"Good morning, mom and dad." Arya placed a kiss on her mother's cheek, and then went over to her father to do the same.
"Good morning, sweetheart." Warmly, Catelyn smiled at her daughter as she ate her breakfast. Her mother looked genuinely happy to see her.
Ned rested his newspaper on the table and examined at Arya. He could tell that his daughter had something on her mind. "It's been a while since you joined us for breakfast," he said in a low, deep voice. "Is this a courtesy visit or do you want to talk about something?"
As Arya poured herself some coffee, she thought over her answer.
"Both." She grabbed a few pieces of toast and spread Nutella on the before putting bacon, eggs, and strawberries on her plate. "I know that I'm not always the most open person," she said.
Catelyn tried to bite back a smile by stuffing eggs into her mouth.
"That's one way to put it," Ned chuckled.
Arya smiled at her father. "So, I'm trying to work on having an open and honest relationship with you guys," she announced.
"Really," Catelyn said in shock. She knew that her daughter has made some changes to herself through the years, but her guarded nature and stubbornness was the most consistent thing about her. "What brought about this change?"
"I did some thinking," she revealed. "Just about every problem I've had within the last few months was because of my own doing and I'm not referring to just Gendry. I used to see all of my problems as other people doing things to me and not what I was doing to them as well."
In shock, her parents stared at her. As honest as Arya could be, she had a difficult time taking criticism, let alone, admitting that she had faults. "When I was younger, I used to think that my bad relationship with Sansa was because of Sansa, but it wasn't. She tried, but I wasn't helping her out and doing my part; I wasn't trying to understand her. Our relationship only got better when I stopped thinking about myself and thought about Sansa for a change. And it made me realize that I did this same thing to my friends and, as much as I can be a good friend, there are times where I can be a shi—a crappy friend as well and I don't like that about myself. It's not a good trait to have. And it's not a good trait to have either when you have family that loves you and wants to be there for you."
Catelyn looked proud of Arya. "Arya, that's very mature of you; even adults that are older than you never come to realize this."
"Did this just suddenly come to you or did something spark it," Ned inquired.
A sense of sadness came over Arya. "Ned sparked it. He came to speak to me a few months ago and what he said really got me to do some thinking."
"And how is Ned?" Catelyn just realized that she hadn't seen Ned in a while.
"I don't know," Arya shrugged. "We aren't friends anymore." At this, Arya got a little teary and bit her lip to prevent from crying. "I didn't tell you guys because he was right about me and I was ashamed of how I had treated him."
Ned got up and went over to hug Arya. "Oh, sweetheart." He gently kissed her on her forehead and tucked her head under his chin. Catelyn also got up and rubbed her daughter on her back.
"He was so mad at me," she whispered. "And right. Everything he said was true."
Arya disentangled herself from her father's arms.
"Do you think you two will ever be friends again," her mother asked as she pulled over her chair so that she could sit closer to Arya. Ned did the same.
"I don't know," she said honestly. "But, regardless, I still want to apologize to him. We were supposed to be friends and I wasn't always a friend to him." Arya looked at her hand. "But, that isn't what I came here to talk about."
"Well then, what did you want to talk about," Ned prodded.
"Gendry." Arya took a deep breath. "He's been staying in the guest house with me for a month and a half."
"Come again," Catelyn asked her daughter to repeat so she was sure she heard what she thought she heard.
Arya sighed. "Mom, it's not what you think…per se," she explained. "Gendry needed to get away and be where no one could find him for a while. No one would ever think to look at my place."
"Is he in some kind of trouble?" Her mother now looked concerned.
"Not exactly, but he is in a bind," Arya offered vaguely. "I originally asked him to spend a night because he was having a rough time. His ex-girlfriend had killed herself and Gendry took it really hard. He's never really lost anyone he cared about. I mean he lost his mother, but he was young. Gendry found his ex-girlfriend dead, so that was another thing that fuc—messed with his head."
Ned looked to be processing what Arya was telling him.
"So, what was he doing with his ex-girlfriend?" Ned didn't seem to be accusing Gendry of anything.
"They had bumped into one another and was re-establishing a friendship," Arya explained. "She had gotten a really bad case of food poisoning for a few days and had asked for Gendry to pick up her daughter during that time. When he arrived to her place, he thought she was taking a shower, but she had slit her wrist hours before."
Catelyn noticeably frowned, "Oh my God; that poor little girl. Was there a note or anything?"
"No." Arya took a bite of her toast. "But, Gendry told me that his ex girlfriend Ruby struggled with bouts of major depression. It started occurring a year or two after she had her daughter Polly. He didn't know about it until he spoke with her father after her death. He said that she could be withdrawn and not always there, at times, but he didn't think it was depression; he assumed that it had something to do with a potential relationship gone sour."
"That's really unfortunate," Catelyn looked truly sympathetic. "That young woman must have really been going through something to leave her daughter all alone. I couldn't image leaving any of you guys alone," she grabbed Arya's hand and squeezed tightly. "Let alone your father."
Catelyn reached out a hand and caressed her husband's bearded face. Out of habit, Ned leaned into her touch. He slid his face against Catelyn's palm, so that her hand was covering his mouth. Ned then raised his big, warm hand up to cover hers, and then kissed the palm of her hand. A look of pure adoration flashed across her father's face as her mother gazed lovingly at him. Ned then grabbed Catelyn's hand, and then kissed the back of it. He kissed her hand again, again, again before quickly trailing kisses up her arm, and then placing one on her neck.
A bellyaching laugh erupted from Catelyn.
"Ned," she said as she swatted him as he tried to kiss her neck again. Tears of laughter streamed down her face. "Ned," Catelyn warned again, despite a huge grin being plastered to her face. "Arya was still talking to us."
While observing her parents, Arya was surprised that they only had five kids.
Although she had many doubts about people and things, she never doubted her parents' love and affection for one another. It may have been cliché for her to think that since they were her parents, but their feelings were undeniable. They didn't just have love and affection; they respected each other as well. And Arya didn't see that in many marriages, let alone relationships. She admired the fact that her parents could still genuinely make one another laugh and smile; she admired that the fire had never burned out in their eyes.
And she supposed that her mother was right about 'what ifs'. They never got you anywhere.
"Sorry, Arya," her father apologized. "Continue."
"Uh, due to the injuries Gendry suffered from his one-sided fight with Jon, he had to take off of work for a few weeks to recover," Arya began. "That meant that he didn't have the money to pay for medical bills, rent, and so forth, which led him to make a deal with an old associate of his." Arya then explained the details behind the agreement between Gendry and Melisandre and the amount of money invested in him because of it. She then explained that Jon and Gendry had made amends and that Jon had paid off the debt.
"So, if the money is paid off, why are you coming to us," Catelyn asked.
"Because she won't stop until she gets what she wants," Ned provided. In confusion, Catelyn frowned. "Melisandre, I mean. All of this was done in order to put Stannis in control of Baratheon Industries." He looked at his wife, and then said, "When we first met Gendry, you and I briefly discussed how much he looks like a Baratheon—Robert mainly; Melisandre most likely noticed this as well. She probably didn't need him back whenever they first met and spent her off time lining up all of her ducks. Then, Gendry came asking of help right at the perfect time," Ned pieced together. "If Gendry didn't need the money, he wouldn't have said yes to the deal. Without that, she couldn't have gotten him to agree to it. He's Robert's biological child and the only one who has the power to give her what she wants."
"Are we sure he's the only one," Catelyn questioned. "It's no secret that Robert shared the beds of many women."
"True, but she doesn't have to go looking for them," he rationed. "And she already had established contact with Gendry. She could go looking for the others, but who knows how long that would take."
"What are you planning to do?" Catelyn looked at her husband intently as he wore a pensive expression.
He looked at Catelyn, then to his daughter.
"Give her what she wants," he answered.
"You're giving her Gendry?" Arya stared incredulously at her father.
"No, I'm going to make Stannis head of Baratheon Industries." Both Arya and Catelyn looked perplexed. "Stannis isn't a bad guy; he's uncompromising and plays by the book. For whatever reason, Melisandre is his key adviser, so she must have pitched herself pretty well. But, that doesn't mean he's going to be bad for the company; I actually think he'll do a better job than Robert, which is assuming that Melisandre's 'prophecy' is true."
Arya tore a piece of her bacon, and the put it in her mouth. "So, what's your plan exactly? Find another one of Robert's illegitimate children?"
"No," her father shot down. "The plan is to have Gendry say nothing at all. IF Robert dies, Joffrey will inherit, which I will dispute. When the blood tests proves that Joffrey and Tommen aren't Robert's kids, I get control of the company, and then will hand it over to Stannis under a few conditions, including that he leave Gendry alone." Ned then turned his head to Arya. "How do you think Gendry will feel about that?"
"He would love it," she said before softly announcing, "There's one more thing: Gendry and I are dating."
Ned and Catelyn knew that Arya wasn't telling them for their approval, but rather, to keep the airways of communication open. She told them that she was going to be open with them and it was clear that she meant it.
"We know," Ned, said as Arya gave him a look of surprise. "As a parent, when you've been doing this for as long as we have, you notice things, especially the little things. Like when your daughter smiles for no reason and her eyes sparkle every time she thinks about nothing," a smiled played on Ned's lips, as he said nothing. He and Arya both knew that nothing was code name for Gendry when she didn't want to tell people what she had been smiling about. "She's more open and receptive than she's ever been and how's she always busy; or the swollen lips and secret smiles. Although we didn't know that he was living in out guesthouse, the affect he has on you is the same as it was last year. I'm happy for you."
Arya tightly hugged her father, and the hugged her mother.
"So, it's serious," he asked referring back to a past conversation where Arya said that she only introduced serious boyfriends.
"Yes," she answered.
The wheels turned in Catelyn's head as she did the math.
"You said that Gendry has been living there for a month and a half," she stated. "How long have you two been together? I'm assuming that you two didn't immediately get together."
Arya smiled at the question. Without shame she said, "Two weeks."
"Is it safe to say that there is no use in me cautioning you to take it slow?" Her mother sipped her coffee as she stared at her daughter.
"You'd just be wasting your breath," Arya said. Most people spend their whole lives searching for something—anything that made sense; Arya found him when she was fifteen, but was too stupid to realize it and too young to do anything about it; she wasn't anymore.
A WEEK and A HALF LATER
Gendry gulped the rest of his beer and, as he tossed the bottle into the garbage can, Arya grabbed his hand to pull him towards the exit of the arena. The music becoming faint behind them the further they walked.
Out of habit, their fingers instantly threaded as they walked to the nearest door. Gendry doubted that Arya was aware of it, but it seemed as if she developed a handholding habit. Not the he minded; he loved touching Arya even if it was just holding her hand in a non sexual way, but he it seemed as if she was trying to prove something, such as not being embarrassed to be with him publicly. But, he suspected that it wasn't all proving herself to him since they did hold hands at home as well.
They didn't walk around holding hands at home as well, but when they talked or relaxed in one another's presence, they would hold one another's hands as a way of comfort and intimacy.
It was just something they did.
In public, their handholding felt different and less intimate, as if Arya was trying too hard to prove herself to him and that didn't sit well with Gendry. He knew that they had been through some shit over the past few months, but he wanted to work past that. He didn't think that they should forget, but he didn't think that they should hold one another accountable for something they were get past. He could see Arya was trying and he wasn't holding her accounting for things that happened the year prior and, hopefully, she was doing the same. But, it seemed as if Arya thought she had to prove herself to him and he felt disappointed in himself that she even felt that way.
"Arya," Gendry whispered in a low, but firm voice.
With a questioning glance, Arya raised her eyebrows and answered, "Yes."
Gendry placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "You're not on trial," he stated. "You don't have to prove anything."
"What?" Arya stared at her boyfriend like he was crazy.
To clear up her confusion, Gendry raised their clasped hands. "You don't have to prove anything to me. If you want to hold my hand, then hold it, but I know how you feel about me and I know that you aren't embarrassed about me. I'm not going to hold the past against you."
Arya softened at his words. "Thanks," she mumbled. "I want the record to note that I was never embarrassed to be seen with you," she began. "BUT, I am sorry if I ever made you feel that way or feel that you were some placeholder for someone else.
As the exited the arena they felt a soft, warm breeze. Just as they turned the corner, Arya pushed Gendry up against the wall and passionately kissed him. In between kisses she said, "If anything, all of the guys were placeholders for you."
Gendry switched their positions, so that she was against the wall and leaned in for another kiss. Her fingers ran through his hair as he pulled Arya's hips close to his own and their hips began to slightly grind. "Okay, now you're just sucking up to me."
Arya chuckled against his mouth, and then teasingly bit his bottom lip and pulling on it with her teeth. She let go and moved onto his jaw. "Maybe, but that doesn't make what I said any less true." She slipped her hands under his shirt.
"Doesn't it," he jokingly questioned.
She shook her head no. "It doesn't," she replied. "I love you," she whispered without shame. Her voice and demeanor was vulnerable, but she wasn't afraid.
It wasn't her first time uttering the phrase, but it was her first time saying the words and giving herself to someone completely; they weren't any restrictions or exceptions; she wasn't only giving so much, she was giving him her all; she was bearing it all.
And she has been in love before with other men, but she wondered if it would have ever lasted if she didn't end it when she did. They didn't know all of her, only the bits and pieces that she allowed. And she wasn't willing to give all of herself to the other men either.
Tenderness filled Gendry's voice as he said, "I love you too."
Their mouths rested near one another as they breathed each other's air. Gendry lovingly squeezed her shoulders as Arya hands loosely gripped his waist.
"I know I seem confident and sure about a lot of things, but I'm not," she whispered. "I'm just looking for something that makes sense and you do. I may doubt many things, but not this…not you. And I may—no, I will fuck up a lot, but I'm trying, okay?"
"Arya, I know," Gendry reassured. "You don't have to tell me."
"No, I do," she countered. "Because if I can't voice these thoughts—my thoughts, it doesn't seem real. I need you to know—I need you to hear my thoughts and how I feel because I don't want there to be any assumptions. My cards are on the table and that makes me aware and accountable for my actions from the start."
Gendry grabbed Arya's face and pulled her into a deep kiss. Arya melted into his touch as her arms wrapped around his should and her body molded to fit his. Lips crushing together, tongues colliding, noses brushing, promises exchanged.
For a moment, they broke apart as Arya caught her breath.
"I told my parents about us," she admitted. Gendry simply looked at her. "I know I should have discussed it with you first, but I was tired of keeping secrets from them, especially about you. Even though I'm not ashamed to be with you, it felt that way with you staying in the house and us dating, but they didn't even know about it and your living on their property. You just felt like this dirty secret and I don't want you to feel that way or even think that you feel that way because you're neither and, although you used to be a secret, it was never dirty. Well, it was, but that was because of the whole age thing and us almost having sex, but not you personally."
Gendry smiled at her. "Arya, I appreciate this outpour of honesty, but you don't have to tell me everything at once. It's fine if you take it one day at a time; I know what I signed up for."
Arya blushed. "I know, but this is new for me, not relationships, of course, but being vulnerable and completely open without censor. And you are one of the most important people in my life and I don't know what I'd do if I ever screwed this up again."
"It'll be different this time around," he promised.
"How so?" Grey eyes met with black eyes.
Gendry rested his forehead against Arya's. "Because it has to be."
"So…changing subjects," Arya stated. "That was a fucking great concert."
"It was," Gendry immediately agreed. He seemed to be surprised at how much he enjoyed himself. "You said that Mycah introduced you to this band."
"Hot Pie actually," Arya corrected as Gendry pulled her off of the wall and she looped her arm through his. Gendry seemed surprised at this revelation. "I know," she agreed. "He was the one who heard a song or two from the band, and then introduced them to Mycah who had me listen to them."
"Does it sound bad for me to say that I didn't know that Hot Pie was into music like this," Gendry asked.
"No," Arya said. "Because he isn't. Hot Pie had a thing for the band's lead guitarist, which was the only reason why he listened to them to begin with. They came into his job a few weeks ago. He chatted with them for a bit before they suggested he look them up. Mycah said that Hot Pie told him he only did it because he had a thing for the girl."
Gendry thought for a moment. "It's the black girl, right?"
"Yeah," Arya confirmed.
"She's really pretty," he stated.
"She is, isn't she," Arya looked at Gendry. "Do you think Hot Pie even has a chance?"
Her boyfriend shrugged. "You never know."
TWO DAYS LATER
As if she was on time and everyone else was simply early, Arya strolled into the dining room.
"Look who finally decided to show up," Robb playfully mocked. "We thought you'd got stuck in traffic on the way from your house."
Without making any noises, Arya moved her mouth as if she was laughing. "That's supposed to be funny, right, because I live in the backyard?" She gestured behind herself towards where she lived and, as she was about to speak, she heard Sansa's daughter giggle.
"Le Fromagée, don't laugh at your uncle Robb's terrible jokes—it'll only encourage him and his own kids have to endure his terrible humor as it is."
Sansa and Robb both glared at Arya.
"My jokes aren't terrible," Robb said, offended by Arya's statement. "My kids laugh all of the time."
"Robb," Arya gave her brother a sympathetic look. "They're kids, they think everything is funny—that's why dad's jokes were funnier when we were kids and not so much now."
"I'm funny," Her father asserted.
"Of course you are, dad," Arya said in a saccharine tone. "Of course you are."
"Arya," Sansa began. "Stop calling my daughter le fromagée. That's not the correct way to say it and you know it."
"Fine," she replied. "Quétaine it is."
"What is so hard about either calling her Catelyn or Hope?" Arya looked at her sister in confusion as if her suggestion was a foreign concept, "You're insufferable, you know that, right?"
Arya shrugged, and then gave her parents a kiss before sitting at her place at the table.
"Hey, Arya," Rickon called out.
"Yeah," Arya said as she laid her napkin on her lap and moved her silverware so the maid could place her plate on the table. The maid sat the plate in front of her, and then poured her a glass of wine.
"Weren't you friends with Shireen Baratheon?"
Curiously, Arya stared at her brother.
"Why," she questioned as her fork hovered over the plate in indecision as to which food she should start with first. "You've never cared for any of my friends in the past, why do you care now?"
"So, you two are friends," Rickon declared.
"Not exactly; Shireen was a nice girl, but we weren't friends. I wouldn't have minded being her friend, I mean, she was the only person who was nice to me when I attended high school in King's Landing, which doesn't say much considering, but before we could become friends, her mother took her out of school to home school her," she explained. "Why are you asking?"
"Nothing," he dismissed.
"Sure," Arya said in an unbelieving tone.
Rickon groaned. "Why don't you ever believe me?"
From beside Rickon, Bran snorted, and then stuffed his mouth with food.
"Because you're always up to shit," Arya shot back. "And no one just randomly asks about another person for no reason—there's always a reason. If there wasn't, you wouldn't be asking to begin with."
With suspicion, Sansa stared at her youngest brother. "Why didn't you ask Bran? Doesn't he do volunteer work with her?"
"Yeah," Jon agreed. "And they studied together in college. Even if she and Bran aren't friends, he's likely to know way more about her than Arya."
Bran grinned, and then looked at his brother. "So, I was righ—"
"Fine," Rickon relented. "I like Shireen; I'm trying to ask her out. I can tell that she is interested in me, but she's a little hesitant for whatever reason." He then directed his gaze towards Arya. "I was asking if you two were friends to see if you could put in a good word for me."
Robb spit out his drink, Sansa choked on her food, and Bran laughed under his breath. Their parents looked at one another. Arya raised an eyebrow; she was surprised, but not all that much. She wouldn't have expected Shireen as someone Rickon would be interested in, but it made sense in an odd way.
"Even if I could put in a word," Arya began. "She's twenty-eight and you're twenty-two."
Rickon frowned. "And that means what, exactly? I'm not asking for your permission to date her. As I already said, I know that she is interested in me, so it's not like she doesn't like me or think I'm too young; I just wanted to find out more about her and, hopefully, have you sing my praises, but I guess that's out of the question," he spat as he held his hands up as if he had committed a crime. "I know I'm not the only one who notices the irony here: Arya lecturing me about age when I'm legal and she fucked a twenty-two year old man when she was fifteen."
The room was silent as a few of the Stark kids snapped their heads to look at Jon, except Arya and Rickon. Ned and Catelyn saw that the situation was spiraling out of control and decided to intervene.
"Now, hold on, Rickon," Ned began. "That is no way to talk to your sister."
"What? By pointing out that she is a hypocrite?"
Arya looked to be mentally over the accusations about what she did as a youth. "For the last time, I did NOT have sex with Gendry.
In disbelief, Rickon snorted, "Sure, you didn't."
"Rickon, that is ENOUGH!" Catelyn shouted as she stood up. "I will not tolera—"
"Mom," Arya interrupted, and then shook her head to say stop. "Let me handle this."
Not a word was uttered as Arya and Rickon exchanged stares. Rickon seemed furious, but Arya was unaffected. In concentration, her left thumb rubbed the palm of her right hand. She knew that Rickon didn't really believe that she had sex with Gendry; he wore his heart on his sleeve and would've said (or did) something sooner.
Her younger brother's feelings for Shireen seemed to be more than like, but a little less than love. Rickon probably thought about the possibility of them actually getting together and dating and knew that people would be against them or believe he didn't have a chance. Shireen was a nice woman and very sweet. Although she had insecurities due to her disease, she didn't let that define her and was very active in the community, despite her mother sheltering her for most of her life. Rickon was bit of a wild child and was generally misunderstood even more so than Arya.
Rickon perceived her initial words as threat to his potential relationship with Shireen.
"Rick, I dealt with a lot of shit from dad, mom, and especially Jon, as EVERYONE in here knows, but you never said anything. You didn't even seem bothered by the whole situation and now, suddenly, you're outraged by me sleeping with Gendry, which, again, I never did, despite my efforts," she admitted. "You're upset because you thought I was saying that the relationship would be inappropriate, but I'm not," she denied. "I'm saying that she may feel uncomfortable about the age gap. Women tend to feel uncomfortable dating younger than dating older due to maturity levels and, more times than not, guys usually date younger women. Let's not forget that you have a reputation that isn't all fabrication. So, if there is anything you take away from this little talk it should be two things: one: I don't know Shireen well enough to vouch for you and two: she has some very real drawbacks concerning dating you. The best thing you can do is lay your cards on the table and see what happens from there."
The Starks moved on from the conversation and the rest of dinner went without a hitch. Sansa raved about her newborn daughter and Robb offered her some advice as well as Jon for his own impending fatherhood. It was clear how much Robb enjoyed being a father with how enthusiastically he spoke about his own kids and the trials and tribulations he went through when he first became a father. He spoke about all of the methods he tried, the books he read, and how things become second nature. He also explained that worrying is usual and how much a parent worries depends on the day and situation, but it's always there.
Ned and Catelyn chimed in with their experience parenting and how every child is different and that one technique may work with one change, but does nothing for the other, despite being raised in the same household. They used Arya and Sansa as well as Bran and Rickon as examples.
Sansa gleefully devoured everything Robb and her parents told her. She had read tons of books herself, but there was nothing like hearing first hand experience to learn from. As soon as Robb started speaking, Sansa had pulled a pen and small notebook out of her purse and instantly jotted down what she heard. Every once and a while she would ask a question or clarification about a remark.
In amusement, Arya ate her food and watched the scene in front of her. Whether or not Sansa used the information that was being given to her, she knew her sister would be a good mother. It was impossible to see her as anything, but that. Now, for herself, Arya used to be on the fence, but every since Gendry came back into her life, she's been thinking more and more about kids and what type of mother would be. But, one thing she knew for sure: she would need all the advice she could get whenever that happened.
Parenting seemed so natural for Robb and Sansa. Even with the late night feeding and constant state of tiredness, Sansa glowed. Hell, Robb seemed to thrive off of the challenges being a parent threw his way. He said that having kids was a big responsibility, but it had a lot of rewards as well, which was a sentiment that Sansa seemed to share even very early in her parenting career.
There were parts of parenting that was appealing to Arya, but at the same time, that was a huge investment and her time would never be her own anymore. Well, it's not as if she had to make a definite decision on parenting at that very exact moment.
"Arya," Sansa said.
"Yeah," she responded.
"I've been trying to get your attention," she laughed.
Arya moved her food around on her plate. "Oh. About what?"
A smile played on her older sister's lips. "Kids—if you wanted any. You get along with Robb's kids, but I've never heard your opinion either way."
"Well, that's because I never thought about it either way for a long time," she admitted. "But, now, I'm leaning towards having some pups of my own."
"Really," Bran wore a puzzled expression. "I figured that you broke off your engagement with Aegon because of kids since no other reason made sense to me."
Arya frowned at him. "No, the reason I ended it with him had nothing to do with kids," she replied. "If I was flat out against them, I wouldn't have dated him to begin with. It just wasn't working for me, that is all it was."
"And now," Catelyn asked as a small smirk played on her lips.
"Are we talking about kids or Gendry," Arya said after she sipped her wine.
Without hesitation, Catelyn said, "Both"
A small chuckle escaped from Arya's lips. "Am I that transparent?"
"Like your father said, as a parent, you notice things," Catelyn shrugged.
Robb, Sansa, Rickon, and Bran stared turned their attention towards Jon for the second time that night. It was obvious that they were expecting him to explode at the mere mention of the man. He hadn't reacted the first time, but they wondered if he would keep it in the second time around.
Jon held his hands up. "I made my peace with the man months ago, so you guys aren't going to get a reaction out of me." At the surprised expressions he said in response, "I deiced to make it right after Ygritte smacked some sense into, figuratively speaking." It seemed as if Jon was over his grudge against Gendry and had moved on completely. He then directed his gaze toward Arya, "So, are you two together or is that in the works?"
"We've been together for about a month.
"And you're just now telling me," Jon said in faux rage. "I gave him to you in a bow
Arya grinned widely at his statement. "Well, you have to give me the proper amount of time to fully enjoy every aspect of my gift, which was very much appreciated."
"I don't know whether I should say you're welcome or TMI," Jon mumbled uncomfortably as he looked at his plate.
"Whichever is most fitting," she stated. From the corner of Arya's eyes, she could see she had some explaining to do to her older sister. Despite minor squabbles, after she and Sansa buried the their differences years ago, the two sisters spoke and confided in one another most of the time. "Sansa, I'll explain everything after dinner."
"Catie is sleepy, so you'll have to do that explaining in my old room." Sansa was staying a few days at their parents' house for a visit.
In disbelief, Arya stared at her sister. "Catie? Are you serious?"
"Now, what is wrong with Catie?" Sansa crossed her arms in disbelief at Arya's disbelief. "You didn't like Catelyn or Hope as a name and now you have an issue with Catie."
For support, Arya looked around the room. "Am I the only one here who sees the issue?"
"Uh, Sansa," Rickon spoke up. "How exactly do you plan on spelling that? It would work if the original name were spelled with a K and not a C. Most people would pronounce it as Catty."
At Arya's laughter, Sansa said, "Shut up, Arya."
"Personally, I think Quétaine is preferable over Catty," she supplied.
"Of course you do," Sansa said as she bent down to pick up her daughter. "Come on CATE-TEE"
"Sansa," Arya began. "Stop pronouncing your daughter's name CATE-TEE. That's not the correct way to say it and you know it."
"Gods, why are you so insufferable."
"I believe it's one of my endearing traits," Arya provided.
"OF course you do," Sansa said. "I'll be waiting for you upstairs."
GENDRY
TWO WEEKS LATER
Gendry opened the door and let the direwolf walk through. He had taken Nymeria to get her check up because Arya had to go get a check up on her own. After asking a few questions and the veterinarian examining her briefly, Nymeria was ruled to be in perfect condition. Gendry took the direwolf to the dog park and bought her some treats as well for being so well behaved.
"Arya, we're home," Gendry greeted. He tossed his keys on the counter by the door, and then slipped off his shoes. "Nymeria was well behaved at the vets office, so I bought her some treats; I hope you don't mind. And, it goes without saying, but she missed you a lot."
He was greeted with silence.
Gendry knew that Arya was home and could hear him.
It was odd to him, but he went about his routine as usual. He made his way into the kitchen and pulled out an apple and a bottle of water. Eagerly, he bit into his apple as he looked at the mail on the counter.
"Gendry," Arya said softly. Usually, he wouldn't have paid any mind to her low voice, but her tone sounded…off.
"Yeah," he replied. In concern, Gendry turned to face his girlfriend. What he saw shocked him: Arya's eyes were red and she looked distraught. Her hair was messy and looked as if she had ran her fingers through it a couple of times.
As if protecting and comforting herself, Arya tightly crossed her arms over her chest, and then looked to the ground after giving Gendry brief eye contact.
"I'm pregnant," she mumbled. His stomach dropped. Arya didn't have to say the words, but he knew. He knew what her silence meant. For a while, Gendry stood still in shock. His mouth began to move, but the words didn't come out. "Gendry," Arya said and this time she looked at him. "I'm sorry."
"Arya, I…" He didn't know what to do, what to say, or how to feel. Arya went over to hug Gendry and his arms gently wrapped around her small frame out of habit.
"I'm so sorry," she repeated. "I didn't plan for this to happen. I wasn't thinking and now…I—I—I just don't what to do."
Unable to believe it, Gendry shook his head. "Are you sure? I mean this could be a mistake. The baby could be mine, right," he pleaded.
In shame, Arya stared at her hands as she harshly rubbed them together. It was always something wasn't it? Didn't she say to her parents not too long ago that most of her problems stemmed from her own actions? She was the one that was irresponsible and had unprotected sex. She was the one who forgot to get the morning after pill. That was all her. She couldn't blame Gendry or even Francisco. He may have gotten her pregnant, but Arya shouldn't depend on others to look out for her best interests. Sure, Francisco cared for her, but at the end of the day, she is responsible for herself and, at that moment in time, she wasn't.
"No," she tearfully whispered. "I'm too far along for it to be yours."
Tears sprang from Gendry's eyes as he quickly wiped his face.
"Gendry," Arya whispered as she tried to touch his arm, but Gendry moved his arm out of the way.
"Please, don't," he mumbled. Arya paced back and forth as she switched between looking at him and the floor.
"I just…" he trailed off, struggling to find the words. "I just need time to clear my head."
"Gendry, no," Arya immediately said. He was not leaving her…not after they only just got together.
"No, no," he quickly replied. "I'm not leaving you—well, I'm literally leaving, but I'm not breaking up with you," he shot down. "I just need to go outside and clear my head, that's all. I need to sort things out, okay?"
"Why can't you just sort them here…with me?"
At Arya's plea, Gendry's heart broke. It was rare to see her vulnerable, to see her show herself in a way that wasn't strong and in control.
"Right now, it just feels so suffocating and overwhelming, you know," Gendry tried to explained. He held up his hands in front of him, and then balled them into fists out of frustration. "I just need space…to clear my head."
"If you aren't breaking up with me, then why do you need space," she reasoned, and then added, "To clear your head."
"Because I need to sort out how I feel about if without letting your feelings influence me." Gendry looked at his girlfriend. "This is difficult for us both, but let me process this, Arya. Just give me some time to myself; I'm not asking for a few days just a few hours."
Arya looked at Gendry as if she knew it was over. A wave of intense emotions consumed her and a hand covered her eyes as she began to cry. Gendry wrapped her in his arms and comforted Arya. Hot tears stained his shirt as Arya sobbed against his chest.
"I don't know if I even want the baby, Gendry," she admitted. "I just found out today and I don't even know how to feel about it."
After all of the crying that Arya did, she tired herself out and was sleepy. Gendry carried her up to bed and settled into bed with her.
The next morning Gendry woke up to find Arya snuggled comfortably on his chest, but her facial expression looked pained as she slept. Gently, Gendry lifted Arya off his body and settled her onto her side. He then carefully exited her room and crept downstairs and put on his shoes. As he exited the house, he made sure the door didn't slam and took off running once he was a few feet from the house.
Gendry pushed and pushed until he couldn't go any faster, he pushed and pushed until his body ached, he pushed and pushed until he didn't know where he was going, and he pushed and pushed until he got his answers.
ARYA
Arya's heart dropped when she woke up to find Gendry gone. Immediately, she called out his name, but he didn't answer.
Did he leave her?
He said he didn't, but maybe that was only to comfort her. No guy wanted to leave a girl while she was screaming and crying. It just got worse and made them look bad. But, Gendry just wasn't any other guy that was why she loved him and that was why she was crying.
Rough hands brushed against a tired face as Arya tried to clear her head.
What next?
Food.
To take her mind off of the living thing growing inside of her (which would need to be fed as well), Arya cooked herself some breakfast. She took out some eggs, and then vegetables and cut them out to make an omelet. Two pieces of toasts was put into the over to make some toast and she poured herself some orange juice.
Shortly after the food was finished and, as Arya was eating, Gendry walked back into the kitchen.
Arya continued eating as she said, "I didn't hear you come in."
Gendry placed a kiss on the crown of her head, and then her neck. "I didn't know if you were still asleep and I didn't want to wake you."
"So, did that run give you the clarity you needed," Arya asked, as she played with her food.
Fingertips trialed along her back as Gendry grabbed a chair and sat it beside hers. He then picked up her fork and ate a forkful of her eggs before putting more food on the fork, and then bringing it to her mouth. "Open up."
Arya opened and let Gendry feed her. As he did, he grabbed her toast with his other hand.
"I did a lot of thinking when I ran earlier today," Gendry began. "Everything—all of out history ran through my head."
"Like what?" Arya took a sip of her juice.
"Like when we first met and our first kiss," Gendry smiled at the thought. "Or when we met again after all of those years apart. Swimming in the lake, late night smokes, pillow fights in my bed...Jon beating me up at the barbeque. When I thought of everything we've been through, I laughed."
For a moment, Arya stared at him incredulously. "You laughed?"
Gendry smiled at her. "Yes, I laughed," he repeated. "We've been through a lot of shit together, Arya. A lot. But, I love you and I know for a fact that I could NEVER, NEVER love another woman the way I love you. And I know that you love me—I know that you feel the same way. Sure, it sucks that you got pregnant by another man, but we weren't together and it's not like I didn't fuck around. For all I know, I could've gotten Autumn pregnant," he speculated. Gendry would've mentioned Melisandre, but he didn't even want to risk speaking that into existence. "And what if she wanted to keep the baby, what then? That difference between that situation and this is that I would have a constant, physical reminder and you wouldn't, but in both cases a child would've been created."
"So, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I love you and I still want to be with you. I'm not going to leave you even though you're carrying another man's child. I know some people may see that as ridiculous and crazy, but I don't care. I love and I've loved you for years. The only way this would be a deal breaker is if you cheated on me and you didn't." Gendry put the fork down and grabbed Arya's hand in his own. He brought her hand up to his mouth and tenderly kissed it.
"Gendry, you don't have to worry about Francisco," Arya reassured.
"I know," he replied. "I don't know everything that is going through your head, Arya, but I'm serious when I say that I'll stick by your side even if you have this baby. I don't want you to get an abortion just to keep me or because you think it'll make me happy; it won't. Because later on, you might regret it or hate me for it and I don't want that to happen. Whatever you decide, I want it to be because it was the best decision for you."
Gendry then placed a kiss on her forehead before they continued eating breakfast.
"Come again," Francisco said in shock.
Arya inwardly groaned. "I said I'm pregnant."
In disbelief Francisco pointed to himself. "With my kid?"
"Yes," she basically shouted. "With your kid. If I weren't, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. And, don't ask me if I'm sure because, again, if I weren't, we would not be having this conversation. I'm very sure."
"I'm, I'm lost for words." Francisco sat on the park swing and sipped his coffee.
"How do you feel about it," Arya inquired.
Francisco shrugged. "Does it matter," he asked. "It was a one night stand and you're with Gendry; keeping the kid is going to mess up shit with him. Besides, it's your body not mine, why should it matter how I feel or what I think? I'm not carrying the kid."
"I didn't ask you that," Arya stated. "How do you feel about being a father?"
"Does it even matter, Arya," Francisco shouted. "If you want to know so bad, I feel fucking ecstatic about being a dad, but the last time I felt that way my ex-wife got the abortion. She said it would be too complicated for us to raise a child when we had just gotten divorced and she was trying to move on with her life. So, if you are going to abort the child anyways, just do it. Don't go asking me how I feel about it because it's not as if it's important anyway."
Arya sat on the park swing beside him.
"It is important," she said in a low voice. Francisco gave her an unbelieving stare. "I want to be a mother; I'd been thinking about it these past couple of weeks before I found out that I was pregnant. Then, when the doctor told me that I was, I didn't want to believe it. This was supposed to be Gendry's baby."
She turned and faced him.
"But, it's mine instead," he finished.
"Yeah, it's yours instead," she repeated. "But, I don't want to get an abortion just because the baby doesn't share Gendry's DNA; he's going to love me and the child regardless. And I do want to be a mother even though it wasn't in my immediate plans. So, are you in or not?"
Francisco gave Arya an enormous grin.
"I'm in," he confirmed, and then got up to hug Arya. "And I just want you to know that I wouldn't do anything to interfere with you and Gendry's relationship. I enjoy working with you and being your friend and I just want to raise our kid together."
"That's good to know, but neither Gendry or myself is worried about your interfering," Arya remarked. "As you said, there's Gendry and there's everyone else and a kid is not going to change that."