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Orchid's Spring
Aemond had learned of the holiday from a Maester, the one teaching him of history and Westeros customs outside of King's Landing. While most predominate in The Reach, everywhere including The North had their own altered versions of it. Nowadays it’s more popular with the smallfolk than the lords. King’s landing rarely celebrated it, at least, not how it once had.
That did not stop Aemond’s interest in it. In fact, it ignited it. A month before the holiday, the Maester had raised a brow, thinking something was odd when Aemond kept pushing to learn more. If others knew they may think he had a crush on someone. While they would be right, they’d never be able to guess who.
That someone was Aegon. The boy he could count on to not pay special attention to his lessons. While he absorbed the information, he was sure Aegon would have forgotten all about Orchid’s Spring. It’s not like he’d have any reason to memorize it and certainly not all of the various flowers, colours, and the messages behind both.
So if he were to receive a white orchid, he’d think nothing of it. He wouldn’t remember that it was customary for unwed girls to give suitors they fancied. If the Maester even went so far as to detail the colours and meanings. He’d probably just think it was a weird gift and, regrettably, throw it away. Which meant no one, even Aegon, would realize his little secret crush and he could still have the fun of it.
The handmaiden had dutifully gotten him one. Nice and pretty, probably the best one she could find. It’s stem held in his hand as that evening he made his way to Aegon’s room. Knocking and hearing the shuffling about from the other side. Footsteps approaching the door until it was opened. Now in front of him was his swaying and flush cheeked brother.
“What do you want, runt.” He slurred, leaning against the door frame with his arm.
“Here.” He shoved the flower into his chest. The boy looked down in confusion and Aemond waited. Aegon’s free hand slowly curled around it, taking it from him and squinting as he inspected it. Aemond shifted his weight, contemplating walking(running) away.
“What’s this?” He asked, twirling it in hand.
“An orchid.”
“And why are you giving it to me?” Aegon finally looked up from it to Aemond.
“Do I need a reason? Gods…” He huffed, stomping away. The lack of real anger would have been noticeable if Aegon had his wits about him. Too bad he didn’t.
Aemond could feel Aegon’s drunk confused stare after him, “Try shitting, you’ll feel better.”
A stupid joke, one Aemond ignored as he disappeared out of view. Only then did he let a soft little smile take his lips. If only he knew that Aegon kept eyeing the flower after he had left. Twirling it in hand as he got back into bed. Fingers brushing along the petals and feeling it between them.
Aegon had been perplexed in the morning. Vaguely remembering the events through his hangover. Seeing the orchid resting on his table jolted one of the clearer memories. Aemond randomly gifting him something so feminine. He had trouble believing the boy had given it to him just because. The thought lingered as he rolled over and tried to get more sleep.
It still bothered him even hours later. When he was setting leisurely in his chair and listening to the Maester drawl on and on about the most boring of kingdom affairs. Least the man had finished nagging him for the day (his posture, his attitude, his obvious boredom, etc.). His current lessons focused on historical events, the least interesting ones with no battles or talk of sex.
“Maester.” He eventually interrupted, leaning forward and resting his arms on the table.
The man stopped his lecture and turned to the prince. Blinking and taken aback by the sudden shift in demeanour. “Yes, my Prince?”
“If someone gave a man a white orchid, what does that mean?” He tapped the table, fidgeting and staring with great interest.
“Hmm.” Gears turned in the mans head, but no conclusion was come to yet. “Depends on who gave it…but if it was a young girl than it was likely Orchid’s Spring. It would mean she liked the man and was interested in marriage.”
“And what would the man do then?”
“That depends on if he wants her or not.”
“And if he does?”
“Aegon, why the sudden interest?”
“Just answer! What does he do back? Does he tell her?”
“He would give a carnation, depending on the answer it would be either pink, or—”
“What colour means yes?”
The Maester sighed at his persistence and lack of manners. Far more ruffian than his brother, truly. “Pink, and in some cases red.”
“What’s the difference?”
“A pink is yes, a red is a deep passionate yes.”
“Ahh…” Aegon leaned back in his seat, nodding in satisfaction.
“Aegon, I would implore you to be mindful if someone has given you a white orchid. It may end in heartbreak. If it’s a servant girl—”
“I’m just playing around a little, it’ll be fine Maester.”
People in the corridors was nothing new to him. With the size of staff, knights, and visiting lords, it was easy to ignore the presence of others. Perhaps that was why Aemond didn’t pick up on the feeling of being followed. Heading to his room and not paying much attention to anything.
Not until he opened the door and found something strange on his table. Red. That was the first thing he noticed. Not realizing it was a carnation until he got closer, not hearing the footsteps behind him (perhaps even writing it off as his guard). Too busy trying to decide if he was happy or upset at the sight.
“Like it?” Aegon’s voice caused his head to whip around. Finding his brother sober and behind him. His brows knitted.
“Is it a joke?”
“Only if yours was.” He smirked, sauntering closer. “Was it?”
A beat of silence.
Aemond turned on his heel, facing the flower instead. “…no.”
“Then mine isn’t either.” He could hear the smile in Aegon’s voice. Hearing him approach closer and wrap his arms around his waist. Chin on his shoulder and flush along his own cheeks.
“Do you even know what red means?”
“The Maester told me it’s a super special yes~” He teased, rubbing his chin further into Aemond’s shoulder.
“I doubt he said it like that.”
“Now you’re just getting into semantics.” He teased, nudging his face into the crook of Aemond’s neck. Not caring if the boy tensed up and tried to squirm away. All it would do is make him grip tighter. “All you need to focus on is that I love you too.”
“Like a brother?” Aemond had to ask, had to know if they were truly on the same page.
He expected a verbal response. Something to either shatter his growing hope or grant him relief and joy. He didn’t expect to feel Aegon’s lips latching onto his neck and suck the patch of skin desperately. One of his hands no longer on Aemond’s waist and instead grabbing the fabric of his shirt covering his chest. Trapping Aemond against Aegon’s body.
The surprise meant he hadn’t had time to brace himself; a moan slid past his lips into the air. The feeling at his neck shooting into his stomach and left him unsatisfied when the sensation stopped much too soon. Leaving him with a feeling of shame and even redder face.
“W-what was that for!?”
“We’re not just brothers now~” Aegon hummed into his ear. “This is what you wanted, yes?”
Aemond gulped, licking his lips, turning and squirming around in Aegon’s hold until he was facing him. Seeing the sincerity behind the mischief in Aegon’s features. No doubt his smirk just widened from seeing Aemond’s flushed face.
“Do you want it?” Aemond reversed it back on him, afraid to say it himself.
“That is what the red means, right?”
“It is…” He played with Aegon’s shirt. “Then you should know what white orchids mean.”
“So it’s settled then.” He was grinning ear to ear then, leaning down and resting his forehead against Aemond’s, making his heart skip a beat. “You’re mine now.”