Chapter Text
The three had made themselves more than comfortable in Baelor's solar. They sat in a nook of deep-set loveseats and large floor pillows, each laughing and shouting over one another in drunken revelry. The two brothers sat on opposite ends from one another, Alia in the middle curled up in Maekar's lap. It would usually be a rather dangerous position to find yourself between The Hammer and The Anvil but here she felt immensely safe.
“I still can not believe you sent your sons to Tyrosh?! Alone?” Alia yelled at Baelor. She was incredulous. “They have pleasure houses on every corner and slavers in every port!”
Maekar was in disbelief of his own. “You question my brother's judgement?”
“I question your judgment all the time.”
“It's quite alright.” Baelor interrupted their bickering. “We're gathered here as family, I'd expect her to speak plain. Besides brother, you can hardly scold anyone for their bluntness.”
Alia and Baelor's eyes met and the two snorted into their cups. Maekar's face sat unmoved.
“My boys are simply there to bring Lady Kiera and her retinue to King's Landing. There should be no time for pleasure houses. Each of them are being escorted by a member of the Kingsguard and a personal guard. Valarr and Matarys have never given me cause to worry. They are sweet boys.” Baelor swelled with pride for his sons. It was not an emotion Alia had seen often in her own husband. She could feel Maekar squirm slightly. Both of them adored their children but Baelor seemed far more confident in the men his sons would grow to be.
Maekar took another drink of his ale. “Gods… little Valarr takes a wife. Fuck I feel old.”
“Brother, you took a young wife less than half a year ago. At this very moment, she sits in your lap like a kitten.”
“You know what-”
“I'm not a kitten… I'm a leopard cub.” Alia threw her leopard skin stole at Baelor's face. She was a Santagar by birth and the heir of Spottswood. A kitten she may be, but he could at least get the species right.
Maekar had gifted her a trunk of dark silks and brocades, gowns embroidered with flames and dragons, ruby jewellery in golds and silvers. Sometimes she felt as if she was wearing the costume of a dragon wife but she had needed new, more modest, clothing to adjust to the slightly cooler climate and the presence of children. She was not a Targaryen truly. In fact, she felt rather foolish when Maekar informed her that she would not take his name, though. Only those born to royalty could claim it. Still she had pride in being a Santagar. Her leopard furs found more use in Summerhall.
Many said that her high, freckle covered cheekbones and black, slender eyes made her look rather feline. Her white gowns and black hair stood out when compared to her black clad and pale haired home. She and Maekar looked as different as two people could be, yet they understood each other. She saw the same when he was with his brother. The two men were both so handsome but so disparate. Alia found them complimentary, like honey and salt. Pleasant separately and delightful together.
The drinks had made all three of them hot and they sat in various states of undress. An unspoken comfort existed between the three. Alia had kicked off her shoes and loosened the lacing of her dress. Maekar had rolled up his sleeves and unbuttoned his doublet and shirt. The beginning of his chest hair sat exposed and Maekar caught his wife glancing at it. Baelor sat now in his dark trousers and shirt. He looked quite the rogue when no longer buttoned up. He held her leopard stole to his chest, his silver adorned fingers gently caressing the fur.
“Leopards are kittens in the eyes of dragons, my lady.” Baelor spoke to her directly. His voice had returned to its usual gentle tone. Alia found comfort in Baelor, he felt like a friend to her ever since their first meeting. His presence made her feel at ease. Tonight, however, the glint in his eye made her feel as if she were truly prey before him.
“You speak as if you are jealous.” There was a severity in Maekar's voice.
“I am simply reminding you of life's boons.” Baelor's eyes fell off of Alia. “Besides, Valarr has as many years as Daeron. Mayhaps by spring you and he will both be bouncing babes on your knees. Sire and grandsire at once… you would be busy.”
The couple had been keen to avoid the subject of children. Alia's moonblood had always been irregular, something Maekar knew when they married. She had been a sickly child too, her own birth difficult. Children may not come as quickly for them as other couples. Maekar seemed keen to avoid the subject when they were alone too. Dyanna had died with the birth of their youngest and it had scarred him deeply. Maekar assured her that he wanted a child with her, that it would bring him immense joy. Sometimes when he was inside her, he'd tell her how beautiful she'd soon be swollen and with child. She wished to give him a seventh, ‘The Gods would bless us’ she often thought. There had been no such luck so far. The ache in her belly told her that her blood was soon. Neither Maekar, nor Alia, felt the need to rush. Although Baelor's comment was a stark thought for them both.
Maekar let out a large groan. “There's probably already some blonde bastards crawling around the inns...” He turned his head down to face Alia. “You are right, my love. If I sent my boys to the Free Cities then I would never see them again… Now that might be something to consider.”
All three laughed in sync.
“And you are right, brother.” Maekar squeezed his bride tighter. “My wife has been a great boon. She queries my every decision, and yet she is rarely wrong.”
“Rarely?” Alia mocked offence.
Baelor smiled gently. “Yes, though that wasn't quite what I meant-”
“Oh I know what you meant.” Maekar took another gulp of ale. The room fell silent as they waited to see in which mood he would swing. “I am very happy. We both are. I am not taking that for granted if that is what you mean.”
Baelor spoke as if he were at council. “Then we are all happy.” Alia sat silent and deferred to him to clean up his own mess. She could not quite understand why her husband's temper was beginning to appear. The three had been in great spirits the whole night. Baelor stood. “One last drink?”
Maekar gave a sharp pat to his wife's thigh and lifted Alia onto the seat next to them. “Actually I believe we best head to bed. It's been a long day.”
Baelor spoke again as his brother stood. “All of us will curse this ale in the morning! One more will do no harm.”
Alia looked at the two of them. One could happily stay for one more drink if the conversation was more mirthful. Both of them loved Baelor, where this barely contained tension came from, Alia had no idea. It had been a long day and she would thank herself in the morning.
Alia looked to both men. They appeared to be challenging one another. ‘The two could read one another's mind’ her mother in law had warned her. It looked as if a whole conversation was being had with a simple glance. They stood like two stone pillars as they waited for her decision. “Apologies, we'll drink again another night. If I don't sleep soon then I'll miss breakfast.” If she stayed then Maekar would either sulk with them or sulk in his room. Neither option was how she wished to spend her first night in the capital.
As Alia moved to stand up, she noticed both men were holding out their hands to assist her. She sighed and grabbed both. She could not insult her husband but equally she could not insult the heir to the throne and Hand of the King. She knew she would insult both of them several times over but thought it best not to do it on purpose.
“To bed then.” Baelor was still holding on to Alia's hand. “I hope you both find comfort in your quarters.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed gently before placing it down with the same tenderness. “Sweet dreams…” He had kissed her hand before but Alia felt as if he was savouring her this time. Maekar held her other hand in his. Their affection was familiar now and their fingers laced comfortably in one another. His grip was tighter, however. Baelor turned his attention to Maekar. “Brother, I-”
Maekar pulled her in until she was under his arm. He rushed with her back to their room. “Yes, good night. See you in the morrow and all that other shit.” He and Alia were in their quarters before she even had time to apologise for her husband's rudeness. He shut the door firmly and began removing the rest of his clothing as he paced around the room like a caged lion.