Chapter Text
“Oh.”
And Oh, indeed. Cause the woman that just walked in might be the most beautiful woman, actually the most beautiful human being Alicent has ever laid eyes on. She is attractive in an almost aggressive kind of way, all sharp jawline and sharper features. Her mere presence is intimidating, demanding attention. Her bone structure isn’t just perfunctory but there to make a point. She is the kind of woman one will pay a fortune to know more about. But it’s her hair, rivulets of silver platinum flowing down her back and those purple eyes that leave no doubt about her ancestry.
She is a Targaryen.
Targaryens are a noble dynasty belonging to the Valyrian Freehold. When the Volcano erupted and covered the region with lava and ash, known in history books as the day of the doom, Targaryens were one of the few families to survive, migrating to Westeros. Being both Scientifically and technologically advanced, it didn’t take long for them to gain a foothold among people too busy fighting among themselves. That was centuries ago, but even today the Targaryen family is the prominent force in politics of Westeros, practically running King's Landing.
And while Targaryen are very well assimilated in the Westerosi culture, they still have their own queer customs and traditions. Even after hundreds of years have kept alive their language. And though they have had a reciprocal beneficial relationship with the faith, they still tend to follow their own “spiritual path”, to put it in the best way.
“Sorry…I should have knocked first.”
“No, no…it’s alright. I was just about to get ready.”
Alicent has a feeling she knows her, a face familiar and not just in she is a Targaryen kind of way but like she has seen her before but can’t seem to remember where.
“I am Rhaenyra Targaryen.” She says moving towards Alicent, hand stretched out towards her, a smile on her face.
And then it strikes Alicent.
“Oh..you're the Prime Minister's daughter.”
Rhaenyra's smile falters a little, almost unnoticeable, “Yeah, the one.”
“I am Alicent…Alicent Hightower.”
And realization dawns on Rhaenyra’s face as well.
“High Septon’s daughter?”
Alicent nods, “Yeah, the one.”
A look of understanding passes between the two, and they both smile wider.
“Horrible, isn’t it?” Rhaenyra asks, moving towards the bed.
“Absolute worst.” Alicent moves towards her bed as well, taking out her clothes. “I met your father once, for a few minutes. He is polite.”
“I have met yours multiple times, my father invites him for dinner and lunch from time to time. He is…an interesting man.”
And Alicent appreciates it, grateful to this stranger for trying. Her father’s company is too much to endure even for her on some days and sharing a meal with him with his barely concealed contempt for your family and your traditions mustn't be easy.
“Are you planning on going somewhere?” Rhaenyra asks, lying down on the bed, her suitcase still on it.
It is then it strikes Alicent that she is sitting semi nude in front of a total stranger.
“I…oh…I had just taken a shower.” Alicent gathers her clothes before rushing towards the bathroom, Rhaenyra’s eyes following her all along the way.
She takes a moment to gather herself, for some reason she feels extremely nervous, teetering on the edge of her nerves. And while she isn’t the biggest extrovert out there, meeting and attending a number of people over years has given her a template to go about, but for some reason she is coming up empty right now.
When she comes back, Rhaenyra is still on the bed, her feet perched on top of her bag, typing on her phone. She looks up as Alicent stepped out and smiled once again.
“Laenor, my cousin, just texted me.” She sits up, spinning her phone in one hand, “There is a crazy party going on not far from here, wanna come?”
Here’s the thing, Alicent had promised herself that she will be more outgoing and will not restrict herself to her comfort zone. She will say yes more than she will say no and she will be more open to opportunities to meet new people. But at the same time, she is already completely exhausted as is. All this traveling, packing and sleepless nights she spent worrying about all the things that could go wrong are catching up to her. So maybe she can cut off some slack, just for today.
“I think I’ll pass on that. I am exhausted and I still have to unpack.”
For a crazy second, Alicent thinks that Rhaenyra looks disappointed before she smiles and nods in understanding, “I understand. I am kind of knackered myself.”
She unlocks her phone, types for a moment and throws it back lightly.
“Maybe I should unpack as well.” She looks at Alicent and tilts her head slightly, “I have a feeling you are a pro at organizing things.”
“You have no idea.” Alicent plays along, her voice dropping low. “I took a course.”
“Alicent Hightower.” Rhaenyra says, voice teasing “Will you teach me your ways?”
“Rhaenyra Targaryen” Alicent made a show of glancing over “Will you pay the price?”
“I have literally seen lesbian porn straighter than whatever this is.” A voice said dryly from the door, making both the occupants jump in surprise.
Why does no one knock in this Godforsaken place?
“Laena,” Rhaenyra remarks, “Packed your manners too before arriving here, I see.”
“Oh please, Septa.” Laena, apparently, rolls her eyes, “Maybe learn to lock your doors if you are going to fuck.”
The crude word spoken by this stranger is not new to Alicent, it’s the way it is spoken so abashedly that takes her back.
“Alicent,” Rhaenyra says, “This is my cousin Laena Velaryon. Laena, this is Alicent Hightower.”
“Get out of here,” Laena exclaims, “Are you related to that stuck up High Septon somehow?”
“Laena,” Rhaenyra all but shouts.
“I am his daughter.”
Suddenly, Alicent feels very uneasy. She knows her father is not the most charming and easy going man there is but he is sure well respected and seeing his name being blemished like this irks her more than she cares to admit.
“He has a huge responsibility on his shoulders, holding the office of High Septon is no easy task. I personally think he carries out his duty with dignity and honor. Of course, he can’t make everyone happy. People are quick to find faults even in God himself.”
A look passes between Rhaenyra and Laena, it makes Alicent tense. Maybe she overreacted, but she still stands her ground.
“I didn’t mean to offend you. I am sorry if it came across that way.” Laena says, measuring her every word, her tone still polite. “But you have to agree, some of his views are rather regressive.”
And yes. That is true, Alicent does not agree with everything her father stands for. But she is not going to sit here and let a total stranger hurl accusations on him.
“His thoughts and views are in line with holy scriptures.”
“So, for instance, last week when he was spewing his decade old homophobia, you didn’t see any problem with that?” Laena’s tone is not polite anymore.
“What Homophobia?” Alicent asks, genuinely confused. “If anything, he was talking about inclusivity. About how God made everyone in his own image and everyone has their battle on earth to overcome, including queer folks.”
“So homosexuality is something that needs to be overcome, is what you are saying?” Laena every word is laced with disdain. “That is just another way of being homophobic.”
“No, it’s not.” Alicent retorts, “We hate the sin, not the sinner.”
Laena looks at Alicent like she has grown another head, before turning to Rhaenyra. “Don’t you have anything to add? Given that you are the fucking head of Campus LGBTQ club?”
And now, Alicent is the one who turns to Rhaenyra, “You are gay?”
Rhaenyra looks at Laena, then to Alicent and shrugs, “Pansexual, actually.”
The thing is Alicent doesn't really know what that means, but she is not going to ask and look like a fool.
“That’s all you’re gonna say?” Laena snaps.
“Laena, listen.” Rhaenyra stops and sighs before continuing, “It’s been a fucking long day, alright. Let’s not start piling shit on each other. Maybe we should go out for a while, how about that party Laenor is at. Maybe some drinks and fresh air will loosen us up.”
Alicent realizes that Rhaenyra's plan does not include her, but she really couldn’t care less, she just wants to be alone. Laena clearly has more to say but Rhaenyra gives her a look and she just huffs and leaves the room.
“Alright, ummm….I’ll see you tomorrow I suppose.” And with that Rhaenyra follows her too.
Alicent stood in the same spot for what seemed like hours, fuming and seething. So much, for having a good start.
………………….
“I can literally feel the anger seeping out of your skin Laena.” Rhaenyra remarks as they make their way out of the building, “Just say what you want to say.”
“Rhaenyra, I have seen you going for people’s necks for less. Why the fuck you didn’t say anything? Like seriously?”
“It’s just,” Rhaenyra groans, running her hand on the back of her neck, “You have met her father, Laena. Remember that God awful spiritual weekend our families organized, and how Otto was there breathing down our necks, like every second, being a complete psycho, pointing out some flaw every second.”
“Oh lord, don’t remind me.” Laena trembled at the memory, “I still have nightmares about it.”
“Right, now imagine living with that your whole life.” Rhaenyra pauses for a second, “You know, I have actually met her before.”
Laena stops walking abruptly, “You have.”
“Yeah. It was probably like five or six years ago, I think we were thirteen or something.” Rhaenyra looks at the ground, trying to concentrate. “God, I still remember how he literally had her jumping through the hoops every minute. Everything she did wasn’t good enough. From the way she walked, to the way she ate, she was slouching too much or not mingling enough.”
“I get your point.”
“I mean, how do you survive that guy Laena?” They start to walk again, “I don’t agree with her, you know I don’t. But at the same time, I can’t start attacking the only ideology she has ever known, the only way of living she is familiar with.”
“Yeah, you are right. It’s just, when people are being like that, it reminds me of the bullying Laenor went through and it's just….”
“I know, Laena, I know.”
They both walk in silence, the gravel crunching beneath their feets. There was laughter and giggling all around them, new kids high on the taste of freedom. A drunk guy passes them, slurring some lovesick poetry on the phone to, Rhaenyra hoped, is his partner.
Laena is the first to break the silence, “My roommate is from Castamere. She is not a homophobe, thankfully.” She looks at Rhaenyra, eyes twinkling with mischief, “But she isn’t half as hot as your roommate either.”
Rhaenyra releases a long suffering sigh, “Seven hells, she is so fucking hot.”
……………………….
Alicent doesn’t see Rhaenyra for two days after that incident. She wants to say that it didn’t bother her but it did. Even with all the running around finding her classes, going through the same cycle of introducing herself to a bunch of people and hearing their introduction, trying to make head and tail of everything going around her, she somehow found time to be worried about a total stranger and moreover whether that stranger wants to still share space with her for next two years.
It was on the third evening that she found Rhaenyra in the room. Sitting on her chair, a laptop perched on the table as she typed almost aggressively what seemed like an email. When Alicent entered she turned around and gave a small smile.
“Hi.”
“Hey.” Alicent avoided eye contact. She can’t. She is too nervous. About what. Even she doesn’t know.
“How are you finding the new place?” Rhaenyra turns back to her laptop, types a few more words before closing it. “Settling well?”
“You sound like my father.”
“That would be my literal nightmare.” Rhaenyra winces, “Sorry, I have a habit of speaking before I think.”
Alicent shrugs, too tired to get into another argument.
“Alicent, listen. About Laena, about the other night, I..I stand by it. I do think that things your father says are really detrimental to our community, no matter how he decides to phrase them. And while I believe you when you say that you have no hate for my people, I do find it insulting that you think being queer is a struggle, sin or some sort of test.”
Alicent stays quiet, shuffling on her feet, not quite knowing what to say. Her stomach feels heavy, her chest heavier. She thinks about changing the room, claiming it was her idea first, leave with some dignity, but before she can give words to that thought, Rhaenrya speaks again.
“Do you want to get lunch together?”
“Lunch?”
“Or dinner?” Rhaenyra offers, like it’s the timing of the meal that is the issue and not the idea of sharing the meal itself.
“Ummm…why?”
“Well,” Rhaenyra pauses, almost like gathering her thoughts,”because it will be easier, I reckon, to at least be cordial and respectful of each other, to come to some sort of common understanding.”
Alicent has multiple questions running through her head. Why do they have to go to lunch to talk, when they have a perfectly fine room? What common understanding is Rhaenyra referring to? Why is she making so much effort when just changing rooms would be far easier?
“Yeah, okay. Lunch sounds fine.”
“Tomorrow then?”
Alicent nods, walking towards her table, she pulls the chair as quietly as she can, flip opens the book and tries to read. Rhaenyra too goes back to her Laptop, the sound of typing taking up the room.
…………………..
“Have you decided what you are going to wear on your date?” Laena asks, dusting off the crumbs of chips of her chest.
“First of all, it’s not a date.” Rhaenyra snaps, trying on the third outfit of the hour, “And secondly, stop eating in her bed. You’re making a fucking mess.”
“Damn, your wife already got you house trained.”
“Is there a reason for your presence?”
“Answered prayers” She licks the last of the powder from her fingers, before standing up and plopping down on Rhaenyra’s bed, “Where are you taking her anyways?”
“I don’t know.” Rhaenyra lies, “Whatever is closest, I suppose.”
“Uh huh.”
“Okay, you need to go now. She’ll be here and I don’t want another clash of the titans.”
“Calm down, will ya.” Laena scoffed, “Why are you being so jumpy?”
“Because I would like to spend my college years in peace.” Rhaenyra replies, fidgeting with her perfume bottle.
“Good fucking luck with that.”
Rhaenyra just rolled her eyes, she can’t be bothered to come back with a retort especially when her mind is already occupied as is. Laena doesn’t wait for a reply either, taking out her phone and scrolling through her texts. Silence takes over the room, both the women busy doing their own things. It’s only after about twenty minutes that Rhaenyra speaks.
“Whose that jock that Laenor is thirsting after?”
“Who? Oh, Joffrey. Some senior, plays soccer apparently.”
“How did they meet again?”
“He was Laenor’s guide when he came for campus tour.”
“Is he serious about him?”
“Is he ever?”
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Got your eyes on anyone?”
“A certain redhead seemed interesting but I decided against it.”
“You're really obsessed with her, aren’t you?”
“I am not the one taking her on a date after knowing her for just a period of two days, in which she kinda called us heathens.”
“I don’t remember her saying that.”
“You didn’t deny the date part.”
Rhaenyra gives her an exasperated look, Laena just winks. “I must go now, I may not have a date but there is shit ton of assignments I need to do.”
She hops out of bed, stretches and kisses Rhaenyra on the nose, deliberately making a popping sound before she leaves. Not even two minutes later, Alicent enters.
“Hey.” She greets as she closes the door behind her, “Just saw Laena in the hall.”
“Yeah.” Rhanyra replies for the lack of a better response. “Ready?”
“Just give me ten minutes.”
“I’ll wait outside.” Rhaenyra walks out in the hall as her phone buzzes. It’s a message from Laena.
She looks even hotter in the daylight.
And then another.
Good luck for your platonic hang.
……………………
The restaurant was small and chic, all rusty walls and elegant mahogany furniture. They took a seat by the window, the sky looking explosively crimson. Rhaenyra insisted she orders crab, telling her about how they ship them fresh from Pyke island. Their food arrived as they made small talks about their classes and professors. It’s not until they are halfway through their meal that Alicent asks;
“So..is this like a farewell lunch, of sorts?”
Rhaneyra’s head snaps up, “What? No, Why? Is it?”
“I don’t know. You said something about talking our issues out and well…we haven't really. I thought you changed your mind.”
“I..I don’t know how to go about it. Like, how to begin and everything.”
“Maybe, we can ask each other questions to try and understand each other better.”
“Yeah, okay, yeah. That sounds good.” Rhaenyra took a sip of her water, “So, what do you like?”
“Umm..I meant questions more about our…you know..difference of thoughts.”
“Right, of course. What do you like about…religion?”
Alicent can’t help but smile, and Rhaenyra smiles back. “Sorry, it’s just Laena got all in my head. But tell me more about your Gods. You worship seven Gods right. That seems like a handful.”
“Well, actually there is only one God. A single deity with many faces. One God with many administrations.”
“So like a cosmological bureaucracy?”
Alicent smiled again, “Yeah, something like that.” She paused before asking, “Are you religious? Do you follow any religion?”
Rhaenyra pondered for a moment, “I am religious about my liquor…but religion? No.”
“What do you do when you feel uncertain? Scared?”
“Make things worse.” She joked, “I don’t know. Like there is no hard and fast rule, it just depends on the situation.” She paused again, clearing her throat, “Don’t you ever question the teachings or scriptures? Don’t you ever face doubts about the whole thing? You don’t have to answer if it is too personal.”
It is too personal. These are the questions Alicent doesn't let fester for too long in her mind.
“No, I don’t.” Her hands goes to the golden chain around neck, fidgeting with the star attached to it, “I am certain about my faith.”
“I envy that. I, too, would like to be certain about something for once.” Rhaenyra looked at the menu again, flipping through it absentmindedly.
“Are you certain about your sexuality?”
“Very much so.”
“There you go.”
Rhaenyra laughed. “You really are something else. I…I really like for us to keep being roommates, to become friends even. It will require a bit of give and take obviously.”
“What do you suggest?” Alicent asked, trying to hide her obvious delight.
“Maybe…maybe, I can come with you to the Sept, say every sunday?”
And that genuinely shocked Alicent, from all the things she thought Rhaenyra would come up, this was the last thing she would have guessed.
“Seriously? You will come to Sept? Every Sunday?”
“Yeah, why not, my mother would be absolutely delighted. And I kinda wanna see what the whole hue and cry is about.” Her fingers drummed against the table, “But on one condition.”
This time, Alicent knows for certain what Rhaenyra is going to ask, yet she nods encouraging her to keep going.
“You have to attend at least five of our club meetings.”
“Why five?”
“I don’t know, it seems like a pretty, round number.”
“Alright. But I get to pick the days.”
“Deal.” Rhaenyra extends her hand and Alicent shakes it lightly, almost as they concluded a business deal, “You agreed fairly easily, I really thought I would have to do some convincing.”
Alicent leans back, taking the menu out of Rhaenyra’s hand, “Like you said, give and take.”