[ For the longest time, Aemond's resilience has been a shield. The lonely bitterness held as a child hardened and weaponized into a part of him. Isolating himself by choice rather than force. She would be the only one to ever really know how much it bothered him. For years getting snuffed out by his own brother, by those bastard nephews everyone tried so desperately to make milk and sword brothers. Wanting their acceptance as much as he hated wanting to, because it was someone. All it ever did was drive him back into her arms.
Once he had found a dragon, he had made a friend with a deep inseparable bond that would not break until either one was dead, he needed her less and less. But what is it to say about him now that still his only friend is that old, grouchy ancient war beast?
The shift is palpable as he watches her make that link β a link he hadn't realized she might make. The spoils of their arrangement has loosened his tongue. A moment that shifts to where she doesn't look at him as he is now, but the small child that would bury himself in her embrace. Weak and vulnerable, things he swore himself to never be again.
It suddenly feels like walls crumbling in on him β the way she looks at him. Deeper plunged into him than any intimacy they've exchanged so far.
Unlike her, he does not sit well with his demons.
Aemond's gaze drops, head shifting among the sheets. A hum affirms the plan in Aemond's throat, notably cool. Slightly distracted. Among his petition to his grandsire, they will make the time to meet Vhagar. Tides shifting as the night carries, he sees the opening that would avail his squirming. His hand coming to fall at her side to suggest he is about to take his leave. Fingers still light, not pressing.]
I should go. [Before Talya might check in on her, before they both fall asleep and the morning comes. Part of him still doesn't want to leave, would desire to sleep in her arms. Equally part of him now needs air, feeling sticky and cooled.]
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Once he had found a dragon, he had made a friend with a deep inseparable bond that would not break until either one was dead, he needed her less and less. But what is it to say about him now that still his only friend is that old, grouchy ancient war beast?
The shift is palpable as he watches her make that link β a link he hadn't realized she might make. The spoils of their arrangement has loosened his tongue. A moment that shifts to where she doesn't look at him as he is now, but the small child that would bury himself in her embrace. Weak and vulnerable, things he swore himself to never be again.
It suddenly feels like walls crumbling in on him β the way she looks at him. Deeper plunged into him than any intimacy they've exchanged so far.
Unlike her, he does not sit well with his demons.
Aemond's gaze drops, head shifting among the sheets. A hum affirms the plan in Aemond's throat, notably cool. Slightly distracted. Among his petition to his grandsire, they will make the time to meet Vhagar. Tides shifting as the night carries, he sees the opening that would avail his squirming. His hand coming to fall at her side to suggest he is about to take his leave. Fingers still light, not pressing.]
I should go. [Before Talya might check in on her, before they both fall asleep and the morning comes. Part of him still doesn't want to leave, would desire to sleep in her arms. Equally part of him now needs air, feeling sticky and cooled.]