Chapter Text
He’s not heavy to me, he’s my brother.
5 times daeron carried his little brother, and one time he was carried instead
1- Ages 4 and 0
Daeron wasn’t particularly impressed by the squealing lump in front of him. At the age of 4 years, he thought himself rather grown up, especially when he looked down at what was supposed to be his younger brother.
“Would you like to hold him?” Daeron looked up at his mother’s voice. She looked tired, laying on the bed with the squealing lump next to her. Daeron wasn’t particularly pleased that this baby made his mother looked tired, but she was smiling so he supposed he couldn’t be that bad.
His mother kept looking at him expectantly, so Daeron decided he would agree to please her. Judging by his father’s smile, he made the right choice. His father didn’t smile often, but when he did it made Daeron feel warm inside.
He clamored up onto the bed next to his mother, his father’s steadying arm on his back. His arms were stretched outwards and he held his breath as the baby-his little brother- was placed into his arms.
All of a sudden something shifted in Daerons chest. His heart began to beat faster and he stayed very still as he looked down on the small bundle in his arms.
The baby began to settle, and before Daeron knew it he was looking into the purple eyes of his little brother.
“Aerion seems to like his big brother, you’re the first person he opened his eyes for.” His mother’s soft voice spoke above him.
Daeron felt special, he tightened his arms around the bundle, leaning down to place a kiss on the soft forehead.
“Do you want me to take him? He’s probably too heavy for you to keep carrying.” Daeron looked up at his father and smiled.
“He’s my brother, he’s not heavy to me.”
2-Ages 8 and 4
“Ow!”
“Stop moving. You’ll just make it worse.” Daeron fought the urge to roll his eyes at his brother’s squirming.
Aerion had insisted that he was old enough to come fishing with daeron and their parents. Daeron had protested, firstly because this was his special activity with his mother and father so his brother should find his own, and secondly because Aerions legs were still quite short. Daeron was sure that at the age of 4 he was never that small, despite what his mother said.
Of course, because Daerons little brother never liked to listen to anyone, he should have expected that after being told not to climb the trees, he would still sneak off and climb them while they played hide and seek.
Daeron had rushed to his side immediately when he heard the branches break followed by the sound of stifled crying. His chest hurt when he heard that sound. His brother may be annoying but Daeron never liked to see him cry.
Now here they were, looking at Aerions ankle which was slowly becoming more purple. Daeron wanted to poke it to make sure nothing was broken but figured he should probably go back to their parents first.
“I’ll get mother and father. Don’t move again.” Daeron told Aerion.
Aerions eyes began to water. “No! Don’t leave me! I can walk with you!”
He tried standing up before crying in pain. Daeron caught him just before he could hit is head on the ground.
“Idiot! When will you listen?” Daeron shook his head before turning around and putting his arms out behind him.
“Come on then. If you want to be stubborn we can go together.”
Daeron felt his brothers small arms wrap around his neck. Once he was sure his grip was good he stood up, making sure he was holding his legs properly.
They made their way back to their parents, who immediately rushed over with worried faces.
“Oh my poor baby what happened to you!” His mother looked like she was about to cry, crouching down as much as her pregnant belly would allow her before stroking Aerions head.
Aerion refused to answer, mumbling something illegible into Daerons neck.
“Bring him here, son.” His father reached out to take Aerion from his back, but Aerion tightened his arms around Daerons neck and began to whine.
Daeron shrugged as much as he could with the added weight.
“I don’t think he wants to father. It’s fine I can carry him, he’s not heavy to me, he’s just my little brother.”
3-Ages 10 and 6
Daeron awoke with a start, chest heaving, walls closing in, sweat drenching his shirt.
He threw off the covers of his bed before putting his head in his hands.
Another night of dreams- or nightmares. Fire and blood and dead dragons everywhere. He stifled a sob, his shoulders shaking.
Daeron shook his head, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d managed to sleep for a full night. They just kept getting worse and no matter how many times he told his father, all he got was a head shake and disappointed look on his face when Daeron fell asleep in sword practice.
Daeron shook his head, no sense in going down that trail of thought now, or he’d never sleep otherwise.
The shadows in his room kept creeping closer, so he decided that the best course of action was to take a quick walk. Maybe he’d tire himself out and the shadows would be gone by the time he returned.
As he made his way to the kitchens, he paused at the entryway, his eyebrows raised at the sight before him.
Aerion, his most annoying younger sibling, was sitting at the table, head between his hands, looking like he was fast asleep.
“Aerion?” Daeron whispered, not wanting to wake anyone else in the middle of the night.
Aerion refused to wake. Daeron came closer, shaking his shoulder lightly.
“Aerion wake up. Father doesn’t like it when we sneak around at night. The guards will tell him we’re here then we will have to do extra drills. Come on!” Daeron frowned. The only response he got from his brother was a moan.
Peering closer, he noticed the abnormal redness of his cheeks. He placed his hand on his forehead, hissing slightly at the warmth.
“You’re burning up.” Daeron mumbled to himself. Aerion moaned again, leaning into the coolness of Daerons hand.
“D’ron?” Aerion mumbled, his eyes blinking slowly, the purple looking bright with fever.
“Hey little dragon. You don’t look too well. Why aren’t you in bed?” The endearment that their mother used for them slipped out as Daeron pushed the sweaty bangs back.
“Was hot. W’ntd water. Everything hurts Daer.” Aerions voice was muffled by his sleeve, but Daeron understood him clearly enough.
He went to the corner, finding a water basin and cloth before quickly returning. He placed the cloth on his brothers brow, wiping his face and neck.
Aerion sighed, looking more relaxed than he had been so far. Daeron shivered as he felt a draft blow through the kitchen. Aerion would freeze if he stayed here. Daeron shook his head making his decision.
“Alright, up you get.” Daeron maneuvered his arms under Aerions legs and behind his back, hefting him in his arms.
He slowly began making his way back to the bedroom, his feet subconsciously leading him towards his own room. As he turned the corner, he spotted one of the guards making his nightly rounds.
“Your majesty! Is everything okay?”
“Yes it’s fine. My brother seems to have taken ill so I will be taking him to rest in my room.” Daeron tried to insert some authority into his words. The guard motioned to Aerion, wanting to relieve Daeron of his burden but his arms tightened around his brother.
“No need to take him. He’s my brother he’s not heavy to me.”
4- Ages 10 and 6
“Father….” Daeron hesitantly entered his father’s office.
Maekar Targaryen, usually a commanding presence in a room looked quite small right now, hunched over his desk. Daeron watched his father take a shaky breath, before straightening up to look at his eldest son.
“Are you….is everything……how’s mother?” Daeron shuffled his feet, not able to fully meet his father’s eyes.
His mother had been getting worse, first it was the red spots, then the fevers, then the delusions and not knowing where she was. Even the young ones weren’t allowed to see her, despite how much Rhae and Aegon wailed. The most recent stage though, the one where she was now clearly exhausted, staring off to the side and not responding to Daeron, no matter how much he pleaded.
“Your mother is tired son.” His father’s voice was soft, almost defeated. For all his glory in battle, even Daeron knew his father couldn’t fight everything.
“What are we to do now?”
His father took a shaky breath, standing up from his desk and walking around to where Daeron stood at the doorway. He placed a tentative hand on Daerons shoulder, squeezing tightly.
“We do what we must. Make sure your siblings are well.” Daeron nodded, he had been making sure to play with his little brothers and sisters every day, to try and distract them. He didn’t know how well it worked but he hoped it gave them a little reprieve.
He bade his father farewell, deciding he would take a look at his mother before retiring for the night. As he slowly opened the door, he almost smiled.
Aerion was nestled into his mother’s side, her hand moving back and forth across his back. His mother’s eyes had been closed, but they opened partially as Daeron approached her bed.
His mother’s voice was hoarse, having not spoken in several days. “Take him away my love, I don’t want him to catch what I have.”
Daeron felt the tears appear in his eyes, he blinked furiously trying to will them away, to appear strong. “Mother…I…”
“Hush my little dragon. Don’t worry about me. Make sure you and your siblings take care. My mind feels clearer than it has in days. Come speak to me tomorrow, I have missed you so.” His mother smiled softly, reaching out to brush the tears away from Daerons cheek.
Daeron nodded, hoping that his mother was telling the truth, hoping that his father would be able to fix everything, hoping that his dream- no…..best not to think about his dreams now.
As he had done before, daeron scooped Aerion in his arms, his brother in deep sleep.
He saw his mother looking with concern, maybe she thought he would drop him. He reassured her:
“Don’t worry, he’s my brother, he’s not heavy to me.”
5- 16 and 12
Daeron groaned, the incessant knocking on his door not stopping. He didn’t know what he did to deserve such a rude wake up call, but he preferred to sleep in, surrounded by his questionable drink choices and even more questionable thoughts.
Finally, he stumbled towards the door, yanking it open. He blinked down at the twin pairs of eyes looking up at him.
“Aemon…..Egg….do you have any idea what time it is?”
They both nodded, looking slightly fearful. Daeron groaned, he knew what that look meant and he was not in the mood, today of all days.
“What has our brother done now?”
Aemon quickly spoke, as if he was scared of being overheard. “The maesters are concerned. Aerion didn’t attend a meal all day yesterday nor breakfast today. He’s been out training all day and perhaps all night.”
“So he wants to go crazy with a sword, why is that any concern of mine?” Daeron rubbed at his forehead, feeling the beginning of a headache appear.
“They’re worried he’s going to kill himself with exhaustion, or possibly impale himself. I hope it’s the second!” The bright voice of his littlest brother said.
Daeron rolled his eyes, he couldn’t blame Egg, not really, but he knew how hard the anniversary was. Of course that didn’t excuse Aerions general nastiness, but at least this week and particularly this day, he could understand the need for self destruction.
“If I go speak to him, will you two leave me alone? Until tomorrow?”
Twin heads nodded, not that Daeron believed them but he hoped for at least a few hours of rest.
They made their way to the training yard where there was an impressive amount of destroyed training equipment, and one lone figure swinging around a sword in a most decidedly unsafe manner.
Daeron groaned, knowing that if his father came back from Kings Landing with his second eldest maimed by his own stupidity, Daeron would still be blamed somehow.
“Oi, what do you think you’re doing?” Daeron called out, cautiously approaching the now swaying figure holding a very sharp and very real sword.
Aerion turned his unfocused gaze to him, frowning before turning back to his training, or at least Daeron guessed that’s what he wanted to do. Unfortunately the hot sun combined with armor and no water was always going to be a recipe for disaster.
“Idiot!” Daeron cursed, rushing forward just in time to catch Aerion before he could impale himself with his sword as he collapsed.
Daeron slowly lowered the smaller boy to the ground, before taking off the armor. Thankfully he had the good sense to only wear the top half today making Daerons job easier.
“Why are you like this?” Daeron muttered.
“Shut up. I didn’t ask for your help.” Aerion snarled, trying to sit up and failing.
Daeron rolled his eyes, the Targaryen stubbornness would be the death of them all, he was sure of it. Very sure of it.
“I’d be more inclined to listen to you if I understood why you wanted to die by overworking. There are better ways to go.”
“Like your method of blacking out all day is much better.”
Daeron paused, knowing he could say a number of things but choosing peace of mind for now.
“Come on then, you can hardly walk. We should get you something cool to drink.”
“Leave me alone, you aren’t mother.” Aerion snarled.
Daeron sighed. “I know. And I miss her too. But this won’t help anyone. Do whatever you want tomorrow but just for today…” Daeron trailed off, unable to continue.
Aerion looked at him, frowning but slowly calming down. When Daeron deemed it safe, he stood up, before crouching down on his knees, back turned to his brother.
“Come on then, I haven’t got all day I have important plans. And unless you want the guards to do this you’ll hurry up.”
Slowly, he felt Aerions arms wrap around his neck. Soon he’d reach Daerons height, or at least have more muscle, and Daeron would be unable to do this anymore. But for now, he would. No matter how reluctant both parties were.
He saw Aemon and Egg gaping at him from the side, the former having brought a cool cloth.
“How can you carry him so well? You’re practically the same size he must be heavy!” Egg exclaimed, never one to hold his tongue.
Daeron grinned slightly, feeling Aerion hiding his face in his neck from embarrassment.
“He’s my brother, he’s never heavy for me.”
+1 - 20 and 16
Daeron felt a moment of clarity enter his mind as he watched the trial of seven unfold around him from his place in the mud.
How arrogant of him, to think that such a great dragon in his dreams, could possibly mean him. He kept watching the battle, eyes widening in horror when he saw what was going to happen.
His dreams couldn’t be stopped, or at least he had never tried to intervene so directly, but he knew, he had to try at least just this once he had to do something.
He crawled quickly, or as quickly as he could to where his father and uncle were battling it out. if he didn’t know better he would almost say they were enjoying themselves, just two siblings having a good time.
He saw the moment that would spell doom for house Targaryen in front of him, the mace in his father hands poised for the perfect strike. With strength he didn’t know he had, he jumped, tackling his uncle to the ground and then-
Pain
Pain like he had never known before
A ringing in his ears that wouldn’t stop
Everything was too much
Too many sounds
Too much ringing
To many people touching him
Too much too much too much
Until finally…..silence
Aerion knew something was wrong when he heard that scream.
He had only heard that scream once before in his life. Shoving away from the hedge knight he turned to the source, almost fearing what he would find. What would have made his father scream.
He surveyed the scene in front of him, unable to comprehend what he is seeing.
His father is kneeling, cradling a head in his lap. His uncle is shouting for someone to come.
His brother…..
“Daeron!” Aegon rushes past him, his bald head gleaming as his cap flies off in the mud. Tears are streaming down his little brothers face as his eyes survey the bloodied face in front of him.
But that makes no sense. Why would daeron be bloody. Daeron was supposed to be safe, off to the side like he knew he would be. He wasn’t supposed to fight. He wasn’t…..
Aerions chest was tight, as something wet fell on his cheeks. He thinks it might be rain.
Slowly he approaches his family, his knees crashing into the muddied field.
“We need to carry him inside, I will bring someone.” He hears one of the maesters speaking, having finished wrapping his older brothers head with bandages.
The phrase awakens something in Aerion, memory upon memory rushing past him as he stares at the too still form of his big brother. The big brother that taught him to hold a fishing rod, snuck him to the kitchens, showed him how to hide sweets, climb a tree, carried him….
“I will carry him.” Aerion didn’t recognize his own voice, it being hoarse and thick with emotion. His uncle looked pensive while Aegon looked like he was about to launch a protest. His father on the other hand paused from where his hands were holding Daeron steady.
Aerion reached down, lifting his brother slowly. He sensed someone approaching to help, but before they could he turned away.
“He’s my brother. He’s not heavy to me.”