Chapter 25

Daenerys Targaryen POV

Jon and I are getting ready Cersei and Jaime's party, I'm going to drive so he can drink. We'll probably come back to my place after and he'll sleep over here tonight.

"Are you sure you're fine with driving?" Jon asks me as we're getting ready to head out the door.

"Yeah, I don't mind," I say. "You could probably use a drink or two so that dealing with them isn't so bad, and I'll probably have to take care of Cersei the whole night anyway."

We get in the car and I start to drive out of the driveway. "I'm sorry," Jon says. "It must suck to have to deal with that."

"It is what it is," I say. "Are any of your friends coming?"

"Gendry and Tormund are going to meet us there," Jon says. "I hope they have fun, Sam wanted to stay home with Gilly and the baby."

"I hope they're doing well," I say. "Are you going to see them at all over the break?"

Jon just nods. "I hope so," he says. "I wish I saw Sam more, we used to be so close."

"I know," I say. "But life happens, it's not anyone's fault."

"Yeah, I know," he says. "It just sucks."

"So are you worried about Tormund seeing Jaime with Brienne?" I ask to make the subject more lighthearted.

"Oh shit," Jon says, laughing. "I didn't even think about that. I'm sure he's over it by now."

"Let's hope so," I say. "Is Sansa coming?"

"Yeah," he says. "She and Margaery are coming later. I think they might stay there tonight."

"Are they going to drink?"

"Probably," Jon says. "I don't want her to, but I know I really can't say anything."

That's fair that he wants to look out for her, but he really can't say much since we all did the same. At least we'll be there to keep an eye on her.

…

We get to the party, and Cersei and Bronn have already started drinking. Jaime and Brienne are there, but they're sitting on the couch together with Tyrion sitting across from them. Other people are standing around, drinking and talking. It's not as crazy here as I expected it to be.

"Happy birthday," I say, walking up to Cersei. "This is from us." I hand her one of the gifts, I got one for her and Jaime and wrote it as from both me and Jon.

"Thanks," she says, hugging me. "It's not my birthday yet, though. It sucks having a birthday on a holiday."

"Yeah, I bet," I say. "Is Bronn here?"

"Yep," Cersei says. "So are Margaery and Missandei."

"Oh nice," I say. "I haven't seen Missandei in forever."

I go in the kitchen to grab a drink, Missandei walks in shortly after. "Hey girl," she says. She gives me a hug. "I missed you, how have you been?"

"Pretty good," I say. "In school, living with Jon. Cersei and I have a job at a restaurant together."

"Cersei? A job?" Missandei asks. "Wow, I never thought I'd see the day."

I chuckle at that. "Yeah, same," I say. "How's Grey Worm?"

"He's great," she says. "We live together, it's been great. He had to stay on campus for work over the break, though. He really wanted to come tonight."

"Aw, that's amazing," I say. "I'm really happy for you."

"He better propose soon, though," she says. "I'm not going to wait much longer."

"I know he will," I say. "He's head over heels for you."

"So how is living with Jon?"

"It's great," I say. "It's honestly wonderful, I love it."

"Aww, I'm happy for you," she says. "Let's go catch up with people."

I nod and we walk out of the kitchen. People are getting louder now that drinks are officially flowing. I look over and see Gendry trying to distract Tormund, he looks upset. He keeps glaring at Jaime and Brienne, I'm surprised he's still hung up on her.

Maybe tonight won't actually be that bad. I know Cersei will probably get drunk and crazy, but I can let it slide on her birthday. Plus, a lot of people will be around to take care of her this time. It'll be nice to catch up with people, I really did miss everyone.

Cersei Lannister POV

Bronn stayed over last night, it meant a lot to me that he did that. He'll be staying with me for a few days before going back to campus. We're standing and talking with Margaery, Sansa and Missandei. I guess I don't mind that Sansa's here, but I'm not paying much attention to her.

Dany's off with Jon, which I figured would happen. I thought maybe she'd be around more since it's my birthday party, but I also can't say I'm that surprised.

"So how did you guys meet?" Missandei asks me and Bronn. "I mean, I know at school. I meant more specifically."

"We met at a party at me and my roommate's old dorm," Bronn says. "Jaime and I got to talking and he introduced us."

"We were friends for a while," I say. "But eventually stuff happened."

"Stuff?" Margaery asks. Sansa and Missandei just laugh.

"Yes, stuff," Cersei says. "Shut your face."

"Hey I'm happy for you," Margaery says. "Get it, girl. I'm not, and somebody should."

"Hey, Gendry's here," Missandei says. "Maybe you will."

"No, it's not happening," Margaery says. "We just aren't right for each other."

"I like your tongue piercing," Missandei says. "The red stone looks good on you."

"Thanks," I say, sticking my tongue out. "Bronn got it for me for my birthday."

"Did it hurt?" Sansa asks.

"Yeah, and it was swollen for a while," I say. "But it wasn't too bad. I got over it."

The girls start having a side conversation and I turn to Bronn. "Hey," I say quietly. "You brought stuff, right?"

"Yeah," he says. "But only for you and me, and maybe Dany. Not everyone can get in on it."

"I know," I say. "Dany won't want to, she's a buzzkill these days."

"So you don't even want to ask?"

"No," I say. "Come on, let's go. What are you waiting for?"

He smiles at me and we go outside. We do some molly, I take more this time than I did the first time.

"What if I have a hard time sleeping later?" I ask after we take it.

"I have some Xanax," Bronn says. "We can always take that."

"Is that a good idea?"

"If we wait long enough, yeah," he says. "People tend to overreact about that stuff, anyway. Those anti-drug campaigns in school are so not accurate."

"That's definitely true," I say. "They definitely scared us for nothing."

"Totally," he says. "As long as you don't shoot anything up, you'll be fine."

"I'm never doing that," I say. "That's just dumb. I can get high without killing myself."

"I agree," he says. "Shooting up is for idiots."

We go back inside and Dany walks up to me. "Where were you?" She asks.

"I was outside with Bronn," I say. "Why?"

"What did you do?" She asks.

"He just gave me some molly," I say. "You can have some if you want."

"Cersei!" She says. "You know that's dumb."

"God, will you leave me alone for once?" I ask. "It's my fucking birthday."

I spend the rest of the night drinking, partying, and catching up with old friends. I may be wild, but I'm not an idiot and I'm definitely not a child. I wish Dany wouldn't treat me that way.

I'm so glad I took more this time, I feel amazing and honestly just euphoric. Bronn's good for me, he's helping me be safe about this and he doesn't want to hurt me. I wish Dany and Jaime wouldn't treat him like he's the devil corrupting me. I would do this stuff without him, anyway.

Sansa Stark POV

This party is fine, I guess. I always feel awkward around the Lannisters. At least Dany and Jon are here. I'm kind of just standing around and sipping on my drink slowly, I haven't been talking to people much. Dany's been making sure Cersei doesn't get too crazy for most of the night and Jon's been with his friends.

It's not that I haven't been hanging out with people, it's just that I don't feel like this is my scene as much as it once was. Or maybe it was never my scene, but I was just convincing myself that it was.

I walk over to where Dany, Cersei, Tyrion, Jon, Bronn, Jaime, and Brienne are standing around talking. Bronn is making crass jokes and Cersei is laughing. I look over and see Tyrion make a face like he's grossed out. I snicker at that, he looks at me and smiles.

A few minutes later, I decide to walk outside and take a breather. When I walk out to the front porch, Tyrion is sitting out there with his drink too, and he's smoking either a cigarette or a joint. I can't really tell which.

"Oh, sorry," I say. "I didn't think anyone was out here."

"It's fine," he says. "I'm just trying to stay sane."

"Same," I say. "I can leave you alone if you want."

"That's not necessary," he says. "Unless you want to be alone."

"I'm just taking a breather," I say, sitting on the porch. "I forget how loud and crazy they get."

"You have no idea," he says. "I grew up with them."

"Why aren't you in there with everyone?"

"Cersei is getting on my nerves," he says. "But what else is new?"

"Oh, so she's that bad to everyone?" I ask. He chuckles at that. "Sorry, she and I have never gotten along."

"Hey, you don't have to apologize to me," he says. "I'm the last person who'd have a problem with that."

"Oh, that's right," I say. "You guys don't get along either, do you?"

"That's an understatement," Tyrion says, taking a hit of whatever he's smoking. "I'm pretty sure she's been plotting to kill me since I was born."

I want to laugh, but I can't tell if he's joking. "But you get along with Jaime right?" I ask instead.

"Yeah, he's the only person in my life to ever show me unconditional and consistent love," he responds. "But it still sucks knowing Cersei will always come first for him no matter what."

I just nod and take a sip of my drink. "Sorry," he continues. "I know I don't really know you, I tend to overshare."

"I don't mind," I say, smiling. "It's nice to hear from someone who understands them both. Cersei never made sense to me."

"To be honest, I don't really understand her," he says. "Even though I grew up with her."

"I get that," I say. "I don't feel like I understand my siblings either."

There's a pause. It's weird that it actually feels natural and not awkward to talk to him, even though we barely know each other.

"So you're a senior now?" He asks me. I just nod. "That's cool, what do you want to do after you graduate?"

I'm starting to hate that question, but I don't tell him that. I know he's just trying to make conversation.

"I want to be a model, but my parents are forcing me to go to college," I say. "I got into Jon and Dany's school."

"Oh, that's cool," he says. "I go there too."

"Really? You do?" I ask. He nods. "Maybe I knew that and I just forgot."

"You want to be a model?" He asks. "That's cool, I could see you doing that."

I take that as a compliment because it means I must be pretty. "Yeah, I went to a modeling camp last summer," I say. "It was fun, I'll probably go to castings here and there when I have time."

"That's cool," he says. "Maybe I'll see you around campus. I'm sure I'll see you when you hang out with Dany."

"Yeah, probably."

He smiles at me and gets up, walking back inside. I don't really understand why he's been hidden away from everyone by his family, he's really funny and actually pretty nice. Just because he's different doesn't mean he's an embarassment. I feel bad for him, but it was nice that we could actually have a good conversation.

Jaime Lannister POV

"Are you guys ready for cake?" Dany asks. "I feel like we should sing soon if you want everyone to be a part of it, since it's getting late."

"Do we have to?" Cersei says. "Can't we just get the cake without singing?" I actually agree with her, I feel like that would make things awkward.

"We have to sing," Dany says. "You guys are 21 now, this is a big deal."

"I think Cersei's right," I say. "Maybe we are getting a little too old."

"Come on, what's the harm?" Dany asks. "It'll be fun."

I wish she wasn't pestering us about this so hard, it's not her birthday party. I didn't even really want to do this. It's awkward and I know Brienne is at leaste slightly uncomfortable, which makes me feel bad.

"Okay fine," Cersei says. "Whatever."

I glare at her, but she just shrugs. Dany and Jon go into the kitchen.

"Sorry," I say to Brienne. "I know this is probably a little awkward for you."

"It is," Brienne says. "But Dany's just trying to be nice, I get it."

It means a lot to me that Brienne is so understanding. She doesn't have to be, I wouldn't blame her if she refused to have any part of this. Dany and Jon come out of the kitchen shortly, Dany is holding the cake and some of our other friends start singing happy birthday.

Cersei and I blow out the candles. I used to love having birthday parties with her, but it just feels different now. It doesn't feel right because it doesn't even feel like we're the same people.

"Can I take a picture?" Dany asks.

"For real?" Cersei responds.

"It's your 21st birthday," Dany says. "Why are you so bitter?"

"Fine!" Cersei yells. That startles Dany. I expected Cersei to be in a better mood at her birthday party, but I think whatever she took is wearing off.

Cersei plasters on a fake smile and puts her arm around me. Dany timidly takes the picture, I think she's a little scared of Cersei at this point. I force myself to pose with Cersei in the picture, but I don't even think I'm smiling in it.

I spend the rest of the party getting drunk and talking with my friends. I see Brienne here and there, but I wish she was hanging out with us more. I know she's older and it's not really her scene, but we're dating and I feel like she should be making a little more of an effort.

…

Brienne and I are in my room after the party calms down and comes to an end, there are quite a few people crashing downstairs and in our other bedrooms. I'm pretty drunk, but I'm honestly not as drunk as I expected to be tonight.

"I'm really glad you came tonight," I say, laying on my bed. "I know it probably wasn't easy."

"It's whatever," she says, sitting on the bed next to me. "How you feeling?"

"I'm okay," I say. "Tired and wanting you closer."

"Jaime," she says. "Do you remember what we talked about?"

"Did I say anything about sex?" I ask. "I literally just want you near me."

She pauses and just looks at me. "Okay fine," she says. "I'm not in any condition to drive anyway."

She lays next to me and I start spooning her. We're about the same height, so it feels really different spooning her as opposed to Cersei.

"Did you have fun tonight?" I ask.

"I actually did," she says. "More than I expected. Did you? It's your party."

"I did," I say. "But I don't know why Cersei always has to be in a bad mood."

"Yeah, seems rough," Brienne says. I can tell she doesn't want to talk about Cersei. "It must be tough on her boyfriend."

I don't think it is, I think Bronn is getting what he wants out of her.

"Babe?" I ask Brienne. "Are you sure there's nothing we can do tonight? It's about to be my birthday."

"You're drunk," she says. "I think we should just go to sleep."

I whine at her, which I know isn't nice but I'm drunk. "Come on," I say. "I'll make it really good for you."

"Jaime, I was serious," she says. "Cut it out."

"Can I at least get a blowjob?" I ask. "I'll return the favor."

She sighs. "How about a handjob?" She asks me. "That's all I'll do."

"Okay fine," I say. "Better than nothing."

She jerks me off, and it's okay I guess. I was hoping we could do more, especially since it's a day of celebration. It also pisses me off knowing Cersei is getting laid in the same house.

I clean up and we go to sleep. I thought I could take it slow with Brienne, and I still think I might be able to. I just didn't think she was that serious about waiting, I figured it was a test. I just hope she doesn't make me hold out for too long.