Chapter Text
Arlan was right when he said that only fools would suffer through the flower illness than seek help from the blooms suffocating them. A book in the library of Summerhall stated that the illness could be expedited if the feelings for the target grew bigger and faster.
Dunk no longer coughed up petals and was instead gifted with the sight of full roses coming out of him. They were mangled looking things covered in blood. Dunk picked them up and stuffed them under his mattress in the Red Keep.
Dunk kept his distance from Aerion on the journey from Summerhall by using the excuse of Maekar would disapprove of their closeness. Aerion reluctantly accepted the excuse from the knight. This prevented any coughing fits for a short period but they were back once they arrived at the castle. Aerion stared at him from a distance most days at the Keep and Dunk tried to avoid his gaze for the sake of dodging embarrassment.
Baelor summoned Dunk to his solar to give an update on his progress at Summerhall.
"I hear your sword skills have improved tremendously according to my brother," Baelor sipped at his tea.
Dunk blushed. "I can only thank the guidance of the knights who took the time to teach me."
Baelor smiled then cocked his head. "Your voice has changed. Are you coming down with something?"
Dunk nearly spat out his tea. "Apologies. It's just a bit hoarse from the journey."
Baelor raised an eyebrow.
Dunk sighed. "If I tell you what ails me can I be selfish and ask that you keep it a secret milord?"
Baelor nodded and gestured for Dunk to continue.
Dunk had felt the tickles of another attack in his throat since he entered the room and let the coughing begin. Three disfigured red roses covered in blood shedding petals fell onto the floor in front of Dunk. Dunk wiped his mouth on his sleeve and turned to a horrified looking Baelor.
"I thought it easier to show you. I apologize for the morbid display," Dunk took a sip of tea to soothe his throat.
Baelor looked between Dunk and the flowers on the floor. His expression had shifted to concern. "Does anyone else know of this?"
"Only Aemon. I sought him out for possible cures that weren't maesters ripping the blooms from my chest."
"Can I ask who these flowers grow for?" Baelor asked carefully.
"A cruel prince who only sees me as entertainment," Dunk confessed.
Baelor gave Dunk a confused look. "Last year you two hated each other. What changed?"
"Aerion extended an offer of a truce many moons ago and has followed me around Summerhall like a shadow ever since. Egg thinks he's playing the long game to try and kill me after befriending me."
Baelor chuckled. "Aegon sure has an active imagination." The prince tapped his finger on the table. "You don't want to seek the cure? You intend to die this way?"
"It may be foolish but I've accepted my fate. I'd rather die thinking about him than live a life forgetting him." Dunk thought about Aerion seeking him out to complain about little things at Summerhall. The memories of their lessons in the library and the training yard were platonic but Dunk held them dear.
Baelor sighed. "Duncan if you decide to change your mind I can summon the best maesters here to do the procedure. For now I'm saddened by the potential death of a knight I've become fond of."
"I doubt I'll change my mind on this but you have my thanks. I- I know it's cowardly of me to die in such a manner but at least I died knowing I felt love," Dunk looked down at the twisted roses on the floor. Aerion was like sunshine on a cloudy day to him and Dunk would gladly follow him like a dog for the rest of his life if the blooms didn't make breathing with each passing day a laborious task.
Baelor looked at the roses then back to Dunk. "I've seen men succumb to this illness out of sheer stubbornness to let go of their feelings and memories." Baelor's voice wavered a bit. "I hope there is way to reverse this situation because losing you would be a travesty to many."
Dunk chuckled. "I doubt more than you and Egg will mourn me Ser. I can not thank you enough for the support you've given me after Ashford."
Baelor took a long sip of his tea. "You will be mourned by many Duncan. Perhaps you'll figure out who would weep for you before anything happens."
Dunk was left confused. None of the Targaryens were fond of him beyond Egg and Baelor. Aemon at best was a professional relationship. The rest tolerated him like a sad pet that resided alongside them. Aerion only wanted him around to soothe boredom so Dunk doubted he'd be on his knees weeping when the flowers overtook his body.
A part of Dunk wished Aerion cared for him with even a fraction of the amount of affection Dunk felt for the prince.
🌹🌹🌹
Court kept Aerion away from Dunk for a few days much to the giant man's relief. Aemon had finally arrived at the Keep with a look of concern when he heard Dunk's voice.
"Is it that bad?" Dunk asked.
"You sound… like you are about to lose your voice from a cold," Aemon dug through his bag for something.
The two were sequestered in Aemon's temporary quarters under the guise of him treating a "shoulder injury" on Dunk. Aerion had glared at his little brother as he dragged Dunk away in a rush.
"I haven't had any big coughing fits since Aerion's been making his rounds at court. Maybe it'll slow down a bit?" Dunk twiddled his fingers.
"At best it'll temporarily slow it down for a few days." Aemon pulled out a dark blue liquid and pushed it into Dunk's hands. "Drink this for now it should soothe the throat amidst the irritation. Why did he have to manifest roses inside of you? Maybe it's because he's so damn prickly," Aemon grumbled.
Dunk slowly drank the bitter tasting liquid. He made a face when he finished off the bottle. "It's past the middle stages isn't it?"
Aemon nodded solemnly. "From everything you've told me you might have two to four moons left at best. You love with all your being which is admirable unless it comes to this."
Two to four moons left. The words made Dunk's ears ring. He thought he'd feel saddened by the potential end in the horizon and he just felt numb.
"I suppose I should get my affairs in order," Dunk smiled sadly.
Aemon sat beside him on the bed. "Duncan you don't have to die. You could come to the Citadel with me and we could arrange the procedure."
Dunk sat there quietly for a few seconds. Dying was a daunting thing to him. But living a life where Aerion was a stranger would be a worse torture. Dunk knew he was a foolish man and he'd regain his blooms in his chest the moment he laid eyes on the prince again.
Dunk turned to Aemon and patted him on the shoulder. "You and Prince Baelor are kind in your offers but I know myself well enough to know that this is the right path."
Aemon sighed and smiled. "Egg will be cross that you kept this from him. Aerion might never forgive you when the time comes."
Dunk stared at the ground. "I know it's selfish but I'm not worth them worrying over."
"I'd argue against that Ser but I feel like it would be a losing battle to argue with you," Aemon got up and pulled some books from his bag. "In the meantime I'll be doing research on how to alleviate your pain."
Dunk felt a warmth in his heart as Aemon started telling him about possible elixirs he could make. At least he knew he was cared for in this moment.
🌹🌹🌹
Dunk bid Aemon goodbye and made his way back to his room. Dunk sighed when he closed the door.
"You sound tired for a man who spent most of the day entertaining a maester," Aerion laid on Dunk's bed. He played with a knife lazily.
"Aerion you can't be in here," Dunk said panicked.
"You dictate where I go now?" Aerion sat up and smirked.
Dunk cleared his throat. "No, I just want to avoid the wrath of your father," Dunk approached the bed.
Aerion looked up at Dunk. "My father is too involved with the reunion of him and his brothers to care. Did you get your shoulder sorted?"
Dunk sat at the foot of the bed. "I'm ok for now. Aemon wants me to check in with him regularly while he's here."
Aerion poked Dunk with his foot. "Maesters can't marry. I hope you know that," Aerion studied his knife's blade.
Dunk frowned. Of course he knew that, it was common knowledge that maesters were bound in their service to pursuing knowledge. "I'm aware of that fact. Why does that matter?"
Aerion clicked his tongue and then crawled next to Dunk. He took the dull side of the blade and put it against the side of Dunk's cheek and pushed the giant man's cheek to face him. He pointed the blade against Dunk's throat.
"Aemon is very kind and patient but if you're seeking someone for affection I'd suggest you look elsewhere," Aerion whispered in Dunk's ear.
Dunk's eyes widened. "Aemon is just a friend! Acquaintance? I don't know but I don't see him like that!" Dunk exclaimed.
Aerion scoffed and withdrew his blade. "You look at him like a dog looks at it's owner. You follow him like a lost duckling. One might assume things after these observations," Aerion sat next to Dunk and crossed his arms.
Was Aerion jealous of Dunk's interactions with Aemon? Dunk squashed that thought immediately. He was probably just being protective over his brother.
"Aerion. I promise I'm not interested in your brother. He was truly trying to help me with my ailment," Dunk poked Aerion's cheek.
Aerion lightly smacked Dunk's hand away. "I think you should come to me with your ailments. Aemon won't be around all the time anyway," Aerion went to lay back down.
Dunk's chest tightened at Aerion's suggestion. He wouldn't be around for the future either at this rate.
🌹🌹🌹
Egg demanded that they take a ride on the horses in the fields outside the city. The boy wanted to be away from the chaos of the feast preparations. Dunk didn't blame him for feeling overwhelmed.
"Ser, you've been acting peculiar lately," Egg pat Chestnut as they rode at a slow pace.
Dunk paled. "How so?" He tightened his grip of Thunder's reins.
"Your voice has become different and you breathe heavier when we do exercises in the training yard," Egg said.
"Perhaps I'm growing and changing like you?" Dunk joked.
Egg gave him a scathing look which morphed into a concerned expression. "Are you ok Ser?"
Dunk looked ahead to avoid eye contact with his squire. "I'm as ok as I can be for now." He couldn't lie to Egg but a half truth was good enough for now. After his meeting with Aemon, Dunk struggled with confessing his condition to Egg. Egg was his closest friend at this point but he was also so young. Dunk thought about the days of dealing with Arlan's injuries and sickness while on the road as a boy. He didn't want to burden Egg anymore than he did now. One day he'd forgive Dunk for keeping his imminent death a secret.
"I can tell the master of arms to lighten the training lessons. Maybe your body isn't used to strenuous training day after day," Egg pondered.
"Hey! Are you calling me weak?" Dunk tried to swat Egg's head playfully.
Egg squealed in laughter and set Chestnut into a gallop. Dunk followed him laughing. Dunk would miss these moments with his squire.
🌹🌹🌹
Dunk strolled in the gardens to clear his head after his second meeting with Aemon. He downed another mystery liquid that alleviated his throat pain temporarily. Dunk had coughed up a whole four roses that morning. He spent the morning bent over in pain from the extraction.
Dunk broke out of his thoughts when he almost tripped over a leg jutting out of a bush. The owner of the leg groaned. Daeron crawled out of the bush and looked relieved to see that it was only Dunk.
"Hiding from the preparations?" Dunk asked.
Daeron got up and stumbled over to a nearby bench. Dunk followed him.
"My father is on a warpath Dunk. I'm hiding in fear of him attempting to set up a potential betrothal. Hells he's paraded Aerion around enough ladies this week maybe he won't focus on me," Daeron put his head in his hands. Dunk ignored the pang of jealousy that ran through him. Aerion laughing at some noble lady's remarks made his soul hurt.
"And you chose to emulate me by hiding in the hedges?" Dunk joked.
Daeron snorted. "You're very funny. It makes me hope that the recent dream I had was wrong."
Dunk froze. "What was the dream of?"
Daeron pulled a wineskin from his belt and sipped on it. "You were trapped amongst the vines and thorns of a giant rose plant with blooms pouring out of your mouth. Odd visual. I'm usually treated to fire and dragons dying usually," Daeron wiped his mouth on his sleeve.
Dunk paled and sat next to Daeron on the bench. "Daeron you can't tell another soul of what you saw in that dream," Dunk said frantically in a lowered voice.
Daeron raised an eyebrow. "Ah I see so it's already taken root in your windpipe. And you think this is the right way to go about this? In secrecy?"
"I don't have much time left. No need to inconvenience others. I'll be forgotten as quickly as I was sworn to your house," Dunk mumbled.
Daeron looked at Dunk with pity. "You know if you told him I'm very sure he'd reciprocate," Daeron took another long sip of his wine.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Dunk lied.
Daeron gave him a blank look. "He talks about you're not around. He loves to whine and moan about how you have to spend time with Egg. He also loves to mention your peasant tastes in food and how he'll fix that one day."
Dunk blushed up to his ears. Aerion talked about him to Daeron. Dunk didn't know if the topics were positive but his heart soared at Aerion noticing his small preferences.
"I'm below his station. It would never work out," Dunk held back tears.
Daeron wiped a stray tear that escaped Dunk's eye from his cheek. "Have hope. I've seen certain fates be evaded."
Dunk smiled at Daeron before a throat was cleared in front of them.
"Brother, I need to borrow Duncan if you don't mind," Aerion said with a sweet smile that sent chills down both their spines.
Dunk got up and nodded to Daeron before he was grabbed by the arm. Aerion dragged him all the way to his room before pushing him through the door. Dunk tripped and was sprawled on the floor.
Aerion tsk'ed. "Duncan I thought we discussed you seeking affections from my brothers," Aerion kneeled down and took Dunk's chin in his hand roughly.
"I tripped over him in the gardens and apologized I swear that's it," Dunk wondered how much Aerion had heard of their conversation.
"I didn't know Daeron wiping your tears was a part of the apology process for you," Aerion hissed.
Dunk's eyes widened. "He was comforting me over something. His actions were done out of kindness," Dunk reasoned.
Aerion's grip on his chin tightened. "If you need a shoulder to cry on and want comfort you come to me. Understood?"
Dunk nodded frantically. Aerion let go of him and Dunk mourned the loss of touch.
"The last thing I need is Daeron stealing my friends."
Dunk blinked owlishly. "We're friends?"
Aerion narrowed his eyes at Dunk. "You're very thick aren't you?"
Dunk shrugged. Aerion huffed and motioned for Dunk to join him at a table to play the strategy board game they usually played in the afternoons at Summerhall. Dunk was abysmal at the game but still loved being in proximity to Aerion even if he gave scathing comments on Dunk's game strategy.
🌹🌹🌹
Baelor and Maekar had gathered their knights in the training yard to show off some sparring for the nobles visiting the Keep. Baelor had quietly told Dunk to just be present but not to participate due to his condition. Aemon had said he looked a bit paler than a few months ago and his shortness of breath was getting worse with each day.
Dunk stood in the corner of the training yard and kept his head down. He watched some Tyrell and a kingsguard clash with fake swords. Dunk missed being able to move with such ease. The ending stages of flower illness made him want to lay in bed all day just to conserve energy and breath. The Tyrell yielded and shook hands with his opponent.
"I call Ser Duncan to spar with me," Ser Donnel of the kingsguard announced.
Eyes shifted to Dunk as his grip tightened on the hilt of his sword. Dunk glanced at Baelor who looked like he was about to step in. Maekar clapped. "Finally! we can see what all that training has done for you hedge knight!"
Some laughter and cheers rippled through the small crowd. Baelor nodded sadly at him to go on since his brother's words had cemented Dunk's fate. Baelor couldn't bail him out of this without Dunk looking like a weak coward in front of multiple noble houses. Dunk stepped up to the white cloak and unsheathed his sword. He felt Aerion's eyes observing every move, he needed to perform well.
The first strike was easy to block and Dunk kept himself on the defensive for the first few minutes. After one hard blow Dunk was stumbling back a few steps. Dunk felt himself breathing hard.
"Your endurance suffers already. And I thought you were improving at Summerhall," Ser Donnel taunted.
Dunk stood up straight and steeled himself. He advanced towards the other knight and swung hard. Ser Donnel blocked a few attempted hits but fell to the ground. In a desperate attempt to escape the barrage of attacks Ser Donnel landed a blow on Dunk's side with his foot. Dunk fell to his knees. He could hear Baelor shouting for the fight to end in the distance. Before he could try and hold it in, Dunk doubled over and coughed hard enough that a bunch of bloodied rose blooms and thorny branches fell from his lips. The amount of blooms that came out of him could've been enough for a giant bouquet to a lover.
Dunk felt himself slump to the ground as the world went black. He could've sworn he heard Aerion calling his name.
🌹🌹🌹
Dunk regained his consciousness in his bed at the Keep. The first thing that hit him was the pain he felt all over. His throat was scratched up and the bruises all over him from the spar must've turned an ugly purple by now.
"Who is it?" Aerion spoke from his bedside.
"Aerion?" Dunk croaked out.
"Don't make me repeat myself. Who is the wretch that dared to reject you and left you to suffer?" Aerion stood over Dunk from beside the bed.
Dunk sighed. "Aerion. There's no need for all this," Dunk got a look of Aerion's expression in the candle light. The prince's face was blotchy from tears and he looked like he was ready to go on a warpath.
"No need?! You're dying! And you would let yourself die to preserve the memories of this whore who rejects you?!" Aerion shouted incredulously.
Dunk laid there in silence. He knew all his actions regarding this matter were selfish but he truly thought he was sparing everyone from pain.
Aerion narrowed his eyes. "Uncle said you refused the procedure that would save you. Aemon said he tried a few times to persuade you to go through with it. If you won't listen to them then listen to me." Aerion took Dunk's hand and kneeled. "I can't live in a world without you. If I have to go on without you by my side, I would hunt the bitch who did this to you and tear her throat out. Then I'd throw myself from the highest cliff to be reunited with you. I need you to live Duncan," Aerion pleaded with tears in his eyes.
"If I have to live in a world where you aren't present that would be a worse punishment than anything the gods could conjure up to torture me," Aerion's voice broke as he spoke.
Dunk stared at Aerion with shock. He pushed himself up and sat against the headboard. Dunk squeezed Aerion's hand. "Aerion I don't think you'd like tearing your own throat out," Dunk croaked out.
Aerion's face scrunched up in confusion before the realization struck. He immediately lunged onto Dunk and pulled him into a messy kiss. The kiss felt like the deepest breath on a fresh spring day to Dunk. He pulled Aerion closer into his arms and deepened the kiss. They broke apart after a few seconds. The blooms had been eradiacted from his body.
Aerion put his forehead against Dunk's. "You're the biggest fool in the entire kingdom Duncan."
Dunk cupped Aerion's cheek and rubbed a thumbs over his cheekbone. "Fear prevented me from being truthful with you. I thought I was simply entertainment to you and nothing more."
Aerion scoffed. "This explains why you weren't very receptive to my courting."
"Courting?!" Dunk squished Aerion's cheeks in surprise.
Aerion pried the man's hands off of him. "Yes oaf. Courting. It's what I've been doing for the last year. I got you a personalized dagger, I'm kind to you in the training yard, and I've helped you so much in the library. We're friendly with each other and spending time together is how most couples court each other."
Dunk let the confession sink in. He had spent so much time agonizing over Aerion tolerating him and the reality was that Aerion wanted him too. Dunk started laughing at the ridiculousness and irony of what he went through during the last year.
"How dare you laugh at my courting methods. It's not my fault you're slow-" Aerion was cut off by Dunk capturing his lips again.
"Now that I'm no longer dying. I'd like to ask my prince if I could be by his side for the rest of my days," Dunk ran his hands through Aerion's hair.
"Your request is granted but you can't take it back and your prince requests that you share his bed every night to make up for making him worry," Aerion rolled his eyes with a smile. Dunk laughed as Aerion pounced on him.
Dunk and Aerion defiled that bed all night in a manner that would make a septon weep. Dunk finally felt like he could breathe again and he never coughed up a single rose again.
Fin~