Chapter Text
Bran and Jojen had been together longer than Bran even knew. This was true in the sense that they had pretty much began dating without even realizing it. They’d been through a million things together from toilet training, to learning how to ride a bike, to high school orientation, to nervous first kisses, to even more nervous first times… Bran and Jojen had seen it all, and they’d seen it together.
So Bran liked to believe that he knew his boyfriend rather well, could read them with ease. So the simple gesture of Jojen knocking on Bran’s bedroom door rather than just letting himself in as usual set Bran right on edge. Something was wrong.
This sense of fear wasn’t lessened by Jojen’s behaviour, either. He came into the room quietly and sat down on the bed. He gestured for Bran to join him, which he did. Bran noticed Jojen’s shaking hands and the way he was tapping his foot on the floor at an uneven rhythm, a pattern Bran didn’t recognize or enjoy. The pattern spoke of nervousness and anxiety, something that radiated off Bran more than it ever had Jojen. The taller and older boy had always managed to seem cool and collected during any situation, was always able to put Bran at ease. (And even when he wasn’t sure what to say or do, just his presence made things better.)
“I have something to say.” Jojen said, wincing at himself. His eyes hadn’t left his lap and his cheeks were red. Bran look at him, searching for some sort of answer to what was going on. He’d never seen Jojen like this, there’s never been a point where Bran couldn’t tell almost exactly what his boyfriend was thinking or feeling. Now, however, he felt completely in the dark. Something was going on with Jojen and he couldn’t tell what.
In fact, looking back, something had been different with Jojen for weeks now. He’d been distant, acting odd, secretive. Bran felt a tinge of panic settling in his chest and wished Jojen would just start talking.
When he got his wish granted, Bran regretted ever making a wish. “So we’ve been together for a long time now, like a really long time. And you should know that being with you has been some of the best times of my life, Bran…”
Bran found himself tuning out slightly. He’d seen enough of Sansa’s chick flicks to know what was happening. A long confession of how much they loved you followed by a heart crushing break up.
“No.” Bran said, pushing himself away from the bed. Jojen looked up at him with wide eyes. “No, Jojen, no. You can’t.”
“I- what?” Jojen asked, eyes going foggy with confusion. Bran felt his own eyes going foggy with his tears.
“You can’t break up with me, you can’t.” Bran shook his head passionately, wiping angrily at his tears. He hated showing weakness, even around Jojen. “That’s not fair. I need you.”
“I wasn’t-” Jojen said, his eyes going wide. He stood up too, moving towards Bran. Bran just ripped himself away and backed into the corner.
“Don’t lie to me!” Bran snapped, narrowing his eyes. “I know what you’re doing, I’ve seen it a million times. You’re going to tell about all how much you love me, how amazing I am and how happy you are, then you’re going to end things and hope your little speech leaves us on a good note!”
Jojen just stared, his face pale and body shaking. Bran bit his lip hard enough to draw the taste of blood into his mouth and shook his head again. “It’s not. You’re not breaking up with me, Jojen, because I’m breaking up with you.”
“You’re- what?” Jojen asked, tears coming to his eyes. The tears sent a wave of confusion through Bran. Why would Jojen be crying? He was getting what he wanted.
“I’m breaking up with you so that you can’t get the satisfaction of breaking up with me.” Bran hoped he sounded tough but the quiver of tears his voice still broke through. Wincing at himself, Bran turned to face his window so he wouldn’t have to watch Jojen leave his room for the last time.
“Is that what you want?” Jojen asked, his voice eerily calm. “To break up?”
Tears poured down Bran’s face and he swallowed his pride, he had to be strong. He could do this. “Yes.”
There was a long moment of silence, in which Bran held his breath to hopes of keeping the sobs in. When Jojen spoke, Bran was sure he’d never heard a person sound so broken.
“Well. I’m glad you told me that before I did what I was going to do. Saves me some embarrassment.” There was a slight thump as though Jojen sent something down on Bran’s dresser before slamming his bedroom door shut. Bran listened to his footsteps going loudly down the stairs and out the front door. From his spot, he watched Jojen cross his yard to his own house and pull down the blinds that look into Bran’s window.
Only then did Bran turn around and see the little leather box sitting on his dresser that certainly hadn’t been there before. He walked over slowly, his stomach dropping to knees. He picked it up slowly and just held it in his hands, terrified to even open it. Only when he did open it and saw the shining sliver ring nestled inside did Bran allow himself to be taken over by the gut wrenching sobs that left him nearly hoarse. He sat on his bedroom floor, sobbing, until the sun of the next morning came up from behind the darkness of night and Bran Stark was left to wonder what the hell he was going to do.