Things Gendry have said while drunk: “I wish I was as cool as Arya” while Jon just nods like 😔 “me too”
Oh wow, I never had one of these!
This was the first time in a while they had the chance to spend New Year’s night together. Three years ago Robb went to spend the holidays at Highgarden with Margaery’s family, the following year Jon decided to go to the far North with Ygritte and last Christmas Gendry had to stay behind for work and Arya chose to stay in the Stormlands with him.
The week had been a complete success, however, today was their last night together before jobs and obligations took them apart again and the Stark children were determined to make it count.
Gendry didn’t remember exactly who came up with the idea; it could have been Rickon, who knows. The thing was that, at 2:37 in the morning of a windy first of January, he found himself in the very well-equipped basement of Winterfell, right in the middle of a darts tournament.
Rickon was the only one still underage, but since Ned and Catelyn had said their goodnights to go upstairs an hour ago, Theon had quietly passed him a beer and even Robb pretended he didn’t notice. Or maybe he was already drunk enough himself to not care.
The tournament started slow and “by the rules,” they were even keeping the count of points. Every member of the Stark clan, included Margaery, Ygritte and Gendry, had their turn to throw a set of 3 darts. But of course, after two rounds, they were barely respecting the turns anymore.
One by one they failed among cheers and moans. Bran was the first to go, he tried to aim as well as he could but it was obvious computers were his thing, not darts. He accepted his defeat with grace and moved to the other side of the spacious room to play a videogame on the flat screen.
Gendry could tell Sansa was playing more to be with her siblings than because she was for real interested in the game, but she made the effort and looked proud because she lasted more than Bran and hadn’t been the first one to go. She happily sat with a drink to cheer everyone else.
Rickon was the next one. He was ready to fight, it was obvious he had been practising, but the alcohol backfired on him and in the end, his aim failed him. He mumbled something that sounded a lot like “stupid game” before joining Bran.
Margaery showed some good skills, but she ended up going down next, declaring herself more of a strategist than a shooter.
On his fifth turn, Gendry’s mind was cloudy already; he had to concentrate to focus on the board. He could hear Arya cheering somewhere at his left but his hand and his eyes were not in the same page anymore. The darts flew only to hit the outer circle of the board, taking him out of the game.
“Damn!” Gendry exclaimed while snapping his fingers, trying to hide the fact that he was already too drunk to play. He walked to Arya, who immediately threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
“Don’t worry babe, I’ll get the crown for the both of us.” Then she proceeded to retake her place to throw again.
Things got serious after that, Robb was determined to defend his honour as firstborn, Jon was not willing to lose yet and Theon was on a mission. Gendry didn’t know Ygritte that well but judging by Jon’s comments, she wasn’t the type that gives up easily and he knew his Arya would rather fall unconscious than be defeated. He just sat to enjoy the battle.
Robb went down next in embarrassing fashion, his last darts were closer to the wall than the centre of the board, even Gendry’s last attempt had been more successful. He faked a tantrum, leaning on a wall and pretending he was crying before stepping back.
Jon was next, he was doing well at first but his last dart completely missed the mark. He only slapped the sides of his legs with both hands and went to sit next to Gendry.
Theon took more time, but in the end Arya made his last throws look like a joke and he had to admit defeat. He inclined his body as if he had been an artist that just gave the greatest performance of his life and zigzagged his way to sit on the floor next to Sansa.
Ygritte was about to throw but Arya had something to say. “Why don’t we step back and increase the distance, just to make it more interesting.”
Gendry gulped and looked to Jon, who seemed as surprised as he felt. When he looked back, he thought he saw doubt on Ygritte’s eyes for a moment, but it disappeared as soon as he saw it.
“Sure,” Ygritte said, and they moved 2 steps back.
That lasted two rounds, then Arya gave one more step back. Ygritte followed, but she was starting to look unsure.
Gendry turned to Jon again; his eyes were a mixture of apprehension and excitement, he even had a fainted smile on his lips. He wondered which one of those feelings was for Arya. That’s when Gendry perceived the silence. Everyone, even Bran and Rickon were looking at the two women. ‘Gods, I wish I wasn’t drunk,’ he thought.
Another round, both were accurate and everyone clapped. Then Arya moved back again.
Gendry knew Arya was drunk as well but she looked utterly focused and Ygritte, well, Gendry couldn’t be sure but she looked nervous.
The silence filled the basement again. Ygritte’s turn was first, the first and third darts hit the centre, but the second was a bit to the right, if Arya achieved three accurate throws, she would win.
Arya prepared to throw with a zip of her beer, she took her time, savouring the liquid in her mouth and she looked so hot, Gendry would have jumped on her right then and there if not because they were surrounded by her siblings.
She threw her first dart, it hit right in the centre of the board. The second dart obtained the same results. Then Arya drank from her beer again, a big zip this time. She left the bottle on the counter close to her and gave one more step back. The rest were in complete silence, waiting.
Arya took her time again, aiming carefully, positioning her hand and arm in the right place. She threw and Gendry saw in awe how the dart reached the board, hitting the centre in the most accurate way possible.
The silence lasted just one more second, then everything was claps and cheers. Gendry was hypnotised, he had the coolest fiancée in the entire universe.
“Man, I wish I was as cool as Arya,” Gendry said, not knowing if to himself or to Jon. He realised he had been heard when Jon answered in a low voice.
“Me too mate, me too.” Jon then quickly patted Gendry’s shoulder before standing up to go comfort Ygritte.
Gendry took an extra moment to look at Arya, feeling his admiration and love for her growing with every second, then he stood up himself to go to her.
Arya hugged him as soon as he approached, “I told you I would get it!”
“And you did!” Gendry replied, smiling with pride.
Arya smiled back before getting closer to whisper on his ear. “I will require a prize, Waters.”
Gendry blushed a little bit but managed to answer, “As soon as we’re alone.”
To Gendry’s delight, the party died not long after that, allowing him and Arya to go have their private celebration.
And I think this was longer than I was anticipating, I hope you like it anyway.
Thank you for the prompt! 💛😎😁
