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synkverv · 5 months

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the color violet never seemed to glow (until i saw it in your eyes)

Chapter One: fly with me Art by: @ewanmitchellcrumbs Pairing: Alicent/Rhaenyra (Rhaenicent), Laenor/Joffrey Lonmouth (mentioned) Rating: mature Tags & Warnings: alternate universe - 1980s, fluff and smut, angst and humor, period-typical homophobia, body dysmorphia, declarations of love, drinking Word Count: 6,460 AO3: link

Summary: (King's Landing, Westeros, August 1986). Alicent was devastated when Rhaenyra first told her she was moving to the Vale to attend university. So to try and cheer her friend up, Rhaenyra promised to make this the best summer ever. She doted on Alicent, treating her to any and every activity that crossed her mind. But as the date of Rhaenyra’s departure approached, Alicent couldn't help but sink into a depression. She struggled to admit the thoughts that plagued her whole existence: she was in love with Rhaenyra. Perhaps on their final outing together, during all the shopping, eating, sunbathing, drinking, and dancing, she will be brave and say what's always been on her mind. But unbeknownst to her, Rhaenyra has the same idea.

Notes: this is my submission for @hotd-bigbang. and a special thank you to ewanmitchellcrumbs for the header, moodboard, dividers, and for organizing this event so wonderfully!! this was my first big bang and it won’t be my last. it’s been such a fantastic experience. thank you again ewanmitchellcrumbs and it’s been so great working with you!

anyway, thanks for reading! this was initially a one-shot but it grew too long for my liking so i’ve decided to split it up into two chapters (or perhaps more but don’t hold me to that!) chapter two will be posted at a later date, hopefully sooner rather than later.

The Vale.

Once a place that rarely crossed her mind now burrows into her every waking thought. She hates the Vale. Rather, she hates what it will take from her. Stealing away the most prized person in her life and keeping her behind its walls was a worthy enough reason to hate anything. She thinks about the people there, and she hates them, too. She hates all the new individuals who threaten to invade her friend's life. She can’t help but think of those who will replace everyone she had here in King's Landing. A new friend group, a new boy toy, and worst of all, a new best friend. Everything Alicent knows and lives will be nothing but a distant memory to Rhaenyra. Fragments of an old life. Despite her moping, Alicent accepts nothing stays the same forever. It’s life’s impossibility. Change is inevitable. But truthfully, what nineteen-year-old understands that? It’s silly to blame a location for her distress, she knows, but Alicent needs something to take the brunt of her frustration. It helps to focus her attention on the wrong thing, or so she believes it does. She convinces herself it’s easier to despise a place that means little to her than to despise her friend's choices. Or worse, to despise her friend herself.

She’s lying on her back atop her bed’s grey-green duvet. Her ankles are crossed and her fingers are laced together resting limply on her stomach. Her steady breathing conceals the torrent of thoughts racing behind her eyes. The shades are drawn, keeping the otherwise cheerful room as dark as her mood.

Alicent grimaces.

What kind of person would she be if she hated Rhaenyra for pursuing her dreams and goals in life? As her best friend, she should support her in all her endeavors. Even if it hurts. Rhaenyra wants to attend the same university as her mother. So, what? Alicent understands the need to feel close again to one’s late mother if nothing else.

Alicent hadn’t seen her mother in four years before her sudden illness last year. Her father had split up the family when he took up his current job working alongside Rhaenyra’s father in the capital. At his insistence, Alicent and her brothers came to live in King’s Landing to study and make important connections to aid their careers. Grayce, however, refused to move and remained in Oldtown with her brother-in-law, Hobert, and his sweet wife with whom she was close. Otto and Viserys had been friends for longer than either were married but it still shocked the whole family when he chose Viserys over Grayce.

Alicent wishes she asked her mother why she stayed behind. Four years is a long time to spend away from your husband and your children. Why not come? Father avoids the question when I ask , she thinks, I doubt I’ll ever know why now .

Yet though it seemed their marriage was strained for reasons unaddressed, Alicent watched her father become ever-dutiful and caring for his wife when she fell ill. Alicent, her brothers, and her father flew back to Oldtown the second they found out Grayce was sick. They lived at the hospital and Hobert’s home for nearly a full year. Grayce’s funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners from both the Hightower and Redwyne families. Alicent and her siblings stayed under their uncle’s roof for another week after Grayce’s passing before flying home to King’s Landing. It still surprises Alicent that they lasted that long. Otto had grown noticeably aimless and restless following the funeral, annoying his brother, his sister-in-law, his nieces and nephews, everyone. Gwayne later told her he suspected that their father disliked being around the family without being the center of attention, but Alicent, at the time, just believed he struggled to express his grief properly. Losing a mother was hard enough, she couldn’t imagine losing a life partner, the second half of one’s being.

" Allie, door! " her brother calls from downstairs.

She glances at the alarm clock to her right on her bedside table. Half nine , it reads. She’s late, as usual . But Alicent doesn’t care. She never does. Not on the first day of summer or today, the last. Rhaenyra promised to make this the best summer ever, and so far, it had been just that. Yet the thought of it ending lingered in the back of Alicent's mind the whole time, spoiling even the best moments. She’ll never let Nyra know though. She knows her friend feels guilty enough about moving away and she doesn’t want to make it worse on either of them. They avoid the subject.

"Be down in a second!" she shouts. She hears her brother respond but can’t make out what he said. Not that it matters. Gwayne makes snide comments all the time, and they’re so often meaningless. She checks herself out in the mirror on the back of her door, never one to leave the house unmade or underdressed. She brushes the wrinkles out of her light jean shorts and straightens her loose, sleeveless white top. Her crimped auburn hair is full and teased out. It’s almost hard to the touch from the layers and layers of hairspray, just the way she likes it. She grabs a couple of makeup products from her organized desktop and returns to the mirror, leaning almost close enough to brush her nose against it. She quickly slathers her favorite shade of pink lipstick over her lips. Next, she applies a modest amount of black mascara to her lashes, gently accentuating their natural length. Father hates if I wear too much makeup… or any , she thinks as she stares at her reflection. At least he’s not here to see it . She looks down at her hands and frowns. The skin around her fingers is red and angry, sporting more than a few scabs. She used to wear nail polish to distract the eye but she couldn’t keep from picking at the pastel colors. She grew tired of reapplying the polish day after day, so she stopped. Her picking has never been worse, never been so obvious. She hopes Rhaenyra doesn’t mention it.

Alicent snatches her crossbody purse from the hook by her door and all but runs downstairs. She expects to find her friend inside by the backdoor, like usual, but when she gets there, nobody is there. Garage . Rhaenyra never knocks at the front door, not since it got Alicent in trouble for ‘bothering’ her father. Father hates it when Rhaenyra stops by unannounced, or even when it’s planned. Despite Rhaenyra’s father being his best, if not only friend, Otto disliked her. It seems she was ever the thorn in his side, much to the confusion of both girls. He refused to elaborate on his distaste for Rhaenyra no matter how often Alicent would ask. So, the two girls agreed to keep their rendezvous and plans hidden from Otto. Alicent only ever tells her Gwayne, the only brother who still lives with her, where she is going and who she is going with (it’s always Rhaenyra).

Alicent turns from the back door and crosses the house to the kitchen. She finds Gwayne sitting at the kitchen island, a math textbook and notebook splayed open before him. Across the room is the door leading to the garage, cracked open just a hair.

Without looking up, he says, "Father won't be home until late again. Make sure you're back before then ‘cause I can’t cover for you." She nods, knowing Gwayne has plans to see his girlfriend that night. Alicent turns to leave but Gwayne speaks up again. "Hey." She looks back at him, her hand on the garage door handle.

"Yeah?"

"Have fun."

"Thanks," Alicent says, flashing a soft grin. “You, too.” She pushes the door aside and sees Rhaenyra leaning casually against her bike, parked inside the open garage. With her back to Alicent, she doesn’t immediately acknowledge her presence. Her friend’s eyes are locked on the empty driveway and road. Alicent smiles as she regards Rhaenyra. Ever the rebel, she wears a bulky leather jacket over an all too familiar, clearly favored purple tube top romper. Her long silver-gold hair runs down her jacket like a calm waterfall. She cradles a black helmet under her left arm and rests her dominant hand on top of a secondary helmet sitting on the motorcycle’s seat.

“Does it work now?” Alicent asks as she closes the door behind her, breaking the silence and announcing herself. Rhaenyra whips around, grinning.

"Of course. I made it here didn’t I?”

“You made it all the way to Harwin’s last time, too.” Rhaenyra flushed, playfully rolling her eyes.

“Daemon helped me fix it up after it broke down. It's not gonna fall apart again." She glanced at the yellow motorcycle and made a face. "Probably. Anyway, let's go." She jumps away from her bike, dropping the helmet beside the other, and takes Alicent’s hands in her own. "Fly with me," she says, a fox-like smirk pulling at the left corner of her mouth. Mischief flickers in her violet eyes.

"Why is it such a secret this time, Rhaenyra? What have you planned?"

"And spoil everything? You trust me, right?"

"Yes, of course I do..."

"So, hop on." Rhaenyra pulls Alicent to the motorcycle and drops her hands. She swings a leg over the seat and plops down onto the fabric seat. She yanks one of the helmets down over her head and holds out the second for Alicent. Alicent takes the helmet, puts it on, and sits behind Rhaenyra. The seat isn’t the largest, but neither of the girls is particularly big. They fit, but just barely. Alicent clasps her hands together around her friend’s waist as Rhaenyra fires up the engine. She held onto Rhaenyra a little tighter than was necessary, but Rhaenyra didn’t complain. Alicent hates motorcycles, especially this beat-up old thing, but Rhaenyra was proud of her tinkering skills. So, she ignores her fears. If it makes Nyra happy, it makes her happy ( it gives her an excuse to hold on to Rhaenyra ).

Rhaenyra speeds out of the garage and barrels down Alicent's neighborhood street. Anxious, Alicent leans her body against Nyra for support. She can’t help but close her eyes as they drive through the claustrophobic streets of King's Landing. She feels the wind tugging at her hair, the red mess flying behind her like a flag. Her hairspray fights back as best it can, but she knows the style is ruined. Oh, well . It isn’t something she didn’t anticipate. Rhaenyra’s antics have ruined more than a few hairdos and outfits. What’s one more?

Alicent feels Rhaenyra steering them further and further south, and then the realization comes to her. She knows exactly where they are going even without looking. She had lived here long enough. If she wasn't so terrified, she would smile.

A day at the beach, so it is , she thinks when they finally stop. Rhaenyra had parked along a residential street behind the Conqueror's Boardwalk, sandwiching them in between a gold sedan and a black SUV. The girls dismount and Alicent looks around at the buildings lining the boardwalk. She spies countless other people walking about in their swimsuits, coverups, and regular day clothes. It’s a superbly pleasant day to Alicent. There isn’t a cloud in the sky but a cool ocean breeze offers some relief from the summer heat.

“The beach then?” Alicent asks, giggling softly. “Why was this a secret?”

“It’s not just the beach.”

“What else?”

“You’ll see,” Rhaenyra says, flashing a white grin. “Let’s go!” And without another word, she dashes off towards the boardwalk.

“Wait, Nyra!” Alicent calls after her, jogging after her as quickly as she can.

“Come on! Hurry up!”

“I’m trying!” She struggles to keep up since running isn’t her strong suit. Westerosi people don’t exercise as much as they should. When she catches up, she finds Rhaenyra waiting outside a cute shop on the boardwalk. Just Seahorsing Around , reads the sign above the building. Seahorse decals cover the windows, accompanying numerous more seahorse puns. She can’t help but smile at the ridiculous place. From the exterior, she isn’t sure what they sell inside. Aside from jokes, anyway. Her friend, however, seems familiar with the shop. Just as Alicent opens her mouth to ask, Rhaenyra takes Alicent by the wrist and guides her inside the store.

Though a modest building size, she can’t say the owners don’t utilize the space efficiently. She eyes the circular racks at the front stuffed with hanging bathing suits of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Flip-flops, beach bags, coolers, towels, sunscreen lotion, umbrellas, volleyballs, and sandcastle toys for little ones occupy the numerous free-standing shelves and display tables that dot the floor. By the register, there are various snacks like bagged chips, soda, fruity hard candy, and individually wrapped Twinkies for customers. She notes that they don’t sell anything that can significantly melt in the summer heat like chocolates and cold treats. It was anything and everything a beachgoer could possibly want, and Alicent was almost awestruck.

“We’ll obviously need to change,” Rhaenyra says, still pulling Alicent along as if worrying she might get lost in the store. “Unless you prefer your underwear.” She winks with an open smile.

“No!” Alicent says. “How absurd!” She giggles as she pictures herself wading in the ocean water in her bra and panties. “You know, I have a perfectly good bathing suit at home I could have brought?”

“That old blue and cream thing? Nah, you desperately need something new. Something from this decade.” Rhaenyra drops Alicent’s arm and stops at a large rack packed with countless hanging suits, one and two-piece alike.

“It’s only two years old,” Alicent says.

“Whatever. It screams Yucksville ‘75, dude. Now,” Rhaenyra says as she begins fingering through the available options, “treat yourself to 1986. See, now these are bitchin’.” She pulls out two hangers and grins. “Here, hold these a sec’,” she says, shoving the swimsuits at Alicent. She returns her attention to the rack and grabs a few more choices. Rhaenyra looks around the store and says, “Ah!” when she spots a changing area at the back. “I’m gonna try these on real quick.” Alicent hands back the suits and watches her practically skip into one of the changing room stalls.

She laughs to herself and begins to skim through the rack herself. She wants something that isn’t too revealing nor too prudish like her old blue one-piece. Yet, she has trouble finding the one . She isn’t as confident in her body as Rhaenyra is with her perfect figure and curves in all the right places. Alicent is stick-thin by comparison. She worries that her bones are too visible, that her veins show through her skin too much, that she’s too tall, and other such silly things. Still, she wants to be confident in front of her friend. Even if she has to pretend. She shakes her head. She’s supposed to enjoy this day, the last day she’ll have with Rhaenyra, and she can’t let body image issues take any enjoyment away from her.

Alicent picks out three different swimsuits, three she would never normally wear. She thinks they would look stunning on Rhaenyra, so why not on her, too?

“So, what do you think?” Alicent didn’t hear Rhaenyra behind her until she spoke. She turns around to see Rhaenyra posing in one of the suits, barefoot. She is holding one hand on her hip while the other frames one side of her round face. Her grin is infectious as she shows off a deep red bikini with high-cut bottoms and a twisted bandeau top. Of course, that’s what she picked .

“I think it’s very you.” Rhaenyra’s brows shoot up and her grin widens.

“Good, ‘cause this is what I liked best.” Rhaenyra’s eyes drift to the swimsuits Alicent had draped over one arm. “Those look cute,” she says, that mischievous sparkle returning to her eyes. Before she says anything, Rhaenyra once more attaches herself to Alicent. Still grinning, she pulls them over to the changing rooms. Rhaenyra opens a stall and squeezes the both of them inside, latching the thin wooden door behind her. Alicent doesn’t protest, at least, not much.

“Won’t we get in trouble?” Alicent whispers.

“For what? We’re not doing anything. Mothers take their little kiddos in with them all the time, what’s the harm?” She thinks about mentioning that they are two fully grown girls, not a mother-and-daughter duo, but she gives up. Although Alicent trembles at the mere thought of getting in trouble with authority, Rhaenyra has an oddly calming effect on her. If she knows about that power, Alicent thinks she could encourage her to do anything she wants. Hmph, perhaps she already does , she thinks, looking at her friend in the stall with her. She’s a terrible influence but I wouldn’t change a thing .

“Fine, I hope you’re right.” She’ll keep her voice down all the same. Alicent slings the swimsuits over the top of the door as there are no hooks or anywhere to sit in the tiny stall.

Despite her personal issues with her body, she never is shy to change in front of Rhaenyra. Perhaps she’s a little coy, but Nyra doesn’t have anything different… down there . She’s seen her friend naked more times than she can count, and vice versa. Flesh is flesh. Alicent shrugs off her white blouse, kicks off her black flats, and steps out of her jeans. She throws the clothes over the door before unclasping her bra and pulling down her panties. Rhaenyra offers to hold them instead of adding them to the crowd of clothing. Alicent thanks her, handing them over, and takes one of the suits down to try on.

She looks at herself in the mirror hanging on the back wall and huffs. It’s not to her liking. Rhaenyra agrees, so Alicent tries the second one on. She likes it better, but the bottom sags and makes her butt look strange. Not an ideal look. She grabs the third which, out of the three, is far superior. The flounced top and skirted bottom suit her more girlish style while highlighting her bosom and ass. She loves the rich green shade against her pale skin. She shakes her head, raking her fingers through her hair to bring it all forward over her shoulders. Rhaenyra peers into the mirror from behind Alicent, smirking.

“I have an idea,” she says. “Switch tops with me.”

“Why?”

“We’ll match. Or we’ll mismatch together. C’mon, please?” Rhaenyra pouts, batting her long white lashes at Alicent. As always, she can’t seem to say no. Alicent signs and pulls off her top, Rhaenyra doing the same. They swap and admire themselves in the mirror, Rhaenyra wearing green up top and red on the bottom and Alicent the reverse. Rhaenyra shakes her breasts back and forth, making the flounced top flutter. Alicent feels her cheeks warming and averts her eyes to her own chest. The red top flatters her figure as well as the other, but the cut wasn’t something she would choose herself. The top threatens to slip down to her waist any minute. At least, that’s how it feels. It isn’t as tight and secure as the tops she typically wears. Father would despise me in this , she thinks. And suddenly a thought comes to her. She wonders if it’s always been her father’s voice in her head that says unflattering and negative things about her body. Bravely, she pushes the negativity aside. Father would never allow me to wear this . But he isn’t here . She looks at her pink lips and black eyelashes, and a soft smile comes to her mouth. What harm is one more little secret? She sighs, pulling the top up as far as she can without showing the underside of her breasts. But she’ll make do if it makes her friend happy. And she does seem so happy.

They gather up the rejected suits and their clothes then exit the changing room in their new swimsuits. Alicent tries her best to look inconspicuous while Rhaenyra does not care either way. Both are barefoot as they carry their shoes in one hand with their outfits resting over an arm.

“We just need a few more things,” Rhaenyra says, “then we can properly enjoy ourselves.” I’m already enjoying myself plenty , Alicent thinks, just being with you . She nods and follows as Rhaenyra approaches a long shelving unit that almost runs the whole length of the store. They each pick out a cheap towel and a pair of flip-flops before heading to the front where they browse a rack of sunglasses. Rhaenyra chooses a pair of traditional black aviators but Alicent picks a gold-framed pair with thin, pink rectangle lenses. They aren’t ideal for fighting off the sunlight, however, they are simply too cute to resist.

“Any snacks?” Rhaenyra says as they near the cashier’s counter. Alicent glances at the options again and shakes her head.

“I should limit my bad habits,” she answers, eyeing the chips and soda. They each place their towels, flip-flops, and glasses on the counter. The cashier welcomes them and begins calculating their items on the cash register. They take turns showing the tags on their swimwear for him to total as well. He’s a tall boy around their age, in his mid-teens Alicent guesses. He has silver dreadlocks that dust the shoulders of his teal t-shirt and an otherwise dark complexion. He smells both spicy and sweet, like gardenias or freshly cut grass. He’s nothing like the average beach bum, looking out of place and uncomfortable behind the store’s counter. She senses a longing from him. He’s familiar to her but she can’t place where they might have met before. School, probably. Her eyes lock on the lanyard around his neck clasping a white name card that reads Laenor . Hm .

“Y’know, if you’re hungry, there’s an ice cream shop a little way down the boardwalk,” Laenor suggests. His voice is calm and quiet; Alicent has to stain her ears just to hear him. “Just head towards the pier and you’ll see it on the way. Wylde Flavors. They specialize in all sorts of unique tastes… if you’re interested in that kinda thing.” The girls shoot each other a look before Rhaenyra tells him that sounds like a fine idea. She thanks him and flashes a tight smile. “Need a bag?” Rhaenyra nods her head, avoiding eye contact as she takes a tote bag from Laenor. He smiles awkwardly in return as she packs their towels, her romper, jacket, and shoes inside. Alicent shoves her own clothes in the bag and puts on her pair of flip-flops. Fiddling with her sunglasses, she looks back and forth between the other two, her brows furrowing. What’s their damage?

“So,” Rhaenyra says after clearing her throat, “how’s Laena doing?”

“Oh, she’s fine, yeah. Fine, she’s good. She’s been, uh, overseas all summer but she calls me every night.”

“Yeah? What’s she doing over…?”

“Um, in Pentos, yeah. It’s some horse racing thing. She competes now. Her mare is this beast of a thing. Scares Papa but you know how he dotes on her.” Rhaenyra nods.

“I remember her saying something about wanting to own a horse a few times,” Rhaenyra says with a genuine smile. “Glad she’s doing that for herself.”

“Yeah, yeah, we’re all very proud of her.”

“I expect she’ll be bringing the gold home.”

“Without a doubt, yeah. She’d spend all day every day on that horse if she could.”

“When does she come back home?”

“Oh, uh, two weeks from Thursday?”

“Nice. Well, give my love to her and hope you’re doing good, too.”

“I am, yeah, thanks.”

“Good! Good. See you ‘round then.” Rhaenyra throws the tote back over a shoulder, slides on her flip-flops and glasses, and takes Alicent by the arm. Laenor waves goodbye to Alicent as Rhaenyra all but drags her outside. All she can do is offer a confused expression in return before.

Sunlight splashes off Rhaenyra’s pale skin as they stand on the busy boardwalk, half-blinding Alicent. She breaks away from her friend’s grasp with a jerk of her arm. Rhaenyra turns back and Alicent says with a short laugh,

“What the hell was all that?” She poses the question in a friendly way but doesn’t hide her bewilderment from the odd interaction. She had never seen such an awkward, stiff conversation from Rhaenyra before.

“We… dated for a couple of months,” Rhaenyra admits. “But it wasn’t a serious thing.”

“What, when was this?” Rhaenyra tells me everything . Why would she keep him a secret?

“While you were back in Oldtown.” Oh . Alicent’s expression sours. Mama . She feels a knot forming in her stomach, weighing her down as her thoughts put words in Rhaenyra’s mouth. She wants to puke.

“Why didn’t you mention it when I came back? Boyfriends are usually worth mentioning,” she says. The friendliness is notably gone from her tone now.

“I don’t know… Slipped my mind?” Alicent gives her a disbelieving expression, tilting her head. Rhaenyra sighs. “He’s a nice boy and we were hanging out a lot anyway; his dad is friends with mine, yeah? I thought there was a spark, but… we weren’t the fit I thought we were.”

“That’s it?” It can’t be. A flurry of images crosses her mind and she shivers with disgust. She pictures Laenor’s soft hands all over Rhaenyra, and hers on him. Their lips touching, her head resting on his chest. I can’t stand to think of you in the arms of anyone else. To think their fingers brushed against your flawless skin and got tangled in your white hair, it’s torture. Boys always lick their lips like hungry beasts when they look at you. But you’re more than a lamb to the slaughter to me. I wish you’d take me, feed me, eat me . Rhaenyra looks ashamed, embarrassed, and a different thought grows in Alicent’s mind. Did he hurt her? But before she could ponder it anymore, Rhaenyra speaks up.

“He’s… a queer, all right? I realized maybe two months in that he was in love with his ‘best friend’ and not me. I wasn’t going to be his beard. It wasn’t fair to me and it’s not fair to him.”

“I see,” Alicent says, relief washing over her in an instant. “That was probably the best thing.”

“Yeah,” Rhaenyra says. “Don’t, like, tell people. He really is a nice boy and I’m not sure he’s… comfortable with himself yet. It’s not exactly cool to be like that, y’know?” Yeah, I know .

“My lips are sealed.” Alicent pinches two fingers together and drags them across her lips. Changing the topic, she says, “So how about that ice cream place?” Rhaenyra brightens in an instant.

“It’s a brilliant idea for such a hot day! Come.” And with that, Rhaenyra has her hand around Alicent’s wrist again and pulls her along. There’s something desperate in the way Rhaenyra clings to Alicent.

Laenor had been right, the ice cream shop wasn’t terribly far away. But although Alicent expected to stop in a similar-sized building to Just Seahorsing Around, they instead find themselves at a small stand on the boardwalk. An older woman greets them, telling them to take their time deciding what they want. The girls thank her. Alicent squints at the stand’s menu, frowning as she reads through the ‘unique’ options. Peanut butter and chocolate chip? Mint pistachio? Cookies and cream and strawberry? Lazy creativity, she thinks. She glances at Rhaenyra who seems more delighted with the choices. She rolls her eyes, smiling. At least there are still normal flavors for me.

After a few minutes, Alicent orders a medium cup of regular mint chocolate chip. She thanks the woman again when she is handed the food and a plastic spoon. Rhaenyra hums, still eyeing the menu as Alicent takes a small bite. It’s frigid! She nearly spits her bite out, worrying it will aggravate her sensitive molar. She holds the bite on her tongue, letting it melt and run down her throat. I’ll let it warm a little before I have another bite, she thinks.

“I’ll have, uh, a peanut butter— wait, no. How about a… Actually, just a double scoop of the cookie dough. In a waffle cone, please,” Rhaenyra says.

“Sure thing, kiddo,” the woman replies. She passes the cone to Rhaenyra and plops two generous scoops of ice cream on top. They pay separately and walk further down the boardwalk. Their chatter is nothing special.

Did you hear the Triarchy’s new song?

Yeah! It was on the radio last night. Even Gwayne said he liked it.

It was bitchin’. I wish Whyte Wyrm would come around, I’d kill to see ‘em live.

Maybe I’ll visit and take you to the concert when they come to the Vale.

I’d love that.

As they talk, Rhaenyra begins to scout out an area on the beach for them to set up. Their arms are interlocked, the two girls now walking side-by-side without care in the world. All the morose thoughts, all the negativity, had vanished. She’s in a true state of bliss… until she hears it. Alicent’s chest tightens as a wolf whistle pierces through the air behind them. She wishes she could drop her food and cover herself up. She wants to run away and hide from predatory eyes. She never shows so much of her body, she knows it was a mistake.

As if sensing Alicent’s distress, or acting out of her own fury, Rhaenyra whips around to face the whistler.

“Hey!” Nyra shouts. Alicent musters up the courage to look back, too. She’s shocked to see two boys significantly younger than herself perched on the wooden rail of the boardwalk. Their backs are to the beach, feet swinging below them. They are an odd couple, to be sure. She first eyes the one with dark, greased-back hair and a yellow button-down shirt. He is a large person, comically so compared to his friend. His friend, the closer of the two and the whistler if his smirk was any giveaway, is easily a third of his weight. He had sandy hair that was in desperate need of trimming as the bangs were more like curtains for his eyes. Neither looks old enough to be in high school, but people seem to retain their youth longer nowadays. Gwayne is almost seventeen, she thinks, and he still has baby fat in his cheeks. Regardless of their age, they’re too young to be acting like creepy old men.

Rhaenyra smirks at Alicent, mischief sparkling in her eyes yet again, and chucks her ice cream cone at the closest boy. It hits him square in the face, covering his face, hair, and the collar of his tee. Ice cream drips from his bangs onto his pants and shoes. He blinks through the food before wiping the rest out of his eyes. Alicent’s mouth drops open as the second boy guffaws, slapping his friend’s back. The first boy, his clothes now saturated in Rhaenyra’s frozen treat, growls at the other. He lunges for the dark-haired boy, tackling him to the ground. Alicent watches as he drives his fists into his gut over and over again. Left, right . Left, right . Left, right . The boy on the ground tries his best to block the hits with his arms, grunting as he fights off his small attacker. She can’t help but compare them to a pissed-off Chihuahua on top of an adult Pittie.

“Willie, knock it off! Willie! Stop!” the bigger boy says between punches.

“Don’t call me Willie, Jerry !”

“Fuck you! You know that’s my dog’s name!”

“Aw, named after the dog, boo hoo hoo.”

Rhaenyra cackles, invariably proud of the chaos she causes. She takes Alicent’s wrist and draws her away from the ridiculous scene. They jump off the boardwalk, landing on the sand of the crowded beach. Rhaenyra doesn’t let go until they find a spot far enough away that neither girl can still see the boys.

Giggling, Alicent says, “I can’t believe you did that!”

“Can’t you?” Her smile falters a bit, seeing a strange glint in Rhaenyra’s violet eyes. She pushes the subconscious question aside and laughs again.

“Of course. It would be unlike you not to cause a mess.” The strangeness vanishes from her friend’s features as she laughs. “But now you’ve wasted your ice cream.”

“It’s all right,” Rhaenyra says, but Alicent knows Rhaenyra wanted the food more than she did.

“Here.” Alicent holds out her cup. “I’ve got more than I can eat.” Rhaenyra grabs the spoon and takes a modest bite. “Have more than that,” Alicent says with a small laugh. They take turns with the spoon, Alicent eating much less than her friend. Before long the girls empty the paper cup, both satisfied. Alicent tosses the trash in a nearby garbage can like she had seen the guys at high school practice do a thousand times before. Rhaenyra holds up ten fingers.

“A perfect score!” she says.

“You’re not playing favorites, are you?” Alicent asks with a smug grin.

“Absolutely not. I can’t help that the cutest player is also the best.” Another smile. Rhaenyra suggests they find a spot on the beach to sunbathe for a while. As they start scouting, Alicent stops.

“Shit.”

“What?”

“We forgot to buy sunscreen. I’ll run back —”

“Nah, we don’t need it.”

“You sure?”

“Fire cannot kill a dragon.” Rhaenyra winks. But I’m not a dragon, Alicent thinks. Rhaenyra touches her arm, turns, and takes off further down the beach. Sand kicks up behind her feet like fireworks. “C’mon!” she calls back. Alicent watches the sunlight bounce off Rhaenyra’s blonde hair as it dances after her in the wind. Such impossible beauty. Her hair must be spun from a spool of silver-gold thread. Alicent shakes herself out of her daze and follows after Rhaenyra. When she finally stops running, Alicent realizes how isolated they are. She can’t see anybody else around, just the sand and the splashing waves. It’s their private piece of land, for all intents and purposes. She smiles.

“Here?” Rhaenyra asks.

“Sure, why not?” It’ll be nice to have the privacy , she thinks. Rhaenyra drops the tote bag down on the ground and pulls out their towels. Alicent takes her black and gold striped towel and lays it down over the hot sand. Rhaenyra does the same, setting hers hardly an inch from Alicent’s. Sitting down on the towel, she pops off her flip-flops and sets them next to her in the sand. Both girls lie down on their backs, adjusting to achieve maximum comfort. Alicent stretches her arms over her head, resting one arm on her forehead and the other on the towel. She crosses one ankle over the other and steals a quick glance at Rhaenyra. Her arms are lying still by her sides and her legs are positioned like thin, white mountains, knees to the sky. Alicent closes her eyes, focusing on her breathing. If she’s lucky, she’ll get a little nap.

She isn’t sure how much time has passed when Rhaenyra’s voice startles her awake.

“This is really pleasant,” Rhaenyra says with a sigh. “We needed this. It’s not too long now before I leave.” Alicent’s eyes crack open and she moves her arms down beside her.

“Do we have to think about you leaving?” she asks, her voice low. My whole world will change when I can’t see you every day.

“You’re right, it’s not a happy subject.” Rhaenyra turns her head to look at Alicent. “Hey, I’m sorry I brought it up.” She goes quiet but only for a second. “Want me to make it up to you?”

“Is that not what today is?” Rhaenyra smiles.

“Partly,” she says as she rolls onto her side, propping her head up with an arm.

“Oh? How else will you make it up to me?” Alicent asks, smirking.

“Like… this …” Alicent feels Rhaenyra’s hand sneak across her bare stomach and slip under the hem of her swim bottoms. She freezes and so does Nyra’s hand. The two girls make eye contact, and a silent agreement is made. Is this real? Alicent thinks as Rhaenyra’s middle finger glides over her soft, dry clit. It rubs back and forth, massaging gently. Alicent’s breathing starts to deepen and she speads her legs. She watches her breasts rise and fall as Rhaenyra’s movements grow in intensity.

“I love a shaved pussy,” Rhaenyra says under her breath. Her thumb rubs against the hairless mons venus as her index and middle finger continue to work Alicent’s swollen clit. Moisture spreads over her lips and spills down her cheeks, collecting at the bottom of her swimsuit. Never had she been so thankful for dark clothes before. She can feel the burning pressure building inside of her, the heat promising an explosive orgasm. Her right leg quivers and she rolls her hips as Rhaenyra plays her like an instrument. She hears the panting and the moans coming from her own mouth. Rhaenyra kisses her flat stomach and she cums.

If she could think coherently, she might have been embarrassed she came so quickly. She might have worried someone might see them. But she can’t think straight, not when it started and certainly not now. Her head is empty as her body buzzes with pleasure. Rhaenyra leaves another kiss on her stomach and pulls her hand out of Alicent’s swimsuit. Nyra smiles, staring up at Alicent, and sucks on her fingers.

“Delicious,” she says. Both giggle softly. Alicent turns on her side to face Rhaenyra. They stay like that for a time, Alicent isn’t sure how long, just looking at each other. Rhaenyra’s violet eyes seem to glow, saying everything her mouth isn’t. But what was the ultimate experience, the very thing Alicent secretly dreamed about every night, makes their situation that much harder. Rhaenyra will leave for the Vale and leave Alicent behind. She’ll cry and pray to see her at every possible opportunity. Yet, it can’t soften the sting of separation.

Rhaenyra’s eyebrows press together. “Hey,” she says. “I hate to see you in this mood. Why not liven up and party? Just the two of us, right here.”

“Okay,” Alicent agrees, smiling. As long as she’s here, she knows Rhaenyra will care for her. She has to treasure and make the most of the limited time they have left.

“I’m gonna get us some booze.” Alicent nods and Rhaenyra takes off towards the boardwalk. She lies back down on her towel, closes her eyes, and waits.