Ours is the Fury

28, Lord of the Stormlands, Master of Ships.

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

All other thoughts fled Loras’ mind outside of thoughts of pleasure – how much more pleasure he might receive, and how much more he was willing to give. His body twitched and bucked involuntarily as Renly bit and licked and kissed, and the movements were accompanied by the breathy pants and whines that Renly’s labor drew out of him. One of his legs had adjusted and lifted to afford himself some leeway in his tightening pants – as well as to increase the surface area of contact – and had hitched itself up and over Renly’s hip. This position allowed for an additional friction between the two bodies that convinced Loras that he needed to be rid of his pants immediately, lest he be made to leave the frat house in a pair of pants that would undoubtedly be too big for him. 

At the same token, Loras was very much aware of the fact that he’d been on the receiving end of this dalliance since they’d hit the bed. It was not that he was eager to complain over the fact – the hardened member in his pants would dispute that eagerly – but he did not want to go without returning the affection. It was more than a case of quid pro quo, as it sometimes seemed to be reduced to in these circumstances. He wanted to inspire the same pleasure in Renly as the elder man had drawn out of him. It was clear enough that Renly wanted him, but Loras wanted to escalate that desire if at all possible. 

“You can take them off,” Loras replied, as his leg fell down from its place around Renly’s waist in an effort to make the process easier. “I want to take off yours, too.” His gold eyes found Renly’s blue ones, and he added softly: “I want to taste you.”

Renly thought he had gotten drunk quicker on the sounds Loras was making, the little pants and kittenish whines, than he had on all the beer he’d had that night. With Loras’ leg hitched around his hip, Renly grunted softly against Loras’ neck and let out a quiet curse. He though he was holding back, at least a little bit, how much this was effecting him. He couldn’t be sure, but he wanted to get Loras out of his pants more than he’d wanted anything in a long time. He wondered what kind of underwear he wore, what his cock looked like.

As soon as Loras consented, Renly scrambled at the button on his pants. He fumbled for a moment with the zipper in his overeagerness, shoved the tight pants down as quickly as he could. It was only then his mind caught up with what Loras had said, and he halted.

“You want to...taste me?” he said, his breath coming quickly. He had gotten blowjobs before, of course. But mostly they were by women, vaguely pleasant and uninteresting. For a moment, he thought about the sight of Loras’ smirking, pink mouth wrapped around his cock and nodded. “Take them off,” he said softly.

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

As Renly labored atop him, Loras became more assured in his decision to let the other man take the lead. For all that he was clearly closeted and apparently unpracticed, Loras felt almost lost in the euphoric sensation of his lips against his skin. He knew that the alcohol wasn’t entirely lost in this feeling – if he felt altogether more sensitive and susceptible to being overwhelmed, he knew in the back of his mind that the drinks played some part. They made themselves known in the warmth that captured him from head to toe, and in the way his head seemed to float with a pleasant buoyancy. Drinks aside, though, Loras knew that Renly alone was a part of the rapture of laying beneath him. 

He groaned as Renly’s teeth came into contact with the sensitive skin of his neck, and breathed in a sharp gasp as the other man’s hips came down to grind against the hard length concealed beneath his trousers. His own hips came up in an involuntary need to keep and maintain the contact, and he could feel that Renly’s cock had begun to grow hard as well. His pants were now tight and uncomfortable, and he had the desire to take them off – though he was still unsure if even that could be too much by Renly’s standards. 

“Yeah –” Loras answered, his tone husky as he panted beneath the dark-haired boy, “ – it’s good.” Squirming beneath him, his hips bucked again in an effort to keep contact between them. “Can I take them off?” He asked, his voice tight, “ – my pants?”

Feeling Loras’ reaction to his mouth on his neck, he bit down again, just as hard, then soothed the bite with long, wet kisses. His hands skirted Loras’ hips, glided in tickling touches up the his sides and along his ribs. He couldn’t bear for their skin to be separated, wanted more contact, wanted their naked legs to intertwine, wanted to know what Loras’ cock felt like in his hand. He tried to hold back how intensely he was reacting, but Loras’ hips moving against him drove him a little crazy. With a moan, he nodded at his question.

“Please, I’d love you to. Wanna see you,” he responded, voice deep and husky like whiskey. He stroked Loras’ stomach, his fingers moving to dip just beneath the edge of his pants. “Or I could take them off?”

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

Renly’s answer didn’t give much description. Were they going to makeout and dry hump on his bed? Were they going to fuck? Something in between? He guessed that they were just going to play it by ear – and keep on going until they weren’t ready to go any further. It was helpful for Loras, of course, that he felt up for anything. He could feel himself growing stiff, and his whole body buzzed with warmth and sensitivity. Nonetheless, there was still the issue that it felt impossible to know what was really going on in Renly’s brain. Despite his assurances, Loras didn’t want to do the wrong thing and have the older boy panic and send him away. It wasn’t to say that he thought Renly was a liar – only, he didn’t really know him. He’d dealt with a closeted guy before, once or twice. There was a threshold before the heterosexual agenda panic set in. It would’ve been an ego-blow, not to mention a massive disappointment. He resolved to let Renly take the lead, to not push even despite his own desire, as he laid back on the bed beneath him. 

His resolution didn’t stop him from meeting Renly’s kisses with an eager abandon, nor his hands from moving up to brace the other man’s cheeks, before one slid back to move into his dark hair. As Renly’s lips moved in a descent from his jaw to his neck, a pleased sigh rolled off his lips.

As he trailed his mouth down Loras’ neck, across the wide expanse of golden skin on his bed, stark against his navy sheets. He didn’t know what he wanted, didn’t know if he wanted to drag Loras’ pants off, pull his cock into his mouth. He didn’t know if he wanted to make out for hours, or bury himself inside Loras’ ass. For all that he was in his twenties, this was still new for him. He could feel Loras stiff beneath him, could feel his own cock filling, feel himself growing somewhat desperate for touch. 

With a small grunt, he bit Loras’ neck, immediately nursing the would with small kisses and licks. He ground his hips down, wanting contact, wanting friction. He’d had sex with women, did so just often enough to keep up appearances. But having sex with women didn’t come with this kind of desire to make them unravel. He wanted to know what Loras’ hair looked like when it wasn’t perfect. He skimmed his fingertips along Loras’ nipples, tried to make him shiver. He wanted Loras to feel as overwhelmed as he was.

“Is this good?” he asked, whispered words into the skin of Loras’ shoulder, sucking the silky skin between his lips. Undulating his hips slowly, he sought the firmness of Loras’ cock.

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

Loras carried a natural confidence about his body, though he was aware that it was not the typical picture of masculinity. His lean, sinewy figure was hard from long, daily practices – but he was not so broad or overtly muscular as some others his age, or even Renly before him. For most of his life, he’d been most often regarded as pretty. Not quite rugged, as Garlan might’ve been called – but beautiful. As a boy, it’d been a thorn in his side: he’d become incensed at comments like you look like a girl, and could be moved to fighting if only to prove that he was better than anyone who thought to have a go at him. When he’d gotten on to recognize that he attracted the eyes and attention of most, his anger at the observation faded. (It hadn’t been entirely killed – there was still a piece of him that might’ve wished to be bigger, harder, and more like his brother than his sister. It was petty, but then again, Loras could be very petty when the mood struck.) He’d long-since started to embrace himself, to define himself by his appearance just as well as his talents for winning. Confidence came easily to him. 

It was a little surprising, for that very same reason, that Loras found himself almost nervous as he felt his body press flush against Renly’s. He had no real reason to be – for someone as clearly closeted and interested as Renly was, Loras thought he didn’t have to do much more than be there and be pretty. But there was something in that infectious smile of his that made Loras want to impress him, if only just a little bit. 

The back of Loras’ knees bumped at the edge of the bed, and he felt his gut clench with another rush of excitement. He nodded at Renly’s question, and leaned up to kiss him again. “This is okay,” he affirmed, before inquiring: “ – what’s okay with you?” 

Renly knew he was attractive, even if getting to that realization had taken years. He had trouble sometimes, the fear he’d end up fat and disgusting like his brother making him wake up in a cold sweat to do push ups, but he knew when people were looking at him. And people were looking at him a lot. Still, he wasn’t always comfortable with people seeing his naked chest, could imagine them finding imperfections, little pockets of fat he saw in the mirror every day. He wasn’t slim like Loras, nor ripped like some of the other guys in his frat. Attractive and fit, but because he worked at it. Not like the boy in front of him, golden and ethereal and effortless.

He didn’t know what he wanted. He never thought the night would end like this, with his reign as champion of beer pong over and in bed with a high school boy. The last time he’d had sex with a man, he’d been in high school himself, scared and confused and drunk and fumbling with a man much older than him. He only knew he wanted Loras on the bed, wanted to see him in even fewer clothes. The last thing he wanted this golden creature to know was that he was overwhelmed like a virgin.

“I’ll let you if something’s not. Just keep going,” he said, a little breathless, gently urging Loras onto the bed. He wanted to climb on top of him, box him in with his arms, kiss him while pressing him into the mattress. He wanted to be pressed together, shoulder to toe. He wanted contact. 

As he encouraged Loras backwards, he kissed him, quickly moving his mouth from Loras’ lips, along his skin to his jaw and neck.

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

Loras was surprised to see the heated moment broken for an instance of seriousness, and quirked his brows as Renly launched into his assurances. In his own state – wanting as he did to press on – he found it difficult to shift to easily back into his cocksure arrogance. He did manage a smirk however, and commented: “I was able to figure out for myself that you wanted this.”

Though he wouldn’t speak to it aloud, there was some small amount of relief offered up by Renly’s words. At the very least, he didn’t think he’d be kicked out in a panic. He still would be kicked out inevitably – which wasn’t a shock, he was the one who’d signed up for the hook-up – and he’d still have to do so in a manner that wouldn’t draw attention. He’d still get annoyed by it. But it was a worry he could push off to a later time, in order to allow himself the moment to immerse himself in enjoyment and pleasure. 

He met Renly’s lips again, though he did not remain there for long. As his fingers moved to nimbly undo the button’s of the other man’s shirt, his lips moved dragged down Renly’s neck in slow, open-mouthed kisses. He paused only to do the quick work of pulling his own shirt up and over his own shoulders, and returned a moment later as his hands moved to shrug Renly out of his own shirt. 

Perhaps it was Renly’s own tendency to have a mask on for others, but he felt he could see Loras’ own facades dropping. Perhaps, like him, they were some form of protection. Protection, maybe, from closeted college boys who dragged high schoolers into their dorm. Renly wasn’t sure how nervous or apprehensive Loras actually was about this. Matching his smirk with a charming smile, Renly shook himself of the thoughts and nods.

“Yeah, I imagine you could. I’m not exactly trying to hide it,” he joked, as Loras kissed him again. He let Loras unbutton his shirt, watching eagerly as golden skin and a slim figure was revealed. He shrugged his shoulders and yanking behind his back to get his own shirt off before pulling Loras flush against by the hips. He shivered at the feeling of their naked chests pressed together and deepened the kiss. He didn’t want to admit to feeling overwhelmed, the way someone does before their first time. But he was.  

Slowly, giving Loras plenty of opportunity to stop him, he walked them towards the bed. “This okay?” he asked as they hit the edge of his bed.

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

This time, it was Loras who chased after Renly’s lips as he pulled away – and once they’d brushed against the corner of his mouth, they dropped to kiss against the hard line of his jaw. He shuddered as he felt Renly’s fingertips slide up beneath the hem of the shirt he wore, and felt his body react with a sort of tactile euphoria that was in all likelihood inflamed by the drinks in his system. 

He hesitated on the request for a moment – not because he didn’t want to, but rather because he knew that everything about what they were doing was filled with uncertainty on the part of the older man in the room. And, as he’d thought of earlier, the image of being banished from Renly’s room half-dressed if he were to fall into some sort of sexuality-based panic was…unpleasant. Already he could feel the sensation of a downward rush of blood – having to slip out of the house with Garlan in tow while sporting an erection would lead to endless teasing that he was not willing to endure. It might’ve been better, even, to call it quits then and there. 

But what was overwhelmingly pleasant as contrasted to the unpleasantness was how surprisingly well Renly kissed – and how much he seemed to want to kiss Loras more. He liked the attention, and to be admired. He couldn’t help it.

“Yeah, you can,” he consented, “ – can I take off yours?”

With a smirk, trailing his mouth over Loras’ neck. The boy was responsive, for sure, seemed to be enjoying himself just as much as Renly was. Renly had a tendency to avoid fully showing his emotions, hiding behind a mask of wan pleasantness. That normally extended to the bedroom on the rare occasion he endeavored to force himself through sex with a woman. Still, he found himself unable to hold back from grinning.

“Yeah, of course. Look, before this goes further. You can tell I’m closeted, it doesn’t take a genius. But I do want this. You’re not some experiment, there won’t be any gay panic. I’m hiding, but I’m sure,” he said, smirking to bely the seriousness of his words. He didn’t want Loras to look at him with suspicion, worry he’d kick him out in the middle of the night with his pants down. If nothing else, he was a gentleman.

“Anyway, of course you can take mine off,” he said, leaning in to kiss Loras again, his hands sliding up his chest under his shirt.

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

For as much as Loras was enjoying the moment with Renly – and he was thoroughly enjoying it – in the back of his mind, he was cognizant of the identity Renly has assumed, and the implication it could bear on this interaction. Incensed though he was by the other man’s handsome features and attractive smile, part of him waited for the other shoe to drop – or the moment when he’d be dismissed from the room. (He imagined that along with that, there’d be some oath he’d be forced to make – a swearing to secrecy that would make him want to roll his eyes into the back of his head.) When it came down to that swift dismissal, he wasn’t so sure he wanted to have the burden of having to get his pants back on. 

Then again, he considered as Renly’s hand moved up to cup his cheek, maybe I could pull them on really quick. 

He leaned into the second kiss, and found that he no longer thought on how to reciprocate the man’s behavior in an equal fashion – he forgot to think about much of anything other than the feel of his lips against Renly’s. His hand dropped from the spot it had found around Renly’s neck, and instead dropped to similarly move along the other man’s side. Both hands found purchase on Renly’s hips, and gaze a gentle squeeze – a silent indication that Renly had accomplished going beyond not bad. 

Renly wanted nothing more than to completely lose himself, to be able to focus absolutely on the handsome boy in front of him. Instead, he had one ear open on the off-chance someone came by. Inevitably, he’d be humiliated when he had to ask Loras to leave, quietly and without anyone seeing him, forbid him from telling his brother. Sometimes Renly thought about a day when he was free of his brothers’ influence, could be who he wanted to be. But in the meantime, he wanted to know what it felt like to have Loras’ bare skin against his.

With a sigh into Loras’ mouth, he slipped the hand on his cheek into the hair at the nape of his neck. His other hand dipped under the hem of his shirt, tickling lightly at the skin of his hips. Eventually, he deepened the kiss a bit, pulled Loras closer for a moment before backing off again.

“Is it okay if I take this off?” he asked, tugging lightly at the hem of Loras’s shirt. 

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

The soft, tentative kiss that Renly approached him with was surprisingly nice. Loras did not rush him into it, but instead mirrored his motions with equivalent gentility. It was a decided difference from the usual hook-ups he engaged in, which seemed to be imbibed with the same sort of competition and fierceness that he approached everything with – and it was pleasant, he decided, to do something different. The fact that it was a one-time thing spurred on his willingness to adapt. 

He moved with the hand that coaxed him forward, and allowed his body to press more firmly against Renly’s. One of his own hands slid up to curl round the back of his neck, while the other moved to brace Renly’s hip – though it did not linger long, and instead moved slowly along the other man’s side. He pulled his lips away from Renly’s, though did not move far away, and commented breathlessly: “not bad.” 

Renly was not unsurprised that Loras did not push for more, harder, deeper. He had struck him as the type to want everything immediately, and part of Renly was touched he was willing to slow down just a little. Maybe it was the fact that he wasn’t actually drunk, but Renly wanted to enjoy this. He wanted to savor it, if only because he knew it wouldn’t happen again for a long time. That was the thing, he liked kissing, even when it wouldn’t lead anywhere. Loras’ lips were soft and full, but the rest of him was undeniably masculine.

Restraining a shiver at the hand lightly gliding up his side, he chased Loras’ lips a second or two before opening his eyes and taking a deep breath. He swallowed heavily, trying to gain his composure back. Loras looked a little breathless, a little flustered, and Renly smirked before leaning in again just close enough to be sharing the same air.

“Not bad? Perhaps I can convince you I’m a bit better than that?” Renly said. He slid his hand up to cup Loras’ cheek, the other resting on his hip. He leaned in again, aiming to brush his lips against Loras’.

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

As he took in the sight of the bedroom, Loras suppressed the urge to scoff. In a way, it was almost impressive how far Renly had gone to keep up the image he was professing – it went all the way down to the posters tacked on the wall and the signed sports gear. He had no doubt that his frat brothers were probably impressed by it – but that in itself wasn’t really a testament to it actually being impressive. Still, despite his own silent disapproval of such a display, Loras said nothing. He wouldn’t pretend to understand what went on in Renly’s mind to necessitate all these please-believe-me-when-I-say-I’m-straight items. 

When Renly’s eyes landed on him once more, and his own expression betrayed an ounce of self-ridicule, Loras chased away the urge to agree with the point he made. “It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” he answered, a smile of his own curling up to one side. 

Loras purposefully focused on the way his body warmed with excitement as Renly approached him, and did his best to dismiss the comment on recklessness entirely. He couldn’t help but to be rubbed the wrong way by it, but opted to cast it aside. This was a one-time deal, an opportunity he didn’t want to pass up on – he could endure a little closeted sob-story and ignore it. 

“Yeah,” he answered, “I want you to.”

With his charming smile gone, Renly was all nerves. He had kissed boys before, of course he had. In dark closets or as part of a dare. A few times before he’d learned when to stop drinking and vodka had spurred him on. This boy in front of him, all arrogant grace, did not strike Renly as the type of person to hide. Many gay men couldn’t understand how in this day and age Renly was so afraid to be who he was. There were days Renly himself couldn’t explain it. He was sure his nervousness was obvious, but he wished so much he could hide it.

He smiled, not as smooth and flirtatious as normal but earnest. He stepped forward, until he could feel Loras’ breath on his face, leaned in close and hesitated. Somehow, he was even prettier up close. 

“You should know, as I’m sure you’ve gathered, it’s been awhile,” he said softly, and before too much fear and vulnerability could show on his face he pressed his lips to Loras’. He was gentle, soft, almost shy for a few moments before remembering how much fun kissing could be when you actually wanted to be doing it. Letting out a small noise in the back of his throat, he slipped a hand around Loras’ waist to try to pull him closer.

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

If Loras had caught the underlying hint of brotherly competition in Renly’s words, he didn’t comment on it. Aside from a few matches that went Garlan’s way, Loras had never had to deal with such an issue. “Oh, I see,” he replied with a hum, “I don’t count because I’m not in the frat.” Tilting his head to the side, he spied up at the man with an amused smirk and commented: “maybe I will pledge in the fall then, just to make it all official.” That was a half-joke, at least: he really didn’t have much of an interest in the fraternity, but he did like the idea of knocking off every title and trophy he could. If his family would force him to go to school, he’d at least want to have fun.

Loras’ golden gaze did not miss the nervous way Renly’s own blue eyes flit about the room. It was a gesture not uncommon for men of his particular bend (which Loras was now positive he’d accurately deduced): a constant search to make sure that no one else was looking at him. At least, not looking at him and seeing what he was doing and who he was doing it with. Normally, the behavior would’ve been enough in it of itself to send Loras away – he was not one to put such a pursuit into a tryst, not when he could just go and find someone else far less repressed. But Renly was painfully good-looking, and he had an infectious smile that drew out Loras’ own. He could disregard his values for one night. He’d regret it if he didn’t.

In a way, he knew that he was privileged to be able to live as freely as he did – and that perhaps it was wrong to look down on those who weren’t living true to themselves. His household had been decidedly different: their grandmother had waxed and waned on the ins and outs of sex with he and Margaery before he was scarcely fourteen, and when she’d caught him with another boy tucked into a corner of their estate’s hedge maze, she’d only smirked and rolled her eyes. Margaery was all easy affection and friendly kisses with any girl who came into their home, and even Willas seemed a touch enamored by his Martell friend. 

But wasn’t living on one’s own the time to own up to a truer self? Why continue on with the act, and play the straight man when no family members could see you? That, Loras didn’t understand.

As he followed Renly up the stairs and paid an appreciative glance to the back of him, he resolved to figure it out later. 

It took both an eternity and no time at all to reach the door to Renly’s room. He hesitated, just briefly, just long enough to consider how awkward it would be to walk in on someone fucking in his bed before he opened the door. Silently thanking the heavens for the act of prescience that had been cleaning his room that afternoon, he turned slowly to smile at Loras.

Around him was the picture of a life made up of overcompensating. The posters on his wall weren’t babes on motorcycles, but they were just as painfully heterosexual. They made him ashamed, made him want to hide his face or tear them down right along with the sports memorabilia that decorated his room. He wasn’t even an athlete, he far preferred parties and arguing and convincing people to like him. The decor wasn’t overwhelming, nor decorated his bed like a preteen. His comforter was a dark, neutral color, and the furniture was understated but expensive.

Dragging himself out of his own head, his smile turned into a self-deprecating smirk. “It’s kind of the bedroom of a twelve-year old, unfortunately. I blame my brothers. Or, my oldest brother anyway,” he said, and moved to close the door behind Loras. 

Afterwards, he walked towards him, slowly, the smile dropping from his face. “God, you’re pretty. I’ve never been this reckless before, with everyone outside,” he said, voice soft and just a little rough like he had to clear his throat. He had grown up hearing the way his brothers talked about gay men, the way Stannis called them deviants, worthy of hellfire and Robert mocked their effeminacy. All the brothers outside those doors would feel the same, he was sure. But Loras was in front of him, the door was closed, and no one had to know. Just this once, he could indulge himself.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked softly.

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

The rest of the cup of beer Loras had been given disappeared in one last gulp, and he disposed of the plastic cup on one of the tables crowded beside them, where other discarded drinks and plates had gone. He was not drunk, but he was decidedly not entirely sober – he felt the pleasant flush that sat in his cheeks, and the enjoyable way his nerve endings seemed to tingle. He hardly need help with feeing emboldened, but any reservations he might’ve had about this man and his openness about what he was had been dismissed. He could deal with the repercussions of that later.

“Is that something you can reclaim?” Loras answered, his brows lifting. Unbeatable meant unbeatable, after all – though as he took note of the way Renly’s throat bobbed with the gulp he took, he dismissed the issue. Who gave a fuck about semantics, anyway?

“I don’t share if I don’t have to,” he asserted, nodding his head. He couldn’t think of many situations off the top of his head where he did have to share – it was part of the charm of being a Tyrell. Perhaps, at a stretch, he shared attention alongside Margaery. That felt different though – they complimented one another, rather than fought against each other. 

With the admission of his role within the fraternity, it became increasingly obvious to Loras why Renly had been so eager to speak so highly of the organization. It meant something to him – and perhaps the risks of losing that would outweigh the benefits of giving in to an obvious attraction. Loras would kick himself if he didn’t at least try.

“Yeah,” he answered, “I want to see it.”

Renly’s eye shot out to where Loras placed the cup, glancing around the room to make sure no one was paying too close attention. He almost expected more people to come up to him, comment on the lost game and his bad luck. Perhaps it was only because he was still speaking to the champion that they hadn’t yet. He downed the rest of his beer as well and tossed the cup to the table. He had drunk a lot over the course of the night, enough that he was starting to feel a bit warm. He could tell that perhaps Loras was a bit less sober than he was, and considered commenting on his age again. But the beer and the attraction and the sheer sense of relief that he was doing this in public emboldened him.

“If I beat my brother in beer pong, I’ll be champion in all of the frat’s entire history. A legend in my own right, instead of his.” Renly had a wry smile, perhaps a touch more bitter than he had intended. The face was only there for a split second, and then it was gone.

As soon as Loras said the words Renly had undeniably wanted him to say, he could feel his heart pounding, his breathe coming in gasps. His mouth was dry, and he licked his lips nervously. Nodding jerkily, he glanced around him again to see if anyone was paying attention. Even Gareth had moved on to some girl who had comforted him in the loss of the game. No one was looking, but Renly felt itchy like the whole room was watching him.

“Come on then,” he said, smiling a broad, eager smile in spite of himself, in spite of the sheer panic rising in his gut. He jerked his head toward the stairs and started walking, glancing back once to make sure Loras was following him.

[littlest-stormlord-blog]

knightxflxwers:

“I think more of them know my name now,” Loras countered, the natural competitive nature in him shining through in his tone. Still, it was lighter than usual – a handsome smile lit his features, and he veered into teasing as he added: “seeing as a bunch of them just watched me win against the so-called unbeatable Renly. Formerly unbeatable, now.” In truth, Loras cared very little about the other people at the party, or if they remembered anything about him. As for Renly’s mention of Garlan, he didn’t touch that. Garlan was just as talented as he was – better, even – but his lack of a desire to compete with the same intensity had left Loras the limelight. Though it didn’t go acknowledged, Loras was deeply thankful for it. 

The smile on Loras’ face gained sharper edges as Renly revealed that he’d been trying to impress him, and he peered up at the other man with an inquisitive golden gaze. While he enjoyed the game of back and forth – it was another challenge to win, after all – the ambiguity surrendered by Renly was serving to paint a very clear picture of someone who didn’t want others to know that he was interested in men. (Or at least, the wrong sort of others.) That kind of thing was complicated, and Loras didn’t prefer to willingly throw himself to complicated. It was anyone’s guess how long he could keep up the game – and so Loras, in a turn, chose to be merciful and expedite the process. The longer he looked at Renly, the more he surmised that the payoff would be well worth it.  

“Tennis,” he answered easily, “singles. I hate team sports.” Pivoting off that, he offered a self-assured grin and spoke: “so do you live packed into rooms like fish in a can, or do you have your own bedroom?”

Renly shrugged, still smirking. He was trying to flatter Loras, and he seemed to be the type that good-natured ribbing by those flirting with him wouldn’t go over well. Because that was what he was doing. He was flirting, indulging in a way he couldn’t ever remember doing before. The cockiness should have put him off, if only because he dealt with it so often he found it tiresome, but instead he only found it charming. Renly also knew he should have been paying better attention to the party, that people may find this suspicious. He couldn’t be bothered to car.

“Perhaps they do. But I have plenty of time to reclaim my title. Perhaps I will invite my brother to beat him at it,” Renly said with a smirk, gulping at the almost feral edge Loras’ smile took at his admission. He had no idea what it was about this boy that had him spellbound, stuck in place like a schoolboy with a crush. He was better than this, smarter than a flirtation in a public place where any of it could get back to Robert and Stannis. He suspected Loras wasn’t the type to do this, to be someone’s secret. But taking charge seemed to be something he was comfortable with. Thankfully, because Renly was in completely uncharted waters.

“Yeah, you seem to be that type. I imagine you hate sharing,” he said with a nervous grin, like that of prey who knows the hunter is drawing close. He swallowed again.

“I’m a legacy, and a senior. And fraternity president, at that. I have my own room,” he said, and hesitated. “Why, would you like to see it? I can give you the official tour.”

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knightxflxwers:

“I have my own reputation to keep up,” Loras responded, the smirk on his face a little crooked as he peered up at Renly. Maybe he hadn’t needed to extend that reputation to a college he was not yet attending, but that was neither here nor there. It wouldn’t have been a problem if Renly hadn’t voiced a challenge aloud. Loras struggled to back down from any opportunity that presented itself for him to show his superiority. 

“Never?” He echoed, raising a brow. That seemed almost impossible to him – everyone went too far every once in a while, even without realizing that they were doing it. Loras could still recall a night he’d spent hovered over the toilet heaving with his sister sat daintily on the lip of the tub beside him after he’d narrowly squeaked by with a victory in a match against Jaime Lannister. He might’ve gone into the night intending to celebrate, but he’d finished it feeling like death come to life. “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.”

Loras hummed at Renly’s explanation of the future of the frat members, and shrugged his shoulders. He took a sip from his beer and contemplated how such an arrangement could benefit him. Connections were always important – that lesson was one his family had stressed – but for Loras, he had little to worry about. He’d be a star athlete until he was too old to keep playing, and he’d have his father’s money to fall back on if any issues ever arose. He was third-born, which prevented him from inheriting stress; but he was his father’s favorite, which afforded him everything he could want or need.

“I just won’t have time for it,” he answered finally. “I’m an athlete,” he explained, “I have to live a little more…regimented than this. If I want to stay at top form.” 

Renly dramatically looked around them. “The only person here who knows your name is your brother. And I’m certain he’s well aware of your talents,” Renly smirked, resisting the urge to give Loras a once-over as he said the word “talents”. The boy didn’t need any more boosts to his ego, and Renly was certain he was being obvious enough about how much he appreciated him. Loras’ next question sounded like a challenge, and with beer and more than a few shots of whiskey pulsing through his system, Renly leaned a bit closer to Loras before replied.

“I’d never want someone I’m trying to impress see me at less than my best,” Renly said, smirking and leaning just a bit closer to him. Renly had, of course, learned his limits the hard way. But he’d been drinking for years, long before he should have been, and perhaps it was unhealthy. There were moments he could see Robert in himself, in the way he reached for a beer when he got a bad grade or couldn’t stand to have dinner with his family sober. He justified it by saying at least he never stumbled down drunk or passed out in the street or slurred his words. “Don’t you worry, I’ve just had a lot of practice.”

Behind him, someone pushed past him to get to the keg, and Renly took a step forward to make room, bringing him just one step closer to Loras. He took a sharp breath in, cleared his throat, but didn’t step away. “An athlete huh? You do look like you’re in top form. What sport to you play?” he asked, his voice just a bit lower than before.

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knightxflxwers:

Loras’ smile faltered for a moment as Renly reached for his wallet – he’d had a hope that his wallet wouldn’t have been kept on his person, and that it would’ve offered up the opportunity to move somewhere more private. Though he still couldn’t be entirely certain of the man’s sexuality, he felt fairly confident in the assumption that Renly was attracted to him. Beyond that, it was anyone’s guess. If he had to make an educated hypothesis, he would’ve assumed that Renly wasn’t advertising his interests in this…den of heterosexuality. If Loras wanted real answers, he needed a little bit of privacy. 

“I would’ve been happy keeping it at fifty,” Loras replied with a shrug of his shoulders, “but you just kept on insisting that you wouldn’t lose.” He took a hold of the bills extended to him, brushing his fingers against the other man’s hand as he did so. “I wouldn’t be so upset about losing drinking money,” he replied as he retrieved his own wallet and tucked the money away, “it doesn’t seem to really do anything to you, anyway.” 

That fact had remained puzzling: Renly had been drinking before and during the game, and seemed utterly unaffected. (Then again, perhaps this was what he was like when he was drunk – and Loras had just simply yet to see the sober side of him.) The few cups of beer Loras had consumed hadn’t reduced him to drunkenness, but the familiar warmth and blurred edges of a buzz had settled in, even if the beer was shit. 

“Sure,” he allowed, nodding his head. “I could have a beer.” His preference was something stronger, with a less pungent taste – but mixing now wouldn’t send him anywhere good. “I’m coming here in the fall,” he admitted, finally divulging his reasoning for attending the party. “Though I’d check out Greek Life.” Sniffing haughtily, he added: “I don’t think I’ll be joining.”

If Renly felt a spark of electricity at the brush of Loras’ fingers, he could hide it easily in a cocky smirk. With the boy right in front of him, he was finding it more and more difficult to keep up his charade of heterosexuality. He was all lazy grace and effortless looks, like he rolled out of bed looking perfect. Quietly, Renly sighed, turning briefly to look around and make sure no one was watching them.

“I have never lost a game of beer pong in my life. Except against my older brother, but I can be forgiven for that, since he’s the original king of the house,” Renly said, chuckling at Loras’ statement. “High alcohol tolerance. Runs in the family, plus a lot of practice. You’ll never see me sloppy.” It was an easy promise to make, since Renly was predisposed to look up to his brother but did not admire the way he acted after drinking. The most Renly ever got was just slightly more flirtatious, slightly more touchy, slightly more likely to pull a pretty boy into a locked bathroom.

With a nod, Renly led Loras over to the keg, where someone pounded his shoulder and fist bumped him and called him a pussy for losing. He smirked, punched his shoulder back and asked for a few beers. He held one out for Loras, immediately turning to ignore the frat brother that did the exact same to him. He wasn’t particularly close to any of the people he shared the house with. They served their purpose, and to all visitors he appeared to be close with all of them, but the type of men they and Renly were did not particularly encourage true closeness.

“Look around, man. We’re all party animals today, but we’ll be tomorrow’s CEOs and presidents. Even the worst of us. And whether they like me or not, these guys will always have my back. As will anyone who’s ever been in this frat,” Renly said, sipping his beer. He perhaps drank it a bit slower than usual, if only because he wanted to spend more time with Loras.

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knightxflxwers:

Admittedly, Loras had underestimated his competition – a tendency he was wont to do, which went hand in hand with a tendency to overestimate the ease with which he would come out as the victor. He hadn’t expected Gareth and Renly to sink all their shots, and it had only been by a stroke of luck that they’d come out on top. True as that might’ve been, Loras wasn’t about to let the squeaked-by victory be considered anything less than a hard-won win. He met Gareth’s words with a self-assured smirk and a nod, and turned to look expectantly as Renly approached. 

Now that they were in front of one another, Loras paid closer attention to the other man’s appearance. Renly stood taller than Loras – taller than most people in the room, he noticed – and the contrast of his dark hair and blue eyes was even more brilliant up close. When he rested his hand on Loras’ shoulder, he decided then and there that determining what Renly’s deal was would be worth whatever outcome. 

“You mentioned that,” Loras answered, “not ever losing. I guess there has to be a first time for everything.” For some people. Opting to take his leap of faith, Loras eyed Renly, and asked: “so, should I assume that you’re good on your bet?” Loras didn’t really care about the money, but it seemed as good of an in as anything else. “Where’s your wallet at?”

Up close, Loras was no less striking. Perhaps the arrogance was clearer up close, in the way he held his head and squared his shoulders. He reminded Renly of all the people who’d made him feel inferior when he was younger, people who turned up their nose at those who were new money. If Renly hadn’t built a personality out of jovial confidence, he was the type of person who’d make Renly feel inferior, make him poke his hips and find all the places that weren’t perfect.

He whipped his wallet out, trying not to look nervous. “You know, I did not actually expect to have to give you $100. You might be taking my booze money,” he said, not totally lying. He was both downplaying and exaggerating the hardship that paying $100 would be. He’d get it back, all he’d have to do was ask Robert. “I suppose there is a first time for everything. You want a beer, man?” As he spoke, he took out five twenties and handed them over. Part of him wanted to be bitter, but he’d lost on bad luck, not on lack of skill. He could, he supposed, live with that.

But if he were going to live with that, he would charm the pants off Loras. Renly could not remember ever wanting someone so much. His frat was a dangerous place to indulge in his desire for men, but he nevertheless leaned just a bit closer to Loras with a smile just for him.

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“I’ll admit to that,” he replied with a smirk. A scoff left him at the man’s follow-up – even if he did like the way his name rolled off Renly’s tongue. “Maybe it does. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.” Why feel bad about having money? Or pretend that he didn’t have it, and parade around as the image of humility? People didn’t really like that. People liked icons – they liked having people to aspire to be like. They liked to dream of being a part of the elite. They liked to watch Margaery be so giving, or watch him be so talented. The fun was sapped out for both parties when those in the upper echelon of society started to pretend that they were just like everyone else. 

Renly’s claim that he wasn’t entirely sure of Loras’ age broke his arrogant expression, and his brows furrowed with a hint of frustration. He’d been described by others in the past as a prickly boy, and there were certain things more likely to offset his irritation than others. Champion among them was being considered lesser than based on some stupid denomination – competitors had assumed him weak after labeling him as feminine, or they doubted his mastery of the game because he was too young. He was very much aware of his own appearance, and while he was almost always pleased, he did dislike being categorized into some youthful, inexperienced subgroup based off that alone. It was especially frustrating when faced with a situation where one person – whom he was decidedly interested in – was striving to make a distinction between them. 

“Rerack the cups,” Loras replied firmly, opting to direct his attention to the game. Above all, one thing was certain: he wouldn’t lose. When the cups were arranged into a tight triangle, he looked towards his partner, and offered her one last smile. He was aware now that they’d attracted a slight crowd, who were intent upon seeing Renly and Gareth take another victory and put him in his place. Taking his partner’s free hand in his, he gave a friendly squeeze. “You can do it,” he promised. You’d better. 

He watched, golden eyes intent, as she gazed carefully at the three cups and considered them. Loras held his breath as she tossed the ball into air, and released it only when it had landed – to the surrounding shouts and gasps of the onlookers.  He allowed only a smile to cross his lips as a sign of his momentary victory, before stepping forward himself to look at the two balls. A beat passed where he decided between them, and with a careful toss he watched as the ball hit the mark. More shouting ensued following this – with one cup left and the balls rolled back to them, there was an assumption that the game could be over then and there. Loras watched as the girl bit her lip in a sign of concentration, but when she tossed the ball, it veered to the left. 

Loras ignored the shouting – he ignored the apologies of his partner – and did his best to ignore Renly’s handsome features as he zeroed in on the last cup. Clutching the ball in his hand, he took a breath – and as he released the ball, he released the breath. He watched as a narrowed gaze as the ball moved, and when it landed in the final cup, a bright smile broke out across his features. 

Renly was so shocked by the rest of the game, he hardly realized it was happening. Admittedly, almost no one took every single shot without missing. It was how he’d managed to win every single game he’d ever played with the frat. He had a ridiculously high alcohol tolerance, which was why he never missed a shot. Long past normal people would have been unsteady, he was on point. He’d gotten distracted by Loras, by his beauty and by the flirting, but it hadn’t distracted his game. He hadn’t missed a shot, and he was still going to lose. He wasn’t sure what about that made him even more attracted to Loras, made his gut bubble hot with both desire and rage.

The boy was annoyed, some taunt Renly had thrown at him had hit too close. After a twinge of guilt, Renly reracked the cups silently. “No need to be ashamed. I live a pretty blessed life myself,” Renly said distractedly. As focused as he was on the game, when he glanced up at Loras his eyes still twinkled.

The rest of the game was a blur. Renly didn’t leave any of the cups for Gareth to drink, just downed them all himself. He’d need to be drunk to live through the ribbing of the entire campus anyway, plus his brother when he inevitably caught wind of it. He just watched the balls intently, held his breath as they were thrown with growing horror. When game was won, Renly tried to drag himself out of his shock with a bright grin. Somewhere distant, he could hear Gareth going over to the other pair, excitedly congratulating them.

“Congratulations. You know, I’ve never lost a game yet. You might have just got me in trouble with some people,” Renly said, grinning a grin which was only 25% genuine. He clapped Loras on the shoulder, letting his hand linger just a touch too long, slid it off slowly.

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knightxflxwers:

The laugh that escaped Renly caused his face to brighten in a way that Loras found considerably handsome – so much so that he found himself smiling in return, pleased to have been the source. If it were to come to light that the man was in fact not gay – or not in the slightest, smallest bit queer – Loras would likely go home and sulk. After all, how could anything be so horrifically unfair? 

“I don’t like the word spoiled,” he replied breezily, “I think that it implies that everything is being funneled into you – and in the case of my family, there is more than enough to go around for us all.” It was a roundabout way of saying that yes, he absolutely was spoiled. It wasn’t to say that his other siblings received less, though. Willas and Garlan simply had no need nor desire for the excessive attention, and rather, they shied away from it. But when comparing himself to his own sister, Loras was certain in his claim that they received equal attention, albeit for different reasons. He would wager that she held just as much power over their father as he did – and easily ten times that of him where their Grandmother was concerned. 

Renly’s blue-eyed wink caused a sudden surge of warmth to bloom in his gut, and he dared to drop his gaze from the other man to the table. Three cups left, he thought, eyeing the remaining red plastic cups set before Renly and Gareth. If she can hit next round, we’ll have the game. Win now, pine later. 

As he looked back up at Renly and watched the bob of his throat as he drank the beer, he reaffirmed: win now, win again later. “Eighteen,” he answered. “Same age as half the girls here, if I had to guess. So if that makes me a child, well…” he shrugged his shoulders and glanced at the girls in the room, many of whom were entangled in the arms of some of the men. “I don’t think that’s a good look on you and your frat brothers, here.” 

If Loras was pretty when he was smirking or scowling, he was even more pretty when he smiled. He had a smile that would bring women to their knees. It made Renly lose his breath a little, and his smile widened in return. Boyish, handsome, full of a hopeful kind of happiness Renly couldn’t remember ever really feeling. He felt ridiculous, he felt distracted, and he shook his head to free himself of the fog. This was no place for that, not here in front of a bunch of people who worshipped his hyper-masculine brother with his beer belly and bellowing laugh and refusal to feel anything other than anger and drunkenness.

“So you’re not spoiled in relation to your siblings, just in relation to the rest of society,” he joked, unconsciously leaning forward toward Loras. He knew that anyone paying attention would be able to tell how attracted he was to him, he was giving off all the signs. He’d had them memorized so he could fake being attracted to girls. “I think you don’t like the word spoiled because it describes you just a touch too accurately, Loras.” He drew out the boy’s name, letting it roll slowly off his tongue. As much as he wanted to redirect his attention to the game or at least the pretty girls who were now watching it, he couldn’t.

“Eighteen, huh? I’m not sure that’s true, but I’ll choose to believe it,” Renly teased. He followed his gaze, glancing out at the rest of the room to smile invitingly at some of the people watching. He quickly turned back to the table, knowing that it would only take the girl hitting one more ball for them to win. It was closer than Renly’d really anticipated, even though neither him nor Gareth had missed a single ball.

“Well, you gonna make your shot?”