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"Mr Rhaenyra Targaryen", "The Boyfriend" and... a family tree?

Summary:

The 2023 Velaryon Ball goes viral on the internet.
TikTok reacts to it in a very TikTok-y way.

(Set in June 2023)

Notes:

Just to remind everyone: This is in script format, and the tagged pairing and characters are discussed directly, but they don't participate in said discussion. It's how we have Jace and Jahaerys I in the same tagging, even if their existences don't overlap at all. I get it if it's not for everyone, but remember fandom rules: Don't like it, don't read it. I'll not be afraid of sending your user to every fanfic writer friend I have and get you blocked by everyone who'll listen.

I might surprise someone or score a job here, but did I ever mention how I'm a scriptwriter? Yep, even registered in what I think is my country's version of the WGA, except we don't have prizes.

I actually use some ideas of scripts in fics, if you cross-reference my work you'll see how my fics can be early drafts to short films.
(And if you wanna hear more about my attempt to get my name out there, and maybe help, you can check my Bluesky 👀).

I worked my ass off to try to format this properly 🤣, I'm still dabbing into writing scripts in English and I had to copy this from the PDF from WriterDuet cause I'm a technology dumdum who got used to a website formatting everything for me, so I hope it works. This is also posted as a chapter to “Bloodbrothers”, but I wanted to post it as a standalone as well because it is so out of what the story is about.

Really hope you guys enjoy it, trying to get the TikTok vibe right was really fun. If I had to describe my FYP, about 40% the third one, then about 10% the first one, about 10% the second one, and the rest of it is wild.

Work Text:

TIK TOK 1 - I KNOW WHO MR RHAENYRA TARGARYEN IS

 

INT. RED CARPET - AFTERNOON

A SLOW MOTION CLOSE-UP of a TALL VALYRIAN MAN (55) and RHAENYRA TARGARYEN (39) walking gracefully along a red carpet. He holds her hand with solemn tenderness, his SOFT EYES fixed on her, though his SERIOUS FACE gives nothing away. Only the PROFILE OF HIS FACE is visible to the camera.

The song "GANGSTA" by Kehlani plays over the video, its sultry and dramatic tone setting the mood. A "stitch incoming" banner is on the bottom of the screen the whole time.

Rhaenyra adjusts the flowing skirt of her BLACK MERMAID GOWN. She glances at him and smiles. The MAN'S LIPS curve into a small smile, and he lifts her hand to press a soft kiss to her knuckles. More of his profile comes into view as JOFFREY LONMOUTH-VELARYON (40) steps into frame, approaching them with confidence.

JOFFREY exchanges a few words with the VALYRIAN MAN, who nods curtly. With naturality, Joffrey takes Rhaenyra’s hand, 
guiding her away toward the flashing cameras.

The VALYRIAN MAN remains behind, turning toward the wall. His PROFILE becomes briefly visible again as he strides into the PRIVATE AREA behind the panel, disappearing from view.

 TIK TOK STITCH CUT TO

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

ELYSA (18), a young woman from the Reach sits on her bed, a lap balanced on her knees. She leans forward, nearly FILLING THE FRAME with her eager expression.

 ELYSA
I did it. I found out who Mr Rhaenyra Targaryen is.

 She puts her laptop aside and leans even closer to the camera, her tone conspiratorial.

 ELYSA (CONT'D)
 Alright, so we all know Rhaenyra 
absolutely ATE on that red carpet 
at the conservation event. And yes, 
everyone’s busy talking about her 
sons, but first of all—

She holds up a finger for emphasis.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
The woman went through infertility 
and is clearly happier now. Let her 
enjoy her kids. No one who matters 
cares what they look like. Shut up.

She takes a breath, claps her hands together, and grins again.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
Now, back to what’s important.
I figured out who Mr Rhaenyra 
Targaryen is.

 She pauses for dramatic, tossing her hair back.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
Okay, so
(she claps her hands together)
Here’s what we know: Somewhere between
September 2014 and August 2017 —
and let’s be honest, probably way before that
— Rhaenyra divorced Laenor Velaryon.
Then he got married to his current husband 
— who, by the way, is a hottie —
but we have no clue when that happened.

She gestures animatedly, getting more excited.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
 Because Rhaenyra? She straight-up 
di-sap-pea-red
 (she emphasises the word)
 from public view for years. Like, 
no one saw her except for the 
last... what?

She stops to think, counting on her fingers.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
 I think two Velaryon Balls? She 
showed up in 2021, skipped 2022, 
and then reappeared this year with 
her son. But in 2021, she posed for 
photos with her ex-husband — while 
wearing this giant wedding band. I 
mean, you could see it from space. 
Not subtle.

She pauses, a sly grin on her face.

 ELYSA (CONT'D)
 And we know she was pregnant in 
2017, because...

 TIK TOK CUTS TO GREEN SCREEN MODE.

Behind Elysa is a photo of Laenor Velaryon and Joffrey Lonmouth’s wedding. The couple stands in front of their officiant, RHAENYRA TARGARYEN, wearing a long bridesmaid dress with an unmistakable BABY BUMP while reading from a handbook.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
Yup, because of this. She looked 
gorgeous — absolutely glowing — and 
so genuinely happy for her ex
husband.

The screen zooms in on Rhaenyra’s hand, where the thick wedding band gleams in the sun.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
And we can see it! The ring was 
already there. So, we know she was 
married before this wedding!

TIK TOK CUTS BACK AGAIN TO HER BEDROOM

Elysa returns to her explanation, talking fast and a bit dismissive.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
 So, I was talking to my mum about 
all this. I showed her the photos, 
explained the theory, you know, the 
usual. And then, she did that mum 
thing — you know, where they start 
going about how “time flies” 
because she remembered seeing a 
paparazzi picture of one of the 
boys when they were babies or 
toddlers. And now they’re in high 
school. BUT

She pauses dramatically, raising a single finger up, and slows down again.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
She saw the video, this video I 
stitched. And she said "oh, is that 
the mystery blonde again?"

Elysa opens her mouth dramatically, feigning shock.

 ELYSA (CONT'D)
 (her tone is dramatic and 
emphatic)
 "Is that the mystery blonde again?”
 Again!

 She leans closer to the camera.

 ELYSA (CONT'D)
 What do you mean, again?

 ELYSA freezes, her mouth falling open in mock shock.

 ELYSA (CONT'D)
 And I’m like, “Who?” And she says, 
“Mystery blonde!”

 ELYSA pauses for dramatic effect, clapping her hands together again, grinning very largely.

 ELYSA (CONT'D)
 Turns out, way back in 2002 or 
2003, before she even married 
Laenor! Rhaenyra was seen with this 
guy — a total mystery blonde!
 (her voice rising in pitch)
 Nobody knew who he was, no one 
could get a clear shot of his face, 
and the two of them were always 
super secured!
 People literally started calling 
him “Mystery Blonde.”

She throws her hands up in exasperation.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
And I was like,
HOW did I not know this?

GREEN SCREEN MODE RETURNS.

The stairs of the Great Sept of Baelor from afar. In 2003, RHAENYRA, in a striking black gown, is face-to-face with Alicent Hightower in a puffy white wedding dress. A tall man, partially obscured, lingers a few steps behind Rhaenyra.

 

 ELYSA (CONT'D)
 Okay, this is the tea. Back when 
Rhaenyra’s father was marrying 
Alicent Hightower — his second 
wife, mind you — Rhaenyra wasn’t 
having it. She showed up to the 
wedding in black, full-on dramatic 
mode, walked up the stairs of the 
Great Sept, interrupted Alicent as 
she was about to walk up the aisle, 
and then collected Mystery Blonde 
and walked out!

The image zooms in on the man behind Rhaenyra, his face blurry but his hair is Valyrian blond.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
Like, the bride is literally 
halfway up the stairs, and Rhaenyra 
just... leaves. This was THE 
scandal of the year.

THE TIKTOK CUTS BACK TO ELISA IN HER ROOM.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
 I’m so mad they didn’t have better 
cameras back then. If this happened 
today, we’d have HD receipts of his 
face! But anyway — fast forward.

 She sticks out her finger as she lists them.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
 Here’s what I think happened: 
Rhaenyra married Laenor, did the 
whole Velaryon family thing. 
(she sticks another finger up)
 Somewhere around 2014, while she 
was pregnant — remember the 
Velaryon funeral? She wasn’t 
wearing a wedding ring, and there 
were rumours she stayed completely 
separate from her husband the whole time.
 (She lowers her voice)
 Not that I'm saying she did it, but...
don't have babies to save marriages, guys.

She lowers her hands, sitting straight again.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
 Divorce happens and then... Mystery 
Blonde comes back into her life. 
(she gestures)
 A 10 year reunion turns into a 
relationship, and eventually, into 
a marriage?

She grins very excitedly, very dramatic.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
Y’all, this man played the long game for her!
 May this love find me!

 ELYSA giggles, and claps again, flamboyant.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
 So yeah, they’ve known each other 
for years!
 (she drags the word years)
 Mr Rhaenyra Targaryen has been in 
the background this whole time, 
just waiting for his moment, and he 
took it!

She shrugs.

ELYSA (CONT'D)
 Honestly? For Rhaenyra Targaryen? 
I'd wait 50 years if I had to. You 
have my respect, Mr Rhaenyra


TIK TOK 2 - JACAERYS TARGARYEN IS ONLINE, Y'ALL

 

INT. UNIVERSITY DORM - MORNING

RIVER (19) is holding their phone camera close to their face. A cramped, slightly messy university dorm is visible in the background. Their eyes are wide with excitement.

RIVER 
I told you! I knew it!
They’re a couple!

They whip the camera around to PETYR (18), who is lounging on his bed with a book, completely unbothered. He looks up slowly, gives River a flat lookbefore going back to his book.

RIVER (CONT'D)
Pete, what did I say?

Petyr sighs, barely lifting his head, his tone dry.

PETYR 
You said they were a couple.

River narrows their eyes, not letting up.

RIVER
And what did you say? 

Petyr rolls his eyes, clearlybored with the conversation.

PETYR
I said we can't know.

River’s face fills the screen again, grinning like they’ve just learned the biggest secret on Earth. 

RIVER
Well, guess what? I WAS RIGHT!
Look at this! Look at what
Jacaerys just posted!

The TIKTOK switches to a GREEN SCREEN.

Over River’s shoulder, JACAERYS TARGARYEN’S Instagram Stories appear.

RIVER (CONT'D)
Okay, so first, he posts this.

The screen shows a wholesome family photo at the Velaryon Ball: Jacaerys stands with his parents and younger brother Lucerys, all smiling in their formal attire.

RIVER points at the photos over their shoulder.

RIVER (CONT'D)
This is normal. Every year, he does 
this. 2021, it was him with both 
his parents. 2022, it was him with 
his dad and stepdad. Now it’s this 
one with the parents and Lucerys.
Cool, cute, whatever.

River clicks to the next Instagram story: JACAERYS and CREGAN STARK posing on the red carpet, looking effortlessly elegant.

The post is tagged from a high-profile fashion account.

RIVER (CONT'D)
And then, we get this.

River points dramatically at the screen.

RIVER (CONT'D)
Which already had my attention 
because, hello, it’s Cregan. But 
THIS—

They tap furiously to the next story: a clip from E! News covering the Velaryon Ball. Their face is down on the corner of the screen, still in green screen.

NARRATOR (V.O., FROM VIDEO)
Here’s everyone who attended the 
famous Velaryon Ball for the 
Conservation of the Natural 
Driftmark Coral Reefs.

The video shows snippets of glamorous arrivals: LAENOR and JOFFREY smiling arm-in-arm, RHAENYS and CORLYS sharing a laugh, RHAENYRA walking the carpet with her husband and taking Joffrey’s hand, and finally JACAERYS and CREGAN posing together, all sharp lines and smirks and matching ties.

They skip to the next story, very clearly edited to play a specific part of it. A laughing emoji is at the corner of the screen.

 NARRATOR (V.O., FROM VIDEO) (CONT'D)
 ... and while his brother's date 
seems to have been their famous 
mother, Jacaerys showed up with 
friend and fellow model Cregan 
Stark in matching ties.

Rivers rolls their eyes dramatically when the narrator calls them friends.

They point to the screen.

RIVER
So he posted this. And if emphasising 
how ridiculous he found it wasn’t 
enough of a message —

River skips to the final story: a still photo of two masculine hands loosely holding, framed by the ocean at sunset. It is very romantic.

The caption simply reads: “You got a friend in me” with the same song playing softly in the background.

RIVER (CONT'D)
(ponting at the photo)
...he followed it up with THIS.

River leans closer to the camera, their eyebrows raised in triumph.

RIVER (CONT'D)
He’s seeing y’all calling his 
boyfriend his “friend.” And he's not 
even being subtle anymore!

 TIK TOK CUTS BACK TO THEIR ROOM.

River flops to bed by Petyr's side and pokes him. 

Petyr puts the book down with an exhasperated but also amused smile. 

RIVER (CONT'D)
One of us! One of us!

They poke Petyr again. 

RIVER (CONT'D)
Say it with me, Pete!
One of us! One of us. 

Petyr raises his fits half-heartedly. 

PETYR
One of us.


TIK TOK 3 - Y'ALL NOT GONNA LIKE WHO MR RHAENYRA TARGARYEN IS


 INT. SMALL PORCH - MORNING

DANEEL (24) stands in front of the camera, big glasses on, a large whiteboard at her side. A collection of coloured markers is neatly under the board — she’s ready for a full blown presentation to a classroom.

DANEEL 
(serious, matter-of-fact)
Alright, y’all are not gonna like 
this, but I know who “Mr Rhaenyra 
Targaryen” is.
(slight pause, dramatic 
inhale)
And yeah… he’s her cousin.

She steps closer to the camera, raising a hand as if anticipating the backlash.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
I know, I know. Y’all are gonna be 
like, “Oh, but he could be anybody! 
There are so many Valyrian dudes!”
 (deadpan)
 No. Listen to me. He. Is. Her. 
Cousin. And I have receipts.

She steps back to the board, black marker poised like a sword.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
Alright, buckle up. We’re about to 
take a little trip to last century. 
Consider this your history lesson.

She writes the initials “S” and “J10” at the top of the board, serious like she's teaching a PhD class.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
So, the last King and Queen of 
Westeros were Jaehaerys the 10th 
and Queen Shaera — also known as 
the Sister-Queen. Yeah, you heard 
that right. They were full 
siblings. Disgusting, I know. Ew.

She underlines the initials dramatically and writes “J” and “A” below them.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
 Now, they had kids, and these are the
important ones:Prince Jaehaerys and
Princess Alysanne. 
These two—
 (She circles the initials
with a big circle)
 — were explicitly forbidden from 
marrying each other. Like, banned. 
Everyone was like, “Don’t do it. 
That’s gross. We'll banish you if 
you do.” And guess what they did in 
1937?

She stares into the camera, deadpan.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
They got married. Because they’re 
insane and Targaryens are weird. 

Daneel switches to a new marker and she draws a long line extending from “J” and “A” and adds two new initials under it, "D" and "A".

DANEEL (CONT'D)
So, they had two kids. And in 1940, 
the whole family got banished from 
Westeros. No more monarchy. They 
were like, “Pack it up, you’re 
done.” So, where do they go? New 
Valyria. And guess what? 
(she taps at the board 
very emphatically)
They. Can’t. Come. Back.

She checks her phone, then starts adding a series of initials to the board, rattling them off quickly as she speaks A, B, A, V, M, D, S, V, A, G, V and G

DANEEL (CONT'D)
 And then they just start popping 
out kids like wild. If you’re 
counting, don’t bother — it’s too 
many. 

She points at all of the initials for a moment. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
You got these? Good, forget about 
them, only four of them are 
relevant. 

Daneel erases the board and starts writing names: Aemon, Baelon, Daella and Aerys. Once she is done, she pulls a thick book out from behind the camera. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
And you know how I know? I have 
this. 

She turns the book to the camera.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
The life of Jaehaerys, the 
Uncrowned, by Doctor Daemon 
Targaryen. Save the name, you'll 
need it. 

She puts the book aside and points at the board. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
So from Jaehaerys' biography, we
know these...
(she taps under each nice)
were the only children of his who 
had children of their own, and if 
you dig into the internet, you can 
find everything else. 

Daneels moves to the board again and draws an arrow under Aemon's name, and writes the name Rhaenys at the end.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
This is Rhaenys Velaryon, we know 
her, we love her. She is the 
daughter of the oldest son, and we 
know... 

She makes a line under Rhaenys' name and adds Laenor's name as well.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
She is the mother of Laenor 
Velaryon, who was Rhaenyra's first 
husband. 
The ball was held by the Velaryons.

She moves back to the generation before Rhaenys and makes a line under Baelon. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
Baelon is the father of Viserys 
Targaryen, also known as former 
senator runner, also known as... 

She makes a line under Viserys' name and adds Rhaenyra's name. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
Rhaenyra's father!

She pauses, frowning and turns back to the camera.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
Also, does anyone know if he's 
okay? He was sick years ago, no?
Is he alive?

Daneel shakes her head. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
Anyway.

She makes a long line connecting Laenor and Rhaenyra, and puts the initials J and L under it, and a question mark.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
This union is where we got Jacaerys 
and his brother Lucerys, and 
another baby we don't know. Good 
for them, keep the kids' privacy.

 She moves back to Baelon and puts a small "A" by the side of Viserys' name. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
 We also know from the book that he 
had another son, but that son died, 
so we can discard this kid of his.

 Daneel moves on to Daella's name. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
This one might be the most famous 
of these four, because she was the 
last Lady Arryn. Daella married the 
last Lord Arryn, and they had a 
daughter.

She makes a line under Daella's name and writes the name Aemma under it, and connects her to Viserys and Rhaenyra. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
She is Rhaenyra's mother, Viserys 
first wife, and she died in the 
early 2000s. 

Daneel them moves on to the last name, Aerys. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
From what I could find, this is the 
last kid of Prince Jaehaerys alive, 
and he is the father of...

She traces a line under Aerys' name, and adds two names under it, with a big space in between them. Rhaegar on the left and Daenerys on the right.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
Creator of House of the Dragon and 
very famous producer, Rhaegar 
Targaryen, and the star of House of 
the Dragon and his little sister, 
30 years younger than him, Daenerys 
Targaryen. 

Daneel circles the empty space emphatically, dramatic.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
And they have a middle brother we 
don't know of! 

Daneel moves right to the camera, taking her book again, and taps on it very strongly. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
The answer is in this book.
(she shakes the book)
And this is an old ass book because 
a friend of mine has a newer one 
and the introduction has changed! 
But I have the first print, because 
my dad is a history nerd! 

Daneel opens the book on a bookmarked page, and puts her finger on a page to read it, very solemn.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
“What most presume about my 
grandfather is that he was a man 
hungry for power. He was, indeed, a 
man who wanted nothing but to 
return to the seat he considered 
his by right, but the nuances of 
his expectations and the lengths he 
took to achieve such a goal are 
bigger than anyone might think.”

She takes the book and show it to the camera, and a blurry bit of page is highlighted. The focus adjusts to it, and the words "my grandfather" are highlighted in an electric pink marker. 

Daneel slams the book closed and points at the board intensely, her voice strong as she gestures towards the big J. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
My grandfather. MY. GRANDFATHER. 
Which means that the author is the 
son of one of these four! 

She takes her marker again, using it as a pointer and points at Aemon's name. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
Aemon? We know that this guy only 
had one kid. 

She points at Baelon's name. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
Baelon? We know for sure that he 
had a second son in 71, and he died 
as a baby. No third son.

She moves to Daella's name and taps on it. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
Daella? She died in 1966,
after she had her only child and...

She pauses, and loses some of her energy, grimacing.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
My gods, this family is tragic. 

Daneel shakes herself for a moment, and points at Aerys, then at the two names under it, Rhaegar and Daenerys. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
That leave Aerys! And we know he 
had three kids. We know Rhaegar. We 
know Daenerys. But the middle 
brother? 
(she emphasises each syllable of the word)
 Private.

Daneel slaps the book and shows the author's name. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
Doctor Daemon Targaryen! 

She writes “DAEMON” between Rhaegar and Daenerys in bold capital letters.

DANEEL (CONT'D)
He is his son. Which means—

She makes a line from Daemon to Rhaenyra. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
They are first cousins once 
removed! On two sides!

She tosses her marker away dramatically. 

DANEEL (CONT'D)
Mr Rhaenyra Targaryen is her 
cousin, Doctor Daemon Targaryen.