Fanfic Idea! (Lucemond, modern-ish au, where the dominoes fall)
Aemond wasn't coming home tonight. Again. Lucerys felt stupid for even thinking Aemond would remember their anniversary. He quietly blew the candles he had lit and re-lit hours ago and placed the food in the fridge. He looked in the mirror, seeing himself dressed up in a beautiful green dress with a surprise lingerie underneath that Aemond would have no doubt loved, wearing the soft make-up Aemond told him he adored. He felt stupid all over again.
So to make the sting hurt less, he opted to open the bottle of the expensive wine they were given on their wedding day. It was strong, a bit sweet with a bitter aftertaste. He ignored the glasses and just chugged a quarter of it down straight from the bottle before stopping, the burning was strong from his throat to his chest. He sat on the floor of their bedroom next to their bed, well, just his bed most of the times. He honestly didn't know what to do anymore.
Like most couples, they weren't immune to fights and disputes and problems, and one of their more recent fights happened when Lucerys asked him to take some time off his busy schedule and be with him, go in their beach house, relax back home in Driftmark. Apparently, that set off a bomb, because Aemond snapped hard and an argument ensued. Yes, Lucerys knows that the project was important to Aemond since it was the first time Viserys ever entrusted anything of that importance to him. Yes, he knows that Aemond needed to prove to his family that he can manage such a project, that they could trust that he do well with the opportunity given to him. Yes, he knows it might be the only chance he gets to have a shot at being given at least a portion of the company. But what about them, their relationship?
They haven't seen each other in weeks, almost a month, Aemond too busy to even return home at times, and Lucerys, also dealing with the affairs of his own company. Both are tired, barely even saying anything to each other, other than a few I love you's, good mornings and goodbyes. Lucerys misses his husband, and thought he needed a break. Apparently, Aemond took it as Lucerys not believing he could do it. Lucerys knows of Aemond's insecurity issues, and did his best to show him that no, he knows Aemond can do it, that he was already doing great so far, it was just that Lucerys wanted both of them to feel relaxed and happy, to have some time for themselves.
Aemond was still frustrated, telling him that he wouldn't get it, that he was given everything in a silver platter and didn't need to fight for what he has. That offended Lucerys, who had to make sure everything was running smoothly because he can't afford a mistake, lest Vaemond uses it as an example of why he didn't deserve the company. Round after round of arguments, silent treatments, and when they finally did talk, they both apologized, the words too heated, both were tired and it was a slip of the tongue, and Aemond did tell him he, too, missed being together, just the two of them enjoying each other's presence, without work in their minds.
So they compromised, and everything seemed to go smoothly. Aemond even got what he wanted, moving up in the company and getting the praise Lucerys knows he deserved. Then he began overworking again, then Lucerys calls him out with the amount of plans he had to cancel because Aemond had work to do, and they argue. Then they apologize, make excuses, fix their schedule, and so on and so forth, the cycle neverending.
And it seemed Aemond decided to break his promise again. Lucerys knows it's not fair of him to think Aemond would drop everything to be with Lucerys all the time, especially since he has a lot to lose, just as Lucerys does, but he was able to do it, to prepare in advance, to finish his work early, to come home and prepare dinner, to dress up nicely and to set the mood for a romantic night. Just to be stood up again.
And honestly, he was getting tired of it. Tired of having to plan for special days only to have to cancel it, tired of feeling excited only to be met with disappointment when met with the usual text (or lack thereof). He was tired of spending too much energy trying to keep their relationship a happy one, only to be met with the "I'm busy's", and the "next time's". Honestly, it was foolish of him to think their anniversary would be different, I mean, he didn't even come to his own private birthday party, and Lucerys had to embarrassingly explain to both their parents and siblings why the birthday celebrant wasn't able to make it to his own birthday party, even after learning how to bake the cake, prepare his favorite meals, and even brought out a couple of movies Aemond enjoyed watching after. He forced himself to enjoy the party, and gave most of what he made to his family, insisting that they won't be able to finish it all anyway. Most of the family seemed to be showing varying degrees of pity, even Alicent, who really disliked their marriage, seemed to hesitate saying anything negative towards him that day.
As Lucerys drank away his blues, he can hear the rustling of keys. He was surprised Aemond even decided to return home. He can hear the door opening, knowing it revealed petals guiding him to their dining table with the unlit candles and the untouched dinner plates. He heard the quiet curse, before the footsteps got louder. Then the door opened, and Lucerys glanced at him, red faced, office clothes a bit untidy, most likely from running, with what looked to be flowers in his hand, and a box of cake he knows would be lemon cake on the other.
If it was the past, Lucerys would just laugh and gladly accept the obviously last minute preparation, now Lucerys just stares at him oddly, before drinking straight from the bottle again. He stood up unsteadily, took the flowers and the cake, and lead them to the sad dining table. Aemond tried to grab the lighter to re-light the candle, but Lucerys just told him it wasn't needed. Lucerys didn't bother getting their dinner out of the fridge, saying they should just skip to dessert. He cut the cake and placed two small pieces on their plates. Aemond tried talking, making excuses, and Lucerys just hummed, not really listening anymore. They soon stayed silent and finished up the cake. Lucerys couldn't even taste it, he just ate mechanically.
Aemond volunteered to clean up, and Lucerys just nodded, the wine making him sleepy. He just went to the bathroom and wiped off the make up, stripped and changed the lingerie to more comfortable sleepwear. By the time Aemond was done, Lucerys was already in bed, looking away from Aemond's side of the bed.
He silently changed and laid down next to him, seemingly hesitated before hugging him. Lucerys does nothing, neither accepting nor rejecting.
When Aemond whispered a "Happy Anniversary", Lucerys quietly allowed tears to fall, letting his tired self succumb to sleep.
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Exams were brutal, therefore 'tis time to make it everyone's problem😌
