Doya : A christmas of Premium Burgers

// Turns out, they're speaking to me a little more today. Oya certainly had something to say with the upcoming holidays.

Xxxxx

Oya ran her hand through her black curls and sat on the bed she shared with Dean. Her hazel eyes were brighter than usual and a soft smile eased her features. It was one hellish year and one she was eager to see the end. Her fingers twirled around her black locks and she patted the bed with her free hand, inviting Dean to sit with her. He was sitting on the chair, looking through his tablet for elements that could help them get a clue on their target but his emerald eyes averted from the tablet to the woman who was sitting a few steps away from him.

« Not yet. I'm not done yet. » -She rolled her eyes and stood back up, walking her tiny curvy body to his stronger and larger frame. Her hands wrapped around his shoulders and she planted kisses on his forehead.- « Okay... what do you want ? » -She grinned and watched as his hands gently wrapped around her waist and pulled her into a tight embrace.

« I got your attention. That's what I wanted. » She said, planting another kiss on his nose this time. « It's soon that fucking holiday and while I don't care about Christmas, I care about it being the end of the year. I care about spending it with you. » She whispered and rubbed her nose against his.

« Well, you got your wish. I'm here. » She nodded and let her fingers run over the back of his head while her lips pecked his lips. « And you got my attention too. Maybe tonight we could have some premium burgers. » He wiggled his brows and it made the short hunter laugh.  « What? »

« You're very funny Dean. I don't mind the best burgers for tonight. I don't mind anything, as long as it's with you. » She leaned her forehead against his and took a deep breath. « It had been a shitty year, hadn't it? »

« Yeah... the usual shitstorm. We rarely rest. » They rarely did, but Oya knew it was the life they signed for. They couldn't have it any other way. He let his fingers stroke her cheeks and then pressed his lips to hers. She moaned into their kiss and then sat on his lap. Dean let his fingers run on her back and then her hips and pulled Oya into a tight embrace so she wouldn't fall from his lap.

"I don't know how I'd manage this year if you weren't there." She confessed, while her lips pecked on his. "Going home to you is what drives me, Dean when I'm on my own. I only think of the smile you'll have on when I come back. I only think about you." She grinned and gently rubbed his nose against his. 

"You would have like you always had before we met. Oya... Thank you.." He soberly said. Her words were very moving. She rarely spoke so clearly about her emotions when it came to him but that night, Oya did and it felt good to hear it. 

Dean had always known that there was something between the two of them. Something strong that was meant to last. They never said the words, they never spoke of love, but they always felt it. He knew Oya was ready to give her life if that meant saving his. He knew she wanted the best for him and gave him her support any way she could. He got used to her insisting texts, to her checking on him when they were apart, or to the fact she brought ugly aprons after each and every trip she made out of town. He could tell she loved it by the way she was running her fingers through his hair, or when she sang songs and lullabies to him. He could tell he loved him in the way she was looking at him when she thought he couldn't see. 

He could tell... he loved her in the way he calmed her when she had a nightmare or the fact he answered her texts or welcomed her ugly aprons (without wearing them). Their lives were entwined and he refused to spend another day without her in his life. Yet, he went through a lot already. He fought a shapeshifter who looked just like her and killed it, he defeated a witch that forced a false memory in his mind. A memory of her leaving him. He always went against the crushing tides that tried to make him feel as if she was going to leave him. So... tonight, to have her say those words made him feel warm inside. it wasn't something new, but it was something true and heartwarming. 

"What for?" She said as she leaned against the taller hunter. 

"For being you. For being there. For saying what you just said." He said, losing his hand into her hair and making her hold him tighter. 

"There's no need for it... no need at all..." She closed her eyes and laid into him a little more. "This is the truth. this is nothing but the truth. This year was horrible. filled with loss and tears and pain and, I was able to make it with a smile on my face because of you. Let's celebrate that, shall we? let's celebrate us...tonight and the other nights."

"Tonight and the other nights." He said, the hand on her waist held her tighter and the other held a fistful of black locks. "Let's get to it then. After I find out what I've been looking for tonight."

"Okay... I can help with that." She said as she looked past his shoulder and to the tablet on the table. "Let's do it together, so you'll have more time buying me premium burgers and I'll do that thing you very much love." She said with a playful wink. 

"Sounds like a plan, I like it." And he turned the chair around so she could have a better look at the tablet, a smile on his lips as he knew the day was going to be awesome. as it always was when she was here. 

-TBC-

Elpis x Pride: Christmas

Elpis x Pride: Christmas

// Welp, fuck me ! I am missing these two. Turns out Elpis is finally feeling a little chatty these days. I guess this is the season.

XXXX

Christmas..... In the history of Mankind, Christmas was nothing, a fluke at most. It was no older than 2000 years, therefore, Elpis had never witnessed its creation. She was already cursed by Ishtar. It should have meant nothing for her, except maybe a certain curiosity she felt towards this holiday, but it sort of did. She couldn't suppress the growing desire to see snow, to have a Christmas tree put up in the living room and to exchange presents with her sin. Did humans rubbed off on her ? She furrowed her brows and walked in circles in her chambers. Gods influenced humans, it couldn't be the other way around. Did her host, Asma, influence her ?

Since she was set free, the elder goddess constantly remembered the time her human host spent with the sin. Asma Jensen was such a lost soul when she met the Sin. She had to be born and grow in a world devoided of Hope. She prevented herself from even trying things because she believed that Fate ruled everything. Fate ruled nothing, only fools and bigoted spirits believed that they couldn't be more than what they were. Only scared little souls would live unimportant lives because they lacked the sparks Elpis created in their hearts. Despite the odds, the human proved to be worthy of hosting the goddess. She didn't put an end to her life like many wanted her to. She survived, she fought hard and she helped set her free. Her desire to live was influenced by the goddess hidden inside of her and she became something else, something better... fully human.

And perhaps that was the reason why the goddess was thinking about Christmas today, in memory of this extraordinary soul that saved her. Pride went above and beyond for Asma on Christmas. He made sure, for the 3 years, they spent together, that the human had a tree in the safe house they stayed at. He made sure to bring a few gifts for the artist so she would have presents to open on Christmas. Elpis wondered if he did it so Asma would stop crying or if he did it on his own volution, only because he enjoyed seeing her happy. He did offer Elpis, Earth fauna and Flora that other day, so she would have the sensation to walk the Earth but it was short-lived, the Hades wasn't meant to host pure life. Plants decayed and the birds turned into Hellish monsters that stayed loyal to the goddess. But Life was gone and with it, her strength depleted.

Christmas was upon them and the urge to celebrate the holiday like mortals do overwhelm the goddess who went to the balcony of her chambers and stared at the immense realm before her. The purple sky had something comforting about it that made her stare for hours in complete silence. It reminded her of Pride and it made her smile. Her sin became a King all the while reinventing himself. She knew that he didn't really choose what happened to him but this new version of Pride was indeed better. While Hades thought that he destroyed what once was and created once again a perfect slave to do his bidding, he created, in fact, A free soul. He created something that had a strong will to live and become their own person.

He created something that overcame his control and rejected the old-self. That Pride was better, while he still thought of himself and wanted to achieve his goal, he still cared for his most loyal subjects. He cared for Lust, he cared for Asma, and he cared for the goddess. He cared....he didn't lie... he was leading them to a new era and she wanted to follow him.. not because she was blinded by her emotions, but because she wanted it. She saw who Pride really was and it comforted her in the choice she made to follow him and be with him. But Christmas...The goddess felt the familiar energy signature enter her room and rubbed her arms before she leaned into the balcony. Pride came to visit her and walked to her.

« I still have the memories of my host about Christmas. » She announced, while she tilted her head to look at the sin. He curbed a brow but didn't really seem surprised at all.

« You've always been curious about human traditions. I remember the old you, who enjoyed visiting Earth during human celebrations. It never left you. »

« It never changed. What was different this time, is that you went above and beyond to help my host celebrate that holiday. »

«The simple reward for her loyalty and resilience. » Pride said, a smile on his lips as he leaned his arms on the balcony as well. « You know I've always worked that way. »

« I'm not surprised. I do know that there ought to be more than just the urge to reward her. You wanted her to be happy. I...think I'm starting to understand what Christmas is about. You spend it with people you hold dear in your heart. With family. Today, I have no one left but you Pride. Christmas is a time to be together with those we love and I want to be with you. » She said, her handheld onto his as she fully turned around to face him. Pride grabbed her by the waist and gently pulled her against her frame.

« I am here now. Because of the war, I can't promise you I will be there on Christmas but I am here now. »

« Then let's make the best out of it. » She said, as she cupped his cheeks and pulled him into a kiss. The elder goddess wrapped her arms around his shoulders and closed her eyes as she felt comfortable. It was all she needed, for now, all she ever wanted. The comforting warmth of his body against hers. « I wouldn't want it any other way, Meus Rex. » She whispered in his ear.

He smiled again and pressed his lips to hers in a rush of adrenaline. He would spend the rest of the day with her, in her room. He would offer her «  Christmas » like she wanted. The softer features on the goddess made the sin grin because he knew it was because of him. He was the reason of her smile and warmth, he was the reason she was happy and the very emotion stirred by the human, some time ago, was felt once again. There was the reason to be merry after all, it was Christmas. They were together.

-TBC-

[GoT] Bäahal x Jaime: Late Night Diner

[GoT] Bäahal x Jaime: Late Night Diner 

A/N : Been thinking of them for quite some time now <3

xxxxx

Ever since Lord Jaime decided that it would be safer for the two of them to have lunch instead of dinner, his dynamic with Bäahal changed. The silver princess would not fail to come at noon with two trays but today was different. Today she stayed in her room. Jaime noticed she didn't come and instead, it was one of the usual servants who brought him his food. When he asked where the princess was, the servant told him that Bäahal didn't leave her room and no one had seen her. While Jaime's stomach was strangled by hunger, he noticed the way the servant spoke, with the hint of concern in her voice. She got used to seeing the princess at least once a day, and have someone care for her in ways her masters didn't. She liked Bäahal and saw her more as a friend than a master she had to serve, so the tone alerted Jaime.

He waited for the girl to leave the room to walk in circles. What was he going to do? He wanted to eat, he was hungry and the dishes smelled good but at the same time, the princess had not been seen from the entire day, so he decided to go to her bedroom. She wouldn't throw him out of it anyway, so what did he have to lose? He grabbed his tray and walked to her room. The guards who came with her were standing in front of her door. They acknowledged his presence and didn't say anything, just a slight nod of the head and they stared in front of them again, guarding the precious Targaryen alive. Jaime used his golden hand to knock on the door and a soft voice echoed from within.

« I want to see no one. » Bäahal's. That made the knight sigh in relief and he looked at one of the guards so they could help him open the door. The guard shook his head but Jaime insisted, his emerald eyes brightened and he appeared more menacing, like roaring Lion.

« Open the door.  I have to see her. » The guard hesitated but finally opened the door.

She had been talking about her visits to Lord Jaime during her walks in the garden. She didn't say much, if not the desire she had to see him again or the progress he made during the days she spent with him. She never truly spoke her mind, what she truly felt, but everyone had noticed how much she cared for the knight and they realized that she might have been feeling more than she cared to say to them. Hansel and Gregory were two young lads, they were younger than the princess and their hearts were still blue and romantic. Hansel had a girl waiting for him at King's Landing. The day Daenerys became Queen of the seven kingdoms, he thought he would die and asked the girl out... she agreed to become his if he survived the war, which he did. Of course, the blonde boy could see love when he encountered it and the princess had a lot of love to give to the knight. She just wasn't aware of it. Gregory however, had not known love. For him, it was nothing but tales told by bards who crossed the land. He knew that Love could make you do things you wouldn't if you were sound of mind but he also knew that love brought his parents together. In this day and age where you got married out of necessity, his parents found a way to fall in love with each other and spoke highly of that emotion. Love made tough days go by. Love healed broken hearts and Love could save any lost souls. Eventually, he realized that the princess wanted to say Jaime Lannister. Now, the real question he was asking himself was: could she? Could she really save him?

Gregory and Hensel, both were not sure that the princess could actually help the lost Lannister. How could he rebuild himself after all that he had lost? His lover was dead, his children were dead, his own brother was working with the new queen and had been an enemy and his other sister wanted to start over again. He couldn't come back to Lady Kyra and hopê she would take him as easily as he wished she did. He had nothing left but Bronn and the miserable routine his life had been these past few months. Bâahal could not save him, but maybe she could. After all, here he was, at her door with his food tray. Here he was, concerned about her and wanting to see what was going on, so Gregory opened the door to the knight. As soon as he entered the room, he saw the large bed the princess was laying on. There were a lovely desk and a vanity where he sat and put his food tray on. Another table was on the other side of the bed where her food laid on but the princess was laying on the bed.

« I said I don't want to... Lord Jaime? » Her voice changed as she realized it was Jaime who was in her room. He turned the chair around and looked at her with a stern yet worried gaze. She seemed to have a little bit of a fever, He noticed the heavy breathing, he noticed the wet hair and sweat on her face and neck. Was she sick?

« Are you sick, princess? » Bäahal blushed and shook her head. She looked at the sheets and held a fist of the fine silky fabric.

«No... not really. It's nothing... A couple days and I'll be alright. » She watched as he looked at her more carefully.

« You seem to have a fever. »

« nothing to be worried about. As I said... »

« You refuse to see people. »

« I can't suffer anyone's company these days... » She said, her purple hues shifting from left to right. « lOrd Jaime, please... » She bit her bottom lip. « My stomach is hurting... if that's what you want to know. I am a lady... it's the time of the month. They are always incapacitating me. » She confessed, as her teeth sunk into her plump lips. « To the point, I can't stand up and I have some fever. »

A woman's issue. Her body was simply going through this. Jaime realized that when Cersei went through these, she didn't have any problems. She didn't feel any pain, had no fevers, she never ever mentioned she was bleeding unlike Kyra, who had cramps. He remembered when she was talking about how painful these were and how badly she wanted to be a man so she wouldn't have to go through this. He remembered that the servants would bring her hot water in pork bladders that would be pressed against her belly for more comfort. So he stood up and quietly walked to the bed in order to see if she had what she needed. The pork bladder was indeed already pressed against the ebony princess' belly but she was still suffering from the fever.

« I refuse to leave the room, Bäahal. We were supposed to have lunch today and you failed your promise. »

« I...aha... I did. I know. I will make up for this once I feel better. » She looked at him with eyes wide open. He was so close to her, standing near her tray of food she had not touched since noon.

« I can't reasonably leave you on your own either. » He mentioned as he sat on the bed. His stomach was still screaming hunger but she had not eaten for far longer than he did. He had to tend to her needs, make sure she was feeling better. He couldn't quite say what motivated him to act or speak, but the desire to not see her in such pain was overwhelming.  « You have to eat. »

« Lord Jaime...I can handle myself very w-- »

« You have to eat. » He said again, pulling the table closer to them, and looked at the newest tray of food. « and since you can't feed yourself, then I have to help you.  And we will be able to continue our new tradition. »

He could have eaten alone, he thought to himself. He should have eaten alone but he needed to have her by his side, like always since she arrived. Bäahal wanted to protest but he didn't give her a minute to think and touched her face with his other hand. She was warm, more than warm, she was piping hot. He cupped her cheek and stroked the soft skin with his thumb, which made the princess smile and leaned into his touch. She had wished to be alone on that day where her body betrayed her. She didn't want him to see how terrible those cramps were or how uncomfortable and sick she was. She wanted him to keep a good memory of her, when she was the one strong woman who would come into his bedroom, not this, not this weakened princess she was at the moment. His touch felt good, his skin was colder and it brought her comfort for a while.

« You have to eat too... » She managed to whisper, as he removed his hand and removed his fake hand from his limb.

« I will, once I'm sure you ate enough. » he said as he grabbed the fork and stabbed on a few carrots. « This time, I will look after you. »

She couldn't protest as he started to feed her. Her heart was beating so hard into her ribcage that the princess thought he could hear her. He was so close to her, mere inches away from his frame. She knew that he was doing it because he wanted to help her feel better. Being put in the position of the one who was helping was perhaps helping him even more so she didn't say anything. As a matter of fact, he truly was concerned, and there was nothing more to her at this point. But the princess felt something. She felt the warmth of the knight next to her, she felt comfort in his presence and she realized that she had been missing this. Someone who cared for her. She noticed those little details she had not in the past few weeks. His skin was pale, but he was getting his usual colors back. His hair seemed healthier, probably because he was going in the sun more now. She noticed he was trimming his beard, and he was still dressing nicely. She realized he was smelling good and she wanted to let her fingers run into his hair. She realized she didn't want him to leave this room. She realized she was caring so much for him that her heart was hurting. He seemed to be doing okay.

But for how long? He noticed the frown upon her face and chuckled softly.

« Stop looking at me with those big miserable purple eyes, Princess. I am fine. »

« You're hungry... please, eat something and tell me about your day. Did you leave your room? »

« I left the room. I took a walk in the garden. I talked to Bronn. We even shared a quick laugh on a joke of his own. »

« Oh... wonderful... » She held onto his hands and looked into his emerald eyes. Her heart wanted to ask him to stay for the night, but she knew he would never accept and she would never be able to utter those words. The desire crossed her mind, forcing the princess to shake her head as she didn't want to focus on those thoughts. What were they anyway? Flimsy girly desires? Actual feelings for the knight? True love? What was it anyway? Was it the fact she refused to spend a day without him? Was it the relief she felt when she knew he was alive? Was it the fact he was still on her mind? Many would call it an unhealthy obsession and she probably was obsessed with him.. Bäahal didn't want to think about this and didn't listen to the gossips that had started to follow her arrival in Highgarden. All she knew was the knight and the fact she wanted to spend more time with him. « Lord Jaime... can you believe it, you left the room without me inviting you out. You did it all by yourself. Can we say you're doing better? »

«Better? » he furrowed his brows. Normally, he would have kept silent or left the room if she was healthy, but he didn't want to leave. « Let's say the Garden is beautiful, I wanted to see it again. » there... an answer that would both satisfy them. It made her smile and she nodded, satisfied with what she heard before she groaned in pain and gritted her teeth. « Princess, »

« Please... eat. I'm not hungry anymore. I'll be fine. I'll watch you. » He nodded and went and grabbed his tray before he placed it on the tray and started to eat, finally soothing his aching belly. « Tell me how the sky was today... what flowers you saw... » She invited him to speak to her again, while her hand touched his back in a soft stroke before she leaned against the bed headrest. « I'll be listening... »

And she did listen to him speak, talk the most while she was curled against the wall. He entertained the princess and when he was done, he decided that just like in those days, he would leave. Just before he decided to leave, she held onto his hand again. Begging for more of his company.

« If I may ask... please... stay a little longer with me. I would like to listen to you more... »

He looked at her, at their hands and finally sat back on the bed. He would stay a little longer, but he was determined to leave the room when she would feel better and would be able to sleep. Tomorrow, he would ask the servant girl to tell him news about the princess and he already decided to come back at lunch and keep their new tradition... yes... for the sake of the tradition.

-TBC-

GoT: Open the door.

[GoT] Bäahal x Jaime :

A/N : Been thinking of them for quite some time now <3

xxxxx

Ever since Lord Jaime decided that it would be safer for the two of them to have lunch instead of dinner, his dynamic with Bäahal changed. The silver princess would not fail to come at noon with two trays but today was different. Today she stayed in her room. Jaime noticed she didn't come and instead, it was one of the usual servants who brought him his food. When he asked where the princess was, the servant told him that Bäahal didn't leave her room and no one had seen her. While Jaime's stomach was strangled by hunger, he noticed the way the servant spoke, with the hint of concern in her voice. She got used to seeing the princess at least once a day, and have someone care for her in ways her masters didn't. She liked Bäahal and saw her more as a friend than a master she had to serve, so the tone alerted Jaime.

He waited for the girl to leave the room to walk in circles. What was he going to do ? He wanted to eat, he was hungry and the dishes smelled good but at the same time, the princess had not been seen from the entire day, so he decided to go to her bedroom. She wouldn't throw him out of it anyway, so what did he have to lose ? He grabbed his tray and walked to her room. The guards who came with her were standing in front of her door. They acnkowledged his presence and didn't say anything, just a slight nod of the head and they stared in front of them again, guarding the precious Targaryen alive. Jaime used his golden hand to knock on the door and a soft voice echoed from within.

« I want to see no one. » Bäahal's. That made the knight sigh in relief and he looked at one of the guard so they could help him open the door. The guard shook his head but Jaime insisted, his emerald eyes brightened and he appeared more menacing, like roaring Lion.

« Open the door.  I have to see her. » The guard hesitated but finally opened the door.

She had been talking about her visits to Lord Jaime during her walks in the garden. She didn't say much, if not the desire she had to see him again or the progress he made during the days she spent with him. She never truly spoke her mind, what she truly felt, but everyone had noticed how much she cared for the knight and they realized that she might have been feeling more than she cared to say to them. Hansel and Gregory were two young lads, they were younger than the princess and their hearts were still blue and romantic. Hansel had a girl waiting for him at King's Landing. The day Daenerys became Queen of the seven kingdoms, he thought he would die and asdked the girl out... she agreed to become his if he survived the war, which he did. Of course, the blonde boy could see love when he encountered it and the princess had a lot of love to give to the knight. She just wasn't aware of it. Gregory however, had not known love. For him, it was nothing but tales told by bards who crossed the land. He knew that Love could make you do things you wouldn't if you were sound of mind but he also knew that love brought his parents together. In this day and age where you got married out of necessity, his parents found a way to fall in love with each other and spoke highly of that emotion. Love made tough days go by. Love healed broken hearts and Love could save any lost souls. Eventually, he realized that the princess wanted to say Jaime Lannister. Now, the real question he was asking himself was : could she ? Could she really save him ?

Gregory and Hensel were not sure that the princess could actually help the lost Lannister. How could he rebuild himself after all that he had lost ? His lover was dead, his children were dead, his own brother was working with the new queen and had been an enemy and his other sister wanted to start over again. He couldn't come back to Lady Kyra and hopê she would take him as easily as he wished she did. He had nothing left but Bronn and the miserable routine his life had been these past few months. Bâahal could not save him, but maybe she could. After all, here he was, at her door with his food tray. Here he was, concerned about her and wanting to see what was going on, so Gregory opened the door to the knight. As soon as he entered the room, he saw the large bed the princess was laying on. There was a lovely desk and a vanity where he sat and put his food tray on. Another table was on the other side of the bed where her food laid on but the princess was laying on the bed.

« I said I don't want to... Lord Jaime ? » Her voice changed as she realized it was Jaime who was in her room. He turned the chair around and looked at her with a stern yet worried gaze. She seemed to have a little bit of a fever, He noticed the heavy breathing, he noticed the wet hair and sweat on her face and neck. Was she sick ?

« Are you sick, princess ? » Bäahal blushed and shook her head. She looked at the sheets and held a fist of the fine silky fabric.

« No.. not really. It's nothing... A couple days and I'll be alright. » She watched as he looked at her more carefully.

« You seem to have a fever. »

« nothing to be worried about. As I said... »

« You refuse to see people. »

« I can't suffer anyone's company these days... » She said, her purple hues shifting from left to right. « lOrd Jaime please... » She bit her bottom lip. « My stomach is hurting... if that's what you want to know. I am a lady... it's the time of the month. They are always incapacitating me. » She confessed, as her teeth sunk into her plump lips. « To the point I can't stand up and I have some fever. »

A woman's issue. Her body was simply going through this. Jaime realized that when Cersei went through these, she didn't have any problems. She didn't feel any pain, had no fevers, she never ever mentioned she was bleeding unlike Kyra, who had cramps. He remembered when she was talking about how painful these were and how badly she wanted to be a man so she wouldn't have to go through this. He remembered that the servants would bring her hot water in pork bladders that would be pressed against her belly for more comfort. So he stood up and quietly walked to the bed in order to see if she had what she needed. The pork bladder was indeed already pressed against the ebony princess' belly but she was still suffering from the fever.

« I refuse to leave the room, Bäahal. We were supposed to have lunch today and you failed your promise. »

« I...aha... I did. I know. I will make up to this once I feel better. » She looked at him with eyes wide open. He was so close to her, standing near her tray of food she had not touched since noon.

« I can't reasonably leave you on your own either. » He mentioned as he sat on the bed. His stomach was still screaming hunger but she had not eaten for far longer than he did. He had to tend to her needs, make sure she was feeling better. He couldn't quite say what motivated him to act, or speak, but the desire to not see her in such pain was overwhelming.  « You have to eat. »

« Lord Jaime...I can handle myself very w-- »

« You have to eat. » He said again, pulling the table closer to them, and looked at the newest tray of food. « and since you can't feed yourself, then I have to help you.  And we will be able to continue our new tradition. »

He could have eaten alone, he thought to himself. He should have eaten alone but he needed to have her by his side, like always since she arrived. Bäahal wanted to protest but he didn't give her a minute to think and touched her face with his other hand. She was warm, more than warm, she was piping hot. He cupped her cheek and stroked the soft skin with his thumb, which made the princess smile and lean into his touch. She had wished to be alone on that day where her body betrayed her. She didn't want him to see how terrible those cramps were or how uncomfortable and sick she was. She wanted him to keep a good memory of her, when she was the one strong woman who would come into his bedroom, not this, not this weakened princess she was at the moment. His touch felt good, his skin was colder and it brought her comfort for a while.

« You have to eat too.. » She managed to whisper, as he removed his hand and removed his fake hand from his limb.

« I will, once I'm sure you ate enough. » he said as he grabbed the fork and stabbed on a few carrots. « This time, I will look after you. »

She couldn't protest as he started to feed her. Her heart was beating so hard into her ribcage that the princess thought he could hear her. He was so close to her, mere inches away from his frame. She knew that he was doing it because he wanted to help her feel better. Being put in the position of the one who was helping was perhaps helping him even more so she didn't say anything. As a matter of fact, he truly was concerned, and there was nothing more to her at this point. But the princess felt something. She felt the warmth of the knight next to her, she felt comfort in his presence and she realized that she had been missing this. Someone who cared for her. She noticed those little details she had not in the past few weeks. His skin was pale, but he was getting his usual colours back. His hair seemed healthier, probably because he was going in the sun more now. She noticed he was trimming his beard, and he was still dressing nicely. She realized he was smelling good and she wanted to let her fingers run into his hair. She realized she didn't want him to leave this room. She realized she was caring so much for him that her heart was hurting. He seemed to be doing okay.

But for how long ? He noticed the frown upon her face and chuckled softly.

« Stop looking at me with those big miserable purple eyes, Princess. I am fine. »

« You're hungry... please, eat something and tell me about your day. Did you leave your room ? »

« I left the room. I took a walk in the garden. I talked to Bronn. We even shared a quick laugh on a joke of his own. »

« Oh.... wonderful... » She held onto his hands and looked into his emerald eyes. Her heart wanted to ask him to stay for the night, but she knew he would never accept and she would never be able to utter those words. The desire crossed her mind, forcing the princess to shake her head as she didn't want to focus on those thoughts. What were they anyway ? Flimsy girly desires ? Actual feelings for the knight ? True love ? What was it anyway ? Was it the fact she refused to spend a day without him ? Was it the relief she felt when she knew he was alive ? Was it the fact he was still on her mind ? Many would call it unhealthy obsession and she probably was obsessed with him.. Bäahal didn't want to think about this and didn't listen to the gossips that had started to follow her arrival in Highgarden. All she knew was the knight and the fact she wanted to spend more time with him. « Lord Jaime... can you believe it, you left the room without me inviting you out. You did it all by yourself. Can we say you're doing better ? »

« Better ? » he furrowed his brows. Normally, he would have kept silent or left the room if she was healthy, but he didn't want to leave. « Let's say the Garden is beautiful, I wanted to see it again. » there... an answer that would both satisfy them. It made her smile and she nodded, satisfied with what she heard before she groaned in pain and gritted her teeth. « Princess, »

« Please... eat. I'm not hungry anymore. I'll be fine. I'll watch you. » He nodded and went and grabbed his tray before he placed it on the tray and started to eat, finally soothing his aching belly. « Tell me how the sky was today... what flowers you saw.... » She invited him to speak to her again, while her hand touched his back in a soft stroke before she leaned against the bed headrest. « I'll be listening... »

And she did listen to him speak, talk the most while she was curled against the wall. He entertained the princess and when he was done, he decided that just like in those days, he would leave. Just before he decided to leave, she held onto his hand again. Begging for more of his company.

« If I may ask.. please... stay a little longer with me. I would like to listen to you more.. »

He looked at her, at their hands and finally sat back on the bed. He would stay a little longer, but he was determined to leave the room when she would feel better and would be able to sleep. Tomorrow, he would ask the servant girl to tell him news about the princess and he already decided to come back at lunch and keep their new tradition... yes... for the sake of the tradition.

-TBC-