Gendry found Arya in the same place he had found her the last time they were in Winterfell. Her bow was in her quiver, ready to fire.
“How could you keep something like this from me?” He demanded from her. Arya let loose, hitting the target’s bullseye.
“At the time, all I wanted was to be far away. Sansa was going to take care of him, so there was no need. She needed an heir, and I needed my freedom.” Arya’s voice seemed more cold and calculating then what she truly felt. “It was as simple as that.”
“How could you not tell me I had a son?” He yelled at her.
“You weren’t exactly trying to find me during that period time either.”
“You broke my heart, what was I supposed to do?” His voice was rising. Arya went to say something, but she caught the sight of Little Ned standing there. His mouth wasn’t open, but she would recognize that look anywhere. Rickon used to get the same big eyed look, and deep breathing before he would get angry.
“Ned?” She questioned quietly. The moment Gendry took a step toward him, he bolted faster then she could see. “Sometimes you can be as stubborn and stupid as a bull.” She quipped at him, taking off. She caught sight of him running out the front gate. Gendry not far behind her.
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“You lost him?” Arya is unsure if she has ever heard Sansa sound this upset before. Not since watching her father’s head be cut off, did Sansa’s anguish ring so true to Arya. She began to pace in her robe, her hair undone, the long tangles of red, draping her. “How could you lose him? You were trained by the faceless men, and you lost him?”
“I don’t know these woods anymore. He does.”
“You grew up running in these woods!”
“They’ve changed Sansa.” Arya went to reach out to her sister, but she shook her off. Jon entered the room, his sword on his hip. “I don’t know the woods like he does. Not anymore.”
“Sansa.” Jon walked up to her. She grabbed his hand, holding it tightly. “We have everyone out looking for him. Meera is currently going to all his favorite hiding places, Gendry, Myself and Arya are going to join them. We will find him.”
“I can’t...I can’t lose him. Not another one. Please…” She finally broke down. Her tears welling up.
“Sansa. It’s best if you stay here. If he comes back on his own, you’ll be the first one he will look for.” Jon reasoned to her. She nodded, taking in a deep breath.
“Please bring him back.” Arya follows Jon out of the room.
“We didn’t know he was there.” Jon looked more upset then she could remember seeing him.
“Clearly. You know for being one of many faces, you certainly should have realized.”
“Hes quick and quiet. Gendry was loud and being-” Jon turned on his heels. He gave a defeated sigh.
“Arya. Sansa for the past ten years has only had him for family. Bran hasn’t left Kings Landing once since taken the throne. I’ve been at castle black or walking our borders. You’ve been sailing around and away as far West as you could go. The only one Sansa has had was the boy. Everyone else is gone or dead to her. We left her here alone with the dead.”
“Sansa wanted to rule.”
“Sansa wanted her family.”
“You think I don’t know that? I write and she writes almost daily to me.” Arya defended. “I will not be sorry for trying to find more to the world then anyone else has. I understand how much Ned means to her. Which is why hes with her to begin with. I couldn’t stay, I would have perished here long ago. This isn’t me Jon. What’s your excuse?” She walked around him, heading to join the search party.
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Jon had searched and searched the woods. There was only one place left he hadn’t looked at. He’s been avoiding the tree they found the direwolf pups since he got here. Brought back to many memories of a time long missed and wanting to be forgotten. Taking a step down towards the creek. His gaze sweeping over the bankment yet finding no sign of him crossing. Turning to leave, he saw a pair of grey eyes staring up at him, almost in the exact place he saw the red ones.
“Hello there.” He whispered, bending down to meet him face to face. “You’re mother is worried sick over you.” Ned wiped his eyes, sniffling at Jon.
“She’s not my mother.” He put his head in his hands. Jon had the thought, that this is probably what he looked like as a child, being grumpy and moody all the time. He casted a smile towards him, trying to coax the boy out.
“Whose there when your sick? When you need lessons in school? Who was the one who taught you right from wrong? Played chess with you into the night? Taught you to read and write?”
“My mother didn’t want me.” He fired back at him. Jon reached out his hand, holding it still for him.
“Come out and I’ll tell you story okay?” Ned made his way from under the big roots of the trees. He sat up on the dirt and grass next to Jon. “When I was born, my mother died giving birth to me. My father, died on the battle field. People said he was kind and caring. Good to people, loved to sing and dance. That he loved my mother truly. But I never met him. My real father, was your grandfather. He raised me. Taught me right from wrong. He protected me, even when it caused great harm to his own love. He knew he was doing the right and honorable thing. Even it meant taking a stain on his own personal honor. To him, I was his blood. To his wife, I was a reminder of a person she did not know. A person who for all accounts, was the reason my real father wasn’t honorable. He wasn’t my father, yet he was my true father.” Jon wrapped an arm around the young boy, who wiped his cheeks once more. “Whose your mother?” He gave a soft smile.
“The Queen of the North.”
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Jon rode in with Ned on the back of his horse. The boy of ten quickly jumped off, running over to hug his mother. Sansa held him tightly. Ned noticed his mothers hair was down and not up. The long red locks draped them, while she cried into his head. Her robe a muddy mess down below. Pulling away, she looked at him angry then what he has ever seen from her before.
“What were you thinking! You know how dangerous it is! You know people want to hurt you!”
“I’m sorry.” Sansa pulled him closer to her again, crying into him. “I’m sorry mother.” He hugged her back. Safe and home again.
Arya stood next to her sister on the balcony overlooking the practice yard. The two girls had aged since they last saw each other, but to Sansa, Arya will still be her little sister.
“Is that some grey I see?” Arya teased her. Her dark brown hair had some as well. Grey to soon for the both of them, yet still there.
“Ruling is hard and stressful.” Sansa turned away from her sister, watching little Ned practice his archery once more. Arya’s eyes fell on the boy.
“Hes growing taller.”
“He grows more and more like you when you were that age.”
“I hope not. I was a handful. Almost nearly stopped Septa’s heart at least once or twice a day.” Arya smiled. Remembering chasing after Bran and Rickon. “Hes a lot better than what I could have ever done.”
“The cub wants to become a direwolf all too soon. If that’s not a Stark trait I don’t know what is.” Sansa clutched the railing, her mind no longer looking towards the future, just the past haunting her.
“Sansa your his mother.”
“I was his mother because I had to become it. He asks about you almost daily now.”
“What do you tell him?”
“The truth. He has my blood, but I can’t keep lying to him. He will know soon or later.” Sansa watched Jon approach the stairs. His smile wide, seeing Arya after so long. “The truth always finds a way of coming out.” She whispered to her sister before Jon could approach them.
“Sister!” He exclaimed, wrapping her into a hug. Arya stiffened a little before melting into the contact. The ten years away had not treated her as kindly as her brother would have hoped for.
“Jon! The wall seems to be keeping you fit still.”
“Well we still have raiders and bandits up north.”
“No signs of the return of Winters?” Arya felt her stomach twist, the blue eyes she closed still haunt her dreams some nights.
“I believe they have been erased for good his time. At least we can all hope that.”
“Hope is for the weak.” Arya mumbled. They all turned to watch Ned hit the bullseye for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“He’s good with Archery.”
“Says he wants to be able to defeat any opponent before they even have a chance to come near. Though he finds it boring.” Sansa explained. Meera looked up to them, seeing Sansa nod. “Studying is just as important. If you will excuse me.” The two watch Little Ned give Meera his bow, his eyes falling onto Sansa.
“Do I have to?” He called.
“You know better little cub.” She teased. Ned gave her a look before stomping off to the library.
“Doesn’t Maester Wolkan teach him?” Arya called after her. Sansa turned giving her sister a smile.
“We both know the only one smart enough to teach him here, is me.” Jon took a few steps closer to her.
“Sansa we still need to speak.”
“Later. I have things to do. I’m sure Arya and yourself have some catching up to do.” Sansa gave them one last look before making her way to the library.
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Arya entered the godswoods almost like walking back through time. The snow had melted, the pond unfrozen, and the tree’s red leaves draped the face in it’s trunk just how it always had. The last time she remembered seeing the tree like this was back when her father still was alive. When Ned Stark would sharpen Ice under the watchful gaze of the old gods. Her mother kept to the new, yet she seemed to only know the one now. The God of death still haunts her, always waiting like a friend.
She took slow long steps forward, her hand reaching out to the graze the man in the tree. It was here she felt closer to her family then she did with them. The Starks and this godswoods seemed to always go hand and hand.
“Arya?” His voice echoed through her. Her name ringing through her own ears, from a voice she longed to hear at least once more in her lifetime. She turned to look at him. To her, he seemed to be the same blacksmith she left at Kings Landing after the vote for King. Arya went to say something, anything but he held up his hands.
“Wait. I need to...I miss you.” He took a step closer. “I’ve thought long and hard about what you told me here at Winterfell. After I was made a Lord. You were right...about everything. As you always are, but that’s not the point. The point is that you’re not a lady. You’ve never been. Ever since I’ve known you when you pretending, badly I might add, to be a boy, you were never a lady. You were never meant to be in a castle, run a household, that was never in the cards for you. But I what I do know, after thinking about all these years, is that I love you. There will never be another you in my life. No love that I have left would ever find anything to replace that for me. Theres no one else. Theres just...you.” He stood there taking in a deep breath. His eyes darting to the ground, the words he had been dying to say for years fell right out. Arya walks over, placing a hand on his cheek, before kissing him. Their lips met for what he wanted to be ages, but just a few seconds.
“Little Ned is our son.” She whispered to him. Arya left Gendry standing there stunned at the revelation. She didn’t know what to say to him, but the truth. Sansa was always right but everything. The Truth would come out eventually.
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Jon entered into Sansa’s solar before she even knew someone was there. Turning from the window, she looked startled to see him.
“Jon why are-”
“Look, you have been refusing to speak to me, to see me even. The only reason I was brought here is because the Lords want to know if you plain to make Ned your heir apparent or pass it off to another house. That is all. They know a Stark must always rule, but as far as anyone can see there is no other Starks.” Jon defends. The door shuts behind him. Sansa wrapped her arms around herself.
“I can’t answer you Jon. Because I don’t know. A Stark must always be at the head of Winterfell but...Little Ned isn’t ready for it yet. That is too great of Burden to put on a boy no older than Bran was when he fell.”
“Sansa…” Jon took a few steps closer to her. He knew it pained her to see family suffer. It always has.
“I’ve received countless marriage proposals over the years, just so they would have a chance of taking my crown.”
“You are the Queen of the North. You have the means and the support in order to assure you your seat including keeping the Stark name. But I don’t understand why you need another heir when Ned-”
“Isn’t mine.” Sansa took in a deep breath, she felt the tears coming. “He isn’t...he isn’t ours Jon.”
“I just thought-”
“I know what you thought. It’s something I’ve always wanted to believe, but it’s true. He’s Arya’s and Gendry’s son. Ten years ago, Arya snuck back to Winterfell six months after leaving. She was heavily pregnant and wanted him to be raised in her home. He’s already the illegitimate son of a lord who doesn’t have an heir himself. I like Gendry, hes a good man, but hes from the Six Kingdoms. Which makes it more complicated than I just passing on my crown.”
“Who all knows about his parentage?”
“Myself, Bran of course, theres no hiding from him, & Arya. Which I’m assuming she will be telling Gendry at some point.” Jon closed the distance between them, pulling her into a hug.
“Sansa why do you always burden yourself with everyone else's problems and worries?”
“In all these years, I sometimes let myself believe that Little Ned was ours. He looks like a Stark should. Reminds me of Robb, of Arya. My family I no longer have.”
“I’m sorry.” He kissed the top of her head. “I know I can’t be here anymore.”
“Do you wish you could?”
“All the bloody time.” He smiled down at her. “Before I went South, there were moments I thought we could do this together.” Sansa tilted her head up towards him. His kissed her forehead, then both her cheeks, a last one on her nose. He hovered over her lips, but Sansa closed the gap. The kiss deepening with each second. A memory of them so long ago, before he went south, before everything changed. A moment they would repeat, a moment they had held in their hearts for so long with only the two of them kept locked away from anyone else.
The Lord Commander of the Nights Watch sat behind his desk. Letters had been pouring in about the raiders and the news from Kings Landing. It had been almost two long years since the announcement of the Future King of the North. It was recorded that once the boy turns Six and Ten he was to make his way South to visit with their allies. A possible betrothal was in the air, but to who, that was a question he did not know how to answer.
There was a knock on his door that brought him out of the world of the South.
“Come in!” He rang. The Little boy from North of the Wall had grown much since he came here, a boy no longer. He stood tall and a sword at his hip. Though still to young to be the raiders, he was learning everyday from Jon.
“Two New Ravens my lord commander.” Taking the scrolls, he recognized Bran’s seal the moment and opened it quickly.
Jon,
Congratulations
Bran Stark
Jon Looked at it confused. Bran has never once addressed him by his name, before nor has he ever signed it Bran Stark.
“Was there news from Winterfell?” The Young man smiled, nodding to the other letter. Quickly opening it, his smile only ever grew with each word.
Dear Lord Commander,
Ned grows each and every day, hoping to be strong and brave like his Uncle Rob and his Grandfather. He speaks about wanting to visit you almost daily now. But his time has been taking over by his little sister. Her dark grey eyes almost look as if they were peering into our souls. I wish that once she can, she meet all her family, including her cousin Jon.
Lady of Winterfell
Jon quickly picked up his quill, a smile wider than anyone had ever seen on his face before Jon couldn’t write fast enough with the words he wanted to say.
THE END
Author’s Note: Thank you all for reading, and enjoying my story. This all came from a weird dream I had about what if Gendry and Arya had a baby? What would happen or do? An as a true Jonsa (a Queen of the North) fan, I never could leave them out of things ^_^ I hope you’ve enjoyed it and I look forward to showing my improvement with other works in the future!
Note: I haven’t watched the new show legacies except for a couple of clips on YouTube. This is completely not Canon and a work of fiction I had dreamed off. I hope you enjoyed it!
“Grams?” A soft voice asked from beside her. The elderly woman, turned her head slowly, to see the oldest of her grandchildren smiling at her. “I’m sorry I’m so late, mom took forever to get here.”
“Mom?” The woman behind the her smiled.
“Hayley.” She reached out, gripping her awaiting hand. Tears came to her daughter’s eyes, trying to keep them in. “Why are you crying?”
“Because…” She was a strong witch, she knew what was happening to her.
“I’m old. We all have to go at some point. I’ve lived my life, now it’s time to pass it on to the younger generation.” She felt a strong hand grip her other hand. Turning her head she smiled at her husband. He was just as old as she. Living most of their life together, she lived longer than most humans, but she knew it was time.
“We’ll meet again when it’s your time my dear.” She felt tears come, wondering when she would be able to be with her loved ones once more.
“I know Hope. Always and Forever.” Turning to her see her daughter one last time, she closed her eyes, suddenly feeling very tired.
“Always and forever.” She whispered before falling into a forever peaceful sleep.
When Hope opened her eyes, she felt the damp cold grass under her. Looking at her hands, she didn’t see wrinkles, she felt young once more. Standing up slowly, she glanced around at the trees and hearing rushing water in the distance. It seemed like she was just in the woods near her old school or in the bayou just outside of New Orleans. Light shined through the treetops, showing the clearing that she was in. She felt someone come to stand behind her.
“Hope?” Turning she recognized that voice anywhere.
“Mom?” Hayley Marshall, stood there, smiling at her daughter. Hope began to cry, running to meet her mother halfway. She felt her mother’s arms around her once more and began to ramble.
“I kept my promise mom! I had a great life. I was a painter, I flew all over the world after graduating high school and painted the places dad and you lived. I even went back to New Orleans and painted the Bayou were you took me all the time. I-I-I found the love that rocked my world, and lost him, but I got him back again. I had three wonderful children, one of them I named after you. She looked just like you and-”
“Hope your rambling again.”
“I missed you mom.” Hayley hugged her daughter tight to her.
“I missed you too My sweet girl.” She kissed the top of her head, holding her and never wanting to let go. Her eyes traveled the edge of the clearing. Klaus watched them both, not wanting to ruin the long awaited moment, but was desperate to see his daughter once again. “There someone else who wants to see you again.” Hope looked at her mom, her tears blurring her vision. Slowly, she found her father standing there patiently like always, just far enough out of her reach. She ran to him, hugging him tightly. Klaus held her, trying to not cry. Nothing was stopping them from being together anymore. She could be near her dad and not worry about ending the world.
“I missed you dad.” Klaus didn’t know how long he wished for her to call him that again.
“I missed you Princess.”
“I tried. I tried to make you proud.”
“You did Hope. You always did.”
“I found the right man, broke a couple of hearts along the way, but one you would even like...eventually.”
“I doubt that love, but he can try.” He smiled, hugging his daughter close to him.
“I had a grandson, my daughter named after you. He’s just as reckless and stubborn as you.”
“But with my dashing good looks I hope.” Hope nodded, smiling at her dad.
“Uncle Kol thinks so.” Hayley walked over, reaching to touch her daughter. She couldn’t believe she was finally here, after so long.
“The stubbornness is also you my sweet girl.”
“I don’t know, that seems like a Hayley Marshall trait to me.” Klaus smiled at her, while Hope hugged her mother again.
“I hope I made you proud mom. I don’t want to part with you again.”
“You could never not make me proud.” Klaus hugged both of them, a dream of a family he never knew he would have.
“We never will part again Hope. Always and Forever, our littlest wolf.” Hope smiled, finally finding the peace she had sought.
It took pleading from Ned to have his mother finally leave. He had to promise up and down on all his ancestors that he wasn’t going to run off again before Sansa let him sleep in his own bed. But sleep wasn’t coming to him. The events and news of the day was eating away at him. He never heard her come in, yet her face suddenly appeared above him. Arya smiled at the boy, moving some hair away from his face.
“You do look like me a little.” She whispered. “The Grey eyes and such. Just try to avoid my temper. It lead to many a fight when I was your age. Especially with Sansa.”
“Why did you leave me?” Arya shifted her weight on the bed, smiling at him.
“I was never meant to be a mother. It was a fluke accident, the thought of keeping you with me was too terrifying. But Sansa...Sansa was always meant to be one. She knows how to care for them, how to love them. She was always meant to be your mother. I felt it, the moment she held you, the look in her eyes. I never felt like that. Not that I didn’t want to, I just...couldn’t. It’s not me.”
“Did you love me?” Arya wiped a tear from his face. He never even knew he was crying.
“It was only with love for your future and the life you could lead here, did I part with you.”
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“He’s my son! You didn’t think I should know.” Gendry threw away with all honors the moment he had a chance to speak to Sansa behind closed doors. “Did you even know? Of course you did, you know everything!”
“Of course I knew. It doesn’t take a genius to guess who was the one who got my sister with child! The only person she had ever been with to my knowledged was you. By then she had sworn me to secrecy and I could do nothing about it. It was to protect him and her. You know I would do anything for family.”
“I had a right.” Gendry shook his head, gripping the back of the chair. “I never knew who my father was until he was long dead and buried. Murdered by the Lannisters, a King, a warrior. Someone I would have looked up.”
“Robert Baratehon was many things when he was younger, but when I knew him, he was a drunk and philander. You have turned out nothing like him Gendry. You are kind and caring. I know all about the orphans you take in, you help feed. Storm's End has become a safe haven, a place were they can learn and become apprentices.”
“My lady, hes...hes my own flesh and blood which is something I never thought I would have after your sister turned me down.”
“I understand.” Sansa watched him sink into a chair, his anger dissipating. A certain sadness coming over him. “You know why you were sent here, correct?”
“To find out who your next heir is. If this bastard was to become the next King of the North.” Sansa smiled, at him.
“In order for him to become my successor, the next King of the North, something he has been raised to be. Something I know he desperately wants. You would need to deny any claim to him. Deny any claim that he is yours, both in public and in private.” Gendry stared at her long and hard, his chest rising and falling deeply.
“You want me to deny my own son.”
“If you want him to one day aspire to be something great. Yes, Yes I do.”
“You don’t know what you ask of me.” He shook his head.
“I know exactly what I ask of you. You forget where I became a Queen. Who made me steel.” The flash of blonde hair and icy blue eyes came to both their minds, a queen long dead, yet a lioness still. There was a soft knock on the door. “Enter.” She commanded. Little Ned entered the room, followed by Jon. The ten year old boy looked up at Gendry with his mothers grey eyes. Standing, Gendry took a deep breath, his eyes meeting Jons, before turning to Sansa.
“May I at least say something before I have to do what I need to do?”
“Of course.” Sansa felt tears come, but refused to let them fall. Gendry took a step forward before kneeling in front Ned. He reached out taking his hand in his, a smile on his face. Wider then anyone thought possible.
“If I had known you existed, I would have traveled to the ends of the earth to find you. I would have given up everything. And no matter what you hear from anyone, even me, know this. You were made with love and are loved.” Ned smiled, reaching out to give him a tentative hug.
“Thank you.” He whispers. Gendry takes a moment before standing up and turning to the Queen of the North.
“I’ll do it. But not for you or the Starks, or the bloody North. I’m doing it for him.” Bowing he quickly left, feeling his heart break.
“He’s too good for this world.” Sansa whispered. Holding her arms open, Ned ran into them hugging his mother.
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The Queen of the North stood in front of all her court. The head of each household of the North was there, standing and waiting for news. Jon, Arya, and Gendry stood to the side, as observers and not apart of her court. Her direwolf crown sat on her head, her dress grey and snow.
“Today my Lords and Ladies.” She kept her chin up, her head held high, a smile so beautiful. “My father, Lord Eddard Stark, always told me, a Stark must always be in Winterfell. For the North is not safe without a Stark to help protect it. Once my reign has ended, a Stark will be in winterfell. My son, Eddard Robb Snow is a snow no longer. He is from this day forth a Stark. He will be Eddard Robb Stark the first of his name!” Cheers rang out among the her country men. Sansa smiled down at her son, who smiled up at her. Turning to him, she held out a ring for him. “Let this ring stand as a symbol for your future and your commitment to the North.”
“I accept my Queen.” He bowed, taking the ring. Placing it on his finger, more cheers erupted. Chanting of the Queen of the North started, but were soon quieted the moment the Lord Commander of the Nights Watch and Lord Bartartheon of Storms End walked out. They kneeled to both of them.
“The Six Kingdoms is here to congratulate the Queen of the North on finding her Successor.” Jon spoke first. Gendry took in a deep breath.
“My our alliance to the North remain for many years to come. Congratulations, your highness.” Both stood, bowing once more. Sansa smiled at Jon, a future both knew was to be one of peace.
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Sansa stood underneath the red leaves with Arya. Jon entered with Ned following behind him.
“Come to see me off one last time?” Arya joked to her brother.
“As I remember it, I was the one leaving.” Jon smiled ruffing her hair.
“Well Black was always your color.” She smiled, looking over at her stone faced sister. “Sansa, I won’t stay gone long this time. And once I come back, I don’t plan on leaving Westeros again.” Sansa wrapped her arms around herself tighter.
“Of to see whats West of Westeros again?” He asked.
“Shes going to face the God of Death in Braavos. Like an Idiot.” Arya smiled at her sister.
“I have business I must finish there before I come back for good. I promise.” Sansa hugged her sister. Thinking how this might be the last time she saw her, just like when she left to go searching for worlds unknown.
“Where did Gendry get off to?” Arya gave Jon a sad smile.
“Gone. Left late last night. I promised I would write this time. Though I’m unsure if he will get my letters from Braavos.” Arya gripped Sansa’s hand. Turning to ruffled Ned’s hair.
“You listen to your mother alright? When I get back, I want to see how big and strong my nephew gets.” Ned gave her a smile, nodding. “Walk me to the gate?” Ned takes her hand, exiting the Godswoods leaving Sansa and Jon alone. Sansa sniffled, holding in her tears. Jon walked over to her, wrapping her in a hug.
“I don’t want you to leave again.”
“I don’t want to either.” He Sighed. “But we both know I have to.” Looking behind her, he saw no one, before placing a sweet gentle kiss. Her tears falling. She felt happy in this small moment, before he pulled away.
“I can’t see you off, not again.” He nodded, kissing her forehead before leaving the Godswoods. Sansa hadn’t realized she was still standing under the tree until Ned came up and pulled on her sleeve. “They are gone?” She asks, looking at the face in the trunk.
“They are.” He looks as well, realizing that all his ancestors at one point looked at the red barked tears. “Does this make me man know?” Sansa smiled, reaching down and taking his hand.
“It makes you a Direwolf.” Her shoulders back and squared, ready to face the challenges ahead.
Sakura smiled into her bowl of ramen. The comfort food, was exactly what she needed after the surgical room. Sasuke was eating his, slowly, not knowing if he should be speaking or not. But both seemed to be happy just sitting next to each other enjoying a meal outside of the hospital cafeteria.
“Three bowls of Ichiraku Miso Chashu Pork please!” Naruto’s booming voice echoed through the small shop. Sakura looked up from her bowl, eyeing him.
“You don’t have to be so loud every time Naruto.” She complained, taking another bite.
“Oh! Sakura, Sasuke! I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.” Naruto came to stand next to Sasuke. He wiggled his eyebrows, elbowing his friend. “Already on a date huh?”
“It’s not a date.” Sasuke and Sakura said in unison glaring at him. Shikamaru came into the restaurant, smacking Naruto on the back of the head.
“They’ve been at the hospital all day, let them eat in peace.”
“Does that mean you’re buying?” Naruto asked, taking a seat next to Sasuke. Shikamaru shook his head.
“Not since the last time you wiped me out.” Sakura quickly finished her bowl, smiling at the boys.
“Well, not that I don’t love seeing you, but watching you eat gives me indigestion, so I’m going to head out.” Turning her smiling to Sasuke, he gave a weak one back. “I’ll see you tomorrow, hopefully not over someone. And Naruto-”
“Yeah!” He looked up from his bowl.
“Tell Hinata I’ll call her sometime this week.” She waved goodbye exiting the shop quickly. Sasuke turned his glare on Naruto. Wiggling his eyebrows he continued to eat his ramen, while Shikamaru just sighed at them.
“I can’t take you anywhere can I?” Shikamaru, looked at his own ramen, shaking his head.
“Not a date huh?” Naruto teases, while Sasuke steals the rest of his ramen to eat himself.
Sakura dropped her keys off in the small dish next to the door. There was a fresh vase of flowers there, with a note from Ino, telling here there was fresh fruit in the fridge. She sighed to herself, looking at the empty living room. This has been a common thing, for her to come home to Ino missing. It will be more common once they finally decided to get married. Luckily, this was Sakura’s apartment and she wouldn’t have to move.
“Maybe Should I get a cat.” She spoke to herself, wondering if the lonely nights were only going to get worse. Sakura went the fridge after changing into her pajamas, grabbing the tub of ice cream and switching on the latest Rom-Com to hit netflix. It wasn’t until three spoonfuls in did she actually begin to wonder why Sasuke wanted to go to dinner with her in the first place.
He had only stayed at the Ramen shop for another hour, bickering with Naruto and actually having a decent conversation with Shikamaru. When he made it back to his apartment, he found a package right next to his door. His brother’s hand writing clear as day on the top of it.
For the Sleepless nights. He had written on there in big letters, the black sharpie looked like it was half dying towards the ends. After he brought it in, he opened it to find old Kung Fu movies that the two of them use to marathon over when there parents had pulled long nights at the hospital. He actually found himself smiling a little at the thought before finally resolving himself that it was simply a ploy to get to him come back home. Sasuke went to go change, get the hospital smell off if only for a little while. His phone buzzed before he could leave, it was Naruto. He had sent him a photo. One from the other night, at the bar. Sakura was really close to him, a small smile on his face, while she had a big one on. Probably the moment they were speaking of the dope. He shook his head, locking his phone.
This wasn’t the first time he had come back like this, but it was the first time he came back like this alone. Usually Woo bin, Ji hoo, or Jun pyo would bring him back. This time, this time he showed up alone, missing his tie and suit jacket in his hand. Ga Eul stood there watching him stumble in.
“Wheres Woo bin?” She asked, her hands crossed over her chest.
“Didn’t go with them.” Yi Jung began to unbutton his shirt.
“How did you get home?”
“Driver service.” Ga Eul walked over, holding his hands still.
“Where’s your tie?” Silence echoed throughout the room. His hand slowly rising to his throat, wondering which bar did he loose it at. He had met a couple of his pottery friends for drinks, a couple of drinks turned to karaoke with some girls he didn’t much care for.
“Someone must have taken it.”
“I can’t take this much longer Yi Jung.” Her hand coming to rest on her stomach. “We can’t take much more of this.”
“I’m just stressed-”
“I know but your acting like your father!” Ga eul wanted to take the words back the moment she said them. She could see Yi Jung shut down in front of her, his eyes glazing over, his brain working on what she said. Ga Eul covered her mouth, tears forming.. Yi Jung put his jacket back on, pulling out his phone.
“Where are you going?” She asked, following him to the front door. His eyes not even meeting hers. He shakes his head, shutting the door behind him. Ga Eul placed a hand on her stomach, rubbing the bump that held their unborn child.
XOXOXOXO
Ga eul opened the door, hoping to find her husband standing in front of it, missing his keys, but instead she found her best friend.
“Jan di! I ruined everything.” She cried. Jan di wrapped her friend in a hug, her pajamas wet at the bottoms.
“Yi Jung just went down the street to our house. Jun pyo is with him, trying to sober him up. What happened?” She asked, rubbing her friends arm.
“I said he was acting like his father.” She wiped her friends tears away, smiling at her.
“Don’t worry, he’s drunk right now, if that’s not acting like his father then I don’t know what is. You need to calm yourself, at least for the baby’s sake.”
“His father wasn’t just a drunken man. He’s father went out on his mother all the time. I basically accused him of cheating on me!”
“Ga Eul, stop it. Yi Jung has been going out drinking a lot lately and you both were bound to explode. Saying things during a fight is only to spite one another, that doesn’t make them true.”
“Doesn’t it?” Jan di wrapped her arm around her friend. She guided her to the couch in the living room, draping a blanket over her and sliding in next to her. Ga eul placed her head on her shoulder.
“Let’s sleep and deal with it tomorrow. Everything will be fine in the end.”
“Promise?” Ga Eul knew she couldn’t promise it, but for some reason she needed to hear the word.
“I promise.” Jan di smiled, hoping to give her friend just a little peace.
XOXOXOXO
Yi jung found himself face first in a toilet. Jun Pyo was standing by the door, his usual face of disgust, handing him toilet paper while looking away.
“This is why I don’t like drinking with you.” Jun Pyo pointed out. Yi Jung took a few sips of water hoping to keep it down.
“I don’t know why I do.” Jun Pyo sat down his back on the door.
“Jan di is with Ga eul, so you don’t have to worry about her or the baby right now.” Yi Jung shook his head.
“I’m always worried about her and the baby. No matter what is going on, I can’t stop worrying.”
“Is that why you keep drinking so much?” Yi Jung shakes his head.
“Shes close to being due soon. I just keep thinking what am I going to do? My parents are not the best examples by a long shot. I just… the only person I can look to for guidance is my dad. I don’t want to be like my dad. I never want to hurt her the way he hurt my mom.”
“Then don’t.” Yi Jung shook his head.
“How do I do that?”
“You know what he does, so don’t do that. Stop drinking so much, stop making your wife worry about you. Don’t flirt meaninglessly with other girls and you’ll be fine.” Yi Jung chuckled shaking his head at his friend.
“Since when did you get so smart?”
“I’ve always been smart, just took Jan di to yell at me for me to show it.” Yi Jung laughed before quickly throwing up in the toilet once more. Jun Pyo let out a yell, handing him some more toilet paper.
XOXOXOXO
“I didn’t mean it!” Ga eul said the moment Yi Jung walked through the doors. He looked up, all red eyed and hungover. “I’m sorry, I was angry and hormonal, I didn’t mean it.” In three strides he took Ga Eul’s face in his hands kissing her deeply. She was the only thing that matter nothing else.
“I know you didn’t.” He wiped a tear away before it could fall further. “I don’t want to be like my dad. I want to be one of the greatest dads this child has every seen. Just how I want to be one of the greatest husbands that anyone has ever known.”
“You already are.” Ga Eul smiled. “Some things shouldn’t be said.”
She knew she would find him here. His eyes only on what mattered to him in the moment, the new art he was creating. She could never blame him for getting lost in his work, he was the best potter in South Korea, but she still was upset. Ga-eul had been waiting at the restaurant for hours. Only eating the bread, until it was just too sad for her to stay. She knows when he’s at the the wheel, he loses track of time, but today was different. Today was their anniversary, something that was special to both of them. At least, that’s what she believed. Ga-eul stood there watching him finish the final touches on the new vase, before clicking off the wheel. Pulling his earphones out, she saw his smile slowly fall when he noticed her in the mirror. He eyes quickly glancing towards the time on his phone. It was close to 1 in the morning. He missed it.
“Should we just break up?” Her eyes were dry by now, the tears long shed were no longer there, at least that’s what she told herself. She looked at him, his face registering shock. Waving her hand around at his shop, the art, glaring at them.
“Meeting me was never apart of your plan. In your grand scheme of things wouldn’t it be better for me to just leave? You wouldn’t feel bad like you are now.” The tears were still coming, to her, even though she said they were gone. Yi-Jung put his phone down, his eyes trained on her.
“Your right. Meeting you wasn’t a part of my plans.” He walked over slowly to her, afraid if he moved to quickly, she would flee. “Falling in love with you wasn’t in them either. You were never in the plans because love for me never seemed like an option. Not until you showed me it was.” He reached out, pulling her close to him. His lips meeting hers, softly at first before she kissed him back, her lips moving against his. When he finally broke the kiss he put his forehead against hers, his thumb wiping away a tear.
“Whatever love I have you got all of it. I wouldn’t share it with anyone else. I wouldn’t want to share it.”
