Chapter Text
After spending more than a month inside the walls of the red keep, Lucerys was getting bored. Very bored. He’d seen Arrax maybe ten times, flown with him even less, and it was causing him to get antsy. Not to mention the suffocating nearness that he now shared with his extended family. Overall, it was exhausting. So in a last-ditch effort to not rot away in his rooms after an especially taxing family dinner Luke decided that he should sneak out one night to go and see his beloved dragon. He was a little tipsy due to the wine at dinner and his downright terrible tolerance, but that was neither here nor there.
So far, things were going well. He knew which corridors were the quietest and even knew about a few secret passages as well, no one had seen him. Currently he stood covered by a pillar but in front of him was just a plain courtyard. He wasn’t too far from the entrance to the dragon pit but running still risked being seen by the guards, who would no doubt manage to stop him before he reached Arrax. So Lucerys was at a bit of a loss.
Sneaking around could work, but there were significantly more guards than need be around here. He briefly considered just giving up before brushing the thought away and getting ready to sprint across the yard, he didn’t have the colors of a Targaryen so it’s possible they could simply assume he was a servant boy.
“What the hell are you doing?”
The voice rang out loudly, bringing two guards attention to Luke. The suddenness almost made him trip over himself but he grabbed the pillar and turned. There, in all his miserable glory, stood Aemond, who somehow looked even angrier than usual.
“Uncle. Why are you awake so late?” Lucerys breathlessly tried to move the topic of conversation away from himself.
“I could ask you the same thing, taoba. Answer my question first.” His tone was dry and almost uninterested but his eye was watching Lukes every move.
“Just… going to visit Arrax. Now you answer.”
“And why were you going to visit Arrax this late? Surely he could wait until the morning.”
“I asked you a question first!” Aemond sighed and grabbed Luke's arm, dragging him back inside the castle. “Hey! Let go of me! Where are you taking me?” Luke yelled out, hoping that at least if he was killed maybe a few guards would hear and Aemond would get caught. The taller man spins him around and grabs his arms.
“Will you stop making a scene? I’m taking you back to your chambers.” He goes to argue but a stern look gets Luke to accept his fate as the two walk back through the hallways, collecting more than a few strange looks from servants who no doubt knew their history. They stay silent until Aemond eventually decides to talk. “Aegon’s missing again.”
Luke pauses, sensing his uncle's annoyance and trying to tread carefully. “Well yeah, he’s Aegon. But why are you up?”
“Because aside from Ser Criston my mother only trusts me to actually get him back home.”
“Oh.”
A pause.
“I was going to see Arrax cause it feels too cramped here. Too lonely.” Luke admits, causing Aemond to scoff.
“You mother, father and multiple brothers and sisters aren’t enough?”
“Well Daemon isn’t really my father…”
Aemond laughs again. “We all know that much, Lord Strong.”
The comment irks Lucerys just as much as it did the first time he heard it and he yanks his arm out of the other man's grip angrily. Causing him to turn.
“Will you stop with that?”
“Stop what? Appreciating my blood?” Aemond speaks with a smirk, clearly happy with the reaction he was given. “Stop you from wandering around after dark when you’re not supposed to be? What should I be stopping, little Prince?”
Luke growls at the insults and tries to stand straighter, taller to match his uncle. “It’s still treason now, just like it was treason back when I took your eye, uncle.” He knows, realistically, that taking a jab at Aemond’s missing eye is an awful idea, but he’s tired, annoyed, drunk, and honestly just looking for a fight at this point. His comment hits its intended mark when his face is smashed into the wall of the corridor.
“You dare to joke about what you did? About the debt you owe me!?” He’s clearly seething, barely holding his anger back as his hands push Luke’s face harder into the stone. “I speak of nothing but the truth, you and your brothers should have been thrown to the streets as soon as you were born and yet you all live lives that you do not deserve!”
The stone cuts into Luke’s cheek, causing a sharp pain as he opens his mouth. “Yes, because it is my brothers that are so bad. Who’s brother is whoring around the streets of silk every night while being shitfaced drunk? Not mine, that's for sure. You’re angry because your mother has told you to be. Such a good boy for mommy, huh? It’s pathetic! You hate us because we’re actually happy while you and your siblings sit out here doing nothing!”
Lukes head swirls and he is removed from the wall, only to be pinned back against it, facing Aemond. The other man doesn’t even speak, just wraps his hands around the boy's neck causing Lucerys to claw at his arms desperately.
“I could kill you right now. Right now, and I could get away with it. I could kill you as you sleep or while your eating dinner or while you wander around the corridors, so i think it would be best if you watched the words that come out of your mouth, taoba.”
And with that Aemond lets go of Luke's neck, dropping him to the floor and storming off, still livid as the boy heaves on the floor. Luke sucks in air and holds his neck before dabbing a hand on his cheek, making sure that the bleeding from the cut had stopped. He calmly stood up and grinned manically before walking to his grandsire’s chambers.
While he’d been trapped against the wall Luke had come up with an idea. He knew that Aemond hated being forced to do something he didn’t like, but he also knew that he would always listen to his mother, who would always listen to the King. Thankfully, Luke knew he had some kind of sway over his grandsires' thoughts and actions, due to him being the King's beloved daughters’ favorite child. In hindsight, this was obviously a bad idea. Although Aemond wasn’t exactly the best uncle it probably wasn’t fair to damn him for life over it. But Luke just couldn’t bring himself to care.
He marched up the stairs before being greeted by the guards outside Viserys’ rooms, who easily stepped aside and let him in.
The room was dark, it was still late in the night, after all. But upon his arrival the King stirred and lit a candle on his bedside table.
“Rhaenyra? Is that you my dear?” His voice was a little croaky and his body shook a little as he sat up.
“No grandsire. It’s me, Lucerys. I need to talk to you.” He spoke quietly, settling on the edge of his bed, and helping to place a pillow behind the elders back.
“Ah. Yes, child. What is it, my boy?”
Luke sighed and began his fake tangent.
“I hate how our family is so divided, grandsire. It feels as though we are not even one family in the first place, it feels like we are two, don’t you agree?” The king nodded solemnly and he took that as a chance to continue. “Not just our family, though. It seems we are separated from all families across the realm except for house Hightower and house Verlaryon… I think that Queen Alicent has been wanting Aemond to get married soon so I thought that maybe you could use this to stabilize our house and my mothers claim? What do you think, grandsire?”
First of all, that was complete bullshit. Alicent had absolutely no desire for Aemond to get married and since the blacks returned to the Keep, the families across Westeros had slowly but surely come to accept Rhaenyra as their future queen. But what the king didn’t know, couldn’t hurt him.
“That, my child, sounds like a wonderful idea.” The raspy voice of the king is barely above a whisper and Luke is elated. “I have been thinking… for quite some time now, about how to fix our family’s relationship with each other and the realm. Your unannounced visit has helped me solidify what I had originally thought. Thank you dear boy.”
The King is wheezing quite a bit more now so Luke decides to say his goodbyes, leaving the room and allowing the king to fall back asleep. He walks to his chambers practically skipping at the realization that he got his plan to work.
His uncle is going to marry some far-away lady and he’s going to live the rest of his time in the Red Keep in peace.
++++
Two days pass and there has been no news of any new engagement, so Luke assumed the King was either keeping the idea to himself or he’d forgotten it completely. Either was fine, now that he was sober he felt kind of bad about helping to force his uncle into a loveless marriage. Not that bad. But a little bad.
Queen Alicent was also not rolling around on the floors crying so she obviously didn’t know about the idea yet, either.
Luke had just eaten his lunch in his chambers before he decided to go to the library when he was stopped by a maid in the hallway. She told him that King Viserys had called for the entire family to come to the throne room for an announcement, and he was feeling a little giddy at the idea of Aemonds face as he found out why. Or at least what Luke assumed was why they were all called there.
He thanked the maid and walked down the stairs towards the room. As Luke grew closer he ended up coming face to face with the very uncle he was sure the situation was about.
“Uncle.” He greeted, trying not to show any excitement. The man just nodded in his direction and the two walked in silence, Luke trailing just behind him.
Someon can be heard yelling from outside the doors, who Luke can instinctively say is Alicent, before they walk in and the sight of the whole family in shambles comes into view.
Viserys is sitting on his Throne, looking worse than usual, and Alicent is at his side. She is clearly trying to convince her husband of something that he has already set his mind on. The rest of the family is surrounding them, looking a mix of bored, annoyed, or downright miserable. This part- Luke had predicted. Where things started to seem wrong was Rhaenyra on his other side, also pleading with him.
“Viserys! Husband. Please. There must be another way to do this!” Alicent is holding his hand now, practically getting to her knees.
“Please father, reconsider. This can only go badly, you know this!”
The two women are still speaking when the King sees the two boys and holds up his hand, silencing the rest of the room. Alicent steps away looking dejected and Rhaenyra actually puts her hand on the other woman’s shoulder.
Red flag. Very red flag.
“Welcome, my son and grandson. We have been waiting for you.” He calls out and they both bow before quickly walking forward. They aim to go and stand by their respective sides of the throne but he stops them. “Please, stay… I have an announcement.”
Luke stills but does as he’s told and slowly moves back to the center of the room.
“Our family… has been divided for much too long. It has pained me to see those I love and care for… so deeply, be torn apart… I wish to mend our relationship with each other and the realm and… since my first son is married, my second son, Aemond will form a political marriage. One of convenience…” He finishes and Luke tries to turn subtly to see his uncle's reaction to the news.
Aemond just nods, he clearly already knew that he would have this kind of job. As unfortunate as the reaction was, Luke figured that the peace he would eventually get was at least something.
“A marriage? Hm. And who am I to marry, father?” His tone is bored and flat, clearly uninterested. At this Luke perks up, sure he had been the one who tried to convince his grandsire to marry Aemond off, but he was still interested as to who it would be that his uncle had to spend most of his life with.
Lucerys is distracted and doesn’t seem to notice how every other person in the hall holds their breath. The silence is deafening, no one daring to move at all.
“Well… as it has been done since the ways of Old Valyria… a political marriage to mend the tear of our house… I have chosen…” even Viserys seems to hesitate before nodding to himself, “my second grandson, Lucerys.”
Everyone seems to stop once again, not even breathing. Two in shock of the situation as a whole and the rest in shock of Viserys actually choosing to go through with his plan. Luke pales a little before speaking.
“…what?”
His words break the dam holding everyone together and Alicent and Rhaenyra start trying to talk to Viserys again. Daemon laughs and Jacaerys looks angry. Helaena just smiles and Aegon looks back and forth between the king and the two standing in the middle of the room. Otto is behind the throne, shaking his head, but resigned to allow it to happen.
Luke doesn’t move until Aemond starts laughing. Which is basically like the gates of hell were opening below them all. Everyone turns to look at him but it doesn’t stop the man.
“Father. This has to be a joke. Lucerys!? The boy is a fool! He’s barely even grown! This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.”
He is still laughing a little but his anger and annoyance can be heard beneath the words as well. Jacaerys and Rhaenyra go to defend Luke against what was said but both are interrupted by Aegon.
“It is surprising, brother, that your argument is that our nephew is a fool and not that he is… a man. Though I suppose everyone likes different things.” Alicent slaps him over the head quickly and Viserys stands.
“I understand that this is not… ideal for anyone involved. Believe me, I do. But sacrifices must be made for our family in order for it to prosper.”
Luke doesn’t move, refusing to allow the information to be computed.
“Sacrifices? Really?” Aemond is speaking now, he sounds angrier than before. “Who would dare to call this a sacrifice? Lucerys? No one should consider this to be of any benefit. This is simply sheer stupidity. How could this even be proposed?” He steps forward, kneeling on one knee in front of the king. “This is a mistake, father. Surely you can see that?”
For the first time since he took his eye Lucerys found himself wholeheartedly agreeing.
“There must… be another way to heal our family?”
Viserys just shakes his head and sits back down on the throne, tiredly.
“I will make one deal. For the sake of the both of you.” Everyone quietens and turns to him. “If this marriage does not fix the rift within sixteen months, I will allow it to be dissolved. But until then, it must be done.”
Luke blinks before stepping forward,
“But… over a year? Grandsire. Surely you can’t…” Aemond scoffs and interrupts him, he nods and stands up again.
“What a joke… very well, father. I can make do for a year.” His eyes dart to Lucerys before they return to Viserys. “If this is what you wish, I shall comply. I see little reason to aggravate the situation further.”
Lucerys’ mouth drops open and he looks at Aemond.
“Wait you’re- you’re agreeing? Wait- this…” he looks at his mother, who just shakes her head.
“We are Targaryens, and as such we must do our duty to our house above all else.” Aemond looks at Luke and his mouth shuts. He can’t argue against it without going against the king's wishes and basically admitting that he wouldn’t do this even when his family needs it. He was trapped. So was everyone else in the room.
Viserys, however, looked pleased with Aemonds statement.
“Wonderful, thank you my boy. The marriage shall be held in a fortnight, a small affair. You two are dismissed.” Luke stands in silence, unable to say anything without looking childish in comparison to his uncle, so he simply nods and makes to leave the room when Aemond calls out again.
“I will not back away from my responsibilities but let this be known. This is a farce. This will not mend our family and I will prove it. I will keep and uphold my vows to the highest degree but at the end of the time you have given me, you shall see how foolish this is.” He walks out immediately after finishing his speech and the king just nods, allowing him to leave.
Lucerys runs out after him, going to confront him.
“Uncle! Why would you- why did you agree? Maybe if we had both said no then surely-“
“That’s a foolish question even for you.” He stops and turns around. “If we had both said no, he would have forced one of us to comply, and the other would have been seen as the fool of the family. I have just managed to make myself look like an obedient and dutiful son while you look… well.” He grins widely and grabs Lukes shoulder, pushing him into the wall. “You were so sure of yourself. I wonder if you are still?” His tone makes Luke swallow, nervous.
“You said… you said that you would uphold your vows. Why add that? I would’ve thought that you would want to go to… someone at least once?” His face grows red and Aemond just smiles cruelly.
“You really don’t understand, do you? I shall uphold my end of the bargain. I will stay faithful to my vows, as is the duty of a Targaryen prince.”
“Uncle… you will be married to a man. To me, your nephew… are you not even bothered?”
“You think that the idea of an obedient and dutiful targaryen prince to a king of Westeros cares at all about the idea of men and women? I shall do my duty by the realm, by my house. My only aim is to make your time of suffering as long as I possibly can. That is all I care about. And that, I will uphold. It is a shame you have such a limited imagination. Are you incapable of seeing that I care about nothing else but watching you squirm?”
Usually his uncle's speeches would upset him, but forgive him for being a little distracted at the moment. He looks around the corridor.
“But… not all of the traditions, yes? There are some that you- that we won’t be doing?” Aemond just looks at him. “Like… the bedding and all that… stuff. We won’t be doing that part, right?” All Luke receives in answer is a blank stare that slowly widens into a grin as he leans against the wall.
“And why are you so afraid of that, Lucerys? Are you a coward? We will be married, bedding is a part of that. Or would you rather not fulfill your duties? To break your vows in such a way? If you do not want to fulfill your duties as a Targaryen, then you will be seen as disobedient and as a disgrace to the realm. Do you desire that?”
He walks away, not even letting Luke try to answer. Not that he could. He was still stuck on the fact that his uncle planned to go through with the bedding. Because how was that supposed to work? They were both men. Obviously. So neither of them had… those parts. So how…?
Lucerys’ face grew red as he thought about what he’d been told. He knew about sleeping with women, sure, but men? The thought may have crossed his mind once or twice but they’d been just as quickly sent away, so he had never actually learned how it worked.
But he wanted to know. Since apparently it was going to happen. Which meant he’d have to ask someone.
+++++
The walk to Jace’s room was not as long as Luke would’ve liked it to be, dreading the coming conversation, but when he knocked on the door and actually saw his brother he did feel at least a little bit better.
“Luke? Are you… okay?” Jacaerys seemed a little cautious, letting him into the room before they both sat down. “How do you feel about… everything? I wanted to come and see you straight away after we all found out but mom said to give you some time so…”
Luke smiled, his brothers worrying rolling off of him in waves.
“No, I'm ok. I mean I’m not happy about it but I also don’t really… mind the idea, i guess.” He tried to continue before Jace could question what he’d just said (he literally only admitted it to himself on the walk over). “Uh- Jace. I have a question. And it’s going to sound weird but just don’t ask okay?”
The other man nods hesitantly but lets Luke continue.
“Okay so… shit um… how do two men… do it?”
…
Jace just kind of gaped at him before spluttering.
“Why!? You guys don’t have to do that, you know that don’t you?”
“I know that it’s not like… illegal to not but… wouldn’t it create more problems if I or Aemond were seen in a pleasure house, or something like that? Also he may have said that he wanted to.” Luke tried to brush past the last little bit but Jace seemed to latch onto that bit.
“He wants to!? Oh my god it does run in the family…” Luke smacks his brother on the shoulder. “Okay… okay, um. Well it’s kind of like the same thing as men and women, to be honest.”
“But neither of us have a cunt.”
Jacaerys winces and sighs, resigned to his fate of embarrassment.
“No. You don’t but… you can use… the behind…?” He’s clearly trying to explain without actually having to mention how it's done, but it does the job.
“What.”
They both just sit there awkwardly as Luke thinks it through.
“You’re not serious.” He looks at his brother and is able to tell that he is, in fact, serious. “That… why would someone do that!?”
Jace scratches his head and leans back a little.
“Okay, what I’m about to tell you, you can’t tell anyone that I’m the one that told you, ok? Okay. So… I have heard- heard, don’t forget that part- that men have something back there that makes it feel good. I’ve heard.”
Luke just sits in silence, waiting for him to continue.
“What more do you want me to say!? Just- if you’re actually going to let him… do that, then you might want to ask the maester for some oil. Don’t ask why, Aemond will know.”
And with that he was promptly kicked out of the room.