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The day it was revealed that Lucerys Velaryon had in his arm the same mark Aemond Targaryen had on his shoulder, hell broke loose.
For them, it wasn't necessarily a surprise. They had loved each other since they were children. Lucerys always felt a pull towards his uncle, and Aemond always found himself watching him from afar, not knowing how to approach him.
Lucerys had been happy when he found Aemond's mark was the same as his. He was a boy of ten and Aemond a teenager of fourteen.
Aemond was surprised but delighted. He took Luke’s hands, kissed them, and promised they were going to be together forever, that he was going to protect him always. Luke’s eyes were shining beautifully before they tenderly kissed for the first time.
When their parents found out, it was as if the dream was shattered.
Their families hated each other, it wasn't a surprise to anyone, but Aemond and Lucerys thought in their innocence, that maybe such happy news was going to change their mind, allowing them to talk about it, at least.
Alicent claimed she was going to take Aemond to study overseas, to Pentos. Rhaenyra announced she and her family would go back to Dragonstone.
Since then, Alicent forbade Aemond to talk about his soulmate. She said Aemond was an innocent who was paying for the sins of their family, that the bond was a joke of the gods. A way of punishing them.
Rhaenyra barely spoke at all. She and Laenor whispered, though. Harsh and tired words from both of them. When they were with Luke, they were still kind with him, but something in Rhaenyra’s eyes was sad, like she was aware of his son’s distress but could do nothing about it.
Time went by, and at the beginning it was quiet. Aemond and Luke were miserable, but they were going through life the way their parents wanted.
In the difficult moments they experienced in their respective lives, those that caused them suffering, their marks burned. Lucerys, when he felt it, cried in his dreams, sensing his mate's sadness. Aemond worked himself to exhaustion at university, hoping it would erase Luke's pain from his heart.
At some point in life, Aemond knew his mark had died, turning into a simple birthmark, almost invisible on his skin. He turned cold and sharp, doing everything that was expected of him, somehow hoping he would die soon of exhaustion instead of feeling such pain any longer.
It was an unusual bond, according to what a doctor told Aemond. Most pairs could easily leave each other for long periods of time, without much consequences. Lucerys and Aemond were different, he said.
But Aemond thought that maybe Lucerys had already forgotten him. His mark dying only meant their connection was disappearing. Maybe he had found a way to erase their bond. Rhaenyra said something along the lines before they parted, after all.
However, it was curious that he remembered Rhaenyra and she was in the middle of his living room the next day. Luckily, Aemond was at home for Helaena’s birthday. Alicent was raising her voice, and Viserys was trying to calm her.
Aemond looked at them, confused. Rhaenyra was crying bitterly.
He barely opened his mouth to say something but Rhaenyra was already in front of him, taking his hands tightly. Aemond frowned, completely confused.
“Aemond… brother, please. I was wrong. But please come with me” She cried and cried “my Lucerys, my son, he’s dying, he needs you”
Aemond felt the air leave his lungs immediately. He tried to say something, but his throat felt tight. Then Alicent forced Rhaenyra out of the house, but Aemond followed them. He felt like he was waking up from a long dream.
“Where is he?”
“At Dragonstone. He’s still there, he keeps calling for you-“ Rhaenyra answered, desperately.
“Stop it, Rhaenyra” Alicent demanded “He won’t go there, he belongs with us, not with some bastard”
“This is the last time you call him bastard, mother” Aemond almost growled “You’re speaking of my mate, not a stranger”
Aemond followed Rhaenyra with the clothes he was wearing. He wasn’t feeling well either. His only eye was tired, with dark bags under it, and his face was almost yellow, like he was constantly feeling sick.
They arrived at Dragonstone at last some hours later. Lucerys' brothers were surrounding his bed when Aemond crossed the door to his room. Even then, he could see Luke reaching for him as he whispered his name.
Aemond was with him in a second, taking his hand and scenting him immediately, kissing his cheeks and neck. It was like something clicked, like a wound he had was finally healing.
“Aemond… you're here” Lucerys cried, hugging him with the little strength he had left.
“I’m here, my love. I will never leave you again” Aemond held him, inhaling his scent and feeling stronger. This was everything he had needed.
The next day, the doctor declared Lucerys was so much better than before, recovering at an amazing speed. He seemed to be feeding himself with Aemond's presence, only letting go of his hand to eat or go to the bathroom.
Rhaenyra was thankful, even if everyone else was still watching Aemond like he was an intruder.
“Thank you, Aemond” she declared, smiling lightly “I can't think of a way to reward you for coming here.”
“He’s my mate, you don't have to thank me,” Aemond stared at Lucerys' sleeping face “though, I’d really like to ask you for his hand. I want to marry him immediately, before someone thinks of separating us again”
Convincing Lucerys' mother was difficult, but some words from his sweet son settled it. When Luke was well enough to walk again, they married in the gardens, with only Rhaenyra, his husband Daemon and Joffrey as witnesses. It was as if Lucerys had never been sick. He glowed with happiness.
Aemond never saw his family again. Luke was his only family now. He marked him on their wedding night, reassuring the bond that had previously manifested in their youth.
They were separated when they were unable to oppose their families, but now they had each other. Aemond had been lucky enough to find Luke before something worse happened and even though the fact they were soulmates was considered a curse by their families, to them was a blessing and a gift.