A Bleak Future - TOS AU

[kingofthenorth]

It had been years spent in the Nysgod world. Robb still questioned what his own Gods' reasoning was for him, but his faith was becoming thinner and thinner by the day. He had become hardened here, retreating back to his training as a king and burying his emotions under layers and layers of stoicism and suppression.

There had been many changes in scenery, being pulled around like pawns of the Nsygods until there was a war no one could prevent or end. Robb had hoped bloodshed would be put behind him since leaving Westeros, leaving him bitter and angry about war, which was only made worse when he lost Talisa.... again.

Whatever had happened at the Frey wedding made her unable to ever bear children, he imagined the scars were too deep within her womb, which only became worse as time went by and little Eddard was never be held in each others arms. Robb had accepted that and made peace on his own terms for it, though it ate away at Talisa. She too became more hardened, disciplined, and dedicated to her healing abilities thanks to advancing technology and the lessons taught from others. That's why it didn't surprise him that she died doing what she knew and loved best: caring for others. That was also the day Robb Stark stopped smiling completely.

There was intermittent peace every now and then, but it didn't last long until another skirmish popped up, inflicting more conflict. Days ticked by into years to where most of the candidates were now spread apart with little communication beyond underground transmissions late at night through a radio.

There were a few allies still left, ones Robb would do anything to protect, and that included Margaery, who now stayed by his side and equally capable of defending herself when the time came. They all had to know this if they were going to continue to survive.

Sitting outside in the small makeshift home they had built together Robb was finishing sharpening his sword when he looked over to Margaery, as if having a thought suddenly strike him, "Today is my name day." Funny, how after all this time he'd still remember this. Surprisingly, the calendar was similar to that they knew back home. "It's my 30th name day..." At least he could be pleased to know there was a pause in battles at the time being.

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[kingofthenorth]

He's surprised at her insistence, but complied. As she did everything, he did manage to rearrange things on the floor to be a little more comfortable for the two of them. And petting and loving on the dog, of course.

"Thank you." He replied when she returned with blankets in her arms, which he gladly took and began fluffing some things out for them.

[thekittenqueen]

She brought him a slice of lemon cake, sitting next to him. Little Robb was turned more towards Robb. Each thunder strike causing him to whine again. The sounds disturbing her as the rain came down harder and the wind shook the house.

Margaery gave a small smile, taking a bite of the cake. It was warm and gooey, fresh from the oven.

[kingofthenorth]

Greatly pleased and excited, Robb takes the offered cake and it isn't but a moment before he takes a bite. A pleased hum of approval was all he could muster.

"I've missed this." The fresh sweets, which was ridiculous given she's baked plenty before. He just realized since arriving to the Nysgod world, he had an affinity for sweets that he never particularly realized.

It was the small pleasures like this that kept him going.

[thekittenqueen]

She smiled in return, glad to see him so happy by the gift. "Happy Name Day." She murmured to him, another strike of lightening landing outside the house. Margaery's eyes glanced at the fire, watching as it flickered. It sputtered, cracking against the wood.

The draft was coming through the hearth, causing Margaery to shiver, even against the heat. Subconsciously, she scooted closer to Robb.

"I'm glad that you're enjoying it. I wish the weather was better for you."

[kingofthenorth]

"Thank you." He pulls a blanket around her shoulders, the same one he's using as well.

"The day could be better, but we're safe, with shelter and food. I'm thankful for that alone." Of course things could be better, but they had to make do with what they had.

"I mean it when I say thank you, Margaery." He hoped she understood the weight of his words.

[thekittenqueen]

"I know you do, Robb." She said gently, leaning closer to him so they could both fit under the blanket. The cake was near finished. Margaery set the plate down near Little Robb, letting him lick up the rest. He moved quickly so that he could return to burying himself under the shawl.

Her eyes flickered to him, watching as he cleaned his own plate, her gaze lingering longer than necessary on his lips. Realizing her actions, she shifted, glancing away with a blush on her cheeks.

[kingofthenorth]

"What?" He obviously was oblivious to what had just happened, unaware of what exactly she had been focused on.

"You're playing coy tonight." He commented in a teasing manner as he placed his plate down and watching the dog finish the crumbs happily.

[thekittenqueen]

"Nothing," she said, looking down, blushing harder than before. Her hand toyed with the blanket. She felt shy about these feelings, something that hadn't disappeared or completely left her. He seemed to always be on her mind, but whether it would be welcomed, she could not be sure.

"I was simply thinking," she began, scrambling for something other than her desires to tell him. "What else I could give you for your name day. Certainly you want more than a cake?"

[kingofthenorth]

"I'm pleased with how today has passed, beyond the storm, certainly. There's very few things I can think of that would make it better." He had become far too simple and modest in such a young age. Perhaps he was living in his father's footsteps after all.

"Are you flushed?" He leans to have a better look at her.

[thekittenqueen]

"Nothing?" She asked, touching her neck lightly, her heart beginning to hammer. He could read her so well and of course he would notice what was so plain on her face.

"No, it's...it's nothing." Margaery said, allowing her hair to fall before her face.

[kingofthenorth]

"You are flushed!" And now he is teasing her, "Are you with fever?" Though he knew that wasn't true. They were rather close to the fire.

Robb is moving around, trying to get her to meet his eyes. "are you too close to the fire?"

[thekittenqueen]

He's close to her, causing her to flush even more. She can feel her heart hammering in its chest, threatening to drown out the sounds of thunder and rain. She pulls back further, though finds there is nowhere to go without crawling up onto Little Robb.

"It isn't the fire," she manages, still stammering as she looked away from him, even as her face was caught in his gaze.

[kingofthenorth]

"Margaery, you're acting strange." Robb is now almost concerned whether or not if she really was alright or not. She was refusing to look at him and moving just out of his way.

He reaches over and touches her cheek with the back of his hand, making sure she really wasn't with fever.

[thekittenqueen]

She pulled back when his hand connected to her cheek. His touch electric against her skin. "Robb, please." She whispered, not wanting to step into that world again. It hurt so much to remember how much she cared for him and how much she wanted him.

What was she now but just a companion and this nothing more than pity?

"It's not a fever, please forget it."

[kingofthenorth]

He pulls away, complying to her request, though he's rather confused about all of this. They had been living and supporting each other for some time now, so her actions seemed strange. Vaguely he wondered if it was something to do with him, but he couldn't rightly say.

"I'm sorry." For what specifically, he was unsure as another crack of thunder rolled through the house and walls.

[thekittenqueen]

"It's not your fault, Robb." She said, giving a small sigh as she placed her face in her hands. Why was she doing this? Ruining their time together? Dredging up the past hurt and it made things difficult between them. How could she trust him to treat her heart any better when it was so obvious he loved his wife still?

"It is my own wanting, my own desires." She sighed. "They will pass."

[kingofthenorth]

"Please don't..." He searched for words and through his own thoughts and feelings, "Don't distance yourself from me. You're all I have and all I care about."

Robb preferred to keep himself busy and occupied, to keep him away from this thoughts. It was far easier to focus on tasks and repairs than dwelling on his own feelings. A part of him died with Talisa that day, three years ago or more, and he didn't have to be alone. Things were comfortable here, modest, but comfortable and he was at ease with Margaery by his side. He said it back then and he would say it now, he'd do anything to protect her and keep her safe. That stayed true, and if she weren't here now, he wasn't sure what shape he'd be in.

[thekittenqueen]

"What is it you want me to say, Robb?" She said with a sigh, not wanting to create distance either, but afraid to share the full depth of her feelings. It wasn't right or appropriate, but more than anything, she was afraid of what might happen.

"I care about you as well. More than I should or perhaps is welcome." She admitted to him, afraid to even look at him.

[kingofthenorth]

"I don't know." He calmly replied, feeling that this was happening all of a sudden. "I want you to be happy."

There had been too much sadness in their lives, and it was rather nice, at least for him, to be comfortable and content.

[thekittenqueen]

"I'm sorry," she whispered, feeling foolish for having her feelings ruin their evening. She pulled her blanket closer, placing her hand on her dog.

"Pretend that I didn't say that."

[kingofthenorth]

"I can't 'pretend' anything. If I could, I'd pretend my family was still alive and Winterfell wasn't in shambles." Robb really wasn't trying to sound bitter about the subject, just that he was confused what was happening when everything seemed fine.

"Margaery, I understand what you're trying to tell me, and I've grown close to you since being here together. Talisa is gone, she's not your competition anymore; she isn't ever coming back. If I didn't want you in my life, I certainly would have left long ago."

[thekittenqueen]

"I know you have. We have always been friends." She told him, her head leaning against her shoulder as she stared down at Little Robb. This wasn't something that she felt capable of expressing as much. The two of them had come so far, but was it even possible to turn back the clock?

"Competition is not something I think about, Robb."

[kingofthenorth]

Robb moves to where he's in her line of sight, face neutral, but serious, "I think of you more than just a friend." He had been thinking about it more and more recently, that he liked the small touches and gestures from her, his gaze lingered upon her longer than it properly should.

"I don't want to dwell on the thought that one day we might be separated." Not that he expected that day to come, but if he lost her, he honestly wasn't sure he'd pull through.

[thekittenqueen]

She reached out hesitantly, placing her hand against his cheek. It was the first real gesture of intimacy that she had given him in a long while. She was hesitant, still afraid of what his response would be, but she wanted to take the chance. To at least feel his skin beneath her hands again.

[kingofthenorth]

His hand covers her own, pressing it against his cheek. "I've thought it for a while now. You've always been so kind and considerate. I want to protect you and keep you safe; that's all I care about now. We're in this together."

Robb certainly hoped she shared the same feelings. He wasn't sure when exactly the turning point was for him, though he does recall fondly watching her in the kitchen late at night preparing future meals, or when she's helping him repair their house and the sweat rolling down her neck as she held things up for him to hammer down. There had certainly been more focus of attention towards her.