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When he’d first asked it of her, she was still a child, and agreed happily. Anything to make her beloved uncle happy. Then he'd promised she'd be getting something out of it too and… Well, then she was even looking forward to it.
All Rhaenyra had to do was sit there and sip her cola, and say something nice about her uncle when it was the right time. Easy. She watched the woman's face melt as her uncle told the story of how he'd practically raised her after his dear brother and his wife died in a tragic accident. And she obediently kept her mouth shut about the fact her parents were both still very much alive, waiting for her to come back home from the movie night with her uncle.
Before he left for the bathroom, he tapped Rhaenyra's head and left a loving kiss on her cheek, giving her one meaningful stare before stalking away.
That was her cue.
Rhaenyra looked at the woman, a beautiful redhead with soft eyes. And she said, quietly, "Uncle Daemon is the best. Takes care of me. And is so nice to me. I'm sure he'll be nice to you, too."
The woman awwed, clearly moved. And when Daemon came back a few minutes later, she gazed at him with a pair of heart-eyes.
"Well, I think we'll have to head back. It's a school night for this one." He ruffled her hair. She bit her tongue before she could say it wasn't, actually, because she was going to a dermatologist tomorrow. Didn't he know that? Or was it just a part of the performance?
Rhaenyra managed to keep her smile on.
"Oh, of course!" The woman nodded swiftly in understanding. "Perhaps… Well. I could join you on your way home…" She blushed. "That is, if you don't mind. I mean… with Rhaenyra in the house… ah, well…"
With Rhaenyra in the house… what?
She watched uncle Daemon's expression turn wolfish. "Don't worry about that, sweet. It's Wednesday. On Wednesday nights, I drop her off at my cousin's. She helps me out sometimes."
He played the role to the very last minute. Walked her to the porch and waited for Aemma to open the door. Then he bent down and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you, love. You were great."
Scrunching her nose, she outstretched her hand, and with a chuckle, he subtly slipped a twenty-dollar bill in her palm.
She grinned. "Anytime, uncle!"
Aemma watched them with confusion yet barely contained amusement. As she slipped inside and ran up the stairs, she heard Daemon call his goodbyes to her. Then, "Good night to you too, cousin."
"What was that money for?"
"Don't worry about it."
In her room, she giddily stuffed the bill into her piggy bank. She truly didn't mind doing this for her uncle… as long as she got something out of it.
☆✩☆✩☆
The story was not always the same. Sometimes he was her father, struggling to get by, struggling to connect with his daughter, needing a woman in their lives to help them heal.
Sometimes they weren't even related, and he'd taken her in as a toddler after finding her on the street.
She smiled and sniffed and forced tears into her eyes as was needed, and left each time with bills spilling from her little palms, while the ladies swooned at her uncle's feet.
It was fun. It made her feel like she shared something special with Daemon, something no one else knew about. This was just her… and him. Despite the pocket money being a nice bonus, she couldn't lie and say that was all she liked about it. No, she liked making him happy. Making that proud look settle on his face. That look that said "You and I are in this together."
Of course, the older she got, the more awkward it became. She was no longer the cute little kid that made all the ladies soften up. In her teen years, Rhaenyra experienced a growth spurt - the kind that filled her hips and breasts, made her thighs and bum thicker, and despite her parents forcing her into all kinds of sports, she never got rid of the rolls and curves completely.
Rhaenyra'd thought… she'd feared that meant her uncle would not want her anymore, for their little ploy. She was no longer cute, she was no longer little. What could she do for him? How could she help him? Would he even want to still spend time with her… if he had no use of her?
Would she no longer be his partner in crime?
The summer she turned sixteen, at the end of stiflingly hot August, she was gathering her courage to ask him. He hadn't asked her to come along in months. Was he not meeting any women? Or just not interested in her trying to help him? Was he worried she'd instead scare them all off?
"What bothers my little princess?" he asked her, coming to stand beside her by the kitchen sink. "You've been standing here, staring into nothingness for fifteen minutes. You're supposed to be enjoying your party."
She blinked down into the empty sink. Right. She'd done all the dishes and now just stood there with the sponge in her hand. She dropped it, avoiding his eyes.
"Hm."
"Rhaenyra. What is it?"
He was trying his strict, no-nonsense voice on her. The kind her parents used when she was misbehaving. They could never quite pull it off… but he did, somehow, despite not having any children of his own.
Rhaenyra sighed. "I'm just not in the mood. I dunno."
"Let's jump into the pool. It's like a million degrees outside. That'll cheer you up."
Reflexively she wrapped her arms around her middle. "I'd rather not."
"Rhaenyra, don't listen to anyone - "
"Do you not want me anymore?" she whined, blurting it out before her mind could catch up. Daemon stared at her, confused, and she felt a mortified blush climbing up her face. "I - I mean… Do you not want… me to… hype you up anymore? I - you - I mean, the dates…"
Annoyingly, she felt tears stinging her eyes. No, no, she didn't want to fucking cry!
"Oh, love, don't cry." She was trying not to! "Come here." He embraced her, and she almost pulled away before it settled down on her how good it felt. She barely ever let people hug her anymore - she didn't like they could feel every roll of fat on her. She didn't like they could feel how soft she was.
But Daemon's hug felt too good to pull away.
He caressed her hair, and his other hand was hot and heavy on her waist.
"Am I not good enough for that anymore?" she whispered into the collar of his shirt. "I thought it was… our thing."
She didn't have a thing with anyone else, and didn't want it either. Having this with her uncle was enough for her.
"Shh, love. It's not like that at all. You're perfect, my perfect wingman, no matter what."
She melted in his arms a little at that. "R - really."
"Yes. And you're right - it is our thing."
"Then why? It's been so long…"
She missed him. She missed the feeling of being in on something with him. Pretending in front of someone... Only him knowing the truth.
Daemon pulled back then, just enough to be able to see her face. His eyes were serious but gentling as he gazed at her.
"I was told off by your mother, love. She found out about our little games and… well, didn't like them much. Told me to never do that again. Honestly, though, I have no idea what her problem was."
She couldn't help but snort. Of course her uncle wouldn't see the issue. But her mother did. It was her mother.
Not Rhaenyra. Not her fault. Not her ruining what they had.
She exhaled in relief, snuggling back into him.
"You still want me to be your wingman?"
He laughed quietly into her hair. "Always, my little love."
☆✩☆✩☆
When she turned eighteen, there was really nothing her mother could do about it.
"Rhaenyra! You can't be serious."
"Why not?"
Her mother tried her best glare. "Because it's weird. You do realize what he does with those women after you're done sweet talking them, don't you?"
Bile rose in her throat. Oh, she realized. She tried not to think about it, though.
"You're making it weirder than it is."
"Rhaenyra - !"
"I'm an adult now, mom. If I wanna help my uncle get laid, I can."
At her mother's stunned expression, she walked out.
An hour later, she was laying it on thick on this woman.
"Oh, yeah, he's the best. I love him. You won't find a better guy."
She gave a tipsy giggle. "If he's so great why aren't you dating him?"
Rhaenyra forced a smile, her heart twisting with a strange ache. "After knowing each other for so long… he's like a brother to me, you know how it is."
This evening, they were only two close friends, deviating from their usual routine. Her uncle's date seemed to buy it, as well, despite the striking resemblance she shared with Daemon. The eyes, the hair, the same fair skin. But she was set on having him, and didn't seem to look left or right for anything suspicious. Her dark brown eyes followed Daemon's figure as he returned with the drinks, dropping them to the table.
"Alright ladies, drink up."
The woman giggled, leaning into his side, and Rhaenyra shot her uncle a look when she was sure only he could see it. Daemon's saucy expression didn't change, only winking at her in return.
Rolling her eyes, Rhaenyra downed the tequila, cringing through it. "Urgh. I'm done. This is my last one."
Neither of her company minded. The redhead was all over her uncle, hanging on his every word, and Daemon himself was eager to be alone with her. Rhaenyra's insides curled despite the brave face she was trying to put on.
"Alright, princess," he said, tapping her head like she was a well behaved puppy. "Let me get you a ride home."
"It's fine, I can walk."
"No way, I'm getting you an Uber."
"Really, it's fine - "
"I'll get it, Rhaenyra," he said, voice suddenly hard. She felt herself blush, her skin prickling. When he used that voice, the commanding, parenting voice… it should affect her, yes, but not in this way. It shouldn't make her tingle, should it?
She swallowed, and let him order her an Uber. She even let him wait for it with her. The woman stood to the side, watching them embrace on the pavement.
"Call me when you get home," he ordered, and she rolled her eyes.
"I doubt you'll be free to take that call." She gave a meaningful waggle of her eyebrows.
He squeezed her shoulders. "Call me. I'll be waiting. If I don't hear from you in time, I'm calling you." He made her return his serious gaze until she nodded, then he leaned down to talk to the driver, telling him to get her home safely in a mildly threatening tone.
Rhaenyra's whole body felt hot. Tight.
As she climbed into the car and watched Daemon walk back to the beautiful woman, embracing her around her shoulders, she felt an answering painful pinch in her chest.
Her eyes burning, she glanced down at the crumpled bill he'd subtly slipped into her palm while they hugged.
She wanted to tear it apart.
☆✩☆✩☆
She couldn't pinpoint what changed… When, how… or why. One day she'd simply woken up… and everything was different.
Suddenly, she couldn't stand the idea of being her uncle's glorified wingman. She couldn't stand being only his niece, either. Suddenly, she longed to be the woman on the receiving end of their ploy. She wanted to be wined and dined and seduced by him.
Rhaenyra fell asleep with his smile playing behind her closed lids each night, and woke up with his voice murmuring sweet nothings into her ear each morning.
It was torture, this feeling clawing at her insides, twisting them into knots. Was this… what love felt like?
If so, why so many people craved it? Was it worth all this pain?
Were the fleeting moments of happiness when she saw him worth it?
When Daemon came for brunch that day, her eyes automatically zeroed in on the hickey on his neck. Only one - that she could see, anyway - and bright, angry red.
Her stomach dipped sickeningly.
Daemon noticed her stare, and scoffed. "I told her no marks. Must have done it as I was dozing off."
His hands pawed inside his pockets for cigarettes. He only smoked when he was nervous, or irritated.
Aemma cleared her throat loudly, shaking her head, and Daemon sighed, leaning back against the seat.
"Damnit, Aemma, you never let me have any fun."
Her mother only glared, clearly still upset - with her, Daemon… or both of them. She still served the brunch, though, making sure everyone had enough, and grumbled only little when Daemon complimented the food.
And Rhaenyra... couldn't seem to stop staring at the hickey. The woman who'd left it… she thought she had any right? Marking Daemon like he was hers?
He wasn't.
He was only Rhaenyra's, whether he realized it or not. He'd been in her heart for years, almost two fucking decades, since she was born, and no one would take him away from her.
She wouldn't let it happen.
When he asked her to accompany him again, she wasn't thinking straight. She wasn't thinking at all. All she could see was that other woman's mark on her uncle, this ownership that she didn't deserve.
No. Fuck no.
She knew it was petty.
She knew it was ridiculous.
But as Rhaenyra sat down on the stool that evening, she was determined. The decision had been made.
She'd sabotage the hell out of her uncle's date.
☆✩☆✩☆
"Look, I just wouldn't trust him with my dog. I love him and all, but he hates dogs. All animals, really. Isn't that weird? I mean, talk about red flags. He's lucky he's so good looking…"
The blonde seemed undeterred, her eyes just as hungry and hazy as before as she stared at Daemon disappearing in the line for the bathroom.
Well. Clearly, she needed a different strategy.
She gently grabbed the woman's petite wrist, and she looked at her in surprise. "You know, I think it's really great, you giving him a chance… even like this. He's been pretty down ever since he found out. He thought no one would be able to get over it…" She shook her head with a small smile. "You must be a real good one."
Her perfectly shaped eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Sorry, what? I'm not sure I follow. Found out… what?"
"Oh, you know. I'm sure he told you. He always tells his dates upfront…"
Now she seemed alarmed, slinking her hand away from under Rhaenyra's.
"Tells his dates what?"
Rhaenyra blinked, as if confused herself. "About his Chlamydia. Look, he's trying, he really is, but he's not the best at remembering to take his antibiotics every day, and sometimes he - "
The stool creaked as she pushed it back, hopping off with a taut expression.
"Hey, don't be upset. He's still self conscious - "
She was already on the move, striding… in Daemon's direction, who was meeting her halfway with a wide grin.
Uhoh.
She heard his voice all the way to her chair, "So I was thinking - "
A slap. Rhaenyra jumped in her seat, like the impact fell right on her cheek. Daemon's head barely moved with the force, but his smile fell, a blank expression taking over.
"I can't believe you wouldn't tell me about this! I had a right to know! I almost - We almost f… Urgh! Fuck you, Daemon."
She spinned on her heel the moment she was done screaming and ran off shockingly fast in her insensible shoes.
Rhaenyra gripped her glass and took an innocent sip. Her uncle's eyes were already squinting in suspicion as he looked at her, his determined strides eating up the distance between them in a matter of a few seconds.
"What did you tell her?" he demanded. "What was she talking about?"
Rhaenyra shrugged. "I dunno. She was fine one second and then freaking out the next. I didn't tell her anything."
"... Oh really."
He still looked like he wasn't buying it, but didn't appear to be angry, either. Of course, she knew why. He could just get another woman, within the next few minutes, easy as pie. She felt like the whole bar was staring at him, salivating. Still, even with that thought swimming in her head, she felt… good. Like a petty brat, sure, but still good.
She was so fucking done with this shit.
Finishing her drink, she slid off the chair, her dress sticking to the backs of her thighs. With a concealed grimace she unpeeled the fabric off her sweaty skin and chanced a look at Daemon.
Of course, he saw that, his eyes just lifting off her legs. Embarrassing.
"I'm gonna head home."
He sighed, his face finally betraying a real emotion for the first time - disappointment.
"Alright, let's share an Uber."
"Oh, no, don't let me ruin your fun. Feel free to stay here and keep hunting. I'll just - "
He grabbed her before she could skid past him. His eyes drilled right into her, dark and serious. "We're going together, or not at all. That is final, Rhaenyra."
His fingers squeezed, just a little, around her wrist, and she swallowed, her mouth dry and heart in her throat.
"O - okay."
He had no right to make her feel like this. He had no right -
His hand settled low on her back, leading her out of the club. Her knees trembled, and she was grateful for his steady presence, even if she wouldn't admit that for anything.
In the Uber, the air was stifling. Her fingers fidgeted in her lap, trying here and there to drag the hem of her dress lower on her thighs. She could swear he saw her squirming, but didn't say a word about it.
As her house loomed closer and closer, Daemon fished a bill out of his wallet. Rhaenyra felt sick at the sight.
"There you go."
"Nope."
He peered at her with an eyebrow raised. "Sorry?"
"I don't want it."
"Doesn't matter how the date ended, you still came and - "
"I don't want the money." She crossed her arms on her chest. You can shove it up your ass, she almost finished but stopped herself in time.
"What's wrong, Rhaenyra? Talk to me."
The car stopped, and she could see her childhood home out of the window.
"We're here. Thanks. I'll just - "
"No." He grabbed her wrist again, dragging her closer to him on the backseat when she tried escaping out of the car. "We'll talk about this first. Speak. What's bothering you?"
He was still touching her, his skin like burning iron against her. She stared at it for a few long seconds, his long, thick fingers, those bulging veins and sparkling rings…
Her breath was picking up. "I don't want to talk about it," she made herself growl. "God, can't a girl have her secrets? Like you even fucking care."
She pushed him with her other hand, yet her attempts to free herself from his vise grip made no difference. He only pulled her closer, his eyes kindling with a dark flame.
"Of course I fucking care, Rhaenyra. What's that supposed to mean?"
She heard a low sound of a throat clearing up ahead from the driver, and her skin went hot. Oh, Jesus. They couldn't talk about it here.
"Doesn't matter. I just want to go home."
At her pitiful whine, his clasp around her finally loosened, brows dipping in a frown. "You know you can tell me anything, don't you, love?" His thumb swiped back and forth over her chin, making her tremble. "Anything. I'm here for you… no matter what."
She couldn't tell him this.
She'd rather die.
Her heart throbbed with pain, with longing. Trying to push her to spill her secret. Tell him. What if he understands? What if he feels the same? What if, what if, what if…
She squeezed her eyes shut. "I can't. You wouldn't understand."
The feather light touch moved from her chin to her mouth, caressing her lower lip, so gently she could barely feel it. She still shuddered like he'd touched her right between her legs.
"Maybe I'll understand completely, love." He must have been so close… his breath warmed her face. "Tell me," he coaxed. "Please. I promise… I'll be right there with you."
She was heaving heart palpitations.
Forcing her eyes open, they tingled with tears, but saw him with perfect clarity before her. He'd never looked at her like this before. Gently, but desperately. With affection… and longing.
"I…"
Another throat clearing. "Um. We're here."
She swallowed, pulling away from him. "I - I can't. I'm…" Scared. She was so scared.
Turning around she fumbled for the door, and jumped out before he could say another word.
He didn't follow her.
☆✩☆✩☆
When the message came through a week later, Rhaenyra laughed.
She burrowed into her bed and laughed until her belly hurt and her eyes burned with tears.
Uncle D: Tonight, 8, same place. Please. It's important.
She couldn't even see the screen through her tears anymore, but she didn't need to. The words had already burned themselves into her mind, and she kept repeating them in her head even as she sobbed into her pillow.
This time, she felt no determination. No desire to send some strange woman packing.
She just felt… empty. Defeated.
This would always be her role. She'd only ever exist to her uncle… like this.
Wasn't it better than nothing at all? Wasn't it better there still was something connecting them, something he'd never shared with anyone else?
Yes… she had to believe that.
She had to, or she'd break.
Dolled up and with dry eyes, she sat at their usual table a few minutes before eight. In her head, she practiced the words.
He's such a great guy!
I hope your hands fall off the second you touch him.
He's the kind of guy you want your daughter to end up with!
I had a dream about fucking him at our wedding altar last night.
When Daemon arrived, she straightened in her seat, ready for business.
"Alright, when is she getting here? What does she look like?" She scanned the crowd, looking for someone just Daemon's type.
It wasn't easy.
Everyone was Daemon's type.
"Hi," he said, easily, kindly, and from the corner of her eye she saw him outstretching his hand. "I'm Daemon."
That made her turn her head back to look at him, eyebrows rising higher and higher the longer she stared at him.
"Huh? Are you already drunk?"
When she didn't move, his hand dropped to his lap, and he huffed with a small smile. "Drunk? Before my big date? Of course not."
"Then what are you doing? We're supposed to talk strategy."
His eyes sparkled, with warmth and affection, but she could see something else lurking, too. Reservations. Uncertainty.
What was happening?
"I don't need to talk strategy. I'm fully prepared for our date."
"Well, that'd be first - " She shook her head. "Um. What?"
"Can I get you anything to drink?"
"You can… explain what the hell this is."
He breathed out, unsteady, hesitantly reaching for her hand. "Well. We're on a date, of course."
His touch immediately soothed her, like a balm on all her wounds. Still, it made no sense to her.
"I… Is there someone… Are…"
What was she even trying to say?
As if Daemon knew, even if she didn't, he said, quietly, "It's just us. I wanted you to meet someone very important to me… and here she is."
She was already shaking her head. "Look, you don't need to prove anything to me. I know you… that I'm important to you. I get it. There's really no need - "
"No, I don't think you do. I don't think you get it at all," he interrupted her with his jaw set tight, an irritated frown marring his features.
She scoffed. "Rude."
"I tried to tell you. Whatever you're feeling… I'm there with you."
"You have no idea what I'm feeling - "
"Fucking hell. Are you even listening to me?" He leaned over the table to grab both of her shoulders. "It was fun at first, when I was twenty fucking years old, but do you really think I needed you to help me get laid all this time? Me? Love, please."
Her head hurt. "What are you… saying…"
"Do you want me, Rhaenyra?" he asked, his eyes like two twinkling lights staring into hers. "Because I do, I want you, and I'm sick of pretending I don't. I need to know."
She was going to pass out.
"Wh - what? What?"
His gaze traced her lips, and they parted on instinct. "Can I kiss you, love? And show you… everything I can't even say?"
Her breath got stuck in her throat but she managed to nod. And nod again. She kept nodding until he moved closer and kissed her.
He kissed her.
This… was nothing like the kisses they'd shared before. On her cheek, or on his. On her forehead, her temple. The kind of kisses her parents would give her.
No, this, now… was a kiss given to her by a man.
One that wanted her.
She was sure of it. How could she doubt his words when his lips pulled at hers like he was starved, his tongue exploring her mouth like he couldn't get enough, not separating from her for a second.
Rhaenyra couldn't catch her breath but drowning in his kisses felt like a good way to die.
When he finally tore away, it was with a low groan and hazed expression.
"Perfect," he whispered, his thumb tracing her tingling lips. "My fucking perfect girl."
Her heart throbbed. Oh, god. Was this real?
To hide the sudden tears flooding her eyes, she buried her face in his neck, sniffling his scent like a woman possessed, taking it deep into her lungs.
With a trembling finger she traced the pale skin of his throat. Soon, she'd put her mark right there.
"Oh, Gosh," she whispered, dizzy and overwhelmed. "You... And me... This... Is real?"
His lips brushed against the skin of her ear. "Real. If you want it to be."
She still ached inside. Love still hurt. But she couldn't deny it was different now. Now she knew it was worth it.