Work Text:
The Red Keep was abuzz with activity. The Lady Lannister had birthed twins - golden cubs.
Jaime paces the corridors of the Red Keep repeating those two words to himself. Golden cubs with her deep blue eyes. They will be the best of us. He is elated at the prospect of meeting the babes, the heirs to Casterly Rock and Tarth.
Summoning the courage to see her, he heads to Brienne’s chambers. It has been several hours since the babes have been born but the birthing process took its toll on the new mother.
Coming up close to her door he hears muttering inside, the murmurs of the midwife and the small squeals of the infants as their mother learns how to feed them.
Cersei had been reliant on nursemaids to care for her children, vanity and narcissism always at the forefront of her mind. He knows Brienne will be otherwise.
Jaime relishes at the fact, knowing first hand, that despite Brienne’s fierce demeanour, she will be gentle towards her children. He recalls her touch during the bathhouse in Harrenhal.
Lightly knocking on her door, he is met by by the smiling midwife.
“How is she?” Concern tilting his voice. “Weakened, milord but she is a strong woman. She’ll be out of bed in no time.”
“I would like to see her.” It wasn’t a question nor a polite request, it was a stern demand from a commander.
Knowing that she wouldn’t be able to dissuade Jaime, the midwife opens the door wider and lets him enter.
Jaime had not been prepared by the emotions that assaulted him upon seeing Brienne coo at one of the children.
His gut stirred, eyes stung with silent tears. Why, he thinks. Why have the gods seem to punish me all over again.
Noticing his presence, she looks up at him smiles weakly but proud and content.
Those beautiful babes, he realised, should have been mine. They should have been my cubs.
Tywin strides into the room, stops at the foot of Brienne’s bed and beams proudly. She’s brought forth sons - a lion and an evenstar.
Removing his boot, he unexpectedly sits on Brienne’s side and envelopes her in his arms.
Kissing her gently on the temple he whispers “Wife, you have given me golden cubs. Heirs to both our houses.”
Jaime’s chest tightens at the sight of his father with Brienne. How ironic their pairing is, how unfair. A ruthless, selfish man with a woman who has only goodness to offer the world, a woman whose honour and loyalty knows no bounds, a woman he loves.
He looks at his father, uncharacteristically soft with his young wife and newborns sons thinking that should have been me. I should have been in his place.