Work Text:
The sound of the waves seemed to erase all the worries Lucerys had. He was sitting on the sand, hugging his knees. It was his favorite place to rest when the weight of the world seemed to rest on his shoulders. Driftmark was about to be handed over to him, but only if he was lucky enough.
Vaemond Velaryon’s threat was strong enough to consider. And the king was very ill, there was little chance of him saying anything about it.
However, this moment was only for Lucerys. Or so he thought, as he suddenly heard footsteps approaching. The sound of boots was heavy on the sand when mixed with the crash of waves.
Luke hesitated, unsure whether to stand up or not “Uncle, what are you doing here?” he couldn’t deny he was a little surprised and nervous. They hadn’t spoken in years.
“I was wondering if you knew all about the king’s plot” Aemond said, without any previous greeting “He clearly doesn’t believe an omega is capable of ruling Driftmark, or any other city."
“What does that mean?” Luke was confused, to say the least “What were the king’s exact words?”
“Not the king’s idea” Aemond said, walking over and, surprisingly, sitting beside him “my half sister is desperate enough to secure your position. She’s even willing to sell you to an alpha lord”
Luke couldn’t believe what he was hearing. There was no way his mother would do something like that to him.
“She hasn’t told you anything yet because this is still under discussion” Aemond stared at the sea “I overheard. Your mother, Daemon and the barely conscious Viserys”
Lucerys couldn’t allow it. After manifesting as an omega, he knew that he would eventually have to marry an alpha and produce heirs, but he was still young and hadn’t even had his first heat.
He quickly stood up and started walking toward the city. He needed to speak to his mother immediately. However, Aemond took him by the elbow and stopped him.
“Thank you for telling me this, uncle,” Luke said, still nervous in his presence. “I don’t know why you did it, but I am grateful. I need to talk to my mother”
“I want to propose something” Aemond said, still holding his arm, his gaze intense “Before you get engaged to some old alpha lord, or that annoying greedy Vaemond Velaryon-”
“Vaemond?! I wouldn’t marry him even if he was the last-” Luke tried to interrupt, but Aemond continued.
“Before they do any of that, let me mark you”
Luke stared at him, surprised and bewildered. It was the last thing he would have expected from his uncle.
“What…?” he asked.
“We’ll attend the throne room together, so you can claim before everyone that we will be married soon. It will help your claim. No one will dare to object”
Lucerys blinked rapidly, trying to process his uncle’s words. Unknowingly, he felt himself blushing a little.
“I took your eye out” he managed to say, in a small voice “I thought you wanted nothing but to be away from me”
“Think of it as a way to pay for what you did” Aemond said, smiling slightly “But if you accept, there’s no way out. I will mark you and you will give me heirs”
“Uncle.”
“There’s no other way. Think about it or risk everything in front of the court. I will not help you there”
Luke struggled with himself for a long time, staring at the waves. The sun was about to set and there was no time left. He made his choice, praying it was the right one.
“I accept your proposal, qybor” Luke said, trembling a little.
Aemond nodded and stepped closer. Luke shuddered as he felt him near his neck, scenting him delicately and quickly.
Aemond took his arms and gripped them gently, as he sank his teeth in.
It hurt, but it wasn’t unpleasant. By the time they separated, it was already night. Lucerys was a little flushed, surrounded by Aemond’s scent, finding it calming enough.
They were now bonded forever.
Aemond didn’t lie. Rhaenyra presented her proposal of marrying Luke to Lord Greyjoy, in support of Luke’s claim.
However, Lucerys approached Aemond, and his uncle took his hand before Luke announced he had been marked and that they were to be married soon. Everyone was immensely surprised, but no one dared say anything, for the king gave his blessings immediately.
Luke smiled a little, firmly squeezing Aemond’s hand, and then looked up at him, finding Aemond looking back, with the same intense gaze from before.
Perhaps this had been the right choice after all.