Chapter Text
The sun sits high when Jacaerys was informed that his husband has returned from driftmark
He drew some trembling breaths before deciding whether he should check on him right then or not
The door opened with a loud creak Jacaerys stepped through with a hand on his pregnant belly and his face morphed in frustration, he was praying all gods to not to lose focus for what he came here for and to stay composed
Aerion sat upon the edge of the bed with his head bowed, in his hands held a goblet of wine which was already half-empty, indicating that he might be drunk
The thought of him being drunk didn't stopped Jace from his purpose
“Truly, Cannibal? Could you not have chosen a less painful end than to be eaten by a beast?” Jacaerys’s voice rose as soon as he entered the chamber taking big steps towards his husband “What possessed you Aerion?”
He was now standing in front of his twin-husband who was wearing his riding armour, his hair tangled probably due to harsh winds of driftmark, his eyes though wear showed no sign of remorse of what he's done
“I reckoned he was the one.” Aerion whispered, the words so faint that Jace only saw his lips moving. With a sigh he slowly lowered himself onto the bed next to his husband, adjusting his belly. Jace took Aerions’s face between his palms forcing him to look at his dark curls “Why are you so desperate for a dragon, You ride Vermax with me all the time, He holds affection for you.”
“He only tolerates my presence because of your command.” Aerion snarks, placing his wine goblet down, reaching out to touch his twin’s curls as he moves closer seeking his warmth, leaving almost no space between them “That's not true. Vermax loves you, he was hatched in our crib.” Jace said as he turns a bit defensive
“In your crib Ñuha jorrāeliarzy, not mine” his voice sounded almost hurt. “He hatched in your crib, Mine is still beside the fireplace, waiting for his time to come.” He states
Jace fell silent, he leaned forward, capturing his husband’s lips in a kiss that tasted like wine, Aerion immediately responded with intensity, his hands starts to roam into Jace’s hair as he deepened the kiss. Jace was the one who broke it first, his breathes hitching
“Mother was distressed about you and Father was prepared to get on Caraxes to look for you.” He paused for a moment looking in his husband's eyes, their face still pretty close to each other, their lips almost touching before he continued “I was in the small council when the news reached me, do you really comprehend how much unease you brought to me? I was worried about you.”
He stole one more kiss before their focus was ripped off from each other when they heard the guards announcing the arrival of the Queen and King consort. The doors opened wide, their parents walking in with the guards following behind them
“Leave us,” Daemon said without even turning back. Once the closing of the door and the the thuds of the footsteps fainted he continued “Look who's back from the little adventure of theirs.” He said with his signature smug look
“Daemon, enough” Rhaenyra hissed at him before walking towards the twins with Daemon following behind her, Dameon settled himself down on a chair with black sister resting against his waist.Jace feeling the weight of their parents gaze on them he pulled away from his husband while blushing
“Their parents had a pretty normal reaction when they told them about their relationship, which Rhaenyra was surprisingly quite happy about and Daemon also had a small smile on his face which was a rare sight, after getting hugs from their mother, they turned towards Daemon who looked at them with a knowing smirk, as if he wanted to say that he's known this all along but still he welcomed them in his arms”
Rhaenyra stood before Aerion before continuing. “The Lords whisper of your recklessness, There is talk in the whole kingdom, So care to enlighten us with your explanation as to why you acted with such idiocy.” She glared at her younger son
Aerion rubbed his eyes, groaning. “How did it reach them?” He wondered, Why's there a family meeting in his room just because he tried to claim a dragon? It's not like he's not done this before. “It’s just a dragon claim Mother, I’ve done it before.” he said defending himself
“Well son it's not–bang. Rhaenyra tried to continue before Daemon slammed his hands on the table, cutting her off, his face was a bit angered. “It’s not merely a dragon! You tried to claim Cannibal, A beast that feeds upon the flesh of its own kind! A Dragon like Cannibal is not to be claimed or even ridden, It’s cursed. Either you’re too presumptuous of yourself or you’re a madman.” Daemon roared, his hold on black sister tightened
Daemon’s voice echoed against the stone walls, but it was the sharp, rhythmic thud of Jace’s high boots against the floor that made him stop. Jace had pushed himself off the bed, one hand supporting the small of his back, the other pointing a index finger directly at his father
“Stand down, father.” Jace exclaimed, his voice tightening as he winced when the babe suddenly kicked his ribs, he turned his gaze and finger to his husband. “And you! Who told you to seek after a monster? Cannibal is not just a dragon, he's a monster.” Aerion looks at him and shrugs his shoulders. “This conversation is over, I want some rest and Aerion, you’ll be resting in your own chambers for the whole moon.” Jace finished indicating the end
Rhaenyra looks at her first born and then at her husband whose lips were in a straight line after being shut by their heir. A sad smile touched her lip, remembering how she once stood against her father in her youth too just like her son is
“We shall leave you two to it now and Aerion, this is not over.” Rhaneyra said before continuing “Come on, Daemon.” she finished and started making her way towards the door
Aerion watches as their parents disappear from their sights, He stares up and down at Jace and moves to Jace’s side, a smirk tugging at his lips. He leaned down, his breath warm against Jace’s ear. “Do they truly believe that a little scolding and mothering from them is going to stop me?” He smirked and nipped at Jace’s earlobe “Stop!” Jace snapped “Is the world merely a jest to you?” He was furious now “Mother and Father are worried about you and so am I! Yet you wear your reckless and idiotic behavior like a crown, It’s pathetic.”
“Pathetic?” Aerion’s smirk didn't just fade, it turned. He fumed, drawing himself up to his full height, the smell of wine and dragon-smoke still clinging to him. “You forget yourself Jace. You speak to a Prince of the Blood, your husband, and your future King Consort. I will not be scolded like a page in my own chambers.”
Jace didn't flinch. He took a step forward, the weight of his belly making his posture heavy but unshakable. “And you forget that I am the Heir” he threw back, his voice low and dangerous. “Do not pull rank with me, Aerion. You are my husband, yes, but you are a subject of the Crown first. I will be the one who will have to answer for your madness to the Council while I can barely stand on my own two feet!”
Jace’s breath hitched, a hand flying to his stomach as a sharp cramp flared, but he hissed through his teeth, refusing to show weakness. “You want to be a King? Start by acting like a man who intends to live long enough to see his child born, I have no desire to raise our child fatherless."
Aerion’s eyes turned to ice, the warmth of their earlier kiss completely extinguished. He looked at Jace as if he were a stranger or worse, an enemy.
“So” Aerion whispered, his voice trembling with a bitter edge. “It is Heir and Subject now, is it? I see where I stand in your heart, Jacaerys.”
He didn't wait for an answer. He turned on his heel, his riding boots stomping against the floorboards as he stormed out, slamming the door so hard the wine goblet rattled on the table.