Thank you!! I’m glad you thought so 🥰

This is so beautiful! I’m obsessed with the look on Luke’s face

The Stranger paused, deciding whether to answer. Or maybe so many have died since then, They had difficulty remembering.

When They answered, Aemond swore he could pick out his nephew’s voice in the cacophony.

“He said he wished he never laughed at you.”

He wondered if his nephew had experienced this same meeting. Had he stood there, still soaked and terrified, as he faced the Stranger’s scrutiny?

“What about Luke?” Aemond asked, before he lost the nerve. “Did the coward wish he never flew to Storm’s End? Did he regret taking my eye?”

“Before we depart, is there anything you wish to ask of me?”

A lot of questions came to mind, none of which he wanted the answers to. There was nothing to be changed now. Aemond was resigned to his fate.

The Stranger nodded without comment. Aemond felt as though he’d just confirmed something about himself, and he was struck with a sudden fear he’d given the wrong answer. Was he meant to condemn his kinslaying? Or repent for all the souls who had perished under Vhagar’s flame?

Either way, when he looked back on his life, it was that moment where it felt like things started to fall apart past repair. That moment he wished he could change.

So many things might have been different if he reached out when he had the chance. Aemond wasn’t sure if he had been afraid of disappointing his mother or still bitter over childish pranks.

Another image came to mind. He thought of Luke, clinging to his toy horse at a funeral. He thought of catching Jace’s eye across the fire. “I should have comforted my nephews, after their father died.”

No, Aemond could never bring himself to regret Vhagar. Not for a thousand lifetimes. But he did regret the business with Luke. He’d spent the weeks that followed coming to accept that truth. Was it his greatest regret, though?

He could only wait and see which of the seven hells he’d be damned to.

“You started the war when you killed your nephew. That single moment doomed your entire family. Perhaps you wish you never claimed Vhagar at all. You’d have kept both eyes and lived a life three times the one you had.”

Oh my god 😭🤣 Aemond comes away from each conversation with his mother even more confused than he was before. First she’s convinced Luke is fighting dirty and now she keeps asking about Criston’s training methods with a weird tone in her voice ???

Something something Luke’s crotch right in Aemond’s face as they hold the pose

Oh no now I’m thinking hilarious thoughts about Alicent actually using sparring as a euphemism 🤣

I honestly feel kinda bad for her. She saw the purple bruises and bite marks on Aemond’s neck and the was the only plausible cause she could think of was that Luke bit him during their spar 😭

“I care nothing of the Driftwood throne nor its inheritances nor foul rumours any longer. The only family I desire is to have you as my wife,” Aemond answered. “If you’ll have me.”

That was the oath Luke made to himself. He would take the seat Corlys fought to give him, but he wouldn’t let the Velaryon bloodline die out. Even if he must take moon tea daily.

They coasted, always within view, right until the final moments. Arrax darted toward the beach while Luke cheered his victory.

Aemond felt himself smile.