Chapter Text
“Alicent.”
“Hm?” Alicent’s voice is soft.
“I have something to say.” She says, running her fingers through her short hair. It’s cropped into a style that Alicent has been meaning to say fits Rhaenyra perfectly. She didn’t have the courage yet.
“And what is it that you have to say?” Alicent tilts her head a bit, smiling fondly at her best friend.
Rhaenyra sighs dramatically, hands on her hips.
“You know it’s butchtober. Which means we’re celebrating me and the other butches in the world.”
Alicent can’t hide her snort as Rhaenyra’s tone changes to being serious.
“And?”
Rhaenyra’s expression changes, joy spreading in her icey blue eyes.
“What do you mean ‘and’?” She laughs aloud, wrapping her arm around Alicent’s shoulder. She hugs her close and Alicent can feel her heart throbbing in her chest a bit faster. “We’re going to celebrate butchtober and have some fun together!” She exclaims and Alicent watches that same joy, nearly child-like enthusiasm sparkling on her face.
Alicent can’t bring herself to say no to that.
Rhaenyra rubs her hands together, chuckling under her nose.
Her main idea was to take Alicent on a real Halloween fun-ride. Meaning, she would take her to experience all the fun stuff people do together on Halloween.
But it’s only October 1st just yet. Even though the town has been preparing for Halloween ever since August, she knows she won’t be helpless to make plans of having fun with Alicent.
This is why she loves Halloween and October in the first place. The second the leaves start to change, the town adapts to it and puts away the summer-items and changes everything into horror and autumn themes.
She’s making a list. In her phone, she writes down a few things she could do with Alicent and that she thinks Alicent would enjoy thoroughly.
Like a corn maze. It’s thrilling and scary at the same time. She knows exactly which corn field maze they’ll go to, which is connected to a horror amusement park. Giving Alicent the perfect experience, she’s so excited already.
The other thing she listed in her phone is a hayride. It’s adorable and perfect to make Alicent cuddle into her.
She seeks Alicent’s touch all the time and Alicent loves to cuddle her. Ever since their friendship, it’s been harder and harder to survive these innocent touches of her straight best friend.
Because the thing is: Alicent Hightower is a heterosexual.
And well— Rhaenyra is a raging butch lesbian. She never hid it before, she’s always known that she liked women.
And the other thing is… Rhaenyra has been in love with her straight best friend for years now.
It’s very hard. Harder than it should be sometimes.
But she tries her best to keep it hidden. These feelings. That stupidness that instantly surrounds her the second Alicent glances at her or speaks to her.
She needs to keep herself collected around Alicent.
And meanwhile she does that, she can’t forget that Alicent is her best friend at first and crush at second.
The list continues until she has several things on it. Visiting a pumpkin patch, visiting a haunted house, bobbing for apples and so on. Her favourite might be the murder mystery boardgame idea. Maybe she’ll text the others — Laena, Laenor and maybe Harwin too — to come over and try it with them. And in the meantime they could try out spooky cocktail recipes too or after that, they could watch horror movies.
Alicent is loading the washing machine when her phone buzzes in her back pocket.
She sighs, reaching for it as with the same move she slams the washing machine’s door closed and starts a cycle.
There’s a text blinking at her.
Rhaenyra: “Get ready, I’ll get home soon and I’ll pick you up.”
Alicent stares at the message and can’t help but feel her heart drop down between her legs. There’s an instant pounding rush of blood as she quickly types back.
Alicent: “Okay.”
Even though her text doesn’t reflect her excitement, she is very excited for whatever Rhaenyra has in mind.
Due to her religion, she rarely ever had the true Halloween experience, even through her friendship with Rhaenyra, she always stayed at home instead of going out with them. She was pressed into thinking that Halloween was a sin to celebrate. That it was stupid. Her father made sure to teach that to her… but now, seeing how excited Rhaenyra gets about it, about the season changing into being cold over again, it’s adorable.
And she can’t help but seek it.
Seven years of friendship and— nearly matching numbers of feeling more for her best friend than what she can afford.
The thing is with Rhaenyra; she is irresistible. She’s charming and handsome at the same time, she has a giggle of a melody that Alicent has grown to seek in a crowd of people. Rhaenyra has an aura that instantly radiates warmth that Alicent is addicted to.
It’s getting out of hand. Her emotions for her butch masc lesbian roommate. (They’ve been living together for two years now, since they graduated from Uni.)
Alicent has always thought that she can keep her feelings at bay. She can keep them deep down, tucked away in mental little boxes that she shove to the back of her mind. But seeing Rhaenyra evolve into herself, being happy and joyous and so representative of what she feels comfortable as is very tempting.
Struggling with admitting that she actually thinks of Rhaenyra as more than a friend is also very— hard. Because she’s not sure if it’s just Rhaenyra’s being that makes her clench her thighs together or if it’s Rhaenyra being a woman.
The thought of— having sex with her is something she rarely lets herself do. It’s… it’s a sin. She shouldn’t feel hot all over her body thinking about her best friend, but she does and the thought of spending time with Rhaenyra more than what they already do is making her want to do things she never does.
So now, she needs to bite back a moan. It’s already making her feel embarrassed, just the thought of Rhaenyra and her crazily hot biceps.
Why must she work out so much and grow those insanely toned muscles?
Alicent groans, but her voice is muffled by the soft spinning of the washing machine.
Gripping the wheel, Rhaenyra can’t hide her smile anymore.
There’s a paper bag on the passenger seat beside her, filled with board games, ingredients for the cocktails – meaning a bunch of different alcohol – and snacks. (Alicent’s favourite snacks.)
As she drives up to their shared house, she catches Alicent already standing in the driveway and Rhaenyra has to compose herself a bit. She fixes her hair in the mirror, she sighs nervously as she parks the car. She grabs the paper bag and shoves it to the back seats.
Then she takes another glance at Alicent, taking her beauty in before she has to get out of the car. At least she can adore her in silence for a moment.
Alicent is wearing a cute green dress. It ends in a lace pattern by her thighs. She has white tights on and her usual dark brown Docs. She also has a matching colored purse and Rhaenyra can’t help but smile when Alicent nervously tucks her hair behind her ear and their eyes meet.
“Get in,” Rhaenyra says, blinding her with a toothy smile.
As Alicent hops in, she has her eyes down on her thighs. Always polite and shy. (Until Rhaenyra drives her mad.)
Rhaenyra chooses this moment to turn on the Spotify on her phone and put on some soft music.
The display says ‘Whateverrrr’ by Spacey Jane and Alicent can feel the soft notes run along her arms and chest as Rhaenyra starts the engine.
Alicent catches as Rhaenyra steals a glance at her and she tries her best to hide her blush, but it’s spreading down to her chest.
Alicent finds the music extremely romantic and beautiful as she watches Rhaenyra and her muscled forearms and veiny hands gripping the steering wheel. For a second, she forces herself to look away, but only to Rhaenyra’s face. The way her short, cropped milk-white hair falls into her face and she blows it away — adorably, Alicent thinks — is making Alicent bite into her bottom lip.
Rhaenyra didn’t tell her where they’re going, since it’s a huge surprise. Alicent thinks it’s cute how much Rhaenyra is trying to do this. All of this is incredibly adorable and Alicent rarely feels this excited as she does right now.
Feeling the rush in her veins, she can’t help but play with the edge of her skirt.
When they arrive, Rhaenyra makes sure to open the door for Alicent, as a gentleman that she is, obviously. Then Rhaenyra catches her hand and tangles their fingers together, it’s something they do all the time, except in this moment, Alicent’s heart drops down her stomach and flutters.
Rhaenyra gives her a charming smile and winks at her, leading towards something that terrifyingly looks like a corn maze field.
“Wait, Rhaenyra—” Alicent stops abruptly, fidgeting with Rhaenyra’s rings. “What if I lose you?”
Rhaenyra shoots her a warm smile. “Kinda, that’s the point, no? Or do you want me to hold your hand the whole time?”
Alicent is glad that Rhaenyra chose this moment to look away and take in the beauty of the corn maze, because she blushes so deeply that she might blossom into an actual poppy. She shoves on Rhaenyra, murmuring something under her nose that Rhaenyra doesn’t catch.
“Shut up.” Alicent grumbles while pouting.
Rhaenyra nudges her, enthusiastically rubbing her shoulders to hype her up. Alicent feels the cold pinching her skin and is glad that Rhaenyra is rubbing her a bit, at least it warms her up.
Just as the sun is about to settle below the corn maze field, Rhaenyra shoots her a warm smile. Her dimples are visible and Alicent can feel the picture sear into her vision.
“Come on, it’ll be fun!”
Alicent nods, heading toward the maze. She can’t even see past her head, the corn is so tall, taller than Rhaenyra and Alicent doesn’t like that.
“Race?” Rhaenyra wiggles her eyebrows at her.
Before Alicent could react, Rhaenyra pushes past her and starts running off to a side path.
“No, wait—!” Alicent fidgets with her hands, tumbling forward. She kicks a rock, or more like almost falls over it. She curses, exhaling tiredly. “Great.”
With Rhaenyra nowhere in sight, she tries her best to move, step by step. The rush turns into anxiety as the dark cloaks the sky.
On the other hand, Rhaenyra knows deep down that Alicent will try to follow her path. So, she has a plan. She doesn’t want to scare Alicent that much, she just wants to give her a bit of a rush.
So she waits for Alicent to turn, meanwhile she shuffles behind a corn, waiting and waiting until she hears Alicent’s soft curses under her cute button nose.
Watching her from there, Alicent looks a bit like she’s deathly terrified. And now Rhaenyra actually feels bad for wanting to pull a bit of a harmless prank on her best friend.
Soon after Alicent barely stumbles past her without even noticing her, Rhaenyra tries to shuffle herself quietly out of the corn, only to make Alicent abruptly swirl around.
A second later as Rhaenyra recognizes fear in Alicent’s dilated brown pupils and she feels a harsh sting on her left cheek.
Alicent just slapped her right in the face and it hurts very fucking bad.
Rhaenyra groans aloud, clutching her cheek as Alicent yelps and gasps violently.
“Oh my fucking God, Rhaenyra! I almost pissed myself!”
Rhaenyra stares at her, eyes wide as she didn’t really expect Alicent to slap her out of her pants— then she laughs out loud, her breath hitching in her throat.
“Fucking hell. I didn’t expect you to slap the shit out of me!”
Alicent groans at that, rolling her eyes annoyedly.
“Well, don’t sneak up on me, Gods!” She exclaims, obviously pissed, raising her hands high. Then she pouts, tilting her head. “Does it hurt?”
Rhaenyra laughs again, nodding frantically.
“Yes, it hurts. God, your palms are made of iron or something?” She rubs her face, still laughing. She’s totally baffled. She catches Alicent rolling her eyes and stomping a bit. “Oh, you don’t get to throw a tantrum, now. Come on, we’re almost there.”
Alicent sighs, nodding. Then just as Rhaenyra steps beside her, Alicent quickly reaches up to her on her tip-toes, pressing a soft kiss to Rhaenyra’s cheek.
“Sorry for slapping you.”
Rhaenyra freezes, staring at the sun setting while Alicent leans back down.
”It's okay, it was kinda hot.”
Alicent groans again, shaking her head. Though, a soft smile tugs her lips.
Stepping out of the maze, Alicent is spooked by Rhaenyra once again as Rhaenyra catches her by the hand suddenly and leads her towards the amusement park that was hidden behind the corn maze all along.
“A horror amusement park?” Alicent chokes out, eyes wide.
Rhaenyra nods frantically, so excited that she’s biting her lip and Alicent’s eyes are instantly drawn to it.
The theme park itself is filled with life. Screaming people here and there, kids crying because a clown just jumped into their faces.
Meanwhile Alicent has never experienced the spirit of a horror theme park, it’s Rhaenyra's favourite thing during autumn. Rhaenyra thinks her best friend should at least feel the thrill with her during their friendship.
Their first stop is the ticket booth to get a ticket for both of them. Rhaenyra is not so miserly to casually hand out four hundred bucks for two all exclusive tickets.
Alicent has gotten used to Rhaenyra spending money like that, though she can’t say she’s used to Rhaenyra spending this much money on her. It’s quite different and she doesn’t know if she likes it yet. Though she can’t deny her heart fluttering excitedly as Rhaenyra shoots her a warm smile again and leads her inside the park.
Rhaenyra drags her towards a little stand that has fluorescent lights attached to it and yells ‘Bob for an Apple’.
Alicent stops, her arms already crossing in front of her chest. “I’m not doing that.”
Rhaenyra sighs, pouting like a puppy. She’s even batting her lashes at Alicent, as if that would make Alicent change her mind, but she’s already flexed into a defensive standing position so Rhaenyra knows she lost the chance to see Alicent’s face wet.
“That’s lame.” Rhaenyra says, tucking her hair behind her ears. She leans down, hands behind her back.
Alicent can’t help but watch as Rhaenyra’s arm tenses, the muscles flexing. Rhaenyra catches an apple instantly, Alicent thinks she must be an expert at this already.
When Rhaenyra leans back, a water droplet runs down her nose as a large smile spreads on her face. She holds the apple between her teeth, smiling widely.
Alicent can’t help but giggle at the sight of her as she affectionately shakes her head.
“You’re gonna catch a cold like that.” Alicent murmurs while hooking her arm under Rhaenyra’s.
Rhaenyra’s heart drops, her smile falters as she breathes in Alicent’s sweet perfume.
I don’t think so.
Alicent is warm and close enough.
“OH MY GOD!” The scream ripples through the air as Alicent sways her leg upwards. She’s clutching Rhaenyra’s arm as a clown just screamed into her face.
The clown stumbled back, clutching himself between his legs.
“Fuck, you nearly gave him blue balls.” Rhaenyra laughs aloud, apologizing to the clown. “I’m so sorry, dude.”
The clown waves it off. “Shit happens.” He says under the mask.
Alicent exhales with a struggle, her heart rate is not easing down so easily.
“I didn’t think the clowns would jump on me.”
“Baby, they’re not clowns. They’re employees dressed as clowns.”
Alicent’s heart nearly fails at the pet name. Rhaenyra has been calling her that for a while now.
“Oh.”
Rhaenyra laughs out loudly then, cackling with a small grimace. Her nose wrinkles as her hair falls into her face and Alicent thinks she’s so fucking handsome right now but she also wants to slap her in the face for laughing at her.
“Wait, you actually thought these were real clowns?” Rhaenyra giggles, throwing her head back.
Alicent shoves on her.
“Shut up.” Alicent grumbles, stealing another glance from Rhaenyra as she keeps cackling sweetly.
If only it wouldn’t make Alicent’s heart ache that much.
A yawn comes from Rhaenyra’s left.
“I’m tired.” Alicent’s head is falling on Rhaenyra’s shoulder as they walk.
Alicent is carrying a bat-shaped purple plush that Rhaenyra won for her by shooting plush zombies with a Nerf pistol.
“Yeah? Should we head home?” Rhaenyra whispers to her and Alicent nods, her lashes are heavy. “Okay, love.” Rhaenyra murmurs.
Alicent barely catches it.
On the ride home, Alicent falls asleep and Rhaenyra decides it’s better if they raincheck on the other things on the list for today.
When they arrive home, Rhaenyra helps Alicent inside the house and they mumble goodnight to each other.
As Rhaenyra gets into her bed, she texts Laena, telling her about how fun it was to spend time with Alicent.
Laena: “You two act like a couple already.”
Rhaenyra blushes deeply as she reads Laena’s text.
Rhaenyra: “It’s not like that, Laena.”
Laena: “Hmm. What’s next? You’ll take her to a haunted house and hold her hand and squeeze her close when she screams your name?”
Rhaenyra: “I’m blocking you.”
The next day Rhaenyra wakes to the smell of freshly made bacon and eggs.
She tumbles out of her room, messy bed hair, wearing nothing but a pair of boxer briefs and a cropped white wifebeater.
Alicent is standing there, having her back to Rhaenyra. She looks perfect in her little sleeping shorts and Sex Pistol tee that she stole from Rhaenyra ages ago.
Alicent swirls then, mumbling along to some soft music in the background. Rhaenyra recognizes it, ‘Blue Spanish Sky’ by Chris Isaak, if she remembers correctly. (Alicent once showed it to her and she listened to it on repeat for three hours, alone in her bedroom.)
“Hey.”
Rhaenyra smiles at her warmingly. “Morning.” She stretches and rubs the back of her neck as a yawn escapes her.
Alicent blushes deeply, looking away from Rhaenyra’s delicious ‘V’ shaped stomach and visible happy trail.
“I made breakfast.”
Rhaenyra excitedly rubs her hands together as she takes a place at the counter.
“Yippie. I’m starving.”
“Knew you’d be.” Alicent says, blushing even deeper as she catches Rhaenyra’s warm smile.
As Rhaenyra shoves the last piece of bacon into her mouth, she steals a glance from Alicent.
“So, I was thinking of having a lazy day today.”
Alicent hums. “What do you want to do?”
Rhaenyra stretches again, leaning back in her seat.
“I thought we could watch a movie together.”
Alicent’s hand stops mid-air, fork stilling.
“Oh. I can’t today.” Alicent says then, completely knocking Rhaenyra off the train of her thoughts.
Rhaenyra can’t help but feel a bit disappointed as she looks up at her. “Oh. What are you gonna do today?”
Alicent sighs, standing up to load the dishwasher.
“I’m sort of— meeting someone.”
Rhaenyra tenses at that. Though she thinks she hides it well enough so Alicent doesn’t notice the way her hand clenches into a fist.
(Alicent notices, though she’s not sure if she’s hallucinating or not.)
“Oh.” Rhaenyra sighs. “Okay.” She adds before getting up from the counter.
Alicent only turns around when she hears Rhaenyra’s bedroom door open and close. She turns around then, closing her eyes.
She could’ve phrased that better, she knows now. She’s only meeting Laena later that day, because Laena mentioned she wanted to talk to her about something.
She can’t really decide whether Rhaenyra’s reaction was real or not. Maybe she was imagining it and Rhaenyra’s disappointed little ‘oh’ wasn’t even that disappointed.
She can’t let herself think that Rhaenyra is into her. It would make her lose her mind if her crush on her best friend of seven years turned out to be reciprocated. Even this slight possibly makes her want to clench her thighs together and think of those sinful things she’d let Rhaenyra do to her.
(Despite never admitting it, it keeps her up at night more than she can count. Knowing that Rhaenyra sleeps a few metres away from her in her own room, barely two doors separate them and Alicent sometimes lets those wicked thoughts get into her mind and take over her body. Sometimes she imagines Rhaenyra and her biceps. And her mouth. And her crooked nose. And her laugh and deep voice. And her eyes. And perfect hair.
It makes her sweat through the night.)
Rhaenyra leaves then. She leaves the house, which Alicent finds odd, due to her saying that she wants to have a lazy day.
But then Alicent hears the engine of Rhaenyra’s truck buzzing loudly and Rhaenyra drives away.
She spent hours driving. Only taking a break to get gas. Then she stopped at a pumpkin patch and thought of Alicent.
She thought of Alicent and herself, picking pumpkins together that they would carve together. She thought about how amazing it would be and yearned. Maybe it was too beautiful to even picture it in her head and that’s why she couldn’t let herself see Alicent’s face fully in her mind.
Because as reality settled in; Alicent was not there with her. Alicent was meeting someone else.
She’s angry. Furious that someone gets to enjoy a side of Alicent that she has never seen before. That probably some chopped guy is trying to make her giggle, the way only she can make Alicent giggle and belly laugh and snort at the same time.
She’s envious, she hates the idea of Alicent yearning for a guy’s attention and probably not even getting it because men were obviously unaware of the gem she was. Men are ignorant and egotistical and they— oh, I need to calm down.
Rhaenyra struggles to breathe as she drives home.
She’s still angry when she gets home. She doesn’t try to hide it. She slams the front door loudly enough if there were a man inside the house with Alicent it would startle him.
But as she strides inside the apartment, she only catches Alicent in the kitchen, drinking wine and laughing to something so breathlessly. Then she hears another voice and she gets even more mad, because Alicent really had the audacity to bring a fucking man into their home and—
“Rhaenyra! You’re finally home!” Laena exclaims loudly.
Rhaenyra freezes as the picture spreads in front of her.
There was Laena, Laenor and Harwin on the couch, giggling together, wine-drunk.
Rhaenyra chokes out, raising her hands in the air. “You guys— are you having game night without me?”
Rhaenyra catches as Alicent takes a rather large sip of her wine, hiding her blush-kissed cheeks.
“No, actually—”
Laena stands quickly, wrapping her arms around Rhaenyra.
“The boys just arrived a minute ago. I came by earlier today because I wanted to speak to Alicent about something important.”
Rhaenyra freezes.
Her mouth hangs open.
“Oh.”
Oh.
So there wasn’t any man in the picture.
She gulps her shame down, stealing a glance at Alicent who’s not even looking at her.
“Well then. We can finally try the boardgame I bought!”
“Dude, this game sucks.” Laenor groans out.
Rhaenyra laughs at that. “Only because you die all the time.” Alicent hides her smirk behind her cards. Rhaenyra catches it. “So, I know that Alicent is the killer.” Rhaenyra says then, catching Alicent’s smirk widening.
“Am I?” Alicent bites into her bottom lip and it’s way too attractive. “What if I’m not?” She asks innocently, flashing her pearly smile at Rhaenyra.
It makes Rhaenyra’s chest ache.
“Ugh you guys need to get a roo—” Laenor groans out until a hand slaps on his mouth.
Alicent decides to act like she didn’t notice this interaction between them and Rhaenyra kind of does the same as she draws the next card. Except she sends a warning glance at Laena and Laenor, eyes squinting on them suspiciously.
Hours into the boardgame, Alicent is very tipsy.
Wine tipsy, which is very bad because she’s been horny all night and she can feel her body buzzes in places that she doesn’t want to admit but she also needs to feel relief and— she’s literally one cheesy smile away from launching herself at Rhaenyra which is also very embarrassing.
(Because, in different circumstances, she would never ever do something like that.)
She can barely recognise her surroundings as she tumbles forward the bathroom, the one she shares with Rhaenyra, because Rhaenyra is her roommate of two years and Rhaenyra uses this bathroom to shower a lot and Alicent uses it too and she can’t stop thinking about this shower knowing what Rhaenyra’s naked body looks like.
As she’s about to open the bathroom door, she feels something hard hitting her chest and she yelps, feeling herself falling backwards, she reaches out to grab onto something.
Only to catch Rhaenyra’s bicep.
“Oh shit. Are you okay?” Rhaenyra chuckles out wetly, catching her instantly.
She giggles nervously, her nails digging into Rhaenyra’s skin as she straightens herself the best she can.
Alicent nods breathlessly, taking a glance up at Rhaenyra, unable to hide the neediness from her eyes.
Rhaenyra nearly gives in to her intrusive thoughts at the sight of Alicent’s large, glossy and desperate eyes. She wants to pull Alicent inside the bathroom and kiss her but Alicent is— straight.
She could never cross that line with her best friend.
“Just need to wee.” Alicent murmurs, gasping a bit as she rolls Rhaenyra’s sleeve up to reveal more of her biceps. “God.”
Rhaenyra chuckles nervously at that, feeling pride swelling her chest. She’s a bit confused at why Alicent is admiring her biceps this much but she can’t help and enjoy it.
“Enjoying yourself there?”
Alicent bites into her bottom lip, her eyes glued to Rhaenyra’s arm. Especially her shoulders and armpits.
As Alicent’s gaze travels up, she lets herself linger on Rhaenyra’s neck. The way it bobs draws Alicent’s eyes closer, she doesn’t even notice leaning in. Rhaenyra gulps.
Alicent’s eye travels further, stopping on Rhaenyra’s lips.
Rhaenyra’s lips part and a small gasp escapes her. They’re barely a few inches away.
Then laughter comes from inside the living room and the moment breaks instantly.
Alicent gulps, glancing away while she brushes past Rhaenyra and closes the door behind herself and Rhaenyra can’t help but breathe in her sweet scent, the one she adores on Alicent so much.
As the door closes, Rhaenyra lets out a strangled noise, banging her head against the wall.
As Rhaenyra walks back inside the living room, she throws herself down on the couch beside Laena.
“You guys need to fuck already.” Laena mumbles drunkenly into her glass of wine.
Rhaenyra groans tiredly at that, shaking her head as she rubs her face.
“She’s straight.”
Laena hums, her voice reflecting her disapprovement.
Rhaenyra glances at her, tired of listening to the same thing over and over again. Her friends love teasing them about the tension between them, which is getting a bit out of hand, Rhaenyra thinks. As in the teasing part. Not the tension.
“What?” Rhaenyra says, voice flat.
“Nothing.”
Rhaenyra decides to let it go.
Soon after that, Alicent makes an appearance. Seemingly she didn’t just ‘wee’ as she said, as she tumbles out to the living with a large blush on her cheeks and she gets raided by Laena’s drunk questions instantly.
“What were you doing for so long in there?”
Alicent blushes even deeper, avoiding Laena by pushing her into the couch, stumbling over Rhaenyra’s legs and nearly falling into her lap.
Rhaenyra catches her, her hands shaking as she helps Alicent to sit beside her.
“I think we should leave these two to get some sleep.” Harwin says, and Alicent reminds herself that he is actually there. He barely said anything during the whole game night.
The rest of their friends agree and they quickly get over the tired ‘goodbye-kisses’ and all that before Alicent’s butt is hitting the couch again and Rhaenyra is nervous for some reason to be alone with her best friend.
It shouldn’t make her this nervous.
As Alicent cuddles Rhaenyra on the couch, Rhaenyra unconsciously scooches closer to her, hugging her side.
“Alicent.”
“Hm?”
“We should go to sleep.”
“I am.”
There’s soft silence and Alicent can feel Rhaenyra’s fragrance and it’s making her dizzy. Thé Noir smells amazing on her.
“Separately.” Rhaenyra adds softly.
Alicent looks up at her then, slowly nodding. “Okay.” She exhales softly, her voice barely louder than a whisper. With her heart aching, she untangles herself from Rhaenyra’s embrace and heads toward her bedroom. “Goodnight, Rhaenyra.” She murmurs, taking a last glance back at her.
Rhaenyra catches the tired, wine-drunk look in her eyes, the longing she doesn’t understand in them.
“Goodnight, baby.” Rhaenyra gives her a weak smile, before Alicent disappears into her own room.
“Maybe we could do the movie night you mentioned a few days ago.” Alicent says, biting into her bottom lip. “Today,” she adds, her eyes searching for Rhaenyra.
They’re out pumpkin shopping at the local grocer’s and Rhaenyra is pushing a trolley in front of herself, just as she abruptly stops.
Rhaenyra turns her head to her, surprised.
“Yeah? You’re up for that?”
Alicent half-shrugs, giving her a soft, playful smile.
“Sure. Just let’s pick some— light horror.”
Rhaenyra smiles at her, knowing just well which movie she’ll pick once they get home.
Merely two hours later, they’re watching The Nun and Rhaenyra can’t stop salivating over Taissa Farmiga in a white nun costume. (She even considers hinting it to Alicent that she could wear it and she would dress as a crucifix or something so they can match for Halloween.)
Alicent is clutching Rhaenyra on the couch. The room is dark, only the light of the TV casts on them as the movie rolls and rolls.
Alicent jumps at every single jumpscare and Rhaenyra can’t help but giggle each time it happens.
Only to earn a harsher squeeze on her bicep once Alicent notices her chuckles.
“Ow—” Rhaenyra chokes out playfully.
“Don’t laugh at me, you purposefully chose a scary movie.” Alicent pouts, gently slapping Rhaenyra’s shoulder.
Rhaenyra laughs aloud at that, pausing the movie.
“Baby, it’s horror. Obviously there’ll be a few jumpscares.”
Alicent gapes at her, frowning as she grabs a pillow and smashes it on Rhaenyra’s chest. Rhaenyra laughs out loud again, pouting dramatically before grabbing Alicent’s wrists, pinning them on the headrest of the couch.
It knocks the air out of Alicent’s lungs, making her gasp out loud. Eyes wide, like a deer caught in headlights, she stares at Rhaenyra before her eyes slowly skip down to Rhaenyra’s lips.
And her gaze remains there.
Rhaenyra catches it and falters, her grip loosens but Alicent doesn’t move from under her. She doesn’t blink, she just— stares at Rhaenyra’s lips. Her eyes are so dilated that Rhaenyra can see her own reflection in them.
Rhaenyra clears her throat then, quickly letting go of Alicent.
“Sorry.” Rhaenyra mumbles out, reaching for the remote.
“No, it’s—” Alicent breathes out, panting a bit. Rhaenyra catches as Alicent’s cheeks become nearly tomato red and she looks away, a faint movement comes from Alicent’s legs and Rhaenyra notices as she presses them together.
Rhaenyra is spiraling. Oh, it’s bad, she’s spiraling bad.
“Let’s continue watching the movie.” Rhaenyra cuts in before Alicent starts telling her that as best friends they shouldn’t do things like that, because she knows and she wishes that she wouldn’t know that Alicent would say that.
Alicent nods before letting something shameless escape her lips. Like another gasp she let out a few moments ago. Or a moan that would literally make her want to disappear.
“Okay.”
Alicent is staring at the ceiling. The alcohol is long gone from her system, only her drunken thoughts remain.
She can still hear Rhaenyra walking around in the living room and kitchen, even though it’s been about two hours since they said goodnight to each other.
She’s been thinking about the incident ever since she retired to her bedroom and about things to relieve the pounding feeling rushing down to her crotch.
It’s tempting.
Even the thought that Rhaenyra is just right behind that door is making her clench her thighs together and a small noise escapes her parted lips.
She instantly clutches her hand over her mouth. Fingers digging into her cheeks, she feels flushed.
The tension between her legs is nearly unbearable. She can’t help but rub them together a bit, only to make herself moan. Her hand isn’t helping much, as the noise stop coming from outside her door and her whole body buzzes as her heart drops and adrenaline rushes in her veins.
She lets her free hand travel down her belly, slowly slipping under the hem of her shorts. Just above her panties, she finds herself drenched.
“Oh god—” she moans out, cupping herself through her underwear.
The lace is sticking to her and she can’t stop imagining Rhaenyra pinning her down again, and Rhaenyra’s pretty mouth and toned muscles. In the back of her mind, she sees Rhaenyra’s V-line and ivory happy trail as her briefs hang low on her hips.
Desperation wins over her and she hooks her fingers under her underwear, slipping her fingers through her slick folds.
She’s so wet that she can’t even think of anything but seeking relief and rubbing herself more.
Another noise tears up from her throat. Desperate and wet. More importantly, loud.
Loud enough to escape through her closed door.
Just as the tip of her finger finds that spot that makes her legs shake like jelly, a loud knock ripples through the quiet of her room.
She jumps, her hand flying out of her sleeping shorts. She sits abruptly, her body shaking.
“Yeah?” She asks, her voice trembling.
The door slowly opens, Rhaenyra’s head pops in. She looks both tired and nervous.
“Are you okay? I heard a noise.”
Alicent exhales shakily, feeling her fingers sticky with her own slick.
She clenches her thighs together, slowly meeting Rhaenyra’s eyes. She nods.
“Must have been talking in my sleep.”
Rhaenyra frowns a bit.
“Nightmare?”
Alicent gulps, hesitating.
Then she nods. A small white lie can’t hurt.
Rhaenyra instantly opens the door wider and steps inside.
“Do you want me to hold you while you sleep?”
Oh fucking hell.
Alicent thinks her heart was just sent into cardiac arrest for a second before she finds herself automatically nodding. It’s not like they haven’t slept in the same bed during their seven year long friendship. They have, several times in fact.
And then Rhaenyra is climbing into her bed and making her shift a bit so they can cuddle.
“You’re shaking.” Rhaenyra murmurs, closing her arms around Alicent.
It’s true, Alicent is shaking. But not because of fear. It’s because she was touching herself for the first time in her whole life probably and Rhaenyra almost caught her and she didn’t even get to finish—
(It’s not like Alicent has never experienced an orgasm, because she did have a boyfriend before. Two, in fact. Not that they ever cared for her pleasure.
And it’s also not like Alicent wasn’t taught to never give herself to a man, not until marriage at least. Though, she rebelled once. There, with her second boyfriend, she let him stick it in for four minutes before he started sounding like he was crying and collapsed on her.
Only then she decided it wasn’t really worth it and understood why her father said it was a sin.
Because having sex with a man really did feel like she shouldn’t be doing that at all.)
Now, having to cuddle with Rhaenyra and breathing in her natural scent and bodysoap, Alicent thinks she would let Rhaenyra do anything to her.
Still, she’s not sure whether it’s more than sexual desire she feels and she really doesn’t want to risk it, because Rhaenyra is such a gentleman and she’s so charming and cheerful around her and she treats Alicent perfectly and she really loves her best friend. She can never be sure if Rhaenyra is being a gentleman because Alicent is a girl she fancies or if she was just taught to be sweet and charming from day one.
So now, she pushes her raging nerves down her throat and closes her eyes, trying her best to ignore the pulse between her thighs.
Alicent slowly adapts to her surroundings a bit lazily. Everything feels like a haze as she flutters her eyes open.
She finds herself nearly in the same position she fell asleep in— except this time, Alicent has her leg over Rhaenyra’s waist and she can feel a warm palm on her thigh.
Alicent drifts awake fully, feeling a small squeeze on her arse. She jumps, waking Rhaenyra with a sudden jolt.
“Good morning—” Rhaenyra grumbles, her hand instantly leaving Alicent’s butt.
“Morning.” Alicent breathes out shakily, her hand keeps resting on Rhaenyra’s chest.
Slowly, Rhaenyra opens her eyes a bit wider, noticing the weight of Alicent’s leg over her.
“Oh. Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
Alicent blushes, shaking her head immediately.
“No, it’s okay. You’re just very warm and it felt good to be close.” She murmurs, feeling Rhaenyra’s breath tickling her cheek.
Rhaenyra giggles at that, voice sounding rasp and it sends a thrill down Alicent’s spine.
“Do you want me to make some breakfast?” Rhaenyra asks, her sleepy eyes searching for Alicent.
Alicent can’t keep her snort down.
“I think it’s better if you don’t touch that stove.”
Rhaenyra grumbles at that, pouting like a little kid.
Just at the sight of this, somehow Alicent is struck by the memory of the incident that happened last night. Rhaenyra pinning her down.
And she thinks of a devilish comeback.
With a sudden shift, she straddles Rhaenyra fully, hands on Rhaenyra’s chest as she straightens up and tilts her chin up, still looking down at her.
Rhaenyra instantly freezes beneath her, mouth hanging open, eyes wide.
“Alicent—” Rhaenyra chokes out and her body is so warm that Alicent actually debates with her inner longing to just stay there in Rhaenyra’s embrace.
But she keeps herself straightened, and tilts her head, taking in the sight of her best friend gaping at her with a deep swirl of dark in her eyes.
Rhaenyra’s messy bed hair is making her even more attractive. It shouldn’t even be legal to look this charming after waking up.
Alicent can feel her inner boldness faltering as Rhaenyra’s warm palms find her thighs.
“I’ll make breakfast.” Alicent says, biting into her bottom lip. “And then we could carve those pumpkins we got.”
Rhaenyra nods, dumbly blinking at her.
Alicent bites into her bottom lip then, feeling a rush of joy under her skin as she winks at her best friend who is struggling to catch her breath under her. Alicent moves off her with a quick move before she slips out of the bedroom.
She stops just as she leaves the room , only to hear a softly murmured curse coming from Rhaenyra.
She chuckles to herself, smiling as she shakes her head.
Now, they’re even.
The pumpkin carving is going absolutely well.
Better than what alicent imagined since how their day started, entangled in each other and so utterly close. It still has her throbbing, just the thought of Rhaenyra and her biceps and toned muscles.
She can’t get it out of her head. The picture of Rhaenyra, sleepily staring at her, stupidly blinking while Alicent straddled her. And the burn of her touch— Alicent shivered.
There was way too much tension between them. As they bickered, like always, teasing the other with the usual things. Rhaenyra, calling out every huffing noise Alicent made, then Rhaenyra pointing out the soft crinkle between Alicent’s brows as she focused so hard on not to blush.
And obviously— that stupid nickname. Rhaenyra seemed to be obsessed with calling her baby. It didn’t bother Alicent, or at least, she tried very hard not to act breathless each time the nickname rolled off Rhaenyra's tongue so easily.
It made Alicent incredibly horny.
It was borderline insane at this point.
Then Rhaenyra popped the idea of decorating the house together. Which sounded like fun, Alicent couldn’t deny it. Except— when Alicent had to climb a ladder to install a LED light all around the living room, she fell down directly into Rhaenyra’s arms. Those stupidly strong arms.
She didn’t only catch her, but held her so close that Alicent could barely catch her breath.
“I’m okay. I’m okay, I promise.” Alicent rushes out the words, blushing all the way down to her chest.
Rhaenyra’s arms around her made her clench in places she was barely brave enough to admit.
Rhaenyra wasn’t buying it either. She put Alicent down on the couch, making sure she didn’t accidentally scrape herself or twisted her ankle. And Rhaenyra was way too thorough with her examination.
Alicent was holding her breath as Rhaenyra ran her fingers down her leg. As Alicent was wearing nothing else but a pair of shorts, her bare legs shivered under Rhaenyra’s touch. She was just so fucking warm, it’s crazy.
“Okay, but if something hurts, I’ll bring you to the hospital.”
Alicent couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “I’m not made of glass, Rhaenyra.”
Rhaenyra snorted, shooting her grin. She was still on her knees, in front of Alicent and Alicent’s mind was doing a dirty job.
“Oh, I know. Iron-fist lady.”
Alicent grumbled with a smirk she couldn’t hide anymore.
The house truly looked like a haunted house once they finished up. Cobwebs in the corners made of old sheets that Rhaenyra ripped apart — with her stupidly hot muscles and arms — they even used a sheet to cover the couch, making it look like they just moved into the house with the furniture still unpacked.
It was spooky.
It gave a thrilling chill, enough to get Rhaenyra excited over it and rub her hands together that Alicent commented on. “You look like a fly.” And Rhaenyra snorted.
“Why don’t we invite the others for a cocktail party?” Rhaenyra popped the idea.
Alicent glanced at her, smiling softly as she stirred the pot. She was making Chinese fried pasta.
“Now? Isn’t it a bit late?” She hummed out, glancing down at the pot.
It wasn’t late at all. It was barely past five in the afternoon.
Simply, she just wanted to have another day with her stupidly hot best friend and she was selfish and didn’t really want to share her.
Rhaenyra shrugged, biting the bottom of her lip as she waited for Alicent’s approval. As silence stretched and Rhaenyra kept chewing on her lip, Alicent sighed out.
“Okay, but first, can we eat in peace? And watch something, perhaps?” She turned, catching Rhaenyra fisting the air in her stupidly cute enthusiastic rush. “To at least have something in our stomachs before abusing it with several types of mixed drinks.”
Rhaenyra snorted. “Yup. Can I pick the movie?”
Alicent gave her a horrid look. “Lighter horror please. Okay?”
Rhaenyra started chuckling deep in her throat.
Alicent panicked a bit. “Okay?!”
Alicent had an afterthought— or more like she started overthinking her moves. The ones she made earlier, when they woke up in each other’s arms and Rhaenyra’s hand on her ass. When she straddled Rhaenyra and it suddenly felt a little too hot between her legs.
Why isn’t Rhaenyra shy about it?
It really makes her think.
Shouldn’t Rhaenyra be— sheepish? Shy? A bit less smirky as she is now. Because the grin on her face, the one that pairs with a wink is still there if not even bigger.
And it’s driving Alicent insane. Not only that, but the movie Rhaenyra chose— it’s obviously not a light horror. It’s actually quite intense and Alicent can’t lie, she’s enjoying the plot. The Thanksgiving.
Rhaenyra once swayed her arm around Alicent and pulled her closer and Alicent hadn’t dared to move an inch since. Having Rhaenyra’s bicep pressing into her shoulder is making her throb in places she will not admit out loud ever.
It’s getting to a point now, it truly is. A girl can only handle so much, and Alicent handled way too much now. She needs relief. Needs to feel the release of that knot twisting in her low abdomen. She wants it. She really does and it’s driving her completely nuts.
“Enjoying the movie so far?” Rhaenyra whispered into her ear, making her shiver all the way down to her spine.
Shuddering, Alicent shot a glance at her.
“Hm. Would enjoy it more if you weren’t murmuring into my ear like a cricket.”
Rhaenyra snorted out at that, her nose crinkling just enough to make her look absolutely adorable and Alicent needed to grasp all of her will-power to look back at the TV.
“Like a cricket?” Rhaenyra purred, leaning close into Alicent’s space again.
Alicent hummed, feeling her skin prickling as Rhaenyra’s breath reached the area behind her ear.
“Or like a mosquito. That fits better, you’re annoying like that.”
Rhaenyra’s dramatic gasp turned into a laugh, reaching for the remote to pause the movie.
“Hold on. You think I’m annoying?” Rhaenyra leant away, her arm resting on the headrest now as she stared at Alicent and Alicent glanced at her, feeling a little smirk growing on her face.
“Precisely. Most annoying person on the planet.”
Rhaenyra gasped more dramatically at that, clutching her chest. “Ms. Hightower! You wound me!”
Alicent couldn’t help but snort out a laugh at that. She bit into her bottom lip, watching Rhaenyra acting wounded. Though, the usual bright glimmer in her ice blue eyes remained if not shone even brighter.
“Someone needs to keep you in your place.” Alicent sighed, matching Rhaenyra’s drama.
Rhaenyra barked out a breathy laugh, eyes going wide as she leant forward.
“Oh, yeah? And that would be you?” She teased, her voice dropping very low, scratching Alicent's ears deliciously.
Alicent’s eyes flashed as she turned her body, facing Rhaenyra.
“Who else would it be?” She tilted her head, trying hard not to look down at Rhaenyra’s lips and the stupid smirk that’s forming on it.
Rhaenyra leant forward, just an inch. Her ice blue eyes dilated as she didn’t force herself away from looking down at Alicent’s plump lips. A breathy exhale followed, just a soft knot of brows, furrowing almost desperately. Alicent watched it keenly, letting a gasp out when Rhaenyra looked into her eyes.
The air started prickling between them, as the world slowly ceased to exist. Nothing mattered in Alicent’s brain, no such thing had a greater meaning than wanting to surge forward and take what’s in front of her. She wanted Rhaenyra’s mouth on hers, bruising her with kisses. She wanted Rhaenyra’s hands, those veiny fingers, gripping her so hard that it would bruise for days. She wanted—
“Shit,” Rhaenyra jumped, and slowly Alicent’s mind registered the rippling sound coming from Rhaenyra’s pocket. With shaking hands, Alicent turned away, running her fingers through her hair. “What.” Rhaenyra spoke into the phone rather breathlessly.
Alicent didn’t care. Her face felt hot, her body raged and throbbed. She knew the release wouldn’t come, not until she felt Rhaenyra’s mouth on her body.
Quickly, Alicent stood up, not even sharing a glance at Rhaenyra before she rushed into her own room, closing the door fast behind herself. It was late anyway. Far past six, she doesn’t need to say anything if she wants to go to bed. But the promise of doing a cocktail-night with the others was creeping on the back of her neck.
She winced, grimacing as she sat on the edge of her bed, trying to slow the rapid beating of her heart. It wouldn’t slow. It kept pounding and pounding and the feeling between her legs was nearly unbearable. It almost felt like she was sore, from never touching herself.
She licked her bottom lip, laying down on the mattress. Rhaenyra wouldn’t come into her room, would she? She’s busy talking on the phone to whoever she was talking to and Alicent could have a moment to herself, quickly jacking off to the thought of her best friend.
No, Jesus.
She quickly sat up. Her hands gripped her knees, rocking back and forth in her seat.
She can’t do that. That’s— disgraceful. Touching her private parts to the thought of her best friend would— that would be not only disgraceful but distasteful.
Clenching her teeth, locking her jaw tight, she brought her hand to her mouth. Easing a nail between the slit of her teeth, she bit down hard. Just enough until she heard the loud cracking noise of her nail breaking.
Minutes passed. Long minutes, just Alicent staring at the closed door, hoping or not hoping to see Rhaenyra barging in with that usual bright grin on her face.
Rhaenyra didn’t barge in.
Minutes crept into an hour.
Rhaenyra didn’t barge in.
Alicent felt her legs going numb.
Rhaenyra still didn’t barge in.
Then— just when Alicent was about to get up and get ready for bed, silently cursing at herself for hoping to see Rhaenyra at all, there was a soft knock.
Alicent felt her heart jumping at the sound, she fled to the door quickly, ripping it open.
To her greatest surprise, it wasn’t a pair of beautiful ice blue eyes that met hers but a different shade of blue.
“Laena?” Alicent gasped out, frowning at her friend.
Laena sent her a small smile, tilting her head, as if she knew something she shouldn’t know about.
“Hi honey. Can I come in?” Alicent frowned even deeper, only stepping to the side enough for Laena to slip inside and close the door behind herself. Then Laena turned to face her and raised her hands in the air quizzically. “Girl, what the hell is going on between you and Rhaenyra?”
Alicent choked out a baffled noise, stepping back a bit. Laena’s words had a freaking force to it.
“What— I don’t know what you’re—”
Laena rolled her eyes, exhaling tiredly.
“Cut the crap. There is something, everyone can see it.”
Alicent stared at her like a fish in a tank, gaping with a horrified look because she couldn’t fully comprehend why was Laena standing in her room and calling her out like that—
“Okay, wait.” Alicent put her hands up, motioning a ‘time-out’. “What are you doing here?”
Laena snorted, sending her a look. “Rhaenyra said you two almost kissed.”
Alicent gasped out, eyes wide. “Why would she say that??”
Laena matched her wide eyes. “Well, I don’t know, honey? Why would she say that?”
Alicent took a step back, hands on her hips. She batted her eyes down at her feet, exhaling out sharply.
“I— well, we didn’t kiss. Obviously, she’s my best friend, I’m not going to kiss her like that—”
Laena snorted again, looking up at the ceiling.
“Oh girl, this is worse than a reality show.” She sighed wearily, glancing at Alicent who was still standing in the middle of her room, pacing a little. “Your only reason to not kiss Rhaenyra is that she’s your best friend? Shouldn’t your reasoning be that you’re straight?” She stared at Alicent, hand out with her palm facing up.
Alicent glared at her, gulping a bit.
“T-that, too.” She stuttered, enough to make Laena snort again.
“Just– this is getting ridiculous. Go out there and do something. Seriously. Stop messing with each other’s feelings or I don’t know, Alicent. Get her out of your life.”
Alicent violently gasped at her. “That’s not happening, you know I love Rhaenyra.”
Laena grabbed the doorknob, staring back at her for the last time.
“I know, honey. Which is exactly why you should reconsider that maybe you have different feelings for your best friend.” She said slowly, tilting her head a bit. “I’ll be out there, having fun with Rhaenyra because she invited us over to have a cocktail party. Please, don’t be a sour puss and come out of your cave.”
Alicent gasped again, grabbing a pillow, throwing at Laena. Laena laughed out, slipping out of the room. She left the door open enough for Alicent to be able to catch Rhaenyra standing by the couch in the living room, nervously cracking her fingers and staring at the door until she caught Alicent’s stare.
Alicent blushed deeply, catching her eyes away. The same way Rhaenyra did.
With her heart fluttering fast in her chest, Alicent slowly closed the door, letting her head bang softly against it.
“Fucking hell,” she murmured softly.
She’s fucked but not in the way she wanted to be.