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"Jace, you're finally back." Baela said as she saw Jacaerys enter the room. The man had been travelling for several weeks to strengthen the allies of the Black team in The Vale and Winterfell for his queen and his own mother, Rhaenyra Targaryen. Reminding them that she is the rightful queen of Westeros. It is all a long journey. That even if he travelled with Vermax, his dragon, it would still take time. Moreover ever more time because the prince must still convince the old-fashioned lords.
Of course, the time that separated them made Baela miss her lover very much. This can be proven by her spontaneously approaching Jacaerys and hugging him. The lady missed her Jacaerys very much. And very worried about Jacaerys of course. Especially after the incident of how Lucerys died at the hands of Aemond and Vhagar. Since then, the lady was always worried when Jacaerys had to go far away even though she knew he was very capable of taking care of himself.
The newly arrived Jacaerys was naturally surprised by Baela's tight embrace. However, he also knew that Baela would be very worried about him. So, he naturally hugged Baela too and calmed her down with gentle strokes. "I missed you too, Baela." Jacaerys said to Baela without withdrawing their embrace.
Baela who heard Jacaerys's voice only fell silent and hugged her lover even tighter. The lady who usually looks strong is now looking currently quite fragile. Without realising it, she was very fragile when it came to Jacaerys. Although they were betrothed, her feelings were now pure and real. And just by hearing his voice, Baela was happy. The voice of Jacaerys that she hadn't heard in weeks could now be heard. The voice she had missed. Until unconsciously, the lady shed a few tears.
Jacaerys, who did not hear Baela's response, was only confused but continued to gently stroke Baela's back. He did it because he knew his lady would liked this kind of treatment. And also he did this in a way because he missed treating Baela like this too. Just like Baela, Jacaerys's feelings are now also pure and real and he misses Baela as much as she misses him. So, Baela not answering him certainly made him a bit anxious. "Baela?" called Jacaerys softly, worried that Baela didn't miss him back.
"Hm?" Baela replied hoarsely. The lady did her best to hold back her tears. If she cried, her dignity would be ruined in front of her lover. And of course, Baela didn't want that to happen. For some reason and another of course. Her private reasons.
However, Jacaerys was no fool. From that short answer, he realised that Baela was being unusual. So he quickly broke their embrace and looked at Baela quickly. Looked into her beautiful pair of purple eyes. The eyes he has been missing and longing for the past few months. Baela of course avoided Jacaerys's gaze in ordee to hide her sad feelings but he quickly noticed the puddle in her eyes. Jacaerys spontaneously smiled a small but sad smile. He now knows and glads that Baela misses him too. However, seeing his always strong lover like this certainly made his heart ache. "Baela," Jacaerys called again in a softer tone. Hoping that his lady would finally look into his eyes.
Baela was actually a little surprised by Jacaerys's very soft tone. Not that her lover wasn't gentle, no. Jacaerys was always been gentle and affectionate. However, what happened just now felt different. It was as if Baela could feel all of Jacaerys's feelings. So, the lady dared to look into her lover's eyes. "What, Jace?" said Baela finally before smiling. Of course Baela did this so that Jacaerys would not realise her unrest feelings which of course failed because the man had realised it a moment ago.
"I'm sorry if I made you worry. But, I'm here now. Still handsome and alive." said Jacaerys, which made Baela chuckle sadly because she remembered Lucerys a little. Then, of course, the man laughed in same sad tone too. But his lady's laughter was so sweet, don't blame him for laughing so easily. Even when their situation was not good. Jacaerys could never found himself not laugh when Baela did. Then, he stroked Baela's white curls. He smoothed it a little. This little action made Baela blush slightly and Jacaerys was proud of it. "I'm sorry I left you these past few weeks. Forgive me, Baela." added Jacaerys who was quickly cut off by Baela this time.
"Jace, I know. You have to go and support your muña. I know. You're the heir to the throne and I know your obligations are heavy. I also know that you are just doing your part in our war." Baela said quickly. Jaecerys? Now the man smiled broadly. He knew Baela supported him but every time he saw her openly supporting him wisely his heart melted. Baela has always been his comfortable place. Making his heart alive in this cold bloody war. "Don't smile so much, you're getting even more handsome." Baela added with an annoyed expression and hoped that Jaecerys would stop smiling. However, of course it failed because the man was even more delighted and smile wider.
"You're annoying, Jace." Baela said as she looked at Jacaerys who was smiling even wider. The girl then shook her head quickly and said, "The point is that you don't need to apologise, Jace. It is I that should be apologise because I'm worried about you. Worried that they wouldn't accept you or that Aemond would come after you. I'm sorry." Baela said at length, which Jacaerys cut off with a quick kiss. That's right, the man had just landed his lips on Baela's quickly before smiling a wide and irritating smile.
Baela? Surely shocked. Even the girl's eyes seemed to pop out of their sockets. Not to forget, she also quickly covered her mouth before shouting, "Jaecerys!", Baela shouted in response to her shock. It was nothing, they had already kissed before considering how long they had been betrothed. However, this time Baela was not prepared and that's why she was shocked.
Jacaerys then simply made a quiet gesture by putting his hand over her mouth before tugging on Baela's hand and pulling her closer. "Don't shout, Baela. I still don't want to meet the others. Especially muña." Jacaerys said softly. Then, he cupped Baela's face with one hand and hugged her small waist with the other. "I still want to spend my time with you, okay?" said Jacaerys again, who was now looking at Baela intently. Baela? The girl just nodded her head in shock.
The next second, Baela again felt Jacaerys' lips on her lips. And the next second Baela closed her eyes. Enjoying every second with Jacaerys and every second of them. The kiss was gentle and passionless. Just two lovers longing for each other. And in the kiss, both of them smiled a little.
It was Baela who pulled away first and asked, "Who did you meet on your journey that made you this bold, Jace?" Baela asked curiously. It wasn't that she didn't like the changes in Jacaerys, but she admitted that she was just surprised and a little jealous. Baela herself didn't mind if Jacaerys had another woman, after all, the whole of Westeros was not unfamiliar with it. But why does just thinking about it make her heart sad and jealous? Baela didn't know and wanted to supressed her feelings inside.
But Jacaerys knew her all too well. Baela must be worried about him finding another woman on his long journey. So he quickly replied, "Uh... Cregan Stark?" replied Jacaerys who pretended to think in a joking tone which was rewarded with a sharp look and a punch on the arm by Baela. Annoyed that Jacaerys had taken the time to joke and mention the name of the lord of Winterfell. Jacaerys then spontaneously stroked her arm while complaining of pain. However, the girl still seemed to be annoyed with his answer so she didn't answer anything other than, "Oh, so you kissed Cregan? Is that so?" said Baela irritably and sarcastically.
Now, Jacaerys laughed out loud. To him, Baela had many interesting things. Like fire and water. She was the perfect mix of her parents, the barbaric Daemon and the gentle but firm Laena. Strong yet vulnerable when with him. Beautiful yet independent when needed. Quiet yet creepy when it counts. This is also why Jacaerys loves Baela. With Baela, everything is never flat. It was fun.
"No, I'd rather kiss a bolster and imagine you than Cregan." Jacaerys said, which made Baela melt a little and smile a little. Of course, Jacaerys then smiled again. This was because he realised Baela was responding to her flirting. The man pulled Baela back into his arms and asked, "You're worried about me being with another woman, aren't you?" Jacaerys asked bluntly as if he didn't know what Baela was afraid of.
The lady then just shrugged her shoulders quickly, a sign that she was a little unconcerned. But make no mistake, she was just being prestigious. Of course Baela was afraid of that happening. Very afraid. But there was no way she was going to tell Jacaerys? To her lover who was always teasing her? No way. So, Baela firmly replied, "Even if you're with another woman, that's normal, right? After all, our relationship was based on an arranged marriage by your mother and my grandmother's plan. A political match as they say." Baela replied as firmly as possible. Trying to cover the true feelings of her heart in front of Jacaerys which of course failed miserably because there was a tremble in her voice.
Jacaerys was honestly a bit sad and upset with Baela's answer. In his opinion, it would be better if Baela answered that she was afraid and asked him to always be loyal to her. It was even better if Baela threatened him that she was going to give him to Moondancer if he ever tried betrayed her than that response. Jacaerys would have hugged her tightly and reassured her, always.
"Baela, don't say that." said an annoyed Jacaerys and it was very audible in his tone. The man then took a deep breath before saying again, "Betrothed or not, right now my feelings for you are real and true. So, of course, I will tries my best to maintain your trust and feelings for me. Okay?" said Jacaerys confidently and steadily while looking at Baela closely.
Baela was now smiling widely and wanted to cry again, this time it was a tearful cry. Then, the lady quickly pulled Jacaerys into her arms before kissing her lover gently and lovingly. Both of them now closed their eyes and truly enjoyed each other's presence. The night in the dragonstone was not as cold as usual. And certainly not as dark as usual. The presence of Jacaerys back in her life made half of Baela's burden disappear. The ongoing war also seemed like no big deal, as long as Jacaerys was with her. Likewise with Jacaerys who had just returned from a long journey. His tiredness he felt disappeared as soon as he saw, hugged, and was with Baela.
The two hugged for a long time before Jacaerys pulled away and looked at Baela intently. "Avy Jorrāelan, Baela." Jacaerys said to Baela in his thick High Valyrian. (re; I love you, Baela).
Baela was obviously pleased with Jacaerys's confession. She replied firmly and confidently, "Me too. Avy Jorrāelan, Jacaerys." Baela said before hugging Jacaerys with all her body and heart. (re; I love you, Jacaerys).
Of course, Jacaerys happily hugged Baela tightly. The two remained in their positions for a long time until another voice that Jacaerys also missed was heard.
"Jacaerys? Look at you young man, instead of going home to see his muña, he's going to see his future wife instead." said Rhaenyra who had just entered the room before opening her arms wide and waiting for the embrace of her eldest son. There the queen gazed at the lovers with eyes that were still teary from crying over Lucerys. And both Jacaerys and Baela could see it. However, both were silent as if they were not ready to talk about it. The next thing Jacaerys did, of course, was to break his embrace with Baela and hug his muña. Baela smiled broadly at them. "Muña knows you miss Baela, but muña misses you too, Jace." Rhaenyra said again to Jaecerys to which Jacaerys replied with a small "Sorry."
Then, Rhaenyra pulled Jaecerys into her arms and dragged to other room for an important conversation about their plans. She does that while catching up with her eldest son. Of course, Baela only observed the queen and the prince of Dragonstone from behind. Smiling widely at their warmth.
Then, just as Baela turned around and was about to walk back to her bedroom she heard Jacaerys shouting in the distance. The man quickly extricated himself from his muña's embrace and shouted, "Avy Jorrāelan, Baela." Jacaerys shouted again as if Baela needed to know that for the first time. (re; I love you, Baela). Now, Baela just chuckled at Jacaerys who had now received a small pinch from Rhaenyra.
"Jace, come quickly. Muña needs to have an important talk with you."
"Sorry, muña."
"The sooner this war ends, the sooner you can be with Baela legally. Let that be your motivation."
"Yes, muña."
That's roughly how Jacaerys and Rhaenyra talked. Shortly before they completely disappeared into another room, Jacaerys again took the time to look at Baela who was still there watching them. The girl quickly recited, "I love you, too." silently to Jacaerys as a form of support. Now, of course, the man was ready to face another ordeal and ready to think of a new strategy with his muña.
The End.