you guys think about it? Let me know in your review. Fingers crossed as always for Gendry.
Hope you enjoyed it!
What do you think about the song per chapter? I thought it would be nice to demonstrate in another way how the characters were feeling. This one is a long chapter; all Gendry so I hope you like it.
Remember spread the word on my story, follow and…
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Song: Tougher Than The Rest (Stockholm '88 live version) by Bruce Springsteen.